2013 NBA draft prospects chatter

[Kembastockton]

What do we know of this kid Kelly Olynyk? I saw a highlight on sportscenter this weekend that made me think 7'0 version of Kenneth Faried with a reliable jumper. Both nbadraft.net and draftexpress have him available for the Portland pick should we make it.

[catch20two]

What do we know of this kid Kelly Olynyk? I saw a highlight on sportscenter this weekend that made me think 7'0 version of Kenneth Faried with a reliable jumper. Both nbadraft.net and draftexpress have him available for the Portland pick should we make it.

He scores efficiently in a variety of ways. I'm not so sure about his defense but rebounding seems to be his only glaring flaw so I wouldn't compare him to Kenneth Faried in that vein. As of right now I like him at the Portland pick if we so happen to get it.

[SWedd523]

Nothing at all similar to Kenneth Faried. He's kind of like a worse rebounding version of Al Jefferson.

Insanely efficient and does his scoring in a variety of ways. I saw a game the other week where he came down and drilled a three, then came down the next time and beat his man off the dribble for a layup, came down the next time and scored of a mid post turnaround. He really likes to stay in the low/mid post, but can stretch out to the college 3 line if he needs to.

Hard to gauge his defensive ability. Seems like a solid, if unspectacular, athlete and plays with good effort. I've seen him switch off on guards and get in a nice low stance to stay in front of them. But he's a whitey so you know he's going to get the bad defense label until he proves people wrong

Poor rebounder but I haven't seen enough of him to tell why yet. He apparently grew up as a guard before a big growth spurt (like Anthony Davis). That explains a lot of his skill but can also explain why he doesn't have the rebounding instincts.

[Eoghan]

Rick Bonnell really is pretty dumb. He tweeted that we should draft Len because he fills "a crying need."

[Liver_Pooty]

Rick Bonnell really is pretty dumb. He tweeted that we should draft Len because he fills "a crying need."

Hes been on Lens nuts for a while now. Kind of annoying.

[catch20two]

The Ben McLemore vs Marcus Smart rematch is tomorrow @9pm EST on ESPN2. I can't wait because both of these guys are on my current wishlist of possible draft picks for the Bobcats.

[Snidely FC]

Rick Bonnell really is pretty dumb. He tweeted that we should draft Len because he fills "a crying need."

Hes been on Lens nuts for a while now. Kind of annoying.

I think Len gives us what Vucevic is giving ORL. Not as sexy as McLemore, but don't see any down side to a 7'1 250# 19 year old who beasted head to head vs Noel & Plumlee.

[Eoghan]

I watched the Indiana-Mich.St. game. Terrific effort from both teams. It's official, Oladipo is my man-crush. That guy just balls HARD. I would seriously find a way to draft Noel and Oladipo, tremendous assets going forward.

Zeller was Zeller. Despite his t-rex arms, he gets more blocks than you'd think but he also gets his blocked too. I don't think he'd be Toodles bad in terms of getting blocked but similar enough. His jumpshot mechanics are really wack. He practically shoots a set shot from his chest. He absolutely loves to go left; about the only time he'll go right is for a hookshot or his momentum carries him that way and he throws up a flailing one-hander. I definitively like Bennett over Zeller I think.

[Liver_Pooty]

Rick Bonnell really is pretty dumb. He tweeted that we should draft Len because he fills "a crying need."

Hes been on Lens nuts for a while now. Kind of annoying.

I think Len gives us what Vucevic is giving ORL. Not as sexy as McLemore, but don't see any down side to a 7'1 250# 19 year old who beasted head to head vs Noel & Plumlee.

Unfortunately those two games are the only games where he has been assertive, though.

[BlackOutBuzz]

I've really liked Oladipo since early in the season when I tuned in to watch Zeller. Happy that he's getting some recognition, but I secretly hoped he'd go relatively unnoticed so he'd be available at the PDX pick...

[countryboi]

I've really liked Oladipo since early in the season when I tuned in to watch Zeller. Happy that he's getting some recognition, but I secretly hoped he'd go relatively unnoticed so he'd be available at the PDX pick...

I was going to say how I like oladipo weeks ago but I thought i would clowned....the kid plays great man defense and goes hard to the bucket

[JMAC3]

As an Indiana fan its great that other people recognize your players, but it sucks thinking that they will leave to the NBA.

At the beginning of the year I thought Zeller would be gone for sure, but lately iI havent been so sure he wont stay another year. Oladipo on the other hand is a bit of a surprise, before the season I would never have guessed him being a lottery pick. He has improved so much each year that I think he could be a serious player in the NBA in a few years. I think whatever decision they make, it will be together and also depend on how well we do in Tourney.

Zeller has improved a ton of the defensive end this season with both his rebounding and blocks, and I have never noticed his supposed short wingspan, so it might be over analyzed. He is extremely consistent player when it comes to scoring with his touches and he can hit free throws. I think he will be better then his brother easily, already much more impressive build.

Oladipo has transformed himself from a dunker as freshman, to a defender his sophmore year, to a nearly complete player his junior year. His shot is still coming along, but if he gets his feet set he is shooting extremely well. He is shooting 68% from the field as a guard. His handles have improved a ton as well and when you couple that with his speed and athleticism he is a tough guy to guard. He crashes the offensive glass with big putbacks and plays at 110% all the time. Elite defender with elite athleticism.

I would obviously take either one of them on our team, but neither is in my top 5 currently.

[Eoghan]

With the way Oladipo has improved each year, it seriously reminds me of Jordan. Seriously, if that guy continues to improve annually like that, by 2014 he'll be a hell of a player.

[BlackOutBuzz]

If we end up with, say, picks 3 and 13; I wouldn't be at all upset with keeping the Zeller/Oladipo tandem together.

[Snidely FC]

I think Len gives us what Vucevic is giving ORL. Not as sexy as McLemore, but don't see any down side to a 7'1 250# 19 year old who beasted head to head vs Noel & Plumlee.

Unfortunately those two games are the only games where he has been assertive, though.

That's the knock on Len, but I watched the game where MD beat NC State and while he only scored 10/6 he willed them to that victory in the final minute, making rebounds, blocked shots and tipping in the game winner with less than a second to go. He put up 16/10 vs. Miami. I think he's being a little overlooked because the MD guards are chuckers, much like Drummond's backcourt at CT last year. Shooting guards are fungible, but 7'1 19 year olds with good hands and feet don't grown on trees.

Showing soft hands and excellent touch, he's capable of scoring with either hand inside the paint. Impressive foot speed and ability to effortlessly elevate around the basket. He shows a nice basketball IQ moving the ball within the flow of the offense, sometimes with a nifty bounce pass to a cutter diving to the rim. He also has nice shooting mechanics.On the other end of the floor, Len's terrific size, length and mobility give him tremendous potential on defense. He led the ACC in blocked shots per-40 minutes last season, over the likes of NBA draft picks John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Bernard James and Miles Plumlee, and averaged a solid 10 rebounds per-40p. Len has quick feet and good timing stepping out and hedging screens on the perimeter, something you usually don't see 7-1 centers do too often. His main virtue lies as a rim protector, though. He's so tall and long he often doesn't even have to leave his feet to block a shot, and he has a tremendous knack for using his wingspan to alter and reject shots around the rim. From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz2LPOu2WLd
http://www.draftexpress.com

[JMAC3]

Again Len just seems like a worse version of Cody Zeller.

When I have watched Len he has not shown me anything that makes me say dang this guy is a player. He has had some solid games, but as a 7-1 center you should be able to have good games in college when you are being guarded by 6-8 players most the time. I think he will be solid in the NBA, much like Vucevic, but I would not take Vucevic in the top 5 and defiantly not top 3.

[SWedd523]

Again Len just seems like a worse version of Cody Zeller.

When I have watched Len he has not shown me anything that makes me say dang this guy is a player. He has had some solid games, but as a 7-1 center you should be able to have good games in college when you are being guarded by 6-8 players most the time. I think he will be solid in the NBA, much like Vucevic, but I would not take Vucevic in the top 5 and defiantly not top 3.

I'm the complete opposite. Len seems like a better version of Zeller.


Taller, longer, better mechanics, more post moves, better rebounder, better shotblocker. He also seems to have a bit more room to grow and has improved on a yearly basis while Zeller is essentially the same guy he was last year.


The only real disadvantage I see is that he's not as mobile end-to-end.

[JMAC3]

Again Len just seems like a worse version of Cody Zeller.

When I have watched Len he has not shown me anything that makes me say dang this guy is a player. He has had some solid games, but as a 7-1 center you should be able to have good games in college when you are being guarded by 6-8 players most the time. I think he will be solid in the NBA, much like Vucevic, but I would not take Vucevic in the top 5 and defiantly not top 3.

I'm the complete opposite. Len seems like a better version of Zeller.


Taller, longer, better mechanics, more post moves, better rebounder, better shotblocker. He also seems to have a bit more room to grow and has improved on a yearly basis while Zeller is essentially the same guy he was last year.


The only real disadvantage I see is that he's not as mobile end-to-end.

Well lets see. Zeller is averaging more points, more rebounds, higher fg%, better free throw shooter, gets to the free throw line twice as often, has proven he can turn a team into a winner, and just looks better when you watch him. He also plays in a much tougher conference and is more consistent.

[Eoghan]

Len strikes me as a poor man's Ilgauskas. I have no idea if that's a good player in today's NBA or not. What disconcerts me most about Len is that dude is consuming 6k calories a day and is still struggling with 6'8" guys down low. From a Bobcat's superstition perspective, I'm wary about 7 ft foreign prospects named Alexi(s) also, lol.

Other than that, I like Len just fine. Good NBA size for the position, plays within himself, surprising athleticism and possibly a blossoming array of post moves. I just like the upside of a guy like Cauley-Stein better.

[TheKingofSting]

Victor Oladipo is that dude, he has went from outside the Top 10 range to Top 5 according to Magic Johnson and I wouldn't be surprised if he works his way into the Top 3.