Z-Rex: The Cody Zeller Thread

[BeesWax]

But then people get pissy when others don't like the pick. If people want to discuss the pick that is fine but you cannot get mad when people don't like that he was draft 5 spots to high.

see... perception.

You are right. Most people believe you don't draft a low ceiling role guy in the top 4. Maybe that is a misperception but it is how many people feel.

[fatlever]

if people want to bash zeller based on his skills or lack of skills or personality or praise noel, mclemore and len for there skills then thats a worthy discussion, something we can debate. however, i get annoyed when people get mad or happy at a pick based on where they assumed/thought a players should have been picked based on media perception.

[fatlever]

But then people get pissy when others don't like the pick. If people want to discuss the pick that is fine but you cannot get mad when people don't like that he was draft 5 spots to high.

see... perception.

You are right. Most people believe you don't draft a low ceiling role guy in the top 4. Maybe that is a misperception but it is how many people feel.

jdm, i believe that you did your research and formed a solid opinion. however, i do not believe that the majority of fans take that much time. they look at mocks and fall in love with the idea of value. noel and mclemore represented value based on their perceived draft status and where we were picking.

[fatlever]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/0 ... r-had.html

[countryboi]

I am warming up to zeller, in a weak crap shoot future 2001 draft like that his one getting a guy that has little to no bust potential is a great thing.

[penquin11]

I dont see how Zeller is only a role player, he isnt his brother. He is super athletic and has a desire to improve...

[JMAC3]

The thing is the fans at the arena would of booed almost any pick. They are not knowledgeable about basketball and most of them are there because it is socially acceptable to bash the bobcats. Also, when a few fans started booing everyone joined in, because thats what people do...

They would of booed if we had selected Len too, because people have seen him play and he plays against their beloved Duke, UNC, and State teams.

I feel like most of them would of been happier if we had picked Peyton Siva or Trey Burke because they are more common names on ESPN when it comes to college basketball and both played in the championship game. And honestly most probably do not understand how good Kemba is, because they do not go to or watch enough games.

Fact is most people try to act like they know sports, when really the only thing they know is what they see on ESPN the 2 times they watch it a week. They know Zeller is a big white guy, whose brother played at Carolina, and Zeller turned down UNC for Indiana.

I think once they realize we have a big man who can put the ball in hole and rebound they will quickly come around.

[BeesWax]

You may be right but being booed because he was way ove rdrafted and has very little potential as a star makes sense as well. The first people who booed may have booed because it was the right thing to do and then you may be right and the rest just joined to fit it. When they see him out there they may end up liking it or they may start calling for Jordan's head. That will be who they want to get rid of no matter who was at fault for the pick.

[Logander]

Those people in the video booing don't even know a thing about basketball, more-so the drafting process. It said in the article the DJ there asked who everyone wanted and they booed Len, Bennett, Noel but only cheered for McLemore. If any of those people actually watched the combine or even watched college basketball for that matter they wouldn't be so stubborn about picking 1 guy. I feel those type of people really watched ESPN a few times and heard McLemore and Kobe in the same sentence and made up their minds that we had to get them. Zeller is going to surprise a lot of people just gonna go ahead and say that. At first I was upset because I thought we could have traded back and gotten him but thinking on it now, it was probably the best to just insure we get him with the 4th and not take any chances.

[MasterIchiro]

Those people in the video booing don't even know a thing about basketball, more-so the drafting process. It said in the article the DJ there asked who everyone wanted and they booed Len, Bennett, Noel but only cheered for McLemore. If any of those people actually watched the combine or even watched college basketball for that matter they wouldn't be so stubborn about picking 1 guy. I feel those type of people really watched ESPN a few times and heard McLemore and Kobe in the same sentence and made up their minds that we had to get them. Zeller is going to surprise a lot of people just gonna go ahead and say that. At first I was upset because I thought we could have traded back and gotten him but thinking on it now, it was probably the best to just insure we get him with the 4th and not take any chances.

McLemore played plenty of basketball at a major program for every single one of those fans to see. They had every right to get their hearts set on him as the one guy. He should have been the guy! Unless there is a plan to sign a 3 pt threat like Mayo, I hate the fact we passed on McLemore. I would've booed too, not Zeller but the fact we passed on McLemore.

[Logander]

Those people in the video booing don't even know a thing about basketball, more-so the drafting process. It said in the article the DJ there asked who everyone wanted and they booed Len, Bennett, Noel but only cheered for McLemore. If any of those people actually watched the combine or even watched college basketball for that matter they wouldn't be so stubborn about picking 1 guy. I feel those type of people really watched ESPN a few times and heard McLemore and Kobe in the same sentence and made up their minds that we had to get them. Zeller is going to surprise a lot of people just gonna go ahead and say that. At first I was upset because I thought we could have traded back and gotten him but thinking on it now, it was probably the best to just insure we get him with the 4th and not take any chances.

McLemore played plenty of basketball at a major program for every single one of those fans to see. They had every right to get their hearts set on him as the one guy. He should have been the guy! Unless there is a plan to sign a 3 pt threat like Mayo, I hate the fact we passed on McLemore. I would've booed too, not Zeller but the fact we passed on McLemore.

There are plenty of other reasons why I would disagree that hes the guy for us. One huge is showing up to the combine 10-15 pounds overweight which is due to carelessness. Zeller is a workaholic where as McLemore (to me) seems like a lazy ass. Zeller can run the floor just about as good as anyone on our team, and having Zeller, Walker, MKG, and Biz will merit us so many fast-break points it won't even be funny. The Heat do that very well and I hope we can end up getting to that level in the future. Maybe wishful thinking but I'm hoping.

[JMAC3]

I liked McLemore and thought he was going to be the pick at the time, but now looking back it makes sense from a roster standpoint. It frees us up for the future. If we would of picked Mclemore our backcourt would of been set for the next 3 years and we would be almost forced into picking frontcourt players for the next two years.

Now that we have a little more balance to our lineup, we should be a better team and also we will have more flexibility in next years draft to take either a guard or a big man. I think Zeller will have a better rookie season than Len and Noel by far. It will be interesting to see how McLemore plays in Sacramento and what they do with Tyreke, whether they resign him and what position they will use him at. I would not be surprised if they move him back to the point and have McLemore start next to him.

[amcoolio]

You may be right but being booed because he was way overdrafted and has very little potential as a star makes sense as well. The first people who booed may have booed because it was the right thing to do and then you may be right and the rest just joined to fit it. When they see him out there they may end up liking it or they may start calling for Jordan's head. That will be who they want to get rid of no matter who was at fault for the pick.

Zeller has better star potential than anyone but McLemore, IMO.

Once again, the fact that the Suns passed on Noel means grim news for his future. It's like drafting current day Oden. Sure, the potential and dominance is all there but he probably will have a hard time when he gets back on the court because of crappy knees.

[Red Larrivee]

I've never read or heard that McLemore has a lazy work ethic.

When you're drafting high in the lottery, fit doesn't matter. It's the worst strategy. The point of the draft is getting the best talent available.

Can you honestly say Zeller is a better basketball talent than Len, Noel and especially McLemore? We'll see what happens when the games are played though, but I don't think so and this dates back to what I saw in college too.

[SpearNMgicHelmt]

But then people get pissy when others don't like the pick. If people want to discuss the pick that is fine but you cannot get mad when people don't like that he was draft 5 spots to high.

see... perception.

As far as perception, I wonder if a lot of the fascination with Noel is that people see him as being as good as Anthony Davis just because they are both big shot-blockers from Kentucky. So they're way too quick to assume that Nerlens can develop the whole compliment of skills that Davis has.

I admit to being guilty in that regard about Bennett. UNLV. Undersized but bullish PF. Those factors had me wanting him to be our pick so that he'd turn out to be Grandmama 2.0.

[amcoolio]

I've never read or heard that McLemore has a lazy work ethic.

McLemore didn't work on his game or stay in shape after the tourney ended, leading to poor results at the combine and workouts. All of the Bobcats players we've drafted recently are in the gym every day of the year. Its more like passion isn't there, a la Martell Webster.

When you're drafting high in the lottery, fit doesn't matter. It's the worst strategy. The point of the draft is getting the best talent available.

Can you honestly say Zeller is a better basketball talent than Len, Noel and especially McLemore? We'll see what happens when the games are played though, but I don't think so and this dates back to what I saw in college too.

Talent wise? McLemore is better, but doesn't seem to care or be a hard worker. Len I have no idea why people are high on, I would take Zeller over Len anyday. Noel is a massive injury risk that won't even play this season. I would have loved Noel, but again he slipped to 6 for a reason. Once I saw Phoenix quickly pass on Noel that meant bad news. If anyone takes chances on injured players its the Suns.

I just don't see Cho being a moron when it comes to the draft. Its pretty documented the lengths and measures he goes through with each and every player. More than any of us here, so until he selects a bonifide bust (which he hasn't yet), then I have to defer to his judgement

[Red Larrivee]

McLemore didn't work on his game or stay in shape after the tourney ended, leading to poor results at the combine and workouts. Its more like passion isn't there, a la Martell Webster.

He sure had a pretty good freshmen season for a kid playing without passion. Combines are meaningless. It's like NFL scouts drafting a guy just because he ran a good 40 time. It doesn't determine anything about your career or how much you want something.

[amcoolio]

McLemore didn't work on his game or stay in shape after the tourney ended, leading to poor results at the combine and workouts. Its more like passion isn't there, a la Martell Webster.

He sure had a pretty good freshman season for a kid playing without passion. Combines are meaningless. It's like NFL scouts drafting a guy just because he ran a good 40 time. It doesn't determine anything about your career or how much you want something.

If an NFL draftee showed up to the combine and team workouts out of shape and winded, there would be severe red flags, regardless of his talent, and he would slip in the draft.

McLemore apparently did just that. He didn't fall to 7 because teams reached for need over talent. Charlotte would have selected BPA regardless, especially since we don't have a starting shooting guard at the moment

[JMAC3]

Zeller was looked as a reach according to Mock Drafts.

But when you talk to teams many had him much higher. The Magic thought about taking him, The suns wanted him, The kings worked him out and were impressed, The Sixers had a deal in place to trade Holiday for him, once pelicans took him, but did it with Noel instead.

This is the guy that was considered a top 3 pick after his freshman season in last years draft, considered top pick in this years draft preseason, and he improved statistically and lead his team to a number 1 seed in the tournament.

He averaged more points than Bennett, Oladipo, Porter, McLemore, Len, and Noel. So its not like his production did not merit the selection.

Fact is if we would of traded down with Minnesota. We would of been picking from Burke, Adams, McCollum, MCW, and Olynck. I would rather just have Zeller.

[Red Larrivee]

If an NFL draftee showed up to the combine and team workouts out of shape and winded, there would be severe red flags, regardless of his talent, and he would slip in the draft.

McLemore weighed in at the combine:

6'5, 189 lbs, 5.0% body fat, 42. inch max vertical, 32.5 no step vert.

That's out of shape?