2011 Draft Prospect Thread

[bobcats3wallace]

The way the boards are starting to look in mocks, and with the order we are looking at, it is quite possible that our 1sts will now be Kemba Walker and Jordan Hamilton. That would not suck at all. I really wanted Kanter early but he will not be around for us.

That would be a very nice scenario, but I'm a a believer once again in this playoff run. Which would give us the 15th pick and maybe the 16-18th pick. I don't see Kemba falling that far. I think that is perfect range for Hamilton, which does fit what we need perfectly. He is a scorer, a guy that probably can project as a go to type guy. I think Kemba is going to play himself into a top 8 pick, he's just been unbeleviable.

[ohara]

The way the boards are starting to look in mocks, and with the order we are looking at, it is quite possible that our 1sts will now be Kemba Walker and Jordan Hamilton. That would not suck at all. I really wanted Kanter early but he will not be around for us.

That would be a very nice scenario, but I'm a a believer once again in this playoff run. Which would give us the 15th pick and maybe the 16-18th pick. I don't see Kemba falling that far. I think that is perfect range for Hamilton, which does fit what we need perfectly. He is a scorer, a guy that probably can project as a go to type guy. I think Kemba is going to play himself into a top 8 pick, he's just been unbeleviable.

If we make the #8 seed, you are correct. But if we dont, the Bucks pick right before us and they wont take a PG as they have Jennings. It all comes down to whether the Cats get in the Playoffs. We are likely looking at #10 (no Playoffs) or #15(Playoffs). And Kemba wont fall to #15. Knight from Kentucky might, but not Kemba. And Knight would be a good selection at #15. So we would not be in too bad a shape either way.

[bobcats3wallace]

Knight would be interesting. If we were to draft Knight, I don't think that means we have to trade DJ. I think Knight is capable of playing SG minutes, especially if Livingston was out there with him. Knight is a gammer, and again has that Swagger you like to see. I think Knight might even fit this team a little better just becuase of the flexibility he gives. You don't HAVE to trade DJ if you draft Knight because Knight has a bit more size and can play SG minutes. I think Knight/Kemba and Hamilton could all turn out to be big time game changers in this league, so that would be a great draft.

[SWedd523]

Still don't understand why everybody is on Kemba's nuts. He's not any better Jimmer, Nolan Smith, Brandon Knight, etc.

Jimmer (DX = 17)
Nolan (DX = 22)
Knight (DX = 16)

Why burn a pick on the shortest of the bunch, especially when you can pick his equal later in the draft? Even more so when you realize he won't ever be a starter unless he has a 6'7+ SG because he's far to short?

The first pick needs to be used on Whichever SF drops to us--Barnes, either Jones, Leonard. Not only will they be better NBA players, but they'll be more useful for our team. Use the second pick on Smith, Selby, Buford, or whichever scorer is available that we like the most.

[fatlever]

dont go into this draft trying to draft a particular position. we need talent across the board.

[SWedd523]

dont go into this draft trying to draft a particular position. we need talent across the board.

That's not at all what I said.

It's obvious that if Kyrie is there, we take him, same for DWill. But since neither is, there's no point in addressing them.

The best players in this Draft:

Irving--will be gone
Williams--will be gone
Sullinger--will be gone, don't want anyway
Barnes
Jones
Jones
Kanter
Leonard
Vesely
Kanter


Of those, I don't think Kanter will be there for us. So that means one of the remaining best players (all SF's) will be available if we pick ~10. So obviously, you go for one of them.

[ohara]

Well, if you dont like DJ as our PG, you will likely have the option of either Kemba Walker or Knight. Both look really solid and both can also fill up the bucket.

[countryboi]

brandon knight played very well vs UNC...he has had a great NCAAs....I love his size

[amcoolio]

Are you kidding, Kemba is going to be worst case scenerio Steve Francis. There is no way he should be allowed to fall outside the top 10, but if we get him, I will be ecstatic.

Kemba is going to score at will in the NBA, and he has a decent handle and passing ability as well. And he has that Jordan killer instinct that DJ will never, ever have and that we so sorely need

[fatlever]

as i have mentioned before, i didnt watch much college hoops this year prior to the tournament starting. between bobcats games, chelsea games, panthers games, bad tv and video games, i just dont ever seem to find the time where i am watching college hoops. plus, the past 10 years college hoops gets more unwatchable each year, imo.

so most of the draft prospects that i have been reading about all year long, i am just now seeing them play for the first time and finally forming an opinion. and i have to say that i am not really impressed with anyone so far. is this really the best college bball has to offer? its nothing but freshman who have no clue how to play (but have some buried talent and upside) and overachieving upperclassmen who werent good enough to come out earlier. outside of derrick williams (maybe) and kemba walker (maybe), i havent seen a single college player this year that i would feel comfortable with as a starter in the nba next year, including the much hyped kyrie.

half these highly rated forwards look like tweeners who wouldnt sniff the floor right now in the nba (terrence jones comes to mind - didnt see any reason to be impressed with him today).

its just a little frustrating seeing these guys knowing that none of them are anywhere close to be ready to play at a high level and that if we draft one we will have to wait 2-3 years just to find out if one of these guys can beat out dante cunningham, gerald henderson or dj white for role players/marginal starter status.

i honestly think all of these guys need to go back to school for another year - barnes, jones, sullinger, knight, henson, irving etc... maybe some of those international dudes are better.

what is barnes going to do in the nba next year besides ride the bench?

the one guy who has impressed me all year in college hoops is one of the guys who gets no love in terms of nba scouts and thats tyler zeller.

i know the old days are long gone, but it sure was nice when we got to see college stars play for at least 2-4 years before they left for the nba. it made college basketball so much more interesting and made the nba draft so much more exciting. but i guess its slightly better than when they were coming straight from high school.

what a crappy year to have 2 first round picks.

[Jaruff]

I think we should draft Brittney Griner for the lulz. She's better than many of the people that will be drafted in a few months.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtaPtQnu370p[/youtube]

I think she could hold her own in the NBA.

[ohara]

as i have mentioned before, i didnt watch much college hoops this year prior to the tournament starting. between bobcats games, chelsea games, panthers games, bad tv and video games, i just dont ever seem to find the time where i am watching college hoops. plus, the past 10 years college hoops gets more unwatchable each year, imo.

so most of the draft prospects that i have been reading about all year long, i am just now seeing them play for the first time and finally forming an opinion. and i have to say that i am not really impressed with anyone so far. is this really the best college bball has to offer? its nothing but freshman who have no clue how to play (but have some buried talent and upside) and overachieving upperclassmen who werent good enough to come out earlier. outside of derrick williams (maybe) and kemba walker (maybe), i havent seen a single college player this year that i would feel comfortable with as a starter in the nba next year, including the much hyped kyrie.

half these highly rated forwards look like tweeners who wouldnt sniff the floor right now in the nba (terrence jones comes to mind - didnt see any reason to be impressed with him today).

its just a little frustrating seeing these guys knowing that none of them are anywhere close to be ready to play at a high level and that if we draft one we will have to wait 2-3 years just to find out if one of these guys can beat out dante cunningham, gerald henderson or dj white for role players/marginal starter status.

i honestly think all of these guys need to go back to school for another year - barnes, jones, sullinger, knight, henson, irving etc... maybe some of those international dudes are better.

what is barnes going to do in the nba next year besides ride the bench?

the one guy who has impressed me all year in college hoops is one of the guys who gets no love in terms of nba scouts and thats tyler zeller.

i know the old days are long gone, but it sure was nice when we got to see college stars play for at least 2-4 years before they left for the nba. it made college basketball so much more interesting and made the nba draft so much more exciting. but i guess its slightly better than when they were coming straight from high school.

what a crappy year to have 2 first round picks.

So,......what's your point?

[fatlever]

haha... what is my point? hmm... lets see...


points
1. not impressed with this years highly rated prospects
2. none of them look ready to contribute in any meaningful way except derrick williams and maybe kemba walker
3. college basketball is not as entertaining as it was 10 years ago - although i did enjoy the upsets this year and i do enjoy the rise of the mid-majors the past 5 years.
4. nba draft is not as entertaining as it was 10 years ago.
5. most of the prospects should go back to school, especially with lockout looming
6. bad year to have 2 first round picks

lots of points in that post

[countryboi]

haha... what is my point? hmm... lets see...


points
1. not impressed with this years highly rated prospects
2. none of them look ready to contribute in any meaningful way except derrick williams and maybe kemba walker
3. college basketball is not as entertaining as it was 10 years ago - although i did enjoy the upsets this year and i do enjoy the rise of the mid-majors the past 5 years.
4. nba draft is not as entertaining as it was 10 years ago.
5. most of the prospects should go back to school, especially with lockout looming
6. bad year to have 2 first round picks

lots of points in that post

irving is the best player in college basketball what you saw this weekend is a guy that has not played in 2 months and still trying to get his legs back. early in the season he was awesome

[ohara]

There are some good players to be had. Just takes picking the right ones, and developing them. It is not nearly as bleak a picture as you are painting. Just wait and see how things pan out. Dont lose heart.

[Marvel]

That's funny, the ONLY player i see as a franchise player in this draft is Kyrie Irving.

Kidding me, keep sleeping on Kemba. Kemba will eat Jimmer, Knight for breakfast, without the milk.

In saying that, we ONLY draft Kemba if he's still on the board at 10... whatever, wherever our pick falls. I don't think he will be just quietly and neither will Derrick Williams, whose body reminds me of Dwight Howard, or Kanter, Irving.

Personally, i want Williams and Kanter.

[debo23]

not a duke fan but I think nolan smith is a sleeper in this draft -- he's got good swagger, passion, and IQ for the game that the cats could use. The NBA stars who played against him at the USA camp had nothing but good things to say about him.

[fatlever]

haha... what is my point? hmm... lets see...


points
1. not impressed with this years highly rated prospects
2. none of them look ready to contribute in any meaningful way except derrick williams and maybe kemba walker
3. college basketball is not as entertaining as it was 10 years ago - although i did enjoy the upsets this year and i do enjoy the rise of the mid-majors the past 5 years.
4. nba draft is not as entertaining as it was 10 years ago.
5. most of the prospects should go back to school, especially with lockout looming
6. bad year to have 2 first round picks

lots of points in that post

irving is the best player in college basketball what you saw this weekend is a guy that has not played in 2 months and still trying to get his legs back. early in the season he was awesome

i'm not saying that i wouldnt draft him at #1, but i am saying that i dont think he is ready to be a major contributor right away. i dont think he is as ready as wall or rose were due to the injuries that robbed him of most of his freshman year. from a money aspect, i think he would be best served going pro, but from a career standpoint i think he would be best served staying one more year at duke. he will be #1 regardless of when he comes out, baring a catastrophic injury next year. but i think his game would benefit more from staying one more year and dominating the ACC vs coming to the NBA, dealing with a lockout and being thrust into a starting role on a bad team when he probably isnt quite ready. its damn hard to run an NBA team at 19 years old.

[fatlever]

There are some good players to be had. Just takes picking the right ones, and developing them. It is not nearly as bleak a picture as you are painting. Just wait and see how things pan out. Dont lose heart.

maybe so, but i am willing to bet there isnt a single rookie next season who averages 15+ ppg.

this year there were 2 - griffin and wall. last year there were 4 - evans, curry, jennings and r.williams and the season before that we had 4 - mayo, westrook, gordon and rose.

[JMAC3]

I know that they never get any love, but if we get two lottery picks I think we should defiantly look at drafting a Euro. I would be all for taking Donatas Motiejunas, he is very similiar to Bargnani. You would have to play him next to a physical rebounding PF, idk say Tyrus. Also, Jan Vesely seems to have some tools to be good player in the league and compares to Danilo Galinari. Jan is a bit more athletic and does not rely on his three point shot as much and is a tweener 3/4. Enes Kanter is a Luis Scola type player to me. He is not going to block a ton of shots, but he has a good midrange and is physical under the hoop. I just think he is more comparable to Scola rather than Horford and projects more as a PF to me. Jonas Valanciunas is the most typical big man out of this group being a legit 7 feet. He is more of a shot blocker and traditional big man as his range is only up to about 12 feet. I would not recomend taking two of these guys with our lottery picks, but I like the possibility of matching one of these guys with another college lottery pick. If I had to chose one of these guys to stay away from I would pick Kanter. I just think not playing basketball this year will hurt him and he has least chance of being Star. Valanciunas has biggest bust chances I think, but he would easily start Center for us next year, but do not see much Star possibility. Montiejunas and Vesely both have star possiblities and would both fit into our team well. I would to see the bobcats turn into a running team because thats what our young guys exceed at. DJ Hendo and TT all are quick and athletic and Vesely would fit well at the 3 and Monteijunas at the center for this type of team.