Bobcats War Room - 2008 Draft - Pick #13

[August Us Seazr]

Is anybody here superstitious? It's time for the Kendall Gill, Matt Carroll honorary pick. Last time, we discussed the lack of "sexy" picks through this part of the draft. Tonight, I guess we pick our hard luck case. As if we needed one of those! Cough, cough (May). Hack, cough (Ammo).

So, by the razor thin margin of one vote, Darrell Arthur becomes our latest enshrinee on our draft watch list. Just to remind you, past winners are Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Jerryd Bayless, Brook Lopez, O. J. Mayo, Eric Gordon, Kevin Love, Anthony Randolph, DeAndre Jordan, D. J. Augustin, and Russell Westbrook. These names are off the board. Now, for tonight's voting...

24 hours, 1 vote, make it count for the future of the Bobcats!

[August Us Seazr]

Going for the big fella. Hibbert. As in winner, NOT as in hibernation! With good teammates, and getting that rookie year out of his way, I have to like this guy. How many centers out of Georgetown have done well? Patrick Ewing, Zo, and Mutombo come to mind. No slouch among those 3.

Larry Brown has not appeared to love racehorse basketball, so maybe we do have a chance of picking Hibbert up. He may be as controversial as Felton, May, and Ammo were, but this guy can be coached up to be something special. Especially if Raymond learns his lessons well from our new coach.

[BigSlam]

Speights

[Paydro70]

I know the last thing we need is another SF, but I cannot permit Danilo Gallinari to slip any lower on our board. He's a very solid player and EASILY the BPA.

[GoBobcats]

Speights

[SCBobcat]

Not to attack August, but rather to attack Hibbert himself, Hibbert blows. Having lived in DC for the last year, I have heard and seen about every move, or lack thereof he has made. As a general rule a center should average at least one rebound per foot he is tall, if not more. Last year at this time I would have been happy to get him, but he has regressed. I think Larry Brown would break him. For now, there are at least three guys I will vote for before the Big Fella.

[Paydro70]

I disagree about Hibbert. He can't jump very high, and therefore isn't a very good rebounder, but he's not terrible when you account for Georgetown's incredibly slow pace. His numbers were almost identical to Arthur's, for instance (11.5%/17% for Hibbert, 11.7%/16.8% for Arthur).

On offense, there's a reason Hibbert was generally agreed on the draft board (along with Rush) to be the safest prospect outside the lottery. He's got basically everything... good passing, good hands, good back to the basket skills, a decent jump shot, and enough bulk, height, and length to get off his shot at the next level. He won't be a world-beater, but he'll be able to consistently score.

His defense is I suppose more of a concern. But honestly, if you're 6'10," you're going to have to put the ball on the floor to drive around him, which most bigs can't, and if you're 7'+ and not extremely athletic (Kaman, etc.), you're not going to overpower him. So sure, if Bosh plays center, Hibbert's in trouble, and he's going to get annihilated by Dwight and Amare, but I think he'll be at least able to hold his own in the post. The real issue is whether he can make it across the lane to play help defense, which I doubt. He can, however, protect the rim much of the time because he's a very smart shot blocker.

Anyway after all that advocacy, I think there are enough high-cieling guys left that I don't want him yet, but I think he deserves to go top 20.

[Dexmor]

Kevin Love will be there at 13. No way Hibbert goes 13 unless LB gets his way and is still ageist.

[August Us Seazr]

SC, no offense was taken by me on this or any other topic that could arise. I am all about seeing what the other guy thinks, and why. You have your opinion, and some very good points.

For the record guys, for the last 9 years, I have been living the life of a cardiac patient. For me, it just doesn't pay to get upset. But I do love my homestate teams. Unabashedly so!

Man, what a great conversation. I knew that Hibbert talk would be very controversial, but this is what makes sharing opinions rewarding. If only some of the people from the other boards could see it this way!

Enough of that. Danillo Gallinari is our winner at # 13. New thread shortly.