If we are in position to draft Lopez...

[prefuse73]

Say we end up at 4 or 5, should we look to deal the pick to Chi town for Noah? Or do you think Brook would fit the bill just fine?

Personally, I think Al needs an atheltic C next to him. Tyson Chandler would be perfect, but Noah is the next best thing. and please don't mention thabeet, he is not a top 5 pick.

[the_bruce]

Lopez would work just as well as Noah. Noah is obviously the superior athlete, but it doesn't seem to translate as much as I would expect. I actually think Thabeet would compliment Al better than either of these guys.

I'd probably say Lopez though if they wanted a C.

[prefuse73]

Lopez would work just as well as Noah. Noah is obviously the superior athlete, but it doesn't seem to translate as much as I would expect. I actually think Thabeet would compliment Al better than either of these guys.

I'd probably say Lopez though if they wanted a C.

I also think Thabeet would be a great fit as well, but I just can't see him being picked in the top 5....now if we traded down and grab thabeet in the low teens plus another player then I would be happy.

[T-HuDfoShizzle]

Defintely wouldnt take Lopez he hasnt shown anything against another big. Until he proves he can do more then do easy shots off the glass with no one his size guarding him I'd rather see us take someone like Mayo.

[prefuse73]

at the risk of this being locked because it should be on the draft topic.... I wouldn't mind mayo at the 3 to 5 range. He has superstar potential and we could rock the foye, mccants, mayo guard rotation which could be one of the best in the league. Telfair would not be resigned..but I think we will survive.

However, We need a Center in the worst way. It may just have to be kwame brown.

Brown - Jefferson - Richard
Jefferson - Smith
Brewer - Gomes
McCants - Mayo - Snyder
Foye - Mayo - Jaric

[GopherIt!]

as long as it aint Roy freakin' Hibbert.

I guess Jeff Green was the engine that ran the Hoyas.
Georgetown completely hosed my bracket...grrrr

(just venting)


Lopez has looked very good in the tourney so far. way better
than Mayo, Bayless, Westbrook, Hibbert, Thabeet and it
seems just about any other potential lotto pick these days.

[Worm Guts]

Lopez would work just as well as Noah. Noah is obviously the superior athlete, but it doesn't seem to translate as much as I would expect. I actually think Thabeet would compliment Al better than either of these guys.

I'd probably say Lopez though if they wanted a C.

Thabeet is only a good compliment to Al on defense, on offense teams will be able to clog the paint because you don't have to guard Thabeet outside of 6 feet. I think Lopez is a better compliment, he's good interior defender and someone that needs to be guarded.

[the_bruce]

-= original quote snipped =-
Thabeet is only a good compliment to Al on defense, on offense teams will be able to clog the paint because you don't have to guard Thabeet outside of 6 feet. I think Lopez is a better compliment, he's good interior defender and someone that needs to be guarded.

I would agree/disagree with you on this. Thabeet would need some work to develop a solid jumper and/or a face up game. He showed some marked progress in his FT shooting this year and I would expect that sort of improvement to show up in other areas.

He should be much better offensive rebounder on the next level and that should be taken into account when comparing the two for fit and impact on the offensive end. Thabeet probably defensively gains MN 3 possesions a game that lopez would miss out on. A Block or 2 more, and offensive board here and there. Plus having the shot blocking eraser lets the guards gamble for steals more, so that extra confidence could end up resulting in more possesions resulting from other players. Lopez might score 8 more ppg than Thabeet, but I think when you take into account some other factors the possible impact of Thabeet in a defensive scheme could outweigh the offensive prowess of Lopez.

[jpatrick]

Yeah, I'm not so sure Thabeet is as great a compliment to Al as I used to. He's a GREAT shotblocker, but is a little slow (although not bad for being 7' 3") and not agile at all. UConn lost because they kept playing pick and roll with Thabeet's man and he just wasn't quick enough to hedge and get back to his man (and he wasn't even hedging a whole lot). Big Al's already slow getting up and down the court, with him and Thabeet we'd get run to death by other team's bigs.

I also think Noah is the perfect compliment to Big Al, and I believe that if on draft day last year they knew they'd be getting Al for KG, they'd drafted Noah instead of Brewer. Btw, did anyone else notice Noah's reaction when the Wolves drafted Brewer, instead of being happy for his teammate it seemed like he was pissed. Almost like he "expected" (was told?) the Wolves would take him.

[horaceworthy]

-= original quote snipped =-



I would agree/disagree with you on this. Thabeet would need some work to develop a solid jumper and/or a face up game. He showed some marked progress in his FT shooting this year and I would expect that sort of improvement to show up in other areas.

He should be much better offensive rebounder on the next level and that should be taken into account when comparing the two for fit and impact on the offensive end. Thabeet probably defensively gains MN 3 possesions a game that lopez would miss out on. A Block or 2 more, and offensive board here and there. Plus having the shot blocking eraser lets the guards gamble for steals more, so that extra confidence could end up resulting in more possesions resulting from other players. Lopez might score 8 more ppg than Thabeet, but I think when you take into account some other factors the possible impact of Thabeet in a defensive scheme could outweigh the offensive prowess of Lopez.

Lopez averaged slightly more rebounds (8.1 to 7.9) than Thabeet this year in about the same mpg (Thabeet 31mpg, Lopez 30.7mpg). Thabeet's the better shotblocker at the rim, but Lopez probably contests/alters more shots or cuts off more drives with his greater range and defensive awareness. Lopez is also good at guarding the pick and roll, something Thabeet's awful at, and something that's become a staple of NBA offenses. Thabeet won't be able to guard perimeter oriented PF's, which means we'll still have to stick Al on them, while Lopez has enough defensive versatility to guard those types.

[deeney0]

-= original quote snipped =-



Thabeet is only a good compliment to Al on defense, on offense teams will be able to clog the paint because you don't have to guard Thabeet outside of 6 feet. I think Lopez is a better compliment, he's good interior defender and someone that needs to be guarded.

For someone who criticizes Al's 50%, I'm surprised you think Lopez's 46% would compliment Al on offense. And for someone who think the Wolves should try to get a star with their pick, I'm surprised you'd be O.K. with Lopez at 3 or 4.

[the_bruce]

-= original quote snipped =-

Lopez averaged slightly more rebounds (8.1 to 7.9) than Thabeet this year in about the same mpg (Thabeet 31mpg, Lopez 30.7mpg). Thabeet's the better shotblocker at the rim, but Lopez probably contests/alters more shots or cuts off more drives with his greater range and defensive awareness. Lopez is also good at guarding the pick and roll, something Thabeet's awful at, and something that's become a staple of NBA offenses. Thabeet won't be able to guard perimeter oriented PF's, which means we'll still have to stick Al on them, while Lopez has enough defensive versatility to guard those types.

I don't feel Lopez will be as good a rebounder in the NBA. Stanford has 2 fairly athletic 7 footers its hard for most college teams to match up against those guys. Fundamentally he is sound, but the more athletic 4/5's will probably get the better of him in the nba.

I really doubt that Lopez will be that much more effective guarding the perimeter oriented PF's in the nba (its impossible to guard Dirk). Thabeet was abused in the WVU games, but I think he has plenty of potential to improve his game in many facets.

Lopez is probably the 2nd most nba ready player in the draft, and given the choice of Thabeet or Lopez I take lopez. He's #4 on my draft board, but....

Thabeet has serious room for improvement and Lopez looks like mostly a finished product. Lopez won't be a superstar, but as far as I can tell a lock at being a very very solid long term starter that will help on day 1 and that's probably all you can hope for in any draft pick. He's neither glitzy or risky, he just is.

[Worm Guts]

-= original quote snipped =-



For someone who criticizes Al's 50%, I'm surprised you think Lopez's 46% would compliment Al on offense. And for someone who think the Wolves should try to get a star with their pick, I'm surprised you'd be O.K. with Lopez at 3 or 4.

I don't really criticize Al for shooting 50%, I just think that percentage along with his lack of ability to get to the free throw line puts him below the elite inside scorers in the NBA (I consider Stoudemire and Howard to be the elite). As far as Lopez, I don't think he will be a primary go to guy but he's definitely competent on offense.
I would like a superstar but if ones not available I'd be fine with a guy who can be a great interior defender and a legitimate scoring threat. And Lopez might have as much superstar potential as anyone after #2.

[Krapinsky]

I think Lopez can still improve plenty. Thabeet might have more room to improve but his upside isn't even to the level of where Lopez is now. Hands down Lopez is the pick.

On offense Lopez could really benefit if he could add an 18-20 foot jump shot. Most of his point come from banks off the low block.

On defense is where Lopez really stands to improve. The way Stanford has it set now is Brook is asked to carry the burden on offense and his brother, Robin, is asked to carry the burden on D. If Brook was a Twolf we'd have the luxury of just asking him to focus on D for awhile. My guess is he could be better than his brother is at D now since he is far and away the better athlete of the two.

[prefuse73]

If we get the 3rd pick Lopez is our guy and if its #4, lopez will be gone (if memphis selects before us) and it should be mayo.

[big3_8_19_21]

I think Lopez can still improve plenty. Thabeet might have more room to improve but his upside isn't even to the level of where Lopez is now. Hands down Lopez is the pick.

On offense Lopez could really benefit if he could add an 18-20 foot jump shot. Most of his point come from banks off the low block.

On defense is where Lopez really stands to improve. The way Stanford has it set now is Brook is asked to carry the burden on offense and his brother, Robin, is asked to carry the burden on D. If Brook was a Twolf we'd have the luxury of just asking him to focus on D for awhile. My guess is he could be better than his brother is at D now since he is far and away the better athlete of the two.

You're the first person I've ever heard even hint that Brook is a better ATHLETE than Robin.

[Worm Guts]

I think Lopez can still improve plenty. Thabeet might have more room to improve but his upside isn't even to the level of where Lopez is now. Hands down Lopez is the pick.

On offense Lopez could really benefit if he could add an 18-20 foot jump shot. Most of his point come from banks off the low block.

On defense is where Lopez really stands to improve. The way Stanford has it set now is Brook is asked to carry the burden on offense and his brother, Robin, is asked to carry the burden on D. If Brook was a Twolf we'd have the luxury of just asking him to focus on D for awhile. My guess is he could be better than his brother is at D now since he is far and away the better athlete of the two.

Brook is really good on defense right now.

[horaceworthy]

-= original quote snipped =-



I don't feel Lopez will be as good a rebounder in the NBA. Stanford has 2 fairly athletic 7 footers its hard for most college teams to match up against those guys. Fundamentally he is sound, but the more athletic 4/5's will probably get the better of him in the nba.

I really doubt that Lopez will be that much more effective guarding the perimeter oriented PF's in the nba (its impossible to guard Dirk). Thabeet was abused in the WVU games, but I think he has plenty of potential to improve his game in many facets.

Lopez is probably the 2nd most nba ready player in the draft, and given the choice of Thabeet or Lopez I take lopez. He's #4 on my draft board, but....

Thabeet has serious room for improvement and Lopez looks like mostly a finished product. Lopez won't be a superstar, but as far as I can tell a lock at being a very very solid long term starter that will help on day 1 and that's probably all you can hope for in any draft pick. He's neither glitzy or risky, he just is.

Lopez has a better motor than Thabeet, seems to have a better feel for positioning and where the ball comes off the rim than Thabeet. He's also 7'0", 260 and a good athlete. He's had to compete with another 7 footer on the same team for rebounds already (I see that more as a plus for him, you seem to see it as a negative) and he still averages more boards per game than Thabeet (despite Thabeet playing slightly more minutes and UCONN getting a few more possessions per game than Stanford due to a slightly quicker pace, according to kenpom.com).

I see Lopez as at least having a chance against those guys, whereas Thabeet would be lit up like a Christmas tree. If you watch Lopez, he does a good of getting in a defensive stance and moving laterally while in it. Thabeet looks lost on defense if a team pulls him more than 3 feet away from the basket. That's something that might improve as time goes on, but it could just as easily remain a huge problem throughout his career. Even though he's got good straight-line speed for his size, like most 7'2"+ guys his lack of lateral quickness can be exploited.

Like you said, I think it's fairly obvious that Brook's the better player. I just disagree on a couple of the areas where you rate Thabeet as better. I think Lopez brings more to the table on both sides of the ball, and I also think he has some serious room for improvement on the offensive end. He needs a go-to post move (the jump-into-a-guy-and-hoist is his moneymaker right now). He could also work on not deciding what he's going to do with the ball before he gets it, and reacting to the defense rather than trying to force something. He's got good touch around the basket, and has shown signs of a good face-up game that he could use more consistently.

[Krapinsky]

-= original quote snipped =-

You're the first person I've ever heard even hint that Brook is a better ATHLETE than Robin.

you're actually right about that.

Robin is physically more athletic, but Brook is a better bball player and better coordinated, so I just misspoke there. I still think Brook can be just as good at D, if not better than his brother.

i would still be happy with Robin though. if we could get Beasley/Rose/Mayo and then somehow add Robin with a late first, I would be ecstatic.

If Robin is still valued as a late first at draft time, I'd rather have Mayo/Robin than Brook/anyone else in the 25-30 range.

I also like Robin more than Thabeet.

[big3_8_19_21]

Yeah, if we got Mayo and traded our 2 2nds up for Robin Lopez, I'd have to credit that as a pretty good draft.