Pacers Draft Board. #6 on board.

[PacerGuy]

I vote for "Other" here--Kevin Love.

I think he's the guy still available who would help the Pacers the most. He's smart, skilled, and has NBA size. I think the skill trumps the relative lack of athleticism. (And I don't think he's THAT unathletic.) And I don't buy the argument that he has already reached his "ceiling"...really? As a nineteen-year-old freshman? Just because he is a smart, well-schooled player now doesn't necessarily mean he has hit his ceiling. It just might mean that his ceiling for smarts is a lot higher than most guys'.

Second choice: Gordon.

I have warvered on him, but am starting to agree w/ you that he would be a very nice pick for us. I still like Gordon @ the 6-spot, but I am going K.Love @ 7, I can tell you now. I have read some nice things about him (K.Love) & I see his upside as being higher then most. I admit I have had visions of "Scott Haskins" dancing in my head from time-to-time, but I do "Love" his passing & BBall IQ. I gotta think that if you're the Pacers, you go w/ a guy like this first before you really gamble on a Randolf/ Jordan type kid that is years away from seeing the floor.
And lastly, to off those who say K.Love doesn't fit w/ JO'B's system: B.S.!!!! A Great passing big who also can shoot the rock can MAKE a system like his work. Every fast break starts w/ a pass! A trailing "big" is always a great option for a kick-out open look.

[bravesatl]

1. rose
2. beasley
3. bayless
4. augustin
5. lopez
6. randolph
7. gordon
8. westbrook
9. love
10. speights

last. oj mayo

[FreeRon]

I agree with putting Mayo last, although I can see why a lot of people like him. I just know that the last 3-4 years everything that could go wrong for us has and really don't want to play Russian Roullette again so soon...

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Still a 1 person difference. If it stays at 1 vote difference for a few more hours I'll put up the next one.

[PR07]

If Mayo's there at #11, I think the Pacers have to take him.

[cdash]

Yeah its not like Mayo has gotten in any legal trouble. He wont be there at 11, so we need not worry, but if we are picking third, Mayo's still gotta be the choice.

[bravesatl]

i couldn't disagree more, drafting mayo would be a HUGE mistake, especially for this franchise

[PR07]

I think this team is in a position where they cannot afford to not take a chance on an OJ Mayo. This franchise needs a star, Mayo can be that star.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Someone break the tie!

[cdash]

i couldn't disagree more, drafting mayo would be a HUGE mistake, especially for this franchise

Why? His biggest issues are the unreasonable hype that he didnt quite live up to, the taking money at USC (allegedly), and his rather large ego. If you think him taking money at USC is a huge character flaw, then you have problems with 90% of the big time college athletes. His ego is huge, but so are most of the players in the NBA. So tell me, why would would it be a "HUGE" mistake?

[FreeRon]

If Mayo is there at #11 it's going to depend on who else is there. If Rose or Beasley is there, and I realize they won't be, that's a no-brainer. Even if someone like Gordon is there, I would think you'd have to go with the hometown kid with slightly less talent and a lot less character problems. To be honest I think there are probably anywhere from 5-10 players I'd take first, but if they're all taken the talent dropoff is such that I don't think we'd have much of a choice.

[bravesatl]

-= original quote snipped =-



Why? His biggest issues are the unreasonable hype that he didnt quite live up to, the taking money at USC (allegedly), and his rather large ego. If you think him taking money at USC is a huge character flaw, then you have problems with 90% of the big time college athletes. His ego is huge, but so are most of the players in the NBA. So tell me, why would would it be a "HUGE" mistake?

yeah all that, plus attacking a ref during a high school game, all that crap...the guy's a loser...he's gotten in trouble in high school, just got in trouble in college, how much u wanna bet he gets in trouble in the NBA? he will make us look foolish if we draft him no doubt in my mind, thats all i'm gonna say bout it...and yeah i do have a problem with your over-exaggerated amount of big time college athletes taking money, just because its done behind-the-scenes doesnt make it right...

[cdash]

I knew you were going to bring that ref thing up. Look at the video if you havent seen it. He goes near the ref and this guy flops Manu Ginobili style to make it look like he was being assaulted. And who didnt get in trouble in high school? Honestly. In college he was a model citizen by all accounts, a hard worker, and a good teammate. He took money, big deal. If you think that doesnt happen all the time in college athletics, then you are crazy. They dont even have to be good to get benefits. Dont be so sure that my 90% number is exagerrated. Have you ever spent time around these programs? Its unreal how much these guys are pampered. Also, I dont recall ever saying it was "right". It's just the way it is.

[PR07]

It would be one thing if we were debating about the Pacers drafting OJ Mayo with a Top 3 pick, it's another thing if he's available at #11 (probably a 95% chance he won't be). You simply have to make that pick if he slips assuming no other big time player slides either. Passing on OJ Mayo in that situation could cost a lot of GM's their jobs. It's great to emphasize character, but you have to also be aware of the talent at stake and where you're selecting said talent. I don't think Mayo has done anything that bad, and Chad Ford said he's passed almost all of the GM's background checks.