2010 Draft Discussion

[Gremz]

Any chance of getting this stickied mods?

It seems about time to start looking towards the draft. We're halfway through the season and are currently looking at a top 5 pick with our current record. I'm still hoping we can get out of this slump, but this should at least make for some interesting discussion.

Here's a couple of links to look for current info:

NBA Draft Forum

viewforum.php?f=3

Mock Draft Forum

viewforum.php?f=38

Cammo does a nice job of keeping up to date with current rankings and performances. I recommend his thread.

Mock Draft Sites

http://www.draftexpress.com/

http://www.nbadraft.net/

[Gremz]

My current top 5 is looking like this:

1. John Wall, PG
2. Evan Turner, SG
3. Derrick Favors, PF/C
4. Wesley Johnson, SF (I believe he'll be a nice fit at SG though)
5. Ed Davis, PF

There's a nice group below them also to keep an eye on. Lots of talent in this draft.

Keep in mind we hold two 2nd round choices also, so hopefully some talent drops.

[Starkiller]

I saw one mock draft where it had us picking Cole Aldrich. Big ass white dude. I thought, "Yeah, Bird's probably picking him." LOL

I think a lot of people are over looking Henry from Kansas. He fits the 2 spot better than most top 10 picks for us. Next to Danny he'd be nice, I just don't know much about his jump shot, I haven't seen him play much. Having a roomate that is a Kentucky fan it's pretty much all John Wall all the time.

If we can land him, John Wall is our pick, otherwise, I like Xavier Henry.

[Gremz]

I'm keeping an eye on Xavier Henry with interest. I just think he might be a bit of a reach as a top 5 pick.

[mizzoupacers]

I sure wish there were more guards behind Wall and Turner on those prospect lists. I want the Pacers to get a world-class guard in the worst way, our current collection of backcourt players is just so depressingly subpar.

But, the strategy should probably be take the BPA. Start with talent, worry about the rest after you have some.

I'm still forming my opinions on next summer's prospects. One thing, though--I'm not sure I could stand to see Cole Aldrich in a Pacers uni. This is totally subjective, but I really hate him. Why does KU always have a huge white goon on its team?!? It goes at least as far back as the Seventies and Paul Mokeskie. God, how I hate big goons from Kansas. Thankfully (from a Mizzou perspective) none of them have had discernible basketball skills other than blocking shots and fouling people--if any of them had been able to actually shoot the ball or hang onto it for longer than a nanosecond, KU would have a John Woodenesque string of NCAA championships by now. OK, I think Aldrich is maybe somewhat more skilled than most of the previous neanderthals, but with our luck we'd take him and he'd promptly turn into the next coming of Greg Dreiling (another charter member of the KU neanderthal club). I eventually learned to like Scot Pollard (yet another member of the club), but that's because he was such a flake. Aldrich seems to have no personality whatsoever. I suspect he may be a robot. Please check for circuitry the next time you see him in HD TV.

[Gremz]

His reviews to mention him being a little robotic. Aldrich does look to be a quality rebounder, which we could use long term. How if he on the offensive glass? Capable of being a decent put back guy?

[Gremz]

Here's a guy who has jumped onto everyon'es radar recently:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Has ... side-5660/

I'm still unsure about him declaring for this draft, but those numbers are pretty darn impressive. In only 25mpg he's averaging 5.4 blocks, 9.2 rebounds, 12.8 points on 57.2% from the field.

[Grang33r]

For anyone bored at home this weekend-

Evan Turner and Ohio State are playing @ West Virginia at 2pm on CBS. West Virginia is a very tough place to play and they have a very good defense. I am really interested to see what Turner does.

[8305]

Check out this article

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... ?eref=sihp

It will certainly be disappointing if we finally get a top ten pick but something less than a top three pick in a three player draft. Can't argue with the assessment to much either based on my limited observations. Wall and Turner look to be very good. I've seen less of Wesley Johnson but would have to agree he's very athletic.

The other names in the conversation (Aldrich, Warren, Favors, Monroe and Hayword) were certainly interesting. One guy I have seen a good bit of is Hayword. Nice to see an Indy kid in the discussion but if he's a top ten prospect the notion that this is not a strong draft is certainly supported.

[Miller4ever]

This draft is looking a bit like the deep one Granger belonged to. In that draft some incredible players were taken late. David Lee was 30th, Monta Ellis was in the 2nd round,

[Miller4ever]

What I'm trying to say is, in the top 10 where we may end up, there is a strong possibility we'll be able to find a great player to pair up with Granger.

[MUpacersSIC]

My top ten (based on who I would WANT the Pacers to pick):

1. John Wall: If we land the #1 pick we have to draft this guy. It's time we get a legit PG)

2. Evan Turner: Would love to have him here. Team him up with Granger and I think you have two very good wing players. (this is my favorite pick)

3. Wesley Johnson: Another good wing player.

4. Derrick Favors: Guy is young and has the talent.

5. Patrick Patterson: Athletic PF who runs the floor well.

6. Ed Davis: Still needs work in my opinion, but has good upside.

7. Xavier Henry: There's just something I like about him.

9. DeMarcus Cousins: Big, strong, good defender... definitely something we need.

10. Kalin Lucas: A stretch, but a good PG (don't think he would be a top 10 pick, but if we somehow ended up with a mid to late first rounder I would seriously consider him).

Honorable mention:
Cole Aldrich, Willie Warren, Al-Farouq Aminu, Donatas Motiejunas (I'm just not sure about this guy).

Second Round picks I would be interested in:
Da'Sean Butler, Craig Brackins (not sure why he's slipping so much), Damion James, Jon Scheyer, Kenneth Faried, Manny Harris, Jerome Dyson

[mizzoupacers]

Here's an article claiming that pro scouts think it will be a weak draft after the first three picks:

link

I didn't know Wesley Johnson was considered a clear-cut top three pick.

Also, living here in Big 12 country and having watched him play a number of times, I haven't seen anything about Willie Warren to make me think he could play point guard in the NBA. Frankly, he hasn't impressed me as top-ten-pick worthy at all. But I'll be trying to watch him closely from now on to see if maybe I've missed something. I'd really like to see the Pacers score a good guard in the draft next summer. But I continue to worry that there isn't one out there beyond the very top picks.

[8305]

Get beyond the first three picks and I'm not sure you are looking at a player much better than Hansbrough. And unless someone emerges there will not ba an elite guard available beyond Wall and Evans.

[Gremz]

I think this is much deeper than the top 3. Henry, Aminu, Johnson, Favors are all worthy of that #3 spot imo.

[Miller4ever]

I think there's some hidden gems in the 10-20 range, which is why I wouldn't mind getting #17 and below.

[PR07]

I'd love to get Greg Monroe as a mid-later first round pick.

[Gremz]

I think there's some hidden gems in the 10-20 range, which is why I wouldn't mind getting #17 and below.

I'm in that boat. Think there could be something we can look into with the Jazz for their 1st? They have the NY pick after all. I still think they can use a guy like Foster, but it's ridiculously hard to match up salaries AND make it seem worthwhile for both parties.

I guess our best option is still hoping some one is in desperate need for Murphy around the deadline.

[Gremz]

I'd love to get Greg Monroe as a mid-later first round pick.

I'd really like to see that also. I'm still a pretty big fan of his provided we don't reach for him.

[Gremz]

ESPN has their lottery mock function up. I was playing around with it and they predict we'd take Derrick Favors ahead of Evan Turner. I'm not thinking that as a reality yet, but I'm interested about going big ahead of a decent wing.

Is that a reality? Would we go big or look for a SG?