2010 NBA Draft Thread: Nets Select Derrick Favors

[BasketCase1]

Anybody else besides me has that odd feeling that Thorn won't go with either Favors(to raw) or Cousins(attitude and weight issues) in the draft since they both have their flaws, and will instead select Wesley Johnson and address the Power Forward spot via free agency? I've been getting that feeling lately and to be honest it's probably the safest way to go if Evan doesn't drop to three.

[Jersey Generals]

Anybody else besides me has that odd feeling that Thorn won't go with either Favors(to raw) or Cousins(attitude and weight issues) in the draft since they both have their flaws, and will instead select Wesley Johnson and address the Power Forward spot via free agency? I've been getting that feeling lately and to be honest it's probably the safest way to go if Evan doesn't drop to three.

Thorn does want Johnson, but I'm sure he'd trade back a few picks to get him, rather than taking him with the 3rd. Even if the asset gained in the trade is small, like an extra 2nd rounder, it's better than reaching, I think.

[BasketCase1]

Anybody else besides me has that odd feeling that Thorn won't go with either Favors(to raw) or Cousins(attitude and weight issues) in the draft since they both have their flaws, and will instead select Wesley Johnson and address the Power Forward spot via free agency? I've been getting that feeling lately and to be honest it's probably the safest way to go if Evan doesn't drop to three.

Thorn does want Johnson, but I'm sure he'd trade back a few picks to get him, rather than taking him with the 3rd. Even if the asset gained in the trade is small, like an extra 2nd rounder, it's better than reaching, I think.

Wesley will be the fourth or fifth pick, no lower. If Thorn trades down he can't go any lower then those spots.

[BasketCase1]

According to draftexpress.com twitter, Minnesota is sold on Wesley Johnson and they won't even workout Cousins!

http://www.draftexpress.com/twitter.php

[Jersey Generals]

Wesley will be the fourth or fifth pick, no lower. If Thorn trades down he can't go any lower then those spots.

He'll go fifth, which is where I'd look to trade to. The Kings need an inside presence, they'd love to jump ahead of Minnesota to have the choice to pick whoever they want, rather than having to wait and having Minnesota choose for them (assuming the Nets would take Johnson at 3).

Edit: Just saw your draftexpress post, which could be good or bad for the Nets. I got to think about this more.

[vincecarter4pres]

If we go with Wesley Johnson I am going to be pissed.
He screams role player.
If we don't take Favors or Cousins, we better trade way back and pick up a huge asset and draft Monroe or Paul George, or just trade the pick for an established player that could help attract free agents without picking up too much salary and no, I'm not talking about AK or Prince.

[vincecarter4pres]

Drum roll please...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAky41MAvFo[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ6VenMCEFE[/youtube]

[Jersey Generals]

If we go with Wesley Johnson I am going to be pissed.
He screams role player.
If we don't take Favors or Cousins, we better trade way back and pick up a huge asset and draft Monroe or Paul George, or just trade the pick for an established player that could help attract free agents without picking up too much salary and no, I'm not talking about AK or Prince.

I view him as the sf version of Harden in this draft: a solid, all-around player, surrounded by higher potential players.

[vincecarter4pres]

Johnson has no handle, he's going to find it mighty hard to create his own shot or for others.
He disappeared for a good chunk of the season and he's not a takeover type player.
Don't get me wrong, I think he'll be a solid pro, but he screams low upside role player to me.
For all Harden's flaws, he was more athletic then advertised(which was considered one of his greatest weaknesses) and he is fitting in as a role player right now, when people said he wouldn't be able to adjust. Thing is, he still has a lot of potential and I stand by my comparison's from last year, that his ceiling is a Ginobili clone and that's a lot better then a role player.
I just don't see the same with Johnson.
For all the talks of him being this and that, he has absolutely no ability to translate to shooting guard in the pros IMO, opposed to the opinion of many that think he will, and he actually measured out OK in some areas and not so well in others for the 3, even though most are labeling him as having prototypical small forward size. His wingspan and standing reach are excellent for a small forward, but his height is sub par and he seems to light, especially for a player of his age that has likely filled out to almost his peak weight.

[Jersey Generals]

Johnson has no handle, he's going to find it mighty hard to create his own shot or for others.

His handles are sub-par, by my estimation. His left hand is especially weak.

For all Harden's flaws, he was more athletic then advertised(which was considered one of his greatest weaknesses) and he is fitting in as a role player right now, when people said he wouldn't be able to adjust. Thing is, he still has a lot of potential and I stand by my comparison's from last year, that his ceiling is a Ginobili clone and that's a lot better then a role player.I just don't see the same with Johnson.

I'm not as high on Harden as you are, but that's not what I meant: I didn't mean their games were similar, I was saying that there are players around their general area of the draft that have higher upside than they do. Rubio last year, Favors/Cousins this year.

For all the talks of him being this and that, he has absolutely no ability to translate to shooting guard in the pros IMO, opposed to the opinion of many that think he will, and he actually measured out OK in some areas and not so well in others for the 3, even though most are labeling him as having prototypical small forward size. His wingspan and standing reach are excellent for a small forward, but his height is sub par and he seems to light, especially for a player of his age that has likely filled out to almost his peak weight.

I deff. do not see him as a shooting guard. I was kind of disappointed with his height, as well, but his standing reach/wingspan might make up for it. Time will tell, I suppose.

[demens]

Thorn does want Johnson, but I'm sure he'd trade back a few picks to get him, rather than taking him with the 3rd. Even if the asset gained in the trade is small, like an extra 2nd rounder, it's better than reaching, I think.

I'm starting to think thats not going to happen. To me, trading down is best case scenario but from Thorn interviews and other news it doesn't sound like the Nets are looking into that as an option at all. If we get offered a good i'm sure Thorn will listen, but its not something the team is pursuing.

Now with Minny being really high on Wes it makes trading down even more unlikely. Not only are they high on him, it makes no sense for them to trade up 1 pick for a big guy they have no interest in. If Turner falls its a different story. But right now i think we're more likely to draft Wes with the 3rd pick then to trade down to draft him.

[vincecarter4pres]

To me, trading down is best case scenario.

Just curious as to why you think this?
Is it because you're irrationally high on Aminu?

[demens]

Just curious as to why you think this?
Is it because you're irrationally high on Aminu?

Not at all, its more because i'm irrationally low on Favors.

I like Aminu, but i would be perfectly ok with any one of Wes/George/Henry/Monroe/Davis/Patterson depending on how low we would trade down. Plus trading down means at least one additional asset on top.

[demens]

Good interviews btw, from both guys. Much better then at the combine.

[enetric]

Honestly, I was high on Rudy in the draft too, but Sean was a no brainer at that pick. Yes he was a head case but he had a lot of talent in a need position. He was a top 3 best player available at #17 available.

Now, bringing up Sean Williams is another reason why I DON'T WANT COUSINS IN ANY CAPACITY. They're basically the exact opposite player, but the same situation. Cousins is very gifted on the offensive end, but will lack the lateral quickness and athletic ability to defend talented 4 and 5's in the NBA. I can't see Zach...er...I mean Demarcus being a difference maker in the NBA. I'd rather trade down if I could only draft Cousins. Let someone else deal with the headache. I just hope we learned from the Sean situation.

Sometimes that logic works....Danny Granger... and sometimes? Gerald Green, Chris Taft, Marcus Williams... it doesnt. Guys fall for a reason...even the good ones (Granger). The hard part is knowing...is this the point to jump in? Sometimes you can become enamored with the upside and think...wow how can we pass this guy up? And sometimes you can become scared off with everyone else and years later...everyone acts like you screwed up.

The draft is hard. Hard to get it right.

I loved Rudy for a 17th pick because I could see the talent on film. I still see it. Loved Sergio's court vision...still do...but can clearly see..NBA D and NBA shooting...not up to par.


I hated Sean May because i could see his college skills were not up to par for an NBA player. I could see he was a big college name that just didnt have what it would take at the next level. But I also loved Ike Diogu who whenever he has gotten the chance has impressed but its always rare that he does...and he is banged up too. I thought he could defy the height odds and be Brand. Typically I would not go out on a limb for a guy that lacking in size but his moves..so polished. way more impressed with his moves than Cousins. But Cousins...I just see so out of shape hate the attitude so I have picked m side on this despite the talent.

You know who has exceeded my expectations in recent years that was a well known college player? Noah. I thought...Vareajao. But he is a much better rebounder. Still a role guy as I thought was his upside...but he could be a star role guy if he can stay healthy.

I look at tapes and look for moves and athleticism and court awareness. I don't look at the finesses of a move or the uniform of the college...EVER. I try to picture the guy against NBA guys. In my head that and a lot of reading...yeah I just see something a lot of guys don't.

Not always right but yeah I have picked more than I missed.

[enetric]

^^I understand the point you're trying to make, but comparing Sean williams and DeMarcus Cousins has all the relevance of comparing Jason Kidd to Jordan Farmar as prospects...

Yup. I think people are not seeing the type of prospect Cousins is, in terms of pure basketball potential, because he happens to lift more donuts to his mouth than weights in the weightroom.

I see the prospect he is skill wise...but I think people are factoring in stats and school more than they should to how much of a prospect he ACTUALLY is. I see a lot more Eddie Curry in LOTS of areas. Not just his waist line, or measurments, or lack of athleticism. I see a lot of what he is including his skills translating to Curry. Which is not a bust, but instead a tease. A guy good enough to get that fat second contract...and bad enough, lazy enough to make you regret it. So? Add it all together plus the fact that he really doesnt fit our team...I just feel stay away. If it was just fit, or just some added weight, or just maturity...if it was one thing...I might say screw it roll the dice. But together? No thanks. Even if he makes it on his talent....my feeling is...long term you will say...wow glad it wasnt us.

So I take the kid with the most upside in the draft Favors, if the best pure star talent...Turner isnt there and bascially unless Cousins becomes a superstar and our pick is a bust i wont regret it. If he is just better? Wont regret it. Enough red flags and enough better draft day options to say here in June 2010....he shouldnt be the third pick.

ideal scenario? Someone thinks we are wrong and trades up to 2 with Philly to take him. How great would that be?

[enetric]

Anybody else besides me has that odd feeling that Thorn won't go with either Favors(to raw) or Cousins(attitude and weight issues) in the draft since they both have their flaws, and will instead select Wesley Johnson and address the Power Forward spot via free agency? I've been getting that feeling lately and to be honest it's probably the safest way to go if Evan doesn't drop to three.

At the moment I would be shocked if he took Wes at #3. Unless a lot changes in these workouts to sway people....cant see it. Take the best talent and still try to sign a star PF. Figure it out later.

[enetric]

Anybody else besides me has that odd feeling that Thorn won't go with either Favors(to raw) or Cousins(attitude and weight issues) in the draft since they both have their flaws, and will instead select Wesley Johnson and address the Power Forward spot via free agency? I've been getting that feeling lately and to be honest it's probably the safest way to go if Evan doesn't drop to three.

Thorn does want Johnson, but I'm sure he'd trade back a few picks to get him, rather than taking him with the 3rd. Even if the asset gained in the trade is small, like an extra 2nd rounder, it's better than reaching, I think.

Wesley will be the fourth or fifth pick, no lower. If Thorn trades down he can't go any lower then those spots.

If no trades are made, I keep expecting Monroe to move up...Cousins to move down. Cousins is the guy who could get trades moving or be the reason everyone says...not worth moving. Turner obviously...is the guy people most covet...but I cant see many teams if any taking Brand off their hand to help them out.

[enetric]

According to draftexpress.com twitter, Minnesota is sold on Wesley Johnson and they won't even workout Cousins!

http://www.draftexpress.com/twitter.php

Well, there you go.

[BasketCase1]

Funny that you mention Monroe because I have been looking at him alot lately and am intrigued by his all around skills for someone his size. It's quite attractive and he's actually growing on me as the days go by.

On another note, draftexpress recently wrote it's either favor or Wesley as the third pick for the Nets. Here's the link http://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/16096905622