2010 NBA Draft Thread: Nets Select Derrick Favors

[enetric]

This latest Dave D. article makes it sound like we're leaning more towards Favors:

http://www.nj.com/nets/index.ssf/2010/0 ... t_can.html

Some interesting things in the article: He said cousins lost some weight down to 292 but that might be an error because he was 292 at the combine right? Either way if he's still that heavy it's definitely a concern.

Also according to Greg Polinsky they don't think Favors is as out of shape as the Timberwolves camp claimed. The report is that the Timberwolves promised to take him if he's available at 4.

Down to 289...so 3 pounds lost? Come on! He should have dropped 15-20 by now if he has been working hard and eating right.

That the article says they think Favors looked great and that by all accounts they think Minny gave him a promise at 4...and that they were blowing smoke is great. Best part is that the Nets dont think he is as much of a project as reported. I am sure he is a project from what I have seen...but its great to read ll these strong things. Seems like the Nets biggest problem is that their option at 3 are stronger than they thought for either guy even if Turner doesnt drop.

Nobody expected the Nets to change their minds regarding how they feel about Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins after today’s tete-a-tete, except in one important way:

They’re suddenly feeling a lot better about this draft today than they did Sunday.

The kids got after it, taking turns beating up Roy Rogers, and though we didn’t get to see much, this was the report from eyewitnesses:

Here’s all you need to know about Cousins: He flubbed a shooting drill – just didn’t have it the first time through. Brick, reload, brick, snort, brick, angst. So after his turn was over, he asked to do it again – and he knocked down a very respectable percentage from a few steps above the nail.

The problem: He’s undoubtedly a five – say, the kind that Philly should seriously consider building around, but probably won’t. He’s lost some weight – down to 289, Gregg Polinsky said2 – but his size and skills say center, period.

Polinsky, the PPD, put it this way: “I think it’s obvious that he’s a very skilled basketball player who’s got a high IQ, very intuitive, been well coached at Kentucky with Cal. He can step up and shoot the basketball. What I would say is you leave that to your coach. They will have a scheme and how they want to play guys."

In other words, he’s a five. Down the road, he could adjust – and indeed, he says that he prefers to play the four, “but I’m more comfortable at the 5 right now. But it really doesn’t matter.” .

And yes, he has the hip-and-butt power to be a dominant player on the box: Rogers was pummeling him with a pad on one drill, and the kid turned and knocked the coach back 15 feet.

That report from Minneapolis about Favors being out of shape? It was a feint, obviously. At least the Nets think so: Their internal dialogue in the last few days was about how Minnesota has already told the kid he’s their choice at No. 4, so the Wolves want to see him drop.

“I didn’t think so,” was all Polinsky would say when asked if the Georgia Tech kid was out of shape.

Either way, he’s not dropping. The Nets came away thinking he’s not as much of a long-term project as they had been led to believe -- the competition brought out the best in him – and he can play right away.

Verdict: Cousins has given them something to think about, but we’re not sure the Nets minds have been changed.

“It would have made it easier if one guy came in and did very little and you were extremely disappointed,” Polinsky said. “But we are not disappointed. I think we all walked out of here going these are going to be two very fine NBA players going down the road.”

[enetric]

Some great stuff here!

1- I like that the Nets feel good about how Cousins came off interview wise in Chicago. Glad to read that if its true. Doesn't mean I think...hey...nothing to worry about. But it makes it easier to think...if the Nets take Favors, that they didnt just pass over Cousins because they feared red flag only. At the end of the day...I would prefer to go safer with Favors...but I would be ecstatic to think the Nets after doing their up close homework took the guy they believe will be the best player.

2- How can you NOT LOVE Cousins calling Favors a crazy athlete?

3- Haw can you not love that after the Nets said good things about Favors conditioning that rather than get an atitude for what Minny said he reacted with such maturity and took it as constructive criticism. I mean put it all together. The Fat guy who you are competing with calls you a crazy athelte, you accept feedback that you arent in your best shape, so that would mean....wow...imagine what happens in a year? In two?

So excited about this offseason including the 3 pick.

[url]
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/inth ... g_workout/[/url]

Questions about his conditioning and commitment exist. But Polinsky said Cousins, who is 289 pounds, handled the grueling workout well. Also, by all accounts, the Nets’ were fine with the big man when they interviewed him in Chicago.

***

Cousins described Favors as “a crazy athlete.” The Nets love that about him, as well as his size – 6-10, 246 – and being only 18.

They see Favors as someone who will grow as a player and physically and could be their power forward of the future, especially if they’re able to get one in free agency.

Favors admitted that the story out of Minnesota, about him being out of shape, had some truth to it.

“I’m not in the best shape,” Favors said. “I’m not in game shape. But I’m in good workout shape where I can push through my workout. I just took as it a criticism. .. .It was a good criticism.”

Favors said conditioning was one of the things he hoped to show the Nets, that and his improved jump shot.
***

Polinsky said it’s still a three-man race with these two and Syracuse’s Wesley Johnson.

[enetric]

And Favors said there may have been some truth to it. But it certainly sounded like he was talking more about being in game shape.

"I’m not in the best of shape, in game shape, right now. But I’m in workout shape, where I can push through my workout. I just took that as criticism," he said. "It was good criticism, so I just took that and tried to push myself through the workout."

[enetric]

http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/nets-look-at-big-men-while-pining-for-a-guard/

Nets Look at Big Men While Pining for a Guard
By HARVEY ARATON
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Nets continued their search for a complementary big forward to center Brook Lopez on Monday by working out the college freshmen DeMarcus Cousins of Kentucky and Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech.

It wasn’t an original idea — the two squared off in recent workouts in Sacramento and Philadelphia and, in fact, said they’ve been rivals since meeting in a high school tournament in Atlanta when they were 10th graders.

“Our whole career, it’s been who’s better, me or Derrick,” said Cousins, a 6-foot-11 low-post force on John Calipari’s team that sent four freshman and a junior into Thursday night’s draft after losing to West Virginia in the N.C.A.A. tournament.

The 6-10 Favors, who won’t turn 19 until next month, is rated the better athlete, but Cousins’s potential as a power player intrigues the Nets, provided they can convince themselves he can play away from the basket, hit the jumper and defend a power forward.

For that reason, according to Cousins’s agent, John Greig, the workout was heavy on footwork and conditioning drills. Cousins admitted that he felt more comfortable at the center position, having played it in high school and college, but would prefer to be a forward in the pros.

There have also been questions about Cousins’s character or maturity, but Greg Polinsky, the Nets’ director of player personnel, said, “I don’t think for one minute that he’s a bad apple.”

The Nets worked out other players last week, including Syracuse forward Wes Johnson, while hoping Philadelphia — which traded center Samuel Dalembert last week to Sacramento — might go big and leave Evan Turner, an Ohio State guard, to them.

The Nets are also open to trade possibilities, keeping an eye on Minnesota, drafting fourth, and what it might do with the point guard, Ricky Rubio, a first-round pick last year who played this season in Spain.

The uncertainty has made Cousins a bit homesick for the campus life he said he enjoyed and wasn’t too eager to walk away from.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I was coming out this year,” Cousins said. “But we had the talk with Cal and he said, ‘If you want to feed my family, help support my family, you stay.’ But if you want to help your family. . .’ ”

In one year at school, Cousins, who grew up in Mobile, Ala., did get an education in the business of basketball — college and pro. Calipari has another star-studded freshman class next fall, along with the possibility of more trouble with the N.C.A.A., which is investigating alleged high school academic improprieties involving Cousins’s former Kentucky teammate, guard Eric Bledsoe.

“I don’t believe it will affect the program,” Cousins said. “I know Eric. I know his grades were legit.”

But grades are not his problem anymore. Except those the Nets’ brass gave him on Monday.

If you were making the choice for the Nets, which position would you look to fill — power or small forward — and which player would you take?

[enetric]

[url]
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=m ... nets062110[/url]

“Favors is definitely the safer pick.”

Favors has worked out against Cousins in Philadelphia and shared a workout with him in Sacramento. In each Cousins distinguished himself as the more fundamentally skilled player of the two. While NBA teams are enamored by Favors’ athleticism, rebounding, and potential, he needs improve his footwork, outside shot and post moves. But he also doesn’t turn 19 until July 15.

“He’s the best athlete in this draft,” another Eastern Conference scout said. “He has a lot of upside. He can rebound, defend and run the floor. His offensive game is developing. But he’s a solid kid. I can see why he is regarded so high.”

Said a Western Conference scout: “His upside is ridiculous. Whoever gets him is going to have a monster for years.”

[size=150]Favors has worked out for the teams selecting second through fifth in the draft. [size=150]Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn told reporters that coach Kurt Rambis said Favors “appeared to be out of shape” during his solo workout. A source said Kahn later called Favor’s agent Wallace Prather to apologize for the comment.

The Sacramento Kings were impressed with Favors’ conditioning after he measured just 5 percent body fat and dunked the ball 20 times in 60 seconds during one drill without breaking a sweat.

“I just took it as constructive criticism,” Favors said of Kahn’s comments. “I just pushed myself in other workouts to get in better shape.”

[vincecarter4pres]

I'm getting more and more excited for Thursday, but I'm worried we are going to blow both late picks. The 3rd overall I'm not so worried about, I think they've done their homework and will get it right and I don't think you can especially go wrong with either Cousins or Favors, but I already see the names being thrown around for the 27th and 31st picks and it makes me want to kick puppies. Rod usually doesn't throw up much of a smoke screen when it comes to the draft either...

[enetric]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fblog%3fname%3dnba_draft

Can someone with Insider post some of the good stuff from this article please?

Here...read for yourself.

The draft is now just three days away and things are beginning to get a little bit clearer. I spent the weekend on the phone talking with various NBA executives and agents trying to get a handle on what's happening in the draft. Here's the latest:



The Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings made the first big trade of the offseason last Thursday, swapping Samuel Dalembert for Andres Nocioni and Spencer Hawes. While the deal made sense for both teams (the Kings needed a shot blocker and the Sixers needed to get under the luxury tax) will there be larger ramifications in the draft?


Sources in both Philly and Sacramento say the trade won't affect their draft plans despite the fact that both teams seemed to fill needs and create new holes in the trade.


The Sixers have been strongly leaning toward taking Evan Turner with the No. 2 pick. However, the addition of Nocioni and the loss of Dalembert leaves them loaded at the wing and pretty bare on the front line. On the surface, it appears that Derrick Favors or DeMarcus Cousins should be better fits.


For the Kings, the team had been looking at both Cousins and Greg Monroe. With the addition of Dalembert as a starting center and the loss of Nocioni, it now appears that their biggest need is at the 3 -- unless the Kings believe that Omri Casspi or Donte Greene is ready to step in and be the starter on a winning team.


However, it looks like both teams are still locked in on their original targets.



More trade talk


The Sixers-Kings deal should be the first of many as we get closer to the draft. The Washington Wizards, Sixers, New Jersey Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves are all sending strong signals that they're keeping their picks. But after that, it starts to get a little messier.


I've heard that the Kings, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets have all been talking about moving picks. The Kings, Pacers, Hornets and Bucks would like to trade down, the Pistons, Grizzlies, Raptors, Rockets, Spurs, Thunder, Blazers and Nuggets would like to move up and the Pacers, Hornets and Bulls might want to get out of the draft completely.


That's a lot to digest and here's why. All of these teams are talking to each other. Some teams are looking at three or four different scenarios with the teams above. You can expect that teams will begin narrowing choices on Monday to get things done in enough time before the draft.
From what I can gather, the Pacers, Hornets, Raptors, Spurs and Thunder are the most active right now.



Hot button issues
/sports.espn.go.com/espn/gallery/enlargePhoto?id=5310869&story=5310599">http://sports.espn.go.com...310869&story=5310599','Popup','width=440,height=750,scrollbars=no,noresize'); return false;" href="#">[+] Enlarge
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesGMs are weighing Derrick Favors' potential this week.We're starting to see players fall into a bit of a pecking order right now as teams try to decide who they like best at particular positions.


Here are the four hottest debates in NBA front offices at the moment:


Derrick Favors or DeMarcus Cousins

Favors and Cousins have now met in Sacramento and Philly and on June 21 they'll be in New Jersey together. In Sacramento the two worked out on the court together, but didn't actually play against each other. That changed when they went to Philly as Favors' agent gave them the green light to bang.


However, things are moving back to the Sacramento model for the N.J. workout. Apparently Favors' agent complained that the workout in Philly consisted of Cousins fouling Favors on every play, so we're back to two big guys in a gym shooting jump shots.


The stakes couldn't be higher for Favors at the moment. The general consensus in Sacramento and Philly was that Cousins was much better. That makes some sense. Cousins has 47 pounds on Favors and is much more polished on the offensive end. You expect it to be that way.


But Favors seems to be suffering from more than that. Wolves GM David Kahn ripped Favors for his lack of conditioning and doubted that Favors was ready for the NBA. While that certainly could've been a David Kahn smokescreen (I haven't heard feedback he was out of shape in the other two workouts) it all contributes to the narrative that Favors is getting his butt kicked by Cousins at the moment.


Ed Davis or Ekpe Udoh

Davis came into the season with all the momentum, but a so-so year combined with injuries and an underperforming Tar Heels squad has hurt his stock a bit. Meanwhile Udoh resurrected his draft stock by vastly improving at Baylor.


The two haven't gone head-to-head because Davis is still recovering from a wrist injury, but a number of teams including the Pistons, Pacers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz are all trying to get a feel for who they'd prefer if both were on the board.


Right now Udoh seems to have the buzz. He's more polished, is a better offensive player and has the ability to contribute right away. Davis is a better defender, is more explosive athletically and is bigger. He impressed the Jazz and Pacers in recent workouts with his improved shooting ability, but everyone knows he's a project.


The question really comes down to this: Udoh is 23; Davis is 21. In two years, would Davis be as good or better than Udoh is now? If the answer is yes, then the Davis pick is the best one. But sometimes it's easier to take the guy you know can get some stuff done right now.


From what I can gather, I don't think Davis will slip past the Jazz at No. 9. Udoh probably won't get past the Pacers at 10 if they keep their pick.


Luke Babbitt, Gordon Hayward, Xavier Henry or Paul George

These four wings have all impressed in workouts and depending on whom you talk to, you'll get a different answer on who is the best prospect. I think the range for all of them starts at No. 8 to the Clippers. The Jazz, Pacers, Hornets, Grizzlies, Bucks and Timberwolves also look to be in the mix.


Each player offers a different skill set. Babbitt may be the best scorer of the bunch and is the most NBA-ready. Henry is the best pure shooter of the group. Hayward has all the intangibles. George has the most upside (both in terms of athleticism and skills).


Each player also has a serious flaw. Babbitt lacks the lateral quickness to guard the quicker 3s in the league. Henry appears to be a bit one-dimensional. Hayward lacks strength and needs to get his shooting back on track. George lacks a great motor.


In what order will they go? It's way too early to say. If I were to handicap it right now, the Clippers are slightly leaning toward Hayward. The Jazz prefer Babbitt, while the Pacers and Grizzlies like George, and the Hornets and Bucks favor Hayward.


Avery Bradley or Eric Bledsoe

/sports.espn.go.com/espn/gallery/enlargePhoto?id=5310870&story=5310599">http://sports.espn.go.com...310870&story=5310599','Popup','width=640,height=550,scrollbars=no,noresize'); return false;" href="#">[+] Enlarge
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesAvery Bradley may be getting passed by Eric Bledsoe.For teams looking for a point guard, the debate is really between Bradley and Bledsoe. Both players are freshmen and didn't have huge years. Bradley is a superior scorer and has good size for the position. Bledsoe is more of a true point guard and sees the floor better.


Both players are considered raw and unproven, but both have tremendous athletic ability and upside. Both have been working out against each other in virtually every city before Bradley injured his ankle in Oklahoma City.


The real question for both players will come down to one spot in the lottery -- the Raptors at 13. While I've been hearing for weeks now that Bradley has the edge on Bledsoe, I had a trusted source tell me over the weekend that it may be Bledsoe who gets the nod in Toronto.


A true Insider mock draft

I'm working hard on our next Mock Draft (v. 6.0) for Tuesday. But for those of you sick of hearing what I think every week, here's a pretty good alternative.


It probably doesn't surprise you to hear that most NBA teams do their own mock drafts in an effort to understand what players will be available when they are picking. They use their scouts to talk to other scouts in the league to get intel (along with reading ESPN Insider of course) and then put a mock together.


I persuaded one of the best drafting GMs in the league to share his team's mock with me. He kindly gave me the first 20 picks Enjoy!


1. Wizards: John Wall
2. Sixers: Evan Turner
3. Nets: Derrick Favors
4. T-Wolves: Wesley Johnson
5. Kings: DeMarcus Cousins
Note: Monroe had a terrific workout over the weekend. Sounds like Monroe and Cousins are neck and neck here.
6. Warriors: Greg Monroe
Note: Interestingly, after the positive workout, Monroe had a shaky one in Golden State on Sunday. You don't want to be outplayed by Omar Samhan when you're trying to talk a team into drafting you at No. 6. This may change.
7. Pistons: Al-Farouq Aminu
8. Clippers: Gordon Hayward
Note: If you're comparing to our Mock Draft v 5.0, we have the first eight in the exact same order. But from here it changes significantly.
9. Jazz: Ed Davis
Note: I think you'll see our Mock Draft v. 6.0 take up this suggestion. I've been hearing all week that Davis doesn't get past No. 9 if Monroe is off the board. Sorry, Luke Babbitt.
10. Pacers: Ekpe Udoh
Note: This also seems like a good bet. We've had Davis falling here for the past two weeks. But Udoh was the guy we had in Indy for our first two Mock Drafts.
11. Hornets: Cole Aldrich
12. Grizzlies: Luke Babbitt
13. Raptors: Eric Bledsoe
Note: That's the first major surprise I've heard so far. I've had them higher on Avery Bradley for months ... but maybe he knows something I don't.
14. Rockets: Patrick Patterson
15. Bucks: Xavier Henry
16. Timberwolves: Paul George
Note: I think this is probably too low for George. I put him here in my last mock draft, but continue to hear he's strongly in the mix for the Clips, Indy and Memphis. Hard to see him sliding past all three.
17. Bulls: Damion James
18. Heat: Avery Bradley
19. Celtics: Solomon Alabi
20. Spurs: Daniel Orton
Note: The Spurs need a big man and they could rip out the heart of folks in OKC if they take Orton one pick ahead of the Thunder.

[Basileus777]

Woj says the Nets are seriously considering Wesley Johnson.

All along, the Wolves had planned to select Johnson at No. 4, and yet the New Jersey Nets are holding serious discussions about drafting the small forward and taking their chances with trying to sign a power forward in free agency. The Nets had long favored Derrick Favors, but are debating now about how long it will take for him to become a regular contributor. New Jersey is still contemplating DeMarcus Cousins, too.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... buzz062210

Stuff like this is starting to get me nervous. Don't **** this up Rod.

[mikhailjordan]

No Wes Johnson.
No Ricky Rubio.
No.
No.
No.

I might break something if either of the above scenarios goes down.

(*My hope is that the Wes Johnson talk is just the Nets trying to get the Timberwolves to move up to draft him )

[ak06ma]

Wesley Johnson is moving up to 3, New Jersey, on our next mock coming shortly. Told New Jersey will take him and go for a PF in free agency

Wes is the most ready guy and New Jersey wants to be competitive next year. Favors doeso to Minnesota & compliments Love+Jefferson perfectly

http://twitter.com/DraftExpress

[Talentfull]

Wesley Johnson is moving up to 3, New Jersey, on our next mock coming shortly. Told New Jersey will take him and go for a PF in free agency

Wes is the most ready guy and New Jersey wants to be competitive next year. Favors doeso to Minnesota & compliments Love+Jefferson perfectly

http://twitter.com/DraftExpress

That would be a huge mistake unless we're trading down. I don't believe that until I see Stern call his name 3rd on Thursday. I've always been 100% behind Thorn but if that happens that opinion might just change.

[AQuintus]

Chad Ford is saying the same thing:

@chadfordinsider Just spoke with 2 sources & looks like Turner is lock at 2, & Wes Johnson now has lead at 3 in NJ. Just updated mock:

[Winter Wonder]

Can't imagine NJ wouldn't try and work something out with Sacremento at least.

Sac - Cousins
MN - Favors
NJ - Johnson

Possibly all smokescreen, but a couple places reporting.

This would be a surprise, can see why they would do it, but really bad value on the asset that is the #3 pick unless NJ front office feals MN would grab Johnson regardless. The MN board believes after Wall and Turner the board goes Favors, Johnson, Cousins.

[jzmagik]

Hell no to Wes Johnson, this is an obvious smokescreen

[SteveNets15]

Minny should be looking to draft Cousins if he's there.He would be the bpa and also fill a need on there roster.

[demens]

wow, just wow.

[Preludepunk27]

^^^^

This is my exact thinking. I personally think it's been Favors all along with the Nets at #3. Thorn has something up his sleeve in my opinion. He's gonna make the Wolves think he's taking Johnson. That would kill the Wolves since the 2 BPA at #4 would be big men. They're rebuilding too so it wouldn't be back breaking for Minny but it'd be a REACH pick if they didn't take Favors or Cousins at #4. I think Thorn is gonna hope he can steal something from Minny or clear some cap room while still getting the player the Nets want in the end.

[demens]

This makes ZERO sense to be a bluff. Favors is rated over Wes by EVERYONE, Wolves would be ecstatic to draft him if he is there. Hell, i think they would even draft Cousins and the only reason they wouldn't is cause he refused to work out for them.

I've been calling for Thorns head for a while now, how does everyone like my trade down ideas now? I really, really can not believe that this might actually happen.

[LeBron's Time]

hows amare's visit in new jersey? posible that he will wear nets uniform next season? thats why they dont need favors anymore or they already had verbal agreement that if the nets draft bigman, amare will not come.

[Preludepunk27]

This makes ZERO sense to be a bluff. Favors is rated over Wes by EVERYONE, Wolves would be ecstatic to draft him if he is there. Hell, i think they would even draft Cousins and the only reason they wouldn't is cause he refused to work out for them.

I've been calling for Thorns head for a while now, how does everyone like my trade down ideas now? I really, really can not believe that this might actually happen.

You really are from another planet man. Your trade down ideas have us taking on declining players with big contracts for a year, meanwhile taking a lesser talent in the draft. That helps us in no way.

In this instance, which is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than your scenarios, we have a guy we want, we know what another team wants, and we feel if we traded down, we'd still end up with the guy we always originally wanted. It's either Favors or Cousins. Hey if we can land them at a lower pick while acquiring an asset, I'm all for it and would be an excellent chess move by Thorn. But again, this trade down situation is different than the drivel you've been barking about.