Draft Thread Continued. 2011 part two...

[GhostsOfGil]

hands i agree with pretty much everything u said. i too thought of nick young when i watched barnes..only a poor mans version

kyrie and barnes both cause redundancies. with such a weak draft class, if not williams, roll the dice on kanter

[DallasShalDune]

Has anyone considered trading out of the draft if Williams isn't available? Why not take an iffy contract and a good player for the 4th or 5th pick? A-la Ray Allen to the Celtics?

[dangermouse]

Has anyone considered trading out of the draft if Williams isn't available? Why not take an iffy contract and a good player for the 4th or 5th pick? A-la Ray Allen to the Celtics?

There isnt a team in the Sonic's situation as far as i know. Not gonna happen.

Unrelated note: My gut tells me Pistons would take Kyrie (if he is still the consensus #1 on draft day). If DWill has a good workout, who knows. Although, Durant went off in workouts, I heard he didnt miss a shot in the Blazers workouts, but they still took the consensus #1.

[Hoopalotta]

Ryen Russillo on the 4/13 NBA today podcast talked for a while about the Euro prospects in the draft. He absolutely murdered Johnny Valentine. He basically said that he doesn't even consider him an NBA player. Apparently he's watched tons of film of JV on Synergy sports. It's a good listen. He was rather convincing. I wouldn't take him with the 18th pick.

Well, that doesn't sound good as I'd consider Russillo quite respectable there (I heartily applauded his calling out Whiteside as being a disaster).

I guess the thing for me with Valentine is he's 18 years old and playing against pros in their prime, so I accept a certain level of his getting blown up and assume he'll be able to hunker down in terms of interior defense based on his hustle and generally solid physical tools. I don't think he's anywhere near fully developed physically (duh). That's just a huge problem when you're matched against 26 year old's from Bratislava who sneak meat cleavers onto the court.

My main concern long term is his overall explosiveness. He's got a real nice second jump, but he's hardly a sky walker and that's not going to improve. But I'm guessing that Russillo has a lot more to complain about than just that.

[Hoopalotta]

Has anyone considered trading out of the draft if Williams isn't available? Why not take an iffy contract and a good player for the 4th or 5th pick? A-la Ray Allen to the Celtics?

There isnt a team in the Sonic's situation as far as i know. Not gonna happen.

Unrelated note: My gut tells me Pistons would take Kyrie (if he is still the consensus #1 on draft day). If DWill has a good workout, who knows. Although, Durant went off in workouts, I heard he didnt miss a shot in the Blazers workouts, but they still took the consensus #1.

How about if we don't move up, we just preemptively trade the bust that we would have picked at 5 this year for the bust that the Wolves picked last year at 4, Wesley Johnson. Maybe John Wall can, you know, de-bust him. At least he's a bust that fits, which may well be a leg up on what we're looking at in actuality.

That is about 20% a serious suggestion with the rest being gallows humor. It's hard to tell the difference as of now.

Or maybe we could just trade an assortment of assets and acquire the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 19th picks in the draft without giving up the 18th. We then select all the guys slotted in that range and figure that someone is the next Shawn Marion or Buck Williams and don't worry about the inevitable busts. We go scatter shot.

Failing that, maybe we have our representative at the draft lottery light themselves on fire on national TV if we don't move up. Needless to say, we're saving Irene and her yellow coat for next year if it comes to that.

[hands11]

hands i agree with pretty much everything u said. i too thought of nick young when i watched barnes..only a poor mans version

kyrie and barnes both cause redundancies. with such a weak draft class, if not williams, roll the dice on kanter

And this dude. Justin Harper 21 6-10 efficient with 3 range. This is the player I want us to add.

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1095805&start=630

[closg00]

Spiders take out Morehead. Justin Harper looking smooth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7tzjYSTfw0

Harper indeed looks like a solid candidate for that 18th pick Hands. At this point, our options at 18 are looking pretty good to me, we'll have plenty of potential role-players to choose from:

Tyler Honeycutt
Trey Thompkins
Chris Singleton
Jordan Williams
Markieff Morris

I'd be tempted to take the best big of the bunch since we won't have Yi, we desperately need a fricken rebounder with a little size....not big on Faried.

[closg00]

Ryen Russillo on the 4/13 NBA today podcast talked for a while about the Euro prospects in the draft. He absolutely murdered Johnny Valentine. He basically said that he doesn't even consider him an NBA player. Apparently he's watched tons of film of JV on Synergy sports. It's a good listen. He was rather convincing. I wouldn't take him with the 18th pick.

Did he like any of the Euros?

[LyricalRico]

Spiders take out Morehead. Justin Harper looking smooth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7tzjYSTfw0

Harper indeed looks like a solid candidate for that 18th pick Hands. At this point, our options at 18 are looking pretty good to me, we'll have plenty of potential role-players to choose from:

Tyler Honeycutt
Trey Thompkins
Chris Singleton
Jordan Williams
Markieff Morris

I'd be tempted to take the best big of the bunch since we won't have Yi, we desperately need a fricken rebounder with a little size....not big on Faried.

I didn't see any UCLA games so the tournament was the first I saw of Honeycutt but he intrigued me. Reminded me a lot of Matt Barnes, but maybe with a little more offensive skill and ready to contribute right away. I guess #18 would be too high to take a guy like that in most drafts, but it might be just right this year. He'd be an option if we went big in the lottery.

[Rafael122]

Reading around, it looks like Harrison Barnes might make his decision next week. This is just me, but if he's waited this long to make a decision, he's more likely to go pro rather than stay in school. I dunno, I'm hoping he goes pro because if we get a top 4 pick, we'd be in decent shape, but if he goes back to school...yeesh.

[Benjammin]

But what does Barnes really get us ? A jump shooter would be nice but we need more inside presence and slashing. Enes in a center help we need. Strong position player and seems like a tough kid. Barnes reminds me more of a Nick Young. If we lose Nick, he would be a good add. Williams gets you both.

Williams
Enes
Barnes only if we loose Nick and that would be a lateral move. It doesn't make us any better.

I'd be more excited to get Jan, Faried or Kyle than Barnes.

I think comparing Barnes and Nick Young is simplistic. Barnes is a pure 3, Nick is a 2. Barnes has a much better feel for the game at a younger age than Young did. He is a better passer than Nick. I do agree that Barnes needs to work on his slashing game, that he relies on his jumper too much, and needs to get to the free throw line more often. Those are also weaknesses of Nick. But the biggest difference again is basketball IQ, which gives me hope that Barnes will continue to improve significantly over the next few years.

[nate33]

hands i agree with pretty much everything u said. i too thought of nick young when i watched barnes..only a poor mans version

kyrie and barnes both cause redundancies. with such a weak draft class, if not williams, roll the dice on kanter

And this dude. Justin Harper 21 6-10 efficient with 3 range. This is the player I want us to add.

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1095805&start=630

His lackluster rebounding in a weak conference is a big concern. Seems kinda like a poor man's Rashard Lewis to me. It's possible that he might find a niche somewhere in this league, but he'd be redundant here.

I'm starting to come around on Markieff Morris. If he checks out size-wise at the pre-draft camp, I'd strongly consider him for our #18 pick. He's a competent shooter, a good defender, and an excellent rebounder (13 boards per 40 minutes). He may not be a weakside shot blocker because of his mediocre wingspan, but we already have a shot blocker in McGee. We need a guy to clean up on the boards after McGee has challenged the shot.

It's also nice that he has demostrated the work ethic to improve significantly every year, and he's been part of a winning tradition in Kansas. There seems to be a history of overlooking good lunch pail big men on good teams when those good teams happen to have stars who attract media attention. I'm thinking of Boozer on Duke, Patrick Patterson on Kansas, Darrell Arthur on Kansas and David Lee on Florida.

[dangermouse]

If we drop to 5th or below, i'd happily trade the pick for Wes Johnson.

[gesa2]

What do you guys think about Jeff Taylor? If we go big with our first pick (Kanter or Williams), then it seems he'd be a good prospect for a "3 and D" SF :

Taylor has a rare blend of prototypical physical tools, excellent toughness and a very good feel for the game. He shows all the characteristics the NBA looks for in a complimentary wing player (a la Raja Bell or Thabo Sefolosha), but he is a far more explosive

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jef ... z1Jbf1P1NG
http://www.draftexpress.com

Sticks with the recent themes of improving our defense and physicality, but we'd prob have to wait on his offensive game

[WizarDynasty]

Terrence Jones is our small forward of the future. We will draft him with the fifth overall pick and we have two way players at almost every starting position.

[DaRealHibachi]

hands i agree with pretty much everything u said. i too thought of nick young when i watched barnes..only a poor mans version

kyrie and barnes both cause redundancies. with such a weak draft class, if not williams, roll the dice on kanter

And this dude. Justin Harper 21 6-10 efficient with 3 range. This is the player I want us to add.

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1095805&start=630

His lackluster rebounding in a weak conference is a big concern. Seems kinda like a poor man's Rashard Lewis to me. It's possible that he might find a niche somewhere in this league, but he'd be redundant here.

I'm starting to come around on Markieff Morris. If he checks out size-wise at the pre-draft camp, I'd strongly consider him for our #18 pick. He's a competent shooter, a good defender, and an excellent rebounder (13 boards per 40 minutes). He may not be a weakside shot blocker because of his mediocre wingspan, but we already have a shot blocker in McGee. We need a guy to clean up on the boards after McGee has challenged the shot.

It's also nice that he has demostrated the work ethic to improve significantly every year, and he's been part of a winning tradition in Kansas. There seems to be a history of overlooking good lunch pail big men on good teams when those good teams happen to have stars who attract media attention. I'm thinking of Boozer on Duke, Patrick Patterson on Kansas, Darrell Arthur on Kansas and David Lee on Florida.

If Markieff is our choice, we can be allot more patient about McGee's development... Great pick indeed, fills some big holes up front (rebounding and D) without having to call shots for him, and makes Dray expendable...

[hands11]

But what does Barnes really get us ? A jump shooter would be nice but we need more inside presence and slashing. Enes in a center help we need. Strong position player and seems like a tough kid. Barnes reminds me more of a Nick Young. If we lose Nick, he would be a good add. Williams gets you both.

Williams
Enes
Barnes only if we loose Nick and that would be a lateral move. It doesn't make us any better.

I'd be more excited to get Jan, Faried or Kyle than Barnes.

I think comparing Barnes and Nick Young is simplistic. Barnes is a pure 3, Nick is a 2. Barnes has a much better feel for the game at a younger age than Young did. He is a better passer than Nick. I do agree that Barnes needs to work on his slashing game, that he relies on his jumper too much, and needs to get to the free throw line more often. Those are also weaknesses of Nick. But the biggest difference again is basketball IQ, which gives me hope that Barnes will continue to improve significantly over the next few years.

Yeah, It was a simple comparison.

For me it comes down to a couple of things.

Need - we need scoring, rebounding, pure shooter from range.
What we have
Personality - This is the hardest thing to quantify but it is so so important.

For me. I like Booker at SF and I'm not ready to see him pushed out. Would I think it was a good move if you can get a D Williams. Sure because of his star power but getting him would present roster challenges. I wouldn't take on those challenges for Barnes. We have bigger holes. I like what Booker showed this year. He can leap out of the gym and he can play inside. He is physical. He improved a lot and I expect more. He should be adding more range to his shot. He showed he can score and get to the line. For next year, Lewis is the compliment to back him up. He adds outside range and he showed he can play some PF also. So I would rather have Booker starting with Lewis backing him up than Barnes on the team. And Lewis can back up PF also.

The bigger hole is a back up center who could start if needed. Insurance in case McGee never gets it or eventually walks. McGee has to many games that he gets two fouls in the first 5 minutes. Seraphin is a nice undersided back up at C, possible muscle PF but no where near a proven player. I hope McGee makes another leap next year but it would be a good idea to stock up with a talented big while you have the pick to do it. Enes.

Then you need to add shooters. Pure shooters. And we need a scoring back up for Dray. Lewis can do it some but this is where I want to find a young prospect. Someone much better than Yi. For me that is Justin Harper. Harper gives you the outside shooting you would get from Barnes only he is taller. If someone is going to need to add something to their game to play better inside, I would rather is be the 6-10 Harper who gives you another option other than Dray. And I love all the kids intangibles. I like his personality better than Barnes. Barnes reminds me of a Jarvis/Nick type.

Anes for rebounding. Inside game. Back up center who could start in the future when needed. Someone to back up McGee and be ok with it for a few years.

Harper. 6-10 pure shooter with 3 range. Efficient. Focused and with great upside.

If I could take Barnes with the pick, I would pass for Anes if I knew I would also get Harper. I believe that maximizes what we have with what we need and adds the right personalities. McGee needs a legit challenge and we needs scoring help at PF.

Harper is just very intriguing to me. I think he goes up more in the draft. Two names I have read associated with him are KD light and R Lewis. Both those players were pretty damn good.

[hands11]

But what does Barnes really get us ? A jump shooter would be nice but we need more inside presence and slashing. Enes in a center help we need. Strong position player and seems like a tough kid. Barnes reminds me more of a Nick Young. If we lose Nick, he would be a good add. Williams gets you both.

Williams
Enes
Barnes only if we loose Nick and that would be a lateral move. It doesn't make us any better.

I'd be more excited to get Jan, Faried or Kyle than Barnes.

I think comparing Barnes and Nick Young is simplistic. Barnes is a pure 3, Nick is a 2. Barnes has a much better feel for the game at a younger age than Young did. He is a better passer than Nick. I do agree that Barnes needs to work on his slashing game, that he relies on his jumper too much, and needs to get to the free throw line more often. Those are also weaknesses of Nick. But the biggest difference again is basketball IQ, which gives me hope that Barnes will continue to improve significantly over the next few years.

DP

[Liverbird]

I don't see how drafting a SF (Williams or Harrison) would case a roster problem at all. We have Lewis and Booker who can play both positions. Should we draft a SF with our lottery pick we could still play Booker/Pick at SF and Blatche/Lewis at PF. Lewis effectively replaces Yi in the rotation.

Wall/Crawford/(Nolan)
NY1/Jeffers
Booker/(Williams/Harrison/Jones)
Blatche/Lewis/(Morris)
McGee/Seraphin

Alternatively, if Williams or Harrison are off the board, I'd be prefectly happy with Kanter.

Wall/Crawford/(Nolan)
NY1/Jeffers
Booker/Lewis
Blatche/(Kanter)/(Morris)
McGee/Seraphin

Still don't like the Blatche and McGee defensive combo though.

[nate33]

Ryen Russillo on the 4/13 NBA today podcast talked for a while about the Euro prospects in the draft. He absolutely murdered Johnny Valentine. He basically said that he doesn't even consider him an NBA player. Apparently he's watched tons of film of JV on Synergy sports. It's a good listen. He was rather convincing. I wouldn't take him with the 18th pick.

Well, that doesn't sound good as I'd consider Russillo quite respectable there (I heartily applauded his calling out Whiteside as being a disaster).

I just listened to Russilo's Monday and Wednesday podcasts, he had some good nuggets:

* The lockout will have minimal impact on kids declaring. Most guys in the top of the draft can get a line of credit from their agent if need be.

* Lots of GM's are a little suspicious of Barnes. They think his stock is still high thanks to his high school hype, but his college performance so far hasn't lived up to his rep. With that the case, most scouts and GM's really think it's in his best interest to go ahead and declare right now while there's still some good vibes leftover from high school. If he waits, there's a good chance that he finds himself much lower in the next draft. That bodes well for him declaring, but maybe not so good for us if we pick him.

* Jonas sucks. He has a predictable offensive game, minimal strength, and mediocre athleticism. He is flabbergasted that DX ranks him #2.

* Kanter looks real good. Russillo really likes his basketball IQ. Said me makes great reads of the pick and knows whether to pop, roll, or slip the screen. He has some perimeter game but is also willing to mix it up down low.

* He likes Vesely a lot too. Athletic and fun to watch. Will take it to the rack against anyone. Will get pushed around a bit until he fills out, but he'll bring max effort every night. He really enjoys the game. He also says that he has a way of generating space for his jumper that it reminsicent of Dirk (though he reiterated that he is NOT saying Vesely will be the next Dirk).

* Donny Mountjoy is skinny and soft. He sucks.

* Biyombo is impressive. He liked his offense even more than his defense. Says that everyone questions his age.