2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread (Lottery Tonight!)

[NBA Fan 1234]

From what I've heard from friends at Vandy (who have VERY close connections to Taylor), Taylor is going back. At least, that's what he has been saying to them.

[TrueWarrior]

I see your point Moo. You think its harder to get a 6'10 athletic dude who can shoot like Harper than a defensive guy like Singleton. I got you on that. Fair and solid POV. I think you're overrating Harper a tad but I see you.

Harper could have the makings of a true sleeper. Hes a senior, didnt really breakout until this year, and played in a small conference so hes def under the radar a bit, but youd think a guy with his skill level at his size would easily be in the lotto of this weak ass draft. Who knows maybe 2010 is right in that he will rise after workouts. I can see that happening. He seems like the type. I just think his defense and lack of toughness/motor are scaring teams off a little. He could very well be nothing more than any other run of the mill tweener stretch 4.

The thing about Harper is if we pick him we have to 100% concentrate on adding more defensive guys and bigs then. Youd think Douglas, Fields, Harper, and maybe Shawne/Walker if they're back would be enough offense off the bench. Hopefully your reasoning holds true and its easier to add those type of players.

[moocow007]

I see your point Moo. You think its harder to get a 6'10 athletic dude who can shoot like Harper than a defensive guy like Singleton. I got you on that. Fair and solid POV. I think you're overrating Harper a tad but I see you.

Harper could have the makings of a true sleeper. Hes a senior, didnt really breakout until this year, and played in a small conference so hes def under the radar a bit, but youd think a guy with his skill level at his size would easily be in the lotto of this weak ass draft. Who knows maybe 2010 is right in that he will rise after workouts. I can see that happening. He seems like the type. I just think his defense and lack of toughness/motor are scaring teams off a little. He could very well be nothing more than any other run of the mill tweener stretch 4.

The thing about Harper is if we pick him we have to 100% concentrate on adding more defensive guys and bigs then. Youd think Douglas, Fields, Harper, and maybe Shawne/Walker if they're back would be enough offense off the bench. Hopefully your reasoning holds true and its easier to add those type of players.

Absolutely.

I think at this point you have to check under every rock and really get a little creative with the little assets and flexibility the Knicks have to build a team that can really take that next step next season. Getting Melo was definitely the right move but caving into everything (and the proverbial kitchen sink) that the Nugs wanted to get him now greatly hinders what the Knicks may be able to do to build a team.

With D'Antoni apparently looking to run more and more of the offense through Melo (who, I think to most people's surprse, has turned to be a much better passer than we could have thought) it MAY be possible for the Knicks to go with Douglas, Carter and maybe a vet minimum signing like TJ Ford at PG. If so, then it affords them the room to say goodbye to Chauncey Billups and free up enough capspace to maybe sign one of the many C's out there OR make a trade for one via a sign-and-trade.

And then you go out and look for some veteran defenders that can give you some punch off the bench. Guys at the wings and up front that can defend and know how to get under opposing players skins.

[StumptheSlob]

I'm warming up to the idea of Justin Harper at 17 (or whatever we are), but if he's not there or we decide to go a different direction, what do you guys think about someone like Jeff Taylor from Vanderbilt? He's a good defender, very athletic, solid 3pt shooter and has a quick first step. He could be a good back-up at SG/SF or even start at SG over Landry.

Another option at SG I'd like to move up in the 2nd round for is David Lighty out of Ohio State. I think he's going to be the 2nd round steal this year. He's a very good defender, has a quick first step and can finish at the rim. Personally, my ideal draft would be picking up a big in the 1st (Harper or Faried) then grabbing Lighty in the 2nd.

[NBA Fan 1234]

I'm warming up to the idea of Justin Harper at 17 (or whatever we are), but if he's not there or we decide to go a different direction, what do you guys think about someone like Jeff Taylor from Vanderbilt? He's a good defender, very athletic, solid 3pt shooter and has a quick first step. He could be a good back-up at SG/SF or even start at SG over Landry.

Another option at SG I'd like to move up in the 2nd round for is David Lighty out of Ohio State. I think he's going to be the 2nd round steal this year. He's a very good defender, has a quick first step and can finish at the rim. Personally, my ideal draft would be picking up a big in the 1st (Harper or Faried) then grabbing Lighty in the 2nd.

I've been talking about Taylor for MONTHS...great defender and is very athletic. My only problem with him is that he can relax on offense sometimes - he's not very aggressive. I watched almost all of Vandy's games this past year.

However, like I said above:

From what I've heard from friends at Vandy (who have VERY close connections to Taylor), Taylor is going back. At least, that's what he has been saying to them.

If he enters and we can't get Biyombo, Knight, Walker (maybe), or a few other high profile guys, then I think he's definitely worth a look. Aside from his relaxed demeanor sometimes on offense, I'm a huge fan of Taylor's game. IMO it would be the smart choice for him to enter the draft because of how weak it is...

[Manhattan Project]

1- Kyrie Irving
2- Derrick Williams
3- Enes Kanter
4- Jonas Valanciunas
5- Donatas Motiejunas
6- Brandon Knight
7- Kemba Walker
8- Bismack Biyombo
9- Jan Vesely
10- Terrence Jones
11- Marcus Morris
12- Kawhi Leonard
13- Alec Burks
14- Markieff Morris
15- Justin Harper
16- Kenneth Faried
17- Trey Thompkins

Bubble: Bojan Bogdanovic, Chris Singleton, Jimmer Fredette, Jeff Taylor, Jereme Richmond

[Jmonty580]

I'm still standing behind my Jordan Hamilton pick. I think he can be a better version of Bill Walker and Shawne Williams. Much like them i see him standing in a corner and spotting up and hiting 3s. I think he shot is VERY underrated, he could help space the floor alot more than what it is now. I think Hamilton could develop into a Wilson Chandler type honestly, I really like him. He wouldnt have to do alot on the Knicks either. Amare and Melo will create open shots for him, he has to knock them down. And in transition I feel he's fast and athletic enough to help us out on the break. His limited skill set fits what we need, if he's still on the board when we pick I want him. Get a second round pick or a late first if possible and get a big.

[TrueWarrior]

David Lighty is definitely a guy to keep an eye on with another pick. Him and Douglas would give us a great defensive backcourt off the bench. DeAndre Liggins too.

2nd round bigs Id take a chance on are Keith Benson and Nikola Vucevic. Would be cheap young height to add and both fit the system.

Also maybe Jeremy Tyler is worth a look in the 2nd?

Id def buy an early 2nd rounder and pick one of these guys up.

[ManiaX]

David Lighty is definitely a guy to keep an eye on with another pick. Him and Douglas would give us a great defensive backcourt off the bench.

2nd round bigs Id take a chance on are Keith Benson and Nikola Vucevic. Would be cheap young height to add and both fit the system.

Id def buy an early 2nd rounder and pick one of these 3 guys up.

What about DeAndre Liggins? He just declared. Another guy I like.

Two other 2nd round bigs to keep an eye are on Vernon Macklin and Matthew Bryan-Amaning. Both are a solid 6-10, athletic, and played well in the Portsmouth.

[Jmonty580]

David Lighty is definitely a guy to keep an eye on with another pick. Him and Douglas would give us a great defensive backcourt off the bench. DeAndre Liggins too.

2nd round bigs Id take a chance on are Keith Benson and Nikola Vucevic. Would be cheap young height to add and both fit the system.

Also maybe Jeremy Tyler is worth a look in the 2nd?

Id def buy an early 2nd rounder and pick one of these guys up.

Liggins is definetely a guy i'd take in the second round. Hard nosed tough defensive player. He'd do all the dirty work in NY ont he defensive end, we could use someone like him. Id go as far as to get a second round pick and promising him we'll pick him if he is there when we draft.

[moocow007]

David Lighty is definitely a guy to keep an eye on with another pick. Him and Douglas would give us a great defensive backcourt off the bench. DeAndre Liggins too.

2nd round bigs Id take a chance on are Keith Benson and Nikola Vucevic. Would be cheap young height to add and both fit the system.

Also maybe Jeremy Tyler is worth a look in the 2nd?

Id def buy an early 2nd rounder and pick one of these guys up.

Jeremy Tyler is definitely worth a look as a 2nd rounder since there's no risk. I'd imagine he'd go early in the 2nd for exactly the same reason. Physically, he's got the tools to be a stud in the NBA. Mentally and from a maturity standpoint? He makes Andray Blatche look like Grant Hill in terms of whits and maturity.

Guys that could make an impact in the NBA that people haven't really been talking about? One guy is Patric Young. I think Young can turn into a Leon Powe type player (minus the bad knees) in the NBA. Strong, physical, persistent motor, fearless and athletic guy that is always on the attack (and not with the ball in his hands).

[TrueWarrior]

Liggins is definetely a guy i'd take in the second round. Hard nosed tough defensive player. He'd do all the dirty work in NY ont he defensive end, we could use someone like him. Id go as far as to get a second round pick and promising him we'll pick him if he is there when we draft.

Agreed. We need a defensive menace like Lighty or Liggins to sick on wing players. Plus they can also help Douglas out with some passing. Might not help much as scorers but they should be good enough, especially if we pick a guy like Harper in the 1st.

Harper or Markieff Morris + one of Benson/Lighty/Vucevic/Liggins.

It would be really nice to walk out of the draft with like Harper or Markieff and Benson though. Thats a young 6'10 and 7 footer added to the team right off the bat on cheap contracts. All are seemingly ready to contribute. All bigs who can shoot the rock and fit the system. Neither are the banger we need but you cant teach height. Add Jerome Jordan coming over and we wont be looking so undersized. Turiaf and Walker should still be here too if they're options are picked up. Not sure about Shawne, Shelden, Carter, Jeffries, etc. Id re-sign Shelden/Carter/Shawne for the minimum.

Assuming we pickup Chauncey's option (which I think we will):

Billups / Douglas / Carter
Fields / Douglas
Melo / Walker / Shawne
Amare / Harper or Markieff / Shelden
Turiaf / Jordan / Benson

or instead of Benson we pick Lighty or Liggins

Billups / Douglas / Carter
Fields / Lighty or Liggins
Melo / Walker / Shawne
Amare / Harper or Markieff
Turiaf / Jordan / Shelden

Either way Im good. The 2nd scenario puts more pressure on Jordan though, so I might rather have Benson as another center for insurance, especially with Turiaf so injury prone. Lighty and Liggins are nice players, but give me 7 feet.

Theres just no reason why we shouldnt try and buy draft picks every single year. We've done it with Douglas and Jordan two years in a row, so no reason to stop now.

EDIT: Moo Im pretty sure Young isnt declaring. DX has him as like their 15th best prospect. He would def be a high choice if he declared.

[Mecca]

- Fire Mike D'Antoni

- Hire Rick Adelman

- (Draft Day Deal) Ricky Rubio for Landry Fields and the #16th Pick

- Sign De'Andre Jordan (4 Years 35 Million)

- Sign Mickael Pietrus

- Sign Louis Amundson

- Sign Sebastian Telfair to League Minimum

- Purchase Bulls #30 and Lakers #41 and draft Kenneth Faried and Nikola Vucevic


HC - Rick Adelman
PG - Ricky Rubio - Toney Douglas - Sebastian Telfair
SG - Mickael Pietrus - Toney Douglas - Bill Walker - Andy Rautins
SF - Carmelo Anthony - Derrick Brown - Bill Walker
PF - Amar'e Stoudemire - Kenneth Faried - Renaldo Balkman
C - Deandre Jordan - Louis Amundson - Nikola Vucevic

[ibraheim718]

- Fire Mike D'Antoni

- Hire Rick Adelman

- (Draft Day Deal) Ricky Rubio for Landry Fields and the #16th Pick

- Sign De'Andre Jordan (4 Years 35 Million)

- Sign Mickael Pietrus

- Sign Louis Amundson

- Sign Sebastian Telfair to League Minimum

- Purchase Bulls #30 and Lakers #41 and draft Kenneth Faried and Nikola Vucevic


HC - Rick Adelman
PG - Ricky Rubio - Toney Douglas - Sebastian Telfair
SG - Mickael Pietrus - Toney Douglas - Bill Walker - Andy Rautins
SF - Carmelo Anthony - Derrick Brown - Bill Walker
PF - Amar'e Stoudemire - Kenneth Faried - Renaldo Balkman
C - Deandre Jordan - Louis Amundson - Nikola Vucevic

Damn you're an ambitious little fellow aren't ya?

[ManiaX]

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110420/SPORTS0602/110420042/Vanderbilt-won-t-lose-anyone-NBA-draft?odyssey=nav|head

chadfordinsider Chad Ford
Jeff Taylor, John Jenkins and Festus Ezeli all returning to school. Taylor was a potential first round pick. tennessean.com/article/201104…

Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings has announced that center Festus Ezeli, guard John Jenkins, and forward Jeffery Taylor will all return for the Commodores in the 2011-12 season.

[Manhattan Project]

Jeremy Tyler is definitely worth a look as a 2nd rounder since there's no risk. I'd imagine he'd go early in the 2nd for exactly the same reason. Physically, he's got the tools to be a stud in the NBA. Mentally and from a maturity standpoint? He makes Andray Blatche look like Grant Hill in terms of whits and maturity.

Guys that could make an impact in the NBA that people haven't really been talking about? One guy is Patric Young. I think Young can turn into a Leon Powe type player (minus the bad knees) in the NBA. Strong, physical, persistent motor, fearless and athletic guy that is always on the attack (and not with the ball in his hands).

Don't you dare steal my guy... NOT AGAIN!!!!! NOOOO

[TrueWarrior]

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110420/SPORTS0602/110420042/Vanderbilt-won-t-lose-anyone-NBA-draft?odyssey=nav|head

chadfordinsider Chad Ford
Jeff Taylor, John Jenkins and Festus Ezeli all returning to school. Taylor was a potential first round pick. tennessean.com/article/201104…

Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings has announced that center Festus Ezeli, guard John Jenkins, and forward Jeffery Taylor will all return for the Commodores in the 2011-12 season.

Every time I start liking a player they go back to school.

All the sudden Harper will go play in China with Marbury.

[hobojoe2131]

I've been high on Lighty for a while. I think he's a great fit here. Him and Honeycutt are 2 very good options at GS.

[Manhattan Project]

Guys like Lightly, Liggins, Klay, Bojan, Brooks etc are nice luxury picks. I mean it really comes down to how aggressive we are in this draft. If we can pick up an extra pick or two, which is certainly feasible as evident by the Blazers every year we can have a nice draft of NBA ready players.

1- Big [Insert a name]
2- Swingman [Insert a name]
3- Shooter [Insert a name]

For me personally if we can walk away with a Marcus Morris, Bojan Bogdanovic, Kyle Singler type of draft I would probably cream myself. It's getting to the point in which I think Singler is really starting to get overlooked for whatever reason, guy who just knows how to play the game and can really shoot it.

[hobojoe2131]

Oh god no. If Kyle Singler is on this team I will be dismayed.