2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread (Lottery Tonight!)

[camillepd]

I dont see why'd we take Selby, but he'd be doing the same thing that Douglas is doing for us now..

We need to go pure PG[Morris], legit wing[Brooks, Honeycutt] or Straight Big Man[Tyler, Vujevic,Faried]

None of the guys you just named have much upside and that is why Sellby should be the pick. Like Moo said, a year ago, Selby was Number 1 ranked player coming out of high school-higher rated than Irving.

[ezmoney707]

It's all about fit and coaching. If you put Vucevic on a team where he can play then i think his talent will speak for it self. I really think the Thunders organization has a hard time developing big men. Other than Ibaka, how many project big men have they drafted since the Sonic days and for them to not pan out. Even Nick Collison in my humble opinion should be much better than he is today.

Yea, that is true and the the Thunder aren't the best at developing big men...but I don't think we are either, to be honest...but I wouldn't be against taking Vucevic. We do need more big bodies and if he can help, the more the merrier.

Yeah our big man developing is not the greatest, but at the same time we haven't had any quality young bigs to develop in the last 10 years other than Curry; and Mosgov last year. I wouldn't be opposed to taking Vucevic either, but he certainly not top of my list i would say.

[camillepd]

My pick at 17 is Josh Shelby. We need a PG and if Chauncey says the kid ccould be our PG for the future then that's good enough for me. Josh Shelby has the skills and talent to be our Derrick Rose. He has top 3 talent in this draft but because of the unproductive year at school, he will fall to us. We have to take him.

Selby might not be a bad choice but way too many people seems to be pegging him more as a combo guard and, in some cases, even a short SG (Selby was grouped with the other SG's in the Draft Combine even though most of the guys that were in the PG group were combo guards as well).

Opinion on Selby (among the group of 5 guys...Chad Ford, Len Elmore, Tom Penn, Fran Fraschilla and the other guy) was split (on whether he will be able to play point in the NBA).

Also I think if the take Selby it would be with the intention of dealing Douglas (Selby, at the end of the day, is more of a scoring PG). So if Walsh doesn't plan on dealing Douglas and if they really are looking at Billups beyond just next season, drafting a PG (or PG like player) might not make sense.

At which point their biggest positional needs becomes C (which we all know about) and SG (Fields is more of a SF and he struggles terribly creating his own shot). At that point Vucevic and Marshon Brooks probably make the most sense. Vucevic has offensive skills that seem to work in D'Antoni's system and Brooks would pair nicely with Fields at SG in a defensive/offensive scenario.

Precisely, pick Selby at 17, then trade douglas plus for Mayo.

New lineup post 2012--

Pg- Selby
Sg- Mayo
SF-Melo
PF- Amare
C- Dwight Howard (prayer)

[Knicksfan20]

My pick at 17 is Josh Shelby. We need a PG and if Chauncey says the kid ccould be our PG for the future then that's good enough for me. Josh Shelby has the skills and talent to be our Derrick Rose. He has top 3 talent in this draft but because of the unproductive year at school, he will fall to us. We have to take him.

Selby might not be a bad choice but way too many people seems to be pegging him more as a combo guard and, in some cases, even a short SG (Selby was grouped with the other SG's in the Draft Combine even though most of the guys that were in the PG group were combo guards as well).

Opinion on Selby (among the group of 5 guys...Chad Ford, Len Elmore, Tom Penn, Fran Fraschilla and the other guy) was split (on whether he will be able to play point in the NBA).

Also I think if the take Selby it would be with the intention of dealing Douglas (Selby, at the end of the day, is more of a scoring PG). So if Walsh doesn't plan on dealing Douglas and if they really are looking at Billups beyond just next season, drafting a PG (or PG like player) might not make sense.

At which point their biggest positional needs becomes C (which we all know about) and SG (Fields is more of a SF and he struggles terribly creating his own shot). At that point Vucevic and Marshon Brooks probably make the most sense. Vucevic has offensive skills that seem to work in D'Antoni's system and Brooks would pair nicely with Fields at SG in a defensive/offensive scenario.

Precisely, pick Selby at 17, then trade douglas plus for Mayo.

New lineup post 2012--

Pg- Selby
Sg- Mayo
SF-Melo
PF- Amare
C- Dwight Howard (prayer)

I dont think Douglas plus fields nabs us mayo..Its gunna cost selby too.

[Marty McFly]

Jimmer going to the jazz most likely or to the suns we have 3 percent chance picking him i want us to pick either tyler honeycutt or the big guy from usc or jermey tyler.

3 percent of getting him? how'd you get that number?

[Rasho Brezec]

Jeremy Tyler isn't even that athletic to warrant all this potential talk about him. His no step vertical and maximum vertical are pretty meh even for a C.

[ezmoney707]

Jimmer going to the jazz most likely or to the suns we have 3 percent chance picking him i want us to pick either tyler honeycutt or the big guy from usc or jermey tyler.

3 percent of getting him? how'd you get that number?

That does seem like an odd number

[taj2133]

I really don't think we are taking a point guard in this draft most of the better point guards are going to be gone before we pick. We need a shooting guard like brooks, honeycutt, hamilton or klay thompson we also need center usc guy jermey tlyer, keith benson, or greg smith. Also most point guard that are not lottery caliber point guards like selb, jenkins, and morris kind of remind me of toney douglas.

[taj2133]

I saw most of selby games in college he sucks all he does chucks shots he not a good point guard he is overated.

[Deeeez Knicks]

What makes Tyler a second rounder? He was #1 in his class, until he decided to go to Europe...now im sure he didnt get the chance to develop like his fellow 'class-mates' but you dont have anything to base him off of..last time people seen Tyler compete in legit game time was his junior year of high school..

Hes got NBA size, and pretty athletic for his size...17 might be high, but I wouldnt be against taking Tyler if we acquired a pick in the 20s

He's a pretty big project and more of a risk so teams might now want to give him a 1st round contract. He didn't get a ton of exposure overseas.

But he could still go in the 1st round and probably worth the risk just as McGee and Jordan are worth 1st rounders (even though Jordan went in the 2nd).

The high school players going to Europe is a pretty bad idea though. Its better to go to college. These kids just can't get the same exposure or time to develop overseas. Its a huge adjustment. By the time they adjust, find there role with there teams, and learn the skills and fundamentals that are important over there, its time to leave. I understand the money part, but in the long run they are better off going to college.

[taj2133]

In somewhat of a surprise, college basketball's player of the year has really impressed the pros.

And it's only surprising because Brigham Young guard Jimmer Fredette has often been referred to as little more than a volume shooter (a la Memphis' O.J. Mayo) who lacks athleticism. One respected NBA columnist even picked the NCAA's leading scorer and most electrifying player to drop to near the bottom of the first round.

"That's absurd, and makes me question that writer's intent," one irritated camp insider said of the prediction.

Instead, Fredette has tested well athletically, with his knack for creating his own shot among the best at the pre-draft camp in Chicago. Expect Fredette to be drafted in the 12-16 range of the first round, although some think with more individual workouts like his first, he could move up a few spots.

"Like everyone after the top two picks, he's a bit of a gamble," the insider said. "But man, for anyone looking for instant offense off the bench, he could be a big hit right away."

Fredette was measured at a shade over 6-foot-2 and weighs 195 pounds. He averaged 28.9 points per game at BYU.

Rising stock

Others who improved their stock with strong showings include Washington State swingman Klay Thompson, Texas swingman Jordan Hamilton and center Jeremy Tyler, who played high school ball in San Diego then professionally overseas.

Tyler actually left high school after his junior year and it turned out to be a disaster. First, he went to Israel, where he signed a one-year deal for $140,000. He abruptly quit and returned home after 10 games. He then signed to play in Japan, averaging 9.9 points and 6.4 rebounds in 33 games.

But Tyler, who is 6-11, tested well in Chicago and may have played his way into the first round.

Meanwhile, Thompson displayed the same nice shooting stroke he possessed in college and turned out to be a better-than-expected athlete. He has a certain edge to his game that scouts love. He also has the height (6-7) and mindset to play shooting guard in the NBA, having drawn comparisons to Houston's Kevin Martin.

As for Hamilton, there were questions about his toughness, but he pretty much put those to rest in his workout. Now, the word "soft" has been replaced with "smooth" when describing the 6-7 scorer.

Kanter watch

Not to be forgotten is Kentucky's Enes Kanter, who lived up to expectations with his positive attitude and rugged workout.

Kanter is a 6-11 center from Turkey. He didn't play during his freshman season because of eligibility issues, yet earned high praise from scouts who saw him a year ago in international competition.

He will definitely be selected in the top 10, and likely within the top five. In fact, the only reason Kanter may not go in the top three is because of the vibe insiders are getting from Kanter himself.

Word is he would prefer to play for Washington, which owns the sixth overall pick. Utah is another rumored landing spot, and the Jazz pick third. But reports say Kanter doesn't want to play there (or in Toronto, which owns the fifth pick).

Kemba speaks

Connecticut guard Kemba Walker interviewed with Detroit, Phoenix and Houston while in Chicago and said he is likely to conduct individual workouts with six or seven teams in all. The Pistons own the eighth pick, the Suns own the 13th and the Rockets the 14th.

"I thought it went very well," Walker told DraftExpress.com of the interviews. "They just ask you personal stuff — about your family and upbringing, how you would fit in with their team, stuff like that."

Walker said he's hearing he will be drafted in the 3-8 range.

"I have no preference; I just want to hear my name called," he said, smiling. "I think I can come into any (situation) and play right away and hopefully, do big things."

The 6-1 guard is fresh off an NCAA championship with the Huskies and says his greatest asset is an ability to find ways to win. "I've won at every level I've played," he said.

As for his size, Walker shrugs it off as a non-issue. He also says teams have told him they have faith he can play point guard in the NBA.

"There are plenty of small guys in the NBA now who do a great job," he said. "I don't see why I can't."

Athletic annoyance

Finally, time again for my two cents . . .

This testing of athleticism makes my blood boil. I don't care if Kemba Walker can't jump as high or run as fast or possess the reach of Brandon Knight (all hypothetical, by the way).

Can Walker play BASKETBALL better than Knight? That's all I care about, and I really want to scream it over and over again as I watch all these strength-and-conditioning types get in the way of a great pickup game.

Roll the ball out, let 'em play, and see who's the best. And quit trying to be the friggin' NFL.

OK, I feel better now. A little.

Follow Sam Amico on Twitter @SamAmicoFSO


Tags: nba, cavaliers, Draft, Jimmer, Fredette, Enes, Kanter, Walker, Kemba http://www.foxsportsohio.com/msn/05/21/ ... eedID=3724

[Kn1cks]

Selby is like Teague/Bayless.

Not what we need.

[moocow007]

I saw most of selby games in college he sucks all he does chucks shots he not a good point guard he is overated.

He was playing with a broken bone in his foot after coming back from a suspension for violating NCAA rules against contact with Carmelo Anthonys business manager that most believed was not that serious and never got into a groove. I wouldn't use that small sampling of games against him. Doesn't mean he'll be great but being ranked no.1 overall in the HS class os 2010 is no joke.

[moocow007]

HEy moo... Did Harper look like he's gotten bigger up top? I think he's my target now after seeing him at the combine. We need to start looking for someone to spell Amar'e. And if he projects in the early second round and Fredette falls... we could take Fredette at 17 and buy a pick for Harper in the early second round and come away with a kings ransom.

Yeah he did. Harper always struck me as a guy that could get stronger and make an impact. He does have an interesting package overall. I think the concern is if hes tough enough. Offensively I think he can become a more dynamic version of Channing Frye (better ball skills, more versatile in what situations and where he can get his shot off).

[TrueWarrior]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY2Xjc7IgXU&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

One thing you cant hate on with Jimmer is his dedication to his game and body. The guy is in top shape and has basically maximized himself to the fullest capacity physically. Cant see him getting any stronger, faster, or whatever. 200 pounds and 6% body fat is very good. Now like the commentators say he has to 100% immerse himself into becoming a PG. Im 50/50 on the guy but I wouldnt bet against him either.

[Marty McFly]

lol @ mike next to donnie with his arms crossed on his lap. trying to hide that boner ay?

[Deeeez Knicks]

Some random thoughts for today....not that anyone cares

Needs:
1. Big man
2. Shooter
3. PG

Draft Board:
1. Markieff Morris (probably won't be there)
2. Kenneth Faried (a monster)
3. Jimmer (I think he's one of our top choices)
4. Darius Morris (Have a feeling he's not on our radar)
5. Klay Thompson (shooter that would be a great fit)

Guys that intrigue me that I haven't seen much.
1. Jeremy Tyler (next McGee/Deandre? Either way, we need a 2nd round pick for this guy)
2. Nikola Vucevic (lots of skills, but have a feeling he could be a bust)
3. Josh Selby (seems redundant for us with TD, but everyone talks about his potential)

Players who may be worth trading up for:
1. Biyombo
2. Enes Kanter
3. Alec Burks

[ITGM]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY2Xjc7IgXU&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Thnx for posting this vid

[Allan Houston]

So I looked up video of Jeremy Tyler on Youtube.. looked like he was playing in a league with special needs children. Dudes barely hit rim on half the jump shots they take. And he only played 15 minutes a game? What possessed him to play in Japan?

[NBA Fan 1234]

So I looked up video of Jeremy Tyler on Youtube.. looked like he was playing in a league with special needs children. Dudes barely hit rim on half the jump shots they take. And he only played 15 minutes a game? What possessed him to play in Japan?

He was pretty much kicked off his team in Israel lol. He was playing in the 2nd division in Japan...he was working with a former NBA coach though.