Bird has narrowed it down to 4 guys for the #15 pick

[geistmoney]

It appears that Bird has centered his draft efforts on 4 players that should be available at #15. What are you thoughts on who those players should be and order of significance?

My thoughts:
1.Klay Thompson
2.Tristan Thompson
3.Jimmer
4. Either Morris or Honeycutt/Hamilton

http://www.indycornrows.com/2011/5/26/2 ... -president

[Starkiller]

Morris or Tristan. HELL no Jimmer.

[geistmoney]

I definitely don't want Jimmer either, but know Bird has expressed that he likes him, thus i put him on the list. I'd rather trade our pick to Chicago for their 2 late picks if we're taking Jimmer or for a 1st next year.

I'd be more than happy if Tristan fell to us, I think he has the body and skill set to be a good player/eventual starter in the league. His ability to block with both hands will come into play as he grows himself offensively.

[Wizop]

I really doubt the headline here. I think it's much too early to believe we're down to four particularly given that workouts are just beginning. plus I can almost guarantee that someone everyone thinks is a lock to go in the top 10 will be there at 15.

[mizzoupacers]

^ I agree. But just for fun, I like Tristan Thompson, Klay Thompson, Kenneth Faried and Marshon Brooks.

Several others sound like possibilities as well. Hard to know at this point who might be available at #15.

[Starkiller]

I love Faried. I think he's a diamond in the rough for us.

[paulgeorge24]

Faried is awful. No thanks

[geistmoney]

While i do like Faried, I'm terrified that he'll be Ike Diougi 2.0 for the pacers. A really great college rebounder (take into account the conference they played in too), 6'8-6'9, wide shoulder, but doesn't translate at the pro level.

While getting this pick correctly isn't as important in past years, I feel like this is still an important draft for us to continue to grow. We could be wrong and he could turn out to be a blair, but it's also scary picking a 6'8 PF... (aren't Granger and Lebron the same heighth?)

[8305]

Agree that its way to early to tell but still a fun game. My top four:

1. Chris Singleton, if he's there too much upside to pass on even though he plays the wrong position
2. JuJuan Johnson, check his combine results, very long, very athletic and an accomplished basketball player. I just don't see the Morris twins or Tristen Thompson as being better NBA players than JuJuan
3. Ken Farried, as a defender and rebound guy he's Hansbrough on steroids
4. Shelvin Mack, also impressive at the combine, a better athlete than commonly recognized, a big strong back up for Collison would be a good fit. What can I say, I'm an Indy homer.

[glasket]

Agree that it is too early. Are we even going to keep our #15!
Anyway here is my fun prediction
1 Tristan Thompson - still developing into his body and his game. I think he will go higher than 15 but could drop.
2 JuJuan Johnson - very athletic, the more I read about him the more excited I get. A little underside but still has good upside and is a proven senior.
3 Jordan Hamilton
4 Either Morris Twin

In the second round I'd really like to take a look at these
E'Twan Moore, Corey Joseph, Trey Thomkins and David Lighty,

[DWCP2]

Well when you look at Bird's draft picks since the rebuilding started.

Brandon Rush
Roy Hibbertt
Tyler Hansbrough
Paul George

later

Darren Collison

You find the one common pattern, high basketball IQ. That's what he looks for in any trade.

The 15th pick I think has to be used to bring in an offensive weapon, regardless of position.

I think Klay Thompson is the unanimous choice. He's been around the game his whole life. Shoots lights out. Yes there was the one drug incident, but everything I've read his dad is or has been straighted out and his life should be better going forward.

[Starkiller]

Faried is awful. No thanks

Please. He's exactly what they need. A strong, high energy player down low who's an amazing rebounder. Like stated earlier, Tyler on roids, PLUS he can run the floor very well. He has very little offensive game but that's not what we want from a guy like that anyway.

[mizzoupacers]

I think Klay Thompson is the unanimous choice. He's been around the game his whole life. Shoots lights out.

I like Klay Thompson too because he looks about as close to a "sure thing" as is likely to be available at #15. But the flip side is that he might be pretty one-dimensional at the pro level: he's supposedly not very athletic, not a good defender, not really a playmaker...he's a high IQ spot-up shooter.

The Pacers worked out JuJuan Johnson, Josh Selby, Justin Harper, Darius Morris and a few others yesterday.

link

All of those guys hold some interest for me, although I'm not really sure what to make of Selby--for such a highly regarded recruit, he was really pretty awful for Kansas last year. Could have been due to the early season suspension and an injury or two, though. I guess I view him as a pretty big gamble at #15, but it could be a high risk/high reward scenario.

[mizzoupacers]

LOL, this analysis cools my enthusiasm for Tristan Thompson a bit:

http://www.pacersdigest.com/wordpress/?p=489

I've read this guy's analyses at Pacersdigest the last few years and think he is right more often than he is wrong.

Thompson would be a pick based on long-term potential rather than NBA readiness. But I like his potential. The Pacers don't have an athletic power forward like him. Hopefully he would develop some offense...I'm not worried too much about Tbird's other critical comments.

[Starkiller]

At one point Bob Knight called Tristan Thompson the best player in NCAA last year. Or something like that.

[paulgeorge24]

I think Klay Thompson is the unanimous choice. He's been around the game his whole life. Shoots lights out.

I like Klay Thompson too because he looks about as close to a "sure thing" as is likely to be available at #15. But the flip side is that he might be pretty one-dimensional at the pro level: he's supposedly not very athletic, not a good defender, not really a playmaker...he's a high IQ spot-up shooter.

The Pacers worked out JuJuan Johnson, Josh Selby, Justin Harper, Darius Morris and a few others yesterday.

link

All of those guys hold some interest for me, although I'm not really sure what to make of Selby--for such a highly regarded recruit, he was really pretty awful for Kansas last year. Could have been due to the early season suspension and an injury or two, though. I guess I view him as a pretty big gamble at #15, but it could be a high risk/high reward scenario.

Selby was injured the entire year. His first game he tore it up, but then the injuries came. If we're talking him or a guy like Faried (lol), its not really a gamble.

[DWCP2]

If Selby can be a cross between OJ Mayo and Monte Ellis then I'll be all for him

[MNPacersfan]

While i do like Faried, I'm terrified that he'll be Ike Diougi 2.0 for the pacers. A really great college rebounder (take into account the conference they played in too), 6'8-6'9, wide shoulder, but doesn't translate at the pro level.

Did we ever really find out if Diogu's skills translated? It seemed like once he got on a role with his new team (was it Golden State, then Portland, then Indiana?) he would suffer a season ending injury. I think his calf exploded at some point!? I liked what I saw for a few games in Indiana, but then he hurt something that's vital to playing ball (knee maybe) and that was that.

[Macho King]

He said they're all four different sizes. My guesses....

Point: Reggie Jackson - A big point guard with great athleticism and upside. He could replace the atrocious A.J. Price as Collison's backup, and if he lives up to his promise, possibly replace him in due time.

Wing: Alec Burks - Complete SG prospect with good size and athleticism. Could be Brandon Rush's replacement.

Tweener: Kawhi Leonard - Shawn Marion-like power forward that uses his quickness and massive wingspan to hit the glass hard. Seems like the type of versatile forward Larry likes.

Big: Donatas Motiejunas - Big upside and said to be very skilled. Could be great value at #15.

[DWCP2]

Alec Burk is a top 10 prospect and the only guy I'd actually consider trading up for.

But a lot of wings are really selling out their stuff to scouts and everything, so holding onto 15 someone is sure to fall to the Pacers.