2011 DRAFT blather goes here. Part 3...

[Ruzious]

I like McGee and Kanter as a combo. Offensively, Kanter plays PF, because he can hit from outside, and you want McGee close in for his follow-up slams and alley oops. Defensively, Kanter plays the burly big (usually a center, but not always), and Jav plays the finesse guy and can be a weak-side shot-blocker. Overall, that's probably the best way to use him.

[RT31]

^^
If Brandon Jennings was in contention to win rookie of the year why did he ride the pine when he went overseas? Everyone knows that young players never play overseas even if they are extremely talented. There is an institutionalized pecking order. Vets play above youngsters.

In Europe, yes, vets play over youngsters. In Japan, I dunno. I don't know anything about that league.

However, the BIGGEST issue I have is that Jennings took the "institutionalized pecking order" and improved his game...got paid. Jeremy Tyler quit after 10 games...big difference

[nate33]

agree with Sev!

I think we have to be prepared to call other teams' bluff.

We might like to have Kanter (and it would make Jimmy Wall
happy which is important), but there are other fishes in the sea.

Yup. Call their bluff. Offer the #6 plus the #34 to move up to #5. That's it.

I'd make them actually draft Kanter before offering anything more than that.

[WizarDynasty]

a big can't do much without a point guard giving him the ball. Japanese paid competition is better than no competition.
Either way, we are getting a coordinated bigman with size and basketball IQ who enjoys post contact and is stronger than our current starting front court for our bigman rotation at six. Tyler or Kanter and one of them has had surgery on both of his knees before the age of 20 the other wanted to outsmart the NCAA free labor situation and doesn't like to exploited for another's gain.

BOth are young coordinated strong post players with upside close to seven feet tall. Something never found in nba free agency for a reasonable price.

[nate33]

WizD, I think you are falling too much in love with Tyler's measurements and ignoring his body of work. The guy has been a total bust so far. Ji Yianlian had great measurements and great drill performances too.

[RT31]

a big can't do much without a point guard giving him the ball. Japanese paid competition is better than no competition.
Either way, we are getting a coordinated bigman with size and basketball IQ who enjoys post contact and is stronger than our current starting front court for our bigman rotation at six. Tyler or Kanter and one of them has had surgery on both of his knees before the age of 20 the other wanted to outsmart the NCAA free labor situation and doesn't like to exploited for another's gain.

BOth are young coordinated strong post players with upside close to seven feet tall. Something never found in nba free agency for a reasonable price.

and one of them quit after 10 games. complained about not getting enough minutes. walked out on his team during halftime.

[Rafael122]

Workouts scheduled for June 1:

Alec Burks, Klay Thompson, Tristan Thompson, JaJuan Johnson, Andrew Albicy & Randy Culpepper for pre-draft workouts on 6/1.

Per Mike Lee.

Also, Vesely won't be working out for teams per hoops hype.

[WizarDynasty]

Japan leading, rebounding, shotblocking, and demeanor tell me that he will be EG's pick if Kanter aint there.

[Severn Hoos]

I like McGee and Kanter as a combo. Offensively, Kanter plays PF, because he can hit from outside, and you want McGee close in for his follow-up slams and alley oops. Defensively, Kanter plays the burly big (usually a center, but not always), and Jav plays the finesse guy and can be a weak-side shot-blocker. Overall, that's probably the best way to use him.

Ruz, I'd very much like to see the Kanter-McGee combo at work, and if there's a way to get Enes without screwing up the rest of the roster, I think it could work. But I don't have enough confidence that it will work to go "all in" with a deal like the Baltche-Bargs deal. If Kanter falls to us, or we can move up with minimal cost, I think that could be a devastating combo - they'd be even bigger than the Gasol-Bynum and Gasol-Randolph frontcourts, who have obviously proven quite successful.

I just keep hoping that other teams will fall in love with other guys' "upside" or get scared off by Kanter's knees (remember when that was an issue?), or the fact he didn't play at all last year, or whatever - and he's somehow on the board at 6. C'mon guys, time to spread those rumors about how Enes has no cartilage in either knee!

[Dat2U]

Actually Kanter & Blatche offensively intrigues me. Two highly skilled bigs on the court at the same time? That could really open things up nicely for Wall. Defensively, I don't know. That's what keeps me from going all in on Kanter. I don't see him out on the perimeter defending smaller PFs very well. Same with Javale. I don't know if Kanter can anchor a defense at C either. Until then, he's a nice piece but not someone I'd mortgage the future over.

Beyond using Seraphin to move up, I'm not willing to part with much. I would however be willing to move down a few slots if Charlotte wants Kemba and he falls into our lap.

[sfam]

I would really want to give Seraphin another year before we dump him for a quick move. He might turn out to be a real brute inside - in a good way I mean.

[jivelikenice]

Any scenario that has Blatche in a long-term scenario just doesn't intrigue me. Watching the playoffs, I just can't envision any scenario where Blatche is a starting PF on a deep playoff team. After watching Miami embarass Boozer, you can only imagine what fun a good team would have with Blatche defensively in a 7 game series.

[jivelikenice]

I would really want to give Seraphin another year before we dump him for a quick move. He might turn out to be a real brute inside - in a good way I mean.

Agreed. He has the physical tools and really started at a disadvantage because of the knee injury he had last summer. I was actually quite surprised that he contributed as much as he did.

[closg00]

Workouts scheduled for June 1:

Alec Burks, Klay Thompson, Tristan Thompson, JaJuan Johnson, Andrew Albicy & Randy Culpepper for pre-draft workouts on 6/1.

Per Mike Lee.

Also, Vesely won't be working out for teams per hoops hype.

Tristan Thompson certainly won't fall to 18 & JaJuan Johnson may fall in-between our 18th pick and our 2nd rounder. Like-em both as candidates to steal minutes from Dray if-not steal the starting position outright if we can get one of them.

[LyricalRico]

Any scenario that has Blatche in a long-term scenario just doesn't intrigue me. Watching the playoffs, I just can't envision any scenario where Blatche is a starting PF on a deep playoff team. After watching Miami embarass Boozer, you can only imagine what fun a good team would have with Blatche defensively in a 7 game series.

[LyricalRico]

If this is true, and none of the teams in the Top 5 want to leave their pick overseas, this pretty much nixes any chance at Kanter:

The buyout in the contract of Jonas Valanciunas with Lietuvos Rytas will be raised to at least $3 million USD, confirmed agent Sarunas Broga to RealGM.

Valanciunas has widely been projected to become a top-five pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but a more financially difficult buyout would surely impact his draft status.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1NyUNRat5

Well, looks like it's either picking one of Vesely/Leonard/Biyombo or trading with a team that wants one of those guys.

[doclinkin]

Actually Kanter & Blatche offensively intrigues me. Two highly skilled bigs on the court at the same time? That could really open things up nicely for Wall. Defensively, I don't know. That's what keeps me from going all in on Kanter. I don't see him out on the perimeter defending smaller PFs very well. Same with Javale. I don't know if Kanter can anchor a defense at C either.

In rebounding there's often a player who seems to give an assist to the boardsman. I like Kanter's chances to improve McGee's defense, by sealing the strongside with his wide stance and frame. With improving technique and a good focus and continued work in the weight room I can see him becoming a tough player to move off position. McGee doesn't battle well underneath, but if we have Kanter clearing the paint then nobody can get up as high as McGee to snare the rebound. And if he stops penetration with his mighty thews and solid trunk, well then McGee is lurking behind him ready to get tall and volley the shot away. McGee just doesn't rebound well when he's scared he'll be undercut.

Will Kanter himself stop a player from scoring? I don't think so. But I like his chances to become a decent team defender, and make McGee a more intimidating x-factor. His decent and improving range and passing game also allows the coach to play him with Seraphin, Booker, McGee, Faried, etc. We can afford to go big without too much letdown. I just don't think he's gonna dunk all over anyone inside. He's not dominant at either end, but I get the feeling he'll be alright, pretty good, as long as he's healthy.

A good mesh of what we need. If not quite champion caliber. A 'greater than the sum' sorta player for us. But maybe, bumps us into a fine mediocrity. Unless synergy is right. And he proves a foundation piece for other chemistry elsewhere, and he helps McGee work himself to that 'nother-level player that he already thinks he is. First you win, then you get good. Maybe.

[Rafael122]

If this is true, and none of the teams in the Top 5 want to leave their pick overseas, this pretty much nixes any chance at Kanter:

The buyout in the contract of Jonas Valanciunas with Lietuvos Rytas will be raised to at least $3 million USD, confirmed agent Sarunas Broga to RealGM.

Valanciunas has widely been projected to become a top-five pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but a more financially difficult buyout would surely impact his draft status.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... z1NyUNRat5

Well, looks like it's either picking one of Vesely/Leonard/Biyombo or trading with a team that wants one of those guys.

I disagree. Teams can contribute upwards of $500K to the buyout. So if it's at $3 million, that leaves $2.5 million left on the table. Jonas is projected as a top 5 pick, he could go as high as 4. I mean, the 4th overall pick would get upwards of $15 million in his first rookie contract. That's still good coin and enough for the buyout.

[LyricalRico]

^ Yeah, but he's not going to get it all at once. He'd essentially be playing his first year for free. Especially with a lockout, wouldn't it make sense for him to actually make money in Europe for another year and then come over when the buyout is more reasonable?

[pancakes3]

In rebounding there's often a player who seems to give an assist to the boardsman.

oh most definitely. boxing out is a TEAM rebounding strategy. rebound monsters like ben wallace, rodman, jayson williams, etc. are board hounds and almost never box out. in fact, we don't have to dig much deeper than haywood/jamison to see this in effect.