2012 NBA Draft

[nate33]

Craft is the best defensive point guard I have ever seen. He completely changes the game with his defense. He doesn't have NBA-caliber PG skills at this time, however. He rarely blows you away with his passing and court vision. Don't get me wrong, he has a PG mindset. He knows how to run a team, but he doesn't necessarily make the game easier for his teammates on offense.

Craft could become a very good NBA PG, but he has to improve quite a bit on offense.

[go'stags]

Yeah, Mason's a center - even though he's going to have strength issues - unlike brother Miles. Miles got the lumberjack jeans in the family. I remember when Mason came to Duke, he had a rep for having a good jump shot, but that never materialized - and he can't even make 50% of his foul shots.

Moser - I have never seen, but he sounds like a tweener. He's really too small to be a PF, but it sounds like he has the physical attributes to play the 3, and you never know how quickly a player adjusts from switching from a 4 to a 3. His 3 point shooting % is not good, but maybe it's just cuz he hasn't had enough experience. In time, maybe he's a better version of Wilson Chandler? I agree - he's a guy you really have to scout.

The elder Plumlee is indeed stronger, but nowhere near athletic enough IMO to play in the NBA.

Not sure about Moser being too small to play PF. He has great rebounding numbers, and definitely has the length and athleticism to contest shots. He'll get pushed around by bigger PF's down low, but if he is grabbing a lot of rebounds and scoring and hitting 3's on offense while getting out on the break, I can live with that. His 3-point numbers aren't that bad, at about 33 percent, but watching him play and shoot yesterday, those numbers will definitely go up. And he isn't just a spot up player-he has a nice skill set of pump fakes, jab steps, and ball handling. Also, his lateral quickness is solid for someone with his height and length-he could potentially be a full time SF. We all need to watch him more.

On that note, has anyone actually watched the NBC Sports network? That was where I saw UNLV Play SDSU yesterday and I thought ntheir coverage was excellent. Makes me miss the NBA on NBC.

[BruceO]

This thomas robinson kid is a top two at worst top four pick. My guestimate is number three behind davis and mkg. Surprisingly not talked about much here despite the fact he could easily be our pick and is the second best pf out there, monster rebounder and offensive player. Plays with effort and is a winner. Explosive and already nba ready strength and weight. Maybe he isn't the sexy pick because he is a junior and is listed at 6 9 in some places and 6 10 in others kid is 20 still and may have ample size

[Ruzious]

Yeah, Mason's a center - even though he's going to have strength issues - unlike brother Miles. Miles got the lumberjack jeans in the family. I remember when Mason came to Duke, he had a rep for having a good jump shot, but that never materialized - and he can't even make 50% of his foul shots.

Moser - I have never seen, but he sounds like a tweener. He's really too small to be a PF, but it sounds like he has the physical attributes to play the 3, and you never know how quickly a player adjusts from switching from a 4 to a 3. His 3 point shooting % is not good, but maybe it's just cuz he hasn't had enough experience. In time, maybe he's a better version of Wilson Chandler? I agree - he's a guy you really have to scout.

The elder Plumlee is indeed stronger, but nowhere near athletic enough IMO to play in the NBA.

Not sure about Moser being too small to play PF. He has great rebounding numbers, and definitely has the length and athleticism to contest shots. He'll get pushed around by bigger PF's down low, but if he is grabbing a lot of rebounds and scoring and hitting 3's on offense while getting out on the break, I can live with that. His 3-point numbers aren't that bad, at about 33 percent, but watching him play and shoot yesterday, those numbers will definitely go up. And he isn't just a spot up player-he has a nice skill set of pump fakes, jab steps, and ball handling. Also, his lateral quickness is solid for someone with his height and length-he could potentially be a full time SF. We all need to watch him more.

I gotta disagree. Coach K's been quoted at least a dozen times that I've heard saying Miles is the best athlete on the team. He probably knows something about his own players.

Just from looking at video of Moser, he's wayyy undersized for a PF - not just height-wise, but his frame doesn't look like it can hold more than 230 comfortably. He's built a lot like Wilson Chandler. I know his rebound numbers are terrific, but I think he's gotta play the 3 in the NBA.

[tontoz]

This thomas robinson kid is a top two at worst top four pick. My guestimate is number three behind davis and mkg. Surprisingly not talked about much here despite the fact he could easily be our pick and is the second best pf out there, monster rebounder and offensive player. Plays with effort and is a winner. Explosive and already nba ready strength and weight. Maybe he isn't the sexy pick because he is a junior and is listed at 6 9 in some places and 6 10 in others kid is 20 still and may have ample size

Actually he has been talked about quite a bit. I know several here would be comfortable taking him at 2. I am hoping he will be the pick if we don't get Davis.

[Ruzious]

Craft is the best defensive point guard I have ever seen. He completely changes the game with his defense. He doesn't have NBA-caliber PG skills at this time, however. He rarely blows you away with his passing and court vision. Don't get me wrong, he has a PG mindset. He knows how to run a team, but he doesn't necessarily make the game easier for his teammates on offense.

Craft could become a very good NBA PG, but he has to improve quite a bit on offense.

I love Craft - but as a college player - not so much as a pro prospect. He just cannot shoot, and despite his great defense, he's not a real good athlete - especially speed-wise. One of the problems last night was that they weren't guarding him, and he still couldn't hit a jump shot. Then again, nobody on O St could shoot last night.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

This thomas robinson kid is a top two at worst top four pick. My guestimate is number three behind davis and mkg. Surprisingly not talked about much here despite the fact he could easily be our pick and is the second best pf out there, monster rebounder and offensive player. Plays with effort and is a winner. Explosive and already nba ready strength and weight. Maybe he isn't the sexy pick because he is a junior and is listed at 6 9 in some places and 6 10 in others kid is 20 still and may have ample size

Actually he has been talked about quite a bit. I know several here would be comfortable taking him at 2. I am hoping he will be the pick if we don't get Davis.

Yeah I'm liking him after Davis as well.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tho ... nson-5496/

[nate33]

I'm starting to rethink my stance on Barnes. I just checked his numbers and the kid is averaging 23.2 points per 40 (pace adjusted) while shooting 47.7% from the floor and 44.1% from three point range. He's also boosted is FTA's per 40 from 4.2 last year to 6.9 this year. His TS% is .560. He is only 19 years old.

There's still the concern that he's got that Calbert Cheaney softness to his game, but he might be considerably better than Cheaney. What if he's Peja Stojokovic with better defense? That's the perfect player to have at small forward on a team with Wall.

He's also known to be an incredibly hard worker and a student of the game, characteristics in short supply on this team.

[mhd]

Say we do my trade of McGee+Crawford+Turiaf for Ben Gordon+2012 pick (top 1 protected) and current standings let us net the 3rd and 4th picks.

Bobcats take Davis
Hornets take Drummond

I'd amnesty Lewis, and sign Ryan Anderson as a FA. I'd take BOTH MKG and Barnes



PG: Wall/Gordon
SG: (MKG)/Gordon
SF: (Barnes)/Singleton
PF: Anderson/Booker
C: Blatche/Vessley

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This thomas robinson kid is a top two at worst top four pick. My guestimate is number three behind davis and mkg. Surprisingly not talked about much here despite the fact he could easily be our pick and is the second best pf out there, monster rebounder and offensive player. Plays with effort and is a winner. Explosive and already nba ready strength and weight. Maybe he isn't the sexy pick because he is a junior and is listed at 6 9 in some places and 6 10 in others kid is 20 still and may have ample size

Actually he has been talked about quite a bit. I know several here would be comfortable taking him at 2. I am hoping he will be the pick if we don't get Davis.

+1

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Say we do my trade of McGee+Crawford+Turiaf for Ben Gordon+2012 pick (top 1 protected) and current standings let us net the 3rd and 4th picks.

Bobcats take Davis
Hornets take Drummond

I'd amnesty Lewis, and sign Ryan Anderson as a FA. I'd take BOTH MKG and Barnes



PG: Wall/Gordon
SG: (MKG)/Gordon
SF: (Barnes)/Singleton
PF: Anderson/Booker
C: Blatche/Vessley

For the record, I think McGee would be fine on this team if Wall would be a distributor first and pass like he did yesterday. The Wizards needs to add a defensive rebounder and shot blocker like Robinson and that will help Javale. The best of all worlds would be to get lucky and get the top pick. Anthony Davis is a PF all the way. He would complete Javale because he is a monster on defense.

I am open to McGee trades on the premise that trading Javale makes more sense than getting outbid for him and losing him for nothing in free agency. Also, getting a top-4 pick SHOULD (but might not) get a better player for McGee.

I just don't see this being realistic for a team to accept McGee for a pick before he is resigned.

[fishercob]

Just some random thoughts on some lotto prospects, if for no other reason than we can come back in a few years and laugh at how stupid I was:

Anthony Davis seems worthy of the top pick and sure to be a multiple all-star. I don't know if he'll be a superstar a la KG or Duncan. Since he sprouted so late, he's new at being a big man. This has its benefits -- he's got some nice ball skills from growing up as a guard -- but they're also not good enough that he's going to be breaking down NBA guys off the dribble. Can he become automatic with a mid-range jumper? Can he add enough weight/strength to not get moved out of the lane with ease? He gives off the impression of having the right mentality, but who really knows?

Michael Gilchrist seems to have the heart of a lion, but one has to be concerned with his shooting, no? If he's unable to moisten that jumper, his ceiling may be Ron Artest. That's not necessarily a bad comp given how good Artest was in his prime defensively, but I think it's reasonably possible that MKG will struggle with the offensive adjustment after just one year of college.

I am confident that Sullinger will be a good NBA player. I'm also reasonably confident that he won't be a great NBA player, though I would love to be proven wrong and for him to be Love 2.0. I can see him being very effective in the pick and pop game, especially since he's a smart player and good passer. If you have his huge ass setting high screens for Wall -- and you have to contend with Sully on the fade, Wall on the drive and Vale on the oop (not to mention wings that can punish you from deep) -- and you could have the bones of a real nice offense. He'll help on the defensive boards, but with the NBA game being played so much more above the rim than college, his physical limitations are going to be highlighted more. I see him having David West type effectiveness. Real solid player, could even crack an all-star game or two depending on team success.

I'm very ambivalent about Dre Drummond right now. I've been pretty down on him for the same reasons everyone else has been -- too passive, doesn't show the fire, questions about his desire, etc. But it dawned on me during the Pistons game last night that that was the exact knock on Greg Monroe. Maybe Drummond is just figuring it out like Monroe did. The concern, of course, is that Monroe stayed that second year in college and got the experience of being a (if not the) central figure on a pretty good team. UConn is in a bit of disarray, may miss the tourney this year and won't go next year. If Drummond leaves is he going to stunt his development? I just don't know what to make of that guy.

[Benjammin]

Say we do my trade of McGee+Crawford+Turiaf for Ben Gordon+2012 pick (top 1 protected) and current standings let us net the 3rd and 4th picks.

Bobcats take Davis
Hornets take Drummond

I'd amnesty Lewis, and sign Ryan Anderson as a FA. I'd take BOTH MKG and Barnes



PG: Wall/Gordon
SG: (MKG)/Gordon
SF: (Barnes)/Singleton
PF: Anderson/Booker
C: Blatche/Vessley

I don't get the whole MKG as a 2 argument. His range is shaky for a 3 right now.

[nate33]

Say we do my trade of McGee+Crawford+Turiaf for Ben Gordon+2012 pick (top 1 protected) and current standings let us net the 3rd and 4th picks.

Bobcats take Davis
Hornets take Drummond

I'd amnesty Lewis, and sign Ryan Anderson as a FA. I'd take BOTH MKG and Barnes



PG: Wall/Gordon
SG: (MKG)/Gordon
SF: (Barnes)/Singleton
PF: Anderson/Booker
C: Blatche/Vessley

This makes no sense to me at all. We drafted two SF's last draft (though Vesely is projecting to be a PF). Do we really want two more?

If we have two high picks and the draft shakes out like you said, I'd take Thomas Robinson and Barnes. I'd then either sign E.Gordon or overpay a SG on a one year contract with the intent to go after Harden in 2013. We'd also have to find a real center.

[fishercob]

Heh, I'd be inclined to go MKG/Sullinger over Robinson/Barnes, and by extension MKG, Sully, Harden/Gordon over Robinson/Barnes/Anderson.

Compromise on MKG/Robinson?

[nate33]

Heh, I'd be inclined to go MKG/Sullinger over Robinson/Barnes, and by extension MKG, Sully, Harden/Gordon over Robinson/Barnes/Anderson.

Compromise on MKG/Robinson?

I'd be fine with that. I haven't yet figured out if I like MKG or Barnes better. I love everything about MKG's game except his shot, but unfortunately, shooting is our biggest need. I worry that MKG is somewhat redundant with what we've already got on this roster. We're chock full of rangy athletes who can defend the perimeter

On paper, Barnes seems to be exactly what we need. I have some concerns about his passiveness and his inability to create his own shot, but I might be overestimating those concerns.

[The Consiglieri]

This thomas robinson kid is a top two at worst top four pick. My guestimate is number three behind davis and mkg. Surprisingly not talked about much here despite the fact he could easily be our pick and is the second best pf out there, monster rebounder and offensive player. Plays with effort and is a winner. Explosive and already nba ready strength and weight. Maybe he isn't the sexy pick because he is a junior and is listed at 6 9 in some places and 6 10 in others kid is 20 still and may have ample size

Actually he has been talked about quite a bit. I know several here would be comfortable taking him at 2. I am hoping he will be the pick if we don't get Davis.

Yep, Robinson got a ton of run in December and January. People have cooled a little when considering his relative lack of impact till this year compared to people whove left an imprint immediately (what does it mean that he couldn't make a dent till now, the strength and depth of Kansas' rotation and starters (several guys drafted 1st round), or does it suggest that he simply isn't at that level (or wasn't?) that demanded starters minutes from day 1 like an Anthony Davis, and then on top of that, we must own that Kansas is not Kentucky, Kentucky's recruitment program specifically targets 1 and done guys, Kansas does not after all) but I think Robinson is consistently considered by almost everyone, in the group of 2-3 favorite guys to take if we don't get Davis but land in the top 3-4. Seems to be Sully, MKG, Robinson getting the most votes in that next tier although there is a huge debate between people who think Sully definitively belongs in there, and those who believe emphatically that he does not. There is very little similar debate about Robinson, just some minor concerns about his true size, and reach, as well as the "why only now" question, but like MKG, and Davis, Robinson seems to be locked in with this fanbase in just about anyone's top 5-6, and the top 4 of many a poster as well.

[BanndNDC]

I'd be fine with that. I haven't yet figured out if I like MKG or Barnes better. I love everything about MKG's game except his shot, but unfortunately, shooting is our biggest need. I worry that MKG is somewhat redundant with what we've already got on this roster. We're chock full of rangy athletes who can defend the perimeter.

On paper, Barnes seems to be exactly what we need. I have some concerns about his passiveness and his inability to create his own shot, but I might be overestimating those concerns.

Something about the way people talk about Barnes just reminds me of the way they talked about Harden. While MKG at the moment seems overhyped. I would absolutely love to be able to get a second lottery pick and land Robinson and Barnes. Rebounding, shooting and team play. oh my.

[Illuminaire]

Well, the knock on Harden was that he did a little bit of everything, but scouts were concerned he didn't have a definitive NBA skill. There were also questions about his athleticism and passivity.

And really, he ended up in the perfect situation. He needed to be the third banana; if pressed into alpha duty he'd probably struggle. It's just not in him. If Barnes is the same way, I'd be a little concerned if we only have one pick. If we're getting him AND a Davis or Robinson, then sure. I'd love to have his shooting and defense.

But I don't want him to be in a situation where he's expected to be our leading scorer.

[Ruzious]

I remember the Harden stuff pretty well, because I spent a lot of posts saying they were silly. The 2 questions on him were his athleticism and his height. For some reason, people believed he was small for a shooting guard. When they measured him at the combine, that concern went away. The passive garbage only came out during the postseason tournament - when teams focused their defenses more to stop him, and AZ State couldn't adjust. So because he failed to show he could win games by himself, he must be passive. He ended up going 3rd in the draft, so I think the NBA GM's weren't concerned about it.