The 2012 NBA Draft: 6th & 11th picks, and some random 2nds.

[Downtown]

Nice highlights. I think if I was taking the higher risk/reward player with the lower pick I might go for Meyers Leonard over Zeller simply because Zeller has had longer in college to get to where his level is at, where Leonard is still learning and is a little more intriuging to me. I suppose once both players are brought in for their draft workouts one should stand out a bit over the other. I'm really not qualified to judge one over the other.

But I would take Enes Kanter in a trade over both. He's simply more powerful.

And I would probably rate Sullinger over both Zeller and Meyers as well subject to measurements of Sullinger. If he's a legit 6'10" in shoes, and has a good wingspan, then again with his stronger frame he might translate better to the NBA center position. The other two may end up as Andris Biedrens, Jason Smith, Spencer Hawes, or Tiago Splitter clones, although I guess that's not too bad.

I guess it's just my bias as liking a more powerful type in the middle for the Blazers that can simply protect the paint and not get pushed around.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Nice highlights. I think if I was taking the higher risk/reward player with the lower pick I might go for Meyers Leonard over Zeller simply because Zeller has had longer in college to get to where his level is at, where Leonard is still learning and is a little more intriuging to me. I suppose once both players are brought in for their draft workouts one should stand out a bit over the other. I'm really not qualified to judge one over the other.

But I would take Enes Kanter in a trade over both. He's simply more powerful.

And I would probably rate Sullinger over both Zeller and Meyers as well subject to measurements of Sullinger. If he's a legit 6'10" in shoes, and has a good wingspan, then again with his stronger frame he might translate better to the NBA center position. The other two may end up as Andris Biedrens, Jason Smith, Spencer Hawes, or Tiago Splitter clones, although I guess that's not too bad.

I guess it's just my bias as liking a more powerful type in the middle for the Blazers that can simply protect the paint and not get pushed around.

Good post.

I agree preliminarily on Leonard over Zeller. Leonard is supposed to be the better shot blocker and seems to have good hands (good passer/catcher) for a 7'0 player. Of course, workouts are how a team would really get a feel between the two, and if we end up taking Zeller over Leonard it wouldn't be be totally surprising.

Depending on his health, I really like Sullinger more than any big man in the draft not named Davis, Robinson or Drummond.

Watching Kanter push around Pryzbilla was eye opening to me. That kid is incredibly strong. Not much of a paint protector, in fact not known for his defense at all, but he might be able to stop guys like Bynum from bullying their way to the rim.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

So I have currently convinced myself that Teague looks like the best NBA prospect among PG's in the draft.


I find it interesting that he is consistently rated below Marshall and Lillard.


Teague seems to have the best NBA tools among the three. Excellent athleticism and good size for the PG spot. He is a playmaker, he ran a successful offense for Kentucky (Kentucky runs an NBA type offense as well, showing Teague can translate). He is also able to score almost at will when he needs to. Has good shot mechanics, hasn't had much success shooting it from distance, but the range and the motions are there. He seems like the type of player who never needed to shoot 3's because he can get to the rim at will against almost any defender.

He isn't the scorer that Lillard is, and he isnt the playmaker that Marshall is, but he has the ability to do both.

I think he is being underrated because of the absolutely stacked Kentucky team. He didn't get to dominate the ball. As a freshman, and being pretty young, he is less mature and experienced than either Marshall or Lillard - however projecting his development he has a much higher ceiling than either and fewer factors limiting from reaching that ceiling.


I am wondering if anyone can talk me down from this ledge? Should I jump fully into the hype? Younger brothers do tend to be slightly better than older brothers, and Jeff Teague has done just fine, starting at PG for a playoff team.

[Blaze01]

Swing for the fences with both picks....Try and get 2 of the following players...Beal, Rivers, Lamb, Barnes, P.Jones, J.Sullinger, T.Wroten, J.Henson or Q.Miller

Beal should be option #1 for POR, need for shooting, SG upgrade and has talent to be a #1-#2 type of guy...Rivers\Lamb would be options after that....Rivers shows ability to score in 1v1 situations and killer mentality, Lamb's intensity has been questioned but he has great athletic skills, ability and size for a SG...IMO Beal or Rivers have better chances to be that #1/#2 type of player than Lamb

I like Barnes, I think he is underated and overscrutinized....I think he could work as a nice fit playing alongside LA and Batum (at SG)...He doesn't seem to have that ability to go 1v1 and get a basket for his team when they need it most, which is why I like Beal and Rivers more...Lamb I personally like better as well, but I would not be dissapointed with Barnes...

Miller and Sullinger to consider at #11, both have injury concerns and need full medical clearances...Sullinger b\c of back issues and leg length issues, MIller b\c of recent ACL injury that he may have come back too so from...Miller is also a player who may need a few years to develop....

I think P.Jones is also worth the risk to draft, upside is as good as anyone in the draft, reports are he is a good kid, hard wrker, team player...may just need to grow into playing as that #1-#2 guy, but I think he could contribute right away....

J.Henson...at #11, I would consider before reaching for Zeller or Leonard for sure, he needs to add strength\weight, which IMO will likely come over time...I'd rather tale a risk on P.Jones, Sullinger and maybe MIller before Henson though, should be able to impact on defense, but I think his offense will bemuch slower to developa nd may never develop beyond mediocre....

Wroten...I think he is underated, I look at him as Tyreke Evans ver2, I think he could develop into a go-to scorer as a SG, still has deficiences in ouside shooting and decision making, the former s more concerning to me, but he will be able to get to the rim and score...

2 other players who I like but will likely be picked past #11 and possibly outside the lottery....Dion Waiters and Will Barton. If POR could trade back gain an asset or two and pick up one of these guys, I would not be opposed to seeing that occur either...Barton is projected as a 2nd rounder, but I think come draft day he will go mid\late first round...He is skinny but has good scoring ability....Dion Waiters is another under the radar prospect, I think he will end up mid 1st, he can score and do a lot of things on the court for you, slightly undersized but has a strong NBA type body...

[Mr Loggins]

oh god damnit. I read the date of the draft lottery wrong. I thought it was today and was wondering why nobody was talking about it haha

[Norm2953]

While we are waiting for May 30, imagine how long the Bobcats have waiting..

It must be torture for their fans (?) to have endured so many losses for having
the most PP balls oftentimes does not lead to winning. It makes you wonder
but what if a team like the Bobcats were allowed to trade their PP balls. They
would get to pick fourth if the team trading for the combinations does not
end up in the top 3.

[JustBlaze52]

We better not just trade both of our picks away. Buchanan is making me nervous with all of his win-now crap. Aldridge himself said he didn't think he was in his prime yet, he said he thought he would be in 2-3 years... which is exactly how long it should take for guys like Beal etc. to start having a big impact.

We have had some of the worst luck imaginable in so many drafts, I have PTSD draft style. I just pray that this offseason will go a little better for us this year. ARGH.

[Wizenheimer]

We better not just trade both of our picks away. Buchanan is making me nervous with all of his win-now crap. Aldridge himself said he didn't think he was in his prime yet, he said he thought he would be in 2-3 years... which is exactly how long it should take for guys like Beal etc. to start having a big impact.

We have had some of the worst luck imaginable in so many drafts, I have PTSD draft style. I just pray that this offseason will go a little better for us this year. ARGH.

it could be that a lot of Blazer fans are too quick to judge Buchannen or Larry Miller, especially when it comes to the direction they want the Blazers to go. I'd say it's pretty well established that direction is the way Paul Allen wants to go

I don't agree with it....I think it would be unwise to trade both picks but I don't own the team or pay the bills. PA wants to win now

[lucky strike]

We better not just trade both of our picks away. Buchanan is making me nervous with all of his win-now crap. Aldridge himself said he didn't think he was in his prime yet, he said he thought he would be in 2-3 years... which is exactly how long it should take for guys like Beal etc. to start having a big impact.

We have had some of the worst luck imaginable in so many drafts, I have PTSD draft style. I just pray that this offseason will go a little better for us this year. ARGH.

I've got no problem with them trading the picks if it helps land us an allstar level talent that's Aldridge's age or younger

[JustBlaze52]

The problem I see is that at the positions of need there aren't many players available. Say we sign a point guard (Dragic or whoever) and then we are trying to use the picks to fill the hole at center... Okay well who is available? Robin Lopez? Too injury prone. Hibbert isn't, he'll probably be in Indiana long term. Horford? Maybe... Still injury prone. Anyone else that's young and worth the picks (excluding Dwight, Bynum as they are too good obviously)?

Okay so how about using the cap space on a center and trading for a point guard... Well there's always Rondo, but the problem with that is that he would eat up our cap space AND take our picks.

So what's the best scenario? I still am thinking that signing Dragic, Hickson, and Batum and using the picks ourselves might be.

[lucky strike]

The problem I see is that at the positions of need there aren't many players available. Say we sign a point guard (Dragic or whoever) and then we are trying to use the picks to fill the hole at center... Okay well who is available? Robin Lopez? Too injury prone. Hibbert isn't, he'll probably be in Indiana long term. Horford? Maybe... Still injury prone. Anyone else that's young and worth the picks (excluding Dwight, Bynum as they are too good obviously)?

Okay so how about using the cap space on a center and trading for a point guard... Well there's always Rondo, but the problem with that is that he would eat up our cap space AND take our picks.

So what's the best scenario? I still am thinking that signing Dragic, Hickson, and Batum and using the picks ourselves might be.

You never know who's going to be available in a trade scenario. Could be someone who hasn't even been mentioned. I love the draft as much as anyone but if there's a good deal to be had for someone proven that's Aldridge's age or younger I would not be unhappy at all if they used the picks to get them. For all we know we could trade up to get Beal (which I think would be necessary, he's not going to be there at #6) and he could end up no better then Mathews.

[JustBlaze52]

The problem I see is that at the positions of need there aren't many players available. Say we sign a point guard (Dragic or whoever) and then we are trying to use the picks to fill the hole at center... Okay well who is available? Robin Lopez? Too injury prone. Hibbert isn't, he'll probably be in Indiana long term. Horford? Maybe... Still injury prone. Anyone else that's young and worth the picks (excluding Dwight, Bynum as they are too good obviously)?

Okay so how about using the cap space on a center and trading for a point guard... Well there's always Rondo, but the problem with that is that he would eat up our cap space AND take our picks.

So what's the best scenario? I still am thinking that signing Dragic, Hickson, and Batum and using the picks ourselves might be.

You never know who's going to be available in a trade scenario. Could be someone who hasn't even been mentioned. I love the draft as much as anyone but if there's a good deal to be had for someone proven that's Aldridge's age or younger I would not be unhappy at all if they used the picks to get them. For all we know we could trade up to get Beal (which I think would be necessary, he's not going to be there at #6) and he could end up no better then Mathews.

In a draft like this where there are a lot of prospects who could potentially be very good NBA players I think it would be safer to try and grab two guys out of the lottery instead of going 'all in' on one of them. Don't get me wrong, if there's a home run deal then we take it, I'm just nervous about what might happen.

[DusterBuster]

Who is this John Henson kid? I haven't been following the mock drafts very closely over the past week or so and now he's come out of nowhere to be a projected Top 10 pick?

[fishnc]

Who is this John Henson kid? I haven't been following the mock drafts very closely over the past week or so and now he's come out of nowhere to be a projected Top 10 pick?

Think of him as Anthony Davis lite. He's less athletic, but not by much. His timing isn't quite as elite, but it's still good. He's slightly taller and has even longer arms. He's older so he has a more developed post game and has the ability to score with both hands. He has a better jumper than Davis, though it's not always reliable. He wasn't able to add muscle or weight as quickly as Davis did during his freshman campaign, but he has come a long way (35 pounds in 2.5 years).

What separates them are their perceived potentials and their age. Henson is 2 years older and doesn't have the hype that Davis has, who has become slightly overrated in my opinion.

EDIT: Forgot to add, Davis gets to the line at a higher rate and shoots a higher percentage while he's there. 70% compared to Henson's poor 50%

Also, Henson hasn't really come out of nowhere. He's been projected as a top 10 pick for the last 2 years.

[fishnc]

I wonder if Boston, Houston, Denver, or Dallas would trade their 1st rounder for Matthews and $3 mil cash.

[DusterBuster]

I wonder if Boston, Houston, Denver, or Dallas would trade their 1st rounder for Matthews and $3 mil cash.

Boston has Avery Bradley still on his rookie contract, so I doubt they'd be interested.

Houston still has big money tied up in Martin and need to decide what they want to do with Courtney Lee. They have been looking to trade Martin for awhile and he is expiring, so if they are convinced they can move him, there could be some interest, but I don't know if it'd be enough to give up a lottery pick, even one as late as they have.

Denver has WAY too much cash tied up in SG's and SF's right now. Between Wilson Chandler, Aaron Afflalo, Danilo Gallinari, and Corey Brewer, about half of their salary is tied up in wing players. They also have Rudy Fernandez becoming a RFA this summer. Can't imagine them being even slightly interested in Matthews as he's just redundant for them.

Dallas is pretty locked into their cap space plan this summer. They won't take on Matthews contract unless they're sending out an equal amount of guaranteed salary.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Who is this John Henson kid? I haven't been following the mock drafts very closely over the past week or so and now he's come out of nowhere to be a projected Top 10 pick?

Think of him as Anthony Davis lite. He's less athletic, but not by much. His timing isn't quite as elite, but it's still good. He's slightly taller and has even longer arms. He's older so he has a more developed post game and has the ability to score with both hands. He has a better jumper than Davis, though it's not always reliable. He wasn't able to add muscle or weight as quickly as Davis did during his freshman campaign, but he has come a long way (35 pounds in 2.5 years).

What separates them are their perceived potentials and their age. Henson is 2 years older and doesn't have the hype that Davis has, who has become slightly overrated in my opinion.

EDIT: Forgot to add, Davis gets to the line at a higher rate and shoots a higher percentage while he's there. 70% compared to Henson's poor 50%

Also, Henson hasn't really come out of nowhere. He's been projected as a top 10 pick for the last 2 years.

I don't think Henson is worthy of a top 10 pick. I think he would be good value somewhere 15-20.

He is low risk, but also low upside. He is a PF that does most of his damage near the basket, but lacks the muscle to get there consistently in the NBA (he even had trouble in college). His free throw % means he is significantly limited outside the paint.

His biggest upside is as a help defender, but IMO doesn't project to be a quality starter. He could be a back-up PF to a playoff team, or a starter next to a truly dominant two-way center. He also isn't an incredible rebounder like Blaire or Faried.

If we had made the playoffs this year, Henson would be one of my top realistically available targets. However, where we are picking, we need someone with a higher ceiling. Henson might end up being a safe pick, but going in the lottery would be too high.

[DusterBuster]

I hadn't seen him in any Top 10 mocks at all until about 2 hours ago.

[fishnc]

I hadn't seen him in any Top 10 mocks at all until about 2 hours ago.

He bounces in and out this time of year just like most prospects that are projected in that range.

I'd put on money on Detroit taking him at 9.

[Blaze01]

In a draft like this where there are a lot of prospects who could potentially be very good NBA players I think it would be safer to try and grab two guys out of the lottery instead of going 'all in' on one of them. Don't get me wrong, if there's a home run deal then we take it, I'm just nervous about what might happen.

Well said, I agree, take 2 chances at getting a player who could end being good to very good down the road...Draft the Best Player Available, regardless of position...