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

[DeBlazerRiddem]

You don't really have any medical information, just conjecture.


I have been a proponent of Sullinger, I think he will be an effective NBA player, but I have also maintained that if there are red flags over his health he is not worth #6 and maybe not #11 either.

[GEE]

There are some questions about whether MKG is indeed 6-7. At Kentucky he played a
lot of PF and with an already questionable outside shot, if he measures out at closer
to 6-5, he might not have an NBA position.

I see a lot of questions about the guys going 2-6 for Thomas Robinson is much like
Derrick Williams which is an undersized PF, Beal might be closer to 6-3, Barnes
lacks explosiveness, Drummond was an underachiever and MKG and his perimeter
game and size. In a lot of ways, the guys picked in the middle to late first round
might be as good as the guys going 2-6 but this seems to be a draft with a lot of
guys who will play but finding the guys who will become all-star caliber players is
going to be a challenge.

There's a reason Charlotte wants Portland's two lottery picks for there is no
consensus #2. Portland would love to deal one or perhaps both of their picks
for quality rotation player and Utah with a logjam of players up front like
Al Jefferson, Favors, Kanter, Millsap might be a team that might be willing
to make a deal.

Nothing personal Norm, but MKG played most of his minutes at SF with some at SG when Miller was brought off the bench. The PF position was locked down by Terrence Jones, with Wiltjer(sp?) from Jesuit backing him up.

The rest of your comments I really agree with.

There's alot of hype with the top six prospects in these mocks, and it's beginning to sound like a broken record; Same few guys being discussed for the last several pages. No reason for guys like Ross, Jones, Zeller, Moultrie, Lamb, Marshall, etc. to at least get a look, even if it is a bit of a reach. Just not overly convinced that 2-6, is much better than (if at all) 7-14.

As for Utah, I think you are correct that a deal with us would make alot of sense, even with the history between the two clubs. I think a guy like Barnes would be perfect for what their team needs, but the only guy I would want from them would be Favors. Is Favors soo much better a prospect than Barnes, that he's untouchable as Wiz suggests? I really don't know, but it would be worth the cost of a phone call to find out.

[GEE]

As for Sullinger, I'm with you GW3. He did miss quite a few games last year. Personally, the guy scares the hell out of me. Plus, I doubt he plays any other position in the NBA but PF. Just not what we need, even if he were to stay healthy.

[Blaze01]

There's a reason Charlotte wants Portland's two lottery picks for there is no
consensus #2. Portland would love to deal one or perhaps both of their picks
for quality rotation player and Utah with a logjam of players up front like
Al Jefferson, Favors, Kanter, Millsap might be a team that might be willing
to make a deal.

Have you lost your mind? You would deal the #6 pick or WORSE both picks for Millsap or Jefferson?

A team with Collison\Lowry, Millsap\Jefferson, LA and Batum is PERGATORY...Barely a playoff team and going NOWHERE in it...Thanks for sealing POR fate for the next 3-5 years....OH and BTW thanks for making a division rival that much better, considering they already WERE better than POR is right now and younger too...WOW

What a joke...

[GreenRiddler]

There's a reason Charlotte wants Portland's two lottery picks for there is no
consensus #2. Portland would love to deal one or perhaps both of their picks
for quality rotation player and Utah with a logjam of players up front like
Al Jefferson, Favors, Kanter, Millsap might be a team that might be willing
to make a deal.

Have you lost your mind? You would deal the #6 pick or WORSE both picks for Millsap or Jefferson?

A team with Collison\Lowry, Millsap\Jefferson, LA and Batum is PERGATORY...Barely a playoff team and going NOWHERE in it...Thanks for sealing POR fate for the next 3-5 years....OH and BTW thanks for making a division rival that much better, considering they already WERE better than POR is right now and younger too...WOW

What a joke...

No need to attack people, just state your opinion and move on...

[sabi]

Marshall passes like Jason Kidd. We need to switch picks with TO to secure him

[Norm2953]

Nothing was said about dealing both picks for Millsap or Big Al for as Wiz pointed out, Al's contract would blow up Portland's cap plan. Utah does have a logjam but their front office hates Portland making a deal unlikely.

The thing is, there is some risk with Portland pick at 6 getting a bust. It would not necessarily be bad to deal one or both picks for I'd deal 6 for Biyumbo for example.

[Vega]

Marshall passes like Jason Kidd. We need to switch picks with TO to secure him

Workout warriors always seem to jump in the rankings as the draft approaches and Marshall is pretty much the polar opposite of a workout warrior. I wouldn't be shocked if he dropped into the late teens.

[Fitz303]

Sullinger only missed 2 games last season. I think we are going a bit overboard with this injury scare with Centers. I know we've had our problems, but this isn't an ACL, or a foot problem, or an ankle problem. He had some back spasms. Could it be a long term problem? maybe. Anthony Davis could blow out his knees tomorrow. If weight was the reason, as one executive thinks it may be, Sullinger has lost 25lbs already. If he keeps the weight down, it shouldn't be a lasting problem.

Sullinger missed two games with back spasms last December and at least one NBA executive wondered if his weight was part of the reason. He also questioned whether the back spasms could become an issue as it did with Larry Bird, whose back problems were legendary.

The odds of it being a lasting problem are probably slim. Back spasms are a somewhat common injury in the NBA.

Here are some names of players who missed games due to back spasms THIS season in the NBA....

Derrick Rose
Jason Kidd
Matt Bonner
Dwight Howard
Kevin Love
Drew Gooden
Willie Green
Tiago Splitter
Nene
And players like Steve Nash and LeBron James have been sidelined by them in the past as well.

[DusterBuster]

According to one western conference executive, a lot of non-lottery teams in the 1st round are looking to trade their pick this year for salary reasons.

Teams Looking to Trade First-Round Picks: Over the next few weeks, don’t be surprised if a large number of teams outside of the lottery try to trade their first-round pick.

Multiple sources have told HOOPSWORLD that a lot of teams are trying to get rid their pick, which could make for an interesting draft night.

“Almost everyone wants to get out of their pick in this draft,” said one Western Conference executive. “For some teams, it’s hard to take on money for multiple years in this economic climate, especially if the player would not make an impact and help the team win immediately.”

That means contending teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder or Chicago Bulls may opt to trade their late first-round pick rather than draft a rookie who won’t really contribute (just like Reggie Jackson and Jimmy Butler this season). Expect plenty of trade rumors over the next several weeks.

The Blazers might have a good chance to be able to combine their 2nd rounders with a little cash to move up into the later 1st round this year.

[fishnc]

I'd love another pick in the 20-25 range.

[re49gb_2gho32fp]

Mem and Atl. Although they need to fill out their thin rosters.

[Blazinaway]

This is a good draft from what I have read for later 1st rd picks, the Blazers are in great shape cap wise, if they play it right and aren't in too big a hurry to win next year a great strategy IMO would be to sign an FA (Dragic is my choice) and trade one of the top 2 picks for a player and look to perhaps add one or even two later 1st rd picks, They still can improve a lot nexr yr but also build for the future.

[fishnc]

I could definitely see a team like Memphis being willing to sell their pick. Heisley already came out and said they don't intend to pay any tax next season. Depending on what they do with Mayo and Speights they could be cutting it pretty close so they might not be able to afford signing a first rounder.

[DusterBuster]

Mem and Atl. Although they need to fill out their thin rosters.

That's where trading high 2nd rounders for later 1st rounders comes in to play. They can fill out their rosters with cheaper unguaranteed talent.

[DusterBuster]

Changing topics a bit, but is Andre Drummond really the headcase people make him out to be? So far, every draft expert or media member that has interviewed him has said nothing but great things about him. They say he's a very friendly, intelligent, well thought out young man.

Where does the "headcase" label come from with Drummond?

[TBpup]

According to one western conference executive, a lot of non-lottery teams in the 1st round are looking to trade their pick this year for salary reasons.

And there is a very strong indication that because one of Portland's earlier picks could very likely be involved in a trade, that the Blazers are quite interested in obtaining a later pick in the first round. Depending on the ruling on Hickson's 'Bird Rights' case, they Blazers may have a number of roster spots to fill and may not be able to give JJ the qualifying offer depending on the ruling.

Aldridge
Matthews
Batum (assumed)
Babbitt
E. Williams
Smith
S. Williams
Thomas

That leaves room for a lot of spots to fill and in a year when a number of 1st round picks may be available, Paul has shown a history of going after those.

[fishnc]

Changing topics a bit, but is Andre Drummond really the headcase people make him out to be? So far, every draft expert or media member that has interviewed him has said nothing but great things about him. They say he's a very friendly, intelligent, well thought out young man.

Where does the "headcase" label come from with Drummond?

It's just one of those internet rumors that has spiraled out of control until no one really knows where they heard the info from. Kind of like Jared Sullinger being injury prone.

It likely started due to his on-court body language. He looked visibly frustrated in a couple of the games that I saw this year. Nothing on the level of Demarcus Cousins though. I'd say it's a complete non-issue.

[GeraldWallace3]

get a 1st round pick to get either Meyers Leonard or Fab Melo. gogogogo

[DusterBuster]

I don't know if Leonard will make it to the 20's, but Fab Melo should. I think Melo could be a really nice get for the Blazers to help their frontcourt.