2013 NBA draft prospects chatter

[Liver_Pooty]

Lol... Jeff Adrien...

[Kembastockton]

That would be terrific for the Bobcats. But I think Plumlee will be gone before we get to pick again. Portland is doing better than I wanted them to and our pick is getting further back. They need to lose a few for us.

Should we be so inclined I am sure that we could package our Portland pick with an expiring vet like Hendo or Gordon to move up a few spots. There is almost certain to be a team who shares Peguin11's excitement about their pick.

There's no way this jumpshot settling fool can play any 4 in the NBA. He's a 3 with limited range, booooooo.

Plumlee sucks too, I'd rather have a D-leaguer like Adrien for a cheaper contract than overpay Plumlee on a rookie deal.

Get out of my head!!!


Seriously though, what he said. I've watched nearly a decade of Plumlee basketball and there's no way I'd use a first rounder on Mason. Is he a fantastic athlete and a good banger? Yes. But he isn't a dependable low post scorer so we don't add anything we need that we can't get from Yo Adrien without wasting a pick. Aim for a higher upside big like Gobert/Mitchell/Adams or add one of those fantastic combo guards that seem to be stuck in that mid round range (McCollum, Smart, or MCW)

You said yourself in your own second sentance what he would add to our team. He is a fantastic athlete who is a good banger. Did you forget that rebounding is one of our problem areas? May I also add that he is a very good passer? With our glut of scoring guards I submit that a rebounding big who is used to playing with a bunch of shot happy guards and still posts a high efficiency rating is right up our alley. He may not be an nba scorer, but he does have the post savy, athleticism, and shooting ability to contribute down low more than most of the guys we have now. Gobert and Adams will both be gone by the Portland pick. We would have to trade up for one of them or take them with our own pick. We have Kemba, Ramon, and Gordon why do we need another combo guard? As far as Mitchell and MCAdoo go both are high potential picks. Both were preseason top five picks, and neither have lived up to their preseason potential. Both are a crap shoot right now. Therefore either would be a high risk/reward player. I would prefer Mitchell, but I see him as still a top ten pick. Because he went to Duke, and is percieved as a limited offensive player I expect Mason to slip, and be the best player on the board minus the combo guards that might be left who once again we don't need.

[James Gatz]

No matter where and when the pick lands I'm confident in Cho doing the right thing with the picks. Last year was probably our best draft ever.

[SWedd523]

You said yourself in your own second sentance what he would add to our team. He is a fantastic athlete who is a good banger. Did you forget that rebounding is one of our problem areas? May I also add that he is a very good passer?

Did you stop reading before I said we get that exact same production from a D League player in Adrien? Why waste a possible lottery pick on that when you can call up Adrien and give him a low salary?

With our glut of scoring guards I submit that a rebounding big who is used to playing with a bunch of shot happy guards and still posts a high efficiency rating is right up our alley.

We have four "rebounding bigs" already. Time to change it up a little bit.

Gobert and Adams will both be gone by the Portland pick. We would have to trade up for one of them or take them with our own pick.

Gobert is currently mocked in the 10-18 range and Adams is at #20 on DX. As of now, they're right in our range.

We have Kemba, Ramon, and Gordon why do we need another combo guard?

Next year Reggie will be gone, Hendo will probably be gone, Ben will probably be gone, and Sessions will be an expiring. We need to get someone to replace that production. If you can get it in one of the guys currently listed in that range then you consider it. We're building for the future, remember?

As far as Mitchell and MCAdoo go both are high potential picks. Both were preseason top five picks, and neither have lived up to their preseason potential. Both are a crap shoot right now. Therefore either would be a high risk/reward player.

So basically you're agreeing with what I said about Mitchell? ("higher upside big") I would prefer Mitchell, but I see him as still a top ten pick.

[Eoghan]

Swedd and I are virtually on the same page here. So not to reiterate anything he's already said, I'll just trashtalk Plumlee, lol.

He's perceived as a limited offensive player b/c he is one. He's the same player he always has been. He's not a fantastic athlete, not even close. I'd argue that Josh McRoberts was a better athlete at Duke than Plumlee is. You draft Plumlee, you're basically getting a Scot Pollard type of player. Worth a late 1st rd pick maybe.

[catch20two]

Mason Plumlee is not limited offensively unless you're expecting him to have Kevin Durant's skill level at 6'11". He's definitely a mobile and athletic big with a great motor. He got a solid midrange jumper. He can put the ball on the floor if need be when given to him on the pick and roll. He can block shots. He can rebound. Plumlee would be a great pickup for us with the Portland mid-1st rounder. I wouldn't worry too much about Plumlee not having much of a low-post game because if he did he'd be in the lottery and out of our reach. Plumlee probably has the least weaknesses of any big outside of the lottery. All this coming from somebody that despise Duke.

I'd still prefer Rudy Gobert though. I'm not too big on Steven Adams. I'd take Plumlee over Adams.

[Eoghan]

Plumlee putting the ball on the floor in the NBA will result in many, many more offensive fouls. He's not fast and he dribbles head down. The only reason he'd be a good pick in the Portland range is b/c this draft is that weak. But the 1st rd rookie salaries don't care how weak the draft is, they still cost guaranteed money (see Bargnani, Andrea).

Here are my game notes (this could get long, sorry):

1-8-13
Anthony Bennet vs Cal-State Bakersfield
+ has 3pt range (3-4 from 3 in the 1st half)
+ punches in bunches (8 points in 2 and a half minutes; 21 pts, 8-10, 5 boards by half)
+ long arms, quick off his feet enables him to dunk under the basket w/ ease
+ active on offense
+ one dribble pull-up
- could show more effort rebounding
+ plays with composure
+ left-handed hook
- poor effort on transition D
- don't like his body language
? poor stamina

Isaiah Austin at Texas Tech.
+ longer than a Canadian winter.
+ 3 pt range looks legit
- built like a stick insect
- prone to early foul trouble
• victim of dumb substitution patterns (Coach was serving a suspension)

Steven Adams at Georgetown
+ won tip
+ blocked as a perimeter defender (low shot clock situation); good timing on blocks
- raw post game (nearly airballed lefty hook and airballed righty hook; both shots he turned towards baseline, taking the backboard out of use)
+ sets really good screens
- but rolled into teammate he screened for
- missed a point blank put back
+ shows good hands during cut down the lane for a dunk
+ post presence on D intimidates other team's offense
+ very engaged on defense and rebounding, really goes after boards and blocks

Otto Porter vs Pitt
+ pesky defender
- missed an open 3
- really thin
+ long, good height for SG
- called for chickenwing in the paint (silver lining: posts up smaller match-ups)
+ always moving

I'll save the rest for later, I don't want to clutter up the discussion. Cheers.

[BigSlam]

Plumlee putting the ball on the floor in the NBA will result in many, many more offensive fouls. He's not fast and he dribbles head down. The only reason he'd be a good pick in the Portland range is b/c this draft is that weak. But the 1st rd rookie salaries don't care how weak the draft is, they still cost guaranteed money (see Bargnani, Andrea).

Here are my game notes (this could get long, sorry):

1-8-13
Anthony Bennet vs Cal-State Bakersfield
+ has 3pt range (3-4 from 3 in the 1st half)
+ punches in bunches (8 points in 2 and a half minutes; 21 pts, 8-10, 5 boards by half)
+ long arms, quick off his feet enables him to dunk under the basket w/ ease
+ active on offense
+ one dribble pull-up
- could show more effort rebounding
+ plays with composure
+ left-handed hook
- poor effort on transition D
- don't like his body language
? poor stamina

Isaiah Austin at Texas Tech.
+ longer than a Canadian winter.
+ 3 pt range looks legit
- built like a stick insect
- prone to early foul trouble
• victim of dumb substitution patterns (Coach was serving a suspension)

Steven Adams at Georgetown
+ won tip
+ blocked as a perimeter defender (low shot clock situation); good timing on blocks
- raw post game (nearly airballed lefty hook and airballed righty hook; both shots he turned towards baseline, taking the backboard out of use)
+ sets really good screens
- but rolled into teammate he screened for
- missed a point blank put back
+ shows good hands during cut down the lane for a dunk
+ post presence on D intimidates other team's offense
+ very engaged on defense and rebounding, really goes after boards and blocks

Otto Porter vs Pitt
+ pesky defender
- missed an open 3
- really thin
+ long, good height for SG
- called for chickenwing in the paint (silver lining: posts up smaller match-ups)
+ always moving

I'll save the rest for later, I don't want to clutter up the discussion. Cheers.

This is great stuff BD - thanks.

Anthony Bennet = Blatche?

Isaiah Austin = Austin Daye?

Steven Adams = Tyson Chandler?

Otto Porter = Rip Hamilton?

[Kembastockton]

Did you stop reading before I said we get that exact same production from a D League player in Adrien? Why waste a possible lottery pick on that when you can call up Adrien and give him a low salary?

Still not sold on Adrien yet, and I know he doesn't have the range that Mason has.

We have four "rebounding bigs" already. Time to change it up a little bit.

Cho's philosophy is to trade for need, and draft the best player available. If Mase is on the board when the cats exercise the Portland pick he will probably be the best player available. Currently the pick is 18.

Gobert is currently mocked in the 10-18 range and Adams is at #20 on DX. As of now, they're right in our range.

You are quoting a mock draft. No one's mock is ever right. If Gobert and Adams show the gm's anything they will both be picked top ten just because they are 7'0.

Next year Reggie will be gone, Hendo will probably be gone, Ben will probably be gone, and Sessions will be an expiring. We need to get someone to replace that production. If you can get it in one of the guys currently listed in that range then you consider it. We're building for the future, remember?

All four of these guys will not be gone, and the two who are likely traded will probably return players to replace their prododuction.

So basically you are agreeing with what I said about Mitchell? ("higher upside big") I would prefer Mitchell, but I see him as still a top ten pick.

Yup! I think that once you challenge this kid with Kemba , Hendo, and MKG's work ethic you will have a stud in the making. I think he has the talent to be a very good four. I just think that he has been a little lazy since coming into college. Probably been partying to much.

[Liver_Pooty]

I think this will all be a moot point as I can see us moving Portlands pick plus Gordon/Henderson/Sessions and move into the top 9.

[catch20two]

I think this will all be a moot point as I can see us moving Portlands pick plus Gordon/Henderson/Sessions and move into the top 9.

[TheKingofSting]

LOL @ all of the Mason Plumlee hate in here. The guy is the leading candidate for NPotY. Some of you hate Duke so much you will make anything up.

[Eoghan]

LOL @ all of the Mason Plumlee hate in here. The guy is the leading candidate for NPotY. Some of you hate Duke so much you will make anything up.

Jimmer won that once and Adam Morrison almost beat out NBA god JJ Redick for that prestigious award.

Great college player =/= good NBA player.

This is great stuff BD - thanks.

Anthony Bennet = Blatche?

Isaiah Austin = Austin Daye?

Steven Adams = Tyson Chandler?

Otto Porter = Rip Hamilton?

No problem. Just watching prospects is actually more fun than watching these brickfests called college basketball.

Bennett is smaller than Blatche or at least more of a natural SF. This is a bad comparison but he reminds me of a lazy rebounding Z-bo with 3pt range.

Austin actually plays in the post, or at least tries to. He's an anorexic pivot that likes to shoot 3's. More like a Chandler Frye.

Adams is a bigger, slower, less athletic Bismack with better hands. He's that raw. But man does he have NBA size.

I don't know what to think of Porter yet. That damn Princeton offense of Georgetown's. He's so active that he can't help but rack up stats in every category, but he doesn't excel at particularly anything.

[catch20two]

Even though this is more like 2014 NBA draft prospects chatter, Andrew Wiggins will be playing on ESPN at 4pm EST for anybody that want to get an advanced look at the best high school phenom since LeBron James.

[SWedd523]

Been watching this Wiggins game for a little bit and Wiggins looks to be a different type of prospect compared to the other guys in what is supposed to be a great class. Most notably Parker, who is supposed to be the "other" top guy. Wiggins is going to be a star

[fatlever]

i watched the 1st half of the wiggins game. not sure what to think about this guy. he seems to play at half-speed most of the game. not sure if that is because he is just that much better than everyone or if that is just his style of play. doesnt seem too concerned with the defensive side of the ball, at least in this game. seems unselfish, good touch around basket. he lost his dribble at least 3 times in traffic, so i dont know if that is something that needs work or just an off game. seems like he can score 25+ in his sleep though.

i remember watching lebron when he was in highschool and there was a serious "holy crap this guy is amazing" feeling when seeing lebron. i didnt have that same initial feeling about wiggins.

[Liver_Pooty]

Im more intrigued with Julius Randle than anyone.

[BigSlam]

I watched a replay of Kansas and Ohio State today (had it on the PVR).

Know who McLemore reminds me a little of?

JR Smith.

He just sort of hangs around at the 3pt elbow waiting for the ball.

[SWedd523]

A smart JR Smith would be an elite NBA player

[BigSlam]

A smart JR Smith would be an elite NBA player

I'm not sold on McLemore's smarts just yet.

Do you see the Smith comparison SWedd?