Could Ben Mclemore be #1 draft pick

[black bart]

You can't really tell about how athletic a guy is sometimes though. If you watched Harrison Barnes play you'd never think he was capable of some of the stuff he did in the pros or the numbers he put up at the combine. Shabazz is probably going to surprise us.

Fatass is weighing in at 230. He has to have superhuman strength to put up freak numbers. Barnes was a light weight for his height

[EddieJonesFan]

He's not really your typical no.1 pick, but pure shooter/off-ball scorers like that are just not that common, and most teams can use players like that.

[Big_C_KU]

He really hurt his draft stock tonight. He shied away from the ball after his slow start and never seemed to want it late. If he continues to play timid with the ball in his hands then he's going to drop a few spots on people draft boards before the season is over.

[Ruzious]

I like McLemore, but I'm really not seeing the thought process of those who consider him better than Oladipo at this point.

[Big_C_KU]

Not sure about Oladipo but McLemore has the talent be an absolute stud and do more than he already does, which is a lot now. His issue is his mentality. He just doesn't have the mentality or toughness to take the ball and try and score. To try and take over. Seen many players in college not have that mentality or toughness and go onto to still be stars in the NBA after gaining that edge. LaMarcus Aldridge is one player that comes to mind. I hope Ben can take that step mentally that Aldridge did once he gets to the league.

[Sterling_Archer]

I like Mcelmore over bazz or oladipo. He can stretch the floor has solid size and great athleticism. I don't know how great of a defender he is but he can definitely be a good one because of his athleticism. Great first step which is important. If he could get some elite handles this guy could have it all offensively. I like his the most out of any wing prospect.

[Ruzious]

Not sure about Oladipo but McLemore has the talent be an absolute stud and do more than he already does, which is a lot now. His issue is his mentality. He just doesn't have the mentality or toughness to take the ball and try and score. To try and take over. Seen many players in college not have that mentality or toughness and go onto to still be stars in the NBA after gaining that edge. LaMarcus Aldridge is one player that comes to mind. I hope Ben can take that step mentally that Aldridge did once he gets to the league.

When you're talking about taking over - you're talking about just offense. Have you ever seen a shooting guard who takes over defensively the way Oladipo does? And he does it on a consistent basis. Offensively, he hasn't been a big volume shooter, but his efficiency numbers are off the charts - you don't see many guards with a 71% TS% and 69% eFG%. Obviously, he can score more if his team wants him to.

Now, if he could only make a simple dunk... http://deadspin.com/5985621/have-you-ha ... moment-yet

[Johnlac1]

Not sure about Oladipo but McLemore has the talent be an absolute stud and do more than he already does, which is a lot now. His issue is his mentality. He just doesn't have the mentality or toughness to take the ball and try and score. To try and take over. Seen many players in college not have that mentality or toughness and go onto to still be stars in the NBA after gaining that edge. LaMarcus Aldridge is one player that comes to mind. I hope Ben can take that step mentally that Aldridge did once he gets to the league.

When you're talking about taking over - you're talking about just offense. Have you ever seen a shooting guard who takes over defensively the way Oladipo does? And he does it on a consistent basis. Offensively, he hasn't been a big volume shooter, but his efficiency numbers are off the charts - you don't see many guards with a 71% TS% and 69% eFG%. Obviously, he can score more if his team wants him to.

Now, if he could only make a simple dunk... http://deadspin.com/5985621/have-you-ha ... moment-yet

In the pros, Olapdipo could guard three positions. Quick enough to cover small guards, big and strong enough to cover big guards, and athletic enough cover many sfs. Michael Cooper used to do those things for the Lakers in the eighties. He isn't the shooter McLemore is, but that's about it. Plus Oladipo has that desire that can't be taught Not to put down McLemore who I like a lot. I'd be happy with either one on the Bucks.

[Cammo101]

I've been a supporter of McLemore going #1 for a wile now, but the Oklahoma State game really worried me. Not because he had a down game, that happens from time to time. My concern is that he disappeared in crunch time and seemed to want to get rid of the ball as soon as possible late in the game. That mindset is a real concern for someone you are drafting to turn around a franchise.

Marcus Smart also had a down game, but he wanted the ball in the clutch and never shied away from the big moments.

[Ruzious]

I've been a supporter of McLemore going #1 for a wile now, but the Oklahoma State game really worried me. Not because he had a down game, that happens from time to time. My concern is that he disappeared in crunch time and seemed to want to get rid of the ball as soon as possible late in the game. That mindset is a real concern for someone you are drafting to turn around a franchise.

Marcus Smart also had a down game, but he wanted the ball in the clutch and never shied away from the big moments.

Good points. If McLemore had the attitude of this guy below, he'd be the 1st pick. (NSFW)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQbH3fyGerE[/youtube]

[EddieJonesFan]

In a draft like this, the expectations need to be brought down. Just because McLemore may not be a star/go-to guy, doesn't mean he's not worthy of the no.1 pick. I'm not necessarily saying he is, I'm just saying that this draft is just that void of those types of players.

[Cammo101]

In a draft like this, the expectations need to be brought down. Just because McLemore may not be a star/go-to guy, doesn't mean he's not worthy of the no.1 pick. I'm not necessarily saying he is, I'm just saying that this draft is just that void of those types of players.

Even in the downest of down drafts, you have to swing for the fences with the #1 pick.

[Dr Positivity]

I'd probably bet the field over Ben for the #1. A wing who isn't a dynamic slasher going 1st def feels off

[Roger Murdock]

I'd probably bet the field over Ben for the #1. A wing who isn't a dynamic slasher going 1st def feels off

This is how I feel.

[Action Paxson]

In a draft like this, the expectations need to be brought down. Just because McLemore may not be a star/go-to guy, doesn't mean he's not worthy of the no.1 pick. I'm not necessarily saying he is, I'm just saying that this draft is just that void of those types of players.

Even in the downest of down drafts, you have to swing for the fences with the #1 pick.

I definitely disagree. Many drafts just don't provide that star that many expect from a number one pick. You need to take the guy that you think will be the best player, not has the highest ceiling. I'm not saying you target a role player, but getting a really good number 3 option isn't a bad thing. If you're rebuilding, swinging and missing on a number 1 pick is crippling.

[jman3134]

I think the expectations already are very low for this draft.

[noobcake]

Ben Mclemore's ceiling is just not high enough. Even if he becomes Ray Allen, I still won't take him with the first pick considering the chances of that.

I just can't get past taking Mclemore as the first pick. For nearly past drafts, teams have selected a big prospect or a wing with handles that can create his own offense.

Davis
Irving
Wall
Griffing
Rose
Oden
Bargnani
Bogut
Howard
James
Yao
Kwame
Martin
Brand
Olowokandi
Duncan
Iverson
etc

The track record is actually really good. Taking a pure shooter with the first pick is not something that I can imagine.

[Big_C_KU]

Ben Mclemore's ceiling is just not high enough. Even if he becomes Ray Allen, I still won't take him with the first pick considering the chances of that.

I just can't get past taking Mclemore as the first pick. For nearly past drafts, teams have selected a big prospect or a wing with handles that can create his own offense.

Davis
Irving
Wall
Griffing
Rose
Oden
Bargnani
Bogut
Howard
James
Yao
Kwame
Martin
Brand
Olowokandi
Duncan
Iverson
etc

The track record is actually really good. Taking a pure shooter with the first pick is not something that I can imagine.

I agree. The problem is who else would you take? Noel I think was starting to become that #1 pick sure thing until his injury. I can still see him rising up and being taken #1 (in fact I actually think that's what will happen) but there's just no player with superstar potential in this draft. A lot of nice players who I can see being solid starters and a few borderline all-stars but no superstar or even just the level below that.

I actually like Marcus Smart a lot. I really think the #1 pick is going to be up for grabs leading up to the draft and the need at #1 is going to decide who goes #1. If they need a big then Noel. If they need a wing then McLemore or Shabazz. If they need a PG then Smart.

[noobcake]

Ben Mclemore's ceiling is just not high enough. Even if he becomes Ray Allen, I still won't take him with the first pick considering the chances of that.

I just can't get past taking Mclemore as the first pick. For nearly past drafts, teams have selected a big prospect or a wing with handles that can create his own offense.

Davis
Irving
Wall
Griffing
Rose
Oden
Bargnani
Bogut
Howard
James
Yao
Kwame
Martin
Brand
Olowokandi
Duncan
Iverson
etc

The track record is actually really good. Taking a pure shooter with the first pick is not something that I can imagine.

I agree. The problem is who else would you take? Noel I think was starting to become that #1 pick sure thing until his injury. I can still see him rising up and being taken #1 (in fact I actually think that's what will happen) but there's just no player with superstar potential in this draft. A lot of nice players who I can see being solid starters and a few borderline all-stars but no superstar or even just the level below that.

I actually like Marcus Smart a lot. I really think the #1 pick is going to be up for grabs leading up to the draft and the need at #1 is going to decide who goes #1. If they need a big then Noel. If they need a wing then McLemore or Shabazz. If they need a PG then Smart.

I wouldn't want to touch a player off ACL injury with a top 3 pick. Even if it heals, his chances of re-injuring himself is greatly amplified.

This draft is really bad on paper; every top prospect is flawed. But in such a draft, a lot of players will drop due to their flaws. Someone in the draft always becomes a star.

I think my top 2 prospect are Smart or Shabazz.

Smart
Shabazz
McLemore
Neol
Olapido

[nugzin2040]

The Noel injury definitely opens the doors for McLemore to get drafted #1. Smart lacking a consistent shot hurts his ability to go #1 as well.

I think I'd take Shabazz #1. Doesn't come off as someone that gets his teammates involved much, though. Still, I think he is the most NBA ready player. Ben probably has the highest ceiling.