Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part III

[sfam]

Barring an insane burst of shooting from Louisville, I'm thinking Michigan has this one. They just seem to be the team in the drivers seat most of the game so far.

[stevemcqueen1]

SteveMcqueen, for such a long post, that was a fairly easy read! So in terms of Zeller's transition to the NBA, you see him primarily as a PF? Does Zeller ever try 3 point shots?

My only concern with Zeller is his lack of shot blocking and concerns over his rebounding. He does look ultra skilled though. I can see him contributing 20 quality minutes a game in his first season, which is pretty rare for rookies.

Thanks sfam. I apologize about the length, there were two ideas I was hashing out and I probably could have broken it up.

I think Zeller could be interchangeable at the 4 and 5 like Nene is, especially once his body fills out. He'll have to gain bulk and strength to play C full time. And to really thrive at the 4, he needs to develop his mid range jumper. PF is changing in small but important ways. It's dang near getting to the point where the PF should be able to make 3s. You had a great perimeter shooter at PF in Dirk before, but with LeBron and Carmelo transitioning to PF plus less heralded but highly effective guys like Paul Millsap, there are probably more PFs with 3 ball range than ever.

You're right, he'll never be a good shot blocker. He doesn't have the length for it nor the springy second bounce to give himself multiple opportunities like the prolific shot blockers--Anthony Davis, Noel, Dieng, etc. He'll contest shots right at the basket but doesn't really leave his feet much on defense. He gets the blocks you expect an NBA caliber C to get--off of slashing perimeter players who try to finish soft at the rim. He can become a very good defender without blocking shots though. Marc Gasol isn't a top notch shot blocker and he's a bit grounded but he's one of the best defenders in the league. Zeller should be well above average as a PnR defender and he's got a knack for getting strip steals off of the opposing big man when he catches the ball in the post, so he can make some big plays too.

The rebounding complaint is valid too. He boxes out and contributes to team rebounding but he is not strong nor long enough to pull down a bunch of rebounds outside his area. He is also coached to leak out most of the time too because Indiana is very transition heavy and he's one of the best bigs in the NCAA at running the floor. That reminds me of Nene too.

[stevemcqueen1]

Siva gets away with a ton of reaching. He's only gotten two fouls and both within the last few minutes yet he initiates contact and makes a play on the ball on seemingly every possession.

[stevemcqueen1]

Burke is draining NBA threes right in the face of Louisville's D.

[nate33]

Everyone is playing well. This is a great game. I like that guy on Louisville, Luke Hancock. He is so smooth that it doesn't even look like he is trying out there, but he is very effective. A real economy of motion.

Dieng has been excellent on D and with his passing. McGary has been quite but is still working hard and making plays with his feet on D. I also like that Tim Duncanesque bank shot in the first half. Burke is hitting from crazy range off the pullup. That's why he'll be effective in the NBA. You can't give him an inch on the high screen or that ball is going in the cup.

[stevemcqueen1]

What a dunk by Hardaway. Michigan needs to take it right at Siva and try and get him to foul. Louisville took him off the ball to try and hide him with three fouls.

Burke also needs to take care of the ball better if Michigan is going to retake a lead. Keep shooting Burke, you're feeling it.

[AFM]

Siva has such a nice handle and is crazy quick. He is so active on D, it's amazing that he doesn't get called for more fouls. Love his energy. Russ Smith too.

[TheBigThree]

Any chance this Dieng guy comes out this year? Looks like a mix between Ibaka and Biyombo. Think he has all the offensive tools to be a really solid player.

[AFM]

Wow, Siva with the dunk???

[stevemcqueen1]

It's a travesty Burke got called for that when they let Siva get away with murder.

[nate33]

Holy crap! What a block by Burke! It's a crime that he was called for the foul

[sfam]

I really hate the officiating. On the one hand, they're letting Louisville flat out mug players going down the court, and then have called to completely horrid fouls on Michigan's best player, one forcing him to leave the game for 12 minutes.

[sfam]

It's a travesty Burke got called for that when they let Siva get away with murder.

Siva has totally gotten away with murder the whole game. Its like the old New York strategy. If you mug them on every play, the refs are gonna stop calling it. College ball really needs to change their officiating approach.

[stevemcqueen1]

Hancock should be fouled out. They gave one of his fouls to Dieng.

[stevemcqueen1]

It's a travesty Burke got called for that when they let Siva get away with murder.

Siva has totally gotten away with murder the whole game. Its like the old New York strategy. If you mug them on every play, the refs are gonna stop calling it. College ball really needs to change their officiating approach.

Yep. The inconsistency of the officiating is frustrating and it works against the team that doesn't press. Syracuse got away with a ton in the last game too and their starting guards still fouled out.

[stevemcqueen1]

Louisville wants it more. Nobody on Michigan is doing anything any more but Burke.

[AFM]

Louisville just plays better defense. And Siva has been amazing.

[sfam]

Totally horrid calls. Nobody grabs a rebound falling backwards.

[sfam]

Louisville just plays better defense. And Siva has been amazing.

They have been dominant inside. They seemed to have gotten all the lose balls. That plus carelessness on Michigan's part and help by the refs and Michigan loses.

[nate33]

What a great ball game. Both teams should be proud.