Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part III

[Illuminaire]

I give Louisville great credit for playing so hard. They were deserving of a victory. But I don't think they win that game if the refs call contact the same way on both sides, so I'm left feeling a bit flat after that one.

[Illuminaire]

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

This is also true. Those were two very, very good teams playing excellent basketball. I think my disappointment is that there is even a shadow of doubt about who "should" have won because of some wonky officiating.

Great game otherwise, or despite it, I guess.

[miller31time]

Awesome game with 2 very evenly matched teams.

Still, the night changed when the refs called a foul on Burke's tremendous (no pun intended) block on Siva.

[sfam]

Patino really did a better job of adjusting. There were a number of times I was yelling at the TV for Michigan to call a time out to adjust, but they rarely did. I don't know why they hoarded their time outs.

[stevemcqueen1]

Louisville played a great game, but I am not looking forward to hearing all of the win one for the Gipper Ware cliches. I'm disappointed in the way this game was officiated too. CBB is going to get taken over by dirty teams like Louisville, Syracuse, and VCU that press every possession if the way the games are officiated isn't changed.

Something I just realized during the game: blue collar team and blue collar fan base versus a white collar team and fan base.

Michigan could have won this one though but they played young. Louisville had a strong team and they were aided by the way the selection committee seeded the tournament. There really weren't any other good teams aside from Duke in their entire half of the bracket. All of the good teams with most of the NBA talent ended up in the Kansas and Indiana regions.

[Induveca]

Louisville just a much much tougher team. When a basket or stop was needed they were more timely.

Pitino just cemented himself as top coach of my life. Includes my childhood with the Knicks and memories of his Providence and Kentucky teams.

So impressive...

[jivelikenice]

The Burke call was bad, but calls went both ways and Louisville's relentless play is what won it. They just didnt let up and showed great mental toughness.

[jivelikenice]

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

This is also true. Those were two very, very good teams playing excellent basketball. I think my disappointment is that there is even a shadow of doubt about who "should" have won because of some wonky officiating.

Great game otherwise, or despite it, I guess.

The tougher team won. The call was big, but Michigan wasn't robbed. If you wanted to, you could dissect a lot of missed calls in Michigan's favor.

[jivelikenice]

Dieng would be a great pick to get in the pipeline and develop behind Okafor. He'll be able to hit that foul line jumper more consistently than Okafor and is a good passer for a big man. Get him and draft Peyton Siva in Rd 2....you get a backup big who can start eventually plus a quick backup pg.....

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Seemed to me Pittino complained alot early & got the refs on his side.

Great game though, all you could ask for in a finals. Burke played his heart out. Dieng would be a good pick for us, preferably later. I'd take him over Seraphin right now.

[fugop]

I'm an inveterate Louisville homer, but its a little hard for me to see that Louisville got favorable ref treatment when Michigan was in the double bonus when they'd been called for three or four fouls. Louisville's guards were far more physical on defense, but Michigan bodied them hard every time they drove into the lane. Even though mcgary was in foul trouble, he clobbered Siva and smith every possession.

Michigan has some incredible shooters, and should have won this game. The difference was coaching.

[jivelikenice]

Seemed to me Pittino complained alot early & got the refs on his side.

Great game though, all you could ask for in a finals. Burke played his heart out. Dieng would be a good pick for us, preferably later. I'd take him over Seraphin right now.

Got the refs on his side? They had to foul a coule of times at the end just to get Louisville in the Bonus so they can force them to the line.

[jivelikenice]

This was probably the first time I watched Burke play a full game. No way he slides to the late lottery. By draft time he'll be a top 3 pick IMO. That being said, I didnt like that he was so focused on scoring when he got back in the game after halftime. It was like he wanted to make sure he left an imprint. 3 assists and 4 turnovers, is not good. I know they needed his scoring but he didnt get the other guys going. The Michigan guards also couldn't stay in front of Siva. He got anywhere he wanted on the court.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

So a draft strategy I'm looking for is smart and skilled players who get it & play the right way.

With the 1st pick I'm looking bpa and picking around 8 Porter and Burke top my list. Bennett is the x-factor here.

I then want to add another mid 1st rounder, perhaps a Seraphin/Vesely & our later 2nd rounder package for Dieng. Withey would be the 2nd choice. This draft is loaded with quality bigs in the 2nd half of the 1st round. Those 2, plus possibly Olynyk, Allen, McGary, Cauley-Stein, Muscala. It is the value deal of this draft.

At 38 I'd look for a shooter, preferably a stretch 4. Mcdermott tops the list. Perhaps Murphy as a backup plan here.

[stevemcqueen1]

This was probably the first time I watched Burke play a full game. No way he slides to the late lottery. By draft time he'll be a top 3 pick IMO. That being said, I didnt like that he was so focused on scoring when he got back in the game after halftime. It was like he wanted to make sure he left an imprint. 3 assists and 4 turnovers, is not good. I know they needed his scoring but he didnt get the other guys going. The Michigan guards also couldn't stay in front of Siva. He got anywhere he wanted on the court.

No he didn't. But the other Michigan players stopped working and they stopped making shots. They also stopped rebounding. They were dead on their feet. Burke was the only one left who was effective at all by the end of the game. But at least his teammates had made enough shots by that point to keep the floor well spaced for Burke when he started driving. He was almost enough to will Michigan back but they couldn't get stops on the other end. Louisville got good shots and they made the bad ones too. Got about 50 offensive rebounds down the stretch. Michigan showed its age.

Burke had some bad turnovers and has shown that he will lose his patience and cough it up when you pressure him. But his scoring ability looks good enough to cement him in the lottery. He's got great range on those pull up jumpers and great touch around the basket. If he had a first step he could be an offensive force, even at his size.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

You want some fire like VO has. Pierre has it. And McDermott and Wolter have it as well. That's one of the things to gets CCJs attention. Its gets mine as well.

+1

They each play with a ton of energy. The last three are each fiery offensive performers, hands. All four are dynamic players who would add a nuance to the Wizards. Like you I like bold players who excel. They are leaders.

Potter is border line in that regards but I think he is the type that will get there. He is Bealish. I think he has it, it just hasn't all come out yet.

Potter could do like Batum or Austin Daye, and not break out. However, I think he'll be do like Paul George and Jeff Cook who are becoming better and better offensively.

[Dr Positivity]

I've got Dieng up to #2 on my big board, crazy how written off the guy is being just because he's old. Offensively he's real underrated, not only does he have inside and outside shooting and passing skills, but he's so fluid and smooth that I have to think it translates to upside on that end. For a big he has a harmonious combination of physical talents, skills and instincts on both ends. Right now the 3 guys I feel most confident in from this draft are Bennett, Dieng and Olynyk, narrowly edging out Zeller, McLemore, Oladipo, Smart

[fishercob]

I am still having a difficult time reconciling Dieng's combination age and physical strength. I am concerned that he'd be manhandled by too many NBA bigs.

[Benjammin]

I am still having a difficult time reconciling Dieng's combination age and physical strength. I am concerned that he'd be manhandled by too many NBA bigs.

I think he'll be a nice guy off the bench. He really played an excellent game. I don't think he's a factor at 8-10. He's 23 now and isn't terribly strong, as fishercob said. In fact, I think there's a better chance that McGary will have the more impactful pro career. But Dieng really stepped up on the biggest stage and should be commended for that.

[sfam]

I've got Dieng up to #2 on my big board, crazy how written off the guy is being just because he's old. Offensively he's real underrated, not only does he have inside and outside shooting and passing skills, but he's so fluid and smooth that I have to think it translates to upside on that end. For a big he has a harmonious combination of physical talents, skills and instincts on both ends. Right now the 3 guys I feel most confident in from this draft are Bennett, Dieng and Olynyk, narrowly edging out Zeller, McLemore, Oladipo, Smart

I liked Dieng but not that much. I don't think he ends up any more than a role player. I still like Len and Zeller lots more, Olynyk too.