Official 2013 Draft Thread - Part III

[McGully Culkin]

Aside from being light-skinned w/ nice hair, I'm failing to see the comparisons of Trey Burke to DJ Augustin. Burke, IMO, is a top-5 pick. He can actually RUN an offense.

Speaking of Michigan, depending on where we have our pick, I wouldn't mind having Mitch McGary in a Wizards uni next year.

[Dark Faze]

I don't see how anyone could advocate picking McGary over Dieng after what they saw last night. Dieng shut down the paint in a way that Anthony Davis used to do at Kentucky and his offensive abilities looked pretty good.

[sfam]

I don't see how anyone could advocate picking McGary over Dieng after what they saw last night. Dieng shut down the paint in a way that Anthony Davis used to do at Kentucky and his offensive abilities looked pretty good.

I didn't see Anthony Davis in Dieng for any of the games Louisville played in the tournament. Michigan shot over 50%, which is a pretty high rate for a losing team. Dieng doesn't seem to me to be a monster athlete, but he does seem smart and capable on defense, with some offensive capabilities. McGary is clearly better on the offensive and rebounding front, even though he didn't show that as much in the finals.

[Dark Faze]

Huh? Dieng can't defend three pointers. Michigan was red hot from deep, that's why their percentage was so good.

[nate33]

Huh? Dieng can't defend three pointers. Michigan was red hot from deep, that's why their percentage was so good.

Agreed. It's difficult to blame Dieng for Michigan's ridiculous 3-point shooting from 25+ feet.

[Kanyewest]

I agree with the sentiment that the officiating favored Louisville because they were the more physical. I remember a few years back in the OSU/Florida game when fans complained that the flow of the game was too slow when too many fouls were called but I would rather have the game officiated by the rules because at times it was ugly to watch. But can't say that I'm surprised- maybe the officials wanted to have the game officiated like that so people would enjoy the flow of the game or perhaps Louisville "earned" the right to have a game officiated that way because they were the #1 seed. The way the game was officiated was like a Big East game- Michigan was too young and not as experienced in these kind of physical games to come out on top.

[DCZards]

The conference "formerly known as the Big East" is indeed the most physical conference in college bball. (It's good prep for playing at the next level.) But the Big Ten is not far behind in terms of physical play. That's why I wasn't surprised--or disappointed--that it was a rough and tumble game. I don't blame the refs for that at all. I say let them play.

BTW, I loved the toughness and persistence that that Behanan kid displayed on the boards in the second half.

As for Dieng, he's a smart, smart player. In the interviews before the game when the other Louisville players said "I play for my mom" or 'I play for my family." Dieng said 'I play for my teammates." Gotta like that.

Dieng is probably not a lottery pick but he'll get drafted in the middle of the first round and some team is going to get a player who will work very, very hard on improving his game. And eventually turn himself into a real impact player in the NBA.

I was also once again impressed by Burke, although I still wouldn't want to Zards to draft him with a top ten pick. And I'm having second thoughts on Siva. I had my doubts about whether he was an NBA-caliber, but he certainly looked like one on the big stage last night.

Will the Louisville women beat UConn tonight for a 'Ville sweep? Stay tuned.

[Rafael122]

Chad Ford has us taking Anthony Bennett with the our first round pick in his first official mock draft.

[Doctor Bombay]

Chad Ford has us taking Anthony Bennett with the our first round pick in his first official mock draft.

From playing the lottery machine several times, it looks like Ford has Charlotte as the other team with a high rating of Bennett. Whenever they don't end up with Noel with the 1st or 2nd pick, Ford has them taking Bennett. When they do end up with Noel, he almost always slides to the Wiz at 9. When Bennett is gone by the time we pick, it looks like we most often end up with Len.

[Upper Decker]

A name that hasn't really been discussed, but one we should really become familiar with is Michael Carter Williams. Honestly, I want absolutely nothing to do with him, but if EG is making the selection it's highly possible MCW is the Wizards selection in the 9-11 range. The reason I say this is EG is incredibly reactionary. EG has two recent massive strikes against him. 1) Failure to provide any adequate backcourt depth. 2) Selecting Jan, virtually unknown to every average Joe fan, who is a complete bust.

By drafting MCW EG ensures that he silences the critics in two ways, 1) MCW *should* provide backcourt depth, but since he's 6'6'', he's not exclusively a PG so there shouldn't be conflict with his franchise player. 2) MCW plays in one of the biggest conferences for one of the most storied basketball programs in America. Even the casual fan knows of MCW.

Not only that, but EG likes tall PG's, I mean he's gone to bed twice with Shaun Livingston. That said, I think it'll be a nightmare. MCW will bust out of the league as fast as Vesely. Guy has no NBA skills. Poor shooter, poor athleticism, lack of explosion/speed, he has decent vision, but won't be able to utilize without speed/athleticism.

[nate33]

A name that hasn't really been discussed, but one we should really become familiar with is Michael Carter Williams. Honestly, I want absolutely nothing to do with him, but if EG is making the selection it's highly possible MCW is the Wizards selection in the 9-11 range. The reason I say this is EG is incredibly reactionary. EG has two recent massive strikes against him. 1) Failure to provide any adequate backcourt depth. 2) Selecting Jan, virtually unknown to every average Joe fan, who is a complete bust.

By drafting MCW EG ensures that he silences the critics in two ways, 1) MCW *should* provide backcourt depth, but since he's 6'6'', he's not exclusively a PG so there shouldn't be conflict with his franchise player. 2) MCW plays in one of the biggest conferences for one of the most storied basketball programs in America. Even the casual fan knows of MCW.

Not only that, but EG likes tall PG's, I mean he's gone to bed twice with Shaun Livingston. That said, I think it'll be a nightmare. MCW will bust out of the league as fast as Vesely. Guy has no NBA skills. Poor shooter, poor athleticism, lack of explosion/speed, he has decent vision, but won't be able to utilize without speed/athleticism.

Don't worry, Upper Decker. There is no chance he drafts MCW. EG is shortsighted and unimaginative, but he's not a complete idiot. The absolute last conceivable type of player needed on the roster is a PG without a jumper. MCW could not coexist on the court with Wall which means he would only play 12 minutes a game. EG isn't going to lose his job by spending a lotto pick on a guy who couldn't possibly play more than 12 minutes a game.

[fugop]

Strength isn't going to be much of an issue for Dieng. He didn't struggle against the shorter wide bodies who gave guys like Thabeet issues.

[sfam]

Chad Ford has us taking Anthony Bennett with the our first round pick in his first official mock draft.

That would be great if Bennet slides. EG couldn't even mess that up. I'd love it if we have an overwhelming choice like a Bennet.

[nuposse04]

Bennett exudes very little effort defensively, he has the physical build to be a good two way player, but he just comes off as...and idiot. I don't know if its a case of him just coasting on one end of the court while trying to maintain some semblance of decent draft stock in a week draft but is rather discouraging watching him exude a lack of effort defensively.

[Upper Decker]

Bennett exudes very little effort defensively, he has the physical build to be a good two way player, but he just comes off as...and idiot. I don't know if its a case of him just coasting on one end of the court while trying to maintain some semblance of decent draft stock in a week draft but is rather discouraging watching him exude a lack of effort defensively.

I don't know enough about Bennett to say he doesn't try on defense, but this is concerning. I've watched a few of his games and he looks small, even for an NCAA PF. He's going to look real small in the pro's and if he doesn't bust his tail on defense than he'd need to be Lebron on offense to compensate. In the 8-10 range I am starting to hope that Len falls to the Wiz because I have no real concerns that he'll at least be a solid defensive player who has potential on the offensive side. I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up as a more athletic Koufas. I think Bennett has some potential offensively, but I have no faith in him defensively to consider him in this draft.

[Ruzious]

Bennett exudes very little effort defensively, he has the physical build to be a good two way player, but he just comes off as...and idiot. I don't know if its a case of him just coasting on one end of the court while trying to maintain some semblance of decent draft stock in a week draft but is rather discouraging watching him exude a lack of effort defensively.

I don't know enough about Bennett to say he doesn't try on defense, but this is concerning. I've watched a few of his games and he looks small, even for an NCAA PF. He's going to look real small in the pro's and if he doesn't bust his tail on defense than he'd need to be Lebron on offense to compensate. In the 8-10 range I am starting to hope that Len falls to the Wiz because I have no real concerns that he'll at least be a solid defensive player who has potential on the offensive side. I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up as a more athletic Koufas. I think Bennett has some potential offensively, but I have no faith in him defensively to consider him in this draft.

Koufas is huge. If Bennett is small, how does he become a more athletic Koufas?

Bennett had some injury problems with his shoulder, I think in the latter part of the season. I think that caused some of his inconsistency. I'm not sure whether or not we saw him at full strength, so it's hard for me to get a real handle on how good he is. My guess is that his workouts will be key in where he goes.

[Upper Decker]

Bennett exudes very little effort defensively, he has the physical build to be a good two way player, but he just comes off as...and idiot. I don't know if its a case of him just coasting on one end of the court while trying to maintain some semblance of decent draft stock in a week draft but is rather discouraging watching him exude a lack of effort defensively.

I don't know enough about Bennett to say he doesn't try on defense, but this is concerning. I've watched a few of his games and he looks small, even for an NCAA PF. He's going to look real small in the pro's and if he doesn't bust his tail on defense than he'd need to be Lebron on offense to compensate. In the 8-10 range I am starting to hope that Len falls to the Wiz because I have no real concerns that he'll at least be a solid defensive player who has potential on the offensive side. I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up as a more athletic Koufas. I think Bennett has some potential offensively, but I have no faith in him defensively to consider him in this draft.

Koufas is huge. If Bennett is small, how does he become a more athletic Koufas?

Bennett had some injury problems with his shoulder, I think in the latter part of the season. I think that caused some of his inconsistency. I'm not sure whether or not we saw him at full strength, so it's hard for me to get a real handle on how good he is. My guess is that his workouts will be key in where he goes.

I was referring to Len. Sorry I went all WD on you by not separating my thoughts with a paragraph.

[mhd]

I'm stunned McDermott isn't even in Ford's mock draft. Ford does have contacts, but still.

Ford's mock is:

1) Bobcats-Noel
2) Magic-Smart
3) Suns-Mclemore
4) Cavs-Porter
5) Pistons-Olapido
6) NO-Burke
7) Kings-Shabaaz
8) OKC (from Tor)-Len
9) Wiz-Bennett
10) Min-Harris
11) Philly-Zeller
12) Por-McGary
13) Dallas-Michael Cater Williams
14) Suns (from LAL)-Plumlee

[nate33]

I'm stunned McDermott isn't even in Ford's mock draft. Ford does have contacts, but still.

Does Ford have a 2nd round mock? DX has McDermott going in the middle of the 2nd.

[mhd]

I'm stunned McDermott isn't even in Ford's mock draft. Ford does have contacts, but still.

Does Ford have a 2nd round mock? DX has McDermott going in the middle of the 2nd.

I only saw the 1st round. He has freaking Glen Rice JR going late 1st. nbadraft.net has McDermott going 17th.

Whithey and Deing are in the early 20s.