Official Speculation Thread (Pt.LIV "Lottery/Draft"Edition)

[tiderulz]

im just not a fan of taking the best player available for our team. I believe we have to pick a player to address our needs. the glaring holes are Center and pg. I am more than happy with Tobi and Hark at 2 and 3. Noel to me is a risk im just not willing to waste my high pick on. His careless landings freak the hell out of me and that tells me this wont be his last injury.

Many are shutting down Burk because of his height, understandably so, but his demeanor and the fight in him just wins my vote.

Its not like we absolutely have to have a C next season with BBD and Vuc but a pg is an absolute must and who better than Burk.

I would strongly disagree that the team has a glaring hole at Center. Vuc proved last year that he is a better than average center. He does have weaknesses at defense, but very few players do not have some weaknesses.

[KingRobb02]

im just not a fan of taking the best player available for our team. I believe we have to pick a player to address our needs. the glaring holes are Center and pg. I am more than happy with Tobi and Hark at 2 and 3. Noel to me is a risk im just not willing to waste my high pick on. His careless landings freak the hell out of me and that tells me this wont be his last injury.

Many are shutting down Burk because of his height, understandably so, but his demeanor and the fight in him just wins my vote.

Its not like we absolutely have to have a C next season with BBD and Vuc but a pg is an absolute must and who better than Burk.

No, the glaring need on this team is talent. We are not at a point where we can be passing over the best player available because we have a hole to fill. Decisions like that are why Bowie was picked before Jordan and why guys like Acie Law creep into the lottery. Until they outlaw trades in the NBA, you always take the most talented guy. It's on your coach to find a way to make it work.

[KingRobb02]

Noel has game, this kid isn't Kwame, he can pass the ball and has a very high IQ on defense.

Actually, Kwame is a perfect comparison to Noel. Kwame was very dominate as an 18 year old against inferior competition. Noel doesn't have good hands to catch passes. He is an ok passer in College, but the NBA is much faster with smarter defensive players. If opponents know that Noel couldn't score the ball to save his life, then they will block out passing lanes rendering Noel inneficient. He does have high IQ on defense but I doubt he will be capable of boxing people out to get boards. In college, he had 6" on most of his opponents which makes those rebounding averages very deceiving. Take a gimpy skinny kid against NBA bigs and he will get totally worked. His knees won't handle the pounding especially if his knee snapped with no contact once already.

How many Kwame Brown games did you watch in his high school days?

[BadMofoPimp]

How many Kwame Brown games did you watch in his high school days?

The experts and NBA scouts seen plenty just like Noel. I bet Thabeet would be the 1st overall pick if he was in this draft. NBA teams would be clambering hand over heels for Thabeet over Noel. And, he has no injury history. Noel just has very limited skills outside his athleticism and that may be limited after his knee problems.

FYI. One cannot convince me that Noel will end up being a solid player in the NBA in the long term. I have been around a long time watching the NBA while Noel screams Thabeet/Kwame/Darko to the extreme. But, still people buy into the hype and go overboard praising the guy. Just because he can block some shots doesn't make him a legit All-Star. I doubt he even becomes a NBA starter on a playoff caliber team. And, I will take bets on that.

[Neon1]

Picking Noel doesn't just address our PF, it allows us to be set at C with Vucevic. We gotta make up for Vucevic's lead feet some how. A guy like Noel is exactly the kind of player you want to do so. Barring injury, I know big assumption, but if we assume that his future isn't littered with injuries, then our front court is set and would be a championship caliber front court.

If you have a chance to bring in a player that can do that to your team, you get him. Sure he has weaknesses. But we don't need everyone to be an offensive threat. There's only one ball. But if everyone is good on defense, then our team can go places.

I personaly think he will be MP'ish/DWade as far as injuries go. They play similar styles that are hyper aggressive bordering on wreckless.

I dont see the whole OMG career over before it starts type hyperbole (looking at you BMFP), But i do see him as having plenty of minor injuries coming from hard falls. Wrists, Hip bruises etc.

IMO, He will miss games here and there due to his playstyle, but i think that unless he is red flagged by your doctors, Dr Andrews etc you take the kid because he looks to be the only guy that is a game/team changer (single-handed) even if its only on the defensive end. Those guys are just too rare, which makes it too much value to pass up.

We can play FC next to Vucevic and help him and the team D.
We can play C without Vucevic in case of Injury, or incase we decide we cant pay Vucevic and trade or S&T him when that time comes we can make that decision with more comfort.
He can play with Nicholson or Harris and help them flourish offensively without struggling defensively.

I mean, its not like we don't desperately need all of that.

[InFlames]

How many Kwame Brown games did you watch in his high school days?

The experts and NBA scouts seen plenty just like Noel. I bet Thabeet would be the 1st overall pick if he was in this draft. NBA teams would be clambering hand over heels for Thabeet over Noel. And, he has no injury history. Noel just has very limited skills outside his athleticism and that may be limited after his knee problems.

FYI. One cannot convince me that Noel will end up being a solid player in the NBA in the long term. I have been around a long time watching the NBA while Noel screams Thabeet/Kwame/Darko to the extreme. But, still people buy into the hype and go overboard praising the guy. Just because he can block some shots doesn't make him a legit All-Star. I doubt he even becomes a NBA starter on a playoff caliber team. And, I will take bets on that.

I remember you saying that Noel was better than you thought after someone posted his scouting video. You said this after you had been bashing him incessantly for days. You didn't even watch Noel just like you never watched Kwame.

And what does Thabeet going #1 overall in this draft prove? He went #2 overall in a better draft in 09, of course he would go #1 overall in this one. Just like he would go #1 or #2 overall in any of the drafts since then. What is your point with this?

[OrlChamps2030]

How many Kwame Brown games did you watch in his high school days?

FYI. One cannot convince me that Noel will end up being a solid player in the NBA in the long term. I have been around a long time watching the NBA while Noel screams Thabeet/Kwame/Darko to the extreme. But, still people buy into the hype and go overboard praising the guy. Just because he can block some shots doesn't make him a legit All-Star. I doubt he even becomes a NBA starter on a playoff caliber team. And, I will take bets on that.

What about Noel's pick & roll defense, quick hands that he gets steals with, and his rebounding?

Not really sure why guys are acting like Noel is birdman and all he does is block shots on defense.. If you draft him its to be your defensive quarterback

[RickB-Orlando]

im just not a fan of taking the best player available for our team. I believe we have to pick a player to address our needs. the glaring holes are Center and pg. I am more than happy with Tobi and Hark at 2 and 3. Noel to me is a risk im just not willing to waste my high pick on. His careless landings freak the hell out of me and that tells me this wont be his last injury.

Many are shutting down Burk because of his height, understandably so, but his demeanor and the fight in him just wins my vote.

Its not like we absolutely have to have a C next season with BBD and Vuc but a pg is an absolute must and who better than Burk.

I would strongly disagree that the team has a glaring hole at Center. Vuc proved last year that he is a better than average center. He does have weaknesses at defense, but very few players do not have some weaknesses.

And he's 22, full of potential, and if he improves just a little you're.ookingat a 15/11 player. Of all the things we need, Center is hardly one of them.

[BadMofoPimp]

That is true. But who do you suggest we pick then? Burke is pretty small as a PG, And would only put us in the same position as we are with Meer now. Mclemore has already struggled to create his own shots in the NCAA, what more in the NBA? .

I would go for McLemore if Magic got the first, then maybe trade down if they can. Otherwise, go for Porter or Burke.

[IGotDaMagicInMe]

im just not a fan of taking the best player available for our team. I believe we have to pick a player to address our needs. the glaring holes are Center and pg. I am more than happy with Tobi and Hark at 2 and 3. Noel to me is a risk im just not willing to waste my high pick on. His careless landings freak the hell out of me and that tells me this wont be his last injury.

Many are shutting down Burk because of his height, understandably so, but his demeanor and the fight in him just wins my vote.

Its not like we absolutely have to have a C next season with BBD and Vuc but a pg is an absolute must and who better than Burk.

No, the glaring need on this team is talent. We are not at a point where we can be passing over the best player available because we have a hole to fill. Decisions like that are why Bowie was picked before Jordan and why guys like Acie Law creep into the lottery. Until they outlaw trades in the NBA, you always take the most talented guy. It's on your coach to find a way to make it work.

Hey now, Acie Law was a phenom in college, I remember the crazy game him and Durant had against each other

[KillMonger]

Not sure I would say Noel is a high IQ defender, he seems more of an instinct defender which I think it's just as good.

One thing I'm wondering is that with fewer traditional power forwards would Noel lose a bit of effectiveness since he would be guarding more perimeter face up Pfs as opposed to a back to the basket one who's planted in the paint?

Sent from my expensive a$$ phone

[fendilim]

That is true. But who do you suggest we pick then? Burke is pretty small as a PG, And would only put us in the same position as we are with Meer now. Mclemore has already struggled to create his own shots in the NCAA, what more in the NBA? Also, lets not gorget Noel has the most upside for this group, i think thats obvious in this group. Its a high risk to pick Noel, but if he pans out great, he'll definitely make a huge difference compared to McLemore and Burke.

Is Chris Paul the same as Meer because he's small too?

BTW, when did this forum start hating Meer? Ever since I've been here I've battled the Meer lovers. Now days it seems like Meer bashing is a common and accepted thing.

Meer was a scorer. That's what he was good at. As for his job as a PG, he was pathetic. Could not be a playmaker to save his life. Hedo had to do that for us. Defensively, he was a joke. His short arms prevented him from having the length to do much.

Lol. Never liked jameer until this year. But i think his deficiency on the court during the dwight era hurt our success a lot. Now, i just see him as a mentor to the young guys and i think thats what he is good at.

Trey burke will not be as good as chris paul.

[KillMonger]

im just not a fan of taking the best player available for our team. I believe we have to pick a player to address our needs. the glaring holes are Center and pg. I am more than happy with Tobi and Hark at 2 and 3. Noel to me is a risk im just not willing to waste my high pick on. His careless landings freak the hell out of me and that tells me this wont be his last injury.

Many are shutting down Burk because of his height, understandably so, but his demeanor and the fight in him just wins my vote.

Its not like we absolutely have to have a C next season with BBD and Vuc but a pg is an absolute must and who better than Burk.

No, the glaring need on this team is talent. We are not at a point where we can be passing over the best player available because we have a hole to fill. Decisions like that are why Bowie was picked before Jordan and why guys like Acie Law creep into the lottery. Until they outlaw trades in the NBA, you always take the most talented guy. It's on your coach to find a way to make it work.

that's the thing though IS Noel the most talented right now? Me personally I don't think so. In terms of skills and development he's got a mountain to climb, but he's the consensus guy because he could have the highest peak.

But is Noel the best player right now? Uh no, Porter is better, Burke is better, Bennett is better at least to me. Noel just has more potential than those guys and that's the main thing I think is what interests GM's. As any rook would be Noel is a project which will probably take 5~6 seasons to become starter quality imo

Sent from my expensive a$$ phone

[InFlames]

im just not a fan of taking the best player available for our team. I believe we have to pick a player to address our needs. the glaring holes are Center and pg. I am more than happy with Tobi and Hark at 2 and 3. Noel to me is a risk im just not willing to waste my high pick on. His careless landings freak the hell out of me and that tells me this wont be his last injury.

Many are shutting down Burk because of his height, understandably so, but his demeanor and the fight in him just wins my vote.

Its not like we absolutely have to have a C next season with BBD and Vuc but a pg is an absolute must and who better than Burk.

No, the glaring need on this team is talent. We are not at a point where we can be passing over the best player available because we have a hole to fill. Decisions like that are why Bowie was picked before Jordan and why guys like Acie Law creep into the lottery. Until they outlaw trades in the NBA, you always take the most talented guy. It's on your coach to find a way to make it work.

that's the thing though IS Noel the most talented right now? Me personally I don't think so. In terms of skills and development he's got a mountain to climb, but he's the consensus guy because he could have the highest peak.

But is Noel the best player right now? Uh no, Porter is better, Burke is better, Bennett is better at least to me. Noel just has more potential than those guys and that's the main thing I think is what interests GM's. As any rook would be Noel is a project which will probably take 5~6 seasons to become starter quality imo

Sent from my expensive a$$ phone

Of course Noel isn't the best player right now, but that isn't what the draft is about. The draft is about what the player could be/what you think the player will become. Noel is the only potential franchise changing talent in this draft. That is why he will go #1.

Look at when we drafted Dwight Howard. He wasn't the best player in the draft but he was a potential franchise changing talent down the line. That is why we took him and it paid off.

[Noonskadoodle]

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be looking to upgrade at the small forward position in the upcoming NBA draft.

Otto Porter is considered the top-ranked small forward.

“I’m pretty sure the Cavs are praying right now that Otto Porter is there on the board when they draft,” said ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford. “He is a perfect fit for them. If he’s off the board, I do think there is a question mark there. I think ‘3’ is the position they need the most.

“While we thought three was going to be stronger, we thought Shabazz Muhammad would be a guy that would be a great fit there. I think his play at UCLA has raised major question marks whether that’s the case.”

The Cavaliers will have four of the top 33 picks in the June draft

Wiretap.

By far the best trade possibility if the chips fall right.

Think they would be willing to trade up for Porter.

[KingRobb02]

im just not a fan of taking the best player available for our team. I believe we have to pick a player to address our needs. the glaring holes are Center and pg. I am more than happy with Tobi and Hark at 2 and 3. Noel to me is a risk im just not willing to waste my high pick on. His careless landings freak the hell out of me and that tells me this wont be his last injury.

Many are shutting down Burk because of his height, understandably so, but his demeanor and the fight in him just wins my vote.

Its not like we absolutely have to have a C next season with BBD and Vuc but a pg is an absolute must and who better than Burk.

No, the glaring need on this team is talent. We are not at a point where we can be passing over the best player available because we have a hole to fill. Decisions like that are why Bowie was picked before Jordan and why guys like Acie Law creep into the lottery. Until they outlaw trades in the NBA, you always take the most talented guy. It's on your coach to find a way to make it work.

that's the thing though IS Noel the most talented right now? Me personally I don't think so. In terms of skills and development he's got a mountain to climb, but he's the consensus guy because he could have the highest peak.

But is Noel the best player right now? Uh no, Porter is better, Burke is better, Bennett is better at least to me. Noel just has more potential than those guys and that's the main thing I think is what interests GM's. As any rook would be Noel is a project which will probably take 5~6 seasons to become starter quality imo

Sent from my expensive a$$ phone

By right now, do you mean right this minute? Of course he isn't the most talented, his knee is still recovering. But in terms of how good he was back in January compared to the rest of the NCAA, yes he was that good. He was basically doing what Anthony Davis did on D and giving you more steals. The issue is that the perception was skewed because he was on a bad Kentucky team.

[KillMonger]

No, the glaring need on this team is talent. We are not at a point where we can be passing over the best player available because we have a hole to fill. Decisions like that are why Bowie was picked before Jordan and why guys like Acie Law creep into the lottery. Until they outlaw trades in the NBA, you always take the most talented guy. It's on your coach to find a way to make it work.

that's the thing though IS Noel the most talented right now? Me personally I don't think so. In terms of skills and development he's got a mountain to climb, but he's the consensus guy because he could have the highest peak.

But is Noel the best player right now? Uh no, Porter is better, Burke is better, Bennett is better at least to me. Noel just has more potential than those guys and that's the main thing I think is what interests GM's. As any rook would be Noel is a project which will probably take 5~6 seasons to become starter quality imo

Sent from my expensive a$$ phone

Of course Noel isn't the best player right now, but that isn't what the draft is about. The draft is about what the player could be/what you think the player will become. Noel is the only potential franchise changing talent in this draft. That is why he will go #1.

Look at when we drafted Dwight Howard. He wasn't the best player in the draft but he was a potential franchise changing talent down the line. That is why we took him and it paid off.

you seriously think he's franchise changing? That's some high praise. Tyson Chandler/Larry Sanders is franchise changing. Well I guess we'll see

Sent from my expensive a$$ phone

[InFlames]

that's the thing though IS Noel the most talented right now? Me personally I don't think so. In terms of skills and development he's got a mountain to climb, but he's the consensus guy because he could have the highest peak.

But is Noel the best player right now? Uh no, Porter is better, Burke is better, Bennett is better at least to me. Noel just has more potential than those guys and that's the main thing I think is what interests GM's. As any rook would be Noel is a project which will probably take 5~6 seasons to become starter quality imo

Sent from my expensive a$$ phone

Of course Noel isn't the best player right now, but that isn't what the draft is about. The draft is about what the player could be/what you think the player will become. Noel is the only potential franchise changing talent in this draft. That is why he will go #1.

Look at when we drafted Dwight Howard. He wasn't the best player in the draft but he was a potential franchise changing talent down the line. That is why we took him and it paid off.

you seriously think he's franchise changing? That's some high praise. Tyson Chandler/Larry Sanders is franchise changing. Well I guess we'll see

Sent from my expensive a$$ phone

No, I said he COULD be franchise changing. He also has the highest floor in the draft. And since when is Tyson Chandler franchise changing? Noel's floor is Chandler.

[IGotDaMagicInMe]

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be looking to upgrade at the small forward position in the upcoming NBA draft.

Otto Porter is considered the top-ranked small forward.

“I’m pretty sure the Cavs are praying right now that Otto Porter is there on the board when they draft,” said ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford. “He is a perfect fit for them. If he’s off the board, I do think there is a question mark there. I think ‘3’ is the position they need the most.

“While we thought three was going to be stronger, we thought Shabazz Muhammad would be a guy that would be a great fit there. I think his play at UCLA has raised major question marks whether that’s the case.”

The Cavaliers will have four of the top 33 picks in the June draft

Wiretap.

By far the best trade possibility if the chips fall right.

Think they would be willing to trade up for Porter.

They wont need to trade up to get otto porter unless they get a bad break in the lottery and get stuck with the 6th pick, in which case we'd have the 4th

[Noonskadoodle]

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be looking to upgrade at the small forward position in the upcoming NBA draft.

Otto Porter is considered the top-ranked small forward.

“I’m pretty sure the Cavs are praying right now that Otto Porter is there on the board when they draft,” said ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford. “He is a perfect fit for them. If he’s off the board, I do think there is a question mark there. I think ‘3’ is the position they need the most.

“While we thought three was going to be stronger, we thought Shabazz Muhammad would be a guy that would be a great fit there. I think his play at UCLA has raised major question marks whether that’s the case.”

The Cavaliers will have four of the top 33 picks in the June draft

Wiretap.

They wont need to trade up to get otto porter unless they get a bad break in the lottery and get stuck with the 6th pick, in which case we'd have the 4th
By far the best trade possibility if the chips fall right.

Think they would be willing to trade up for Porter.

Why I said......IF the chips fall right.