2013 Draft Targets (#9, #26, #52, #59)

[Grits n Gravy]

No but I don't see the point of measuring equipment. You can always get thicker shoes.

I get what you mean. The average difference is 1.25 inches but then you have some guys getting 2 inch differences in measurements. They should just measure them barefoot and then list them 1.25 inches above that.

Really want to come out out of the draft with Nemanja Nedovic. I've watched quite a lot of games of Rytas this year and I've been very impressed with his play and development. I'd definitely be cool with taking him at 26 if we couldn't find a way to move up in the second round or acquire a pick there. Ideally i'd prefer the latter so we could get Giannis, Rice, Bullock, Goodwin or Nogueira with #26.

[Biff Cooper]

Shabazz, McCollum, KCP are considered the scorers of this draft.

MCelmore is like the shooting guard version of Harrison Barnes.

I would consider KCP, Shabazz, and McLemore all to be more outside shooter types than pure scorer types. They all have some moves to help them get their outside shot off, but for the most part aren't going to make a living taking their man off the dribble and getting either an open mid-range shot or a shot near the basket. Shabazz maybe has the mentality to be a scorer, but his actual ball handling skills are currently lacking to make it happen. McCollum is perhaps a little more diverse as a scorer than the other three having kind of a nifty in-between game where he takes his guy off the dribble to get a mid-range shot. Oladipo is also a more diverse scorer than KCP, Shabazz or McLemore in my opinion.

Is there anyone in this draft that is considered a "scorer"?

Watching the playoffs, scorers are important when the offense becomes stagnant (see Memphis)
That is why I was okay with a healthy Eric Gordon

is McClemore active or just a 3point specialist? What about KCP?

Part of the reason Memphis becomes stagnant is that they have more of a defensive focus for the personel on their team. They don't have much for outside shooting - instead trying to rely on hard nosed defense and post play to win. At the same time they've made it to the WCF playing this way, and are currently up against a steamroller in San Antonio that is playing great basketball.

[Worm Guts]

I think Shabazz has the size and strength to get the basket, in a Maggette sort of way.

[the_bruce]

Kcp is the guy for the wolves. He hits his pull-up at a good clip, can use screens, took high volume of 3s and hit them at a good clip. He also gets to the line at an amazing rate for a guy jacking up tons of 3s. He also put up some good athletic testing numbers in sprint and lane agility and these are reflected in his rebound rate IMO. He also generated like 30% of his teams offense and the only other person listed who did that on this list is McCollum. It's just sensible that kcp is the guy for the wolves in this draft considering the lack of separation in the prospects. His handle isn't great but he's good at coming of screens and he has a pull-up to cover up his shortcomings. I've been searching for a good comparison for him, but coming up empty.

Olidapo is much more limited offensively taking most of his shots at the rim on straight line drives and general high motor type plays. I like the high percentage shots he takes but it's a little conserving how infrequently he gets to the charity strip considering how often he's around the rim. His handle isn't tight enough either. I do like him as I love great athletes with a high motor.

Shabazz I'm not impressed with as a scorer. I like the magette comparison as he does have that sort of look and feel to him.

McCollum has all the skills and great polish but I see him more as a sixth man.

Mclemore could end up as the best player in the draft but I don't think his handle is tight enough and could expose him at the next level. He disappears at times and while a great athlete doesn't have oliadapos high motor.

[Klomp]

mccollums got better handles but you dont need that w/ rubio.

Major misconception.

[shangrila]

Pope worries me for some reason. I don't really know what it is, I guess he just reminds me of Anderson who I thought would end up a starter (obviously I was way off).

I like that Shabazz never really forced his ball handling. I get that it's limited, and that's a red flag, but from what I saw he worked really hard off the ball to get in position to score, whether that's moving around the perimeter, cutting or posting up.

McCollum I don't think is a SG, or at least he won't be playing one in the league. He seems more like Stephen Curry but likely ends up closer to someone like Mo Williams.

[Klomp]

McCollum I don't think is a SG, or at least he won't be playing one in the league. He seems more like Stephen Curry but likely ends up closer to someone like Mo Williams.

Randy Foye

[Devilzsidewalk]

Pope worries me for some reason. I don't really know what it is, I guess he just reminds me of Anderson who I thought would end up a starter (obviously I was way off).

I like that Shabazz never really forced his ball handling. I get that it's limited, and that's a red flag, but from what I saw he worked really hard off the ball to get in position to score, whether that's moving around the perimeter, cutting or posting up.

McCollum I don't think is a SG, or at least he won't be playing one in the league. He seems more like Stephen Curry but likely ends up closer to someone like Mo Williams.

All these guys worry and intrigue me for different reasons. If Flip picks the best player I'll be impressed.

[Nitroglycerin]

Ive read that KCP's weakness are shot selection,decision making,dribbling,penetrating and creating his own shot, things that Rubio can cover up.
I think Rubio could make KCP look very good.

McCollum's coach says that he plays like a young Steph Curry. Very dynamic offensively,high bball iq. Size is a problem.
Many in here said that Rubio-Curry could have worked. What about Rubio-McCollum?

Boils down bet. KCP and CJ if we keep the pick.

Shabazz is a puzzle. Was he all-hype?
What if he falls further in 20-30 range? Would you pick him with 26?
IMO its possible a lot of hate for Shabazz recently

[Esohny]

Ive read that KCP's weakness are shot selection,decision making,dribbling,penetrating and creating his own shot, things that Rubio can cover up.
I think Rubio could make KCP look very good.

McCollum's coach says that he plays like a young Steph Curry. Very dynamic offensively,high bball iq. Size is a problem.
Many in here said that Rubio-Curry could have worked. What about Rubio-McCollum?

Boils down bet. KCP and CJ if we keep the pick.

Shabazz is a puzzle. Was he all-hype?
What if he falls further in 20-30 range? Would you pick him with 26?
IMO its possible a lot of hate for Shabazz recently

Shabazz was a combination of 1) him being way older/physically mature than his opponents and being able to physically dominate in a way that he wasn't able to in college, and won't be able to in the NBA, and 2) being a product of the hype machine. Would I take him at 26? Maybe, depending on who else is available.

[Adenusi]

Do not want McCollum. Slow with no explosion. Shabazz speaks for himself, do not want. Would take KCP over both of them any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[Krapinsky]

Do not want McCollum. Slow with no explosion. Shabazz speaks for himself, do not want. Would take KCP over both of them any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Looking over some advanced Stats at DX... I was surprised to see Shabazz pts/pos was greater than Oladipo, Mclemore, McCollum, or KCP.

[C.lupus]

Shabazz is going to be that guy in the draft that makes some GM look really stupid. You just don't know if it is going to be for picking him or passing on him.

[Biff Cooper]

Here is my impression of the 5 players being discussed as it pertains to their NBA future. I haven't spent a huge amount of time studying the players, but this is my impression based mostly on visiting DX. I'm sure others view them differently:

Best distance Shooter - 1. McCollum, 2. McLemore 3. KCP 4. Oladipo 5. Muhammad
Best midrange shooter - 1. McCollum,2. Oladipo 3. McLemore 4. Muhammad 5. KCP
Most Athletic - 1. Oladipo 2. KCP 3. McLemore 4. Muhammad 5. McCollum
Best Defender - 1. Oladipo 2. McLemore 3. KCP 4. Muhammad 5. McCollum
Best handles - 1. McCollum 2. Oladipo, 3. McLemore 4. KCP 5. Muhammad
Ideal NBA Size - 1. KCP 2. McLemore / Oladipo 4. Muhammad (SF) 5. McCollum
Decisionmakeing - 1. McLemore 2-5????
Strongest - 1. Muhammad 2. ??
Good team skills 1. Oladipo, 2. McLemore 3. McCollum 4. Muhammad 5. KCP
Character: 1. Oladipo 2. McCollum 3. KCP 4. Muhammad 5. McLemore
Potential for NBA stardom 1. Oladipo 2. KCP 3. McLemore 4. Muhammad 5. McCollum
Potential to not be a total NBA bust 1. Oladipo 2. McCollum 3. McLemore 4. Muhammad 5. KCP
Drive/desire (guess based on what is known of person) 1. Oladipo 2. Muhammad 3. McCollum 4. KCP 5. McLemore

[Adenusi]

Do not want McCollum. Slow with no explosion. Shabazz speaks for himself, do not want. Would take KCP over both of them any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Looking over some advanced Stats at DX... I was surprised to see Shabazz pts/pos was greater than Oladipo, Mclemore, McCollum, or KCP.

.........

[Krapinsky]

If we're picking 9, I'd be happy with either Shabazz or KCP. They put up similar stats, are similar in age, and have similar faults.

[Mattya]

I see a lot of players that could help this team. I have warmed up to Shabazz a little. I think if he could work out of the post at the 2 and hit open 3s then he could fit. I worry about is defensive IQ. KCP has range. Zeller could be a fit off the bench. Unless we move both Ridnour and Barea, I have little interest in having McCollum. I don't want to see bigger shooting guards post up our miniature 2s for another season. I just pray that we finally get lucky in the lottery. McLemore is still my guy.

I think it makes a lot of sense financially to go big with our late 1st. If we could land Withey at 26 I would be really happy. Costs less than Steamer as well. Maybe use Shved and the 26 to move up to the teens and get some cap space and get a higher ranked big man like Gobert or Dieng.

[NikolaPekovic]

I have no doubts thar shabazz could be a nice player for us. But the question is when? He seems like a bit of a project.

[Worm Guts]

I think it makes a lot of sense financially to go big with our late 1st. If we could land Withey at 26 I would be really happy. Costs less than Steamer as well. Maybe use Shved and the 26 to move up to the teens and get some cap space and get a higher ranked big man like Gobert or Dieng.

You really want to use Shved to move a couple spots into the teens? That seems a little crazy.

[Krapinsky]

I have no doubts thar shabazz could be a nice player for us. But the question is when? He seems like a bit of a project.

Really? Other than Oladipo, he seems like the player in the draft most apt to step in and contribute right away IMO.