Tidbits from draft chat

[theBigLip]

Chad Ford had some interesting tidbits in today's chat that apply to some of our discussions:

Ben McLemore, Otto Porter, Anthony Bennett, Alex Len, Victor Oladipo, Trey Burke, Michael Carter-Williams, CJ McCollum, to me they are all in the same tier of players.

There are a handful of teams that believe Saric is a top five talent in the draft. The scouts that REALLY know Europe say that there's not a huge difference between Saric and Otto Porter.

What separates Oladipo and Mclemore from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? The obvious answer is elite athleticism. Both Oladipo and McLemore have it. Caldwell-Pope is a good athlete, but he's not nearly as explosive as Oladipo and McLemore. Oladipo's a better defender. McLemore is a better shooter. But Caldwell-Pope is the most well rounded of them. I don't think he gets past the Wolves at No. 9.

Could Brandon Knight and MCW really make a formidable backcourt? It seems to me that Knight has to be a PG to be effective at 6'3: That's why the Pistons have interest in Carter-Williams. At 6-6, Carter-Williams can play in the backcourt with Knight and when needed, they can switch defensively.

Alex Len: I honestly believe that had his foot been OK, he would've gotten serious consideration for No. 1. Still might, the Cavs really like him. Bobcats are another team that could take him in the Top 5.

Do you see Shabazz Muhammad's stock rising during team workouts?: Tough one. He's putting in a lot of hard work in Santa Barbara right now. His body looks good. He's more explosive. He's working on that right hand and shooting off the bounce. He needs both of those weapons to succeed in the NBA. It's a work in progress right now. He's got the NBA strength and has a great motor. Just needs to improve the skill set a bit. Teams are sort of down on him right now, but that could change with great workouts. Not sure he'll be a workout guy, but you never know.

What's a good NBA player comparison for CJ McCollum's floor and ceiling? Steph Curry (ceiling) - Randy Foye (floor)

[theBigLip]

If we can get Dallas's pick #13, and pull off getting KCP and Saric, that would be sweet!

[ajaX82]

The Saric talk is interesting. Given that we don't have a true facilitator on offense, he could theoretically become a point Forward for us. I'd be interested to know if Joe is scouting him or intrigued at all

[Piston Pete]

Who on this board likes Saric?

[theBigLip]

Who on this board likes Saric?

Haven't seen him play, but I've read he probably has the highest basketball IQ in the draft, and could be a point forward type. If what Ford says was legit, that he is equivalent to Otto Porter, and we could get him at 13? I'm certainly interested.

[rmfc]

Who on this board likes Saric?

I, certainly, am. We need a playmaker on this team. However, I just don't see Joe being bold enough to pick him in the draft(pretty sure I posted the same thing a few times already) .

[Goldtop]

Could Brandon Knight and MCW really make a formidable backcourt? It seems to me that Knight has to be a PG to be effective at 6'3: That's why the Pistons have interest in Carter-Williams. At 6-6, Carter-Williams can play in the backcourt with Knight and when needed, they can switch defensively.

I can't believe the Pistons would make this selection based on how he fits with Knight, but after hearing about the coach's they are looking at, I have no idea what they are doing anymore.

Its like all of a sudden Knight is the face of the franchise and they are building around him now instead of Drummond and Monroe. Hiring a former PG to develop him, drafting the player who best compliments him in the backcourt. Its starting to sound like Stuckey is on his way out and Joe has chosen Knight as his new Stuckey. Joe needs to go.

[rmfc]

^ Joe needs to go for that?

[Piston Pete]

Who on this board likes Saric?

Haven't seen him play, but I've read he probably has the highest basketball IQ in the draft, and could be a point forward type. If what Ford says was legit, that he is equivalent to Otto Porter, and we could get him at 13? I'm certainly interested.

I've been hoping we'd draft Saric for months now. He definitely has the talent to be the best player from this draft in 5 years time.

But we shouldn't draft both he and MCW, as both are best with the ball in their hands.

[c-dot]

If Joe drafts MCW @ 8, he basically puts the final nail in his coffin. And I kind of like MCW but only if we get more picks, if ends up as our only first rounder.... its almost like Austin Daye all over again.

[ajaX82]

If Joe drafts MCW @ 8, he basically puts the final nail in his coffin. And I kind of like MCW but only if we get more picks, if ends up as our only first rounder.... its almost like Austin Daye all over again.

I'm not sure I see the similarity between picking Daye at 15 and picking MCW at 8...please elaborate.

[ajaX82]

Could Brandon Knight and MCW really make a formidable backcourt? It seems to me that Knight has to be a PG to be effective at 6'3: That's why the Pistons have interest in Carter-Williams. At 6-6, Carter-Williams can play in the backcourt with Knight and when needed, they can switch defensively.

I can't believe the Pistons would make this selection based on how he fits with Knight, but after hearing about the coach's they are looking at, I have no idea what they are doing anymore.

Its like all of a sudden Knight is the face of the franchise and they are building around him now instead of Drummond and Monroe. Hiring a former PG to develop him, drafting the player who best compliments him in the backcourt. Its starting to sound like Stuckey is on his way out and Joe has chosen Knight as his new Stuckey. Joe needs to go.

I don't think we are making Knight the face of the franchise, but given that he is a top-10 pick from only a couple of years ago, you have to keep in mind how he fits when picking.

[Goldtop]

Could Brandon Knight and MCW really make a formidable backcourt? It seems to me that Knight has to be a PG to be effective at 6'3: That's why the Pistons have interest in Carter-Williams. At 6-6, Carter-Williams can play in the backcourt with Knight and when needed, they can switch defensively.

I can't believe the Pistons would make this selection based on how he fits with Knight, but after hearing about the coach's they are looking at, I have no idea what they are doing anymore.

Its like all of a sudden Knight is the face of the franchise and they are building around him now instead of Drummond and Monroe. Hiring a former PG to develop him, drafting the player who best compliments him in the backcourt. Its starting to sound like Stuckey is on his way out and Joe has chosen Knight as his new Stuckey. Joe needs to go.

I don't think we are making Knight the face of the franchise, but given that he is a top-10 pick from only a couple of years ago, you have to keep in mind how he fits when picking.

Not when you've seen him look like nothing more than bench player through 2 yrs. You don't risk another top 8 pick trying to make your failed top 8 pick look better.

[Goldtop]

^ Joe needs to go for that?

Drummond and Monroe are the face of this franchise, not Knight. Therefore this 8th pick and next coach should be chosen based on how they fit with Drummond and Monroe, not Knight. So yeah, if Dumars is making these decisions with Knights best interests in mind, instead of Dre/Moose, then he does need to go.

[ajaX82]

I can't believe the Pistons would make this selection based on how he fits with Knight, but after hearing about the coach's they are looking at, I have no idea what they are doing anymore.

Its like all of a sudden Knight is the face of the franchise and they are building around him now instead of Drummond and Monroe. Hiring a former PG to develop him, drafting the player who best compliments him in the backcourt. Its starting to sound like Stuckey is on his way out and Joe has chosen Knight as his new Stuckey. Joe needs to go.

I don't think we are making Knight the face of the franchise, but given that he is a top-10 pick from only a couple of years ago, you have to keep in mind how he fits when picking.

Not when you've seen him look like nothing more than bench player through 2 yrs. You don't risk another top 8 pick trying to make your failed top 8 pick look better.

I would argue that you don't completely disregard such a young player given the crappy team surrounding him, crappy coaching staff and office and the position switch midway in year. Players take time to develop, especially teenagers. You gotta be patient.

Besides, picking MCW makes sense in that Knight can focus on what he does best: scoring. He wouldn't have the pressure of running the offense anymore. It's a move that potentially makes the backcourt, and thusly the team, much better.

[Goldtop]

I would argue that you don't completely disregard such a young player given the crappy team surrounding him, crappy coaching staff and office and the position switch midway in year. Players take time to develop, especially teenagers. You gotta be patient.

Besides, picking MCW makes sense in that Knight can focus on what he does best: scoring. He wouldn't have the pressure of running the offense anymore. It's a move that potentially makes the backcourt, and thusly the team, much better.

You're missing my point. I'm not saying totally disregard him. I'm saying how he fits with this pick shouldn't be the most important factor. It should be how Dre/Moose fit with this pick.

Who we pick 8th should be who best compliments Dre/Moose inside, not who best compliments Knight in the backcourt.

Then if Knight ends up being just a 6th man, you didn't waste 2 top 8 picks, as you'll still have your trio of Dre/Moose/2013 pick who all fit together.

Its odd that ppl here want no part of Tyreke Evans because they say he can't shoot, but then want this MCW kid who's an even worse shooter. At least Evans is proven NBA elite at other aspects. This kid MCW has bust written all over him, imo. Reminds me of other recent busts from Syracuse like Wes Johnson.

[Kilo]

MCW is two months OLDER than Brandon Knight. I'm not ready to write him off yet.

[ajaX82]

I would argue that you don't completely disregard such a young player given the crappy team surrounding him, crappy coaching staff and office and the position switch midway in year. Players take time to develop, especially teenagers. You gotta be patient.

Besides, picking MCW makes sense in that Knight can focus on what he does best: scoring. He wouldn't have the pressure of running the offense anymore. It's a move that potentially makes the backcourt, and thusly the team, much better.

You're missing my point. I'm not saying totally disregard him. I'm saying how he fits with this pick shouldn't be the most important factor. It should be how Dre/Moose fit with this pick.

Who we pick 8th should be who best compliments Dre/Moose inside, not who best compliments Knight in the backcourt.

Fair enough. But that doesn't change my case that MCW still is potentially the right pick then. We need an offense faciliatator, someone who is going to get our bigs the ball where they want it. Carter-Williams is a guy who can do that. The PnR potential with Dre and MCW is very appealing

[ajaX82]

Let me elaborate actually.

I agree that Moose and Dre are the centerpieces of the team. And damn fine pieces they are. What is most going to help them? Good shooters to space the floor so they can do work inside and a true PG who can put the ball in their hands in the best situations. I believe that true PGs are much harder to come by. You can always find shooters. I think we should go out and sign a couple frankly. That said, cover your other base and draft the 6'6'' PG who can run the team.

[Kilo]

We don't know what we have yet as far as centerpieces. Drummond was far from all-world last year, he showed flashes but is FAR from a sure thing. And we don't know if Monroe can play PF full time either for that matter.