Z-Rex: The Cody Zeller Thread

[SWedd523]

I don't see much point in comparing length numbers of each prospect because they aren't mutually exclusive. Its possible for multiple guys to be small--just look at Zeller and Bennett. Sure you could use the info to form a hierarchy, which is fine, but you would have to adjust it relative to the NBA as a whole.

But to address your comparison... its less an issue for a guy like Bennett because, while small, he makes up for it with his explosive scoring potential and offensive rebounding ability. Zeller doesn't project to have any potentially elite traits that can mask his shortcomings in other areas.

[BeesWax]

That is where we disagree. Bennett did a lot of damage but still got exposed at times and against weaker competition. He has very little that translates to the NBA better than Zeller. Since he is smaller and less athletic than Zeller i doubt he will be the same type of scorer against pros that he was in college. His lack of length will hinder his ability to get his shot off. Zeller however has played a high level of competition and put up solid numbers on a more well rounded team. Bennett is a short chucker while Zeller is a short basketball player. I will take the guy who plays ball rather than the guy who jacks up shots.

[TheKingofSting]

I don't want us to have anything to do with this scrawny dude!

[Liver_Pooty]

I don't want us to have anything to do with this scrawny dude!

Zeller has actually put on a decent deal of muscle the past couple months. He could use another 10 pounds though.

[BigSlam]

Do we not already have a version of Zeller on the roster in Mully?

[James Gatz]

Do we not already have a version of Zeller on the roster in Mully?

If Mully had Zellers bbiq he would easily be a solid starter on any team.

[Liver_Pooty]

Do we not already have a version of Zeller on the roster in Mully?

Except Zeller is a better athlete, and has 20 times the basketball IQ of Mullens

[BigSlam]

Do we not already have a version of Zeller on the roster in Mully?

Except Zeller is a better athlete, and has 20 times the basketball IQ of Mullens

Fair enough on the BBIQ - but Mully is no slouch at all in the athleticism stakes.....and he is bigger than Zeller.

[Liver_Pooty]

Do we not already have a version of Zeller on the roster in Mully?

Except Zeller is a better athlete, and has 20 times the basketball IQ of Mullens

Fair enough on the BBIQ - but Mully is no slouch at all in the athleticism stakes.....and he is bigger than Zeller.

Well Zeller did test out as the best athlete among the bigs at the combine, but Mullens is indeed a decent athlete himself.

[LamarMatic7]

I'm not on either side of the argument, however, let me ask something to the Zeller doubters.

What's the huge deal with a player's wingspan anyway? In my opinion, it's the most over-exaggerated strength of a draftee in the past years. Is there even any proven correlation between centers with big wingspans being better? Because there have been plenty of busts with huge wingspans as well.

Moreover, it's not like Zeller bases his game on his body either way. So I don't really care about him having an average wingspan. If he can run the floor and play smart basketball, he'll do that despite his damn wingspan.

Sometimes the word gets thrown around a bit too much, like it meant 50% of a center's potential. If Kevin Willis was drafted this summer, Jay Bilas would kill him, he'd slide out of the lottery and still give a team 14 seasons of 14.6ppg and 9.9rpg (actual stats from his prime, thanks to bk-ref).

[fatlever]

thats true, willis had tiny hands and alligator arms.

[fatlever]

Even Willis's biggest critics knew he had ability, because of his size, strength and speed. He does, however, have some physical shortcomings—a mere 37-inch sleeve and small hands, with which he can barely palm a basketball. But his lean, 235-pound frame packs biceps that are almost bigger than his calves, and he can bench-press 400 pounds. He also possesses endurance (he ran a 4:32 mile at Pershing High in Detroit) and excellent shooting skills (he shoots jump hooks with either hand).

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/ ... AG1140137/

[Kembastockton]

I really wouldn't be surprised at all if Zeller is the reason Cho is said to be trying to get a second pick. He fits all of the critteria Cho looks for in his players. I would hail Cho as the greatest Charlotte GM ever if he managed to walk away from this draft with Oladipo or McLemore and Zeller.

[Liver_Pooty]

I really wouldn't be surprised at all if Zeller is the reason Cho is said to be trying to get a second pick. He fits all of the critteria Cho looks for in his players. I would hail Cho as the greatest Charlotte GM ever if he managed to walk away from this draft with Oladipo or McLemore and Zeller.

Lol you and me both.

[mrknowitall215]

I would be more impressed if Cho was able to add Noel/Bennett & Zeller. Let's not forget that it's going to take a village to turn this frontcourt around

[MasterIchiro]

If Cody Zeller is working out in Charlotte I would say

1) Zeller is obviously not going 4

2) Cho is looking to add a pick later

3) If Zeller is a target for later, Cho is not targeting a big at 4 (Len, Noel, Bennett)

Interestingly enough, the team positioned to draft Zeller as BPA is the Blazers...but they have Aldridge at the PF position.

So if I'm reading tea leaves here, maybe there's a match between Portland and Charlotte for Zeller. I do wonder if they'd accept him for their pick back as a 13th overall pick in 2014 would help them more than the next worse guy after Zeller and Zeller himself.

[BeesWax]

If Cody Zeller is working out in Charlotte I would say

1) Zeller is obviously not going 4

2) Cho is looking to add a pick later

3) If Zeller is a target for later, Cho is not targeting a big at 4 (Len, Noel, Bennett)

Interestingly enough, the team positioned to draft Zeller as BPA is the Blazers...but they have Aldridge at the PF position.

So if I'm reading tea leaves here, maybe there's a match between Portland and Charlotte for Zeller. I do wonder if they'd accept him for their pick back as a 13th overall pick in 2014 would help them more than the next worse guy after Zeller and Zeller himself.

Zeller could be BPA at 7 all depends on who you think is better. Depending on what you want out of a PF he could be the top PF on some boards. He is on mine. I don't think he falls to 10.

[MasterIchiro]

Most mocks have him going to the Sixers. I think Charlotte can definitely pick up an extra pick around there. Since he is a target I would not be surprised if the real target at 4 is McLemore. I don't think you can remake the front court through this draft but you can maybe pick up a bargain like Zeller whose stock has fallen, not as a starter but as a very solid backup big man.

[mrknowitall215]

8. Cody Zeller

Secret NBA Draft Big Board Rating: 73.3

High Score: 9

Low Score: 6

Ford's comments: Like McCollum, Zeller appears to be a fairly safe pick -- his ratings run from 6 to 9 on our ballots. Zeller's stellar advanced metric numbers may be helping him here, along with a belief that he'll make the transition from college center to NBA stretch 4. Zeller's draft night range is 4 to 12.

[mrknowitall215]

After a terrific freshman year, Zeller took a step backward lat season, so he benefits from research showing that performance early in college is more important. Zeller's rebounding is a bit worrisome, but he figures to be an efficient scorer right away.

Kevin Pelton - ESPN Insider