ESPN's Weekly Rookie Rankings

Laimbeer · Post #1 » by **Laimbeer** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:56 pm

1. MCW
2. Plumlee
3. Trey
4. THJ
5. Faverani
6. Steve Adams
7. Oladipo
8. Nate Wolters
9. KCP
10. Antetokounmpo

Notanoob · Post #2 » by **Notanoob** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:07 am

I'm surprised to see so much space between THJ and KCP. I thought they were playing about as well as each other. Maybe it's because Hardaway is exceeding expectations so much? Who am I kidding, it has to do with exposure- Hardaway's looking competent on perhaps the biggest disaster in the league while JR Smith is playing awful and Shumpert is reading about trade rumors.

engelbert321 · Post #3 » by **engelbert321** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:54 am

Outside of MCW and Oladipo, this draft class is pretty depressing

Q00 · Post #4 » by **Q00** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:55 am

Trey's looking really good. He had 11 points and 9 assists with 0 turnovers in a win last night, on 4-8 shooting.

I wanted him bad at the time, but if we drafted him, we don't trade for Jennings and also don't have KCP.

So its essentially would you rather have Burke or Jennings/KCP?

Definitely more value in the latter right now, unless Burke ends up turning into a superstar.

Brapman · Post #5 » by **Brapman** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:03 am

Burke's upside isn't all that high. He's NOT Chris Paul strong or talented, but he tries to play like him.

I still think we're looking at a backup PG in this league and an occasional journeyman starter.

Laimbeer · Post #6 » by **Laimbeer** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:27 pm

Brapman wrote:Burke's upside isn't all that high. He's NOT Chris Paul strong or talented, but he tries to play like him.

I still think we're looking at a backup PG in this league and an occasional journeyman starter.

So the anti-Burke argument has been reduced to "he's not Chris Paul?"

BadMofoPimp · Post #7 » by **BadMofoPimp** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 3:46 pm

I, for one, am happy for Trey Burke. I like to see player exceed expectations. He has had some solid games and all of a sudden his team is winning. Even if he ends up better than KCP, that won't make me mad as that is petty. Especially, since he represents Michigan!

DetroitDon15 · Post #8 » by **DetroitDon15** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 8:35 pm

engelbert321 wrote:Outside of MCW and Oladipo, this draft class is pretty depressing

I agree. The fact that the top of this draft class hasn't done much doesn't surprise me. Bennett looks like a bust already. Next year's class will make this class look awful. Reminds me of the 2002 draft before the 2003 draft,

DetroitDon15 · Post #9 » by **DetroitDon15** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 8:36 pm

Laimbeer wrote:1. MCW
2. Plumlee
3. Trey
4. THJ
5. Faverani
6. Steve Adams
7. Oladipo
8. Nate Wolters
9. KCP
10. Antetokounmpo

The fact that Nate Wolters made this list shows how bad this draft class is.

bballnmike · Post #10 » by **bballnmike** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 8:58 pm

Notanoob wrote:I'm surprised to see so much space between THJ and KCP. I thought they were playing about as well as each other. Maybe it's because Hardaway is exceeding expectations so much? Who am I kidding, it has to do with exposure- Hardaway's looking competent on perhaps the biggest disaster in the league while JR Smith is playing awful and Shumpert is reading about trade rumors.

I mean Hardaway is shooting way better than KCP. That probably factors in too..
THJ: .465 FG%, .418 3PT%
KCP: .372 FG%, .290 3PT%

Clarity · Post #11 » by **Clarity** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:56 pm

Oladipo is a Wes Matthews type of dude, the type of dude who works so hard, the type of dude you always want on your team. Capable of insane nights but will probably always be the 2nd or 3rd best option on a good team.

MCW has shown great promise, his size is undeniable but his inability to hit a shot outside of 5 feet is a killer.

Still say CJ McCollum will probably be the best overall player from this class.

Everyone knew this would be a weak class, it was all about 2014.

dlo62282 · Post #12 » by **dlo62282** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:15 am

DetroitDon15 wrote:
Laimbeer wrote:1. MCW
2. Plumlee
3. Trey
4. THJ
5. Faverani
6. Steve Adams
7. Oladipo
8. Nate Wolters
9. KCP
10. Antetokounmpo

The fact that Nate Wolters made this list shows how bad this draft class is.

And he is above KCP. So what does that tell you?

sc8581 · Post #13 » by **sc8581** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:26 am

Clarity wrote:Oladipo is a Wes Matthews type of dude, the type of dude who works so hard, the type of dude you always want on your team. Capable of insane nights but will probably always be the 2nd or 3rd best option on a good team.

MCW has shown great promise, his size is undeniable but his inability to hit a shot outside of 5 feet is a killer.

Still say CJ McCollum will probably be the best overall player from this class.

Everyone knew this would be a weak class, it was all about 2014.

Any idea when McCollum is coming back?

Clarity · Post #14 » by **Clarity** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 4:50 pm

sc8581 wrote:
Any idea when McCollum is coming back?

He actually got cleared for 3 on 3 in the past week I read & they showed a little video of him playing 3 on 3 before the game on the broadcast yest, he definitely wasnt taking it easy haha.

sc8581 · Post #15 » by **sc8581** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:42 pm

Clarity wrote:
sc8581 wrote:
Any idea when McCollum is coming back?

He actually got cleared for 3 on 3 in the past week I read & they showed a little video of him playing 3 on 3 before the game on the broadcast yest, he definitely wasnt taking it easy haha.

He should definitely help the Blazers, not that they need it but Mo Williams has struggled so far.

Clarity · Post #16 » by **Clarity** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:00 pm

sc8581 wrote:
Clarity wrote:
sc8581 wrote:
Any idea when McCollum is coming back?

He actually got cleared for 3 on 3 in the past week I read & they showed a little video of him playing 3 on 3 before the game on the broadcast yest, he definitely wasnt taking it easy haha.

He should definitely help the Blazers, not that they need it but Mo Williams has struggled so far.

Definitely agree on McCollum..

Mo hasnt had a Mo type year but has been big at times when they have needed it, this is definitely a new role for him. Just his presence off the bench has done huge things for that Portland team, hes had a monster impact.

Brapman · Post #17 » by **Brapman** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:33 pm

Don't downgrade how outstanding KCP has been on D and in keeping turnovers ridiculously low, and in how hard this guy runs the court.

His shooting stroke and ability to score should develop and grow.

At the minimum, it sure looks like we've got a legit two way, 3&D shooting guard. But I think we've got more - a kid who eventually could be a borderline all-star in this league. This was a very wise draft pick.

The only guys in this draft I'd consider over him are also not sure bets. Oladipo is a guy without a position, IMO -a role player - more of a great backup than a starter perhaps. MCW could become, in time, an elite PG - but he's a lousy shooter, and, unlike KCP, it's not at all clear that he'll improve his shooting enough to be one of the best PG's. And Giannis probably has, by far, the highest upside in this entire draft - he's the one guy who really could become a superstar (Noel was NEVER, even pre-injury, that great a prospect. Nobody thought him to be in A.D.'s or Drummond's level as a prospect). The Greek kid is only 18, but dayam he looks like he could be the complete package.

In a redraft, honestly, if I were Joe D., I'd pick Giannis, Oladipo, KCP and MCW in that order - but would be happy with any of them. I would never pick Burke. I don't care that he's competant, he's too short and unathletic to ever guard anyone.

menten · Post #18 » by **menten** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 8:52 pm

how anyone can possible see all star potential in KCP is beyond me. so far he hasnt shown ANYTHING other that solid D for the most part. he projects to be a standard 3 and D player like bogans, stevenson and shumpert, but nothing more

MrBigShot · Post #19 » by **MrBigShot** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:29 pm

menten wrote:how anyone can possible see all star potential in KCP is beyond me. so far he hasnt shown ANYTHING other that solid D for the most part. he projects to be a standard 3 and D player like bogans, stevenson and shumpert, but nothing more

I don't know about that. When I think 3 & D guy, I think catch and shoot + solid defense. KCP shot 42% off the dribble in college. He's not just a spot up guy. He can come off screens and has shown a really good midrange pull up game numerous times this year. His shooting has also picked up. 42% from three in December so far.

Will he ever be an all star? I wouldn't bet on it, but he has the tools to be a very good two way player.

As for drafting KCP over MCW? Now -that- is crazy...and Oladipo as a career back up? The guy just had a triple double a few weeks ago...and two games ago he had 26/5/4 to go along with 4 steals and 3 blocks. I think it's safe to say that he wont be a career back up.

I do agree that Giannis has by far and away the most potential of anyone in this draft though.

Laimbeer · Post #20 » by **Laimbeer** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 2:53 am

Brapman wrote: I would never pick Burke. I don't care that he's competant, he's too short and unathletic to ever guard anyone.

Not sure what player you're watching if you think Burke is not athletic - he's a very good athlete. His size isn't ideal, but he does have a long wingspan as well as excellent anticipation and a knack for stripping the ball. With his attitude he should be a pretty decent defensive player.