2015 Draft Comparisons..Feedback wanted

[Koorverfor3]

Hey guys, working on a Sports blog to add to my college portfolio.
Doing some player comparisons and predictions for my top 50 draft prospects.
Let me know what you think, what I missed on or could improve upon, I value your guys knowledge.

My rankings may appear harsh..but looking in hindsight in a terrific draft class like 2003 your still lucky if you get 20-25 players tops who stick in the league longer than 8-10 seasons. Not every 6'8 guy who can dribble is the next Odom, not every slow college hero PG is going to be Derek Fisher. So a lot of these guys I'm bringing down to earth as no draft is going to have 10-12 All Stars like most sites compare players to.

Some players I included that I'm still on the fence whether they declare or not..
Kelly Oubre, PJ Brown, Trey Lyles, Cliff Alexander


All Star, Top 5 at Position

C. Karl Towns (Al Horford Offense/Andrew Bogut Defense)
Solid 2 way player who lacks go to post moves to be a consistent #1 option for now. Projects as an elite level rim protector and has the mobility to play in space. Can do a little bit of everything on offense, from passing to pick and and pop. Shows flashes but no real consistent moves other than hook shot and overpowering some defenders. He has the body to really add on mass to his frame which will help him battle down low. Like Horford he is very coachable willing to do the little things to help the team win, and is solid but unspectacular. Horford was the most talented pro prospect on the Gators 2 Championships teams, but his contributions on the defensive side often went unnoticed, the same can be said for Towns. Which is interesting considering Towns played with Horford as an 18 yr old in the Olympics for the Dominican Republic National team. This is a player that is on pace to break Anthony Davis single season shot blocking record..so if you can imagine Al Horford as a top level rim protector this is the type of player were looking at. Scary.

PG. Emmanuel Mudiay (Goran Dragic)
He lacks the Elite athleticism of John Wall, Westbrook or Derek Rose, isn't an elite level shooter like Kyrie, Lillard or Curry and doesn't have the IQ and court presence of a Mike Conley or Chris Paul. However he is a very good athlete, with great playmaking ability and has tools to be a lockdown defender in regards to his size and lateral quickness. He isn't Rondo or Payton in that he is completely unable to make a shot outside of 12 feet, but like a young Dragic he is very shaky shooter. Terrific playmaker, but sometimes his decision making leaves a lot to be desired. These are all problems Dragic faced coming from overseas, he played an exciting intense brand but he needed to tone it down a bit and learn to play within himself. He has the defensive potential of Jrue Holiday, with a massive wingspan and frame he can easily guard 2 positions at the next level. Jrue is a coachable kid and a willing playmaker, but he never really had that true point guard feel dating back from HS..this hasn't changed in the NBA. His assists numbers look nice, but he run's stagnant offenses and ball stops more than a point guard should. Mudiay projects as a much better floor general in that regard.
You may question picking a combo guard 2nd, but you can make a reasonable argument that Dragic is just as impactful as Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry and John Wall. Put him in an offense tailored to his strengths like Dragic and he will not disappoint.

SG. D’Angelo Russell (Manu Ginobili)
Elite shooter off the dribble with a killer instinct. Lacks standout athleticism and quickness but is crafty enough to get buckets in a variety of ways finishing and penetrating. Boasts a 6'9 wingspan and quick enough to guard both guard positions. Has struggled against good defenses..Louisville, UNC, Iowa, Indiana and might be a bit to streaky to be considered a #1 at the next level. If his shot isn't falling he doesn't have the quickness of a Kyrie or Steph Curry to penetrate at will and lacks the elite frame of a Brandon Roy to post up. Like Ginobili he is more than capable of running and offense for stretches and can be a killer 2nd option on a contending team. He is a terrific passer and could be groomed as a point guard as well.

C. Jahlil Okafor (Al Jefferson)
Big, Strong with refined post moves and elite footwork. Lacks Athleticism but is has a terrific IQ and possess elite passing of the post..Something that brutes such as Al Jefferson and Nikola Pevkovic lack. He is flat out dominant on the offensive end and has the size to bully anybody at the college level. Should be able to get 15ppg with his eyes closed in the league. This is a guy who will play 10-15 years and make a good amount of All Star appearances. However he is far from a perfect prospect...he is a terrible shot blocker considering his size and length. Kevin Love averaged the same amount of blocks per game per 40 mins at UCLA and were talking about a guy who is one of the worst rim protectors in the league. Okafor struggles passing the eye test as well, lacking the defensive instincts and athleticism he is a liability when playing against teams that excel in the pick and roll.
He will most likely be picked #1 but If I'm starting a team from scratch I would pick 3 guys ahead of him easily. No NBA team has ever won a Championship without an elite or at the worst, good defensive anchor. Give me Towns who provides good scoring, good passing, elite rebounding and elite defense over a Center who gives you elite scoring, good passing, good rebounding and poor defense. There is a reason guys like Al Jefferson and David Lee put up all star numbers that haven't translated to playoff success. There is a reason Zach Randolph hasn't won anything as a first option. A common comparison for Okafor is Demarcus Cousins. Cousins showed he was a dominant shot blocker in college, although he struggled with foul trouble. Cousins real value on defense is his mobility, with the most nimble feet of any player his size. When he's engaged as he was with Mike Malone he was an excellent defender and anchor.

SF. Stanley Johnson (Ron Artest)
Aggressive defender with a massive 6'11 wingspan and enough quickness to guard 3 positions. No real elite skill on offense, but will get a ton of garbage points on fast breaks, cuts and shows the ability to hit the 3pter consistently. He can get to the basket by overpowering smaller wings, and shows some decent ball handling on the perimeter. He has good but not elite lateral quickness but his intensity and size are going to be a serious factor on defense. Very safe prospect and at the worst will be a solid starter for a long time.


Good Starter..Top 15 at Position

F. Kristapas Porzingis (Serge Ibaka)
Like Barganani he plays like a guard in a Centers body. Not strong enough to establish position down low and lacking post moves he will be reliant on the perimeter game a bit too much for a big. But unlike Barganani he projects as a quality defender. Like Barganani he will struggle rebounding the ball. Very frustrating prospect but if utilized as a solid role player and not force fed to be a star you shouldn't be disappointed. Like Rik Smits Porzingis is very long and active on defense and one of the best shot blockers overseas has to offer. His mobility is a huge asset when covering Pick and rolls. He can get handled down low by bigger stronger post players and lacks complete awareness in man defense.

G. Mario Hezonja (Nick Anderson)
Very confident scorer who can get buckets from anywhere. Has unlimited range on jumpshot and is a fiery competitor that keeps defenses on their toes. He has great but not elite athleticism, but is springy enough to contribute on fast break and making hard cuts to the basket. He has shown he an handle the ball for stretches. On defense he has the size wingspan and agility to stay in front of any wing, just needs to lock in full time mentality. Should be at the minimum an above average defender. While he can run an offense he lacks elite level ball handling and is more of a straight line driver relying on his first step to get by people. Like "Nick the Brick" this is a guard who when hot can completely destroy a defense. Isn't a lights out shooter consistency wise like a Michael Redd or Klay Thompson, but he is a surefire threat beyond the arc.

SF. Justice Winslow (Gerald Wallace)
Aggressive defender and elite level athlete. Will be able to score off sheer athleticism and hustling for garbage points. Lacks any real elite skill on offense to be a #1 or #2 option. He has shown that he can handle the ball for stretches and initiate the offense, but he is far from the ball handling passing wizard that a point forward like Iguodala and Pippen were. Just like every pint size guard with a jumpshot isn't Steph Curry every 6'6+ player who can dribble and pass a basketball isn't Scottie Pippen and Lamar Odom. Regardless he will be a very good glue guy in the league with the potential to guard PG's, SG's and SF's.

G. Terry Rozier (Eric Bledsoe)
Aggressive scorer with a Kemba Walker mentality. Can hit the outside shot and penetrate and finish at will. Fiery competitor who sometimes forces bad shots on offense due to sheer aggressive nature. Some questions reside whether he can be a full time point guard. Defensive terror with elite lateral quickness. He is wiry with a 6'6 wingspan but also weighs in at an impressive 190 showing he has the size and frame to guard 2 positions consistently. Terrific rebounder for his size as well. Some teams may try and mold him into a full time point guard but his energy and focus should be as a combo defensive nightmare to really bring out his full potential.


Solid Rotational Player... 5th Best Starter/Terrific 6th Man (30-25 mpg)

C. Frank Kaminsky (Brad Miller)
Very skilled big who can shoot and has some moves down low. He can hit 3's, take you off the dribble or finish with either hand on the block. Very gifted passer as well. Can get some blocks but will be somewhat of a liability on defense. Lacks strength to consistently establish position down low..I mean really needs to add strength. He lacks any athleticism or quickness to his profile, and his game suffers in a wide open format, that most NBA teams incorporate so he will definitely need to be in the right system to be able to succeed. Should be a decent starter or terrific first big off the bench.

PF. Bobby Portis (PJ Brown)
Promising inside outside game in the mold of a Greg Monroe. He's not a stellar athlete but with a full head of steam he can make some acrobatic plays. Has the foot speed to get out and run as well. Had a very quiet but productive freshman season so its not as if he is coming out of nowhere this season. Doesn't have an elite post game but its serviceable. He possess a very good mid range game with long wingspan and very active on defense. He isn't a terrific shot blocker or intimidator but more of a smart man defender. Should be a good starter with great role player potential to play 10+ years in the league. Lacks elite explosiveness and athleticism to be relied on as a consistent option.

F. Kevon Looney (Thad Young)
Quick enough to take 4's off the dribble and make a few plays, strong enough to rebound and battle down low for stretches. Projects as a quality defender and shot blocker and Is very active and aggressive on the boards. His great potential and intensity on defense puts to ease some of the main issues when scouting players stuck between positions. He is asked to play in the post a lot at UCLA where he seems a bit uncomfortable. He has a capable jumpshot and some perimeter skills to potentially develop a very fine face up game down the line.

SF. Kelly Oubre (Trevor Ariza)
Tantalizing 2 way talent, who had some questions about motor out of High school, but showed he is willing to get down in a stance and and earn his minutes this season for Bill Self at Kansas. On offense he shows the potential to be a knockdown set shooter, and has an aggressive confident mindset that will help. He is a pretty smart player who will make the right play, but lacks elite ball handling and ability to really go out and generate his own offense. He is a great athlete, but lacks that Elite level athleticism of a Rudy Gay and the ball handling of a Harden to be a consistent #1 or #2 option..On Defense he shows great anticipation when going for the ball, has great quickness and length to cover guards for forwards. If he keeps up his defensive intensity he has shown his first year, he will play along time as a 3 and D wing.

SF. Rondae Jefferson (Michael Kidd Gilchrist)
Elite level defensive prospect, has quickness and length to guard PG's to SF's. He has an outstanding 7'0 wingspan that can bother nearly any perimeter player and has the intensity and lateral quickness to really give people fits. Must fully embrace his role, as he tries to do a bit to much on offense. Speaking of offense, it is ugly. Completely broken jumpshot..defenses can play completely off him and which negates his best asset which is his athleticism to drive by a guy. Will probably be regulated to cuts and fast breaks for points. Very jerky handles which lead to a lot of turnovers, especially when he tries to do to much. Shows promise as a passer but tries to get a bit to fancy with it. Stick to your calling card Rondae.

SG. Devin Booker (JJ Redick)
One of the best shooters in the country period. Can hit the outside shot from anywhere. Very advance understanding of the game for his age. This is important as it is easy to be a great shooter, another thing to get your shot off. Unlike snipers in the past like Jeremy Lamb and Ben Mclemore who had a deer in the headlights court sense, Booker has that Reggie Miller/Reddick mentality in that he knows how, when and where to get open and free looks. Terrific IQ knows a good shot from a bad shot, and will make the right basketball play. Unlike a Klay Thompson he really lacks versatility to put ball on the floor and score in a variety of different ways. He has a very pedestrian 6'6 wingspan for his size and below average leaping ability and quickness. This will lead to some struggle on the defensive end, but he has a coachable mentality and high enough IQ to develop into a decent team defender.

F. Trey Lyles (Markief Morris)
Extremely skilled forward with a refined inside/outside game. Very good footwork and shows consistent hook shots and touch around the rim. Terrific face up player with ability to take slower bigs off the dribble. He has a 7 foot wingspan so finishing over bigger players shouldn't be an issue. His wingspan will help him as he shouldn't be a complete liability on defense, with the ability to block some shots, although will struggle covering quicker forwards. He seems stuck between whether he wants to bulk up like a Brandon Bass to absorb punishment to or slim down and keep quickness. Some Carlos Boozer comparisons need to be put to rest..Boozer is a nasty, physical beast inside, while Lyles relies more on finesse to get his buckets.


Bench Mob/Journey Man (25-15 mpg)

C. Myles Turner (Channing Frye/Dalembert)
Elite level shooter for a big man. Like Channing Frye severely lacks strength to establish any sort of positioning down low, but he can be a serious asset in the pick and pop game or as a stretch big. Very coachable kid, with a good feel for the game as well, and can be utilized as a passer. Against elite level competition, mainly Kentucky his presence was completely negated as he was pushed off the block easily, out muscled when contesting for rebounds and generally was a non-factor. Unlike Frye, he projects as a much better rebounder and shot blocker. That isn't to say he is going to be a stout defender. Like Dalembert he will offer solid rim protection and shot blocking but will really struggle in space with his awkward movement and lumbering feet. Unlike Chris Bosh who he has been compared to he just flat out lacks the foot speed, athleticism and mobility to be an asset defending space. While he may never be a star, a shot blocking 3pt shooting big is always nice to have on any team.

C. Willie Cauley Stein (JaVale McGee)
Athletic rim protector and extremely mobile in space. He is an elite level shot blocker and very active player with his hands generating steals routinely disrupting the oppositions offensive flow. He is a terrific athlete with the ability to run the floor and finish in traffic. In the half court he is limited in his contribution, as only a real threat with lobs and pick and role game. Like Dalembert or McGee, the main thing with him is focus and consistency. It isn't a great sign that as an upperclassman he still suffers from mental lapses from time to time. It's not so much a knock on him, as it is he is just so inexperienced with the game. Will not be ready on Day 1 but projects as a solid starting Center someday.

PG. Jerian Grant (Antonio Daniels)
Smart, 4 year guard. This isn't a guy who is going to blow by you with athleticism and quickness and drop 40, although he is an above average athlete for the position. He has a good 3pt stroke but isn't a sharpshooter. What he does bring is experience and playmaking. Pretty smart and takes care of the ball well for a high usage player. On defense he has good size, length and decent enough quickness to become a factor. With no elite standout skill he projects as very good backup who can possibly defend 1-2 positions. If you have a scoring guard who is capable of playing off the ball like Westbrook, Lillard, Curry, or Kyrie this is your guy. Can be the Eric Snow to the Allen Iverson.

PG. Tyus Jones (Jordan Farmar)
Terrific playmaker and basketball IQ in the mold of Tony Parker and Mike Conley. Great vision and court sense to make the "Hockey Assist." Unlike Conley and Tony Parker who are the quickest guards in the game, he has very average quickness which will really limit his ability to penetrate and use that passing ability. Slower guards are typically the guys who are 6'4+ such as Michael Carter Williams or Vasquez that can use their height to compensate for lack of foot speed to see over the defense and make plays. He also has below average athleticism leading to some questions whether he can finish in traffic or not. He is decent shooter and shows the ability to knock down the 3 with consistency. On defense he lacks the size but has a large 6'5 wingspan, and is willing to compete.

SF. Justin Anderson (KJ Mcdaniels)
Chiseled athletic specimen with an NFL Look. Took awhile for this McDonalds All American to find his grove, but found an identity as a defensive stopper and shows promise as spot up shooter drilling 50% of his 3pt attempts this season. Has a ridiculous 6'11 wingspan and terrific frame to stay infront and pester any wing in the NBA. Lacks ball handling and fluidity in offensive movements. When he was younger he took a more passive, team first approach and left people wanting for more, as a Senior sometimes he forces the issue on offense when he isn't fully equipped to do so.

SG. RJ Hunter (Marco Bellinelli)
Terrific shooter, although can run a bit streaky at times to be put in the class of a JJ Redick or Kyle Koorver. Very confident and not afraid to take any shot. Deceptive athlete, but not great. Has great length and shouldn't be a complete liability on the defensive end, but he will really struggle staying in front of quicker guards and wings. He struggles against elite competition and physical defenders. He has really benefited from the presence of former Kentucky transfer Ryan Harrow who has given him open looks an taken attention away from opposing defenses.

PG. Juwan Staten (Norris Cole)
Undersized 6'1 190lbs PG but has solid strength and a 6'3 wingspan that will allow him to survive. Bob Huggins endorsed him as the "Best PG in the Country." While this may or may not be true, he is a very well rounded player. Can defend, shoot and rebound. Really knows how to fill out the stat sheet. Has ability to score in traffic and boasts elite level quickness that will be a real asset to his ability to penetrate and defend at the next level. Is a streaky shooter and more of a combo guard at this point. Was named to the Big 12 All defensive team, and he will need to rely on his defense to stick around in the league.


Bench Warmer/Reserves..Phased out of league in 5 years

F. Sam Dekker (Damion James)
Versatile swiss army knife combo forward. Good at a lot, master of none. Lacks consistency with outside shot and possess good but not great athleticism. Really lacks the ability to handle the ball like a Gordon Hayward so there are some doubts whether he can be a full time player on the perimeter. He is a terrific finisher around the rim and can make the acrobatic dunk to take you off guard. Also boasts a solid post game which he uses to post up shorter wings. He shows potential as a spot up shooter but really struggles with his pull up game and would be better served as a combo forward mismatch off the bench. Unlike a guy like Jeff Green who has a 7+ wingspan Dekker has very average measurements which will make it hard to find a consistent living in the league offensively.

PF. Montrezl Harrell (Thomas Robinson)
One word to describe him..."High Motor." Really intense player who never takes a play off, on offense or defense. Loves to get in the face and intimidate opponents. All this is great but he is cut from the same mold as former college stars like Thomas Robinson or Tyler Hansborough who relied on bully ball unrefined post moves to overpower smaller less talented players. Because of this he is going to be really limited to what he can bring to the offensive side. Like Robinson he is extremely athletic and quick but lacks any real refinement on the low block. He shows some potential with a mid range game. He has a great Wingspan and active on defense but it doesn't necessarily translate 100% as he struggles as a post defender and needs to improve his technique as a rebounder.

SF. Terran Petteway (Alonzo Gee)
Jack of all trades type of player who plays with a great motor and aggressiveness. Very aggressive scoring mindset, although he doesn't really have that elite skill set. Good athlete, and great body control to finish in traffic, which will help him at the next level as his main go to move is attacking the basket relentlessly. Shows good enough ball handling to be more than a catch and shoot player as well. Will defend, rebound, hit the outside shot or slash. Long 6'10 wingspan and decent lateral quickness but not always dialed in 100% on defense.

Norman Powell (Dominique Jones)
6'4 guard with very strong and impressive frame. Possess good leaping ability and has the ability to penetrate and finish..sort of reminds me of if Dion Waiters stayed in college. Improving range and can hit the 3 pointer if given room. Has great defensive mentality and work ethic..has a massive 6'11 wingspan. This is a 4 yr player who has made sacrifices for his team, knows his limits but at the same time plays an aggressive brand of basketball..Unlike Dion Waiters he lacks that killer mentality on the offensive side.

PF. Cliff Alexander (Sheldon Williams)
Tough hard nose player, who lacks offensive polish but makes up for it with aggressive mindset. Shows some flashes down low and the ability to hit the mid range game, so isn't completely useless on offense as say a Ben Wallace or Bismak Biyombo. Not overly explosive but more than capable of finishing and dunking on anyone in traffic, and has pretty quick feet for a big man. His massive 7'4 wingspan will aid him on defense as he projects as a great shot blocker and rebounder. Should probably stay in school for another year or two. Like Sheldon Williams he is an undersized Center with a raw back to the basket game and not completely skilled enough to be a complimentary scoring 4.

PG. Delon Wright (Elliot Williams)
Big tall guard who can get to the rim very easily. Good scorer at the college level but his lack of jumpshot will really hold him back at the next level. Isn't an elite athlete or severely quick by NBA Standards. Is patient and shows good vision in pick and roll game and decent playmaking skills in general. Painfully skinny needs to add weight to fight through screens. Has a decent wingspan and uses it to his advantage on defense. If your a bigger point guard with a broken jumpshot and below average athletic tools you need to have extraordinary court vision or basketball IQ to stick around..think Andre Miller, Michael Carter Williams, Grevis Vasquez. While Wright is a willing and decent playmaker, he is far from a complete floor general at this stage of his development.

C. Dakari Johnson (Cole Aldrich)
Big bodied Center who is a terror on the offensive boards. He shows progressing post moves but lacks general refinement and footwork on the low block. He is improving as an athlete losing some weight to help with quickness, but still is a bit slow footed. He has great positioning and is relentless on the boards, despite an average 7' wingspan for his height. He lacks explosiveness and quickness to make a real impact other than garbage points and hustling. On defense he is a good shot blocker but really struggles in space and can be easily exploited defending pick and roll. Like Aldrich he is a big body down low who can get points efficiently in college, with no real elite skill to draw upon. That could be overlooked if these were guys who projected as solid defenders, but that isn't the case either.

PG. Yogi Ferrell (Shane Larkin)
Smart 4 yr player. Good playmaker and great shooter with terrific quickness. Aggressive and competes on Defense..what's not to love? Well If your an under 6'0 PG to survive in this league you need to be built like a tank (Derek Fisher, Ty Lawson, Kyle Lowry, Nate Robinson, Jameer, Trey Burke) If you lack that 190lbs+ frame you better have a great wingspan of at least 6'3 to be able to hold your own on defense and offense..think Mike Conley, Darren Collison, Allen Iverson, ect.
PG's under 6'0 with 5'11 wingspan and tiny frames just dont make it regardless of intangibles. That's why every year the "Next Derek Fisher" usually winds up being a flop. (Looking at you Shane Larkin, Aaron Craft..)

C. Chris Obekpa (Joey Dorsey)
Very interesting prospect. Elite level rim protector who reminds some of Ben Wallace on defense. Very capable of defending in space, as he is a terrific athlete and very mobile, showing the ability to cover the pick and roll. For whatever reason he really struggles with rebounding and establishing solid positioning. He is prone to chasing some blocks forgetting to box out opposing players. This overall lack of awareness really limits his defensive potential, as he may be all blocks and no substance. He has elite athleticism, but is very limited in what he brings to the offensive side. Soft hands for lobs and pick and roll finishes..thats about it. There are some concerns with maturity after being suspended for violating team rules.

PF. Christian Wood (Cedric Simmons)
Long athletic with decent touch. Desperately needs to add weight to his frame. Very impressive mobility and great athlete with the ability to run the floor and finish above the rim. He loves to float to the perimeter and while capable of knocking down 3's really lacks consistency. On defense his frame will limit him but he is a very good shot. Overall he lacks the strong frame, aggressiveness and general fire for the game that is all to familiar to soft bigs like John Henson or Brendan Wright.

SF. LeBryan Nash (Shawne Williams)
4 yr player who can do a little bit of everything. Came in with prima dona attitude looking like a surefire one and done. Lacks lateral quickness to really lock down perimeter but is long enough to shuttle between the 3/4. Not a threat from the outside and boosts good but not great athleticism. Like Williams he is very versatile, who could find a role as a defensive wing. But like Shawne Williams he also lacks the fundamentals and full time intensity needed to contribute consistently at the defensive end.

C. Kennedy Meeks (Dexter Pittman)
Huge body nearing 300lbs down low...has done a good job loosing and keeping weight off this season. Has good hands and decent but not amazing skills. Very gifted passer with strong IQ. He is going to be a standstill on defense, offering little to no shot blocking and no lateral mobility to cover in space.

SG. Tyrone Wallace (Mardy Collins)
Hard working 2 guard who can do a bit of everything. Terrific rebounder and solid defender due to length. On offense he lacks elite ball handling but is more than capable of initiating an offense. He still has a glaring weakness with his pull up jumper and although he has improved, lacks consistency. He is a good athlete but not terrific or overly quick. So basically this is a 2 guard that can rebound but do nothing really at an elite level. Makes for a solid college player, but mediocre pro.


Camp Bodies..Overseas in 2 years

G. Chassan Randle (Quincy Douby)
Elite level shooter with aggressive scorers mentality. Very good 3pt shooter who hits at a high rate. Good but not great athlete, like Brooks has good handles and great quickness to get his shots off. Really struggles finishing at the college level and that will be sure to continue at the next level. As a point he leaves a lot to be desired averaging 2 assists per 40 mins. Basically a shooting guard in a point guards body. On defense he isn't ever really fully engaged. Like Douby he has immense offensive talent and killer mentality but really lacks a feel for the game as a guard and desire to compete on both ends

SF. Anthony Brown (Bobby Jones)
Solid but unspectacular wing. Very one dimensional on offense. Average athleticism and has just shown the ability to be a reliable catch and shoot player. Puts forth good effort on defense but lacks standout lateral quickness. A bit passive on both ends of the floor, which isn't a good look for a player coming off hip surgery with no real elite skills.

C. Kaleb Tarczewski (Greg Stemma)
Legit 7 footer, but lacks elite Athleticism or quickness. No real refined post moves either. Smart player, who has developed into a very good post Defender. Incredibly average 6'11 wingspan. Terrible rebounder for his size, lacks toughness and intensity to stick around.

PG. Shannon Scott (Lorenzo Brown)
Great Playmaker who really knows how to get teammates involved. Lacks shooting touch and mechanics on jump shot and struggles to finish at the college level. Will really really struggle to get any form of pts at the pro level. Is a tenacious defender both on and off the ball. However he doesn't bring a Kendall Marshall/Andre Miller type of presence to the floor to compensate for his total lack of offense.

SF. Alex Poythress (DeSean Butler)
Emotional leader for Kentucky who is recovering from ACL Tear. High motor defensive player who can guard 2-3 positions. May lack lateral quickness to stay in front of 3's full time. Good athlete, but may be a bit slower after surgery. No real go to move on offense. Not great shooter and struggles on perimeter. Like Butler he was a very good college player with no real defined position or refined skills to play on the perimeter. With athleticism being their best trait, an ACL Surgery doesn't bold well for their NBA Future.

PG. Keifer Sykes (Peyton Siva)
Elite level athlete in the mold of Nate Robinson but with much better handles. A telling sign is that he played his best against the great competition taking Wisconsin to the wire and showing he was the best player on the floor. He is asked to be the primary scorer on a low level Wisconsin-Greenbay squad, much like Damian Lillard who's playmaking ability may have been overshadowed by having to carry the offensive burden for a mid major. On defense he is very aggressive and competes every possession. He lacks a long wingspan, but has terrific lateral quickness and mentality. So why's he down here...Well if you lack height as a point guard you better either be built like a Mack truck or have a long wingspan..Sykes has neither. Nate Robinson had a potent 3pt shot and relied on it heavily in his scoring arsenal. Sykes is a streaky shooter at best.

C. Alan Williams (Jared Sullinger's fatter brother)
Undersized height wise, but a bruiser and terrific rebounder. Lacks the mid range game or defensive ability to really get on the floor.
If your an undersized big man with unrefined post moves you need to be extremely explosive like a Paul Millsap or Jason Maxiell or be a standout defender to survive. Williams is a nice small school story but his chapter will continue in another league...

PG. Ryan Boatright (Brian Roberts)
Scoring guard with aggressive mentality. Quick and competes on defense. Unlike a guy like Aaron Brooks has a below average wingspan leading to some questions whether he can get off shots at a consistent level. Unimpressive frame and 6'0 wingspan..see above. Can heat up and get hot from time to time, could possibly make a team as a 3rd emergency PG.

SF. Aaron White (Robbie Hummel)
Good but not knockdown shooter. Below average quickness and athlete will struggle covering anyone on defensive end. Smart player who can find a home at the end of the bench for a few seasons like a Hummel but will soon be phased out of the league by quicker, faster and more talented players. Will be a hard worker for teams, but his best role might be playing overseas.

PF. Perry Ellis (Wayne Simeon)
Solid inside out game in the mold of Trey Lyles. Unlike Lyles or a Brandon Bass he boosts an incredibly average 6'8 Wingspan. Lacks Quickness and athleticism to blow by man. Lack of foot speed and length will lead to struggles on defensive end as well.

F. Johnathan Holmes (DeShaun Thomas)
Jump shooting big man who is a bit undersized at 6'8 and lacks a desirable wingspan. He tries hard on defense but isn't going to be much of a factor, if he isn't already a liability. He flashes some post play but lacks any real go to moves other than a standard hook shot here and there. Isn't a terrific athlete, lacks standout strength and isn't an unconscious Kevin Love like shooter to stick around.

PF. Rakeem Christmas (Jarvis Vernando)
Athletic, long shot blocking big who thrives in an established role within the Syracuse zone. Real limited on the offensive side of the ball to crashing the glass and cutbacks. Lacks strength and base to be an elite level defender and is still extremely raw on the offensive side despite spending 4 years at College. He only brings real value as an active shot blocker, but still faces questions whether he can be a full time rim protector.

C. Moussa Diagne (Solomon Alabi)
Very aggressive defensive player and tough rebounder. Main thing going for him are his physical attributes with his size and wingspan. Lacks polish on both the offensive and defensive end. Like Alabi and Sene he has an extremely thin build that fouls at a high rate to stay on the floor.

PF. Brandon Ashley (Dejuan Summers)
Tantalizing prospect that teases with talent rather than showing consistent production. Great Athlete but below average shooter. Not a threat to put the ball on the floor. With Aaron Gordon, Stanley Johnson, Rondae Jefferson playing alongside him, hasn't been really tested to consistently matchup against top level talent on defense. Like Summers really lacks that Killer instinct to realize his full potential.

PG. Ryan Harrow (Sebastion Telfair)
Very entertaining guard with And 1 level handles. Very good playmaker, although a bit ball dominant to be put in the class of a Jason Kidd prototype. He's severely undersized and will struggle at the next level much like Telfair..they both have good, but not elite jitterbug quickness to get anywhere on the floor, and are streaky shooters.


Some players I have a hard time believing will come out

1 year or two away
Kris Dunn PG. Providence
Isaiah Whitehead SG. Seton Hall
Chris McCullough PF. Syracuse
Domanatos Sabonis PF. Gonzaga
Jakob Pelti C. Utah
Justin Jackson SF. UNC

Need to improve consistency and draft stock
Andrew Harrison PG. Kentucky
Aaron Harrison SG. Kentucky
Chris Walker PF. Florida
Wayne Selden SG. Kansas
Bryce Johnson PF. UNC

Team Leader, will likely stay for Jr/Sr Season
Isaiah Taylor PG. Texas
Marcus Paige PG. UNC
Buddy Heild SG. Oklahoma
Nigel Goss PG. Washington
JP Tokoto SF. North Carolina

[TyCobb]

lifeofa76ersfan#

[TylersLakers]

Good stuff. A lot better than most of the stuff out on the major draft websites. I agree about Chris Walker needing consistency and draft stock. He also needs a coach that's going to play him and develop him. For some reason, Billy D is steadfast in his beliefs to run his traditional system that does not fit with this current group of Gators.

I think if Walker does stay in the draft, he'll be a late 1st round pick or early 2nd round pick, and in a couple years turn into one of the more productive/explosive players in this draft.

[TylersLakers]

BTW, completely agree with your opinion about Towns and Okafor. I also think Okafor is more of a PF. A lot of sites have been listing him as a C, but he's almost an exact body type of Al Jefferson which you mentioned. Towns give you a guy with a good base, great size, strength and the guy has a pretty good jump shot out to the college three point line. And while he may not have the length that Andrew Bynum did, his base and the way he plays reminds me of Bynum in a way.

[LApwnd]

any Parsons type gem in the 2nd rd possibilities?

[what would jack bauer do?]

edit: wrong thread

[Koorverfor3]

any Parsons type gem in the 2nd rd possibilities?

Actually yes...Jacob Layman out of Maryland. Not sure if he comes out yet though. I actually think I'm going to include him now

His per 40 stats are virtually identical to Parsons. Kind of defers a bit to Dez Wells, just like Parsons who never really took hold of being the "Go to Guy" at UF.
He's 6'9 205 and a dead eye shooter...doesnt look to be a complete liability on defense and is a terrific rebounder

[LApwnd]

any Parsons type gem in the 2nd rd possibilities?

Actually yes...Jacob Layman out of Maryland. Not sure if he comes out yet though. I actually think I'm going to include him now

His per 40 stats are virtually identical to Parsons. Kind of defers a bit to Dez Wells, just like Parsons who never really took hold of being the "Go to Guy" at UF.
He's 6'9 205 and a dead eye shooter...doesnt look to be a complete liability on defense and is a terrific rebounder

nice...if those assesement are up to par, one would think Towns is a better prospect than Okafor, Al Jefferson has put up big #'s on every team he's been on but most team he's been one have been losers. Bogut like D with Horford type O is pretty high ceiling, I would be pretty stoked if LA did end up with Towns and he lived up to these comparisons just as long as he doesn't have Bogut/Bynum like healthy

[Koorverfor3]

any Parsons type gem in the 2nd rd possibilities?

Actually yes...Jacob Layman out of Maryland. Not sure if he comes out yet though. I actually think I'm going to include him now

His per 40 stats are virtually identical to Parsons. Kind of defers a bit to Dez Wells, just like Parsons who never really took hold of being the "Go to Guy" at UF.
He's 6'9 205 and a dead eye shooter...doesnt look to be a complete liability on defense and is a terrific rebounder

nice...if those assesement are up to par, one would think Towns is a better prospect than Okafor, Al Jefferson has put up big #'s on every team he's been on but most team he's been one have been losers. Bogut like D with Horford type O is pretty high ceiling, I would be pretty stoked if LA did end up with Towns and he lived up to these comparisons just as long as he doesn't have Bogut/Bynum like healthy

It's funny you said that, I was just editing my top 4..take a look.
Moved Mudiay up and Okafor Down. That is my final verdict hahaha

[Mirjalovic]

Is D'Angelo Russel really better than Mudiay ?

[Hector_Reyes_8]

I have to watch Towns more.

[TylersLakers]

Not sure if anyone watched Towns tonight vs Florida.. but he was dominant.

19 points, 8 rebounds (4 offensive), 3 assists, 2 blocks, 6-10 FG, 7-7 FT line

And his performance was better than those numbers. Watching him, he just seems so in control, so patient, and has a great feel for the game. Unbelievable from a guy so young. Has great hands and sets really good screens, he free'd up Harrison quite a bit on great down screens. Most of Florida's front court (Jon Horford, Chris Walker) was in foul trouble the first half and even when in there, he roasted the younger Horford quite a bit.

Consider me officially on the Towns bandwagon after today. And wow, his free throw stroke. Don't even get me excited on that.

#TankforTowns

[Doormatt]

i dont know why you value this boards knowledge, most people on here are pretty dumb.

[TyCobb]

^45-89 in a fantasy basketball league so far

[ROballer]

Haven't been a regular poster around here for a while now ,but there's only 2 guys I'd want and nothing else ...I can't decide between the two right now ,maybe the Tourney/Measurements/Workouts will sway my preference towards one of them,but most likely one of them will be gone if we pick 3-4 in the draft,and it will be a no brainer for me like it was with Randle last year


Those 2 guys are Karl Towns and D'Angelo Russell....would not touch anybody else if these 2 guys are still on the clock when its time to pick...even if we score the no.1 pick

[laduane1]

Lakers have a soft schedule going forward. 2 or 3 wins, we loose the pick. If some team in the lottery jumps up, we loose the pick. So will be hard to keep no matter what.