Official 2015 NBA Draft Discussion Thread [ft. TyCobb]

[aaron_gray]

Lmao Mudiay will be back for the 2nd game against Marbury after Will Bynum played the previous game with a bum knee.

[ALL HAIL]

I just think its too early in the building process to start passing up what the team thinks is a better player for a player that will theoretically fit better. Randle has not even played any real minutes, he's still a huge question mark. Kilroy earlier posted about how the lakers better know if he can be a star, which no one ever questioned that, but whether it happens or not is yet to be determined.

At this point the roster is flexible, you amass who you think the best players are, see who proves themselves as true cornerstones and move anyone else if necessary to complement. Rosters don't need to be concrete so early on and your opinion of who they can and can't play next to doesn't have to be so absolute either.

Define what it means to "amass ... the best players"? Isn't that what Kahn thought he was doing? Even if Johnny Flynn and Barea and Ridnour were all balers, it still makes no sense to have a bunch of guys together who don't fit.

It's the same reason that Orlando trade Webber, who as th best player available, for Penny, who was clearly the better fit.

Unless the gap between the "fit" guy is significant from that of the "higher on the draft board" guy, you should go with fit because, at the end of the day, these players have to be developed.

I wouldn't try to get anything from Kahn's decision making. The man is a moron plain and simple. Choosing the best player available and the best fit would have been Steph Curry. The reason that I'm all for taking the player with the highest ceiling is that when you're a team starting from scratch you want to amass as much talent as you can. As you take takes form and you create a direction you can move the pieces that don't fit and bring in the pieces that don't. I wouldn't put too much faith in Randle starting, much less having some amazing rookie season. The guy is coming back from a broken leg and he's a rookie at that. We don't know where his conditioning will be or if the Scott wants to bring him along slowly.

You're not really giving this a lot of detailed thought.

That's exactly what Kahn was doing--drafting the best dude regardless of position.

Think about what you're saying and how extreme it really sounds.

So, hypothetically speaking, if Phoenix got the first pick in the draft and the clear best player coming out this year was "Kyrie Irving" and the second best player was "Al Horford", you'd draft Irving?

Thats exactly what Billy Knight did when he drafted Marvin Williams over Deron Williams and Chris Paul, even though he had a glaring hole at PG. Please note that Johnny Flynn and Marvin Williams were both highly, highly rated at their respective draft times (especially Marvin Williams).

Do you realize how difficult it is to trade high draft picks that have been sapped of value? People really do overthink things sometimes?

If there were a Webber and a Paul in this draft I'd draft Paul, not because Paul is better but because I believe in Randle and believe that Randle and Paul would be better than Webber and "whoever you trade Randle for".

With your plan, you know you MUST trade someone. What kind of environment are you fostering? Do you really belief that teenage players will grow fighting for a position from one another? Ideally they should be battling a veteran. That would be infinitely more healthy than what you're proposing.

I think you're line of thinking is quite popular, but, to me, it's also quite wrong (with only a few exceptions I can think of ... ie. Indiana drafting Paul George when they had a plethora of wings at the time).

[Pointgod]

Define what it means to "amass ... the best players"? Isn't that what Kahn thought he was doing? Even if Johnny Flynn and Barea and Ridnour were all balers, it still makes no sense to have a bunch of guys together who don't fit.

It's the same reason that Orlando trade Webber, who as th best player available, for Penny, who was clearly the better fit.

Unless the gap between the "fit" guy is significant from that of the "higher on the draft board" guy, you should go with fit because, at the end of the day, these players have to be developed.

I wouldn't try to get anything from Kahn's decision making. The man is a moron plain and simple. Choosing the best player available and the best fit would have been Steph Curry. The reason that I'm all for taking the player with the highest ceiling is that when you're a team starting from scratch you want to amass as much talent as you can. As you take takes form and you create a direction you can move the pieces that don't fit and bring in the pieces that don't. I wouldn't put too much faith in Randle starting, much less having some amazing rookie season. The guy is coming back from a broken leg and he's a rookie at that. We don't know where his conditioning will be or if the Scott wants to bring him along slowly.

You're not really giving this a lot of detailed thought.

That's exactly what Kahn was doing--drafting the best dude regardless of position.

Think about what you're saying and how extreme it really sounds.

So, hypothetically speaking, if Phoenix got the first pick in the draft and the clear best player coming out this year was "Kyrie Irving" and the second best player was "Al Horford", you'd draft Paul?

Thats exactly what Billy Knight did when he drafted Marcin Williams over Deron Williams and Chris Paul, even though he had a glaring hole at PG. Pleas note that Johnny Flynn and Marvin Williams were both highly, highly rated at their respective daft times (especially Marvin Williams).

Do you realize how difficult it is to trade high draft picks that have been sapped of value? People really do overthink things sometimes?

If there were a Webber and a Paul in this draft I'd draft Paul, not because Paul is better but because I believe in Randle and believe that Randle and Paul would be better than Webber and "whoever you trade Randle for".

With your plan, you know you MUST trade someone. What kind of environment are you fostering? Do you really belief that teenage players will grow fighting for a position from one another? Ideally they should be battling a veteran. That would be infinitely more healthy than what you're proposing.

I think you're line of thinking is quite popular, but, to me, it's also quite wrong (with only a few exceptions I can think of ... ie. Indiana drafting Paul George when they had a plethora of wings at the time).

Kahn didn't draft the best player available. There wasn't a huge gap between Steph Curry and Johnny Flynn. And considering the fact that Steph complimented Rubio better the move to pick Flynn was idiotic. Golden State already had a point guard and still drafted Curry, why? Best player available, I'd say it worked out pretty well for them. When Atlanta drafted Marvin Williams he wasn't the best player available. He wasn't even starting on his college team. Both Paul and Deron were rated higher and filled a need. The only reason Chris Paul didn't go number 1 was because Milwaukee already had TJ Ford. They didn't follow the BPA either. Funny you bring up Kyrie Irvin because based on your line of thinking you wouldn't draft him because he only played like 10 games in college. I remember people saying the Cavs should go for Derrick Williams and pick up Brandon Knight with their 4th pick. The Cavs would have been much worse if they've gone in that direction. As far as Randle is concerned you assume that him and Okafor can't play together before they've even seen the court. At least let them play first before making a decision. They could work out well or they might not. But you don't make decisions based on someone who's played a total of 14 NBA minutes.

[ALL HAIL]

I am simultaneously in disagreement and confused by every word of your rant.

[aaron_gray]

Well Mudiay dominated. He can shoot and he has vision as well.

[aaron_gray]

The league is basically unwatchable unless you enjoy free throws. If you're black, or your name is Yi Jian Lian, you'll get the call every time someone breaths on you.

[moonpie]

What a spin and reverse finish by Russell WOW

[moonpie]

Nice job recognizing that Hammons was too far out of position; delivered a beautiful zip pass for the easy dunk.

Speaking of AJ Hammons, I'm not sure what to make of him yet. Kind of reminds me of David Harrison

[moonpie]

Holy crap that was a Chris Paul-esque hesitation dribble by Russell

[moonpie]

[moonpie]

Ohio State finishes the comeback. Russell closed the game strong after a lackluster first half:

28 points
7 rebounds
2 assists
2 steals

Really like how he's starting to put the team on his back in second halves. Good show!

[TyCobb]

Norman Powell's wingspan... my goodness.

[moonpie]

Updated top 14:

1-Russell
2-Towns
3-Okafor
4-Hezonja
5-Winslow
6-Cauley-Stein
7-Mudiay
8-Johnson
9-Looney
10-Porzingis
11-Kaminsky
12-Grant
13-Harrell
14-Oubre

[TyCobb]

March 1

1. Jahlil Okafor – C – Duke – 6’11’’ – 272 lbs – 19 years old
- Best offensive player in the draft. Elite post moves, high BBIQ, great size.
2. Karl Towns – C – Kentucky – 7’0’’ – 248 lbs – 19 years old
- Best two-way player in draft. Can face up or post up. Rim protector. Excellent rebounder.
3. D'Angelo Russell – G – Ohio State – 6’5’’ -180 lbs – 19 years old
- Second best offensive player in draft. Elite handles, shooting stroke, and court vision. Very efficient.
4. Kevon Looney – F – UCLA – 6’9’’ – 220 lbs – 19 years old
- Versatile offensively and defensively. High BBIQ, very unselfish, excellent rebounding and length.
5. Mario Hezonja – SG – International – 6’8’’ – 200 lbs - 20 years old
- Athletic scorer with an aggressive offensive mentality.
6. Emmanuel Mudiay – PG – USA – 6’5’’ – 200 lbs – 19 years old
- Outstanding size and strength for a point guard. Sets up his teammates, attacks basket, and can defend.
7. Kristaps Porzingis – PF – International – 7’0’’ – 220 lbs – 19 years old
8. Romelo Trimble – PG – Maryland – 6’3’’ – 190 lbs – 20 years old
- 72.4 FT Rate and shoots 87% from the FT line. Elite combination.
9. Willie Cauley-Stein – C – Kentucky – 7’0’’ – 240 lbs – 21 years old
- Versatile defender with elite athleticism.
10. Bobby Portis – PF – Arkansas – 6’10’’ – 235 lbs – 20 years old
- One of the most consistent players in the country. #1 in SEC in ORtg among players used in at least 24% of poss.
11. Stanley Johnson – Arizona - SF - 6’8’’ – 243 lbs – 19 years old
- Statistically… top 5 comps for college impact in order, Wiggins – Kidd-Gilchrist – Aaron Gordon – Jeff Taylor- Terrence Jones. Pretty good company.
12. Jarell Martin – PF – LSU – 6’10’’ – 235 lbs – 20 years old
13. Tyus Jones – PG – Duke – 6’1’’ – 184 lbs – 19 years old
14. Jerian Grant – PG – Notre Dame – 6’5’’ – 205 lbs – 22 years old
15. Frank Kaminsky – C – Wisconsin – 7’0’’ – 242 lbs – 22 years old
16. Myles Turner – C – Texas – 6’11’’ – 242 lbs – 19 years old
17. Justise Winslow – SF – Duke – 6’7’’ – 229 lbs – 19 years old
18. Christian Wood – PF – UNLV – 6’11’’ – 220 lbs – 19 years old
19. Devin Booker – SG – Kentucky – 6’5’’ – 190 lbs – 18 years old
- Excellent shooter with great shot selection.
20. Kelly Oubre Jr. – SF – Kansas – 6’6’’ – 204 lbs – 19 years old
21. Justin Anderson – SF – Virginia – 6’6’’ – 222 lbs – 21 years old
22. Jakob Poeltl – C – Utah – 7’0’’ – 235 lbs – 19 years old
23. Caris LeVert – G – Michigan – 6’7’’ – 200 lbs – 20 years old
24. Amida Brimah – C – UCONN – 7’0’’ – 230 lbs – 21 years old
25. Delon Wright – PG – Utah – 6’5’’ – 179 lbs – 23 years old
26. Trey Lyles – PF – Kentucky – 6’10’’ – 250 lbs – 19 years old
27. Montrezl Harrell – PF – Louisville – 6’8’’ – 230 lbs – 21 years old
28. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – SF – Arizona – 6’6’’ – 212 lbs – 20 years old
29. Nigel Hayes - SF - Wisconsin - 6'8'' - 235 lbs - 20 years old
30. Damian Jones – PF – Vanderbilt – 6’10’’ – 248 lbs – 19 years old

[aaron_gray]

No love for Justin Anderson and Jarell Martin's teammates?

[TyCobb]

Anderson is at 21 and Mickey should return to school. He's not very good offensively.

[aaron_gray]

You don't think Mickey can be Taj Gibson? And what about Brogdon?

[TyCobb]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx3LJ-27XbE[/youtube]

[hazy_01]

March 1

1. Jahlil Okafor – C – Duke – 6’11’’ – 272 lbs – 19 years old
- Best offensive player in the draft. Elite post moves, high BBIQ, great size.
2. Karl Towns – C – Kentucky – 7’0’’ – 248 lbs – 19 years old
- Best two-way player in draft. Can face up or post up. Rim protector. Excellent rebounder.
3. D'Angelo Russell – G – Ohio State – 6’5’’ -180 lbs – 19 years old
- Second best offensive player in draft. Elite handles, shooting stroke, and court vision. Very efficient.
4. Kevon Looney – F – UCLA – 6’9’’ – 220 lbs – 19 years old
- Versatile offensively and defensively. High BBIQ, very unselfish, excellent rebounding and length.
5. Mario Hezonja – SG – International – 6’8’’ – 200 lbs - 20 years old
- Athletic scorer with an aggressive offensive mentality.
6. Emmanuel Mudiay – PG – USA – 6’5’’ – 200 lbs – 19 years old
- Outstanding size and strength for a point guard. Sets up his teammates, attacks basket, and can defend.
7. Kristaps Porzingis – PF – International – 7’0’’ – 220 lbs – 19 years old
8. Romelo Trimble – PG – Maryland – 6’3’’ – 190 lbs – 20 years old
- 72.4 FT Rate and shoots 87% from the FT line. Elite combination.
9. Willie Cauley-Stein – C – Kentucky – 7’0’’ – 240 lbs – 21 years old
- Versatile defender with elite athleticism.
10. Bobby Portis – PF – Arkansas – 6’10’’ – 235 lbs – 20 years old
- One of the most consistent players in the country. #1 in SEC in ORtg among players used in at least 24% of poss.
11. Stanley Johnson – Arizona - SF - 6’8’’ – 243 lbs – 19 years old
- Statistically… top 5 comps for college impact in order, Wiggins – Kidd-Gilchrist – Aaron Gordon – Jeff Taylor- Terrence Jones. Pretty good company.
12. Jarell Martin – PF – LSU – 6’10’’ – 235 lbs – 20 years old
13. Tyus Jones – PG – Duke – 6’1’’ – 184 lbs – 19 years old
14. Jerian Grant – PG – Notre Dame – 6’5’’ – 205 lbs – 22 years old
15. Frank Kaminsky – C – Wisconsin – 7’0’’ – 242 lbs – 22 years old
16. Myles Turner – C – Texas – 6’11’’ – 242 lbs – 19 years old
17. Justise Winslow – SF – Duke – 6’7’’ – 229 lbs – 19 years old
18. Christian Wood – PF – UNLV – 6’11’’ – 220 lbs – 19 years old
19. Devin Booker – SG – Kentucky – 6’5’’ – 190 lbs – 18 years old
- Excellent shooter with great shot selection.
20. Kelly Oubre Jr. – SF – Kansas – 6’6’’ – 204 lbs – 19 years old
21. Justin Anderson – SF – Virginia – 6’6’’ – 222 lbs – 21 years old
22. Jakob Poeltl – C – Utah – 7’0’’ – 235 lbs – 19 years old
23. Caris LeVert – G – Michigan – 6’7’’ – 200 lbs – 20 years old
24. Amida Brimah – C – UCONN – 7’0’’ – 230 lbs – 21 years old
25. Delon Wright – PG – Utah – 6’5’’ – 179 lbs – 23 years old
26. Trey Lyles – PF – Kentucky – 6’10’’ – 250 lbs – 19 years old
27. Montrezl Harrell – PF – Louisville – 6’8’’ – 230 lbs – 21 years old
28. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – SF – Arizona – 6’6’’ – 212 lbs – 20 years old
29. Nigel Hayes - SF - Wisconsin - 6'8'' - 235 lbs - 20 years old
30. Damian Jones – PF – Vanderbilt – 6’10’’ – 248 lbs – 19 years old

Wow if your list is somewhat accurate, I hope we somehow trade up the Rocket's pick to draft Kelly Oubre. Lengthy, athletic,3 pt swingman, yes please.

[LApwnd]

Norman Powell's wingspan... my goodness.

how's his overall game? he seems pretty athletic, lots of hops from highlights I've seen.