Official 2015 NBA Draft Discussion Thread [ft. TyCobb]

[TyCobb]

Russell struggling against the best defense he's faced all year. Decent playmaking though.

[ALL HAIL]

^Disagree, Russell's got a certain factor to his game that is hard to describe in words. As long as we keep our pick, we'll end up with an excellent player though.

Certain factor?

Describe.

[TheHartBreakKid]

I'm really impressed by Russell. His comparisons have been Ginobili/Brandon Roy, and while I see it a little bit, I think a Curry/Harden blend is more spot on. His left handed driving ability is very Harden-Esque, and the way he plays in control also reminds me of Harden too. Obviously he is no where as strong as Harden driving to the basket, and he isnt as dominant. However, unlike Harden, he is a little more flashy, which is where the Curry comparison comes in. His passing and playmaking is legit, and while his shooting isn't on today, and to compare to arguably the greatest shooter ever would be too dramatic, he seems to have that pull up/off the dribble shooting potential that Curry, Lillard, and Kyrie have. I'm far from a College prospect expert, and many of you in this thread know way more than me regarding this, but if we land Russell I would be very happy. I don't know if you pass on KATs potential, or on Okafors offensive dominance, but honestly I would be completely ok with having the third pick and getting Russell, which is why losing those two games to the Sixers is critical. Russell also has that star attitude/it factor, and he would be an ideal heir for Kobe as the shooting guard flashy star that LA would embrace. A year or two of being under Kobes wings could also do wonders. I also think a Russell Clarkson backcourt has a lot of potential, and is a great fit.


Just my two cents...hopefully we don't mess up this tank because a top three pick in this draft is a guaranteed game changer in my opinion. I think with the 4th pick you take a chance on Muliday, who isnt a sure thing but has so much potential. I honestly have no idea who we would take with the fourth pick...Stanley Johnson seems like an elite role player at best. I dont know about the risks of going international with Mario, and WCS has so many question marks. I see a huge drop off between 3rd and fourth in this draft, and even a further drop between 4 and 5.

[moonpie]

Russell and RHJ would be the dream 1st round. Rondae is an underrated playmaker

[TheHartBreakKid]

^Disagree, Russell's got a certain factor to his game that is hard to describe in words. As long as we keep our pick, we'll end up with an excellent player though.

Certain factor?

Describe.

He has that left handed craftiness (think Ginobili, Harden) and he plays way more in control than Crawford. Crawford is also way less creative in his game, in the sense that he either pulls up, takes a floater, or attacks the basket. Russell is way more like curry, as he seems to have way more more moves. He is just more crafty than a Crawford type, but I think the main difference is his playmaking ability. However, I'm really high on him, and Crawford is a very solid comparison in terms of a worst case scenario. Hopefully you are right if we don't get him!

[moonpie]

[ALL HAIL]

I'm really impressed by Russell. His comparisons have been Ginobili/Brandon Roy, and while I see it a little bit, I think a Curry/Harden blend is more spot on. His left handed driving ability is very Harden-Esque, and the way he plays in control also reminds me of Harden too. Obviously he is no where as strong as Harden driving to the basket, and he isnt as dominant. However, unlike Harden, he is a little more flashy, which is where the Curry comparison comes in. His passing and playmaking is legit, and while his shooting isn't on today, and to compare to arguably the greatest shooter ever would be too dramatic, he seems to have that pull up/off the dribble shooting potential that Curry, Lillard, and Kyrie have. I'm far from a College prospect expert, and many of you in this thread know way more than me regarding this, but if we land Russell I would be very happy. I don't know if you pass on KATs potential, or on Okafors offensive dominance, but honestly I would be completely ok with having the third pick and getting Russell, which is why losing those two games to the Sixers is critical. Russell also has that star attitude/it factor, and he would be an ideal heir for Kobe as the shooting guard flashy star that LA would embrace. A year or two of being under Kobes wings could also do wonders. I also think a Russell Clarkson backcourt has a lot of potential, and is a great fit.


Just my two cents...hopefully we don't mess up this tank because a top three pick in this draft is a guaranteed game changer in my opinion. I think with the 4th pick you take a chance on Muliday, who isnt a sure thing but has so much potential. I honestly have no idea who we would take with the fourth pick...Stanley Johnson seems like an elite role player at best. I dont know about the risks of going international with Mario, and WCS has so many question marks. I see a huge drop off between 3rd and fourth in this draft, and even a further drop between 4 and 5.

I'm not disrespecting his game. I just think his game is very reminiscent of Jamal Crawford's with more savviness.

[TyCobb]

Roy played defense, Harden is a great comp for Russell.

[ArC_man]

Russell needs to take over now w/out RHJ/Johnson guarding him.

[TyCobb]

Russell ice cold. Almost has more misses than his teams' total field goals made.

[moonpie]

^Yup. The Johnson vs. Russell matchup was a bit of a letdown, but to be fair both teams have played some great defense for the most part today.

[TyCobb]

Stanley Johnson has too many games like this though, even against lesser defenses. No way I take him Top 5.

[TyCobb]

Woo, I like that challenge from Russell on York though.

[Slava]

I like RHJ, hopefully we can trade 26 + 34 to move up for him, he'll be gone in the top 20.

[moonpie]

Wasn't impressed with Stanley today. His offensive game is clumsy looking like Artest's was, but he's not as dominant as Ron.

[TyCobb]

Hollis-Jefferson is very similar to Kidd-Gilchrist, but there's going to be some good SF's available this year that I'm not going to give up two picks for him.

Justin Anderson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Vince Hunter, Nigel Hayes, Kelly Oubre Jr., Kevon Looney, Justise Winslow, Stanley Johnson, Branden Dawson, etc.

[moonpie]

And that's a wrap for D'angelo Russell this season. Next step will be the combine and pre-draft workouts (and obviously the Lakers securing their pick on draft lottery night)

[crazyeights]

Stanley Johnson has too many games like this though, even against lesser defenses. No way I take him Top 5.

I get that w/ a top 5 you'd ideally want a 1/2nd option or at least a 2-way player, but in your mind what makes Stanley different from Aaron Gordon? We were both proponents of him last draft.

Or is the difference between 4th/5th and 6/7 that significant for you?

I'm not crazy about such a limited player offensively as a top 5 pick, plus a suspect shooter paired with Randle, but as far as their strength goes, we would have a huge advantage on most teams' forwards.

[TyCobb]

Stanley Johnson has too many games like this though, even against lesser defenses. No way I take him Top 5.

I get that w/ a top 5 you'd ideally want a 1/2nd option or at least a 2-way player, but in your mind what makes Stanley different from Aaron Gordon? We were both proponents of him last draft.

Or is the difference between 4th/5th and 6/7 that significant for you?

I'm not crazy about such a limited player offensively as a top 5 pick, plus a suspect shooter paired with Randle, but as far as their strength goes, we would have a huge advantage on most teams' forwards.

Well, Stanley is a two-way player. Stanley is a better shooter than Gordon, and more gifted physically, but I think mentally Gordon is superior to him. Gordon was attractive to me because he seems to be a better team player in that he doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. He moves well without the ball, has a better motor, better decision maker, and he isn't from Mater Dei. I don't like the track record for hyped guys from that HS.

I don't take him top 5 because I'd rather have Okafor > Towns > Russell > Hezonja > Mudiay > Looney > Cauley-Stein over him.

[TyCobb]

DX has dropped Looney down to 19. Wowzerz