2015 Draft Thread - Part 1

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Thinking about our R2 pick (i.e. the one we hope Ernie isn't going to p#ss away) -- does anyone like Alan Williams? He's projected to go #60 by DR.

He has had an extremely productive college career, and he seems to have had a great Combine just now as well. His size is far from ideal; then again, he'd likely be a lottery pick (or in the league already) if it were.

Tokoto looked great at the Combine, btw -- no chance he'll fall to us in R2. Then there's Hanlan -- this year's Jordan Clarkson?

I absolutely love Alan Williams. UC Santa Barbara is a conference rival of Hawaii. I'm very familiar with Williams. This season he had shoulder issues. He's a beast of a rebounder who scores efficiently. He's an unselfish player.

The problem with him is he's short (and will be perceived as fat, lazy, out of shape, and any other label by most who are thin). Wittman dogged out Blair and Williams might fare the same.

I like Hanlan a lot as well, pif. He and DJ Newbill score very well and both can play some PG. Hanlan had a great career at BC.

I would be pleased with Alan Williams or Olivier Hanlan at 49.

[Ruzious]

I'd probably get the justification of Tyus Jones if I didn't think he'd be completely physically and athletically overmatched. The league is saturated with good PGs, and while I think he can probably eventually become a solid backup, i'm ok with sessions for now. Assets ought to be used on more pressing needs. Namely a 4 and backup 2.

Also R. Jefferson cannot shoot the 3, probably not what we need. He isn't large enough to play the 4 either. I also don't want him taking minutes away from Porter. We've done that enough. Trading down for C. Woods is worth entertaining but that dude needs to pack on the meat!

There isn't a fiber in my body that wants Lyles. Trading back for Upshaw wouldn't surprise, but a 5 isn't what i'm lookin for in the 1st round.

Gotta go BPA, imo - particularly when the talent gap is wide. I agree on Lyles - I don't want a poor man's Juwan Howard. Here's a nice update on Upshaw. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2466 ... -wild-card It says the Wiz were one of several teams to interview him.

[nuposse04]

I'd probably get the justification of Tyus Jones if I didn't think he'd be completely physically and athletically overmatched. The league is saturated with good PGs, and while I think he can probably eventually become a solid backup, i'm ok with sessions for now. Assets ought to be used on more pressing needs. Namely a 4 and backup 2.

Also R. Jefferson cannot shoot the 3, probably not what we need. He isn't large enough to play the 4 either. I also don't want him taking minutes away from Porter. We've done that enough. Trading down for C. Woods is worth entertaining but that dude needs to pack on the meat!

There isn't a fiber in my body that wants Lyles. Trading back for Upshaw wouldn't surprise, but a 5 isn't what i'm lookin for in the 1st round.

Gotta go BPA, imo - particularly when the talent gap is wide. I agree on Lyles - I don't want a poor man's Juwan Howard. Here's a nice update on Upshaw. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2466 ... -wild-card It says the Wiz were one of several teams to interview him.

I didn't follow college ball as well as most this season, and while his numbers look ok to me at a glance, he played on what I thought was a stacked team, and seems physically deficient at the next level. Now...if I'm wrong about any of these assumptions, I'm willing to read some reasons why, but I honestly just don't see how he is:

1. Actually the BPA at 19

2. Someone who would really help this team

Upshaw intrigues me, but I wonder how much of a project he'll be. I'm also more in the favor of taking a project big in the 2nd round so long as we can secure a 4 or a 2 in the 1st round who has an off chance of being an impact player. Cause if he plan is to use Nene as a backup 5, I'm not sure how much minutes Upshaw would get, and I'd rather get minutes to develop if at all possible.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

2http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/ ... dismissal/

Let's just totally ignore multiple failed drug tests and dismissals from Fresno State and Washington.

Hell, he's 21 but he's tall. Let's sign this guy to big money because our risk paid off with Glen Rice Jr.

Errrr...wait.

Do not draft Upshaw. I would draft Williams 10 times out of 10 before Upshaw.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Draft lottery day...I remember many seasons looking forward to the lottery placement.

[The Consiglieri]

SMH,

When is it not going to be suspicious, this lottery thing? Ever since the Lakers went into full tank mode after Kobe went down I figured the true test of the lottery would be in if the lakers moved up or not. Sure enough, top 2 pick (I'll grant the odds were certainly there, but was there anyone among us, who didn't think this would happen? that they'd jump up?). There doesn't seem to be a single year where the draft doesn't come out smelling rotten. Really annoying.

[pineappleheadindc]

SMH,

When is it not going to be suspicious, this lottery thing? Ever since the Lakers went into full tank mode after Kobe went down I figured the true test of the lottery would be in if the lakers moved up or not. Sure enough, top 2 pick (I'll grant the odds were certainly there, but was there anyone among us, who didn't think this would happen? that they'd jump up?). There doesn't seem to be a single year where the draft doesn't come out smelling rotten. Really annoying.

If it were really a conspiracy, the Knicks woulda gotten #1. Instead, they got knocked down two spots.

It's great not to care about lottery anymore. Sucks to be NY tonight, though.

[FAH1223]

SMH,

When is it not going to be suspicious, this lottery thing? Ever since the Lakers went into full tank mode after Kobe went down I figured the true test of the lottery would be in if the lakers moved up or not. Sure enough, top 2 pick (I'll grant the odds were certainly there, but was there anyone among us, who didn't think this would happen? that they'd jump up?). There doesn't seem to be a single year where the draft doesn't come out smelling rotten. Really annoying.

Lakers moved down last year in the lotto.

They basically have two lotto picks joining their team next year. Randle and either Okafor or Towns.

Flip supposedly is dead set on Okafor. TWolve fans want Towns cause their defense sucks.

[Illmatic12]

Lakers should hope the Wolves take Okafor. They need to turn that defense around fast and Towns will protect the paint next to Randle (a mediocre defender)

[LyricalRico]

Flip supposedly is dead set on Okafor. TWolve fans want Towns cause their defense sucks.

They panned to Okafor after announcing Minnesota had the first pick and he didn't look particularly happy. LOL

Jalen Rose before the GSW/HOU game tipped said it will be interesting to see how guys react to the Lakers being #2. He seemed to be hinting that a guy could do things so as not to get drafted #1 because they would rather been in LA. Interesting.

[nuposse04]

I'd take Towns easily over Okafor. I feel bad for Twolves fans if they take Okafor. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if Dieng stays a more positively impactful payer over his career over Okafor.

[mhd]

GREAT Night as a Wizards fan with the top 2 picks (Towns & Okafor) going out west!

[The Consiglieri]

SMH,

When is it not going to be suspicious, this lottery thing? Ever since the Lakers went into full tank mode after Kobe went down I figured the true test of the lottery would be in if the lakers moved up or not. Sure enough, top 2 pick (I'll grant the odds were certainly there, but was there anyone among us, who didn't think this would happen? that they'd jump up?). There doesn't seem to be a single year where the draft doesn't come out smelling rotten. Really annoying.

If it were really a conspiracy, the Knicks woulda gotten #1. Instead, they got knocked down two spots.

It's great not to care about lottery anymore. Sucks to be NY tonight, though.

LA is a much bigger brand than NY. Granted NY is NY, but LA is a world wide brand in hoops, it's not a coincidence that they've had virtually no down periods over the past 40-50 years. Whenever they have a down period, some FA comes there, or they land some stud inexplicably via the draft (the Kobe scam etc).

[stevemcqueen1]

If the lottery is rigged, then why would Minnesota win it? Why would Cleveland win it three times in four years? These are tiny, crappy basketball markets.

[MarcoPolo]

How about Knicks. Awful season and still... 4th pick. Guess Mello would play alone one more year there. Don't think Gasol/LA will go there.

[closg00]

The Knicks are going to try and Foye/Miller the pick, they are waving that pick around. The Knicks need pieces now.

It will be interesting to see what the East looks like after the draft. Miami & the Pacers were just short of making the playoffs.

3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. New York Knicks
5. Orlando Magic
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Charlotte Hornets
10. Miami Heat
11. Indiana Pacers
15. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets)
16. Boston Celtics
17. Milwaukee Bucks
19. Washington Wizards
20. Toronto Raptors
22. Chicago Bulls
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
28. Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers)
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks)

[stevemcqueen1]

I think the Knicks are under the delusion that they aren't absolutely terrible right now and that this #4 pick in a 4 player draft isn't the only good piece they're going to have any time soon since their 2016 pick is promised to Denver or Toronto.

[krii]

I've been suggesting it earlier this year and I still feel he may be a good choice for 2nd round - http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Mat ... mary/24344.

He is listed 3rd best international in '93 class, can play as SG/SF and even PG. He is best scorer and one of two best players in Telenet Oostende, the best team in Belgium. Few years back he was playing against Bradley in world championship, showing a really impressing set of skills against best players from '92 & '93. Unofortunately the season in Belgium is still on so he couldn't attend pre-draft games and show his skills. I believe he may contribute positevely to the roster.

Few years back he was even listed as 1st rounder but instead of college he choose to became professional in Europe. That is why not many mocks include him - he is not playing in Barcelona nor Real so some may think he dissapeared.

IMO he can be a great fit in Zards - he can play alongside Wall & Beal but he also may be a viable scorer off the bench, guarding two-three positions.

[Ruzious]

I'd probably get the justification of Tyus Jones if I didn't think he'd be completely physically and athletically overmatched. The league is saturated with good PGs, and while I think he can probably eventually become a solid backup, i'm ok with sessions for now. Assets ought to be used on more pressing needs. Namely a 4 and backup 2.

Also R. Jefferson cannot shoot the 3, probably not what we need. He isn't large enough to play the 4 either. I also don't want him taking minutes away from Porter. We've done that enough. Trading down for C. Woods is worth entertaining but that dude needs to pack on the meat!

There isn't a fiber in my body that wants Lyles. Trading back for Upshaw wouldn't surprise, but a 5 isn't what i'm lookin for in the 1st round.

Gotta go BPA, imo - particularly when the talent gap is wide. I agree on Lyles - I don't want a poor man's Juwan Howard. Here's a nice update on Upshaw. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2466 ... -wild-card It says the Wiz were one of several teams to interview him.

I didn't follow college ball as well as most this season, and while his numbers look ok to me at a glance, he played on what I thought was a stacked team, and seems physically deficient at the next level. Now...if I'm wrong about any of these assumptions, I'm willing to read some reasons why, but I honestly just don't see how he is:

1. Actually the BPA at 19

2. Someone who would really help this team

Upshaw intrigues me, but I wonder how much of a project he'll be. I'm also more in the favor of taking a project big in the 2nd round so long as we can secure a 4 or a 2 in the 1st round who has an off chance of being an impact player. Cause if he plan is to use Nene as a backup 5, I'm not sure how much minutes Upshaw would get, and I'd rather get minutes to develop if at all possible.

Why do you think Upshaw played on a stacked team? My recollection is they fell apart after he was kicked off the team, and the only other prospect on the team was the point guard - who's likely a future 2nd rounder. And how is he physically deficient? He measured as the biggest and longest player at the combine - with the biggest hands. He's not a speedster, but he runs the court as well as an average NBA center, and he's certainly agile enough. He can impact a game with his defense and showed good pick and roll skills when I watched him. Imo, there's no question about his physical abilities.

[Ruzious]

2http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/ ... dismissal/

Let's just totally ignore multiple failed drug tests and dismissals from Fresno State and Washington.

Hell, he's 21 but he's tall. Let's sign this guy to big money because our risk paid off with Glen Rice Jr.

Errrr...wait.

Do not draft Upshaw. I would draft Williams 10 times out of 10 before Upshaw.

Instead of making assumptions, I'd do due diligence on Upshaw.