#27 #34 Draft Picks Discussion

[EArl]

By briefly looking at player analysis, Okafor seems like the safer pick. A guy who can contribute offensively from the go. Towns may have the defensive presence, but I don't doubt that Okafor can be an average defender with his height alone.

[Slava]

How much influence does Kobe have on the #2 pick? This is a serious question, and I don't mean it to sound like I think Kobe has much influence over Mitch. I mean it from the standpoint of Mitch thinking ahead to post-Kobe life knowing that Kobe will be playing this year.

I think everyone agrees that Minny takes Towns or Okafor.

Scenario #1: Minny takes Towns

Does Mitch draft Okafor because he's not only a nice centerpiece, but because of Kobe's respect for Coach K, or does Mitch say that he is looking for that piece that could replace Kobe more directly, with Kobe's influence on the position this coming year (talking Russell here, of course). This could also be the difference between getting Love or Westbrook, later, assuming that this idea is still on the table, but I mention that only as an aside.

Scenario #2: Minny takes Okafor

I assume Mitch just takes the consensus #1 pick, but feel free to tell me if you think that's not a safe assumption.


Of course, if you think Okafor and Russell are on very different tiers, the question sounds dumb, but curious to hear opinions on this board.

Russell gives me a very Jamal Crawford-esque vibe because of how loosely he plays. You can see glass half full and think he can be Steph Curry or see glass half empty and look at the all times he wilted when being defended by a capable player and think he is Jamal.

[LApwnd]

I also had reservation about Randle/Okafor pairing but then I just thought bout Atl with Milsap/Horford as their bigs and they rank in the top 5 on D. So I do think Sys is a big factor than the players.

[Penberthy]

if we are going to get Love then we will NOT draft a big.
I say trade the pick and clarkson for westbrook
sign love
c--black
pf--love
sf--randle???
sg--kobe
pg--westbrook
so is this bad??

I like this and actually think randle can play 3 at 6'7.75 he is very agile and quick footed.

Then you take Martin with #27 http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jarell-Martin-7159/ and Upshaw at #34 http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rob ... 447/stats/

Sign McGee to a 2 year vet min.

Westbrook VetMin
Kobe VetMin Brown
Randle Young
Love Martin Kelly
McGee Black Upshaw Sacre

[EArl]

Randle is not playing the 3. We don't need Love. The only reason I would want Love is to spite cleveland.
We need to go after a wing in FA.

[Michael Lucky]

if we are going to get Love then we will NOT draft a big.
I say trade the pick and clarkson for westbrook
sign love
c--black
pf--love
sf--randle???
sg--kobe
pg--westbrook
so is this bad??

I like this and actually think randle can play 3 at 6'7.75 he is very agile and quick footed.

Then you take Martin with #27 http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jarell-Martin-7159/ and Upshaw at #34 http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rob ... 447/stats/

Sign McGee to a 2 year vet min.

Westbrook VetMin
Kobe VetMin Brown
Randle Young
Love Martin Kelly
McGee Black Upshaw Sacre

Again Randle is 6 feet 9. Players in the NBA are measured with their shoes on, not without.

[Penberthy]

They are measured with their shoes off as well. Which is more accurate as some players gain 2 full inches or more in shoes and some only gain .75.

The NBA repeating their in shoes measurements is a marketing ploy to show you how unique/gigantic/amazing their product is.

[Michael Lucky]

They are measured with their shoes off as well. Which is more accurate as some players gain 2 full inches or more in shoes and some only gain .75.

The NBA repeating their in shoes measurements is a marketing ploy to show you how unique/gigantic/amazing their product is.

That's not the point. You're trying to compare Randle to other SF by lowering his height by taking his shoes off to prove a point when it's in fact completely wrong since you have to measure them all equally. EIther way, it would be a complete waste of Randle's natural skill and quickness to force him to play SF when those strength are far better suited at him playing the 4 against opposing PFs.

[JohnVancouver]

[quote="Marionettetc"] "I was preparing my bunghole for 5th and was going to be happy getting it"

Now there's a sig ....

[crazyeights]

NO
actually Lakers war room were pretty happy when the Celtics pick Smart.

the only want who wanted Smart is our fanbase. I heavily dislike Smart.. so overrated as prospect

Yeah, I'm not sure where you got that impression that we wanted Smart over Randle. Pretty sure the way things worked out is Randle was always projected after the Embiid/Wiggins/Parker grouping and since we had the 6th worst record, we never had a shot at the 4 spot (where Randle was projected for much of the draft process).

It wasn't until Randle's foot situation "leaked" that he started to fall, but judging from the fact that at his workout Jim Buss came down and shook Randle's hand, looked into his eyes, pretty sure it was at that moment we had our commitment to him. And it showed. Randle's agent canceled a last minute workout with the Celtics, forcing them to take Smart...creating the perfect moment when Bill Simmons was confidently saying the Celtics would take Randle here and then watching him swallow Smart.

Probably that poll that was made. Although at the time like you said not many expected Randle to fall to us.

Poll? Like on RGM? I was talking about the organization, not us lol.

[Michael Lucky]

Yeah, I'm not sure where you got that impression that we wanted Smart over Randle. Pretty sure the way things worked out is Randle was always projected after the Embiid/Wiggins/Parker grouping and since we had the 6th worst record, we never had a shot at the 4 spot (where Randle was projected for much of the draft process).

It wasn't until Randle's foot situation "leaked" that he started to fall, but judging from the fact that at his workout Jim Buss came down and shook Randle's hand, looked into his eyes, pretty sure it was at that moment we had our commitment to him. And it showed. Randle's agent canceled a last minute workout with the Celtics, forcing them to take Smart...creating the perfect moment when Bill Simmons was confidently saying the Celtics would take Randle here and then watching him swallow Smart.

Probably that poll that was made. Although at the time like you said not many expected Randle to fall to us.

Poll? Like on RGM? I was talking about the organization, not us lol.

Oh well, nvm then. I can't even remember us working out Smart, I heard a whole lot more about Randle from what I remember.

[kblo247]

Passing up Russell is going to be tough. If you think he can be a 40 percent 3-point shooter, with his vision, that's a pretty damn special player, especially in today's NBA.

Okafor generated 1.36 points per isolation possession at Duke as a freshman, if he even comes close to replicating that in the NBA, I don't see any guard matching that kind of offensive output. The man is just an offensive hub with his footwork, passing and post moves and don't think anyone else in the draft is in the same league as him and Towns.

I just haven't seen any of these guys enough to have an educated opinion. Certainly, a low-post center capable of scoring 20 or more a night is an awesome weapon. (Anybody who wants to pattern his game after Tim Duncan automatically has my respect.) But so is a guard who can drills 3s and create for others, a la Curry. This is probably a cop-out, but I don't really know enough about them other than to say I'm fine with pretty much anyone as long as we get an impact building block. I'm just thrilled we didn't have to fork over our pick and finally have an opportunity to get a real prospect for the future after treading water for the past few years. Especially with a mountain of cap space to use in the near future as well. (#NoRondo)

He has a better feel for passing than Steph but lacks his shake and bake. Steph could shake you and then score on you from deep. Dangelo struggled with separation vs athletic players this tourney and year in general. You put someone on him who is long and he can be bothered since he doesn't have an elite crossover and step back. He can pass much better tho

[JohnVancouver]

Woke up to see the news on my NBA feed - still in shock.

What to do? Options -

Take either Towns or Okafor, whoever is there at 2

Take Russell, trade to Philly for Embiid and _______?

Trade down to take WCauley-Stein, who I think will be a monster, and somehow also get Winslow. I had a plan for that but it fell out of my head between thinking it up and typing.

I will be fansturbating all day.

Really hope we can add Tobias Harris at SF

[Marcus]

By briefly looking at player analysis, Okafor seems like the safer pick. A guy who can contribute offensively from the go. Towns may have the defensive presence, but I don't doubt that Okafor can be an average defender with his height alone.

the Jah/Jules rim protection combo does not bother you since neither are plus rim-protectors?

[LApwnd]

By briefly looking at player analysis, Okafor seems like the safer pick. A guy who can contribute offensively from the go. Towns may have the defensive presence, but I don't doubt that Okafor can be an average defender with his height alone.

the Jah/Jules rim protection combo does not bother you since neither are plus rim-protectors?

Horford/Milsap....who's the rim protector? I know Horford gets blocks but you can't say he's rim protector in the mold of Dj or Chandler type C's.

[Marcus]

By briefly looking at player analysis, Okafor seems like the safer pick. A guy who can contribute offensively from the go. Towns may have the defensive presence, but I don't doubt that Okafor can be an average defender with his height alone.

the Jah/Jules rim protection combo does not bother you since neither are plus rim-protectors?

Horford/Milsap....who's the rim protector? I know Horford gets blocks but you can't say he's rim protector in the mold of Dj or Chandler type C's.

fair enough.

I like Jah for you guys anyway, further along than Towns and provides day one post presence that should allow space for Bean, Jules, and Jordan to work. Besides Hill is still there to rotate around Jules and Jah if need be.

Is the board for the most part sold on Jah being the guy or are there other candidates in the discussion around here?

[Michael Lucky]

the Jah/Jules rim protection combo does not bother you since neither are plus rim-protectors?

Horford/Milsap....who's the rim protector? I know Horford gets blocks but you can't say he's rim protector in the mold of Dj or Chandler type C's.

fair enough.

I like Jah for you guys anyway, further along than Towns and provides day one post presence that should allow space for Bean, Jules, and Jordan to work. Besides Hill is still there to rotate around Jules and Jah if need be.

Is the board for the most part sold on Jah being the guy or are there other candidates in the discussion around here?

I think most people think Towns is going first so it's mostly whether or not you want Russell over Okafor.

[LApwnd]

the Jah/Jules rim protection combo does not bother you since neither are plus rim-protectors?

Horford/Milsap....who's the rim protector? I know Horford gets blocks but you can't say he's rim protector in the mold of Dj or Chandler type C's.

fair enough.

I like Jah for you guys anyway, further along than Towns and provides day one post presence that should allow space for Bean, Jules, and Jordan to work. Besides Hill is still there to rotate around Jules and Jah if need be.

Is the board for the most part sold on Jah being the guy or are there other candidates in the discussion around here?

I'm not, I'd still want KAT...I'm open to trading down or for a star but not Melo though. My dream scenario is getting Russell and Johnson by trading 2nd pick/27th

[Marcus]

Horford/Milsap....who's the rim protector? I know Horford gets blocks but you can't say he's rim protector in the mold of Dj or Chandler type C's.

fair enough.

I like Jah for you guys anyway, further along than Towns and provides day one post presence that should allow space for Bean, Jules, and Jordan to work. Besides Hill is still there to rotate around Jules and Jah if need be.

Is the board for the most part sold on Jah being the guy or are there other candidates in the discussion around here?

I'm not, I'd still want KAT...I'm open to trading down or for a star but not Melo though. My dream scenario is getting Russell and Johnson by trading 2nd pick/27th

lol. ok with who should be left on the boards once KAT goes first who would you like 2nd?

[ALL HAIL]

Lakers will somehow end up with Towns.

If they're smart, they'll acquire a veteran center too for him to play behind.

Justin Anderson should be the pick at 27 (may have to trade up).

At 34, they need a potential replacement for Clarkson in case he thinks he's worth more than he deserves next summer -- I'd draft Rashad Vaughn there and stash him in the D-League the entire year.

My young bench mob:

PG - Clarkson
SG - Brown
C - Towns
PF - Randle
SF - Anderson

... with Vaughn chomping at the bit in the D-League.