The #2 Pick

[TyCobb]

about Town, i can't see him as true defensive center, sure he'll give you a or two blocks, but he's not DPOY material, and in offense, he's relatively adequate, doesn't have any glaring weaknesses, but that's why i prefer Okafor than him. I don't see Town as game changing defensively to ignoring what Okafor could give offensively. That's my opinion

but i like all top 3 and can't go wrong, i believe in Lakers development team.

Towns is still 2-3 years away from growing into his NBA physique. When he does, all his physical attributes will be magnified. He's not Anthony Davis but he is pretty damn good with good post moves, ability to score explosively off the pick and roll as well as shooting range to the 3 point line. We're lucky no matter which center we draft.

And intangibles. Towns, consistently, was the go to guy when the Harrison twins were making the game within reach. He wasn't scared of the big moments, he just put his team on his shoulders, and got the job done whether it was getting a stop defensively or getting a bucket offensively.

I don't understand why people tend to over-exaggerate negatives about someone or something when it appears unlikely that they won't be in a position to land them or it.

There are three players on a tier higher than anybody else in this draft--Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns, and D'Angelo Russell. If you land one of these players you will get a star.

The next tier is Emmanuel Mudiay, Mario Hezonja, Justise Winslow,and Willie Caulie-Stein. The question marks become bigger, or the upside more limited.

Once you realize that we don't have to overly stress about this pick because we were incredibly lucky to land in the Top 3 picks, then life is much more enjoyable.

You work out Okafor, Towns, and Russell out your facility....line them up in order of preference, and select the highest rated guy when it's your selection. It's not difficult.

The more in-depth scouting and discussion should be focused on the 27 and 34 picks, or early 20's if we try to package them together.

[Slava]

Ty, you will like this:

DraftExpress and APBR Metrics draft ratings using analytics

[TyCobb]

Ty, you will like this:

DraftExpress and APBR Metrics draft ratings using analytics

Nice. Kind of makes me feel reassured about Looney and to not be afraid to say something even if you're the only guy standing, at the time.

So yes, I do have Looney and Porzingis in that second tier in my post above.

[One Love]

Lakers will draft Russell (2), Wright or Virgina (27) & Upshaw or Euro (34)...

[TyCobb]

“There’s the perception that there’s four players there (who could be drafted at No. 2),” Kupchak said. “I think there might be more.”

A little worrisome...

[dockingsched]

Ty, you will like this:

DraftExpress and APBR Metrics draft ratings using analytics

Nice. Kind of makes me feel reassured about Looney and to not be afraid to say something even if you're the only guy standing, at the time.

So yes, I do have Looney and Porzingis in that second tier in my post above.

Lol

And great read. Looks like as much as the numbers love Looney, they aren't a big fan of WCS.

[Slava]

Think he means

Okafor or Towns, Russell, Mudiay and Porzingis. Mitch name dropped Porzingis on more than one interview which makes me think he scouted him pretty heavily on his trips to Europe.

[Slava]

Ty, you will like this:

DraftExpress and APBR Metrics draft ratings using analytics

Nice. Kind of makes me feel reassured about Looney and to not be afraid to say something even if you're the only guy standing, at the time.

So yes, I do have Looney and Porzingis in that second tier in my post above.

Lol

And great read. Looks like as much as the numbers love Looney, they aren't a big fan of WCS.

I kind of think that's mostly because they use regression models and WCS being a junior, he has a more known prior from previous college seasons compared to the freshmen.

[dockingsched]

“There’s the perception that there’s four players there (who could be drafted at No. 2),” Kupchak said. “I think there might be more.”

A little worrisome...

I think someone posted that Mitch said they'd look at anywhere from 4-8 people at number 2

[EArl]

Im scared that the Lakers might overthink it and not draft a big.

[Karmaloop]

“There’s the perception that there’s four players there (who could be drafted at No. 2),” Kupchak said. “I think there might be more.”

A little worrisome...

Seems like they're just doing their due diligence. I'd still be surprised if it was any player other than the consensus top 4.

[dockingsched]

Nice. Kind of makes me feel reassured about Looney and to not be afraid to say something even if you're the only guy standing, at the time.

So yes, I do have Looney and Porzingis in that second tier in my post above.

Lol

And great read. Looks like as much as the numbers love Looney, they aren't a big fan of WCS.

I kind of think that's mostly because they use regression models and WCS being a junior, he has a more known prior from previous college seasons compared to the freshmen.

Makes sense.

On another topic, when time permits I'd want to look at who the numbers think is underrated that will be in the 34 pick range that should go higher.

[Kilroy]

“There’s the perception that there’s four players there (who could be drafted at No. 2),” Kupchak said. “I think there might be more.”

A little worrisome...

I agree... But he might just be driving up the price of the pick to see what happens. Like all the statements about how much it would take to get it... He's not usually that vocal about things like that. It feels like he's trolling and seeing if anyone bites.

He's also screwing with everyone after us by making them guess who we're going to take. 3rd and 4th might not be too rustled but it gets harder to plan after that. Might make someone panic and want to move up.

That all said, I'm not sure why we wouldn't just make the damned pick already.

[TyCobb]

Nice. Kind of makes me feel reassured about Looney and to not be afraid to say something even if you're the only guy standing, at the time.

So yes, I do have Looney and Porzingis in that second tier in my post above.

Lol

And great read. Looks like as much as the numbers love Looney, they aren't a big fan of WCS.

I kind of think that's mostly because they use regression models and WCS being a junior, he has a more known prior from previous college seasons compared to the freshmen.

I was going to say something like that, but also point at the immediate regression shown (statistically) in his own college career after going from 12.3 BLK % down to 7.1 for his junior year where his team was ridiculously stacked.

[dockingsched]

Im scared that the Lakers might overthink it and not draft a big.

Eh, I think Mitch wouldn't have been doing his job if he came out and stated they're only looking at 2-3 people for the pick this early on in the process.

[EArl]

Im scared that the Lakers might overthink it and not draft a big.

Eh, I think Mitch wouldn't have been doing his job if he came out and stated they're only looking at 2-3 people for the pick this early on in the process.

You are right on that I guess. The thing i do like about the Lakers is that whatever they are actually thinking is not leaked/exposed to the public so I might be overthinking it.

[TyCobb]

Makes sense.

On another topic, when time permits I'd want to look at who the numbers think is underrated that will be in the 34 pick range that should go higher.

I've been looking at this for awhile now. It's mostly guards though. We're talking about Norman Powell (defense + athleticism), Olivier Hanlan (size + feel), Terry Rozier (speed + attack), Wesley Saunders (size + feel).

There's a James Johnson look a like in Jordan Mickey. All defense, no offense.

International stash guys... C Mouhammadou Jaiteh, G Timothe Luwawu, G George De Paula.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1388209&p=43743789#p43732330

^ A post I made comparing a second round guy to Russell.

[kblo247]

“There’s the perception that there’s four players there (who could be drafted at No. 2),” Kupchak said. “I think there might be more.”

A little worrisome...

I think someone posted that Mitch said they'd look at anywhere from 4-8 people at number 2

He's talking Pro, Mario, and Winslow I assume.

Winslow excelled in the tourney. Mario has a flare, swagger, and skills et they haven't seen since Eddie and Kobe were drafted. Proz only flaw that has been used against him is his body, not his skill, if he's at top shape he's Dirk lite and if not he's Bargs.

And I think its gross over estimation to say there are three and not four who stand out. Muiday was thought as better than all three of them by a margin before he went to china and for every slight you can put on him, the fact is everyone of the top four have their faults. Towns isn't strong, has not had to play real minutes because of the platoon, and is a project ala Bynum. Okafor has defensive woes. And most of all its silly to say Russell is better Muiday when Russell isn't a great defender and he got shut down by any team whose guard had nba level athleticism and actual bodies of men all year long.

I also doubt Mitch is crazy enough to ignore that WCS can't board worth a damn defensively to even consider him, let alone that he hadn't improved offensively in three years. I also can't belive he will take Frank the Tank because he is at his ceiling, which I don't think is bad, as I think he can start and help teams ala illgauskas but isn't a game changer. Lastly I have to think he can see Stanley Johnson is soft and can't finish in traffic, which will only get worse.

Its a 4 pony race with 3 wild cards who are all a class above the C class which is Johnson, Dekker, Kamansky, Stein, and Booker

[Tarik_shaq]

Anybody scared wolves might take okafor and we get towns?

[Mirjalovic]

Anybody scared wolves might take okafor and we get towns?

not really, this is a very strong draft, and the top 3 picks, you can't go wrong with them.