Poll: Who do you want with #3? (VOTE AGAIN)

[LloydFree]

If Russell is available at #3, the 76ers will take him. The Porzingis and Mudiay talk reeks of smokescreen. Russell is their guy.

If the Lakers take Russell (a possibility, btw), then I think the Sixers either take Mudiay and keep him or take Okafor (as possible trade bait). If they pick Porzingis at #3, it will likely be to trade him to Orlando for their pick and future assets.

I agree with the 1st part: "If Russell is available a #3, the 76er will take him".

I don't agree with the last part. If the Lakers select Russel, I wouldn't be surprised if its Porzingis. And if they select Porzingis, I don't think it's to trade him. They'd pick him because they think he has more upside than Mudiay or fits better than Okafor. I can't really envision a scenario where Orlando would be so desperate for Porzingis, that they trade additional assets to get him. Why would Orlando trade anything to get Porzingis, when they can just sit there and take Winslow or whoever. This thought that the 76ers can just rob Orlando with Porzingis is sillier than the Lakers board thinking the 76ers will trade Jahlil Okafor AND the Laker's '16 pick back to them, for Russell.

Porzingis has a lot more upside than Winslow for sure Yes, he has more downside too, but Winslow isn't going to be a star player, and Porzingis definitely has a shot.

If Orlando wants him enough they could trade up for him, but we just don't know how much they want him. It wouldn't be raping them to trade down with them though. I don't think that they are going to get him at 5 regardless because, if we don't take him, I think the Knicks will trade down with someone that WILL take him. I still think that Towns and Okafor go 1 and 2, and Russell and Porzingis are now most likely going in the top 4.

The question for Hinkie is which of the following possible scenarios does he prefer:

Draft Russell at 3 and keep him
Draft Porzingis at 3 and keep him
Draft Porzingis at 3 and trade him to Orlando for Mudiay plus something.(like Orlando 2016 first rounder top 5 protected)
Draft Mudiay at 3 and keep him

We simply don't know what Hinkie will do, and we won't know until the draft.

It's funny how you can make declarative statements about what the Knicks and Magic will do, and who will be picked where, but conveniently toss out that "WE" don't know what Hinkie will do.

Porzingis is no lock to get picked, in the top 4, by the Knicks. And the Magic aren't going to trade anything to the Knicks or 76ers for Porzingis, because he isn't that kind of talent, IMO.

The 76ers are using this internet hysteria over Porzingis, so they can't get "boxed in" like the Magic last year. The 76ers aren't a wildcard in this draft. There is less chance that Hinkie passes on Russell, if available, than it is that the Lakers pass on Okafor, IMO.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

"LloydFree"
Porzingis is no lock to get picked, in the top 4, by the Knicks. And the Magic aren't going to trade anything to the Knicks or 76ers for Porzingis, because he isn't that kind of talent, IMO.

The 76ers are using this internet hysteria over Porzingis, so they can't get "boxed in" like the Magic last year. The 76ers aren't a wildcard in this draft. There is less chance that Hinkie passes on Russell, if available, than it is that the Lakers pass on Okafor, IMO.

I agree with this^,
I can see the intrigue with Porzingis for sure, but I think either Russell or Okafor are going to simply be too good to pass up on. Russell has some rare qualities about him as does Okafor and I think both are going to be amazing talents in the league.
I can think of more reasons why Hinkie will draft Russell or Okafor than I can for why he'd draft Porzingis. Russell for the rare size, shooting, handling, and passing ability he already displays at only 19 years old, and Okafor because he may possibly be the best low post scoring big man in the game in three-four years.

[delvec19]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/19/report-sixers-leaning-toward-selecting-kristaps-porzingis-with-no-3-pick-in-nba-draft/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Not trying to troll but I want to know how legit this could be? I'm a salivating Knick fan right now at the thought of Russell.

[42uptop]

My preferred outcome is for Hinkie to draft Russell and flip him to another team for Mudiay and a big asset. The Porzingis smokescreen is cute, but he isn't a good prospect and I wouldn't want to risk getting stuck with him. Not sold on Okafor either.

As long as this draft nets us one of Towns/Mudiay/Russell I'm good.

[BarlesCharkley8]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/19/report-sixers-leaning-toward-selecting-kristaps-porzingis-with-no-3-pick-in-nba-draft/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Not trying to troll but I want to know how legit this could be? I'm a salivating Knick fan right now at the thought of Russell.

Zinger wouldn't be a bad pick. I slightly prefer Mudiay, then Russell. But if you watch full games of Zinger, you understand the incredibly high ceiling he has.

Hinkie has had the ROY 2 years in a row, I give him the complete benefit of the doubt.

[Ericb5]

I agree with the 1st part: "If Russell is available a #3, the 76er will take him".

I don't agree with the last part. If the Lakers select Russel, I wouldn't be surprised if its Porzingis. And if they select Porzingis, I don't think it's to trade him. They'd pick him because they think he has more upside than Mudiay or fits better than Okafor. I can't really envision a scenario where Orlando would be so desperate for Porzingis, that they trade additional assets to get him. Why would Orlando trade anything to get Porzingis, when they can just sit there and take Winslow or whoever. This thought that the 76ers can just rob Orlando with Porzingis is sillier than the Lakers board thinking the 76ers will trade Jahlil Okafor AND the Laker's '16 pick back to them, for Russell.

Porzingis has a lot more upside than Winslow for sure Yes, he has more downside too, but Winslow isn't going to be a star player, and Porzingis definitely has a shot.

If Orlando wants him enough they could trade up for him, but we just don't know how much they want him. It wouldn't be raping them to trade down with them though. I don't think that they are going to get him at 5 regardless because, if we don't take him, I think the Knicks will trade down with someone that WILL take him. I still think that Towns and Okafor go 1 and 2, and Russell and Porzingis are now most likely going in the top 4.

The question for Hinkie is which of the following possible scenarios does he prefer:

Draft Russell at 3 and keep him
Draft Porzingis at 3 and keep him
Draft Porzingis at 3 and trade him to Orlando for Mudiay plus something.(like Orlando 2016 first rounder top 5 protected)
Draft Mudiay at 3 and keep him

We simply don't know what Hinkie will do, and we won't know until the draft.

It's funny how you can make declarative statements about what the Knicks and Magic will do, and who will be picked where, but conveniently toss out that "WE" don't know what Hinkie will do.

Porzingis is no lock to get picked, in the top 4, by the Knicks. And the Magic aren't going to trade anything to the Knicks or 76ers for Porzingis, because he isn't that kind of talent, IMO.

The 76ers are using this internet hysteria over Porzingis, so they can't get "boxed in" like the Magic last year. The 76ers aren't a wildcard in this draft. There is less chance that Hinkie passes on Russell, if available, than it is that the Lakers pass on Okafor, IMO.

I wasn't making declarative statements about what the other teams will do. I was saying what I think they might do.

I don't think that Porzingis is going to last to 5 anymore, but I don't know how badly the Magic want him. If they want to try to trade up for him I think that we are the only real possibility. If the Knicks trade out, I expect them to want to trade down farther than 1 spot.

We don't know if Hinkie is using Porzingis as a smokescreen or if he really wants to draft him at 3. If he is in love with Porzingis and wants to draft and keep him at 3 then there is probably not any way the Magic can convince him to trade back.

Let's just just suppose for a second that Mudiay is Hinkie's favorite of the 3(Porzingis, Russell, Mudiay), then I think that we can get him at 5. At that point the trade down possibility could make sense if the Magic really want him.

There are all sorts of strategies that could be employed depending on who Hinkie really wants, and we simply don't know who he wants.

A lot of posters seem to think that who he really wants is Russell, but it could easily be one of the other two guys in reality.

[SparksFly87]

Russell has elite feel for the game, passing , shooting , length for a rookie . I don't need a good athletic point guard who has a average skill set who attacks the rim . I need a point who can handle , pass and shoot . Russell is does it all better than Mudiay.

[Ericb5]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/19/report-sixers-leaning-toward-selecting-kristaps-porzingis-with-no-3-pick-in-nba-draft/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Not trying to troll but I want to know how legit this could be? I'm a salivating Knick fan right now at the thought of Russell.

Who knows?

That's the answer. I could believe that he likes Mudiay the best, or Russell the best, or Porzingis the best. We will find out on Thursday.

[MRxBLACK]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/19/report-sixers-leaning-toward-selecting-kristaps-porzingis-with-no-3-pick-in-nba-draft/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Not trying to troll but I want to know how legit this could be? I'm a salivating Knick fan right now at the thought of Russell.

It's just guesswork. No source has any inside info on Hinkie's plans. I think all this Porzingis crap is a smokescreen.

[Skates]

Most likely scenarios in my mind:

If Russell is still on the board at three, Hinkie takes him, then does everything he can to make a separate deal to grab Porzingis, though I doubt it gets done.

If Russell and Towns go first, he will likely look to Porzingis over Okafor.

[76ciology]

My preferred outcome is for Hinkie to draft Russell and flip him to another team for Mudiay and a big asset. The Porzingis smokescreen is cute, but he isn't a good prospect and I wouldn't want to risk getting stuck with him. Not sold on Okafor either.

As long as this draft nets us one of Towns/Mudiay/Russell I'm good.

Man, can't explain how perfect trading down and ending getting overpaid while being able to draft Mudiay. It's my ideal scenario ever since.

Yeah, I also have Towns, Mudiay, then still deciding between Porz or Russell (same risk vs reward for me) then Jahlil.

I see some red flags with Jahlil, like not getting in shape, not being a good defensive player and being one hand dominant.

[broseph13]

I honestly don't understand why people on this board enjoy Mudiay so much. I just don't see what's so "elite" about his game and I've seem him play in full games in high school and in the CBA. He's a nice player, but drafting him #3 is like, at least in my opinion, drafting Brandon Knight or Jeff Teague caliber player #3. Sure, they're solid players, but with the #3 pick, I feel like you have to select a guy who has the potential to be an All-NBA team caliber player and total game changer. If Mudiay had Westbrook level athleticism, I could overlook his lack of a jumper....but he doesn't. In my book, the only true potential game changers in this draft are Towns, Okafor, Russell, Porzingis, possibly WCS (on defense only). That's it.

[Imdatboul11]

I honestly don't understand why people on this board enjoy Mudiay so much. I just don't see what's so "elite" about his game and I've seem him play in full games in high school and in the CBA. He's a nice player, but drafting him #3 is like, at least in my opinion, drafting Brandon Knight or Jeff Teague caliber player #3. Sure, they're solid players, but with the #3 pick, I feel like you have to select a guy who has the potential to be an All-NBA team caliber player and total game changer. If Mudiay had Westbrook level athleticism, I could overlook his lack of a jumper....but he doesn't. In my book, the only true potential game changers in this draft are Towns, Okafor, Russell, Porzingis, possibly WCS (on defense only). That's it.

What's elite? Will be the second tallest PG in the NBA and might still be growing, will be probably the strongest PG, has showed more feel at 18 yrs old in the PnR than some NBA guards, elite length and nearly elite athleticism. Look at how well MCW played in the post and he is a string bean. Mudiay is a lot stronger right now than MCW and will get stronger as he is only 19. He will eat smaller players in the post alive and if you put someone bigger on him he will blow by them with a crazy first step or shake them out their boots because his handle is great also

[Unbreakable99]

I honestly don't understand why people on this board enjoy Mudiay so much. I just don't see what's so "elite" about his game and I've seem him play in full games in high school and in the CBA. He's a nice player, but drafting him #3 is like, at least in my opinion, drafting Brandon Knight or Jeff Teague caliber player #3. Sure, they're solid players, but with the #3 pick, I feel like you have to select a guy who has the potential to be an All-NBA team caliber player and total game changer. If Mudiay had Westbrook level athleticism, I could overlook his lack of a jumper....but he doesn't. In my book, the only true potential game changers in this draft are Towns, Okafor, Russell, Porzingis, possibly WCS (on defense only). That's it.

Well get ready for it because Hinkie sees how good he is. It's not too late to get aboard the Mudiay train. He will be Sixers property by the end of draft night whether he's picked at 3 or by swapping picks. It's Mudiay. Trust me.

[76ciology]

I honestly don't understand why people on this board enjoy Mudiay so much. I just don't see what's so "elite" about his game and I've seem him play in full games in high school and in the CBA. He's a nice player, but drafting him #3 is like, at least in my opinion, drafting Brandon Knight or Jeff Teague caliber player #3. Sure, they're solid players, but with the #3 pick, I feel like you have to select a guy who has the potential to be an All-NBA team caliber player and total game changer. If Mudiay had Westbrook level athleticism, I could overlook his lack of a jumper....but he doesn't. In my book, the only true potential game changers in this draft are Towns, Okafor, Russell, Porzingis, possibly WCS (on defense only). That's it.

"The game is a house, and some players only have one or two windows in their house because they can't absorb any more light," says Mike Krzyzewski,

Mudiay, doesn't have only1-2 windows. He kind of reminds me of Bynum or Kawhi for a prospect that he has this huge base to paint a limitless art, depending on how far will his development lead him.

I don't see any fundamental flaws. His shot mechanics looks good, he can dribble with both hands and low like a PG & he also should be able to guard star PGs, while his combination of feel/maturity, IQ, work ethic, size, physique, athleticism and skillset gives him the potential to be elite in several aspects of the game in the future, the combination of these may make him an elite penetrator, elite post player, elite playmaker, elite defender and etc.

[broseph13]

I honestly don't understand why people on this board enjoy Mudiay so much. I just don't see what's so "elite" about his game and I've seem him play in full games in high school and in the CBA. He's a nice player, but drafting him #3 is like, at least in my opinion, drafting Brandon Knight or Jeff Teague caliber player #3. Sure, they're solid players, but with the #3 pick, I feel like you have to select a guy who has the potential to be an All-NBA team caliber player and total game changer. If Mudiay had Westbrook level athleticism, I could overlook his lack of a jumper....but he doesn't. In my book, the only true potential game changers in this draft are Towns, Okafor, Russell, Porzingis, possibly WCS (on defense only). That's it.

Well get ready for it because Hinkie sees how good he is. It's not too late to get aboard the Mudiay train. He will be Sixers property by the end of draft night whether he's picked at 3 or by swapping picks. It's Mudiay. Trust me.

I'd put money on it that Mudiay will NOT be the pick unless Hinkie works a deal to move down in the draft. At the end of the day, the logic behind drafting Mudiay just doesn't follow.

[MountainDrew]

I just don't see how Hinkie can justify selecting Mudiay with the #3 pick. Nothing about him screams superstar or even all-star imo. Maybe trading down makes sense value-wise if he doesn't like anyone at 3, but I'd take Hezonja and Porzingis over him.

[broseph13]

I just don't see how Hinkie can justify selecting Mudiay with the #3 pick. Nothing about him screams superstar or even all-star imo. Maybe trading down makes sense value-wise if he doesn't like anyone at 3, but I'd take Hezonja and Porzingis over him.

I agree with this 100%. I've been watching/playing basketball for over 2 decades and Mudiay just doesn't impress me enough to draft #3 when guys like Okafor, Russell, and Porzingis could very well be available. It's one thing to draft a PG who has Westbrook-level athleticism and exceptional vision (but can't shoot) #3, but it's another to draft a PG who only has slightly above average athleticism, average vision, and no jumper #3.

I just don't see why anyone would think taking Mudiay #3 is actually a good idea, especially after having another young, tall PG who couldn't shoot. If the Sixers draft Mudiay, get ready for another MCW situation all over again when Mudiay is still bricking jumpers and shooting 38-40% from the field 2-3 years from now.

[Unbreakable99]

I just don't see how Hinkie can justify selecting Mudiay with the #3 pick. Nothing about him screams superstar or even all-star imo. Maybe trading down makes sense value-wise if he doesn't like anyone at 3, but I'd take Hezonja and Porzingis over him.

I agree with this 100%. I've been watching/playing basketball for over 2 decades and Mudiay just doesn't impress me enough to draft #3 when guys like Okafor, Russell, and Porzingis could very well be available. It's one thing to draft a PG who has Westbrook-level athleticism and exceptional vision (but can't shoot) #3, but it's another to draft a PG who only has slightly above average athleticism, average vision, and no jumper #3.

I just don't see why anyone would think taking Mudiay #3 is actually a good idea, especially after having another young, tall PG who couldn't shoot. If the Sixers draft Mudiay, get ready for another MCW situation all over again when Mudiay is still bricking jumpers 2-3 years from now.

You and others need to stop comparing Mudiay to MCW. If you do that then I'm just going to be lazy and compare Russell to OJ Mayo. Mudiay is not like MCW. Russell has flaws too. It's not like I can see him getting his shot off against a guy like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with ease. Mudiay is going to be a good player and he will be Sixers property by the end of draft night.

[broseph13]

I just don't see how Hinkie can justify selecting Mudiay with the #3 pick. Nothing about him screams superstar or even all-star imo. Maybe trading down makes sense value-wise if he doesn't like anyone at 3, but I'd take Hezonja and Porzingis over him.

I agree with this 100%. I've been watching/playing basketball for over 2 decades and Mudiay just doesn't impress me enough to draft #3 when guys like Okafor, Russell, and Porzingis could very well be available. It's one thing to draft a PG who has Westbrook-level athleticism and exceptional vision (but can't shoot) #3, but it's another to draft a PG who only has slightly above average athleticism, average vision, and no jumper #3.

I just don't see why anyone would think taking Mudiay #3 is actually a good idea, especially after having another young, tall PG who couldn't shoot. If the Sixers draft Mudiay, get ready for another MCW situation all over again when Mudiay is still bricking jumpers 2-3 years from now.

You and others need to stop comparing Mudiay to MCW. If you do that then I'm just going to be lazy and compare Russell to OJ Mayo. Mudiay is not like MCW. Russell has flaws too. It's not like I can see him getting his shot off against a guy like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with ease. Mudiay is going to be a good player and he will be Sixers property by the end of draft night.

That's the problem I'm having with selecting him #3. The goal shouldn't be "good" players, but rather "great" players. I won't deny that Mudiay will have a decent, 10+ year career in the NBA, but with the #3 pick, the player selected needs to be someone who could very well end up on the All-NBA team (1st/2nd/or 3rd) within the next 3-4 years. If I thought Mudiay could do that, I'd be all for selecting him, but based upon what I've seen from him since 2013 or so, I just don't see it. What is your love for his game based upon? Did you see him play in full games or just see highlights?