2015 Draft Thread - Part 1

[Dat2U]

In case it was missed:

Final board - Top 60

TIER 1 (Ranking 1-2)
*Towns, Karl F/C
Clear #1 prospect. Not on AD level but not that far from it. Total package defensively. Offensive toolset hidden at Kentucky
*Russell, D'Angelo G
Incredible feel for such a young guard scoring & passing wise. Crazy amt of skill and basically unguardable one-on-one. James Harden'ish.

TIER 2 (Ranking 2-9)
*Porzingis, Kristaps F/C
Freakish near 7-3 athlete who is an excellent shooter already from everywhere including deep. Even shoots off the dribble with ease. Closest thing to Dirk since Dirk himself. Bigger than Dirk or Pau Gasol at same age. Will take a few years which is why he's not on tier 1.
*Okafor, Jahlil C
Throwback low post C thats skilled enough to command double teams and make teams pay. Five years ago he'd have been the clear #1 pick, now people question his mobility on defense and/or his limited range offensively and whether he fits in today's game.
*Kaminsky, Frank F/C
Another unique player with an incredible skillset. Think Kelly Olynyk but quicker, more mobile and even more skilled. He's not just a space maker he's a 7-0 playmaker who can punish defenders that close out hard on his jumper. I think he's a future all-star. There I said it!
*Turner, Myles C
Yet another unique skillset. A low post defender and shot blocker that can step out and hit 20 footers with ease. I harken back to Bill Laimbeer to find a C that defended the post at a high level and stretched the floor offensively. People knock his athleticism but at his height, athleticism is severly overrated. He'll be a very valuable asset in a few years.
*Winslow, Justice F
Compares quite favorably to MKG as an all-around player. His jumpshot is far ahead of MKG's at this point so suffice it to say Winslow should help a team immediately as a defender while his offensive game won't hurt you too much. How much he develops as a shooter and slasher will determine if he rises to all-star or simply very good role player.
*Hezonja, Mario G/F
Wing with excellent size & toolset physically. Ideal package in a wing can spot up or create space off the bounce. Really good shooter from the looks of his form and his numbers overseas. I think he's a bit nutty in the Macro Bellinelli mold but that might be a good thing in today's NBA. The fact I have him as the 8th best prospect is a testament to how deep this draft is in terms of all-star caliber talent. He's a top 5 pick in a lot of drafts.
*Mudiay, Emmanuel G
Incredible physical specimen for the PG position at 6-5 200+. A potential bulldog who's learning the position at a good pace. I worry about the comp he faced in China, a lot of the guards he faced were clearly overmatched on all levels. Also his jumpshot is alot more broken than I anticipated which is why I have him 9th. His jumper looks worse than John Wall when he first came out and we know how long a journey it was for Wall to get to the point where he's passable.

TIER 3 (Ranking 10-14)
*Cauley-Stein, Willie C
I would rank him higher but I question his love for the game and how bad he wants it. I think he's going to be happy with just being one of the guys. He comes in with a legit skill defensively. He defends the perimeter better than the low post which is crazy considering his height but with the spai. He's freak athlete but his offense leaves much to be desired. Will have an immediate role but will he strive for more?
*Portis, Bobby F
I like him a lot. Not sure why a high energy 6-11 guy that can step out and face up and has a solid skill level is doomed because he's not a great athlete or has heavy feet. He's 6-11 for goodness sakes! He doesn't have to be a great athlete to be very effective. He's a starter I think. If not a very good role player at least. Work ethic is really underrated.
*Johnson, Stanley F
Despite his age, 19, he's a pretty polished player. Not the upside you'd expect. A physical speciman at the 3 he got solid handles and shows some creation skills off the bounce. His weakness is the limitations around the basket. No lift at the rim, doesn't finish with strength despite his size. His strength will be on the defensive end as he has all the tools to be really good and he likely can excel as a playing making 4.
*Booker, Devin G
He's creeped up my board due to his skillset being in such demand and the fact that Kentucky is good at hiding player's actual skills. I wish I could see more than him just take jumper after jumper (which he did very well). The scuttlebutt says he can do more (i.e. dribble & pass). I wish I could be at the workouts to see it. He's got a high IQ so that works for him too. I think he's a safe pick.
*Oubre, Kelly F
Raw tools guy. His good length & athleticism but handle is skaky. He's a future 3 & D guy. If he's smart enough to know his role and limit the off the dribble attempts he could be pretty good. I could see him being a Trevor Ariza type guy in a few years.

TIER 4 (Ranking 15-27)
*Looney, Kevon F
Not sure what the tweener talk is about the guy is strictly a PF. Not undersized just needs to get stronger, definitely has the length. Has a good nose for the ball and looks comfortable stepping out. Just an okay athlete. I worry about him because he's not an immediate contributor. He could easily get lost in the shuffle if a team is not patient with him.
*Lyles, Trey F
I don't love him but he's got legit talent and projects well physically as a playmaking 4. His strength will be taking slower bigs off the bounce and finishing. Defense & rebounding are concerns. Also the lack of range hinders the initial playmaking 4 status as guys will play off and dare him to beat them with the jumper first. A little Boozer ish'-lite going on there. Also some Patrick Patterson too.
*Payne, Cameron G
A poor man's Lillard. A college gunner who can't get to the rim against mid-level D1 talent. Good court vision, excellent range & a beautiful floater but he will be exposed defensively and he's going to mainly live/die on the perimeter. Not sure that's a starting PG in today's NBA. Not an elite athlete either.
*Anderson, Justin F
I've grown to like him. He can step in and contribute immediately as a 3&D guy. Limited offensively but knows his game. Change form to become excellent shooter this past year and showed growth off the dribble as well. Limited as one/two dribble guy but effective against closeouts. Hallmark will be defensive aptitude & intensity. Seems like a very safe pick if he's there at #19.
*Holmes, Richaun F
Not sure why he's not getting any love as a 1st round talent. Good size, athletic, developing perimeter game...plus he's a hard worker, has great feet and an excellent defender. Very similar to how Paul Millsap was overlooked a few years ago, when mentioning trading for additional 2nd round picks... this is the guy I had in mind.
*Gudaitis, Arturas C
I think at this point in the draft he's worth a flyer. Productive in top league outside NBA at age 22. Active big who plays with aggression. Solid athlete who's 2 years removed from a knee injury. Needs more polish but at this stage in the draft he presents good value.
*Grant, Jerian G
A bigger pure PG version of Shelvin Mack. Should be an okay role player from day one but at 23 he is what he is. Not a great shooter from distance, better in the midrange area. Runs P&Rs well and good at finding the open shooter on the weakside. Will do fine in a 15-20 minute role off the bench. So-so defender.
*Hollis-Jefferson, Rondae F
I've warmed up to him a bit but not for the Wizards. May be the modern day SF version of Tony Allen. Shot is about as broke as it can get and he's like a drunk Al Thornton off the dribble but defensively he'll step in and contribute from day one. Will need to play with other floor spacers so the fit with the Wizards really isn't there. Will have to go to the right place or will languish.
*Jones, Tyus G
I wonder. I like his moxie and clutch ability. He made shots on/off the dribble at a high level. Not a great athlete by any means and that's the scary part. Struggles leading in transition. Not a full court player. But he simply makes shots. If there's a role its as a modern day Steve Kerr alongside a play making wing. Defense will have to improve.
*Young, Joseph G
A scorer first and only. From the Isaiah Thomas & Aaron Brooks school of PGs. Score first, score second, score third and pass as last resort. Effective at creating good looks especially off of picks or off the bounce. Elite athlete but a SG in a PG body. Seems like a 3rd guard would be his ideal role to hide his limitations as a PG.
*Hunter, R.J. G
Another gunner. Very good skill for an SG. Can run P&Rs effectively with his passing ability and IQ. Not great athlete or creator with the ball. Key is how good of a shooter he is. If he's a knockdown open shooter then comparisons to Kevin Martin can begin... if not he's going to have a tough time sticking in the rotation because he's going to have issues defensively no matter what.
*Dekker, Sam F
Seems like a perfectly decent role player. Not a starting quality guy IMO. Does every thing ok. Shooting is too streaky for it to be a strength. Not a creator, a one bounce and drive type of guy. Ok to solid potential as a defender. Good thing going for him is he's long for a 3 and has a good head on his shoulders.
*Vaughn, Rashad G
SG with major league scoring instincts. How well he works with others is an issue. Didn't seem to help UNLV a great deal. A gunner with no conscious. Is definitely skilled, talented enough to be an NBA player but his role and how he's received will depend on what he does outside of scoring. Flip Murray comes to mind.

I would go into detail regarding ranking the others but I don't have all day LOL. After 27 prospects it's really a complete crap shoot anyways.

TIER 5 (Ranking 28-44)
*Johnson, Dakari
*Jatieh, Mam
*Qualls, Michael (ACL tear)
*Powell, Norman
*Brown, Anthony
*Connaughton, Pat
*Milutinov, Nikola
*Hernangomez, Guillermo
*Upshaw, Robert
*Wood, Christian
*Martin, Jarrell
*McCullough, Chris
*Alexander, Cliff
*Rozier, Terry
*Harrell, Montrezl
*Frazier, Michael
*Wright, Delon

TIER 6 (Ranking 45- )
*Christmas, Rakeem
*McConnell, T.J.
*Nance Jr., Larry
*Hanlan, Olivier
*Cook, Quinn
*Wells, Dez
*Williams, Alan
*Mickey, Jordan
*Harvey, Tyler
*White, Aaron
*Hunter, Vince
*Hawkins, Corey
*Singh, Satnam
*Holmes, Jonathan
*Graham, Treveon

[MikeTheKid]

Here We Go.................

[hands11]

So in the last 5 year, how good do you'll think this draft is

Last years was good but with Randle, Emmid and Parker injured, we never got to see much.

2013 was a nice draft as well.

2012 had A Davis in it. ok..better then 2011 but not amazing.

2011 is probably the weakest among these

[daSwami]

I'm assuming we're picking Grant, which is a ho-hum pick, but the guy's got skills. Best case is he turns out to be a Darrell Walker type. Hoping Portis slips to us.

[Dat2U]

Draft is very strong and top heavy. Two legit studs. A bunch of all-stars and basically the entire lottery is loaded with starting quality guys. It falls off a cliff after lottery but there's a deep pool of NBA quality talent with little seperating the 16th pick and the 36th pick.

[nuposse04]

How many of you would give up the '16 first to secure Portis? I think I'd probably consider it tbh. Otherwise:

1. Looney
2. Grant
3. Trade down

I don't expect lyles to be there, but I could entertain settling for him over guys like Martin.

[nuposse04]

Kind of anxious to see how we **** this up. Surprise me EG.

[dckingsfan]

1st holds...

[The Consiglieri]

How many of you would give up the '16 first to secure Portis? I think I'd probably consider it tbh. Otherwise:

1. Looney
2. Grant
3. Trade down

I don't expect lyles to be there, but I could entertain settling for him over guys like Martin.

If it guaranteed Portis or Lyles, I'd do it. Especially the "doesn't allow Ernie to screw it up" factor.

[dckingsfan]

Lakers - wow!

[mhd]

WOW, LAL takes Russell. I kind of dig it.

[mhd]

What does Philly do? Take Okafor?

[MikeTheKid]

Kobe Heir Apparent

Looks like Okafor could slip to NYK

[verbal8]

Rumor is that Celtics will want to trade up for Okafor

[mhd]

I think Philly trades down or takes Porzingis.

[Induveca]

If Knicks get Okafor wow

[MikeTheKid]

There Not...........Sorry to Spoil

[mhd]

WOW< Philly takes Okafore

[FreeBalling]

I'm so happy we are not a lottery team.

[MikeTheKid]

WOW< Philly takes Okafore

Bye Embiid