The #2 Pick

Luciferswings · Post #241 » by **Luciferswings** » Sun May 24, 2015 1:52 am

Stephen Curry refusing to work out with teams and trying to scare them off, so he could get drafted by NY, didn't help.

LApwnd · Post #242 » by **LApwnd** » Sun May 24, 2015 2:02 am

Luciferswings wrote:Stephen Curry refusing to work out with teams and trying to scare them off, so he could get drafted by NY, didn't help.

scared of minn lol....they had 2 chance at steph and passed with both picks

Luciferswings · Post #243 » by **Luciferswings** » Sun May 24, 2015 2:06 am

He didn't work out with Memphis either, so there's that.

ALL HAIL · Post #244 » by **ALL HAIL** » Sun May 24, 2015 2:42 am

TylersLakers wrote:
Sedale Threatt wrote:Kid looks lean and mean. I like it.

Yep, I had Towns as my #1 a couple weeks ago, but now it's Okafor. If he's available, we cannot pass him up for a guard with a lack of athleticism.

I agree, but it's not his lack of athleticism for me, it's his lack of defensive impact and overall physicality.

His lack of physicality is the primary reason why I've compared him to Jamal Crawford (with far better passing).

On defense, who does he guard? What position?

Nobody is even considering Russell's defense.

He could struggle mightily guarding the average NBA PG.

What type of SG defender would Russell be? As good as Crawford?

Russell really scares me. Other than passing, tell me how much different was Jamal Crawford coming out of Michigan after his freshman year.

john248 · Post #245 » by **john248** » Sun May 24, 2015 3:16 am

kblo247 wrote:
john248 wrote:
NBAWestFan wrote:I would look hard at Mudiay. He is a lot more athletic than Russell and of course Towns and Okafor.

Mudiay is a dreadful shooter...I mean no range and under 60% FT. He's not a natural shooter at all, obviously. It's one of those things he will definitely dramatically improve since it's easy to project him to be a 70+% FT shooter in the NBA while being a mediocre 3 point shooter, but I don't see a huge upside with him. John Wall was no where near that bad, and Wall is more athletic.

I always look at Russ as a comparison because Russ became a better athlete in the league than ucla. I can see that happening for Muiday too since he already improved his body in the cba. Full access to nba trainers would help him. As for shooting problems I would look at Tony PArker who struggled around the same age but got better

I thought about RWB when it comes to Mudiay too since RWB was a garbage shooter entering UCLA, and I think Mudiay's handles are better than Westbrook's at the same age. Mentioning Parker is nice. Hell, yu could've mentioned Kidd too.

Then again, I can mention a number of players who never really learn to shoot which would greatly outnumber the one's who have learned like Rondo. Also, Mudiay isn't as athletic as Wall or RWB at the same age. I do feel his ceiling is quite lower.

Don't get me wrong. Mudiay can be a nice all-star in any given year in his prime, but I don't see him being one of those guys who'll get MVP consideration that I do when it comes to Towns, Russell, and Okafor. Also naming guys who've overcome their deficiencies is a pointless exercise since there are many more who have failed.

NBAWestFan wrote:
john248 wrote:
NBAWestFan wrote:I would look hard at Mudiay. He is a lot more athletic than Russell and of course Towns and Okafor.

Mudiay is a dreadful shooter...I mean no range and under 60% FT. He's not a natural shooter at all, obviously. It's one of those things he will definitely dramatically improve since it's easy to project him to be a 70+% FT shooter in the NBA while being a mediocre 3 point shooter, but I don't see a huge upside with him. John Wall was no where near that bad, and Wall is more athletic.

I would disagree about Mudiay. He is very Athletic and looks more like a young Kobe/Jordan type the way he can
create his own shot and attack the basket in traffic. Russell is a midrange to 3 point shooter. Both are 6-5 but Mudiay
is a lot more athletic. He may not be as fast as Wall but even though he can play point. This is a guy who can take it too the hole
and get to the line. His shooting can easily improve with his 6-5 frame and Athleticism. He is not a 7-0 stiff like Dwight he can bend his knees and once he learns better Shooting Mechanics.

Watch the film

There's actually not that much out there of him. We're talking a small sample size of maybe 4 games or so which are the hoops summit, a few Beijing, CBA games, and a bunch of 10 minute highlights. That's it, so he's still relatively an unknown if you look at it objectively.

Also if you were reading my post, I've also mentioned that he could improve his shooting where it's reasonable to see him shoot in the 70s at the line and be a mediocre 3 point shooter. That wouldn't be too bad for a guy if he could get a decent FTR though would make him far from elite and not Jordan/Kobe like at all. Comparing the ability to learn how to shoot to someone like Dwight is quite possibly the stupidest thing I've read in this thread from someone trying to make a point. If you must rely on extreme examples, then learn to make a point. Not as athletic as Wall, not the same shooter at the same age as Wall... lol

You should watch the film...twice.

Michael Lucky · Post #246 » by **Michael Lucky** » Sun May 24, 2015 3:44 am

ALL HAIL wrote:
TylersLakers wrote:
Sedale Threatt wrote:Kid looks lean and mean. I like it.

Yep, I had Towns as my #1 a couple weeks ago, but now it's Okafor. If he's available, we cannot pass him up for a guard with a lack of athleticism.

I agree, but it's not his lack of athleticism for me, it's his lack of defensive impact and overall physicality.

His lack of physicality is the primary reason why I've compared him to Jamal Crawford (with far better passing).

On defense, who does he guard? What position?

Nobody is even considering Russell's defense.

He could struggle mightily guarding the average NBA PG.

What type of SG defender would Russell be? As good as Crawford?

Russell really scares me. Other than passing, tell me how much different was Jamal Crawford coming out of Michigan after his freshman year.

If you take the four best guards in the league today, only one of them is athletic in Westbrook. Not sure where the issue is here. He can shoot, score, and pass while also having terrific bbal IQ. Every player has their weaknesses even Westbrook who's still a mediocre three point shooter and is TO prone while also having lapses on D. Where does this idea that you need a perfect bball player come from? There are none in this league. Even AD lacks a true back to the basket game. Lebron still struggles with his post game and shooting from outside at times. Okafor is slow footed on D and terrible against the P n R while having no outside shot. Towns has little to no post game while being at times undisciplined on the defensive end. D'Angelo Russell isn't athletic and super fast. Mudiay can't shoot. When looking at it this way, sounds like D'Angelo Russell might be the safer pick considering what Curry, Harden, CP3 are doing. I'd rather have us focus on these players strengths, what is working right now than their so called weaknesses.

H00PDREAMS · Post #247 » by **H00PDREAMS** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:00 am

DEEP3CL wrote:There ain't gonna be another Jahlil or Karl for a long long time. Guards are a dime a dozen....you can always find one.

BAM! 'Nuff said! Just like TylersLakers said the Lakers can't afford to get cute with this pick. They just can't. I've watched Towns all year. I've seen Okafor play often. Both of these kids are once in a 5 to 10 year talents. When I first saw Okafor the first thought that came to mind was "omg its freakin little Timmy Duncan all over again!"
I watched college hoops all year and I can honestly say the guards you all mention didn't have the impact that these two big men had on their respective teams. Towns on your team, in college, you won. Okafor in your lineup you won. Period!

The lakers must take a big here. so Jim save your ass and just get a big. Great kids great players with excellent pedigree who have both played against the top players in the toughest situations in the most hostile of environments.

Okafor all freaking day.

Michael Lucky · Post #248 » by **Michael Lucky** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:06 am

I don't know how people can claim a person is Tim Duncan and completely disregard the defensive end......

H00PDREAMS · Post #249 » by **H00PDREAMS** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:11 am

Honestly I don't remember Tim being defensively dominant in college. I think he showed flashes but I recall he found that role in San Antonio once drafted. Please someone correct me if I'm misspoken.

Mirjalovic · Post #250 » by **Mirjalovic** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:13 am

He's not that bad defensively. It's so overstated. It's not like he is Eddy Curry, plus his wingspan and standing reach is good enough. Look at Bynum, his defense was great in 2011 and 2012, and i think Lakers development team could work well with Okafor.

Michael Lucky · Post #251 » by **Michael Lucky** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:15 am

I doubt anyone here was really following Duncan in college. Having said that just from looking at stats the dominant shot-blocking was always there. Don't get me wrong though, I love Okafor. I can't remember a person with that good of a post game coming out of college and wouldn't be disappointed at all if we got to draft him. Honestly it's a win-win situation for us.

iamworthy · Post #252 » by **iamworthy** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:16 am

Anyone have Tim Duncans Draft express break down?

Post #253 » by **TyCobb** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:19 am

They didn't exist back then.

Luciferswings · Post #254 » by **Luciferswings** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:21 am

Duncan is bigger and as long (or longer) than Okafor. He was incredibly athletic in his prime too, and had (and still has) a money jump shot. Those are some pretty significant differences right there. If I had to pick one of Towns and Okafor to project into a Duncan-like player, I'd easily pick Towns.

iamworthy · Post #255 » by **iamworthy** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:27 am

TyCobb wrote:They didn't exist back then.

lol...so Im not crazy. I couldnt find them. Alot is made of Duncans defense so I just wanted to see what was the opinion of folks during the draft.

Sedale Threatt · Post #256 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:29 am

Duncan averaged 12 rebounds and four blocks over four years in college. Draw your own conclusions.

Post #257 » by **TyCobb** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:30 am

iamworthy wrote:
TyCobb wrote:They didn't exist back then.

lol...so Im not crazy. I couldnt find them. Alot is made of Duncans defense so I just wanted to see what was the opinion of folks during the draft.

There might be some wall hieroglyphics in a cave somewhere that hosted 'live carving' during Duncan's draft.

iamworthy · Post #258 » by **iamworthy** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:31 am

Sedale Threatt wrote:Duncan averaged 12 rebounds and four blocks over four years in college. Draw your own conclusions.

Meh, Kobe was a bench rider when he entered the nba...look at him now. Im curious to know Duncans stats as a freshman

ALL HAIL · Post #259 » by **ALL HAIL** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:36 am

Duncan was an excellent defender in college; it wasn't a big secret.

I remember Jerry West, very accurately, describing Duncan as a generationally good big man.

He showed in college that he was elite at rebounding, scoring, and defending -- remember, Duncan went to school for four years. You knew exactly who Duncan was.

Duncan's freshman year, I remember, being quite productive, much like Embid's but showing m much more intelligence and craftiness. Players were brought along much slower then ... as they should.

iamworthy · Post #260 » by **iamworthy** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:38 am

ALL HAIL wrote:Duncan was an ex excellent defender in college; ii wasn't a big secret.

I remember Jerry West, very accurately, describing Duncan as a generationally good big man.

He showed in college that he was elite at rebounding, scoring, and defending -- remember, Duncan went to school for four years. You knew exactly who Duncan was.

Im trying to get away from what people remembered. Anything from a draftexpress type site?

Who do we pick