It's early, but anybody have a draft wish list yet?
- Thread starter bluntsnbball
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Yep, he's from down under. He impressed in one of the showcase games for Highschoolers. Don't remember which one right now, but may have been the Jordan Brand Classic, where he out played another top Highschool 7 footer, Kaleb Tarczewski who is committed to Arizona. I believe he's committed to Pitt, but going on memory. He's young and raw, but very athletic. There's another center thats committed to Baylor next season, Isaiah Austin. He's someone to keep your eye on. He's another shotblocking phenom. And no, Adams in not in the draft this year.
I like T. Jones a lot. He hasn't gotten as much publicity as last year thanks to Davis and Gilchrist, but he's very talented, and a terrific defender that can defend two positions. Very intense player who I think is capable of doing more than he is, because he's playing within Calapari's system. Thats why this is going to be such a deep draft. There are several players that would have been lottery picks last year, that opted to stay another year. T. Jones, P. Jones III, Sulinger, Lamb, Barnes, etc. Now you add Gilchrist, Davis, Q. Miller, Drummond, Beal, Robinson and you have eleven players that could all possibly be stars. They won't all be, but I'd bet on everyone of them being good players and eventual starters on some team.
Now they might not all come out, but my bet is most will. And you still have the Henson's, Taylor's, and Teague's of the world there as well.
Now they might not all come out, but my bet is most will. And you still have the Henson's, Taylor's, and Teague's of the world there as well.
In some cases, they've been set back a year, but if they can qualify academicly, then they have the right to move on with the senior class they would have been a part of. Drummond did the same thing last year. He would have been a 5 yr highschool senior, but at the last minute decided to skip that last year and go to UCONN. You do have to apply, and the NCAA has to approve it.
I don't see any way that he's not a good NBA player. He can do multiple things, is very athletic, pretty strong and quick (he actually looks to me like hes gotten a lot stronger over the last while, to the point where he'd now be stronger than many NBA SFs), and has the right personality. Honestly, I would be very happy if he ended up a King.
He could be like Odom, but obviously much different character. He's big, versatile, skilled etc.. I don't know exactly why I've taken such a liking to him, maybe it's somewhat irrational, but I genuinely believe he will surprise people on the next level.
Davis and Drummond are at the top of the NBAdraft.net mock. Davis does look good. Drummond is BIG. If those guys aren't there I like Mason Plumlee. The guy is quick with some good moves. He's a little lean looking for a PF but I think his athleticism makes up for it. No one else really stands out to me in the PF/C group.
Plumlee a top 10 pick?!!! maybe im just a duke hater, but i think mason is right where he should be as a late first rounder, possibly even low 2nd rounder. He's all hustle, not skill. Maybe its also the fact that many duke players dont translate well to the NBA, but i doubt hes got the talent to be a top 10 pick. If hes in the top 10 next year, then we better draft smart now and trade away next years pick cause thats a weak draft.
No offense to those of you who like him of course, i just personally dont ever see him as being more than a hustle guy off the bench. i dont know, he just doesnt look fluid to me, he always looks awkward i guess.
No offense to those of you who like him of course, i just personally dont ever see him as being more than a hustle guy off the bench. i dont know, he just doesnt look fluid to me, he always looks awkward i guess.
I still think we're more realistic to go in the 10-8th spots then a top 5.
I really really like Terrence Ross at SF for us tbh if we're indeed in that range although maybe thats a bit too high for him.. Henson too obviously - but I actually see a better player in Ross down the line in terms of a prospect, and he fits a need.
Overall the potential on the kids in this draft is good - but tbh it's not a good year to be tanking full-time, as only Anthony Davis so far looks to be a true franchise changing player.
MKG likely to stay in school, Barnes imo is a 3rd option poor mans Deng, T-Rob is solid but his potential isn't that high aswell, fringe all-star is his ceilling - and the 2 most talented guys next to Davis you could put as a potential "franchise player" in Drummand and PJ3 are VERY, VERY, VERY risky gambles that can very easily explode in your face, and didn't show nearly enough to justify the hype.
Pretty thin at the top, but very deep all the way to the mid-end of the 1st round.
I really really like Terrence Ross at SF for us tbh if we're indeed in that range although maybe thats a bit too high for him.. Henson too obviously - but I actually see a better player in Ross down the line in terms of a prospect, and he fits a need.
Overall the potential on the kids in this draft is good - but tbh it's not a good year to be tanking full-time, as only Anthony Davis so far looks to be a true franchise changing player.
MKG likely to stay in school, Barnes imo is a 3rd option poor mans Deng, T-Rob is solid but his potential isn't that high aswell, fringe all-star is his ceilling - and the 2 most talented guys next to Davis you could put as a potential "franchise player" in Drummand and PJ3 are VERY, VERY, VERY risky gambles that can very easily explode in your face, and didn't show nearly enough to justify the hype.
Pretty thin at the top, but very deep all the way to the mid-end of the 1st round.
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A month earlier MKG was #1 SF for me but I like Ross more and more and he's at least clear #2 SF if not #1b. Bigs are obvious - #1 Davis, #2-3 Drummond, Robinson.
P.S. With the way Wildcats are playing they are going deep in March cementing top-5 status for MKG. No way he will leave that much money for another year.
P.S. With the way Wildcats are playing they are going deep in March cementing top-5 status for MKG. No way he will leave that much money for another year.
I don't think this draft is thin at the top at all. Forget P. Jones, I don't even have him in my top five. His teammate Quicy Miller should go higher. I like Ross, but at the moment I have him in with my SG's. Still not sure exactly what he is, other than a great athlete. His overall shooting ability has improved this season, but he's still an average ballhandler, and not a particularly good passer. He almost turns the ball over at a two to one ratio vrs assits. For a guy as athletic as he is, he doesn't get to the freethrow line that much, which goes back to his ballhandling. He's a good spotup shooter, and he's pretty good at getting his shot off the pullup, but shoots a lower percentage off the dribble according to Synergy. I don't see Ross going until somewhere between 15 and 22. I would take Barnes, Gilchrist, Miller, T. Jones, and Jeffery Tayor over Ross. I know Taylor doesn't get the attention the others do, but I think its because he happens to be a senior and older than the others. But make no mistake, he's a hell of a basketball player and just as athletic as any of them.
Not quite sure I see the comparison of Barnes to Deng. Different kind of players, regardless of position. Barnes has really improved his game this year. As well as being a very good scorer, he's been solid on the defensive side of the ball. Not sure what folks want out of him. I agree there's an element of risk with Drumnond. But it all stems with his desire and not his talent. He has superstar talent, the rest remains to be seen. I have no idea what this love affair with Mason Plumlee is. Sorry, but I'll take Meyers Leonard before Plumlee.
Not quite sure I see the comparison of Barnes to Deng. Different kind of players, regardless of position. Barnes has really improved his game this year. As well as being a very good scorer, he's been solid on the defensive side of the ball. Not sure what folks want out of him. I agree there's an element of risk with Drumnond. But it all stems with his desire and not his talent. He has superstar talent, the rest remains to be seen. I have no idea what this love affair with Mason Plumlee is. Sorry, but I'll take Meyers Leonard before Plumlee.
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Just want to chime in that my dark horse is Meyers Leonard. I think he's going top 7, maybe even higher. He has the potential to be a borderline All-Star.
Also, note to GP: please don't draft any SG/SF. Goddarnit, the Kings need a quality big! Ok, I'd make an exception for MKG (and maybe Terence Jones). That big man who the Kings will draft better not be named Perry Jones III. I don't know if he'll ever get it, I don't know if he'll be an All-Star, but I know one thing for sure - I'll break my television watching him play. I have never watched a more frustrating player, and that's coming from a Kings follower.
With that said, I think Petrie will fall in love with Harrison Barnes, who I think is overrated. I predict Drummond will go back to school and even if he declares I don't see Petrie liking Drummond at all.
Lastly, I have this fear based on observation that Petrie has no interest in drafting a project with great potential with a first rd pick anymore, in fact not since Gerald Wallace. The one common denominator among all his picks since 2001 is that they're all NBA-ready, and sometimes taken with raw but high ceiling players still available who play positions of need. Coincidence? Maybe. But every first round kid who came in are guys who were deemed to be more NBA ready than the rest - JT over Javale McGee, Anthony Randolph, Serge Ibaka; Jimmer over Knight etc. Hope I'm wrong, but I'll not be happy if Barnes (who is about as NBA ready as they come) is taken over Kidd-Gilchrist (who are still rough around the edges) or if Tyler Zeller is taken over Meyers Leonard.
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Also, note to GP: please don't draft any SG/SF. Goddarnit, the Kings need a quality big! Ok, I'd make an exception for MKG (and maybe Terence Jones). That big man who the Kings will draft better not be named Perry Jones III. I don't know if he'll ever get it, I don't know if he'll be an All-Star, but I know one thing for sure - I'll break my television watching him play. I have never watched a more frustrating player, and that's coming from a Kings follower.
With that said, I think Petrie will fall in love with Harrison Barnes, who I think is overrated. I predict Drummond will go back to school and even if he declares I don't see Petrie liking Drummond at all.
Lastly, I have this fear based on observation that Petrie has no interest in drafting a project with great potential with a first rd pick anymore, in fact not since Gerald Wallace. The one common denominator among all his picks since 2001 is that they're all NBA-ready, and sometimes taken with raw but high ceiling players still available who play positions of need. Coincidence? Maybe. But every first round kid who came in are guys who were deemed to be more NBA ready than the rest - JT over Javale McGee, Anthony Randolph, Serge Ibaka; Jimmer over Knight etc. Hope I'm wrong, but I'll not be happy if Barnes (who is about as NBA ready as they come) is taken over Kidd-Gilchrist (who are still rough around the edges) or if Tyler Zeller is taken over Meyers Leonard.
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I certainlly agree on Leonard over Zeller. Zeller may be more skilled right now, but the long range potential for Leonard is much much higher. If the decision comes to either or with Barnes and Gilchrist, I can honestly say that I'd be happy with either pick. However, my choice would Gilchrist. He only has one weakness in his game, and thats his outside shot. But skill wise, there's simply noting else he can't do. I have to give Barnes credit though for his improvement this season. He's a very well rounded player with a great jumpshot. His handles could still improve, but I don't see them as a weakness. I should preface this by saying that last season I wasn't a big Barnes fan.. One thing people should always be careful with when dealing with North Carolina players is that many times the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
I'm also on board with T. Jones. God forbid we draft P. Jones III. I agree, the dude is frustrating to watch. To be honest, the only reason I watch Baylor at all is to see Quincy Miller play.
I'm also on board with T. Jones. God forbid we draft P. Jones III. I agree, the dude is frustrating to watch. To be honest, the only reason I watch Baylor at all is to see Quincy Miller play.
If were talking about SF's, then Barton isn't in the picture. I have him in my SG lineup. He has a Kevin Martin type build. Skinny as a rail, but a very good athlete. His shooting has improved this season, mainly because he's been going to the basket more instead of settling for contested jumpers. He has pretty good handles, and he gets to the foul line quite a bit. He's certainly a better defender now than Martin was when he was drafted. One strange thing is that although he's a sophmore, he's already 21 years old. Not sure why, but I know had accademic problems when he tried to enroll at Memphis, so he may have been set back a year.
The obvious weakness is lack of strength, something that will become more revelant in the NBA. I don't see any way he can play SF in the NBA with his slight frame and lack of weight. Personally, I want my SF to be a minimun of 6'7". I'm sick and tired of 6'5"/6'6" John Salmons type players pretending to be SF's. I'll admit that Barton has a nice wingspan, but sorry, I'd rather have a legit SF, who also has a nice wingspan.
The obvious weakness is lack of strength, something that will become more revelant in the NBA. I don't see any way he can play SF in the NBA with his slight frame and lack of weight. Personally, I want my SF to be a minimun of 6'7". I'm sick and tired of 6'5"/6'6" John Salmons type players pretending to be SF's. I'll admit that Barton has a nice wingspan, but sorry, I'd rather have a legit SF, who also has a nice wingspan.
I guess we have to define what top talent is. There are around 8 or 9 players in this draft that could have competed for the number one spot last season, and certainly would have been top five last season. So if you define that as top talent, then we would have to pick fairly low to miss out on a good basketball player. There are also guys that are in the bottom of the first round in many mock drafts that I think are of great value. I simple love Jeffery Taylor, and for the life of me I can't figure why he's not projected higher. He's a terrific athlete, outstanding defender, (Gilchrist is the only one I would rank higher on defense), one of the better shooters in college, who can shoot the three, has a great pullup midrange and can finish at the basket. He's a team player, he's tough and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Only his age is being held against him since he's a senior. But I'd take him before I took Perry Jones III.
Wish I could see that game. Very encouraging to hear. No doubting his talent, it's everything else that's iffy with him.
Coming to the end of UConn/Syracuse. Napier is a terrible PG, he makes terrible decisions and seems to think he's the man. I wouldn't be surprised if Syracuse complete the comeback and send UConn packing. Luckily, Drummond has came up big with a few important blocks.
Coming to the end of UConn/Syracuse. Napier is a terrible PG, he makes terrible decisions and seems to think he's the man. I wouldn't be surprised if Syracuse complete the comeback and send UConn packing. Luckily, Drummond has came up big with a few important blocks.
does anybody know of a website with updated prospect info? I'm sick of reading the draft express stuff on players that was written a year ago. They have updates on some folks, like i just read about how Hensons year has been going (and i'm still high on him after reading it), but i want to read about how Drummond and Barnes years have been thus far.