I'm asking you and others that are looking for fit... interested to see if you take him? Also, I don't view Bennett as a better prospect than Zeller... good chance I'm wrong as most disagree but hey it's my opinion. Bennett, McLemore, and Len are the guys that could go top five that really scare me.
Who is available as 6th-7th pick
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The difference is that Bosh came out of college with a very good mid-range jumper and face up game. Zeller has neither at this point. Now he may develop those skills (he is a hard worker), but asking him to step in at the NBA level and do it right away could be a problem. Zeller's biggest strengths are is post game and passing ability, which should keep him in the NBA for awhile. However, he will have to learn how to score in the post against guys his own size (couldn't in college) which is why I think he will end up being a bench player most of his career.
If you're not excited about the best all-around talent in the draft falling to us then you're over thinking it. We had Kevin Martin when we drafted Tyreke and I'd say we came out ahead in that equation. Not that drafting McLemore would spell the end of Tyreke in Sacramento necessarily, but if it doesn't work out then you trade the lesser talent (which is assuming we can even re-sign Evans to begin with). But making that assumption, some people here are convinced Tyreke is so incapable of running an offense that we desperately need a PG and some people are convinced that his jumpshot is so broken that he needs to be surrounded by shooters or our offense goes to pot. Well, McLemore is certainly not the former but he is the latter. Probably the best one in the draft and he also happens to be a huge threat to dunk on people and a capable defender. I'm not really committed to either line of thinking. I don't think Tyreke is a born PG, but I do think he can fill that role with a well constructed roster around him. I also think he can get his jumper to a Westbrook level of competence where it's enough of a threat that the defense has to play him honest. And regardless of position-related biases, if you have a big strong lane-attacking guard and a multi-talented bigman who can score points in bunches, a deluxe 3-and-D wing seems like an excellent third piece to me.
But this is probably just a rhetorical exercise because the odds of McLemore falling to us at #7 are slim and none. Same with Porter. I actually think there's a better chance at us getting Noel than either of those two guys because his injury is a legitimate concern and he really only helps you on one end of the court. But with McLemore, he has to bomb some workouts pretty bad for all three of Orlando, Charlotte, and Phoenix to pass on him. All of those teams need guard help and they need scoring.
But this is probably just a rhetorical exercise because the odds of McLemore falling to us at #7 are slim and none. Same with Porter. I actually think there's a better chance at us getting Noel than either of those two guys because his injury is a legitimate concern and he really only helps you on one end of the court. But with McLemore, he has to bomb some workouts pretty bad for all three of Orlando, Charlotte, and Phoenix to pass on him. All of those teams need guard help and they need scoring.
Not a huge McLemore fan. I don't dislike him as a prospect, just wary. He can jump and shoot but he's not bringing much else to the table. I question his defense... not sold on him being a plus defender in the nba. If he's not great offensively and not great defensively then what's to get excited about? Spot up shooting and an occasional nice dunk? Those are fun skills but not #7 worthy.
I'm not sure what to think about McLemore. He has a great shooting stroke and his extremely athletic. However, he has almost no left hand when dribbling, struggles to get to the basket consistently, and plays way too passive at times. He has the potential to be a star in the NBA, but could just as likely become a good role player off the bench.
If you take the James Harden case it validates your point. He came off the bench for the Thunder, and was a very important part of that team. In the end, they couldn't afford him, but he still had a lot of value in trade. You never get hurt by taking the best player available. Now, I agree, that this year its a little hard to define just who is the best player available, but I think just about every NBA scout would agree that McLemore is a top five talent. At least this year he is!
Yep, I agree 100%! If you ask most scouts, just about every one of them will tell you that McLemore has the highest ceiling. But not every player with potential reaches that ceiling! Oladipo has one thing you can't teach. Determination and desire. He has a great work ethic. He'll probably never be a star, but he could be Tony Allen with more offense, and a little better rebounding. And thats not to be sneezed at. At this point in time, its more likely that Oladipo will reach his potential than McLemore will. The question is, will McLemore still be a better player in the end, despite not reaching his ceiling. By the way, McLemore is a very good defender when he puts out the effort. Once again, there's the potential rearing its ugly head.
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Kobe skipped college so I never got a feel for him. Tough to evaluate hs kids as hs games just don't get the coverage. And I'm far from an nba scout... obviously there's a reason everyone likes McLemore. But look back at every draft and a ton of guys that get predraft hype bust... I'm just taking my own best guesses here but McLemore, Bennet, and Len are the three top five guys I'm not feeling. Only time will tell.
I'd be happy with any of the top 10 projected picks outside of MCW and Muhammad. In my mind, they're guaranteed to be less than the #7 pick in this draft. Any of the other 8 has a strong probability to be worth the #7 pick.
I really like Burke, Len, Porter and Bennett for us at 7. I don't think Noel, McLemore or Oladipo will be there and probably not Porter either. So between Burke, Len and Bennett we're guaranteed to get one of those guys. Which I'm totally content with. McCollum would be fine too, but I like those other three better.
Just no MCW or Muhammad...PLZ!
I really like Burke, Len, Porter and Bennett for us at 7. I don't think Noel, McLemore or Oladipo will be there and probably not Porter either. So between Burke, Len and Bennett we're guaranteed to get one of those guys. Which I'm totally content with. McCollum would be fine too, but I like those other three better.
Just no MCW or Muhammad...PLZ!
well, in the last cowbell kingdom podcast, they made it sound as if MCW's workout was very disappointing. they're also not giving him another look, whereas both Muhammad and McCollum are returning to work out for D'Alessandro. completely guessing, but Burke's feelings towards workouts make me think that he wouldn't return, so I wouldn't rule him out either. MCW seems a bit unlikely though.
You can talk about BPA for hours, and still being drafted into crowded situation was a big part of Robinson's failure. Bennett doesn't bring unique polished skillset to warrant big minutes: his only clear NBA skill is shooting and Kings have that from PF spot already(probably one too many players already). Adams doesn't look like you have to give him at least 25 minutes either. Difference is he would be unique for Kings: Aldrich can provide similar things inside, but Cole can't play alongside Cousins, while Adams can.
I'm not disputing most of what you say. My point is that Adams is a little more of a project IMO. Now I would have no problem with taking Adams and hoping he develops into a solid defensive player to start next to Cousins. I just know that a lot of fans like players that will help right away. I honestly don't know what to expect from Bennett. I didn't get much of a chance to watch him this season, but liked the little I saw. But more than a few scouts think he is one of the most talented players in this draft. Only time will tell.
Now I understand what you mean. This draft is weak because the top players available are not elite. Many, especially the three you mentioned and I will add Noel to the list, have significant problems that could cause them trouble in the NBA. Offensively Len will be powerful but his problem in my mind is defense and the possibility he may spend as much time on the injured list as on the active roster.
After you analyze his offense in-depth, Len stops being that intriguing: he shot only 38% on his post attempts and 64% of his at the rim shots were assisted so blaming guards for not giving him the ball is pretty selfish.
P.S. Funny fact: seems like every 3pt shot attempted by 'Bazz was assisted, and he made 38% on threes. Of his 2pt jumpers only 47% were assisted and he made just 37% of those. McLemore has similar spread: 2pt jumpers - 47% were assisted and only 35% were made, for threes - 92% and 42% respectively.
P.S. Funny fact: seems like every 3pt shot attempted by 'Bazz was assisted, and he made 38% on threes. Of his 2pt jumpers only 47% were assisted and he made just 37% of those. McLemore has similar spread: 2pt jumpers - 47% were assisted and only 35% were made, for threes - 92% and 42% respectively.
Look, you and I agree on Adams, but your underselling Bennett a bit too much. He's a very skilled player. In fact, defense aside, he may be the most offensively skilled player in this draft. He can hit the three. He has a very good midrange jumper. He's explosive around the basket, He handles the ball very well and is capable of taking people off the dribble. He's a very good rebounder. His post game needs refinement, but he manages quite well around the basket with his quickness, explosiveness, and strength. He's no Thomas Robinson, who I had serious doubts about offensively. He's also a good passer. Offensively, he's a 19 year old with the game of a 22 year old. All that said, I'd like to take a shot on Adams. Who will take longer to come around to the point where the Kings might feel comfortable giving him serious minutes. But I won't be upset with Bennett.
Len was a very good defensive player for Maryland. As for his injury, I read the report today on line, that the injury occured with about a month to go in the season. He complained of pain in his ankle. The Maryland medical staff and trainers treated his ankle as bad sprain, but didn't take x-rays, or do an MRI. So he played the rest of the season, and then in the tournament with the injury. After the season ended the pain was so bad he went and had an MRI and they discovered the ankle was broken, something the Maryland staff should have done and found out. So he had surgery to repair the ankle.
Thanks to the Maryland staff, Len received criticism in general for his play at the end of the season and in the tournament. He never should have been playing. Doctors told him that had he rested the ankle when the injury first ocurred, he probably wouldn't have needed the surgery. Len proved to be a very good shotblocker. He's a very good athlete with great length at 7'1" and a very nice wingspan. Most scouts actually like him for his defensive potential.
Thanks to the Maryland staff, Len received criticism in general for his play at the end of the season and in the tournament. He never should have been playing. Doctors told him that had he rested the ankle when the injury first ocurred, he probably wouldn't have needed the surgery. Len proved to be a very good shotblocker. He's a very good athlete with great length at 7'1" and a very nice wingspan. Most scouts actually like him for his defensive potential.
Id like too take the shot on Adams as well.. but it dosent seem like our FO is thinking the sameway.. PDA said today they want BPA at #7... and Adams is not BPA "at this point in time"... Im thinking the only way we get Adams is through a trade.
Being from Ontario, Canada (Same as Bennet) myself, I would love too have Bennet on the team aswell.. But The Robinson pick still haunts me so i dont think I would ever be totally sure on Bennet. Can he play SF? his 38 3P% really stood out too me..impressive skillset
Being from Ontario, Canada (Same as Bennet) myself, I would love too have Bennet on the team aswell.. But The Robinson pick still haunts me so i dont think I would ever be totally sure on Bennet. Can he play SF? his 38 3P% really stood out too me..impressive skillset
I know what my eyes told me Gilles. I watched game after game with Len, and time after time he fought for position and never got the ball. The fact that over half his shots were assisted is not surprise since he usually got the ball near the basket when he did get it. There were games where he had a clear cut advantage in height. Sometimes a 4 to 5 inch advantage, and only took 5 or 6 shots in the game because no one got him the ball. I'm not sure how they came up with him scoring on only 38% of his post attempts, since most of his attempts were post attempts, and he shot around 52% overall.
Look, he's still learning the game, but he has tremendous potential, which is why I think he's going to be the first pick in the draft. I'm not concerned with us picking him because he won't be there when we pick. But I'd take him if he was!
Well I think he can play SF, but I seem to be in the minority on this fourm. I certainly wouldn't let the Robinson pick affect your opinion of Bennett. They are nothing alike except that both of them are great athlete's. He's been compared to Larry Johnson, who could screw you into the floor with his post moves, and Johnson was probably only around 6'5", but it didn't matter. If he got close to the basket with the ball, he usually scored. I'd also like to remind people of Charles Barkley, who was only around 6'6", and he did just fine. Not saying Bennett is Barkley, but I wouldn't underestimate his ability.