It's early, but anybody have a draft wish list yet?

[Capt. Factorial]

I'm 90% sure the Hornets will win the lottery.

I'm 25% sure the Hornets will win the lottery.

 

[Kingster]

Barnes doesn't have the foot speed for an elite NBA guard. I think he's a poor man's Clay Thompson. The Kings made a mistake in the Salmons-Jimmer move because of need. I just want them to draft the best player, regardless of need. If it's a center that is BPA, I'd take him, even though we have Cousins. It's when you get cute and rationalize a pick (We need more outside shooting - see Jimmer), that's when you end up blowing it.

 

[beb0p]

Not sure if it was posted or not, but scouting reports from last draft which includes some players that went back to schools and will likely be out this years. Interesting read, most of the observation we already know.

Harrison Barnes, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, North Carolina
I finally figured him out. People have been trying to say he's Marvin Williams, but I think he's Sean Elliott. He's not a star, but he's an all-around good player. If you're expecting a franchise player, you're going to be sadly mistaken, but he can definitely help. If he came out, I'm not sure he'd be a top-five pick, but if he slipped to eight or nine people would come up with reasons why they should take him instead of why they shouldn't.


Perry Jones, 6-10 freshman forward, Baylor
He's the most talented kid in the class, but I don't think he's a franchise player. He doesn't have the personality for that. He's more of a blend player. He reminds me of Tim Thomas. He gets you 22 and 11, but you want him to get 36 and 17. If a team has a point guard and wants to pass on Kyrie Irving, I could see him going No. 1. He's so stinking fast it's amazing. You talk to the coaches, they say he wins all the sprints in practice against the guards. One thing you have to wonder about is he never won, not in high school, not in AAU.


Jared Sullinger, 6-9 freshman forward, Ohio State
I love him. He's like Elton Brand but he's a better basketball player. If he's not No. 1, he's not lasting past the top three. He'll get his shot blocked just like Kevin Love did, but his shooting percentage already accounts for that. He's comfortable with both hands and he makes free throws. He just has a great feel for the game, and you can tell winning is important to him. My concern is that he doesn't have a lot of upside, he's a finished product. And he's not a great athlete, so he has a ceiling.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...4/nba.scouting.finch/index.html#ixzz1quC5oDSs

 

[Section 101]

I'm 25% sure the Hornets will win the lottery.

I'm 75% sure they won't !

 

[bajaden]

Not sure if it was posted or not, but scouting reports from last draft which includes some players that went back to schools and will likely be out this years. Interesting read, most of the observation we already know.

I think those are fair appraisals. I've always thought of Joe Johnson when I've watched Barnes play. Deadly shooter who can get you plus 20 on good nights, but doesn't do any of the other little things that help you win. However, there's nothing wrong with having a deadly shooter out there. Johnson is probably a better passer than Barnes, but neither will dazzle you with their ballhandling.

P. Jones is a high risk no reward player so far. I can only think of maybe 3 games all year that he looked like the player he's projected to be. The rest of the time, he was wallpaper. He made the room look good as his only contribution to the party. If I'm drafting below 10, I'd certainly take a gamble on him. But he scares me to death as a top ten pick.

 

[bajaden]

I'm 75% sure they won't !

WOW! Now thats really going out on a limb.....

 

[bajaden]

Barnes doesn't have the foot speed for an elite NBA guard. I think he's a poor man's Clay Thompson. The Kings made a mistake in the Salmons-Jimmer move because of need. I just want them to draft the best player, regardless of need. If it's a center that is BPA, I'd take him, even though we have Cousins. It's when you get cute and rationalize a pick (We need more outside shooting - see Jimmer), that's when you end up blowing it.

Not to nic pic, but Barnes isn't a guard, he's a SF, and his foot speed is good enough for that position. The dude is 6'8" tall with a 6'11" wingspan. So he has more than adequite height and length for the SF position. I might add, that most people didn't know that Thompson would be as good as he is. I know you don't like Barnes, but don't let your emotions about him jade your opinions. Will he be as good as previously thought coming out of highschool? Maybe not. But I think he'll certainly be a good player. If not immediately, then down the road a little.

But I agree completely with you on BPA. Drafting for need can, and will, a high percentage of the time get you in trouble. And as I stated previously, you can't think short term when you draft. Especially when your drafting one and done's. Sometimes the player thats most ready to play right now, won't be the best player 2 years from now. If you want immediate help, then add it through freeagency. Think of the draft as a deposit for the future. He who saves wisely, will get the biggest payoff. Do you want to be sitting on a sunny beach when you retire, or sharing a manhole cover with someone in an alley. By the way, I'm sitting on a beach. I highly recommend it!

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Do you guys think that the Jazz might be willing to trade one of their 1st round pick for Jimmer? If you could take one between Jimmer and Marshall, who would you pick? I think I would go with Marshall, and if he is still available when the Jazz are picking with their second 1st rounder, I would try to do this trade.

I find it highly unlikely Utah would bite at that, but yes.

I'd trade Jimmer Fredette for Kendall Marshall. No doubt about it.

 

[Gilles]

I think you're seriously underrating his offensive talent. What Barnes has that MKG doesn't right now is true triple threat potential. In the college game he doesn't have the ball control or the first step to attack one-on-one and get to the rim when he wants to-- but if you open the floor up for the wider three point arc and you put him with teammates who might pull a double team, his offensive skillset becomes much more dangerous. He's got a smooth set jump shot out to NBA three point range but he can also put the ball on the floor. For whatever reason he doesn't appear to have the lateral quickness or explosiveness to get around defenders but if you give him a step, such as a late-rotating defender, he can take the ball at you and create contact. He averaged 5 free throw attempts per game this year. He can also pull up off the dribble and shoot from midrange with accuracy. And he's also looked very comfortable scoring on fast break opportunities. It's an NBA-ready offensive skillset.

He's not a triple-threat because he's not a good passer. He can swing the ball to the open teammate but ask him to hit a cutter or the other side of the floor and you ask for trouble. What you describe is a roleplayer, damn good two-way one but still a roleplayer. End of the lottery you're happy to get a solid starter, might as well take him but there should be better value in the top-10 of this draft.

Perry Jones, 6-10 freshman forward, Baylor
He's the most talented kid in the class, but I don't think he's a franchise player. He doesn't have the personality for that. He's more of a blend player. He reminds me of Tim Thomas. He gets you 22 and 11, but you want him to get 36 and 17. If a team has a point guard and wants to pass on Kyrie Irving, I could see him going No. 1. He's so stinking fast it's amazing. You talk to the coaches, they say he wins all the sprints in practice against the guards. One thing you have to wonder about is he never won, not in high school, not in AAU.

Well, right now he gives you 15 and 6 when you wish he get 22 and 11. I remember that Dirk is considered among very few people who went from being bad rebounder to average. So you should actually wish for 22 and 8.

 

[hrdboild]

He's not a triple-threat because he's not a good passer. He can swing the ball to the open teammate but ask him to hit a cutter or the other side of the floor and you ask for trouble. What you describe is a roleplayer, damn good two-way one but still a roleplayer. End of the lottery you're happy to get a solid starter, might as well take him but there should be better value in the top-10 of this draft.

Wait a second, you're telling me that because Harrison Barnes doesn't pass the ball like a guard he's not a threat to pass in a triple threat situation? I wouldn't call passing one if his strengths, but I have seen him hit cutters for open layups and he certainly can swing the ball. But it doesn't really matter, there's no objective truth here just differences in perception. It seems to me like you're making this more complicated than it needs to be, but it's an open discussion. I don't see 10 players better than Barnes out of this group, but maybe you do. The reason I posted in the first place is that I think a lot of people are underrating Harrison Barnes by focusing more on what he can't do than what he can do. It'll be years before we can draw any conclusions though. If we end up drafting Harrison Barnes this year, I won't be complaining. I still like Perry Jones too. Both of those guys were disappointing as college players but I think they're going to surprise some people in the NBA.

 

[Gary]

I think its the shooting ability that Barnes has that he's referring to. My take on it, is not to think in the short term, but which player will be the best player in one year, two years etc. I've heard scouts compare MKG to Scotty Pippen. Some to Michael Jordan when he came out of college. Thats high praise for what its worth. Point is, MKG's potential is off the charts, and Barnes isn't. I think its short sighted to pick and choose, based on who we have on the roster right now. If we draft Barnes, and he's automaticly the second best player on the roster, who cares how he fits with an inferior player.

I've seen Kentucky play around 30 times this year, and in just about all of those games, even games when MKG only scored 6 or 8 pts, he still impacted the game. The only way Barnes can impact a game is by scoring. And I'm not knocking that. You have to score to win. But he doesn't have all the other intangibles that MKG has. I'll admit that I'm very very biased. I got hooked on this kid when I saw him play in an all star game his junior year of highschool. I've followed him ever since. Look up the word winner, and you'll find his picture over it. But hey, I know I'm singing to the choir here.

He's solid though in the other areas (Barnes) it's not like he's terrible on D, undersized, or takes plays off, but I do agree that he's not the leader that MKG could be. Not to mention I think MKG could really get along with Cousins being that they are both UK guys.

It's still a tossup for me though on who I would rather have. We can't keep picking mismatched pieces though because we would end up with small lineups which I believe you had complained about? I am all about putting pieces together even though someone has a higher ceiling than someone else.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

I'm 90% sure the Hornets will win the lottery.

THANK YOU for posting that. I'm with you on it that the hornets will win it. It's that annual story or some team that really *needs* it. hornets *need* it with them trying to sell the franchise. The league needs to make it attractive to a buyer.

 

[ElRey]

Anthony Davis: the next Bill Russell. Wow, I've never seen anyone barely score but dominate a game like that.

 

[upinsmoke]

What % of us watch the games with one eye scouting lol.

 

[bajaden]

Wait a second, you're telling me that because Harrison Barnes doesn't pass the ball like a guard he's not a threat to pass in a triple threat situation? I wouldn't call passing one if his strengths, but I have seen him hit cutters for open layups and he certainly can swing the ball. But it doesn't really matter, there's no objective truth here just differences in perception. It seems to me like you're making this more complicated than it needs to be, but it's an open discussion. I don't see 10 players better than Barnes out of this group, but maybe you do. The reason I posted in the first place is that I think a lot of people are underrating Harrison Barnes by focusing more on what he can't do than what he can do. It'll be years before we can draw any conclusions though. If we end up drafting Harrison Barnes this year, I won't be complaining. I still like Perry Jones too. Both of those guys were disappointing as college players but I think they're going to surprise some people in the NBA.

Harrison Barnes wouldn't be a surprise. But P. Jones would be. He is the most frustrating player I've watched this season. There are times when he just does nothing. At some point, you have to actually play up to your abilities. And a couple of games out of about 26 just doesn't do it for me.

I wouldn't call Barnes disappointing this season. He was fairly solid all season long, and was a lot more aggressive than last season. I thought he improved overall. Because I like MKG better, doesn't mean I don't like Barnes. Its not an either/or situation. Its just a matter of ranking them.

 

[Uk kings fan]

with the uk team now bing disbanded (6 in the first round apparently!! ) who is the next lot of kentuckys players and are they going to drop of for the next few years...

 

[KingsCitizen]

If we can't pick at the top 5, we should trade our pick + Salmons/Garcia for a better vet. That means either Davis, TRob, MKG, Barnes, or Drummond or go home.

 

[Gilles]

with the uk team now bing disbanded (6 in the first round apparently!! ) who is the next lot of kentuckys players and are they going to drop of for the next few years...

They have a very nice recruiting class coming in but outside of Poythress they don't have clear one-and-dones so they may not be very good next year.

If we can't pick at the top 5, we should trade our pick + Salmons/Garcia for a better vet. That means either Davis, TRob, MKG, Barnes, or Drummond or go home.

I would rather trade down dumping Salmons/Garcia on the way. Remember while there appears to be no franchise changer after #1 this is going to be a very deep draft. You can get starter level talent way into the twenties. And you can always find some team that falls in love with some player going in the middle of the lottery.
P.S. Speaking about Wildcats as an NBA player Doron Lamb can bring what Jimmer brings except he's much more athletic and consequently much better defender. There's a lot of talent this year.

 

[UK_King]

with the uk team now bing disbanded (6 in the first round apparently!! ) who is the next lot of kentuckys players and are they going to drop of for the next few years...

Well they could potentially recruit Shabazz Muhammed and Nerlens Noel for next season the top 2 recruits coming out of high school.

having said that Donte Greene was ranked higher than Blake Griffin coming out of high school, so make of that what you will.

 

[PurpleHaze]

with the uk team now bing disbanded (6 in the first round apparently!! ) who is the next lot of kentuckys players and are they going to drop of for the next few years...

John Calipari just reloads with top high school recruits plus enticing red shirts from everywhere - all over the planet. He said he'll be out recruiting tomorrow and nobody is smarter, smoother at it. It's magic the way he works to get his diverse youngster (most H.S. scoring superstars) to buy into his team first, do it my way philosophy. Notice at end celebration when CBS was talking about, showing Davis' mom and dad in the crowd, Coach Cal was entusiastically wanting to know - "where's grandma!?" He knew early on in recruiting his young unibrow sensation she was just as important to get onboard as the kids parents. Calipari becomes just as big an influence, loving supporter, as mom dad and grandma - if not more so. Cal's Cats will be very good again next season but not likely go 35-2. Obviously, in NCAA Final Four March Madness all you have to do is get into the tourney, get red hot, and go 6-0 to hoist the big trophy.

 

[Gilles]

Forgot about Noel but while Kentucky appears on Muhammad's top-3 list they seem to be distant #3 after UNLV and UCLA. He might be one of the reasons Moser returned.

 

[Uk kings fan]

sorry i compleatly forgott about the high school recruits <doh> havent most of them already commitied though??? and when i looked early this year it didnt look like kentucky had grabbed many of the top ones

 

[UK_King]

The top 2 recruits have offers from Kentucky, Noel is yet to visit any schools according to ESPN.

I actually like the look of Isaiah Austin more, has a much better passing game for a big man, committed to Baylor.

 

[Uk kings fan]

Is there no signing day like in amarican footbal

 

[bajaden]

with the uk team now bing disbanded (6 in the first round apparently!! ) who is the next lot of kentuckys players and are they going to drop of for the next few years...

Right now they have three players rated in the top 32 ranked highschool players. Archie Goodwin, a 6'5", SG ranked number 13. Alex Poythress, a 6'7", SF, ranked number 17, and Willie Cauley, a 6"10" Center, ranked number 32. However, they have extended offers to Nerlens Noel, a 6'11" center, and currently ranked number 1 in the nation, and who is a clone of Anthony Davis, and Shabazz Muhammad, a 6'6" SF/SG, who is ranked number 2 in the nation. If both those players decide to go to Kentucky, then they'll have the number one recruiting class in the nation again for the third year in a row.

Winning a national championship certainly doesn't hurt recruiting.

 

[bajaden]

Forgot about Noel but while Kentucky appears on Muhammad's top-3 list they seem to be distant #3 after UNLV and UCLA. He might be one of the reasons Moser returned.

I really can't imagine Muhammad going to UCLA. Maybe UNLV. The one thing kids want is to be on the national stage, and possibly win a national championship. That ain't going to happen at UCLA. Its the old, what have you done lately thing. And UCLA hasn't done much. But hey, you never know. They already have Kyle Anderson, and the addition of Muhammad would certainly help revitalize the program.

Not sure people are aware how much of a mess the UCLA program is. They've had two recruits leave and go on to star for other schools. One that completely lost his mind in total rebellion, and have been rejected by top highschool recruits for the last few years. I thought for sure they would look elsewhere for a new head coach. But instead they rehired Howland. If Muhammad decides to to to UCLA, I predict he'll regret it.

 

[bajaden]

The top 2 recruits have offers from Kentucky, Noel is yet to visit any schools according to ESPN.

I actually like the look of Isaiah Austin more, has a much better passing game for a big man, committed to Baylor.

Comparison: Austin = Drummond. Noel = Davis. Hopefully Austin will fare better than Drummond did this year. However, he'll certainly help Baylor, especiall if Quincy Miller returns for another year

 

[Kingster]

Not to nic pic, but Barnes isn't a guard, he's a SF, and his foot speed is good enough for that position. The dude is 6'8" tall with a 6'11" wingspan. So he has more than adequite height and length for the SF position. I might add, that most people didn't know that Thompson would be as good as he is. I know you don't like Barnes, but don't let your emotions about him jade your opinions. Will he be as good as previously thought coming out of highschool? Maybe not. But I think he'll certainly be a good player. If not immediately, then down the road a little.

But I agree completely with you on BPA. Drafting for need can, and will, a high percentage of the time get you in trouble. And as I stated previously, you can't think short term when you draft. Especially when your drafting one and done's. Sometimes the player thats most ready to play right now, won't be the best player 2 years from now. If you want immediate help, then add it through freeagency. Think of the draft as a deposit for the future. He who saves wisely, will get the biggest payoff. Do you want to be sitting on a sunny beach when you retire, or sharing a manhole cover with someone in an alley. By the way, I'm sitting on a beach. I highly recommend it!

Regardless of position, I can't get excited about Barnes. I notice that what you bring up are his measurements. His height, his wingspan. He has the prototypical dimensions of a small forward, right? Maybe that's why he's been overhyped. He sure looks like the ideal, but he's not. He just doesn't have the ability to get his own shot. He looks to have average to good foot speed for a college player. When he gets into the NBA he'll be considered on the slow side. He's going to require picks to be set for him, or he's going to be a statue in the corner beyond the 3 point line. I see nothing special about him. He's not special in shooting, passing, defense, rebounding. Nothing. He's pure vanilla.

If you're satisfied with a guy who stands at the 3 point line who takes shots, then fine, he's your guy. But I will be dissapointed if the Kings spend their #1 pick on a guy who is going to be that specialized. Go out in FA and get a 3 point specialist; they're not that uncommon.

PS I'm looking at hundreds of acres of vineyards, with oaks in the background. A hovering kite just dive-bombed on an unsuspecting rodent. I like the beach for a change of pace, but not the main course.

 

[Uk kings fan]

What was the biggest surprise this year in terms of
Good players going to smaller colleges???

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I really can't imagine Muhammad going to UCLA. Maybe UNLV. The one thing kids want is to be on the national stage, and possibly win a national championship. That ain't going to happen at UCLA. Its the old, what have you done lately thing. And UCLA hasn't done much. But hey, you never know. They already have Kyle Anderson, and the addition of Muhammad would certainly help revitalize the program.

Not sure people are aware how much of a mess the UCLA program is. They've had two recruits leave and go on to star for other schools. One that completely lost his mind in total rebellion, and have been rejected by top highschool recruits for the last few years. I thought for sure they would look elsewhere for a new head coach. But instead they rehired Howland. If Muhammad decides to to to UCLA, I predict he'll regret it.

I believe that at the McDonald's All-American game Muhammad said he was down to Duke, Kentucky and UCLA (he said them in alphabetical order) meaning that UNLV is out.

I'm not at all surprised that UCLA hasn't canned Howland. They may well want to, but at the same time, he has already got a top-ten recruit in Anderson and has a legitimate shot at both Muhammad and also Tony Parker, who is another McD's AA and a top-20 recruit I believe. There is simply no way that UCLA fires a coach who might be about to bring in the #1 recruiting class in the country. If Howland whiffs on both Muhammad and Parker, then they might start moving behind the scenes, but I think even one of the two probably saves his job for a while unless the team seriously underperforms again next year.