Looking Ahead to Next Season...
- Thread starter twslam07
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Ok, instead of "best" read "best realistic". 
Embiid is really scary with now two back problem episodes: I have no expertise, so won't offer any amateur opinions, but if something is bothering a player repeatedly by the age of 20, especially something, for which the only cure is rest, it might be here to stay, when he increases workload (diminishes rest) a couple of times at least.
http://regressing.deadspin.com/just-how-serious-is-joel-embiids-injury-1542399946
Embiid is really scary with now two back problem episodes: I have no expertise, so won't offer any amateur opinions, but if something is bothering a player repeatedly by the age of 20, especially something, for which the only cure is rest, it might be here to stay, when he increases workload (diminishes rest) a couple of times at least.
http://regressing.deadspin.com/just-how-serious-is-joel-embiids-injury-1542399946
If Rudy commits long term to Sacramento, I would be all for trading down for pass first PG we can't get a top 5 pick.
There is an international prospect in Vasilije Micic, who would be most likely gonna be available at late first.
The kid actually got a good speed for his size and he has natural PG instinct at 6'5".
Looking at the Vazquez trade, I think PDA or Malone would not mind having a quicker Vazquez next to DMC.
In the second round, there is another international prospect who could follow the Marc Gasol path in Jusuf Nurkic.
There is an international prospect in Vasilije Micic, who would be most likely gonna be available at late first.
The kid actually got a good speed for his size and he has natural PG instinct at 6'5".
Looking at the Vazquez trade, I think PDA or Malone would not mind having a quicker Vazquez next to DMC.
In the second round, there is another international prospect who could follow the Marc Gasol path in Jusuf Nurkic.
If you take a look at DX mock, you will see Nurkic slotted at #11. That should give you an indication, second round is not happening. His forte is power-based offensive game, so Marc Gasol is not a good comparison. Brick's wish for Cousins to become a measuring stick is probably already coming true with Randle being called smaller Cousins, and Nurkic called European Cousins.
Thank God, Petrie is no longer Kings' GM.
Thank God, Petrie is no longer Kings' GM.
i hope we trade back(if we dont move up) and grab willie cauley stein(hopefully he slides)(if hes gone- adrian payne) and elfrid payton or cleanthony early(or rodney hood/james young/kj mcdaniels), depending if we want a PG or not...perfect partner would be chicago i guess with two mid 1st round picks
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Actually, the question mark on Leonard was his outside shot, which was inconsistent. But he had a very nice midrange shot, and he was a good freethrow shooter, something Gordon isn't. If Gordon was a good freethrow shooter, I'd be a lot more inclined to take a flyer on him. Not sure why people are questioning Vonleh's defensive abilities. He played very good man defense in the post. I guess you can question his shotblocking ability, but he's certainly athletic enough. Dude should have played more volley ball. Along with length, and he has that, shotblocking is all about timing. Some have it, and some don't.
Personally I think there's more to Vonleh than we were able to see. I didnt't like the way he was being used, but that's another story.
Personally I think there's more to Vonleh than we were able to see. I didnt't like the way he was being used, but that's another story.
Don't know what games you watched, but your conclusions are entirely different from mine. You want to criticize Indiana's offense, then take a look at their PG, who was a black hole. Vonleh sometimes went 2 to 3 minutes on the floor without even touching the ball, and it had nothing to do with him. He constantly fought for position only to be denied the ball. He was very effective in the post shooting 52.3% overall, and he only took and average of one three pointer a game. Almost all of his scoring was in the post. He only averaged 7 stinking shots a game. He basically became a part of the Derrick Favor's club of never getting the ball passed to him because he played with one of the most selfish PG's in college in Yogi Ferrell.
By no means am I saying he's a polished post player, but he's far from being terrible. His biggest weakness in my opinion is that he's a terrible passer and turns the ball over far too much. While he shot 48% from the three, which bodes well, its such a small sampling, its inconclusive. You opinion on his defensive abilities differs from mine, and just about every NBA scout. He's yet to prove he's a shotblocker, although he did average 1.5 blocks a game. But his post defense was one of his strengths. Was he perfect? No, but when you consider that he's one of the youngest players in the draft (he won't turn 19 until august of this year) I don't think you should be expecting a polished player. Right now he's ranked somewhere between 6th and 12th on most mock draft boards. If he's as bad as you just described, then he shouldn't even be drafted.
By no means am I saying he's a polished post player, but he's far from being terrible. His biggest weakness in my opinion is that he's a terrible passer and turns the ball over far too much. While he shot 48% from the three, which bodes well, its such a small sampling, its inconclusive. You opinion on his defensive abilities differs from mine, and just about every NBA scout. He's yet to prove he's a shotblocker, although he did average 1.5 blocks a game. But his post defense was one of his strengths. Was he perfect? No, but when you consider that he's one of the youngest players in the draft (he won't turn 19 until august of this year) I don't think you should be expecting a polished player. Right now he's ranked somewhere between 6th and 12th on most mock draft boards. If he's as bad as you just described, then he shouldn't even be drafted.
Ok, instead of "best" read "best realistic".
Embiid is really scary with now two back problem episodes: I have no expertise, so won't offer any amateur opinions, but if something is bothering a player repeatedly by the age of 20, especially something, for which the only cure is rest, it might be here to stay, when he increases workload (diminishes rest) a couple of times at least.
http://regressing.deadspin.com/just-how-serious-is-joel-embiids-injury-1542399946
Embiid is really scary with now two back problem episodes: I have no expertise, so won't offer any amateur opinions, but if something is bothering a player repeatedly by the age of 20, especially something, for which the only cure is rest, it might be here to stay, when he increases workload (diminishes rest) a couple of times at least.
http://regressing.deadspin.com/just-how-serious-is-joel-embiids-injury-1542399946
My best case scenario is that the balls bounce our way and we end up with Wiggins, Gay sees the writing on the wall and walks. I like Gay, but I just don't see he and Cousins being a duo that can get you anywhere past a quick first round exit. Both are ball stoppers and theres really only room for one of those on a team imo. Also while I feel he tried hard to change the perception of the player he is early on for us, in the end we started to see what Gay is naturally, an Iso heavy scorer with blinders. At the same time it is hard to say I want Gay to walk, as I know guys on his talent level are hard to come by for small markets like us.
If we can't get Wiggins or Parker then I want Aaron Gordon. He fits in perfectly and seems like the type of player Malone would love. JT seems to be on the way out(assuming we can trade him). Either way he or Landy will get moved this off season, my bet would be on JT.
If we can't get Wiggins or Parker then I want Aaron Gordon. He fits in perfectly and seems like the type of player Malone would love. JT seems to be on the way out(assuming we can trade him). Either way he or Landy will get moved this off season, my bet would be on JT.
I view him as a PF, especially in today's NBA. The only long term frontcourt players we have are Cousins and probably Landry as a 6th-7th man. Evans, Acy, Gray are either a) gone after this year b) gone after next season or c) low salary roster fillers. So as far as long term decisions you're looking at Cousins, JT, Landry, Gay, Williams as serious pieces of our roster.
Regardless of where we pick, one thing I'm looking forward to is PDA's aggression (for better or worse).... I expect some roster shake ups come draft day. Do we trade down, trade out, or do we....Trade up?!!?
A lot of interesting prospects. I'm hoping we say **** it and take a flyer on a high ceiling guy. Better than all the low ceiling/high floor busts Petrie has been drafting *Cough* Jimmer/T-Rob *Cough*.
I also like the idea of trading down to nab more than one youngster. Back in the Jimmer draft I wanted us to trade down and nab both Kawhi and Faried, which could have been done given where they were drafted. Sigh.....That would have been sweet.
Beyond the draft....PDA needs to grab us some guards in the worst way. Shouldn't be too difficult, there's a million out there. Maybe snatch a shot blocker from The Bucks. Udoh would be a nice under the radar pick up. I want no part of Sanders....Unless they take Landry for him.
A lot of interesting prospects. I'm hoping we say **** it and take a flyer on a high ceiling guy. Better than all the low ceiling/high floor busts Petrie has been drafting *Cough* Jimmer/T-Rob *Cough*.
I also like the idea of trading down to nab more than one youngster. Back in the Jimmer draft I wanted us to trade down and nab both Kawhi and Faried, which could have been done given where they were drafted. Sigh.....That would have been sweet.
Beyond the draft....PDA needs to grab us some guards in the worst way. Shouldn't be too difficult, there's a million out there. Maybe snatch a shot blocker from The Bucks. Udoh would be a nice under the radar pick up. I want no part of Sanders....Unless they take Landry for him.
btw, not exactly sure this is a disaster anyway, but the contingency plan appears out:
http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/...l-stay-at-Kentucky-next-season-255239171.html
http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/...l-stay-at-Kentucky-next-season-255239171.html
Landry and Thompson for Sanders and Brandon Knight (assuming they aren't stupid and willing to give us Giannis or Henson or their first round pick for that matter) would pretty much be the only way I'd be willing to risk having Sanders on our team. Like the rim protecting, don't like the Justin Williams-esque stupidity.
we already have a tweener on the team named derrick williams shall we add more to the pile?
shall we add more to the pile?
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He's 6'9 according to his last measurement, will be interesting to see if he has grown when he gets measured at the combine. This team needs defenders and shooters, Gordon is the best defensive prospect in this draft class(especially since Cauley Stein is out, even then I would rate Gordon higher personally). If we miss out on the top 3, Gordon is my guy, personally.
So a guy that will play great team defense, hustle his tail off, play great man defense isn't a good fit next to Cousins and Gay? We don't need more scoring, we don't need more guys that only play hard when they are getting shots, we need spot shooters to play off of Cousins and players that will play hard on defense. We could go in a lot of directions, but assuming Gay and Thomas stay, Gordon is my guy. If Thomas or Gay go though, there are other options. What I don't like is posters criticizing someone's view without providing a counter argument or alternate viewpoint. It adds nothing to the conversation to just quote someone and say "no you're wrong".
he's listed at 210 lbs bro. he's going to get eaten alive in the paint. gordon played great man d at the collegiate level because not everybody is 6'9+ and equally as quick or as strong/stronger than him.
i'll go with the overall skill set + size in vonleh 10 times out of 10 over gordon. he may be rough around the edges but the skill is already there. just needs to be refined.
i'll go with the overall skill set + size in vonleh 10 times out of 10 over gordon. he may be rough around the edges but the skill is already there. just needs to be refined.