NBA Draft

[ib4]

Cavs with the two giant jumps in the lotto!

So....

who goes number 1?

[dukefan]

shits rigged

[ib4]

Stever and I are having a pretty intense argument over Irving/Williams on who should go number 1 overall

[GhostOfBrian]

If i were in Cleveland's shoes i'd try and move up from 4 to 3 and get both. You take Williams at 1, think that maybe Kahn finally doesn't take a PG at 2 and poof, Irving sitting there at 3.

[Guest]

May 17, 2011 21:54:52 GMT -5 GhostOfBrian said:

If i were in Cleveland's shoes i'd try and move up from 4 to 3 and get both. You take Williams at 1, think that maybe Kahn finally doesn't take a PG at 2 and poof, Irving sitting there at 3.

I hear T-Wolves are looking to get out of the spot, not sure that Williams really fits for the T-Wolves anyway.

[luca]

May 17, 2011 21:54:52 GMT -5 GhostOfBrian said:

If i were in Cleveland's shoes i'd try and move up from 4 to 3 and get both. You take Williams at 1, think that maybe Kahn finally doesn't take a PG at 2 and poof, Irving sitting there at 3.

that would be the logical thing to do. But then again, Kahn defies logic. He'd probably take Irving 2nd.

[Guest]

I mean they already got him on their roster

[Guest]

ABJCavsInsider Jason Lloyd
Wanna get greedy? #Cavs were "thisclose" to top 2 picks. Balls for #2 pick came out 9-5-7-1. One of Cavs' 199 combinations was 9-5-7-2.

[miketrain (aka Flipu8)]

May 17, 2011 21:37:30 GMT -5 ib4 said:

Cavs with the two giant jumps in the lotto!

So....

who goes number 1?

Think of the ceiling of both...

Ceiling of Kyrie is CP3

Ceiling of Williams?

A David West who can also play SF (unique)

I'd say Kyrie no brainer

[kmatrixg]

A lot of people are discrediting Williams. Why?

The guy has young Shawn Marion athleticism, with the ability to get to the rim, and step out and knock down the jumper. I see Shawn Marion written all over this kid.

[kmatrixg]

Apparently Utah is hell bent on drafting Enes Kanter at number 3.

[luca]

May 18, 2011 13:16:42 GMT -5 kmatrixg said:

Apparently Utah is hell bent on drafting Enes Kanter at number 3.

smh. That would be a waste of a pick. The jazz should trade up if they want Kanter. Then again, I said the same thing when they chose Gordon Hayward so early on last season, and he's showing signs of becoming a really good NBA player. The Jazz do have amazing scouts, so maybe they see something in Kanter that could warrant his being selected 3rd overall. But, I think there are better choices at 3 than a slow Turk with bad knees.

[ib4]

Stever also argued back in 2008 that the Bulls "already had Gordon and Hinrich and don't need another guard (Rose) so they should draft Beasley hands-down"

But he acknowledges now that he was wrong in that regard, but this time around, "Irving is no Rose, what's so special about Irving anyway?"

[kmatrixg]

May 18, 2011 14:12:37 GMT -5 luca said:

May 18, 2011 13:16:42 GMT -5 kmatrixg said:

Apparently Utah is hell bent on drafting Enes Kanter at number 3.

smh. That would be a waste of a pick. The jazz should trade up if they want Kanter. Then again, I said the same thing when they chose Gordon Hayward so early on last season, and he's showing signs of becoming a really good NBA player. The Jazz do have amazing scouts, so maybe they see something in Kanter that could warrant his being selected 3rd overall. But, I think there are better choices at 3 than a slow Turk with bad knees.

Hell, you could argue they already have a better one on their team!

I don't see what the hype is over Kanter, and haven't all season. Not sure what's so special about him - average height, strength etc... not a physical beast, yet fundamentally sound.

[luca]

May 18, 2011 14:26:38 GMT -5 kmatrixg said:

May 18, 2011 14:12:37 GMT -5 luca said:

smh. That would be a waste of a pick. The jazz should trade up if they want Kanter. Then again, I said the same thing when they chose Gordon Hayward so early on last season, and he's showing signs of becoming a really good NBA player. The Jazz do have amazing scouts, so maybe they see something in Kanter that could warrant his being selected 3rd overall. But, I think there are better choices at 3 than a slow Turk with bad knees.

Hell, you could argue they already have a better one on their team!

I don't see what the hype is over Kanter, and haven't all season. Not sure what's so special about him - average height, strength etc... not a physical beast, yet fundamentally sound.

Also, there is the fact that he has never played a collegiate game, and his senior season at some Cali HS was pretty sub-par. I mean, if you can't get it done at the HS level, and have proven nothing in the college ranks, then how is it he's being looked at with the 3rd pick, let alone the 10th?

[luca]

also, lol @ the Okur reference.

[kmatrixg]

May 18, 2011 15:54:49 GMT -5 luca said:

May 18, 2011 14:26:38 GMT -5 kmatrixg said:

Hell, you could argue they already have a better one on their team!

I don't see what the hype is over Kanter, and haven't all season. Not sure what's so special about him - average height, strength etc... not a physical beast, yet fundamentally sound.

Also, there is the fact that he has never played a collegiate game, and his senior season at some Cali HS was pretty sub-par. I mean, if you can't get it done at the HS level, and have proven nothing in the college ranks, then how is it he's being looked at with the 3rd pick, let alone the 10th?

Exactly - the dude is one gigantic question mark. No substantial production at any level. What's he been doing the past year? I read something about him staying in shape at his old high school, or maybe it was Ohio state itself.. not sure. but wtf, the dude hasn't been on the basketball court in over a year, and not one game of college ball.. I'm lost man, just lost.

[GhostOfBrian]

He could wind up like Martynas Andriuskivicius or whatever his name was. During the early phases of scouting for the draft people were going gaga for the guy and it quickly faded.

[ib4]

They're comparing that Jan Vessley guy to a more athletic AK in his prime...would the Jazz consider him to learn from the real AK with the 3rd pick?

i dunno, some mock drafts have the Jazz taking Kemba or Knight....so i guess they just really dont like Harris moving forward....

[RManske2]

Just pencil the Timberwolves in for another point guard, or maybe even Jimmer...

[GhostOfBrian]

May 20, 2011 8:01:15 GMT -5 ib4 said:

They're comparing that Jan Vessley guy to a more athletic AK in his prime...would the Jazz consider him to learn from the real AK with the 3rd pick?

i dunno, some mock drafts have the Jazz taking Kemba or Knight....so i guess they just really dont like Harris moving forward....

The real AK isn't under contract

I think both of those guys and Harris can play off the ball, could probably play WITH Devin. And when your team is in a position like Utah currently is, you go withthe bpa and sort it out afterwards.

[kmatrixg]

May 20, 2011 8:01:15 GMT -5 ib4 said:

They're comparing that Jan Vessley guy to a more athletic AK in his prime...would the Jazz consider him to learn from the real AK with the 3rd pick?

i dunno, some mock drafts have the Jazz taking Kemba or Knight....so i guess they just really dont like Harris moving forward....

I've been reading DA's draft page and he's been saying that a lot of exec's are discrediting Donatas Motiejunas' work ethic and are penciling him in to be no more than a Bargnani - all offense and no defense.

They're also "saying" Jan Vesely is supremely head and shoulders over Donatas at this point. I think Donatas goes late lottery, Vesely becoming the Draft day stud going somewhere in the top 5.

On another point; Raptors looking to go "big" with the 5th pick. Looking to take a Center that PLAYS DEFENSE

[GhostOfBrian]

Some of Ford's notes from the Combine:

-Turkey's Enes Kanter was the real star of the draft combine. Many of the NBA executives in attendance had never seen him play before (with the possible exception of a Kentucky practice) and the rest had only seen him at the Nike Hoop Summit. Kanter didn't do anything spectacular, but he was in good shape, played hard, showed some skills offensively and was very good in interviews with teams. He also measured well at 6-11, 260 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan and a 9-1 standing reach. That gives him very good size at the power forward position and makes him a passable (albeit slightly undersized) center as well.

A lot was made on Friday about Kanter's decision to cancel a scheduled interview with the Jazz. Don't read too much into it. Sources in both Utah and Kanter's camp said it was mutually agreed that the Jazz would fly to Chicago on June 2 and see Kanter work out in Chicago. The Jazz will get their interview then. Kanter did meet with the Cavs, Wizards and Wolves this week and will likely work out there. It's no secret Kanter would like to play in Washington with John Wall. I'm not confident he'll last until the sixth pick.


-NBA execs seem to be leaning toward Brandon Knight over Kemba Walker when asked which point guard they prefer. I spoke to dozens of scouts and executives over the weekend and the majority of them had Knight ranked slightly higher because of his size, shooting ability and upside. Neither player worked out in the drills on Thursday or Friday. NBA teams liked Walker's personality in interviews. "He's charismatic," one GM said. "I think he could emerge as a leader in the locker room." Walker measured a little bigger than expected (6-1 in shoes) which should help his stock, too.

Teams said Knight was considerably more reserved than Walker, but they came away impressed with his maturity. The Jazz should be the first team on the board to give them a look. The Raptors, Kings and Bobcats are also in the mix. If the Jazz pick a point guard, I think Knight is slightly ahead on their board. Sources said if Knight slips to No. 5, the Raptors are likely to snag him there and there's no way he slides past the Kings at No. 7, I'm told. Walker's stock is still a bit more fluid. He'll get a look at Utah, Toronto and Sacramento, but I'm told none of those teams are all the way on board with him yet.


-BYU's Jimmer Fredette was a hot topic at the camp. He didn't really stand out in the drills on Thursday or Friday, but he was a major hit in interviews. A number of teams told me Fredette was the best interview they had and came away convinced that all of his celebrity had not gone to his head. "He's a humble, hard-working kid. You can't help but like him," one NBA executive said. "After the interview, I wanted to go up and hug him," another scout said. While nothing in Chicago helped quell the furious debate about what sort of NBA player he'll be, he made an impression. Fredette's first workout will be with the Knicks in early June. He's also got workouts planned with the Jazz, Suns, Rockets, Pacers and Blazers. It's still too early to get a read on where he'll ultimately land … but if Utah takes a big with its first pick (No. 3) he'll be seriously in the mix when they pick again at No. 12.


-Jeremy Tyler continued to wow NBA teams on Friday with his athleticism, physical profile and defense. He measured out as the second-biggest player at the combine. He was 6-11, 260 with a huge 7-5 wing and a 9-2 standing reach. Tyler told me he believed he'll have a 40-inch vertical, which is a fantastic number for a player his size. His measurements are on par with Cole Aldrich's and just below DeAndre Jordan's. Tyler also scored very high marks from NBA teams on his interviews. His offensive game is still a work in progress and there are still some skeletons in his closet from his botched season in Israel. But on sheer physical upside, Tyler played himself into a possible first-round pick with his week here. A number of teams, including the Knicks, Nuggets, Rockets and Spurs, are giving him a look in the first.


-Providence's Marshon Brooks turned heads with a strong combine performance. On Friday, the drills turned more competitive and Brooks made a number of spectacular plays. With a 7-1 wingspan, huge hands and scorer's mentality, he's now garnered serious interest in the first round. Two teams to watch with Brooks are the Wolves and Bulls. The Bulls, especially, seem to be enamored with Brooks but are concerned that he won't be there when they pick. "If he was two years younger or if his team had won more games, he'd be a lottery pick," one NBA GM said. "But as far as NBA scorers go, there aren't any guards in this draft that can get his own shot at the NBA level like him."


-Texas forward Tristan Thompson quieted some critics with his measurements on Friday. He, much like Williams, was seen as an undersized power forward. His measurements (nearly 6-9 in shoes, 7-1 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach) were nearly identical to that of Derrick Williams. He also nailed the interview process, according to several NBA team sources. His window starts with the Raptors at No. 5. The Pistons, Bobcats, Bucks, Jazz and Pacers are also all seriously interested. He looks like he's a lock for the lottery.

Just a few for you non-ESPN Insider folks

[kmatrixg]

I found this really interesting about Kawhi Leonard:

"With a wingspan some 9 inches longer than he is tall at 6-6, Leonard has one of the most unique physical profiles in this class. His hands, as expected, are absolutely gigantic, ranking him amongst 7'0 foot centers in terms of hand width and length. His 7-3 wingspan is amongst the largest ever for a player 6-6 or under. Leonard's 227-pound frame actually weights in heavier than many of the power forwards in this class, which only adds to sentiments that he'll be able to guard the power forward position for stretches at the next level."

He could really turn out to be an awesome defensive force. That wingspan is ridiculous for a SF. Rumblings of Artest are swirling around the camps

[kmatrixg]

Brian - I find it funny how Ford says Walker measured bigger than expected, yet in the combine notes, it's saying he measures 5'10 without shoes.

[GhostOfBrian]

May 23, 2011 14:23:49 GMT -5 kmatrixg said:

Brian - I find it funny how Ford says Walker measured bigger than expected, yet in the combine notes, it's saying he measures 5'10 without shoes.

6'1 in shoes. I think people were worried he was gonna be like 5'11 in shoes. He's just relaying comments from scouts and GMs for the most part there.

[mgcoug2]

Did somebody really suggest Irving's ceiling was CP3 LOL

I like a few guys in this draft and I disagree with Luca on Kanter who I think will be a solid pro, but I don't see any perennial all stars although history tells us one or two will emerge from nowhere in any given draft

[ib4]

I heard that Serge Ibaka, if he were in this draft, "would be the UNANIMOUS number 1 overall pick"

is this class really that weak? nothing against Serge

[luca]

May 23, 2011 16:40:50 GMT -5 mgcoug2 said:

Did somebody really suggest Irving's ceiling was CP3 LOL

I like a few guys in this draft and I disagree with Luca on Kanter who I think will be a solid pro, but I don't see any perennial all stars although history tells us one or two will emerge from nowhere in any given draft

Hey, I hope I'm wrong about Kanter, because I always like to see guys do well. But, he is not top 5 imo. Maybe worth a shot in the top 10, but even then...

I also see Biombo going top 5.

[luca]

lol meant top 10 w/ Biombo.