NBA draft discussion thread
 

Celtics fan....I want Joakim Noah.

He has played alongside Al Horford successfully, and Horford has a similar skillset to Al Jefferson (granted, not as good as BIG Al), but he can really play his role, runs hard, can pass from the high post, and finish in transition.

There are obvious limitations, but I honestly think a lineup of Rondo-Sczcerbiak-Pierce-Noah-Jefferson is a playoff lock for next year.

Wright and Yi are too big of risks for a team not wanting to waste Paul Pierce's prime.

Conley is not as good as Rondo.

Brewer or Jeff Green is only a slight upgrade over Gerald Green, and would be bench players anyway.

Who do you want your team to draft??

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

Another thing....Thoughts on teams admitting mistakes from a year ago...

Does a team like Charlotte address their need of another wing player because Adam Morrison sucked so badly last year, or do they stick with Ammo?

Does a team like Atlanta who messed up with Shelden Williams (LOL) go for Al Horford, who is a much bigger/better version of last year's draft pick in a similar drafting position?

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

I really want the Bulls to just take whoever they think is the best player available. Forcing it by taking the best PF available is silly. They will need to make a trade in the next year or two anyways, so depth at any position really can't hurt them.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

Usually I think "BPA" is a bad strategy, but I agree the Bulls really are in a position to draft whoever will net them the most trade value.

However, if they think Hawes is legit, he would be a really nice pickup, finally giving them some sort of low post presence.

I really believe that teams like Boston, Memphis, and Atlanta can't keep stockpiling wing players and expect to get any better. At some point, you need point guards and centers.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Usually I think "BPA" is a bad strategy, but I agree the Bulls really are in a position to draft whoever will net them the most trade value.

However, if they think Hawes is legit, he would be a really nice pickup, finally giving them some sort of low post presence.

I really believe that teams like Boston, Memphis, and Atlanta can't keep stockpiling wing players and expect to get any better. At some point, you need point guards and centers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, the Hawks last year tried the unique theory of taking worst player available.

[img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

I will be very happy with whichever of the trio of SFs of Green, Wright, and Brewer the Bucks end up with.

I like Green for the Bucks the most though due to the fact that he could likely play PF on the NBA level too and with a likely combination of Redd, Bell, and Williams/Free Agent PG at Guard, a frontcourt rotation of Simmons, Villanueva, Bogut, and Green should be able to fill the 3-5 positions with any combination of those 3 players playing. Obviously there will be other bench players that contribute some more minor minutes but that is a solid core 7 to base the team around.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

Question: Is Horford good enough/big enough to play an Amare-like center for a team like the Hawks that could desperately use a center?

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Question: Is Horford good enough/big enough to play an Amare-like center for a team like the Hawks that could desperately use a center?

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I've heard a lot of favorable comparisons for Horford to guys like Brand, Boozer, or Jefferson, all of whom can play the 5.

His true position is a 4 though, IMO.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Question: Is Horford good enough/big enough to play an Amare-like center for a team like the Hawks that could desperately use a center?

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I've heard a lot of favorable comparisons for Horford to guys like Brand, Boozer, or Jefferson, all of whom can play the 5.

His true position is a 4 though, IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think he's dominant like Brand or AlJef, and I don't think he's as athletic as Boozer. I think he's more like a little bit more refined Sean May.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

GKA is Rondo really better than Conley? I mean I'm not that high on Conley just bc of sample size and I've seen too many guys have a great tourney and get picked too high (Tyrus Thomas last year IMO). He did have one hell of a tourney though and every game that I watched of his, I was impressed. I also watched a good bit Rondo when he was in the SEC and he never impressed me that much. I mean his jumper is just so [censored] sorry and I dont think hes a good enough slasher to fully make up for it. Yes he can play D, but a great 6'0" defender isn't really worth a [censored] in the NBA IMO. I think he's one of those guys that your boy Bill Simmons gased up too much. I think COnley will be a better pro than Rondo and might be better in his first year.

Also, I really like Corey Brewer. He's a 6'8" guy who will be able to D up the opponents best perimeter player. And hes not bad on O either. He proved he could really shoot it in the tourney IMO. I honestly can't say whether or not Brewer>Green right now bc I dont know enough about Gerald but I think in the long run Brewer will be a very solid NBA player. Sorry man Celts are never on national tv anymore.

I do agree that Noah might be the best pick for your team though. He's not gonna put up huge numbers (who knows he could though), but he's not gonna be a bust whos out of the league in 3 years IMO. He can board and play D and he makes a lot of hustle plays. The guy deserves to play in the NBA and I think hes one of these guys who will always have a spot on some team.

Last thing. Assuming Horford is still there when the Celts pick, how does drafting Al to play the 4 and moving Jefferson to the 5 sound? You think that works or would you rather have Noah?

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Question: Is Horford good enough/big enough to play an Amare-like center for a team like the Hawks that could desperately use a center?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've heard a lot of favorable comparisons for Horford to guys like Brand, Boozer, or Jefferson, all of whom can play the 5.

His true position is a 4 though, IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think he's dominant like Brand or AlJef, and I don't think he's as athletic as Boozer. I think he's more like a little bit more refined Sean May.

[/ QUOTE ]

i thought great athleticism was one of horfords biggest selling points?

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

Which site generally has the most accurate mock draft?

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

Conley could be better than Rajon, but I really don't think he will be.

Rondo is only 6'1", but he has freakishly long arms and the biggest hands on the Celtics, so his ability to poke, jab, and grab the basketball is ridiculous. Led the league in steals/minute last year.

About Horford, I think he would be better on a bad team than Noah, but I think of teams like the Cavs and Spurs who have guys like Anderson Varajeo and Oberto. I want a championship caliber team, and I think Noah is a piece in that process. Even if he is just a 8 pt 7 rebound guy playing 25 mpg.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

I completely agree with you about the Noah comparison. Hes not gonna be your 1 or 2 option, but he'll get a crucial rebound/block/steal and he can soak up minutes just being part of the bigger picture while still giving you decent production.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

I'm in the "Conley isn't going to be as great as everyone thinks" camp. I could be wrong.. hell I hope I'm wrong, but I'm just not feeling him.

GKA,

[ QUOTE ]
Celtics fan....I want Joakim Noah.

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You're dead to me. I agree with your assessment of him, though I don't think he'll be nearly as good as Varejao or Oberto (watch Oberto on offense.. he has an incredible understanding of floor spacing and finding gaps). And I just can't root for some Predator lookin', ghetto talkin' screamer who was raised by a tennis star and supermodel. I'm sorry I just can't.

The only way I could buy into it is if we trade down.

I agree with your thoughts on Brewer and Green.

I want to trade the pick.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I want to trade the pick.

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IN A SECOND

Pick + Theo + Gerald and/or Delonte for Marion, Randolph, Lewis, O'Neal or any of those guys would be money.

Colin...if we keep the pick, who would you rather have (assuming Oden, Durant, Wright, and Horford are gone)

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

To be honest I haven't been following the prospects very closely. I find Yi intriguing, sort of a high risk high reward thing. If he panned out, it could really turn Boston around (not to mention the money that would poor in, plus more Asian hotties at Celtics games), whereas I think any other pick has Boston meddling in mediocrity for years.

I'm starting to warm up to Green just given him bball IQ, but his overall game is a concern. You're actually probably right about Noah. He's a solid fit given what's available.

*sigh*. I'm pretty sure Danny ships the pick. A lot of teams want Yi.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
fan....I want Joakim Noah.

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This is an oxymoron in my mind. WTF. who would ever want that clown.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
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fan....I want Joakim Noah.

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This is an oxymoron in my mind. WTF. who would ever want that clown.

[/ QUOTE ]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHH

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
I will be very happy with whichever of the trio of SFs of Green, Wright, and Brewer the Bucks end up with.

I like Green for the Bucks the most though due to the fact that he could likely play PF on the NBA level too and with a likely combination of Redd, Bell, and Williams/Free Agent PG at Guard, a frontcourt rotation of Simmons, Villanueva, Bogut, and Green should be able to fill the 3-5 positions with any combination of those 3 players playing. Obviously there will be other bench players that contribute some more minor minutes but that is a solid core 7 to base the team around.

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I have a feeling the Bucks are going PG with the pick. I just got done reading how Conley really impressed the coaches in his visit. They also had Wright in, and seems like he did alright as well.

For Forwards they already have Simmons, Patterson, Ilyasova, Villanueva and if Noel gets any better. That's already almost half your playing roster. Not to mention every Bucks PG is a FA this season.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

Williams should be pretty hot on the FA market.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I will be very happy with whichever of the trio of SFs of Green, Wright, and Brewer the Bucks end up with.

I like Green for the Bucks the most though due to the fact that he could likely play PF on the NBA level too and with a likely combination of Redd, Bell, and Williams/Free Agent PG at Guard, a frontcourt rotation of Simmons, Villanueva, Bogut, and Green should be able to fill the 3-5 positions with any combination of those 3 players playing. Obviously there will be other bench players that contribute some more minor minutes but that is a solid core 7 to base the team around.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a feeling the Bucks are going PG with the pick. I just got done reading how Conley really impressed the coaches in his visit. They also had Wright in, and seems like he did alright as well.

For Forwards they already have Simmons, Patterson, Ilyasova, Villanueva and if Noel gets any better. That's already almost half your playing roster. Not to mention every Bucks PG is a FA this season.

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Patterson and Ilyasova are both free agents. One can only hope the Bucks arent stupid enough to resign Patterson and Ilyasova is nothing more than a 10-15 mpg bench player. Noel is a complete scrub in the NBA. So basically the Bucks have two viable options at forward, one of which is very injury prone.

PG is a waste if the Bucks truly get 2 of Bell/Williams/Free Agent PG as they are expected to.

Re: NBA draft disccusion thread
 

NBAdraft.net has corey brewer down to 10 in today's mock draft.

They also have the Bucks taking Al Thornton, who I think kind of replicates Simmons's skillset.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

I went to the first round of games in NO this year and got to see Florida play twice.

Couple things that stood out.

- Corey Brewer is just sick. At first I thought he looked like a d-bag, but his play won me over. I wanted to root against him but I couldn't. He ripped the heart out of a lot of teams. One thing I keep wondering about though is why nobody questions his bulk, when everyone questions Durant's. If anyone looks like they could be snapped in two by an NBA player, it's Brewer. I actually think he'll be a great NBA player, maybe even an all-star someday; just seems odd that nobody has brought this up.

- Noah is a great team player. Maybe he's annoying, funny looking, whatever. As GKA mentioned, he does the little things and doesn't seem to care a bit about his own stats. Also he shoots free throws like a 7-year-old, but he can work on that. I think I'd be happy to get him as a Celtics fan... definitely happier than rolling the dice on an unknown like Yi.

FWIW I was rooting against Florida in both games I watched, and I am biased against all Florida schools in general.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

I'm a huge Celtics fan and my name is Noah, which would seem to make Joakim the obvious choice.

But he's ugly.

I'm 100% straight (I think) but for some reason I just can't stand looking at the guy.


I'm all for trading the pick, but I don't know for what.


I just want to keep Green and Jefferson, but if they make a trade, I fear that one of these guys is gone.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

Once we resigned Doc, I became a lot more comfortable with getting rid of Green. He is just utterly lost on the basketball court. He makes simple mistakes that most 14 year olds don't. The one I see most often is standing out on the 3pt line in a place that's impossible for him to get the ball, where he could just slide over a few feet but doesn't. And while he may still learn, he's not 18 anymore. And Doc won't get it done.

He's not going to be a star, there's no reason to cling on to him. There's also a coach by the name of Don Nelson who loves raw, athletic, offensive talent, especially when they shoot as well as Green. Golden State is reportedly very high on Yi, too.

GS gets:
Wally
Gerald Green
#5

Boston gets:
Jason Richardson
Andris Biedrins

You could also swap Wally for Theo, but Wally is a decent fit in GS. His athleticism is in question, but he's all offense and a good shooter.

Boston gets good immediately, assuming J-Rich is healthy. Rondo/JRich/PP/Big Al/Perk or Andris is a solid starting 5 in the east. A two headed monster of Perk and Biedrins wouldn't be incredible, but it'd be pretty good and versatile, though very foul prone. The addition of JRich opens things up offensively and allows Rondo to hide his shooting woes and focus on what he does best: creating.

Biedrins playing under Doc could get ugly, though.

Obviously this is a pipe dream. GS likes Biedrins a lot and they need a man in the middle. But I've read reports that GS is open to moving JRich and GS/Nellie is very high on Yi. Yi's the type of player that Nellie loves out on the court. In addition the Bay Area is an ideal place for an Asian player.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

Great trade kidcolin, only thing is I feel like GS gets a little ripped off. Still good trade for both sides and this would help out Boston a lot.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

GS gets:
Wally
Gerald Green
#5

Boston gets:
Jason Richardson
Andris Biedrins

[/ QUOTE ]

Biedrins >>> #5 pick
J-Rich >>> Gerald + Wally or Theo

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get Biedrins, though I doubt he's for sale.

God dont make me think about how ridiculous a Biedrins Big Al frontcourt would be.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

GS is over the cap. That's why someone like Theo would be attractive. Yet I concede that this is a pipe dream. Right now, though, GS is definitely one of the bidders for the five pick. Maybe get another team involved to get a center to GS.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

GS gets:
Wally
Gerald Green
#5

Boston gets:
Jason Richardson
Andris Biedrins


[/ QUOTE ]

Please GS, don't take Wally. GS isn't all offense, they're also a sort of a frenzied defense that is constantly stripping and disrupting people. And, there are enough 3 point shooters as it is floating around the court. I'm completely unimpressed by Green, and Biedrins is rapidly improving while providing the only solid low post defense on the team at times. As a GS fan, I wouldn't even consider this trade.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

BUT YOU WANT YI!! VERY BADLY!

I was also thinking about shipping Delonte along with that. He fits the Nellie mold as well. Or Tony Allen. I just remembered Tony Allen plays for the Celtics.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

Bah, we have a star PG and a decent backup. Just whip out your NBA Live 2002 and trade players 7-12 for Shaq while you're at it. The Nelly mold is nice and all, but it helps if the players actually have useful complimentary skills - see SJax's point-guarding and driving fiascos of the playoffs. Is Yi really the messiah?

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

SC,
[ QUOTE ]
- Corey Brewer is just sick. At first I thought he looked like a d-bag, but his play won me over. I wanted to root against him but I couldn't. He ripped the heart out of a lot of teams. One thing I keep wondering about though is why nobody questions his bulk, when everyone questions Durant's. If anyone looks like they could be snapped in two by an NBA player, it's Brewer. I actually think he'll be a great NBA player, maybe even an all-star someday; just seems odd that nobody has brought this up.

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree despite being a UCLA fan. He is so good and I really think he should be a top 5 pick this year. (lol?) I actually think he's fairly well-built, more so than Durant. I really shouldn't base the fact that Brewer was only physical against college players, but he was always matched up against the best perimeter players on the opposing team, i.e. Afflalo [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]. HOWEVER,

[ QUOTE ]
- Noah is a great team player. Maybe he's annoying, funny looking, whatever. As GKA mentioned, he does the little things and doesn't seem to care a bit about his own stats. Also he shoots free throws like a 7-year-old, but he can work on that. I think I'd be happy to get him as a Celtics fan... definitely happier than rolling the dice on an unknown like Yi.

[/ QUOTE ]
Nononono. Noah is not going to be a good pro because from what I saw the past two years he's just a poor man's Ben Wallace. I could see him bulk up and be more competitive but he can't handle the normal big men if he stays at this size. But maybe I'm just biased because he's a [censored] douchebag.

Clark,
[ QUOTE ]
I really want the Bulls to just take whoever they think is the best player available. Forcing it by taking the best PF available is silly. They will need to make a trade in the next year or two anyways, so depth at any position really can't hurt them.

[/ QUOTE ]
Totally agree. And lol at the Hawks comment.

I think we need to get out of the lottery discussion and talk more about the latter picks even though it's like a total crapshoot. Anyone have any sleeper picks that they'd like to share about? For some reason I really like Marcus Williams' game from UA and I think he'll be a huge steal for anyone that draft him in the 2nd round

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

With what we know now, where would you take the following players in this year's draft...

1. Tyrus Thomas
2. Gerald Green
3. Adam Morrison
4. Andris Biedrins
5. LaMarcus Aldridge

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

GKA - You seem like a pretty knowledgeable hoops guy. Why on earth would you ever pick Joakim Noah in the first round? The guy is an OK defender and an OK rebounder but his offensive skills are horrible. Seriously. He can't shoot long range or mid-range. His low post moves seem OK but not against NBA competition. His Free throw shooting also sucks.

I know nothing about hoops.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
GKA - You seem like a pretty knowledgeable hoops guy. Why on earth would you ever pick Joakim Noah in the first round? The guy is an OK defender and an OK rebounder but his offensive skills are horrible. Seriously. He can't shoot long range or mid-range. His low post moves seem OK but not against NBA competition. His Free throw shooting also sucks.

I know nothing about hoops.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's more about his ability to play and pass from the high post down to Big Al, make putback finishes, weakside shotblocking, and he has the quickness to guard the pick and roll (which the Celtics got BRUTALIZED on last year)

His limitations are obvious, but a good coach (Doc, LOL) can hide them decently.

About the FT shooting...66.5 percent is not bad for a big man AT ALL.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

I'd actually take that deal I think. But you need to match contracts. You can have Scalabrine and Telfair.

Back to the draft:

I'm perplexed by who the Bobcats should go after.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

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I actually think he's fairly well-built, more so than Durant.

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He's 6'8" 185. I was surprised to read that.

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
With what we know now, where would you take the following players in this year's draft...

1. Tyrus Thomas
2. Gerald Green
3. Adam Morrison
4. Andris Biedrins
5. LaMarcus Aldridge

[/ QUOTE ]

Thomas, Biedrins and Aldridge would IMO all go after Durant, but prior to whoever goes #3.

Green would likely go in the 6-10 range.

Morrison somewhere between #18-#30

Re: NBA draft discussion thread
 

[ QUOTE ]

With what we know now, where would you take the following players in this year's draft...

1. Tyrus Thomas
2. Gerald Green
3. Adam Morrison
4. Andris Biedrins
5. LaMarcus Aldridge

[/ QUOTE ]

I would take LaMarcus > TT > Biedrins > GG > Crybaby. As to where they go, hm.

I think LaMarcus goes top 5 regardless. He will be the third best guy in this year's draft without a doubt. There could be a debate about who I'd rather take in Durant and Aldridge but when it comes down to potential I'd take Durant with a slight hesitation.

Tyrus Thomas will remain lottery and probably ahead of Horford. He showed so much of what he can do towards the end of the season and in the beginning of the playoff that I didn't see in college.

I'd take Biedrins over Noah right now.

GG would probably be late first round

I'd send Crybaby to the DL because he sucks balls.