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Hey Chad. With the lottery Wednesday night, are there any teams that would be tempted to take someone not named Anthony Davis with the first pick?
None. I've spoken with front office folks from every team in the lottery. All of them would take Davis No. 1. It's a no-brainer. The real discussion starts at No. 2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Brad Beal, Thomas Robinson, Andre Drummond all in the mix there.
Chad - what exactly is GSW considering giving up in order to buy 27% worth of risk from the Jazz? Is there precedent for this sort of thing?
It is unprecedented so ... no one knows exactly what it should cost. All I can say is the Warriors have initiated the contact and are motivated. They're hoping cash and loosening protections on the pick in future years will do it. I think the Jazz will want much more than that. Would the Warriors give up pick 30 or 37? That's the question.
Is Lillard the real deal?
I think so. Just saw him workout in Oakland on Saturday. Very few weaknesses in his game right now. Good body/athlete. Excellent shooter. Quick off the dribble. A willing passer. Hard worker. Very efficient. Rarely makes mistakes. He needs to become an even better passer, but he's really talented. And this is one of those times that the advanced stats all support his production on the court. Great guy too. If he were at a major program, he'd be a top 5 pick.
Hey Chad, what are your reactions after watching Andre Drummond workout this morning in NY? Is he worth a top 5 pick, over players like Harrison Barnes and Perry Jones?
Only saw a truncated workout. Drummond had a strong bout of food poisoning over the weekend. Not sure I could tell you more from workout than I already know ... except that he's lost 22 pounds. Was at 290 at end of season and now at 268. He's huge. He's a terrific athlete. He moves incredibly well laterally for a player his size. He's got a soft touch on his jumper. The question is whether he's got the motor and the killer instinct to be great.
Chad, In an article last week you stated Dion Waiters could be a real steal of the draft. Where do you see him going ?
Was very impressed with Waiters. A number of NBA scouts and execs that I trust have been telling me he's the sleeper of the draft for over a month. He's not going to be a wow guy in drills. But when they get to 3-on-3 as part of the workouts, he's a bulldog. Really knows how to get to the basket and score. Jump shot improving. I think he's ready right away for the NBA. I think his range is something like 6-13.
Evan Fornier, Draymond Green, Will Barton, Drew Gordon, Tyshawn Taylor...which player if any goes 1st round?
Fournier is a likely first round. I think Green sneaks in. I'm a fan of Will Barton, but he's on the bubble. I think Taylor is a bubble first rounder as well. Gordon is a second round pick.
What difference is there between the DHoward that to picked out of HS and Andre Drummond coming off a ho-hum year at UConn?
Lots of similarities. Scouts questioned Howard's skill level and his motor. But his enormous physical advantage has always given him a huge advantage. That's a best case scenario for Drummond and why some teams will consider him as the No. 2 pick. The downside? Kwame?
A lot of "experts" are saying that Harrison Barnes will be a bust in the NBA. I think if he works on his ball handling, so he can be more aggressive to the basket he will be a All Star SF for many years to come. What do you think of his B-ball Game?
Highly doubt he's a bust. I actually think he's one of the safest picks in the draft. He's got great size for his position and he can really shoot the basketball. I think he's someone like Luol Deng or Danny Granger. That's far from a bust and a great get in any draft. I just think that, in high school, the comparison was Kobe and he hasn't come close to living up to that. But Barnes is such a mature, dedicated guy ... he's going to have a successful pro career in my opinion. I'd be shocked if he slips out of the Top 5-6 range.
Is the kid from Iowa State worth the risk?
Every GM from 10-30 is asking the same question about Royce White. I wish I had the answer. Great talent. Fear of air travel is a major red flag.
What position do you see Austin Rivers playing in the pros. His style of play is more fit to play the 2 but his lack of size makes him more of a pg. Maybe he is more suited as a combo guard off the bench ala Jason Terry.
Not a bad comparison. I think he's a two. Doesn't show a lot of awareness about his teammates when he's on the court. But he's an aggressive scorer who can shoot and create off the dribble. He's probably a top 15-16 pick. If he was bigger or a better athlete he'd be much higher.
Tony Wroten. Good or Rotten?
Both. Good athlete. Special passer. Great at getting to the basket. Rotten shooter. Questionable leader. Needs to model his game after Rondo.
who do you think the cavs would prefer out of this bunch: MKG, drummond, beal, or barnes?
Early but probably Beal, MKG, Barnes, Drummond in that order. Lot of teams torn between Beal, MKG right now.
Does Orlando Johnson have a chance to sneak into the first round? Who would you compare his game to?
Might. Has really helped himself in the pre-draft workouts. Has really changed his body. Gotten more athletic. Looks quicker. He's proof that there's more you can do after the college season ends to help your draft stock.
Why am I dropping in so many mock drafts?
No one is dropping yet. Too early. Some teams really like Lamb as a Top 10 pick. Others are concerned about whether Lamb's motor runs hot enough. Not sure they want another Corey Brewer in the Top 10. Workouts between him, Austin Rivers, Dion Waiters and Terrence Ross will determine this. All are bunched together pretty close.
Chances that Big Sully falls from the lotto? Out of the 1st round? He couldn't score on Jeff Withey
Slim on both accounts. I think he goes somewhere between 7 and 14.
Are we sure the Spurs are really this good?
Yes. Great players. Great coach. Great system. Great teamwork. Great organization. I understand why lots of owners in the league are trying to copy them.
Which lottery team becomes a solid playoff team next year with a little luck tomorrow night?
If Detroit, Blazers, Bucks, Nets or Rockets get Davis... for sure. Is Suns keep Nash and get Davis .. then they are too.
If you are Brooklyn and you get the #1 pick do you trade it for Dwight Howard?
No, I keep it and sell Deron Williams on playing with Davis for the rest of his career. Would save the Nets a ton of cash so that they could add other terrific players around them.
Is Perry Jones III a SF or PF?
SF. I think if a team drafts him thinking he's a 4 or a 5, they will be disappointed.
What PFs have you been most impress with doing the workouts so far?
Arnett Moultrie looked really good. Crazy athlete and has a nice jumper too. Good rebounder. At 6-11 he's really intriguing. I liked Terrence Jones too ...
Bill Simmons just sent out the bat signal for you to do a podcast.
I got it. We're taping later today. Always love talking draft with Bill.
What is on Brian Colangelo's mind going into the draft?
Needs a player who can go get to the basket when his team needs a bucket. That's why I moved Dion Waiters to No. 8 in my mock. I think he's a good fit for them.
I know I've burned a lot of bridges, but I've got loads of talent and am ready to redeem myself. Will any team take a flier on me?
See Tiny Gallon.
You think I'm better prospect than Lamb is for the Raptors?
Yes. Lamb is closer to DeRozan. I think Waiters can even play some point at the next level.
Kenneth Faried and Isaiah Thomas a couple great picks last year. This year, who do you think could be those surprise mid-first, second round players?
Could be Mo Harkless. Lots of teams warming up to him. A few teams are now looking at him as a possible lottery selection. If Tony Wroten can model his game after Rondo ... he could be that guy too.
Who does Perry Jones III compare to in the NBA? If he decided to work hard
Paul George?
John Henson vs Tyler Zeller vs Meyers Leonard. All on the same talent level, or does one stand out?
Zeller safest pick. Leonard has the most upside/downside. Henson somewhere in the middle. Teams just not sure what position he plays. I think it will be Zeller, then Henson, then Leonard in that order on draft night.
Chances I go in the 1st round?
Right on the bubble. I thought Ezeli looked good at the draft workout in LA. Looking fully healthy again.
Hey Chad, If Henson adds weight, could he play at the 5 spot?
Don't think his frame can hold that much weight. Think he's a 4/3
Why is Jae Crowder so low? Seems like one of those guys who just helps his team win games. Good defender 2 through 4. Shot 35% from three-which was about the same as Barnes.
He measured 6-3 in socks at Portsmouth. He's really a 4/3 and that's very small for a player that plays the way he does. If he was three inches taller, he'd be a likely first round pick.
If the Bobcats don't win the lottery, who do they draft? And where do you see Kendall Marshall going?
Every Bobcats fans worst nightmare. I think they go Brad Beal or MKG if Davis is off the board. I like both players, but there's a big drop off after Davis.
Do you think Jared Cunningham could end up in the first round if he has a Shumpert-esque combine and workouts?
Yes. He's the Iman Shumpert of this year's draft. Lots of similarities.
Marshall or Lillard? Both top 10 picks?
Lillard. I think he's somewhere between 6-13. Marshall between 8-20.
what about John Jenkins? could he develop into a 15ppg SG Starter?
Will need to be more than just a jump shooter to do that, but he might. Has a super quick release and isn't a bad athlete. I liked him a lot in his workout in LA.
Who is on the top of the Nets' draft board after Davis? MKG? Robinson?
They really want to upgrade the PF position so I'd say Robinson next and then MKG. If they don't get in the Top 3, that pick goes to Portland.
Trying not to get my hopes up about getting Davis on the Wizards so..... a better fit for them, MKG or Beal?
Tough, tough call. MKG would add some much needed toughness and a winners mentality to the Wizards dysfunctional culture. Beal's shooting ability might put him over the top however. Would make a very strong backcourt in DC.
Do you think a combo of Thomas Robinson, Damian Lillard, and a healthy Eric Gordon have the New Orleans Hornets competing for the playoffs next year...or is that wishful thinking?
Might need another year, but that's a very good nucleus.
Don't think I've seen your thoughts on improving the lottery process. If you were in charge, what changes, if any, would you make to the system to limit the blatant tanking in recent years?
One change. I would tie each team's draft odds to their record over the past 3 seasons -- not just the last one. I think that would seriously curtail the incentive to tank a season. Now teams would be forced to commit to three years of tanking before they got their reward and then several more years of being very bad before they could add enough talent. That's too high of a price to pay for most teams and would force them to be more competitive. Ideally, the team with the worst record in the NBA has 25 or 30 wins ... not 15.
Marquis Teague. Thoughts?
Very talented. Not ready. 15-25 on draft night?
Gut feeling who gets the Number 1 pick tomorrow?
Forget gut feelings ... I'm going to our Lottery Mock Draft. Will play it once and then predict the lottery ... here we go ...
1. Bobcats2. Cavs3. Raptors So I have Bobcats taking Anthony Davis. Cavs taking Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Raptors taking Brad Beal. There you go. That's my prediction. Oh, and one other thing, that order screws the Warriors ... who now fall to 8th place with the pick going to the Jazz.
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첫댓글 당연한 얘기지만 젤러가 포틀랜드 워크아웃에서 레너드보다 나은 모습을 보였답니다 자레드 설린져는 7-14번픽 정도 예상한다네요
근데 모 하클레스는 켄터키전에서 켄터키 프런트코트 삼인방에게 완전히 넉다운당했던 것으로 기억합니다. 얀시 게이츠를 가지고 있던 신시내티처럼 피지컬하게 밀어 붙이는 팀에게도 약한 모습을 보였구요. 전 데빈 이뱅스나 알 파룩 아미누보다 하클레스가 더 나은 점을 솔직히 잘 못찾겠습니다. 물론 되게 좋은 선수이고 어느 팀에 가도 로테이션에 들겠지만 올스타감은 아니라고 보고, 그렇다면 로터리 밖에서 뽑히는 것이 맞다고 봅니다.
저도 동감합니다. 피지컬도 약하고....볼핸들링도 약하고...저는 댈러스 17번픽에서도 하클레스는 논외로 하려고요
항상 좋은 글 감사합니다.