[akhan786Participant]

I know some people are probably sick of all the Kentucky threads but hear me out on this one.

I legit believe that Poythress could be the #1 pick next year. I’ve been a big time believer since day one, but after watching a couple games I’ve become even more impressed by him than any other prospect in the country.

The flashes of brilliance he shows imo bodes for a future star in the league. His athleticism, his surprising skill level, and his mental makeup (he could have the highest GPA on this Kentucky team. Some may snicker at that but it still shouldn’t be ignored) just makes me think he’s the best player in this draft.

I understand he has some drawbacks. He’s a tweener, his shot isn’t very consistent, there have been questions about his motor, but I feel like all the pieces are there for him to be a great player in the league.

I’ll admit part of the reason why I think he should be the #1 pick is because I think this draft is pretty weak and I haven’t been impressed by many other prospects to the point where I think they deserve the top spot.

I’m not convinced any of the players in this draft could be franchise players, but Poythress imo has the most upside even though an argument could be made for his teammate Noel.

[r377Participant]

Currently ranked 12 on this site, I think he will get ranked higher as the season goes along. I am quite high on him also….

[Official]

i said before. after Bazz, Nerlens, and Cody… i think Poythress has the best chance of being the number 1 pick 

[HitsterParticipant]

 He would be a potential top 10 guy on my long list but NBA teams love Coach Cal’s guys so he has the ability to go higher, personally I’d see him in 6 to 10 range, he may get inside the top 5 but in my opinion all the top guys would not have to live up to their hype for him to get to number 1. But also I’d be surprised to see him outside the top 10.

[HitsterParticipant]

 He would be a potential top 10 guy on my long list but NBA teams love Coach Cal’s guys so he has the ability to go higher, personally I’d see him in 6 to 10 range, he may get inside the top 5 but in my opinion all the top guys would not have to live up to their hype for him to get to number 1. But also I’d be surprised to see him outside the top 10.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Chad Ford said the other day that Poythress was the most impressive freshman,he’s seen this year….And he possibly could be the 1st pick…

I Still like Shabazz and think he will be the 1st pick unless he gets hurt….The order in which guys like Smart,Goodwin,Poythress,Willie Cauley-Stein,Noel and Zeller go will be determined by the team drafting….

 

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

 reach over Zeller and Shabazz for him. Personally even though I like how solid Macadoo is, I think Poythress has more upside and I would reach for him. Its a long season so the mocks will be completely different by the end. Look how quickly Marcus Smart rose up the charts. The more everybody sees guys go at it against each other the clearer it becomes. You can definately put me down as a Poythress top 6 pick believer. He bright and talanted, I can’t see him getting past by Cleveland, OKC, Pheonix and New Orleans. They all have either good or promising bigmen so I see him fitting right in.   

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

Poythress is looking like a potential deadly inside outside scorer; it’s amazing how athletic he is to be near 240 pounds. I would rather have him as the #1 small forward ahead of bazz

[jwostrumParticipant]

he has the potential to be a elite player, but as of now no team would take him number 1. a gm would loose his job. he is just not developed enough.

[SiggyParticipant]

He still has position concerns.  He can shoot the 3 a little bit, but are his ball skills good enough to play on the perimeter?  His handle looks stiff and he doesn’t have that change of speed or direction.  His best position currently is PF, but he’s 6’8 with just a solid wingpsan.  

 

[MkadozaParticipant]

 Wilson Chandler with more hype??

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

So he’s projected to be a Thaddeus Young/ AL Thornton(LAC one) type then?

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

 theres no way hes going one…. and i love poythress 

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

 anyone who take him above shabazz is an idiot

[BasketballJunkie224Participant]

lol #1?!?! where did that come from? top 10 maybe

[HaleParticipant]

Maybe? It’d be a travesty if he fell out of the top 10, and I’d definitely take him top 5.

[ph90702]

 He’s a franchise player. 

[BasketballJunkie224Participant]

il give him 1 thing tho, i think hes better than bazz, bazz is a lil overated IMO.. the most impressive guy whos stuck out to me @ ucla so far has been jordan adams. his ability to get to the line is great

[alex23Participant]

 Gms will hesitate to take a tweener number1  because they usually have more of a chance to struggle in the nba . Shabazz put up decent numbers being outta shape and coming off injures he can only do better from hhere he will most likely go number one. I won’t be surprised if he goes 4 th though. Btw I do believe bazz could be a franchise player down the road

[JoeJoParticipant]

 I don’t see a star with him.  His ballhandling ability is terrible.  He might be the worst ballhandler on the Kentucky squad.  He even struggles to dribble the ball up the court under no pressure.  It severely impacts his ability to create his own shot from the perimeter or get into passing situations.  Against Duke, he got blocked by Ryan Kelly twiced when he tried to create a jumper off the dribble.  That does not happen to high level prospects.

Don’t get me wrong.  I really like him as a player.  He’s a very good rebounder, a tough defender and seems to have a nose for getting things done around the basket without having plays called for him.  He has the game to be a valuable rugged role player at small forward and power forward based upon matchups but his skill level isn’t high enough to be a star.

[lalailaParticipant]

im not that high on him yes he is big athletic and can shoot..you would say what else he needs

but he isn’t the most skilled SF mostly what he does is slash from the corner to high post, he gets the ball does one dribble and bump with his shoulde, he gets his usually much thinner defender off and shoot jump shot..

another know on his wing potential he has ZERO assists over 4games and only 1steal too..both Noel and also Goodwin are higher on my list so far 

[HitsterParticipant]

I agree with the issues about him being a tweener and teams reluctant to draft those sort of players above a player with potential star quality like Bazz. Also there are a lot of good big men in this draft from more proven guys like Zeller to prospects like Adams, Noel etc. A big man with an impressive wingspan and workout will probably garner more attention than a guy like Poythress.

But where Poythress will get a lot of attention is from teams looking for a very solid complimentary player to assist the higher upside guys they already have. Given MKG was drafted at 2 as he was seen as a safe complimentary player, I could see Alex going very high if a team felt he fitted their need but I just don’t see him as a number one pick.

[HitsterParticipant]

I agree with the issues about him being a tweener and teams reluctant to draft those sort of players above a player with potential star quality like Bazz. Also there are a lot of good big men in this draft from more proven guys like Zeller to prospects like Adams, Noel etc. A big man with an impressive wingspan and workout will probably garner more attention than a guy like Poythress.

But where Poythress will get a lot of attention is from teams looking for a very solid complimentary player to assist the higher upside guys they already have. Given MKG was drafted at 2 as he was seen as a safe complimentary player, I could see Alex going very high if a team felt he fitted their need but I just don’t see him as a number one pick.

[chocboywndrParticipant]

I think he def has the potential to be. What it will depend on is prgression through the year. If he is able to show growth in his game quickly. If he is able to show that his upside is a Paul George or Rudy Gay with stronger type body he could get his name into consideration in such a weak draft. I think in terms of pure talent he is better than Zeller and as good an athelte as Bazz is I think  Poythress  is better when you consider he is up to 240lb and still moves like he hasnt gained a pound. He reminds me of Mcdyess before the injuries.

[Author]

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