[MakarosParticipant]

 Yesterday ( Saturday the 16th that is) both players worked out for the Cavaliers and some drills had them going head to head.

While they both enjoyed exceptional workouts, the front office of the Cavs appears to be more impressed with Beal as he managed to hold his own despite being much shorter than his opponent.

Does this lock up their pick at 4? Or do you see someone higher snatching up Beal or Barnes before they can drop to the Cavs?

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 Beal would be a nice compliment to Irving but I most definitely would select Barnes.

[bswervesParticipant]

 take Barnes in my opinion.  I think ultimately he will be much more productive than Beal.  That’s no knock on Beal because I think he’ll do just fine in the league, but Barnes can be a multi-All Star

[surveParticipant]

 I think Barnes is the pick now and going forward looking towards being able to resign him.  While I think both will be exceptional pros….I think once Beal’s rookie contract is up….it may be harder to retain his services.  You cant go wrong with either, but I think Harrison is the kind of unselfish player, with his bond with Kyrie that will stick around a few years.  If using OKC as a model of how to build a team, I think Irving and Barnes are the next version of Durant and Westbrook in terms of keeping your stars together.

[AstroParticipant]

I would say Beal, as the younger guy, has greater upside, but you have to wonder about a 6-3.25 guy who is not that great creating in isolations.  Maybe I’m biased, but as I’ve seen more of Barnes, I’ve soured on him.  His handle and first step are questionable.

[buckeyefan17Participant]

 Surve why do you say that it would be harder to retain Beal after his rookie deal is up? Between the two it would probably be Barnes considering he has stated how much his brand means to him he may want to get to a big market when his deal is over.

[surveParticipant]

 Because Barnes and Irving are really good friends.  MKG would be another great pick because of his history with Irving.  Barnes is the most down to earth guy.  After all the expectations heaped on him, he never bought into his own hype.  He just went out and played team ball.  He came back for a 2nd year when he likely wouldve been a higher pick last year.  Not saying that Beal is selfish, he may not be, but Barnes is the epitome of a team player.  He doesnt have an ego.  He can be Robin to Kyrie.  

If Beal becomes a star, it will be hard to keep that backcourt together, I just feel that way.  If Cleveland is good by the time Barnes deal is up….I dont think he will just bolt for a larger market.  Despite what people say about "The Decision" Lebron never wanted to leave Cleveland….he would still be there today if they wouldve won the title.  It was just time to move on.  For Cleveland, MKG or Barnes would be my top two choices.

Do you really think OKC wouldve been able to resign Westbrook if he and KD werent so close?  Maybe they do, but the fact that KD wants him there made it that much easier.

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Cavs reached for Thompson at 4 last year so could well do the same for Beal when you could think a trade down might suit but that would need Beal to bein the right place to be taken by another team. We know that Portland have be mentioned as trade partners but they may well have Lillard in their sights so the Cavs either have to look to GSW or Toronto or take Beal at 4.

If Beal does go at 4 and with Portland perhaps being keen on Lillard, I wonder who out of Robinson, Barnes, MKG or Drummond could fall. That could then impact on the rest of the draft as a team at say 9 or 10 could suddenly look to trade up to try and get someone who was a consensus top 5 until draft night.

[ChewyParticipant]

They are considering both Beal and Barnes for #2 overall pick.

[MakarosParticipant]

 I heard some reports that the "bond" between Irving and Barnes is overstated..

Then again, I’ve seen Harrison mentioning Kyrie as "my brother" so who knows what really is up, or whether Kyrie has the influence needed to make the decision go his way..

In any event, I agree that both will be exceptional pros.

[surveParticipant]

 I think Kyrie prefers to have MKG or Barnes….and he was the ROY and the new face of their franchise….trust me, he has the influence.  He knows both players personally and on the court.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arv-P1UyCyQ

[JoeJoParticipant]

 I’d go with Beal.  He and Irving would form as skilled a backcourt as any in the league.  

A lot is said about Barnes feeding off of Irving, which puzzles me a bit because Irving wasn’t THAT great a playmaker in his rookie year but regardless, Beal would add the dimension that Barnes can’t and that’s Irving feeding off of his passing.  Irving is a deadly shooter and the Cavs would be better if they had another  creator and ballhandler to take advantage of his shooting as well.

Beal’s first step and athleticism is not questionable or lacking.  He can definitely can get by his man and certainly better than Barnes can.  At any rate, he uses screens effectively to penetrate and if you can do that, it can nulllify a poor first step, which Beal doesn’t have in the first place.

Head to head, I’d give Beal an edge in ballhandling, passing, penetrating and overall defensive impact.  The stats may not say it but I’d even give Beal an edge in terms of projected shooting ability, although that is more disputable.

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