[Real Talk Real TrophiesParticipant]

Living in Kentucky and being a die hard Kentucky fan, want to see what everyones thoughts are on their current rosters nba draft and future prospects. Below are my thoughts.

Anthony Davis- #1 pick  —  Much debate about how his future pans out, but undeniably an amazing talent. I def see numerous all star appearances and some all NBA teams, esp if he can play the center position in the nba where there are few great players. I have yet to see anything on the basketball court that he can’t do and is only going to get better and stronger. No true comparison, but I like the KG and Camby comparisons

MKG- Lottery Pick — Often times overshadowed because of Davis and also because of UK’s wealth of talent doesnt have to take over games.  Has all the intangibles and only cares about winning.. Honestly watching him for Kentucky he reminds me of John Wall in the open court. When he gets a defensive rebound the defense has to get back or he will get to the rim in a hurry and with his speed and long strides no one can get in front of him… Still has to work on jumper but dude is a beast and I am comparing him to Gerald Wallace at the pro level. He is so competitive he will work on his game and be a multiple all-star player as well. Rumored he would stay past this year and as much as I would love it, dude is more than ready for NBA, but hey, whatever makes him happy.  #BBN would love to have him back.

Terrence Jones- Mid-First Round — Has all the talent in the world and an NBA body, but just can’t put it all together consistently.  Sometimes loses focus and energy which has hurt his stock.  I think he is too predictable and mechanical in his moves, but has really been a force down low when paired with Davis. last year played soft in the post, but I have been impressed with his strength down low this year. Tweener who will prob get minutes at both forwards. I see him having a mediocre NBA career floating around for years as more of a rotation player.

Doron Lamb- Mid/Late Rounder– Even in what people are calling a strong draft class, I think if he comes out he is deserving of a first round pick. If Avery Bradley and Corey Joseph (sorry to pick on a couple of longhorns) can be first round guard picks, I see no reason why UK’s all time 3 pt fg % leader (48.47% for career) can’t either. the guy knows how to play the game, lights out spot up shooter, demonstrated ability to create own shot this year and not as small as people try to make him out to be.  With his shooting he can def find a niche in NBA. Comparison: Barbosa or former Cat Jodie Meeks.

Darius Miller-  Early/Mid Second Rounder– He is a senior so he is coming out this year. This site has him as the last pick of the draft.  I think that would be a steal. You know what you are getting with Miller.  Long wing player who can shoot the spot up J.  He can defend decently and ok off the dribble, but best as a catch and shoot.  Biggest weakness is when he is forced to dribble the ball up the court or against pressure and make decisions. In NBA the PG will handle just about all those responsibilites and he can focus on spotting up and creashing boards. Has NBA size if he applies himself.  I think some playoff team looking to add a player with his strengths will snag him early/mid 2nd round.  Comparison:  Brandon Rush

Marques Teague- Late/Mid First round if declares this year— Will he declare this year or return?  UK has NC St. transfer Ryan Harrow waiting in the wings so that could influence his decision.  The biggest influencer though will probably be the weak PG class this year.   Other than Kendall Marshall there really isn’t much PG competition in this draft. His jump shot is unorthodox, but given the space can knock it down.  His strength lies in his quickness allowing him to get to rim at will. When shot clock is running down he usually has the ball and takes his man one-on-one to the rim.  He almost always gets free and gets a good shot or if the defense collapses throws it at the rim for Davis. He won’t be able to do that as well in NBA but he is smart player and will find a way to get the job done. Also a freshman so plenty of room to grow. Comparison: TJ Ford?

Vargas- Another Senior — Prob the next Shaq. Best player in nation, just saving him for tourney.

 

 

 

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

Vargas being the next Shaq and the best player in the rotation? Is this just some joke?

I see the similarities between TJ Ford and Teague but Ford was known as a fast, pure point guard in college. I don’t really see that in Teague. He’s fast, but he’s not a pure point guard. I compare him more to Steve Francis, but he definitely needs another year. Transfer Ryan Harrow coming in next year may impact his decision, but I still think he would benefit from another year even if he ends up playing as a 2 guard instead of as a one.

I completely agree with everything else you said about Davis, Jones, Lamb, and MKG

 

[Real Talk Real TrophiesParticipant]

Yes that was a joke (thought that could go unsaid)… it’s f’n Eloy Vargas

[iguapops420Participant]

Anthony Davis- Upside:KG    Downside:Tyrus Thomas  Average: Young Marcus Camby

MKG-Upside:Gerald Wallace  Downside:Danny Green  Average:James Posey w/ better athleticism and guard skills

Terrence Jones-Upside:Lamar Odom     Downside:Marvin Williams    Average: Michael Beasley

Doron Lamb-Upside:Cuttino Mobley    Downside:Daequan Cook    Average:Anthony Morrow

Darius Miller-Upside:I suppose Brandon Rush is a fair comp.  Downside:Joey Graham    Average:Devean George

Marquis Teague-Upside: Steve Francis   Downside:Avery Bradley    Average: Jeff Teague

[Future_Scout]

such a good post… agree with every player’s description and where they will be taken.

…

cant forget the ability to post up smaller players from darius miller.

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 "When shot clock is running down ‘teague’ usually has the ball and takes his man one-on-one to the rim. He almost always gets free and gets a good shot or if the defense collapses throws it at the rim for Davis."

…so true.

…

mkg upside is more than gerald wallace

 

[Real Talk Real TrophiesParticipant]

Also, check out a site some friends and I created and post on… a lot more work and writing needs to be put into it, but this has been our first year.. Helped me get press passes to several UK games and other guys get UL press passes. The more traffic the better. Go NBADRAFT.NET!!!!

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

The fact that Miller does post up smaller players kind of reminds me of early Quinton Richardson days.   

[HadzialijagicParticipant]

MKG will be better than Gerald Wallace. With his work ethic he will end up with much better ball handling and shooting than Gerald.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 @RealTalk

What position do you think Anthony Davis is going to play in the league and what position do you think he’ll be best at?  My answer is Center and Center.  I know so many people say he’s too skinny and this and that like weight can’t be added so I’ll leave aside the weight issues and say why I think he will and should play Center in the league.  1st is the he understands what a Center should do and he owns the paint on both sides of the floor.  2nd is he has an uncanny feel for the where the rim is and an incredibly soft touch to convert shots through traffic.  Players like Bosh play PF because they’re better in space then in traffic.  Davis is great converting shots in traffic so put him where the traffic is.  And finally his length and athleticism will make him a terror at the pivot position at the next level.  On defense he’s gonna clog up the lane with his arms, and on offense he’s gonna be taking the other teams big man outside to open up driving lanes for slashers.

Terrence Jones is an enigma.  He reminds me of Josh Smith more then anybody tho but only he’s not quite as good.  I do believe he’ll become a good starter or at worse a valuable hybrid forward off the bench for a team in the league.  He can shoot, pass, run, block shots, and rebound.

MKG- People are gonna hate this but am I the only person who feels like MKG’s game is a little reminiscent of Wade’s?  Wade is faster and a better ball handler but other then that I think they’re really similar how especially when MKG get’s into the open floor, his moves around the rim and finishes remind me of Wade.  He said he’s staying and I hope he does atleast for his sophomore season because he’s going to be a National Player of The Year candidate.  Even if Shabazz goes to Kentucky I think MKG will be better next year.  He got a great feel for the game and plays both sides of the ball.  I’d really like to see him polish his game more before jumping to the pro’s because he can become really really special.

Teague reminds me of a younger Lou Williams only he’s not really as good as Williams was at the same age.  Williams is and was quicker, had even tighter handles, and is/was a pure scorer.  But if Teague stays for his sophomore year and proves he can become a really good floor general and picks his spots to score, and becomes a better passer then he could become what Williams never will be and that’s a starting PG in the league.

Kyle Wiltjier reminds me of Keith Van Horn I can see him becoming really good to the point where i learn how to spell his last name correctly.

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 Marquis Teague is Eric Bledsoe Jr. watch and see.

2 big strong PG’s with all the athleticism, but not pure PG’s.

I think Bledsoe may be a bit more athletic tho.

[crazyqx83Participant]

 Not trying to say that Darius should be drafted anywhere near Harrison Barnes, but their efficiency stats are fairly similar with the exception of rebounding.  To Darius’ credit, he is usually on the floor with 3 other elite rebounders and Barnes usually plays with just 2 and he has proven that he can rebound at an identical clip that Barnes is this year (last season he averaged  4.5 rebounds per game with 2 elite rebounders ahead of him).  Obviously you have to take into account usage effects and focus of the opposing defense, but I don’t think that’s enough of a factor considering that they are both playing with supreme talent around them.

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=harrison-barnes&p1=darius-miller

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=harrison-barnes&darius-miller=2010-2011&p1=darius-miller

Point being, I think Barnes is incredibly overvalued and Darius incredibly undervalued based on a number of factors, but primarily where they were ranked out of HS and the fact that Darius is a senior and Barnes is a sophomore.  Barnes has a superior mid-range game and his one dribble pull up has become very deadly but I would take Darius’ post up game and floater in the lane.

I think both will have extended NBA careers, albeit in different roles.

[Real Talk Real TrophiesParticipant]

I def think Davis is a center in the league as well; pretty much for the reasons you stated.  Even with A.Davis coming in this year, my biggest worry was when we played a team with a legit big center, ie Tyler Zeller, we wouldn’t be able to keep him out of the post. Last year when we played them and Harrelson got in foul trouble Zeller made T.Jones look like a little beotch.  I didn’t think Davis would be able to stop it either, but boy was I wrong.  The man knows how to position himself and is so long he makes up for a lot of stuff.  Plus he is a lot stronger than his frame would suggest.  The dude is going to be a top Center in the league… my only concern is he is going to be stuck with the Bobcats crappy team. I hope somehow the Kings win the lottery and he is paired with Cousins (prob my fav recent UK player).  That front court would be sick with Davis on def and Big Cuz’s offense.

TJ can look good at times, but him being such a headcase and seeing him struggle at times is soooo frustrating that I just can’t see him being a long term starter quality player… similar to former UL and current Magic player Earl Clark, he has all the talent and build for the NBA, just lacking the extra something to be special.

I like the D.Wade comparison. I said G. Wallace as my comparison, but I agree MKG will turn out to be better, just thought they have similar builds and qualitys.  Once he gets confident with his jumper and tweeks his mechanics a little, the dude will be a stud.  Wallace couldn’t shoot a lick when drafted by Sac, but developed that aspect of his game.  MKG is already miles ahead of him in terms of development and will be a special player.  He has the work ethic and has that extra gear that only special players have.  Plus the guy plays his best when playing against the best.  His best games were against the better teams UK faced this yr.  He steps up against the top competition.  All the guy wants to do is win and he will do anything to do so. He has the Will of a Champion.

I dont like the Teague to Lou Williams comparison.  Williams is a straight up gunner and can shoot the rock.  Teague will never develop into that.  He thrives at using his quickness to beat his man off the dribble and get to the rim… the Bledsoe comparison is pretty good, except I think Teague has a better IQ when it comes to distributing the ball and Bledsoe is more on the offensive trying to score. 

@Chilbert Arenas– I like the Q-rich to Darius Miller comparison.  I def think Miller will have a NBA career

@iguapops –I Like the Lamb Comparisons you made.. Cuttino Mobley is def the type of player lamb can be

[Real Talk Real TrophiesParticipant]

i dont like Wiltjer to keith van horn.  He will never develop into what Van Horn was. Wiltjer is getting better with each game and he is only a freshman, but he cant create own shot off dribble.  He can in the post and has good moves, but is too weak and soft down low.  On the perimeter he can shoot it, but lacks foot speed to do anything other than catch and shoot.  I think it benefits him playing with better players allowing him to get open looks.  I hope and have no doubt he will develop into a solid 4 year player under Cal, but Van Horn was a baller.  Hopefully he will get faster, stronger and more confident and develop into a NBA type player, but I dont see it.  Too slow… 

also, one more note about Kidd-Gilchrist.  He would avg 20 and 10 and be best player on 95% of college basketball teams. I am sold on that comparison

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Davis- Kirilenko

Kidd-Gilchrist- Kawhi Leonard

Teague- Reggie Jackson

Lamb- George Hill

Jones- James Johnson

Miller- Carlos Delfino

[TheLastWordParticipant]

Davis will eventually play center, maybe PF at first. He is the prototypical new age center. Fast, long, able to switch on pick and rolls with little to no mismatches created. Whoever gets him will be a 10+ win team in the first year.

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