[valentine]

 After watching the ebb and flow of a few games and being the Sixers fan I am:

Here are some thoughts on how the draft might shape up:

Yesterday, Arizona, Notre Dame, Kentucky, and Wisconsin were playing.

The 76ers will more than likely have a top 5 pick, and could possibly use Miami and OKC picks, or maybe next year’s Lakers pick to make a jump to fill some holes this year.  Not sure how that will affect the cap.  Here is what I would do.

If he’s available, I am grabbing Karl Towns with the 1st pick.  A rotation of Towns/Noel/Embiid/Saric gives you so many options with your frontcourt of the future.  

I’d take Towns because, I’d do what I could to grab Jerian Grant.  He can finish has great court awareness and makes his teammates better.  Thats all you want out of a PG.  I don’t think Mudiay or even Russell are that much of an upgrade over Grant.  He seemed like a perfectly capable PG watching him yesterday.

I’d go Towns and do waht I needed to do to grab Jerian Grant.

I realize the 76ers have a pressing need at PG, but I think Grant is still an upgrade over MCW.  The only reason i did not like the MCW trade was because I thoguht it prevented drafting another big man.  But I am fine with Grant, he has good size and ball IQ, plus his job will be easier with all the big men the Sixers will have.

SI did a nice article on Stanley Johnson.  He is clearly the best player on Arizona.  Only thing that scares me is his lack of leaping athleticism.  He has an obvious NBA body, he just isn’t athletic enoguh to grab boards and guard 3s.  I see him as Iguodala with a better jumpshot.  A third option.  If I was the Sixers I’d take him at 5 if I was there and the other 4 were gone.  The Sixers need a three, but you’d hope they’d address the 1 over the 3.  But again, if you end up with Stanley Johnson and Jerian Grant, I am fine with that.

 

To summarize:  Here is my prefernce of draft picks from the players I saw play yesterday.

 

1.  Towns – PF with outside shot, can rebound, defend, he is your prototypical NBA player and when Charles Barkley is on board with a PF, thats good news.

2.  Stanley Johnson – SF – he fills a need position.  Two way player.  Would be happy if we drafted him.  May not be on the level of the top 4 potential picks this draft, but he fills a need and is a smart player.

3.  Jerian Grant – PG – high IQ, very good passer, makes players around him better, and can shoot and finish.  Whats not to like?  If you can fill another need earlier in the draft, why not do waht it takes to get him as your PG of the future, he is better than MCW.

4.  Sam Dekker – SF – a little afraid he might be Keith Van Horn but I think he can get to the rim better than him.  Dekker has a very high bball IQ, would play very well with Saric.  Dekker can finish, beat the smaller guy off the dribble, and its a fundamentally sound defender, just not sure if he is athletic enough.  His shot could be better, but he does more than the next guy…

5.  Booker – SG – great shooter, great form.  Very good size for position.  Is very young, just not sure he will ever be a very good defender.  Not sure he’d ever be a Klay Thompson type, and I don’t think his IQ is as high as Dekker or Kaminsky.  But that shot is too good.

6.  Kaminsky – PF? – Very impressed.  Great smooth stroke, especially his FT shooting.  Very smart.  Seems to have a body that holds up and can bang.  Just don’t know if he can bang with NBA players.  He’s NOT Dirk, nobody is or probably will be.  He also could be a big bust, but I love his game.  Dude can play, just too much of a risk for it translating to the NBA. 

7.  Rhondae HJ – SF – good defender but otherwise doesn’t add anything to offensive game.  Dont’ really want him, unless he drops a lot, maybe with the early 2nd round pick if he lasts till then.  We have him already, jerami grant.

8.  Cauley-Stein – too many other positions to address.  If he was available with OKC pick 19, if we have it, then I’d take WCS after addressing 1, 2, or 3 and even a better 4.  Thats the only way I’d take cauley stein, if we addressed 2 of the other positions with the other two picks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trelos6Participant]

 MCW was traded to Bucks.

Sixers need BPA.  They also have Noel, Saric, Embiid as building blocks for the future.

I say grab Russell, Booker and they instantly have a backcourt which can shoot and score.

They can also take a punt on Cliff Alexander in the 2nd round if available, or one of the Harrisons as a backup guard.

Note: I think Upshaw goes in the first round.  Bit of a headcase, but he has legit defensive presence, and a current contender might take a flier on him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trelos6Participant]

 MCW was traded to Bucks.

Sixers need BPA.  They also have Noel, Saric, Embiid as building blocks for the future.

I say grab Russell, Booker and they instantly have a backcourt which can shoot and score.

They can also take a punt on Cliff Alexander in the 2nd round if available, or one of the Harrisons as a backup guard.

Note: I think Upshaw goes in the first round.  Bit of a headcase, but he has legit defensive presence, and a current contender might take a flier on him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

 a couple things i disagree with you on

stanley johnson is a very good athlete. he might not be elite by any means but it wont be a weakness which you seem to suggest by saying his lack of athleticism concerns you and he wont be able to defend or rebound at the 3 position. You then compare him to iguodala making me think you are suggesting iggy is not that great an athlete. Not everyone can be vince carter or russell westbrook, guys like stanley johnson are not gonna struggle due to athleticism.

You also said it worries you that dekker might be van horn 2.0. Well if you could get van horn outside of the top 10 and possibly even in the 20’s, that would be awesome. I dont mind the comparison, but im not sure how you suggest it is a weak spot to be compared to a guy who spent about a decade scoring double figures in the league. 

ALso, i like grant too, but i think he is going to be significantly worse then either mudiay or russell, not just a slight downgrade. 

 

 

 

[llperez]

 a couple things i disagree with you on

stanley johnson is a very good athlete. he might not be elite by any means but it wont be a weakness which you seem to suggest by saying his lack of athleticism concerns you and he wont be able to defend or rebound at the 3 position. You then compare him to iguodala making me think you are suggesting iggy is not that great an athlete. Not everyone can be vince carter or russell westbrook, guys like stanley johnson are not gonna struggle due to athleticism.

You also said it worries you that dekker might be van horn 2.0. Well if you could get van horn outside of the top 10 and possibly even in the 20’s, that would be awesome. I dont mind the comparison, but im not sure how you suggest it is a weak spot to be compared to a guy who spent about a decade scoring double figures in the league. 

ALso, i like grant too, but i think he is going to be significantly worse then either mudiay or russell, not just a slight downgrade. 

 

 

 

[PhillytheKid]

to agree and disagree.

Van Horn may have scored double digits but to compare him to another white guy, Gordon Heyward the game just flows a lot better with him in it.  I saw Van Horn play with the Sixers, albeit with the Answer, and there was no chemistry.  He is one of those guys that can’t flow with an offense.  As you can see with Golden State and San Antonio, unless you have a superstar like Lebron, thats the way to win.  Having a very fluid offense.

 

Yeah I really like Stanley Johnson, but if I had to nitpick the top 5 pick, I have to knock him only on his athleticism.  If he was more athletic I think he’d be great.  I think Oubre is more athletic than he is, but Oubre doesn’t have NBA size or NBA IQ.  I don’t want Oubre because of his frame.  Thats why I rather woudl have Johnson.  I said i’d be very happy with Johnson as pick #5 if we end up there because he addresses a need and the Sixers can’t stop winning games.  I think he’s Iggy with a better shot but slightly less athletic.  It was late, didn’t type out my thought completely.  Iggy was an excellent on ball defender with a great Bball IQ.   I think Johnson is a very good 3 for the future if you can’t get Towns or Mudiay Russell.

 

I like that Russell and Booker suggestion.  That is a Steph Curry and Klay Thompson-lite.  But I just think all you need out of a PG is to make players around you better.  I don’t think MCW was very good at that.  He was more about himself and proving he was a star (which he is not).  He lost his ways from that first game against Miami where he was a pace-setter and played within the game.  He tried to do too much on a bad team.  Grant makes his teammates better…

Therefore, don’t miss out on Towns because you need a PG.  I’d be happier with Towns and Grant….

Than Mudiay or Russell and Kaminsky or Dekker or Booker.  I value the versatile big man more.

 

 

[PhillytheKid]

to agree and disagree.

Van Horn may have scored double digits but to compare him to another white guy, Gordon Heyward the game just flows a lot better with him in it.  I saw Van Horn play with the Sixers, albeit with the Answer, and there was no chemistry.  He is one of those guys that can’t flow with an offense.  As you can see with Golden State and San Antonio, unless you have a superstar like Lebron, thats the way to win.  Having a very fluid offense.

 

Yeah I really like Stanley Johnson, but if I had to nitpick the top 5 pick, I have to knock him only on his athleticism.  If he was more athletic I think he’d be great.  I think Oubre is more athletic than he is, but Oubre doesn’t have NBA size or NBA IQ.  I don’t want Oubre because of his frame.  Thats why I rather woudl have Johnson.  I said i’d be very happy with Johnson as pick #5 if we end up there because he addresses a need and the Sixers can’t stop winning games.  I think he’s Iggy with a better shot but slightly less athletic.  It was late, didn’t type out my thought completely.  Iggy was an excellent on ball defender with a great Bball IQ.   I think Johnson is a very good 3 for the future if you can’t get Towns or Mudiay Russell.

 

I like that Russell and Booker suggestion.  That is a Steph Curry and Klay Thompson-lite.  But I just think all you need out of a PG is to make players around you better.  I don’t think MCW was very good at that.  He was more about himself and proving he was a star (which he is not).  He lost his ways from that first game against Miami where he was a pace-setter and played within the game.  He tried to do too much on a bad team.  Grant makes his teammates better…

Therefore, don’t miss out on Towns because you need a PG.  I’d be happier with Towns and Grant….

Than Mudiay or Russell and Kaminsky or Dekker or Booker.  I value the versatile big man more.

 

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

van horn was much better player than dekker..a better scorer & rebounder..but if he played dekker’s intensity,he might’ve been an all star…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

van horn was much better player than dekker..a better scorer & rebounder..but if he played dekker’s intensity,he might’ve been an all star…

[juves4783Participant]

you don’t move mcw unless you plan on taking a pg with the 1st pick.  they are in love with mudiay and okay with russell as a backup plan.

next pick should be booker.  they could use a real shooter.  johnson, dekker, rhj are all guys that i don’t think fill a need.  philly did a really nice job of locking up grant, covington, sampson and hollis thompson on the cheap, each under $1M.  i don’t think sf is in as bad a spot as sg.

 

 

 

 

 

[juves4783Participant]

you don’t move mcw unless you plan on taking a pg with the 1st pick.  they are in love with mudiay and okay with russell as a backup plan.

next pick should be booker.  they could use a real shooter.  johnson, dekker, rhj are all guys that i don’t think fill a need.  philly did a really nice job of locking up grant, covington, sampson and hollis thompson on the cheap, each under $1M.  i don’t think sf is in as bad a spot as sg.

 

 

 

 

 

[PhillytheKid]

 I got a couple Hinkie scenarios in mind…..comes down to this…

Use any one of Miami, OKC, Lakers pick, and Noel (even though he’s really been playing well), to move up and get two top 4 picks.  I think the Knicks would do it.  Take Lakers next year pick, grab Noel (bonafide big man), and two first round picks this year, and give up a top 3 pick.  They have too many needs and I don’t think any one of these guys, including Okafor. is a Franchise player, just a nice piece.  Noel is also a nice piece with the rest of that haul.

So you nab Towns, and Mudiay, by giving away any combination of those picks.  Meanwhile you still keep your first rounder for next year.   Mudiay Towns Embiid and Saric is your future.  

 

I agree on the Dekker RHJ not adding much to what they already have…..Covington can shoot it but can’t really play D.  Grant can play D but can’t really shoot it.  Grant is a backup 3 in my opinion.  Sampson stinks in my book.  Two years from now he won’t have a roster spot, unless he hits the weight room and gets more coordinated and faster..  Ditto Hollis Thompson, too hot and cold.  I think Stanley Johnson is an obvious upgrade at the 3, but with Covington and Grant is it the most pressing need?  Maybe not.  

I am fine with setting up the backcourt of the future with Booker and either Mudiay and Russell.  

But I’d rather have Jerian Grant and Karl Towns.   Jerian I think has an NBA game.  

 

Right now as far as needs, I think you still go with Elite Big man, followed by PG and shooting guard, then address the 3 since I think there are some good threes in next year’s draft and you can always find a decent 3 in FA.

 

so many options for the sixers, its fun.

 

 

 

[PhillytheKid]

 I got a couple Hinkie scenarios in mind…..comes down to this…

Use any one of Miami, OKC, Lakers pick, and Noel (even though he’s really been playing well), to move up and get two top 4 picks.  I think the Knicks would do it.  Take Lakers next year pick, grab Noel (bonafide big man), and two first round picks this year, and give up a top 3 pick.  They have too many needs and I don’t think any one of these guys, including Okafor. is a Franchise player, just a nice piece.  Noel is also a nice piece with the rest of that haul.

So you nab Towns, and Mudiay, by giving away any combination of those picks.  Meanwhile you still keep your first rounder for next year.   Mudiay Towns Embiid and Saric is your future.  

 

I agree on the Dekker RHJ not adding much to what they already have…..Covington can shoot it but can’t really play D.  Grant can play D but can’t really shoot it.  Grant is a backup 3 in my opinion.  Sampson stinks in my book.  Two years from now he won’t have a roster spot, unless he hits the weight room and gets more coordinated and faster..  Ditto Hollis Thompson, too hot and cold.  I think Stanley Johnson is an obvious upgrade at the 3, but with Covington and Grant is it the most pressing need?  Maybe not.  

I am fine with setting up the backcourt of the future with Booker and either Mudiay and Russell.  

But I’d rather have Jerian Grant and Karl Towns.   Jerian I think has an NBA game.  

 

Right now as far as needs, I think you still go with Elite Big man, followed by PG and shooting guard, then address the 3 since I think there are some good threes in next year’s draft and you can always find a decent 3 in FA.

 

so many options for the sixers, its fun.

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 At 6’10 it looks like Karl Anthony Towns has everything a power forward needs.  Anyone here watch Derrick Coleman in college?  Any similarities?  DC was great for the Nets in 1992-1993 but his prime was shorter (and lower) than it should have been.

I wonder if the Jazz would take Frank Kaminsky as their third big.  If the good wing players are off the board, then why not go with a guy who could play with either Gobert or Favors?  I mean, that would lock down their big man rotation for years.  

You could also say the same thing for the Sixers.  Kaminsky could play with either Noel or Embiid.  The Sixers lack shooters, so he would help there too.  Nerlens and Frank would make for a great (if eccentric) front court duo/buddy cop TV show.

I like Andrew Harrison’s upside as a 6’6 point guard.  He could turn into MCW without the hype, or a less flashy, more fundamentally sound version of Tony Wroten.

In the battle of backup NBA point guards, I like McConnell.  Really solid past two games.  I like him better than Fred Van Vleet.

Jerian Grant is a value play if you need a guy like Mudiay but he is either off the board, or too high a risk at 2 or 3 (go big there then try to get another pick).

Booker screams "shooter off the bench".  I don’t think there are enough of those guys.  

I think Karl Anthony Towns could be the best guy in the draft for Philly.  But, they already have Embiid.

Would they use Embiid to trade up in the draft?  Or, use their own pick on Towns then trade Embiid for another top 5-10 pick?

If they plan on keeping Embiid, then he and Noel would pretty much take up a ton of minutes at the 4 and 5 spots.  Then you add Saric when he comes over.  … then I like Frank Kaminsky as a third or fourth big, Sam Dekker as a bigger 3 who can score and shoot, Jerian Grant as a bigger point guard, and Booker or RJ Hunter as a shooter off the bench.  Now, if they get Andrew Harrison then they should take a run at Aaron Harrison too with a 2nd round pick (if he comes out).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 At 6’10 it looks like Karl Anthony Towns has everything a power forward needs.  Anyone here watch Derrick Coleman in college?  Any similarities?  DC was great for the Nets in 1992-1993 but his prime was shorter (and lower) than it should have been.

I wonder if the Jazz would take Frank Kaminsky as their third big.  If the good wing players are off the board, then why not go with a guy who could play with either Gobert or Favors?  I mean, that would lock down their big man rotation for years.  

You could also say the same thing for the Sixers.  Kaminsky could play with either Noel or Embiid.  The Sixers lack shooters, so he would help there too.  Nerlens and Frank would make for a great (if eccentric) front court duo/buddy cop TV show.

I like Andrew Harrison’s upside as a 6’6 point guard.  He could turn into MCW without the hype, or a less flashy, more fundamentally sound version of Tony Wroten.

In the battle of backup NBA point guards, I like McConnell.  Really solid past two games.  I like him better than Fred Van Vleet.

Jerian Grant is a value play if you need a guy like Mudiay but he is either off the board, or too high a risk at 2 or 3 (go big there then try to get another pick).

Booker screams "shooter off the bench".  I don’t think there are enough of those guys.  

I think Karl Anthony Towns could be the best guy in the draft for Philly.  But, they already have Embiid.

Would they use Embiid to trade up in the draft?  Or, use their own pick on Towns then trade Embiid for another top 5-10 pick?

If they plan on keeping Embiid, then he and Noel would pretty much take up a ton of minutes at the 4 and 5 spots.  Then you add Saric when he comes over.  … then I like Frank Kaminsky as a third or fourth big, Sam Dekker as a bigger 3 who can score and shoot, Jerian Grant as a bigger point guard, and Booker or RJ Hunter as a shooter off the bench.  Now, if they get Andrew Harrison then they should take a run at Aaron Harrison too with a 2nd round pick (if he comes out).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

I still think the Sixers are targeting one of Mudiay/Russell plus Hezonja. I think I like Russell a little more than Mudiay given his superior shooting but the Sixers are big fans of athleticism so they might perfer Mudiay. 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

I still think the Sixers are targeting one of Mudiay/Russell plus Hezonja. I think I like Russell a little more than Mudiay given his superior shooting but the Sixers are big fans of athleticism so they might perfer Mudiay. 

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