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- Posted on: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 4:16pm #53271
Lafferty DanielParticipantWe’re ten weeks into the season so we have a pretty good idea where the current crop of rookies stack up. Here is my list as of today:
1. Cleveland – Giannis Antetokounmpo SF
The Cavs have to regret drafting Anthony Bennett first overall, right? Bennett is shooting a dismal .275% from the field while averaging only 2.5 pts, 2.1 boards, 0.3 assists, and 0.1 blocks. He’s shown signs of improvement lately, but he still has a long way to go before Cavs fans will be comfortable with the pick.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo is forcing announcers pronouce his name correctly with his overall game. The Greek Freak has been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season, and one of few bright spots for the Bucks. Since becomming a starter, Giannis is averaging 10 pts, 6.6 boards, 2.4 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.6 steals. The Bucks aren’t revolving their offense around him yet. When they do, watch out.
Cleveland definitely could use a franchise caliber player at SF. Giannis could’ve been a great fit and I’m sure Cavs fans can agree.
2. Orlando – Michael Carter-Williams PG
Speaking of surprises, there is no doubt that MCW has adjusted quicker to the NBA than any of us could imagine. While his shooting still leaves a lot to be desired, (.400 FG%) he’s managed to average 7.3 assists, 3.3 TO, 16.2 pts, and 5 boards this season.
Oladipo wasn’t a bad choice at all at number 2 overall, but I have to give the edge to MCW. The Magic could defintely use him.
3. Washington – Victor Oladipo SG
With a backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, Washington doesn’t necessarily need Oladipo, but he his the best player available in my opinion and would’ve given the Wizards some interesting lineup options. Plus Beal is injury prone so the depth would be a plus.
We haven’t been given much of an opportunity to see Otto Porter this season due to a strained hip flexor that kept him out until early December. Porter definitely needs to get stronger and more agressive in order for the Wizards to justify the pick. Yet another team that likely regrets passing on the Greek Freak.
4. Charlotte – Steven Adams C
You can argue that Cody Zeller was the correct pick. I like Adams upside more and believe he will have a better career than Zeller.
5. Phoenix – Ben McLemore SG
Alex Len has been dealing with an ankle injury and finally started practicing with the Suns for the first time since November. I was surprised when they passed on McLemore on draft night.
6. New Orleans traded to Philadelphia – Trey Burke PG
Knowing what we know now, the Sixers have to be thrilled that they were able to trade Jrue Holiday to New Orleans for Nerlens Noel, MCW, and a 2014 1st round pick. Burke has been better than I thought he would be since returning from a surgically-repaired finger, so he goes #6 overall.
7. Sacramento – Nerlens Noel PF/C
Nerlens is still recovering from ACL surgery, but I still like his upside more than anyone else on the board. Why not roll the dice here?
8. Detroit – Kentavious Cadwell-Pope SG
I don’t see why Detroit wouldn’t draft KCP here if they had a chance to do it again. His FG% leaves a lot to be desired, but I still like his upside and the improvements he’s shown.
9. Minnesota traded to Utah – Cody Zeller PF
If Detroit passed on KCP, I still think the Wolves would’ve picked him. They ended up signing Kevin Martin instead and trading this pick to Utah. I think Zeller is the best player on the board at #9.
10. Portland – C.J. McCollum PG/SG
McCollum is another rookie that we haven’t been able to see much. He dominated the summer league and was in consideration for preseason ROY. Unfortunately, he fractured his foot and will now be heading to the D-League where he will finally get some minutes. I still like the pick for Portland.
11. Philadelphia – Kelly Olynyk C
You can also argue that Olynyk could be higher than 11th.
12. Oklahoma City – Alex Len C
If not for a lingering ankle injury, Len could be higher. He’s 7’1" 255 lbs and only 20 years old. The upside is still there, but can he stay healthy?
13. Utah traded to Minnesota – Tim Hardaway Jr. SG
Hardaway Jr. might be the only thing the Knicks have done right this year when they drafted him 24th overall. He looks legit.
14. Milwaukee Bucks – Mason Plumlee PF/C
Give me Mason Plumlee here. During the last couple of weeks, Plumlee has averaged 6.3 pts, 4.6 boards, 1.1 blocks while shooting .500 from the field. Brooklyn is a mess, but they drafted a good player in Plumlee at 22nd overall.
I also considered Dennis Shroder at #14. Schroder has shown flashes of becomming a solid NBA PG, yet he is still very raw and was assigned to the D-League where he is getting more minutes.
Anthony Bennett drops out of the lottery for me. I’ve seen enough of his game at the NBA level and I’m not impressed at all.
Otto Porter also drops out, which isn’t necessarily fair to him since he’s been injured. I guess I was never really impressed with Porter to begin with.
What does your list look like?
0 - Posted on: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 4:40pm #860420
JoeWolf1Done, I had him at around the 10-12th best prospect in 2013.
I always thought Plumlee was lottery talent in the 2013 draft. It’s kind of surprising how he went so low in such a weak draft. When push comes to shove he’s 7 foot tall, a fantastic athlete, and a guy who produced well and grew every year in college.
I don’t think his offense is enough to be more than a 4th option in the pros, but I think he’s gonna have a lot of years at 10-13 ppg 7-9 rpg 1-2 bpg and in this draft…I think that’s lottery worthy.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 4:40pm #860314
JoeWolf1Done, I had him at around the 10-12th best prospect in 2013.
I always thought Plumlee was lottery talent in the 2013 draft. It’s kind of surprising how he went so low in such a weak draft. When push comes to shove he’s 7 foot tall, a fantastic athlete, and a guy who produced well and grew every year in college.
I don’t think his offense is enough to be more than a 4th option in the pros, but I think he’s gonna have a lot of years at 10-13 ppg 7-9 rpg 1-2 bpg and in this draft…I think that’s lottery worthy.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 5:12pm #860422
jwall1Participant1. Oladipo
2. MCW
3. Noel
4. Burke
5. Mclemore
6. Antekoumpo
7. McCollum
8. Tim Hardaway jr.
9. KCP
10. Steven Adams
11. Alex Len
12. Bennett
13. Otto Porter
14. Cody Zeller
My rankings are primarily on season performance/potential and ofcourse positional needs. Noel may be a little high, but I feel if he recovers well he would be a nice fit in Washington and he has one of the highest (if not the highest) ceilings in this draft.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 01/03/2014 - 5:12pm #860316
jwall1Participant1. Oladipo
2. MCW
3. Noel
4. Burke
5. Mclemore
6. Antekoumpo
7. McCollum
8. Tim Hardaway jr.
9. KCP
10. Steven Adams
11. Alex Len
12. Bennett
13. Otto Porter
14. Cody Zeller
My rankings are primarily on season performance/potential and ofcourse positional needs. Noel may be a little high, but I feel if he recovers well he would be a nice fit in Washington and he has one of the highest (if not the highest) ceilings in this draft.
0 - Posted on: Mon, 01/06/2014 - 8:34am #860492
B-ball fanParticipant1. Cleveland: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Has massive upside and the right combination of basketball smarts, physical tools and work ethic to tap into that upside. As a teenager, he has a 57.8 TS% and is shooting 65% at the rim. The Bucks are dramatically better with him on the court. Their offense is more than 10 points per 100 possessions better when Giannis is on the court and he does a great job creating easy shots for himself and his teammates.
Giannis still needs to develop consistency in the half court, but he is already a difference maker for the Bucks. Even if he doesn’t reach his potential, he could still be a Kawhi Leonard/Nic Batum-style glue guy.
2. Orlando: Michael Carter-Williams – Tough call, but with the great wings available in next year’s draft, I think the true pg of MCW is appealing. Oladipo will take a while to adjust to playing PG.
3. Washington: Victor Oladipo – Clearly BPA and could really help the Wizards abysmal bench.
4. Charlotte: Nerlens Noel – I think he is the best prospect available, although McLemore is tempting. Noel could be a nice defensive anchor and roll man.
5. Phoenix: Ben McLemore – Fits well on up tempo Suns. Could have contributed early and been future starting SG of team
6. NOP: Trey Burke – Obvious pick, great fit for Cans, can run PnR with Davis. I’m assuming that the Cans don’t trade for Holiday in hindsight
7. Sacramento: Otto Porter – Injuries have prevented him from making impact in short term, but he is an intelligent player who could fit well on Kings
8. Detroit: CJ McCollum – Good scorer. I like him more than KCP, despite his injuries.
9. Minnesota: Steven Adams – Without Burke available, Jazz shouldn’t trade up. Adams is BPA, could develop into defensive anchor Minny desperately needs with proper seasoning.
10. Portland: Cody Zeller – Zeller has struggled early, but he could develop into the back-up big Portland desperately needs.
11. Philly: Archie Goodwin – Philly gets kinda screwed in this redraft, but they could reach for the stars with this pick. This draft really has been weak outside of the top-4.
12. OKC: Mason Plumlee – Solid back-up big, good in transition and could be a contributor for Thunder early on
13. Dallas: Dennis Schoeder – In redraft, can’t assume Boston trades up. Schroeder could be PG of future for Dallas.
14. Utah: Tim Hardaway, Jr. – Solid floor spacer for Jazz. In this weak draft, getting a solid bench guy is good at the end of the lottery.
0 - Posted on: Mon, 01/06/2014 - 8:34am #860387
B-ball fanParticipant1. Cleveland: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Has massive upside and the right combination of basketball smarts, physical tools and work ethic to tap into that upside. As a teenager, he has a 57.8 TS% and is shooting 65% at the rim. The Bucks are dramatically better with him on the court. Their offense is more than 10 points per 100 possessions better when Giannis is on the court and he does a great job creating easy shots for himself and his teammates.
Giannis still needs to develop consistency in the half court, but he is already a difference maker for the Bucks. Even if he doesn’t reach his potential, he could still be a Kawhi Leonard/Nic Batum-style glue guy.
2. Orlando: Michael Carter-Williams – Tough call, but with the great wings available in next year’s draft, I think the true pg of MCW is appealing. Oladipo will take a while to adjust to playing PG.
3. Washington: Victor Oladipo – Clearly BPA and could really help the Wizards abysmal bench.
4. Charlotte: Nerlens Noel – I think he is the best prospect available, although McLemore is tempting. Noel could be a nice defensive anchor and roll man.
5. Phoenix: Ben McLemore – Fits well on up tempo Suns. Could have contributed early and been future starting SG of team
6. NOP: Trey Burke – Obvious pick, great fit for Cans, can run PnR with Davis. I’m assuming that the Cans don’t trade for Holiday in hindsight
7. Sacramento: Otto Porter – Injuries have prevented him from making impact in short term, but he is an intelligent player who could fit well on Kings
8. Detroit: CJ McCollum – Good scorer. I like him more than KCP, despite his injuries.
9. Minnesota: Steven Adams – Without Burke available, Jazz shouldn’t trade up. Adams is BPA, could develop into defensive anchor Minny desperately needs with proper seasoning.
10. Portland: Cody Zeller – Zeller has struggled early, but he could develop into the back-up big Portland desperately needs.
11. Philly: Archie Goodwin – Philly gets kinda screwed in this redraft, but they could reach for the stars with this pick. This draft really has been weak outside of the top-4.
12. OKC: Mason Plumlee – Solid back-up big, good in transition and could be a contributor for Thunder early on
13. Dallas: Dennis Schoeder – In redraft, can’t assume Boston trades up. Schroeder could be PG of future for Dallas.
14. Utah: Tim Hardaway, Jr. – Solid floor spacer for Jazz. In this weak draft, getting a solid bench guy is good at the end of the lottery.
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