[AZcats09Participant]

Call me crazy, but i think Leonard’s going to be the best center from this draft (assuming Anthony Davis is playing PF in the NBA). He’s got the size, length and athleticism to be something like Tyson chandler on the defensive end of the floor.

I also like him more than Drummond, even though Drummond will probably go about ten picks higher. The athleticism is pretty comprable, although most would give Drummond the edge there. The reason I like Leonard more than Drummond, however, is because of the steady improvement he showed at Illinois. He put on muscle every year (which shows that he is eating the weightroom, not to mention drummond has always looked like a soft 270lbs to me). He has a few post moves, nothing great, but they are improving rapdily. Drummond has no moves on the block whatsoever.

I think if Drummond can put it all together his potential is limitless, and he could even surpass Anthony Davis as the best player in this draft…the problem is that he has not shown the work ethic to do so.

Leonard looks like a much safer pick, as I think he will definitely be playing valuable minutes for whatever team drafts him in a few years, while Drummond seems like one of those guys who doesn’t even have the drive to stick around in the league for very long.

Of course I’ll probably be eating my words in a few years when Drummond is making all-star games and leonard is playing like 5 minutes a night for the bobcats or something.

[AZcats09Participant]

^if i’m picking high up I agree with you, and I do take drummond over leonard. I just think there is a better than 50% chance that leonard becomes the better player, however if Drummond does become the better player then he will probably be MUCH better.

[cuseflynn10Participant]

Drummond dropped 20-30 pounds since the end of the season. I’d say he has good work ethic. And considering Drummond won’t turn 19 until August, he has plenty of time to develop. I would still take Drummond over Leonard.

[SpacegrassParticipant]

Come on man!  Chris Carter voice , I am just not big on Meyers Leonard.  At best he is Andres Biedrins , Drummond on the other hand could be a multiple all star though he is a bit risky.  Don’t let lack of HS or college production scare you with big guys.  Bynum sucked in HS and it took him a good 5-6 years to start to realize his potential , same thing with Amare Stoudemire.  Played against Amare in AAU and did not see what the big deal was about because he seemed not very skilled and passive despite being a manchild.  Obviously I was very wrong and I have a feeling you are looking at Drummond as at least a 15ppg 10reb 3blk guy in 3-4 years.

[ChrisCrossParticipant]

 lol, Leonard is way too soft to survive, it’s a man’s league. 

[Warned2820Participant]

 Leonard isn’t soft he is pretty aggressive actually. He put up better numbers than Drummond across the board.  I question Drummond’s work ethic as he didn’t bother getting into shape until he stood to earn some money.  Leonard will be the better player.

[raybeasParticipant]

over both if I needed someone to play right away. They both need coaching up to reach their max potential. TZeller is as ready now as he will ever be. Drummond may start right away if he goes to a weak enough team, but won’t put up great numbers yet. Leonard looks like a BJ Mullens type who takes a few years to get on the court and contribute. Zeller can be a starter or first or second man off the bench type player out of the gate.

[cuseflynn10Participant]

10 PPG

7.6 RPG

2.7 BPG

28.4 MPG

 

Those stats are solid, but don’t necesarrily jump out at you. But when you consider his size and his age, it’s hard not to be impressed. The Big East is no cake walk by any stretch of the imagination, and Drummond had success right away as a freshmen. Considering he went up against Fab Melo, Herb Pope, Yancy Gates, Gorgui Dieng, and a whole lot of other great bigs, I think it’s fair to say he did a good job.

I think it’ll take a year or two for him to develop in the NBA, but it’s worth it. By the time he’s in his third year he’ll be 21 and could be looking at a breakout season. Leonard on the other hand may come in a little more prepared, being two years older, but his ceiling isn’t nearly what Drummond’s is. I don’t see a whole lot of room for growth in Leonard.

 

I honestly believe that Drummond will be the best player coming out of this draft class. Twenty years from now when their all retired, he’ll be the one we remember. I’m not hopping on the Anthony Davis bandwagon until I see he can compete on a nightly basis against NBA PF’s who are more skilled and bigger than the players he saw in college.

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