[Johnny KilroyParticipant]

If you had to pick one, which player would you choose.

[JNixonParticipant]

EASILY Cousins.

[WildDudeParticipant]

Cousins by far, with Whiteside next, I just don’t see anything GREAT with Favors.

[CelticJayhawkParticipant]

Favors is the safest bet in my eyes..Cousins is a head case (with more upside then Favors), with the biggest risk/reward being Whiteside. Favors, at worst, is a better version of Tyrus Thomas, but his best could be a more skilled version of Josh Smith with less athletisicm (sp?)

[JNixonParticipant]

Derrick Favors is more Chris Wilcox than Josh Smith. He’s a much worse ball-handler than Smith (which is REALLY saying something), even at the same stage of development. Nor is he nearly as perimeter oriented.

[CelticJayhawkParticipant]

I think it’s a good thing Favors isnt as perimiter oriented at this stage of his career. Smith too often floats around the perimiter, taking 3’s (which he cant make) and taking contested jumpers, also hitting them at a low rate. Also, ball handling is something a player can work on over time.

[quinceyhodges]

lol..at worst tyrus thomas and better skilled josh smith..lol…you must have favors mized up with another guy. id take cousins and his head problems right now hands down then favors because i havnt really watched the marshall kid yet

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

This will potentially be one of the most heated debates come draft day. We all know the players’ various calling cards – Cousins is a double-double machine playing for a national power, Favors seemingly reminds everyone of Amare Stoudemire, Whiteside is the diamond in the rough who blocks five shots a game – and I think it will really come down to the team, not just best available.

Because the lottery is a long way away, however, I think I would have to go with Cousins – his size (6-11/270), combined with his agility, length and athleticism (though not on par with Favors and Whiteside) scream superstar potential, but best of all, he really produces, averaging 16 and 10 and 1.6 blocks in 22 minutes per game. In other words, he really has no faults, unless serious concerns about his attitude arise (I see him as a great competitor).

Favors and Whiteside, while sterling prospects, are more flawed than Cousins. Favors’ numbers (!1.5 and 8.5) are dwarfed by Cousins, even though Favors plays 26 mpg and with less players demanding shots. Whiteside is still something of a project at this point, nowhere near ready to contribute consistently on the offensive end at the next level.

Cousins has such little downside that I can’t imagine passing up on him; I think his worst-case is Nene, whereas Favors could easily be Cedric Simmons and Whiteside could be Saer Sene. Ok, those are slight exaggerations, but at least with Cousins – with his consistently awe-inspiring performance and his team’s near-immaculate record – we have more to go on.

[JNixonParticipant]

Yea it’s a good thing he’s not as perimeter oriented, but it also makes them incomparable…They have to do the same types of things and operate in similar ways to make a comparison.

[quinceyhodges]

favors doesnt remind everyone of amare. he reminds very lil basketball peopel with knowledge of amare. favors also looks to have more potential as a rebounder then amare but no where near the explosion or the go hardness( new word)

[canesboy6Participant]

Best word ever haha. I’d take Favors right now. Cousins seems like a Zach Randolph clone, I dont buy 6’11 for him either. Bad attitude to me is a giant red flag. I’ve heard Derrick Coleman from him, I like that too. Whiteside will be 21 by the time of the draft, so if you see how raw he is and he is the age of a junior, it makes me question how much upside he really has. Favors will be a player at the next level, and is by all accounts a great kid. He has that explosiveness and size that you just cant teach. If Gani Lawal wasn’t there, he would have huge scoring and rebound numbers.

[UKWildcat_11Participant]

Cousins has bigger size, first of all. You were saying you would take Favors over Cousins, one reason being he has size, when DC is much bigger. And I think he’s like a more agile, more skilled Andray Blatche

[the I in winParticipant]

I would take Cousins first followed close by Whiteside. I’d send Favors to the D-League so learn how to do something besides jump.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

Gotta go with Cousins. Derrick Favors has a lot of potential but his season so far has been a little disappointing and u dont know wat you’re getting out of him if u take him. I would take Whiteside last because he is raw on offense and would really benefit by staying in college for another year.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I agree Favors has been disappointing

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I think that I maybe alone on this one but, this debate is kind of impossible. I think that the player with the least amount of risk is DeMarcus Cousins. But, practically all NBA scouts agree that he has the least amount of upside. That isn’t to say that he won’t be a good player. But, Favors and Whiteside have more potential as players. Both guys are much more athletic than Cousins (especially Favors). But, if you are an NBA team that needs help in the post now Cousins is the most NBA ready of the bunch. Whoever drafts Favors or Whiteside better be patient with them because, they aren’t necessarily ready to contribute right away as both players are raw. I think that Whiteside has the most amount of risk. Derrick Favors in my opinion will become a star in the NBA soon as he has the work ethic, and attitude to be the best player he can be.

[M-DYMESParticipant]

Cousins no contest IMO. When people are arguing that he may be more valuable than Wall to Kentucky, that is seriously saying something to even consciously have that thought. His potential is great and he is putting up very very solid production in college. No reason not to take him over Favors (big disappointment thus far) and Whiteside who is very raw and needs to add significant bulk to his frame. Not to mention Whiteside dominates against lackluster competition but against bigger school he has not put up nearly those same type of numbers.

[Bryant24Participant]

Cousins dude is a flat out beast in the post

[sheltwon3Participant]

If cousins can keep his size and lose weight helping out his athleticism he may go down as one of the top big men in the league period. He also have to keep his emotions in check but dude is an offensive monster and physically he will be tough to handle for some in the League.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Whiteside in all honestly potential wise may be a better fit for the NBA because he could be a Dwight Howard type in a few year. He is alreadly there with defensive and athleticism. He woudl just need to get stronger and gain more basketball insight.

[CelticJayhawkParticipant]

No way. Hands down it’s wall. If you all ever watch kentucky games (which i’m sure you all have), then i’m sure you know the name Dan Orten. If cousins wasn’t there, Orten could easily step in and maybe not put up the number Cousins is, but i really think he’s a better defensive player and has some nice moves in the post. I may be alone on this one, but I honestly believe Orten has more upside then Cousins.

[JNixonParticipant]

Daniel Orton is worse offensively the Cousins is on D ( that’s saying something ). He doesn’t have more upside as Cousins at all. Not at all. He’ll never be more than a 5th option offensively in the NBA, even though he does have the ability to be a Kendrick Perkins type. Cousins lack of leaping ability isn’t as much of a limit in his potential as most make it seem, especially when he turns his fat into muscle. He has enough length and footwork to eliminate that worry.

I do argee with you that Wall is the MVP of Kentucky though.

[quinceyhodges]

i doubt favors numbers would be better with out gani there. without him there he would get more double teams and have to face the other teams best defender. and he has shown he doesnt have any real post moves down low. 50% of his points come from the other team worrying more about gani. nba guys always say this or that guy has all this upside or more upside then that guy even though that guy has alot of skills. ill take cousins thank you and let the other ownders worry about why the other guy’s “upside” hasnt kicked in yet

[lalailaParticipant]

Cousins Cousins Cousins..bigger tahn both , stronger than both, better moves, even better shooting i believe, better rebounder..he is good

[Adi Joseph]

I would take Whiteside. There are too many red flags with Cousins. I really don’t trust he will stay in good shape, and Kentucky plays best when Cousins is not the focal point of the offense.

Whiteside seems to be the most misunderstood player in the country, not that I should be surprised. I don’t see him as some long-term project, at all. He’s got a great feel for the game and a good mid-range jumper that should help him contribute immediately on offense, while his length and knack on help defense will cover up his teammates’ weaknesses on defense. He also has a frame he can grow into easily, and all reports are that he’s a pretty good kid.

Favors might have the highest potential of anyone in the draft other than Wall. I see him as a bit of an Amare Stoudemire-type, much more than Josh Smith or Chris Wilcox. He’s much more fluid than Wilcox, but clearly not nearly as skilled on the perimeter as Smith, who has developed into a fine point-forward.

There doesn’t seem to be much debate on the board these days, though. I think NBA teams are a bit more worried about personality issues than fans. 

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