Official 2013 NBA Draft Thread

[bigmike23]

what do you mean by melo? black hole on offense at times and doesn't play much defense?

 

[jjs07]

Scoring wise....dude can get buckets from just about anywhere on the court. They are about the same size as well. I think there are aspects of their games that are similar.

I said...BEST CASE scenario is a poor man's melo. Who else would he compare to if he pans out?

 

[bigmike23]

zbo is who I think of

 

[datznasty]

with Maxiell's hops

 

[shannonscrooks]

I really want Bennett to be good in the league, dude is a beast, hope it all comes together

 

[cj003]

Any gems that Ben Holland was holding back in this years draft?

Not really. Only two UCLA players are draftable: Shabazz and Law Drew II

Shabazz showed his true talents at UCLA, a scorer who doesn't do much else. He is kind of a black hole on offense, he only had like 27 assists the ENTIRE season. Solid offensive rebounder though. I see him as the next Corey Magette

Larry Drew has great vision, but his jumpshot is shakey. I see him in the D-league. Probably not drafted.

 

[victor page]

Who was that dude on here that was saying Larry Drew could be a good backup point in the NBA? 

 

[MIKE LOWERY]

Zbo? Hell naw. What makes Zbo who he is is the lack of athleticism. Something Bennett has plenty of. But I kinda see what you mean because he's so apt around the bucket.

The poor mans Melo is actually a great comparison. 3-4 Tweener (but perfect "stretch 4" in todays game) He plays exactly like Melo in NY. Good ball handler and gets to the basket and the line. Can work inside or out with range, but undoubtedly plays best when he's right around the basket with his strength and athleticism. Bully ball ********.


Make the right move MJ.

 

[pmatic]

Anthony Bennett = Early Paul Millsap (when his motor was really high) with more athleticism and range?

 

[bigmike23]

Zbo? Hell naw.

What makes Zbo who he is is the lack of athleticism. Something Bennett has plenty of. But I kinda see what you mean because he's so apt around the bucket.

The poor mans Melo is actually a great comparison. 3-4 Tweener (but perfect "stretch 4" in todays game) He plays exactly like Melo in NY. Good ball handler and gets to the basket and the line. Can work inside or out with range, but undoubtedly plays best when he's right around the basket with his strength and athleticism. Bully ball ********.


Make the right move MJ.

I said zbo cause of what he could do on the block and been able to move dudes around in the paint and has a jump shot to go with it. of course he has more athleticism then zbo .he already more polish on offense then millsap could ever be so that's why I didn't go with that one.

no way in hell Bennett should evey play SF, he will run into the same problems Michael beasely and Derrick Williams did trying to do that. Melo is all parts of a small Forward who can play PF when teams play small ball.

 

[MIKE LOWERY]

I agree. And you may be right about him playing the 3. But if (big if) he keeps his weight in check I think he can run it in small stretches. Just like Millsap has done before. Beasley and Williams, while decent athletes lack the motor and quickness that Bennett has in my opinion.

Yes, his money will be made at that 4 spot in lineups that wanna get up and down the floor. If the Bobcats do take him (like all the mocks are looking), Biyombo could at least cover some of his defensive deficiencies.

 

[pmatic]

Bilas:

Ranking top 30 draft prospects

Every year, I put together a "Best Available List" for ESPN's coverage of the NBA draft. For the past 11 years, this list has been based not upon a player's expected draft position, but on which players are the best prospects and project to be the best NBA pros.

For this year's Top 30 best available players, I have broken down each player with his "Success Piece" (the attributes the player exhibits that will most likely lead him to success in the NBA), his "Fail Piece" (the things that could hold the player back from having success in the NBA), his projected fit in the league, and a brief overview.

1. Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
Success Piece: Elite shooter and transition athlete.

Fail Piece: Assertiveness, overall toughness and maturity, ability to defend in isolation.

Projected Fit: Starter to All-Star

Overview: McLemore is the player in this draft who is most likely to mature into an All-Star. His talents are considerable. The only question is whether he has the temperament and assertiveness to be a star performer on the NBA level. If selected by a team with an established star, McLemore can have the room to mature into one himself.

2. Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
Success Piece: Top-level athlete who is a specialist with a coveted NBA skill. Noel is a shot-blocker and shot changer who has a great motor and can rebound.

Fail Piece: Limited offensive threat who lacks an NBA-ready post game and has a slight build. He is also coming off of a torn ACL.

Projected Fit: Starter

Overview: Noel has excellent athleticism and an uncanny ability to block shots. He protects the rim, is very active in getting deflections and steals, and is an excellent all-around defensive big man. He lacks bulk and a strong base to get and hold position, and he does not have a face-up game or back-to-the-basket game. His offensive success comes from his activity level.

3. Trey Burke, PG, Michigan
Success Piece: Good leader and point guard prospect with excellent vision, passing ability and scoring ability. Burke has a high basketball IQ and is an excellent competitor.

Fail Piece: Size, and lacks elite athleticism and explosive speed.

Projected Fit: Starter

Overview: Burke is a scoring point guard who is excellent in transition and very good at using ball screens. He is a very good catch-and-shoot guard, and gets into the lane with his strength, change of pace and direction. Burke lacks size, but is no smaller than Chris Paul; the issue for him is that he lacks the overall speed and quickness of the truly elite, athletic point guards in the NBA.

4. Otto Porter Jr., SF, Georgetown
Success Piece: Multitalented scorer who is primarily a jump-shooter. Good rebounder and defender who is long, athletic and has a high-level understanding of the game.

Fail Piece: Good but not great athlete. Does not excel at attacking off of the dribble.

Projected Fit: Starter to All-Star

Overview: Porter is the most complete player in the draft, and has the chance to be an elite defender with his length and versatility. A patient passer and team player, Porter can be assertive or pick his spots and make the right play.

5. Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
Success Piece: NBA body, maturity and athleticism. Oladipo is outstanding in transition and at attacking the rim, and as an individual defender.

Fail Piece: Not a primary scorer

Projected Fit: Starter

Overview: Oladipo was as improved as any player in college basketball last season, and one of the most efficient. He is a worker who improved his shot consistency and accepted the challenge of guarding the opponent's best offensive player. Oladipo can hit open shots and has improved his range, yet attacks the rim with power and athleticism. He will excel in the open floor in the NBA.

6. Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV
Success Piece: Very skilled power forward who can stretch a defense to 3-point territory, play with his back to the basket, rebound at a high rate, and bust out after a defensive rebound and take it coast to coast.

Fail Piece: An undersized power forward who may struggle to defend on the perimeter.

Projected Fit: Starter

Overview: Bennett is recovering from shoulder surgery. An outstanding offensive player who is multiskilled, Bennett can run, shoot from deep and is very productive in a variety of categories.

7. Alex Len, C, Maryland
Success Piece: A true NBA center at 7-foot-1 with a good shooting touch and the ability to block shots and rebound.

Fail Piece: Limited defending one-on-one in the post, physical toughness has been questioned.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Len is a very talented big man who is mobile, can run the floor and has a good feel for the game. He needs to get physically tougher and seek out contact rather than shy away from it, but he has the tools to be the best overall big man in this draft.

8. Cody Zeller, PF, Indiana
Success Piece: Size, overall quickness and athleticism, and the ability to run the floor.

Fail Piece: Finishing ability over size and rebounding productivity.

Projected Fit: Starter

Overview: As an NBA big man, Zeller has elite athleticism and the ability to change ends. He is an excellent pick-and-roll defender, and is a good offensive rebounder who gets to the free throw line often. Zeller needs to establish that he can score effectively over size around the rim and hit open, face-up jump shots. Despite questions about his toughness and ability to get and hold position inside, Zeller is an outstanding prospect.

9. C.J. McCollum, PG, Lehigh
Success Piece: Elite shooter and scorer with NBA range.

Fail Piece: Untested as a point guard, lacks elite athleticism to guard NBA point guards, and suffered a season-ending foot injury at Lehigh.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: McCollum is a versatile combo guard who is excellent in the open floor and has the ability to create his own shot. He is a good rebounder for a guard and is active getting steals and deflections on the defensive end.

10. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
Success Piece: Size and athleticism at the point guard position, good passing ability and good speed.

Fail Piece: Physical strength, lack of consistency and perimeter shooting ability.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Carter-Williams is an excellent passer and handler, especially in transition. He is an active defender at the top of the zone and gets steals and deflections. Carter-Williams has very good quickness, speed and length, and lacks only the ability to consistently knock down open shots.

11. Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA
Success Piece: Aggressive, long-armed driver, transition scorer and lefty "catch-and-shoot" wing.

Fail Piece: Lacks elite athleticism and is not a focused defender.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Muhammad is in better condition now than he was during his injury-riddled freshman season at UCLA. He is a long-armed, scoring wing who is assertive and expects to have the ball and to be a focal point. He is not yet a great passer or individual defender.

12. Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
Success Piece: Olynyk is a true 7-footer who is very skilled and has the ability to step away from the basket and hit an open jump shot to 3-point range. He is very efficient, can play with his back to the basket or face up and stretch the floor.

Fail Piece: Olynyk is not a shot-blocker, rim protector or post defender, lacks length and explosiveness around the goal.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Olynyk is an excellent prospect whose offense is far ahead of his defense.

13. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
Success Piece: Very good shooter and scorer who has the potential to also be a solid individual defender. He can stay in front of quick guards and has the ability to make open shots.

Fail Piece: Caldwell-Pope is a good athlete but not quite an elite NBA athlete.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Caldwell-Pope is primarily a shooter, but he can deck it and attack the rim. Caldwell-Pope must continue to improve as a handler, passer and defender.

14. Mason Plumlee, C, Duke
Success Piece: Outstanding athlete with an NBA body. Good, efficient low-post scorer and finisher at the rim, and an elite rebounder.

Fail Piece: Lacks a face-up shot, midrange jump shot, and ability to hit a good percentage of his free throws

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Plumlee is an excellent interior athlete who can run the floor, rebound at a high rate and finish plays above the rim. Plumlee is not an elite shot-blocker or rebounder.

15. Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Success Piece: Athletic point guard with length, speed and excellent quickness.

Fail Piece: Strength and turnovers.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Schroeder was excellent at the Nike Hoop Summit in both practices and the game, and showed the ability to score and to defend at the point guard position.

16. Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Success Piece: Adams has excellent size, an NBA body, is a good athlete and has a very good skill level.

Fail Piece: Adams is very raw offensively, limited in the post, and is a poor free throw shooter.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Adams has excellent potential. He can run, has good feet and is skilled for his size. He can catch and finish, and is still developing. He is a physical defender who can bang bodies on the block and step out and defend pick-and-rolls.

17. Dario Saric, SF, Croatia
Success Piece: A 6-10 perimeter player with offensive versatility and good passing instincts.

Fail Piece: Not an elite athlete.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Saric has a good skill level, a very good handle and can pass the ball and make plays for himself and others. He is not an elite athlete and defending NBA wings will be a challenge. Saric is not a consistent shooter.

18. Rudy Gobert, PF, France
Success Piece: Good size (7-2) and tremendous length (7-8 wingspan, longest at the NBA draft combine), and can block shots and rebound.

Fail Piece: Limited offensive game and lacks elite athleticism and upper body and lower body strength.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Gobert is a developmental project with very good tools. He is a hard worker who has good hands, makes his free throws and has a chance to develop in time.

19. Shane Larkin, PG, Miami
Success Piece: Quick and athletic point guard who can score and run a team.

Fail Piece: Lacks size and length.

Projected Fit: Rotation to starter

Overview: Larkin is an elite-level athlete with outstanding speed and quickness. He is explosive in his first step and getting off of the floor. He is a good shooter, and is very good off of ball screens, making good decisions as to when to pass it and when to take it himself.

20. Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State
Success Piece: Athletic, long-armed and versatile wing scorer who is a very good rebounder and defender.

Fail Piece: Not an efficient shooter.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Franklin is good in transition, can attack off the dribble and is an excellent rebounding wing, especially on the defensive end. He can score, but is not an efficient shooter. Franklin plays really hard and is productive.

21. Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
Success Piece: A productive rebounder with good size and excellent shot-blocking ability.

Fail Piece: Limited low-post scorer.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Dieng is durable, works hard and has good mobility. He can patrol the paint, but also get out and move his feet to contain as a ball-screen defender. He is an improved offensive threat, can make a face-up jumper to 18 feet, and is a good passer.

22. Jeff Withey, C, Kansas
Success Piece: Withey has good size, length and mobility for a center, and is an excellent shot-blocker who can change shots around the basket. He has a good shooting touch to 17 feet.

Fail Piece: Withey is slight of build and lacks the lower-body strength to secure and maintain low-block position.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Withey will be able to protect the rim in the NBA and can challenge shooters around the goal and do so without fouling. He can make open shots, but is otherwise limited in the post. He lacks physical strength in getting and holding position against physical post players.

23. Lorenzo Brown, PG, NC State
Success Piece: Point guard with size, athleticism and passing ability.

Fail Piece: A good but not explosive athlete, Brown is not a consistent jump-shooter or focused defender.

Projected Fit: Rotation to Starter

Overview: Brown is an excellent transition scorer who has the ability to pass and create opportunities for his teammates.

24. Allen Crabbe, SG, California
Success Piece: Good shooter with athleticism.

Fail Piece: Unfocused defender and limited handler and passer.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Crabbe is one of the best shooters in the draft, with very good range and shooting form. He has the length, size and athleticism to be a good defender, but he has not been focused at that end of the floor to this point in his career. Crabbe has a scorer's mentality and can shoot off of screens or get his own. He is not a driver and does not get to the foul line as often as he should.

25. Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia
Success Piece: Good shooter and scorer with high-level experience.

Fail Piece: Not an elite athlete.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Karasev is a lefty shooter and scorer who showed well at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland in April. Karasev needs to get stronger and improve his defense, as well as improve his ability to put the ball down and attack off the dribble.

26. Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas
Success Piece: Physical specimen with tremendous length and explosive athleticism; an outstanding rebounder and finisher.

Fail Piece: Motor and defensive focus.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Mitchell did not have a great season, but did have a coaching change that affected him. He has all of the physical gifts, but has drifted at times and has not been as focused or productive as his tools suggest he should be. He can make a face-up jumper to 3-point range, but does not have a consistent or reliable post game.

27. Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor
Success Piece: Excellent speed, quickness and explosiveness as a point guard.

Fail Piece: Lacks size, turnover-prone.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Jackson is a very good passer and is at his best using ball screens. He is an explosive scorer who can shoot it with range. With his athleticism and attack mentality, Jackson can change the pace of the game. As a defender, Jackson can be disruptive, but he is not consistent in applying pressure. The only thing that can hold him back in the NBA is his lack of size.

28. Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil
Success Piece: Size for position, great length, with ability to rebound and change ends

Fail Piece: Raw offensively, lacks strength to get and keep post position

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Nogueira has good physical tools, but lacks overall skill on the offensive end. He does not have a reliable post game, and does not have face-up skills. He is a developmental player who will be very good in time.

29. Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan
Success Piece: Very good perimeter shooter with good athleticism.

Fail Piece: Limited handler.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Hardaway has improved his overall game in his time at Michigan, and has become more than just a jump-shooter. He is a good athlete who can make open shots with range. He still needs to improve his focus as a defender and improve his handling ability.

30. Reggie Bullock, SG, North Carolina
Success Piece: Very good shooter and excellent individual defender.

Fail Piece: Limited handler.

Projected Fit: Rotation

Overview: Bullock has excellent range on his shot, and is a very good open shooter. He is a good athlete with good size and athleticism. Bullock has shown the ability to defend the opponent's best wing scorer, and works hard at both ends. He needs to improve his handling and passing.

 

[kevin cleveland]

Random thought with all this talk of Thomas Robinson lately: I like Tony Mitchell more going into the draft than I did him. Top-five versus late-first.

 

[awwsome]

Since your condescending reply provided nothing, tell me where I'm off base. Thanks.

It's an honest question because I don't see how you can compare/analyze a player if you didn't watch him. He's already stronger and more explosive at the rim than Melo will ever be. He's a better rebounder & can shoot it with range at the 4.

 

[jjs07]

It's an honest question because I don't see how you can compare/analyze a player if you didn't watch him. He's already stronger and more explosive at the rim than Melo will ever be. He's a better rebounder & can shoot it with range at the 4.

What are you basing this off of? You're stating your opinion as a fact.

At 19 (comparing both guys) they have A LOT of similarities in their games. Sure, you can give Bennett the nod with his athleticism and scoring at the rim, but as far as versatility in the ways in which they can score, body type, and also the rebounding...yea, they are VERY similar. Saying that Bennett is stronger than Carmelo Anthony and a better rebounder is insane.

Bennett will most likely see minutes at both the 3/4 on the next level due to his versatility.

 

[awwsome]

I don't think they're body types are that similar, Bennett is naturally a heavier guy while Melo was pretty lean coming out of Cuse. If you don't think Bennett is stronger than Melo was/is idk what to tell you but you're entitled to your opinion. I don't like Bennett's handle or defense at the 3 at this point but hopefully he will improve because he could play both spots

 

[bigmike23]

how Bennett plays and how the NBA is now I don't see anyway he is a small forward in the NBA.

 

[ballinsam23]

Since your condescending reply provided nothing, tell me where I'm off base. Thanks.

He's already stronger and more explosive at the rim than Melo will ever be. He's a better rebounder & can shoot it with range at the 4.

LOL WTF?!? How are you even gonna compare the two?

Thats like saying Dwight Howard is a already better rebounder and defender than Ryan Anderson will ever be. Pointless.

Bennett = Paul Millsap/Maxiell with the ability to handle the ball a bit and create his own

 

[pmatic]

In April:

Wall and Beal would both like to see the Wizards add a forward who can stretch the defense with his shot. Wall would also like to see the team acquire a scorer/go-to guy off the bench.

Link

Last night:

“I don’t know,” Wall said of his hopes for the pick during a Red Bull-sponsored event at Gallaudet University on Saturday night. “It’s up in the air right now. I feel like we need a four man that can pick and pop, so we’ll just see.

Link

Hello Anthony Bennett?

 

[victor page]

Otto smashed one of John Wall's jumpoffs at G'Town. That's the only reason he's saying that.

 

[awwsome]

You really think ****** care about ***** that much?

If that's truly the case that's sad on Wall.

Wall, Beal, Bennett still is

 

[jjs07]

Awwsome, if dudes didn't care, Jamal Mashburn, Jason Kidd, and Jimmy Jackson would have lasted....

Honestly, I just don't know which direction the Wizards will go....

Okafor
Nene/Bennett
Webster (assuming he's re-signed)
Beal
Wall

Okafor
Nene
Webster/Porter
Beal
Wall

The more I watch of Bennett, the more I like. I'm just a little concerned about his injury history....

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Playing Bennett at the 3 is a mistake that will only indulged his worst habits, imo the Wiz need to take him, they need offense, specifically floor spacing in the worst way.

I like Porter as a high level role player, but to me I would be severely worried about whether his mechanics will allow him to shoot the NBA 3 as well as he did the college 3, because if Porter can't replicate that shooting he is Tayshaun Prince, which is fine, but not what the Wizards really need.

 

[ballinsam23]

w.e happened to Ariza?

and i think Webster is best off the bench as a 6th man

Playing Bennett at the 3 is a mistake that will only indulged his worst habits.

I remember in a interview he said he thinks he can be a 2 or 3 :x

When its all said and done he very well could be the best player in this draft, but ONLY at the 4

 

[jjs07]

If Bennett is drafted by the Wizards, Wittman WILL hold him accountable. Also, there's a good vet presence on the team to make sure he doesn't get lazy defensively.

With Nene still on the books forever, and him being injury-prone, maybe taking gamble on Bennett is the smart move....

*Ariza is still there, but he was coming off the bench. Honestly, I expect Okafor to be re-signed after this season, but use Ariza as a trade chip in the upcoming draft or later in the season.