NBA Draft Rumors

[Obst]

No, I'm not using that to prop him up as a prospect. I'm using that to poke holes in the theory that he's a risk because he's unknown. All draft picks are risks of course. Sure he could bust out, but I don't think a team should shy away from him due to lack of information. Unless you think NBA teams should have passed on Al Jefferson, LeBron, Kobe, etc. who played exactly as many collegiate games as Kanter did. (Before you misinterpret, this has nothing to do with how good Kanter is, I'm not comparing him to those prospects ... I'm saying that his lack of "experience" should not be a hindrance.)

This. What elite talent did these guys face? Kanter has just as much, if not more experience than guys that came right out of high school. If you can play then you can play, 11 NCAA games doesn't make or break you.

[NAHSTE]

I understand what you're saying, but they can take Irving at #1 and still get Kanter at #4, so what is the point in explaining that you take the big man first? If you're the Cavs there has to be a strategy to this......normally you do take the talented big man over the talented guard, but if you have 2 of the top 4 picks and the bigman isn't cleary a better prospect and is going to slide to you at #4 you have to weigh your options.

This is true and having two picks kind of clouds the thought process. I'm just kind of discussing the merits of drafting one or the other in a vacuum.

If they can end up with both it'd be a huge haul. I like Williams a lot too but a SF/PF combo player is a bit easier to find than a franchise big.

[ralaw]

At 4, you can still get Knight or Walker. Kanter could be taken as high as #2. Even if Irving gets picked second or third, there's still a comparable pg left.

Its pretty much set that the Cavs are taking Irving at #1 and Williams or Kanter will be #2, Williams or Knight at #3 and Williams or Kanter at #4. Either way the Cavs will be getting the best PG and probably best PF or C prospect in the draft….this is the strategy they will take. The only way they get screwed is if Minnesota takes Kanter at #2 and Utah is forced to take Williams.

[Mogriffjr]

Yeah that plays a part in it too what ralaw is saying. You have to put yourself in the best position to get the BEST players. Grab what many consider the top PG in the drag. In Kyrie and then set up to grab the best big man in the draft.

And LOL nazhste...just because I'm a duke fan doesn't mean shyt. How much do I have to really hype up the likely #1 pick in the draft and consensus #1 PG on the board?? Cmon
dude.

So it seems you suggest to grab the best big man and grab the #2 or #3 rated PG. (both considered more of a PG who looks for their shot first than being a PG. Just doesn't make sense for the Cavs to set themselves up to not get the best talent for their squad.

[Obst]

A source very close to the Sixers said that Iggy for Kaman and Aminu will be done tomorrow night unless another team gets desperate and puts together a better offer. Also the Sixers view Kaman as a one year rental and will select Vucevic at 16 unless one of the top prospects somehow falls.

Jrue Holiday/Lou Williams
Evan Turner/Jodie Meeks
Al-Farouq Aminu/Andres Nocioni
Elton Brand/Thad Young
Chris Kaman/Spencer Hawes/Nikola Vucevic

[A Tasty Burgerr]

And again I'm not saying Irving will be a bust, but when you have the chance to take a big and a PG, you have to factor in position scarcity.

If they both reach their FULL potential ... Irving is still just one of many talented point guards (most of which are without championships) in the league and Kanter is one of very few talented big men.

You are saying that Kanter becoming a great big will help towards a championship than Irving? Do you really see him making that big of an impact in the end? How many elite centers have led their team to a championship in recent history: Shaq and Olajuwon. I do not see Kanter making more of an impact on a franchise turning around than a player like Irving. I think his ceiling is somewhere in the realm of Al Horford, perhaps a bit better, but I don't see him standing out amongst other centers in the league as far as helping a team to a titile.

He undeniably has a solid skillset for a big man, but you have to look at history as far as taking a center with unknown ceiling AND unknown worst case scenario, it usually does not turn out well.

I am not sure you will admit it, but Irving does seem like a safer pick to a franchise that cannot risk blowing the number 1 pick. Is Enes Kanter ready to become the face of a team?

Its not like the Cavs have their choice of one of the "many talented point guards" in the league, I think its safe to say Irving will surpass the contributions made by Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions last season in the near future.

[ralaw]

My one prediction for the draft.........Norris Cole......you'll wish your favorite team would have drafted him.

[EmpireWF]

A source very close to the Sixers said that Iggy for Kaman and Aminu will be done tomorrow night unless another team gets desperate and puts together a better offer. Also the Sixers view Kaman as a one year rental and will select Vucevic at 16 unless one of the top prospects somehow falls.

Jrue Holiday/Lou Williams
Evan Turner/Jodie Meeks
Al-Farouq Aminu/Andres Nocioni
Elton Brand/Thad Young
Chris Kaman/Spencer Hawes/Nikola Vucevic

Damn about Vucevic...would've been interesting for the Knicks. But, he's an offensive minded center so perhaps it's for the best.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Its pretty much set that the Cavs are taking Irving at #1 and Williams or Kanter will be #2, Williams or Knight at #3 and Williams or Kanter at #4. Either way the Cavs will be getting the best PG and probably best PF or C prospect in the draft….this is the strategy they will take. The only way they get screwed is if Minnesota takes Kanter at #2 and Utah is forced to take Williams.

Watch out for the Cleveland trade down / trade out @ #4.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

You are saying that Kanter becoming a great big will help towards a championship than Irving? Do you really see him making that big of an impact in the end? How many elite centers have led their team to a championship in recent history: Shaq and Olajuwon. I do not see Kanter making more of an impact on a franchise turning around than a player like Irving. I think his ceiling is somewhere in the realm of Al Horford, perhaps a bit better, but I don't see him standing out amongst other centers in the league as far as helping a team to a titile.

He undeniably has a solid skillset for a big man, but you have to look at history as far as taking a center with unknown ceiling AND unknown worst case scenario, it usually does not turn out well.

I am not sure you will admit it, but Irving does seem like a safer pick to a franchise that cannot risk blowing the number 1 pick. Is Enes Kanter ready to become the face of a team?

Its not like the Cavs have their choice of one of the "many talented point guards" in the league, I think its safe to say Irving will surpass the contributions made by Baron Davis and Ramon Sessions last season in the near future.

Oh, and if you are saying he'll be Al Horford, I have no idea why you are making that point that he shouldn't go #1 if that comparison is made...you don't win the in the NBA with a point guard.

Wings and bigs.

Enough of the shenanigans, ya'll.

[FirstTimer]

How many elite point guards have led their team to a championship in recent history: .

?

I don't consider Billups "elite"..but I guess him???...and then who before that? Zeke?

The list for centers/big is much longer than point guards in "leading teams to titles"

[moneyman255]

A lot of Bucks rumors are floating around.

Bucks are listening to offers on Andrew Bogut. Ersan is available for a late 1st rd pick, and the Bucks and Rockets may be nearing a deal that sends the #14 and #23 picks to the Bucks in exchange for the #10 pick. Some players may be involved as well.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

?

I don't consider Billups "elite"..but I guess him???...and then who before that? Zeke?

The list for centers/big is much longer than point guards in "leading teams to titles"

If by "elite" you mean "bottom of the top 10"...then sure...Billups is really good, but not elite. Same with guys like Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo.

Cogs in the machine that happened to be really good, but not the reason their teams won championships.

The last PG that was legitimately the best player on his team was Isaiah Thomas, and even then you could argue he was more of a cog over the star (Bad Boy Pistons with Rodman, Mahorn, Dumars, Dantley, Laimbeer, etc)...to get the last "best player on his team" would be the Sonics led by Dennis Johnson, but even then, Johnson was the second leading scorer on the team.

Also note, that all of those teams...Billups' Pistons, Bad Boy Pistons, and Johnson's Sonics, all had a very strong, deep front court.

[FirstTimer]

A lot of Bucks rumors are floating around.

Bucks are listening to offers on Andrew Bogut. Ersan is available for a late 1st rd pick, and the Bucks and Rockets may be nearing a deal that sends the #14 and #23 picks to the Bucks in exchange for the #10 pick. Some players may be involved as well.

Interesting move by the Rockets. They must REALLY like someone at #10 because in this weak of a draft I'd want as many dice rolls as possible on players.

[FirstTimer]

If by "elite" you mean "bottom of the top 10"...then sure...Billups is really good, but not elite. Same with guys like Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo.

Cogs in the machine that happened to be really good, but not the reason their teams won championships.

The last PG that was legitimately the best player on his team was Isaiah Thomas, and even then you could argue he was more of a cog over the star (Bad Boy Pistons with Rodman, Mahorn, Dumars, Dantley, Laimbeer, etc)...to get the last "best player on his team" would be the Sonics led by Dennis Johnson.

I'd give Thomas the nod as "best player" on his team deal. IMO he was an elite player.

I think you're forgetting Magic though before you jump back to DJ