NBA Draft Rumors

[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

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

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

Not forgetting Magic, he played everything, to call him a PG is akin to calling LeBron James a PG.

We're talking about your "traditional" PG here...which is what everyone BUT Magic is, really.

 

[EmpireWF]

Who is more likely to be the bigger bust? Irving or Kanter.

I'd say Kanter.

 

[FirstTimer]

Not forgetting Magic, he played everything, to call him a PG is akin to calling LeBron James a PG.

We're talking about your "traditional" PG here...which is what everyone BUT Magic is, really.

I see the point but most people consider Magic a PG etc. I agree Magic doesn't really matter here as Irving won't end up as that type of player.

But when I think of PG lead champions Magic and the Lakers come to mind first.

 

[FirstTimer]

Who is more likely to be the bigger bust? Irving or Kanter.

I'd say Kanter.

Based on what? Irving playing 11 college basketball games?

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

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.

If you don't love somebody in a draft like this, you should just trade out and get some value next year...this draft outside of the Top 3 is going to be a free-for-all mess and its going to be ridiculously random. Teams are going to just take the guy they fell in love with over what people deem as "the best player"...

I think the Top 3 are locks...

Irving
Williams
Knight (I think this is a lock regardless if Minny takes Kanter or not)

Then at four, the Cavs could trade out...who knows.

But the point I'm trying to make overall is, how much difference is their between say...the guys being taken at 5-6 (one of the foreigners or Kemba Walker, whatever) and say...Kenneth Faried or Alec Burks or all the way down to JaJuan Johnson.

Sure there is a difference...but how much, really? On a team-by-team basis, if you love someone, take'em...I'd probably not want more than one pick in this draft anyway.

 

[Obst]

Based on what? Irving playing 11 college basketball games?

And 4 of those games were against Princeton, Miami (OH), Colgate and Hampton. Don't know how much great experience is gained by playing those teams opposed to playing the best your age in Europe in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

?

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"

Do you honestly believe Kanter is capable of being "elite" or leading any team?

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

Not forgetting Magic, he played everything, to call him a PG is akin to calling LeBron James a PG.

We're talking about your "traditional" PG here...which is what everyone BUT Magic is, really.

Going by that, Shaq and Hakeem were far from a traditional big man, it is unlikely that a center will ever be as dominant as either of them again.

 

[Rudi]

Rumors are circulating that the Jazz are big on Kanter, and even though they need a PG they may not pass on him at 3. I would LOVE for that to happen. That puts the Cavs in a position where they may trade down.

God I hope we take Derrick Williams 1st man.

3000th Post.

Go Cavs.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Supposedly the Jazz will take Singleton with their second first round pick...Kanter + Singleton ain't bad.