2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I'm calling it now, Cleveland messed up.

His skills for someone that young and that big are impressive. And he looks like he loves to play, with fire too. I was hesitant about these Euro's but I like the prospects of this kid.

First video has NSFW lyrics in the song. Second video is of the U19 championship game.

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c2nqy4EhpXM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lCMXxQGhGzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Mintsa]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I'm calling it now, Cleveland messed up.

His skills for someone that young and that big are impressive. And he looks like he loves to play, with fire too. I was hesitant about these Euro's but I like the prospects of this kid.

First video has NSFW lyrics in the song. Second video is of the U19 championship game.

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c2nqy4EhpXM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lCMXxQGhGzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Let's go Raptors !!!!! Let's go Raptors !!!! Let's go Raptors !!!!!


I actually watched every game Jonas played in the under 19 tourney and I'm very happy with the pick the Raps made at 5.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Yeah at first I was like "SMH, Toronto being Toronto again". Drafting another Euro that they won't even get to see this season.

But that was just me being ignorant. Had only seen a few clips of him here and there.

I guess he absolutely killed in the U19 tourney. Averaged like 23 and 14 or something crazy.

Besides the stats, the skill set is blatant. More than anything I like that he at least shows some damn fire out there. Big men today don't do that enough IMO.

I see a mixture of Duncan/Pau Gasol. And no I'm not asserting he'll ever be half as good as them, but I see certain moves he pulls off and I instantly thought of Timmay/Gasol.

It looks like he has pretty good defensive awareness and nice timing on blocks.

I don't know if there's been a better skilled big man prospect than Jonas in the past several years. I'm excited to watch this kid develop.

As far as Cleveland, I have no clue why they thought Thompson would be better the better pick than Jonas. Other than Thompson would get to play this year. I can't see in any dimension/realm/universe where Tristan is a better big man prospect than Jonas.

[Drewski]

Yeah at first I was like "SMH, Toronto being Toronto again". Drafting another Euro that they won't even get to see this season.

But that was just me being ignorant. Had only seen a few clips of him here and there.

I guess he absolutely killed in the U19 tourney. Averaged like 23 and 14 or something crazy.

Besides the stats, the skill set is blatant. More than anything I like that he at least shows some damn fire out there. Big men today don't do that enough IMO.

I see a mixture of Duncan/Pau Gasol. And no I'm not asserting he'll ever be half as good as them, but I see certain moves he pulls off and I instantly thought of Timmay/Gasol.

It looks like he has pretty good defensive awareness and nice timing on blocks.

I don't know if there's been a better skilled big man prospect than Jonas in the past several years. I'm excited to watch this kid develop.

As far as Cleveland, I have no clue why they thought Thompson would be better the better pick than Jonas. Other than Thompson would get to play this year. I can't see in any dimension/realm/universe where Tristan is a better big man prospect than Jonas.

That Tristan pick still doesn't sit well with me but it remains to be seen obviously. Just can't imagine he was the best pick available that early in the draft. I still love Farried in comparison, but I am unusually low on Tristan. Id have traded down if Tristan was really my guy, but I guess they expected Toronto to draft one of their own? Lol. Tristan would have never been my guy though h, and I would have traded that 4th to get another piece while still adding whatever the later pick turns into (Farried was available forever, shocked still that nyk passed on him). Guy will probably be ROY since I said this though, lol.

And yeah... Cavs will likely regret not being patient for val.

Sent from the free throw line

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

So I just read through some of the discussions about Vesley/Jonas, and all I can say is they're two completely different prospects. It is tough to compare because Jonas didn't play the same level of competition Vesley did.

Vesley is a "Lamar Odom" type guy. Being that he's over 6'9, but more of a perimeter player/slasher. I'm not too sure if he has a post game. His attributes are being athletic and being active and attacking the basket.

Jonas looks like he's rounding into a post presence in the mold of a Duncan or Pau Gasol. Seems a lot more refined than Vesley at this point in terms of in the half court sets offensively.

I think both guys could be at least 3rd/4th wheels eventually, while I really don't know what to make of Thompson's ceiling.

Either way, I would have taken either one of these guys over Thompson.

[BlueNGold]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I think we have to remember though, Bargnani was pretty killer when he was playing overseas too. Now look at him.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I think we have to remember though, Bargnani was pretty killer when he was playing overseas too. Now look at him.

If any of Thompson/Jonas/Vesley turn out to be the same caliber as Bargs, that's a huge victory in this "weak" draft.

Bargs never played in the paint like Jonas does. Truly Vesley, Jonas and Bargs are all completely different players with different skills.

Bargs never showed a desire or ability to play with his back to the basket nor the same rebounding/defensive potential as Jonas. Essentially we all knew what Bargs was before he came over... a 7 foot shooting small forward who would probably never be a good defender/rebounder. Basically a pipe dream that he would turn into Dirk.

Now like I said, Bargs isn't all that terrible of a player, so let's not try rag on him too much.

[Jonesy]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I'm trying to talk myself into liking the Thompson pick because I'm pulling for the Cavs to get better but I really can't. They could have traded down massively and still got this kid + other pieces imo.

I'll be happily proven wrong but this is a huge reach (not Kwame huge but still huge) with a pick that high.

[BlueNGold]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I'm trying to talk myself into liking the Thompson pick because I'm pulling for the Cavs to get better but I really can't. They could have traded down massively and still got this kid + other pieces imo.

I'll be happily proven wrong but this is a huge reach (not Kwame huge but still huge) with a pick that high.

Not true. He was gone in the top 10 even if Cleveland didn't take him.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Wrap up of the U19 tourney, US didn't send their best players FYI

As the lone college hoops writer in Riga, it's my responsibility to share with you the good, the bad and the weird from the U19s, so herewith are 19 observations:

1. When I covered the NBA draft a few weeks ago, there was some surprise over the fact that the Cavs took Texas' Tristan Thompson at No. 4 -- mostly because every mock draft had Valanciunas in that spot, not because the assembled press strongly believed the 6-foot-11 Lithuanian was the better player. I've seen Thompson in person and on TV many times, and like him despite his offensive limitations, but after seeing Valanciunas' final five games here, I think the Cavs will deeply regret passing on him due to the year remaining on his Euro contract, and the Timberwolves and Jazz may as well. Raptors assistant GMs Maurizio Gherardini and Marc Eversley, whose team landed Valanciunas at No. 5, were in the building for the U19s, and his total dominance had to reassure them they made the right selection.

After posting stellar per-minute numbers in Euroleague, he averaged 23.0 points and 13.9 boards in the tournament, including 30 and 15 against the U.S., and 36 and 8 against Serbia in the final game. His player efficiency rating (29.0, on a pace-adjusted, per-28-minute formula) blew away the rest of the field. He's the opposite of a soft Euro big man -- "he never stops battling on the inside," one NBA scout said -- and he knocked down 81.1 percent of his free throws after drawing constant whistles. He also followed up his "I have not so strong body" gem-quote from the draft with one in the post-tourney press conference, when asked if he would now turn his focus toward his potential career in the NBA.

"Right now," Valanciunas said, "I focus on celebrating."

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1Rvqsq7No

[Drewski]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Wrap up of the U19 tourney, US didn't send their best players FYI

As the lone college hoops writer in Riga, it's my responsibility to share with you the good, the bad and the weird from the U19s, so herewith are 19 observations:

1. When I covered the NBA draft a few weeks ago, there was some surprise over the fact that the Cavs took Texas' Tristan Thompson at No. 4 -- mostly because every mock draft had Valanciunas in that spot, not because the assembled press strongly believed the 6-foot-11 Lithuanian was the better player. I've seen Thompson in person and on TV many times, and like him despite his offensive limitations, but after seeing Valanciunas' final five games here, I think the Cavs will deeply regret passing on him due to the year remaining on his Euro contract, and the Timberwolves and Jazz may as well. Raptors assistant GMs Maurizio Gherardini and Marc Eversley, whose team landed Valanciunas at No. 5, were in the building for the U19s, and his total dominance had to reassure them they made the right selection.

After posting stellar per-minute numbers in Euroleague, he averaged 23.0 points and 13.9 boards in the tournament, including 30 and 15 against the U.S., and 36 and 8 against Serbia in the final game. His player efficiency rating (29.0, on a pace-adjusted, per-28-minute formula) blew away the rest of the field. He's the opposite of a soft Euro big man -- "he never stops battling on the inside," one NBA scout said -- and he knocked down 81.1 percent of his free throws after drawing constant whistles. He also followed up his "I have not so strong body" gem-quote from the draft with one in the post-tourney press conference, when asked if he would now turn his focus toward his potential career in the NBA.

"Right now," Valanciunas said, "I focus on celebrating."

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1Rvqsq7No

Wow. J-Val looking even more promising. Tristan Thompson, eat your heart out

[Jonesy]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Not true. He was gone in the top 10 even if Cleveland didn't take him.

Yeah maybe in the top 10 but surely they could have traded down into the 7-10 pick range and still got him + another decent player or something? Just seems like a reach at that number to me.

According to what I was hearing on Bill Simmons podcast the other day the Thompson pick is mainly a stat based pick because when you watch him you see the limitations but some of his stats (like rebounds per possession etc) tend to correlate pretty well to success in the pro's which is one of the main reasons they picked him. Generally if you can rebound in college it translates well to the pro's so that's why they picked him. I still think they should have taken Williams 1st and Knight at 4 but Irving was probably too good to pass up.

I can see why there is love for Valanciunas but I still have a problem drafting someone (particularly in a small market team like the Cavs, Raps or T'Wolves) who won't play for you for at least another 2 years. These teams are crap now and need help now so at least the college players provide instant help.

Can someone clear something up for me. Say the Raps sign Valanciunas to a rookie deal (currently 2 year with a team option for 3rd and 4th years) and he plays for the next 2 years overseas when he finally does arrive in the nba are the first 2 years already up then the team only has 2 years left then he would be free to jump ship?

[wwharton]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I don't see any reason someone in the 7 to 10 range would trade anything to move up to 4. It was a matter of taking the player you like best for your team, even if it's not necessarily the "best" option bc they were all so close, really.

[Jonesy]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Yeah I guess. I thought I heard mention of a few teams wanting to trade up to get Vesely but I could be wrong.

[Weeks]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I see the whole Cavs "win now" approach. But I think they will seriously regret passing on J-Val. Isn't he supposed to come over to the Raptors next year? If so, that was a huge botch by the Cavs. They aren't going to contend next year, and they still have a long way before they make the playoffs.

The Cavs IMO would have been much better off taking Kyrie/Valanciunas. Then getting into the lottery again so they could have a shot at Barnes or Perry Jones. If J-Val then came they would have Kyrie-Jones-Valanciunas, which would have been a nice young core.