2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Chad Ford reporting

The Knicks are one of a handful of teams attempting to trade up in Thursday's NBA Draft.

New York is hoping to jump ahead of the Jazz, who own the 12th overall selection, with the intention of drafting Jimmer Fredette.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...#ixzz1PqBLvBKj

The Warriors are so intrigued by Thompson that co-owner Joe Lacob, new coach Mark Jackson and the entire front office attended Friday’s workout.

Warriors general manager Larry Riley continues to dismiss rumors that guard Monta Ellis is being shopped and likes the idea of a three-guard rotation with Thompson, Ellis and Stephen Curry.

“He’s an offensive talent,” Warriors assistant general manager Bob Myers said. “He has a good feel for the game, great basketball IQ and pedigree. At his position every night he has to go against a great player. He knows he has to work on his defense. But he’s a great player who is very polished.”
Via Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...#ixzz1PqBYiLzg

A lineup of Curry, Monta and Klay? You gotta be ****ting me

[SteelersFreak]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Chad Ford reporting

The Knicks are one of a handful of teams attempting to trade up in Thursday's NBA Draft.

New York is hoping to jump ahead of the Jazz, who own the 12th overall selection, with the intention of drafting Jimmer Fredette.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...#ixzz1PqBLvBKj

The Warriors are so intrigued by Thompson that co-owner Joe Lacob, new coach Mark Jackson and the entire front office attended Friday’s workout.

Warriors general manager Larry Riley continues to dismiss rumors that guard Monta Ellis is being shopped and likes the idea of a three-guard rotation with Thompson, Ellis and Stephen Curry.

“He’s an offensive talent,” Warriors assistant general manager Bob Myers said. “He has a good feel for the game, great basketball IQ and pedigree. At his position every night he has to go against a great player. He knows he has to work on his defense. But he’s a great player who is very polished.”
Via Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...#ixzz1PqBYiLzg

A lineup of Curry, Monta and Klay? You gotta be ****ting me

The Warriors would break every 3 point record, especially 3 pointers attempted.

[1Rose]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

If the Jazz don't get Jimmer, I think there might be a riot in Salt Lake City on the level of Vancouver after they lost the Stanley Cop.

I would say probably more comparable to when the Pacers selected Reggie Miller instead of Steve Alford.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Chad Ford reporting

The Knicks are one of a handful of teams attempting to trade up in Thursday's NBA Draft.

New York is hoping to jump ahead of the Jazz, who own the 12th overall selection, with the intention of drafting Jimmer Fredette.

[HMcCoy]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Sources: Cavs committed to Kyrie Irving

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Damn! Would have loved to see if Cleveland took Williams.. if Minnesota would have taken Irving. Lol

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I've been seeing there leaning on Jonas Valanciunas for the #4th pick. Haven't heard much about trading down.

But what's your guys thoughts on him, don't know much about him?

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Tracking-the-Progress-of-Jonas-Valanciunas-3601/

This was a pretty good read about him from back around Christmas time.

The highlights:

"That was the first of many **** showdowns Valanciunas would have with Turkish phenom Enes Kanter, and while the future Kentucky student had his way in New York City en route to 22 points, 17 rebounds and a well-deserved MVP award, the Lithuanian did little to hint that he would develop into arguably the most talented prospect in European basketball just a few years later.

These were the first baby steps Valanciunas would take on the international level, but the talented youngster would progress quickly. First came the NBA Basketball without Borders camp in Istanbul in June, where Valanciunas began to show real potential. Then the Under-16 European Championships in Italy in July, where he led the tournament in rebounding and blocks, and most importantly, helped his team win the championship.

The following May, we were able to see Valanciunas once again, this time in a more natural environment at the Euroleague's Nike International Junior Tournament in Berlin. He had an eye-opening performance under the watchful eye of some key NBA decision makers, helping his team make the finals and making the tournament's all-first team along the way. Valanciunas' body was slowly but surely filling out and he was a much more confident and intense player than he was a year before. His work was starting to pay off.

All Valanciunas has done since is continue to improve steadily every time we've seen him. There he was in the U-18 European Championships in Metz in the summer of 2009, going up against arch-rival Enes Kanter in a pair of **** matchups that frequently get mentioned by NBA scouts as pivotal moments in their evaluations. 19.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, on 72% FG and 79% FT were the final tallies in France.

And there he was again in the Under-18s the following summer, helping Lithuania win the European Championship and hoisting the tournament MVP trophy after averaging 19.4 points (70% FG, 78% FT), 13.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks."

"This year, he is competing in the highest level of European basketball in the Euroleague as well, and ranks as one of the top players in the competition on a per-40 minute basis in points (21.8), rebounds (13.6), blocks (1.8), field goal percentage (74.4%), free throw percentage (87.5%), and fouls (9.1). That's quite an accomplishment for a skinny 18-year-old."

"All the physical tools in the world wouldn't mean anything if he didn't have the will to use them, though. Fortunately for Valanciunas, he's an incredibly intense competitor, a boundlessly energetic player who never stops working for a moment and whose presence is constantly felt on the court.

He runs the floor extremely well, is quick off his feet and has no qualms whatsoever about throwing his body around in the paint. Not one to just stand around and wait for opportunities to come to him, Valanciunas wants to be productive all the time, which is a big reason he's been able to earn playing time in such a demanding environment this season, despite his obvious immaturity.

“I don't have very good skills right now, many good moves, so I have to fight,” he tells us."

etc. etc. The european bigs are all so interesting this year. Jonas Valanciwauhawfopahr, Jan Vesely, Donatas Motiejunas, Nikola Mirotic, etc. They all sound like they could develop into very good players in the NBA.

[BurnsideAdmiral]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I think Valanciunas is too much of a project. I'm all for the Cavs tanking this season and getting another top pick in next year's draft and getting a scorer, but I at least want the pieces in place. I think Valanciunas takes too much time to develop. Offensively he makes me cringe and even defensively he gets worked by guys who are bigger. I understand he's only what 18 or 19 but if I have to get a Euro in this draft I want to take Vesely. The guy's been playing at a high level in Europe for the past 3-4 years. He's 21 and has the experience under his belt. I think he's the most NBA ready for the Cavs to compete the year after this coming one. I think Kanter has TOO many question marks. He hasn't played organized ball in 13 months now. I think that may be a lot of rust. He'll probably prove me wrong and have a great NBA career but I'm still going to plug Vesely to run the floor with Irving this year and then draft a top flight scorer like Perry Jones or Harrison Barnes in next year's draft.

[brahmagoul]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

If I were a GM, my philosophy on taking European players would be to select them when I'm a playoff team with a solid roster. I wouldn't risk it if I was a lottery team. Yes, they're intriguing, but I don't think the intrigue is worth the risk. Even this year, if I'm picking fourth to 10th, I wouldn't hesitate to take Kemba Walker or Tristan Thompson over any of the European prospects.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

I think Valanciunas is too much of a project. I'm all for the Cavs tanking this season and getting another top pick in next year's draft and getting a scorer, but I at least want the pieces in place. I think Valanciunas takes too much time to develop. Offensively he makes me cringe and even defensively he gets worked by guys who are bigger. I understand he's only what 18 or 19 but if I have to get a Euro in this draft I want to take Vesely. The guy's been playing at a high level in Europe for the past 3-4 years. He's 21 and has the experience under his belt. I think he's the most NBA ready for the Cavs to compete the year after this coming one. I think Kanter has TOO many question marks. He hasn't played organized ball in 13 months now. I think that may be a lot of rust. He'll probably prove me wrong and have a great NBA career but I'm still going to plug Vesely to run the floor with Irving this year and then draft a top flight scorer like Perry Jones or Harrison Barnes in next year's draft.

If that's the plan, then I think Jonas might be the perfect guy for Cleveland. He's the kind of guy that could be a very good #3 option for a team or a serviceable #2 if he develops his game some more. If you're going to have Irving, who appears to be a do-it-all PG that scores a bunch, and a scorer in next year's draft, Valanciunas is a perfect compliment because he's not the kind of guy that will demand a lot of touches but he'll be able to make the most out of his touches based on his ability to score in the pick and roll, finish around the rim, and rack up offensive rebounds. Moreover, from the sound of it, he sets great screens, which will also come in handy since you're not looking for your #4 pick to be a go-to scorer.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Hmm.. That's a tough call between Vesely and Valanciunas. I dunno since CLE is in a Rebuilding mode. I'd might go w/ Valanciunas because scouts say he has the most upside of this entire draft. It may take a few years for him to develop though.

It's pretty safe to say though that Kanter is no longer a consideration for the 4th pick though correct?

[Weeks]

I would take Vesely. I believe in taking an already proven player vs. one who is a project.

He's shown he isn't a soft European either.

[HMcCoy]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

ESPN has recanted the story I posted...other "sources" have refuted the fact that they've decided. Local CLE reporters are also reporting that the Cavs definitely haven't made up their minds.

Breaking news, Valenciunas buyout is almost done, but supposedly, it won't allow him to play this year.

Also, word from Vesely's workout in NJ is that dude can not shoot AT ALL.

[Vince]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

If Utah is locked in with Knight and Val to Cleveland, Kanter will fall to Toronto which is what I want.

I have a feeling Bargnani will be traded to Milwaukee.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread

Read something from our radio hack John Gambadoro about a possible deal between PHX and GS. Lopez for Udoh/11. I don't think that'll happen, but reflective of trying to acquire an extra first round pick for a "PF and a PG"

Gee, if we only didn't trade Dragic AND a first round pick for Aaron Brooks. We'd have a PG already AND an extra pick.

Cool story, Suns.