2012 NBA Draft Discussion

[Jasong7777]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Austin Rivers = Rodney Stuckey

[Dice]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

As with most NBA prospects, Rivers just needs to put it all together. I think Rivers can play the point. He has the handles to do it, it's just he needs the maturity and patients to be one. And at 6'4", I think that's good enough to play at the 2. He does have a 6'7" wingspan so as long as he can improve defensively, he'll be fine.

Remember, in Dwayne Wade's rookie season he played the point and didn't do bad. I think it's probably the same road Rivers is gonna travel. Play PG for a year or two and then when his body develops and he gets better defensively then he'll stick at the two guard.

[Dice]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Austin Rivers = Rodney Stuckey

That could be the case if he bottoms out. BUT I think he could reach a higher potential than that.

[wwharton]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

As ex stated, the number of potential player is what really drives this draft. Obviously, for most of these players to succeed, they have to get on board with the right coach and placed in the right system. I don’t think there are any “Can’t Miss” superstars BUT this draft has the potential to be solid gold or just a total waste.

This draft could be more along the lines of the 1996 draft. A deep draft of ‘high ceiling’ guys but very few to no ‘Can’t Miss’ players. Guys like Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Marcus Camby, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal and Steve Nash. Now what I could remember was that the guys that got a lot of hype from this draft was Iverson, Camby and Marbury. Allen got some love as well but not like the previous three. Antonie Walker also got some hype. Allen however was the only one who is a potential hall of fame lock. Iverson, maybe…but not anytime soon. The other hall of fame locks in this draft is Kobe and Nash. Kobe was a huge question mark because teams were still trying to get use to high school players. Nash was skinny and was questioned on how he could endure an NBA season with his weight.

A bit OT but Iverson is a HOF lock.

The NBA NEEDS this draft to be like 96. That could carry the league for years to come. But I have a feeling those guys were in better positions mentally too. Nash went 4 years and completely under the radar. Camby and Allen played enough college to let their games develop appropriately. Kobe was a HSer but went to a perfect situation for his development. The same could be said for Oneal bc he was allowed to sit for a while before expected to carry a heavy load. Marbury spent his college time with one of the best coaches for PGs in the business.

Guys these days either come out too early or are rushed into big shoes too early.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Rivers has the potential to be the best backcourt player from this draft in a few years imo.

[Dice]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

A bit OT but Iverson is a HOF lock.

Not saying that he won't get there. I think he'll get there and should be there. HOWEVER, I think he won't make it in on the first try. They'll make him sweat it out because of the way his career in the NBA prematurely ended for reasons of his own.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Rivers to Boston! Here we go.

[TheBrothers24]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Rivers is a 2. He is a flat out scorer and may be the best pure scorer in this class. I don't think anybody can score off the dribble like he can. He is the same height as Beal but Beal has put in more work in the weight room(which is evident)

Once he gets some muscle added on, Rivers can be a more lethal Monta Ellis. There is not much else Coach K can teach him because Rivers is a scorer and that's what he did this year.

Now if any GM drafts him thinking they can turn him into a PG like Seph Curry then they need to be fired. Just put him on the wing and say "Go get us points" and he will be fine in the league.

[Nathan_OS]

Rivers to Boston! Here we go.

Stop the trolling...



That'd be sick though

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Stop the trolling...



That'd be sick though

k.

Yes. It would. there would be a need as well.

[Nathan_OS]

k.

Yes. It would. there would be a need as well.

I was kidding about the first part fam

He'd probably be top 10. Which would give the C's no chance lol.

When his team would play against Doc, that's be. Fun to watch.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

I was kidding about the first part fam

He'd probably be top 10. Which would give the C's no chance lol.

When his team would play against Doc, that's be. Fun to watch.

In the Mocks I've seen. He's going anywhere from 10-21. but as the draft gets closer and closer i would agree with you. I think the Celtics will draft a big man anyway. Like Zeller, Myers Leonard, or Henson.

[wwharton]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Not saying that he won't get there. I think he'll get there and should be there. HOWEVER, I think he won't make it in on the first try. They'll make him sweat it out because of the way his career in the NBA prematurely ended for reasons of his own.

In baseball or football, I'd agree. For the NBA HOF, it'd be a SERIOUS black mark on the integrity of the selection committee if that happens. We accept that it's easy to get in, so don't insult our intelligence by leaving this guy out or even making him sweat. Ok, I'll stay on topic now.

Rivers is a 2. He is a flat out scorer and may be the best pure scorer in this class. I don't think anybody can score off the dribble like he can. He is the same height as Beal but Beal has put in more work in the weight room(which is evident)

Once he gets some muscle added on, Rivers can be a more lethal Monta Ellis. There is not much else Coach K can teach him because Rivers is a scorer and that's what he did this year.

Now if any GM drafts him thinking they can turn him into a PG like Seph Curry then they need to be fired. Just put him on the wing and say "Go get us points" and he will be fine in the league.

A "more lethal" Monta Ellis is saying a lot. Lets just hope he's a better Ben Gordon or even Stuckey. Those undersized SG's still scare me. They really need to be in the right situation.

[1Rose]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Beat me to it wwharton. Saying he will be more lethal than Monta is pushing it. Monta was faster and more explosive than Rivers is now when he came into the league.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: 2012 NBA Draft Discussion

Rivers has the potential to be the best backcourt player from this draft in a few years imo.

No chance in hell he even comes close to Rose.

Wall and Kyrie, I'd seriously doubt it.

Rivers can be a scoring guard, but he REALLY needed another year at Duke. Say what you want about Kyrie, but it was obvious he was way about the playing level of college players when he was healthy at Duke. Cannot say the same about Rivers.

Rivers would be a great fit for a team that doesn't have/need a strong point guard presence. But if he ends up on a team like Cleveland, Washington, or any team with a very good, ball dominant point guard, he will definitely struggle.