2014 Draft Discussion

[vtcha]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Just out of curiosity, do you guys think the combo of Noel & Davis would have worked in New Orleans? Davis can definitely guard stretch 4's and is quick/long enough to recover, and I don't think there would be too much issue with spacing since he is a face-up type player. Also they could have moved Tyreke at the point and all that would be missing for them is a solid wing and bench production. You could also ease Noel back in slowly whilst in a time-share with Ryan Anderson.

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Just out of curiosity, do you guys think the combo of Noel & Davis would have worked in New Orleans? Davis can definitely guard stretch 4's and is quick/long enough to recover, and I don't think there would be too much issue with spacing since he is a face-up type player. Also they could have moved Tyreke at the point and all that would be missing for them is a solid wing and bench production. You could also ease Noel back in slowly whilst in a time-share with Ryan Anderson.

I think they need a bigger, more physical style of center to pair next to Davis. I think he and Noel are similar types of defenders, they are both long and quick.. Excellent in coming over for help defense and blocking lots of shots. But both need areas of improvement in their positional post defense against these bigger guys.

I like Holiday, he was playing about as good as any guard before he got injured.. I think his last month he was up around 17 or 18 with 9 assists. He also gave them a really good outside shooter, which are areas where Gordon and Evans are very streaky, and Aminu is terrible.

I think if they could find a "dirty work" type of center to pair next to Davis this offseason, and preferably move Gordon for a small forward or depth off the bench they will be a very solid team next season.

[ehh]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

He doesn't have the jumper and the total inside package that ZBo has. . If he can add that stuff to his game this offseason before he hits the court as a pro he could be very solid..

Either way I don't think ZBo is the best comparison for him, I think it's easy for people to say because they look alike with similar build lol... ZBo had 10times the touch Randle has and Randle is quite a bit more athletic than Zack has ever been.

He has awesome potential as a rebounder.

Z-Bo wasn't a great shooter at Michigan State either.

I used to worry about guys like Randle and what you said about him...

He literally has to barrel him way close enough to the rim to hit that little left handed shot. It's been pretty easy for him in college because he's bigger/stronger than everyone but also quick enough to get by big men. It'll be a completely different game for him when he first hits the league.

This stuff doesn't bother me anymore. He can "get away" with doing this in the college game so why wouldn't he do it? He's a kid trying to win games, if he can score by bullying his way through people there's no reason to do anything else. He doesn't need to go all Kobe and purposely take more difficult shots to impress people.

I think he'll adapt just fine in the NBA. He plays so hard all the time, his motor is so impressive.

Plus, in today's softer NBA there aren't a ton of strong, bruising PF's that are going to be able to stop him. He'll be able to bully through a lot of NBA defenders as well. Not to mention the way the game is officiated, Randle will probably shoot an obscene amount of FT's as a pro.

I agree that the Randle/ZBo comparison isn't perfect but it's as good as it gets for Randle. Randle is basically the power version of Z-Bo's finesse game.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

So most mock drafts I've saw have Philly taking Embiid, whether it's with the first pick or third pick or wherever they have them finishing.. Am I the only one this doesn't make any sense at all to? They just got Noel, unless their is zero faith in him to become a good player from management this makes zero sense to me.. You just gutted the entire team, you need a sure thing instead of banking on pure potential.. Just my opinion.

I would think Wiggins, Parker, Exum, Smart, would all be better choices for them at this point.. They have a starting front court of Young and Noel coming in to next season, and Sims has been alright for them since coming in the trade and should be decent as a bench option next season.

This is really surprising to me because everything I've read is that if he's there, Philly would 100% take Wiggins with their pick.

However, I think Noel and Embiid can work together. Noel is mobile enough to guard PFs IMO. It would really just be a matter of one of them becoming a dependable offensive player and surrounding them with shooters.

Personally, I think Wiggins and Parker are better fits though.

[MattUM]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

I think a good comparison for Randle would be young Elton Brand. Both 6'9 250 PFs that out muscle their opponents to score around the rim with basic but effective moves. They have high motors and rebound at a high rate. Neither have great defensive techniques, but are athletic enough to stop opponents and make plays. Young Brand tore up the league, around 20 and 10 each year for his first 6 years. It wasn't til his 7th year that he got a good finesse game. I call this his ceiling.

[Sportsbuck]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

I think a good comparison for Randle would be young Elton Brand. Both 6'9 250 PFs that out muscle their opponents to score around the rim with basic but effective moves. They have high motors and rebound at a high rate. Neither have great defensive techniques, but are athletic enough to stop opponents and make plays. Young Brand tore up the league, around 20 and 10 each year for his first 6 years. It wasn't til his 7th year that he got a good finesse game. I call this his ceiling.

I think Brand is actually an excellent comparison. Didn't even think of him.

[MattUM]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

I think Brand is actually an excellent comparison. Didn't even think of him.

Haha people tend to forget about him! I think he was #2 or something for MVP when Nash won it one year. Then he got injuried out of nowhere for the 08 season, went to Philly, and never played at the same caliber again.

[redsrule]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Randle is a better rebounder than Brand is, but the comparison isn't bad. I think everyone rushes to compare him to Randolph (which I don't think is a bad comparison either) because he is a lefty. Part of the issue with all these damn comparisons. People always trying to compare a white guy to a white guy & a lefty to a lefty.

[redsrule]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

This is really surprising to me because everything I've read is that if he's there, Philly would 100% take Wiggins with their pick.

However, I think Noel and Embiid can work together. Noel is mobile enough to guard PFs IMO. It would really just be a matter of one of them becoming a dependable offensive player and surrounding them with shooters.

Personally, I think Wiggins and Parker are better fits though.

The problem with that would be that Philly would have the worst offensive big men combo in the NBA. Neither Noel or Embiid have any good post moves. It would be a great defensive tandem though.

[MattUM]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Randle is not a better rebounder than Brand IMO. The stats say they're even. If you compare the same minutes, Brand has 10.2 per 30.7. I don't think that's conclusive to say Randle is a better rebounder. You obviously watch him more than I do, so there may be something beyond the stats that gives you that opinion. Another thing is that they shoot identical FT% at 70%.

Randle: 10.6 on 30.7 min
Brand: 9.8 on 29.3 min

Brand then averaged 10 in his rookie year in the NBA. However Randle is younger so I can see what you mean if you think he will be a better rebounder at the same age as Brand.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

YES! Embiid is declaring for the draft. He was the one guy I was nervous might not declare. Hopefully Wiggins and Jabari follow suit now.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Elton Brand was such an intelligent player and also had great technique/fundamentals. He was so sound and well polished. Brand had legit skill to go along with his motor. I don't think that's an accurate comparison at all.

[ehh]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Yes, Brand was much more of a complete package even in college.

The ZBo comparison is about more than just being left handed. They both play below the rim for the most part and rely on strength as a major part of their game. Randle does it in a more of a power way, ZBo is more finesse.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

Brand already had a much more polished post game in college, he already had counters and touch around the bucket. His footwork and feel for the game was apparent. He was destined to become a force in the NBA before the injuries.

Randle is simply not touted in that regard and I really don't think they have the same approach to how they operate. Randle depends on his physicality and physical tools while Brand had the mental capacity to dominate his opponents in addition to his freakish wingspan and motor.

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2014 Draft Class

The problem with that would be that Philly would have the worst offensive big men combo in the NBA. Neither Noel or Embiid have any good post moves. It would be a great defensive tandem though.

Mehhh, Embiid has pretty decent post moves for a kid that young, especially one who's only been playing basketball for 3-4 years.. Finishes good with either hand and over either shoulder.

I'm with ex on everything he's said about the Brand/Randle comparisons.. Also Brand has freakishly long arms, and Randle has a relatively short wingspan for NBA standards.. Not that it matters.