Official 2013 Draft thread

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DX's "best athlete" in the draft:

[video=youtube;lG1Nrlu3Y2g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG1Nrlu3Y2g[/video]
 
This year I think this pick is as good as gone so I've shifted my attention more to the second round.

We could also package the three 2nd rounders to move into the late 1st.

I think Nate Wolters is a prospect to keep an eye on. Another mid-major star who can really score.

[video=youtube;ojXhPClIX8I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojXhPClIX8I&feature=player_embedded[/video]
 
The combine list is out -

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2013-NBA-Combine-Participant-List-4171/

There were 63 players invited, not including a notable injured player (Bennett) and some notable international players (Karasev, Saric, Adetiokunbo, Noguiera, Jaiteh, and Jean-Charles) who cannot attend due to obligations overseas.

With that many players on the list, that sort of paints a grim picture for the following notable prospects not invited -

Michael Snaer (a.k.a. Mr. Clutch)
Jack Cooley
Rodney Williams
Matthew Dellavedova (a.k.a Patty Mills without the hype)
D.J. Stephens
Khalif Wyatt
Elias Harris
Alex Oriakhi (This one blows my mind, not because he necessarily deserved an invite, but rather because I remember him being really young, like 14 years old or something like that, when UConn actually offered him a scholarship. I was around his age at the time, and I just remember my AAU friends telling stories about this guy and how good he was. Just goes to show you how you can't scout 14 year olds in AAU... sophomore year should probably be the acceptable cutoff for scouting, but eighth grade yields the Alex Oriakhi's of the world.)

Vander Blue and Robert Covington were also late additions after initially being left off the list.

I'm surprised that Cooley and Williams were left off, particularly because the two things that have them in or out of the draft are things that will be tested at the combine. For Cooley, his height seems to be overlisted, and his athleticism is questioned. For Williams, his athleticism could have put him firmly in the second round if he had tested well enough, which there was a good of chance of him doing. I suppose the same could be said for D.J. Stephens, but his game is a lot rawer at this point than Williams, and that's saying something.)

I also would have thought Khalif Wyatt's tournament showing would have gotten him more buzz.
 
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Well, as Tangay Ngumbo's selection proved, you don't need to be at the combine to be drafted.
 
Interesting about his broken wrist. That can hinder your offensive ability. I wonder if he moves up. Based on the names I have seen, I think #10 is about where he should go. Not 15th

I would most definitely take a chance on this guy. He added 50 lbs of muscle and has a 7'4" wingspan?!?!?! He is considered very physical on the defensive end too.
 
I would most definitely take a chance on this guy. He added 50 lbs of muscle and has a 7'4" wingspan?!?!?! He is considered very physical on the defensive end too.

I hope the Blazers look at him closely as well as Rudy Gobert. (Athletic with a 7'9 wingspan)
 
We already have a backup C, so the question is whether Dieng is good enough to start. The video says he's a backup. Nevertheless, he is intriguing. If I thought he could start, I'd draft him. Lillard was ranked lower than 6 for a long time before being draft.
 
I would most definitely take a chance on this guy. He added 50 lbs of muscle and has a 7'4" wingspan?!?!?! He is considered very physical on the defensive end too.

Makes you wonder if he is too old to add that extra 20 lbs that could make the difference in the NBA ...
 
We already have a backup C, so the question is whether Dieng is good enough to start. The video says he's a backup. Nevertheless, he is intriguing. If I thought he could start, I'd draft him. Lillard was ranked lower than 6 for a long time before being draft.

I don't think we should draft for what we need now. Things change quickly. He may be our back up center of the future. Our current back up could be traded by August. (in a package for our starting center) I wouldn't worry about stock piling a certain position.
 
Looks like a young Dale Davis.

Only four years younger than LMA and still in college. His age is his only real drawback. Still, #10 is still way too high IMO.
 
I don't think we should draft for what we need now. Things change quickly. He may be our back up center of the future. Our current back up could be traded by August. (in a package for our starting center) I wouldn't worry about stock piling a certain position.

In general, I think you're right. However, I think that we either take need into consideration or trade the pick - this offseason must be special.
 
In general, I think you're right. However, I think that we either take need into consideration or trade the pick - this offseason must be special.

Yeah but his position (Center) is our biggest need. And regardless of who we pick they won't start next year. Or at least hopefully we will get a vet that is better in the short term.

I have no problem trading the pick if we get a starter, but what are the odds? A guy like Dieng could get minutes for sure. He can back up the 4 and the 5. Defensively at least.
 
Looks like a young Dale Davis.

I'd say Theo Ratliff.

Only four years younger than LMA and still in college. His age is his only real drawback. Still, #10 is still way too high IMO.

I disagree. If you think he's even a solid BACKUP center in this league, then 10 is fine. In most drafts, how many players actually end up being first round talent? And a contributing player is first round.

Other things that make me lean towards Dieng: he's mature in the POSITIVE sense. Pitino had him lead a news conference once. He was a leader for Louisville. It would not amaze me if Dieng ended up being more productive in the long run than Noel. He almost certainly will in the short run. (And in the long run we're all dead.)

I wouldn't be all that surprised if Dieng is actually gone by 10. In which case I think we have to take a flier on Gobert.
 
Dieng at 10 does feel too high right now but the 76ers, Thunder and Mavs will be looking for a center as well.
 
An interesting comparison I heard today for Shabazz: rich mans Bonzi Wells
 
Has anyone compared him to O.J. Mayo yet? That's what I saw when I watched UCLA this season.

Yes there has been a Mayo comparison for Shabazz. I don't think that is the worst thing in the world. 6th man of the year candidate beats out what most draft picks become.
 
Yes there has been a Mayo comparison for Shabazz. I don't think that is the worst thing in the world. 6th man of the year candidate beats out what most draft picks become.

Mayo is sort of a lazy comparison on my part just because of the similarities that have to do with situations more than their skillsets. Both guys were highly touted from a young age, both slept through their 1-and-done years, both chose schools in the same major media market for their disappointing 1-and-dones, and both played selfishly, showing a lot more ego than game.

There's that question about whether or not he'll be more committed on the next level. Some people suggest that he's more talented than what he showed, and once he gets to the NBA, he'll show it, but how many guys have actually coasted and played selfishly like Mayo and Shabazz did and then turned up the effort once they got drafted?

I think Mayo's a pretty negative comparison. We had him for years here in Memphis, and he never really helped our team. He'd constantly play hero ball, like he never got rid of the voices in his head that were telling him how great he was in high school. He'd get some point and have a decent line in the box score, which is good I guess if he's on your fantasy team, but on our actual team, he would constantly halt our offense.

Watching Mayo develop from the next "can't miss" high schooler, to a 1-and-done at USC that got them sanctioned, to a selfish NBA player makes me apprehensive about Shabazz, who has the writing on the wall to become the same player.
 
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I just looked up the numbers, and from watching him play, I knew it'd be bad, but not this bad -

17.9 ppg, 0.8 apg

From Bishop Gorman (which is actually a pretty big HS program) to UCLA, the guy has never been anything but the go-to scorer on his team. What team in the #7-14 range is going to allow him the same offensive freedom? Even Mayo averaged 3.3 apg at USC, with a much less talented core around him.

I'm sure most of ya'll have seen this clip a million times, but for those who haven't, this sort of defines Shabazz for me in a nutshell. Watch Shabazz's body language, both as Larry Drew II decides to pass on Shabazz for the game winner and then when it actually goes in and the rest of the team celebrates -

[video=youtube;vqoIq2mKfc0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqoIq2mKfc0[/video]
 
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The fact that he walked away is more concerning than his assist numbers. There could be an explanation, but it is hard to understand.

As for his assists.......I know he can pass because
I have seen him do it. He passes well when he wants. In the NBA I can't see him being a ball hog. If he is there at 10 I take him in a second.
 
Way to read way too much into that video than was there.....So because he didn't jump all over his teamate means he is selfish now? Give me a break....at least he crashed the boards when his teamate shot the ball....

I think this issue (selfish) is being overplayed, if he is there at #10 that would be very good value for POR to take him, they could use a guy who can score like Shabazz can...He also has Tourette's BTW...

http://dailybruin.com/2013/03/01/no...rder-in-becoming-one-of-nations-best-players/
 
Haven't seen the video and I liked his potential mostly (thought of him as a poor-man's James Harden) but hearing about his APG being lower than 1, with the amount of minutes/touches he was getting made his stock fall dramatically in my book. I had him projected in the top 5, now I'm not sure I'd take him in the top 10.
 
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