With the 23rd pick in the 2015 draft...

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Pinwheel1 said:
I do disagree with your description above on Delon Wright though: PG, 6'6" (can he shoot? An oldish senior)
He can shoot just fine. When he needed to take over he usually did.
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Okay (but DraftExpress disagrees with you - see below). Maybe it's fairer to say shooting is not a great strength. I worry with Wright that he'll need to have the ball in his hands to be effective. We already have CJ being a bit ball-dominant. You need more Jason Kidd and less Michael Carter-Williams.



DraftExpress said:
The biggest concern about Wright's transition to the NBA revolves around his outside shooting. He made just 38 of 126 attempts the past two seasons (30%), and is especially limited as an off the dribble shooter. Wright's pull-up jumper is virtually non-existent at this stage, as he sports a low and slow release on his shot, and gets little to no elevation, which makes it difficult for him to create separation from defenders. His hesitance to shoot off the dribble is something that better defenses scouted and were able to take advantage of consistently the last two years, sagging way off him, going underneath screens on the pick and roll, and generally mucking up Utah's offense.
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Rastapopoulos said:
I have to disagree. I think he'll draft on potential. Think about it: if a player is ready to contribute then why would they be available at #23? Maybe the player he takes WILL be able to contribute (perhaps because a good player drops because of other teams swinging for potential), but I don't think that will be the plan. Also remember: our coach is Stotts. He'll play Steve Blake 20 minutes rather than play, say, Tim Frazier 1 minute.
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Lots of players ready to contribute from 16-40+ every draft, the only reason they don't get drafted high is age, size, etc.

I don't think Olshey gives a shit about that stuff, look who he has drafted. Mostly players who played at least 2 years of college ball.

You may be right about Stotts though, which is unfortunate.
 
Crabbe is a good person to keep in mind. He came out as a junior having just been voted Pac-12 player of the year. He had great size for a shooting guard and played solid defense. He's been gradually improving his minutes and game and even filled in as a starter for a while, with not catastrophical results. He knows Stotts' system. Any wing player we take will likely be behind him in the rotation. So don't get too excited!

(Or if you like: think of CJ. An absolute stud in college, a lottery pick, one of the older rookies, probably voted one of the players "most ready to contribute" -- but got limited minutes his rookie year. I think most good teams are like that. Bring players on slowly. I bet the Spurs are absolutely pretty high on Kyle Anderson, but they're not giving him minutes.)
 
If they're available, I think the best value picks would be:
- Delon Wright (Perhaps too old with a suspect shot. Andre Miller comparisons)
- Tyus Jones (Too small? Ty Lawson comparisons)
- Jerian Grant (Another one that is considered too old with limited upside. Perhaps a Jason Terry comparisons.)

Some individuals with potential character issues that might pan out:
- Robert Upshaw (He can block, but can he do much more? Comparisons range from Jarvis Varnado to Scot Pollard. Can he be more?)
- Cliff Alexander (Is he the next "Thomas Robinson"? Can he overcome his perceived low BBIQ?)

Some wings that may be available:
- Justin Anderson (His stats might not represent the complete picture this past year: he missed 8 games in 2014-15 plus 2 games with limited minutes due to a broken finger and an emergency appendectomy. He measured at a 43" vertical. Is he one dimensional or can he be more?)
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (defense is there but no offense. PJ Tucker comparisons.)

There's a gem out there in the late first round and/or second round...
 
Rastapopoulos said:
Okay. Maybe it's fairer to say shooting is not a great strength. I worry with Wright that he'll need to have the ball in his hands to be effective. We already have CJ being a bit ball-dominant. You need more Jason Kidd and less Michael Carter-Williams.

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Exactly! And I really think he is more Jason Kidd than MCW in terms of defense, as well as not needing to dominate the ball on offense. He has the handles to bring it up against pressure, set up the offense, get into the lane, and make the pass. And he can hit the open outside shot well enough to keep the defense honest while CJ and Dame do their thing.

I am not big on stats, but his shooting numbers were pretty good. Is he a great finisher? Apparently not. However I did not notice it to be honest.
 
Rastapopoulos said:
Like Draymond Green? (In stacked shoes)



Like Rudy Gobert? Or Hassan Whiteside? Or Omer Asik?



Don't you remember how much of a bust Gobert looked his first year?



I have a real weakness for big PGs and every year I fall in love with one or two. This is probably the Alvin Williams effect. (Cookie Belcher was a big crush back in the day, but that was probably the AWESOME name.) But they just. don't. pan. out.

Here are the big PGs that I found in the above list:
Reggie Jackson
Spencer Dinwiddie

That's it. Don't make me go back and find all the ones that didn't (like Kyle Weaver, another crush). MAYBE Wright's good. Maybe he's Will Barton II. Fun for a fling but not a long-term relationship.
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well this is the year of the big PG
 
They'll either trade up or add another late first round pick
 
If you think LA leaves you don't draft PG.. that's only if he stays
 
BonesJones said:
If you think LA leaves you don't draft PG.. that's only if he stays
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Why? I think it makes even more sense if he stays. Keep essentially everything the way it was and add a tall back up PG who can play D.
 
Re: Delon Wright:
For the second-straight season, he was voted first-team All-Pac-12 and again named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.[9] Wright was also a two-time member of the Pac-12 All-Defensive team and won the 2015 Bob Cousy Award.
 
Pinwheel1 said:
Why? I think it makes even more sense if he stays. Keep essentially everything the way it was and add a tall back up PG who can play D.
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I said if he stays you can go for a PG. If you think he leaves you don't draft a guy to start a rebuild at the one position you have covered
 
Pinwheel1 said:
Re: Delon Wright:
For the second-straight season, he was voted first-team All-Pac-12 and again named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.[9] Wright was also a two-time member of the Pac-12 All-Defensive team and won the 2015 Bob Cousy Award.
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Oh YEAH? Well Allen Crabbe was Pac-12 PLAYER OF THE YEAR, and Andre Roberson was Defensive Player of the year!

And past Bob Cousy winners include Kendall Marshall and RAYMOND FELTON!

Seriously though, I wouldn't mind Wright. I just don't know if he's the best pick.
 
Rastapopoulos said:
Oh YEAH? Well Allen Crabbe was Pac-12 PLAYER OF THE YEAR, and Andre Roberson was Defensive Player of the year!

And past Bob Cousy winners include Kendall Marshall and RAYMOND FELTON!

Seriously though, I wouldn't mind Wright. I just don't know if he's the best pick.
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exactly. Not that I'm against Wright but certain styles of play translate better to the next level. College awards don't mean much.
 
42N8Bounce said:
- Cliff Alexander (Is he the next "Thomas Robinson"? Can he overcome his perceived low BBIQ?)
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Both Kansas, too, only T-Rob put up much better numbers. Although not as a freshman, I guess. I had Montrezl Harrell pegged as the next T-Rob - how do they compare?

42N8Bounce said:
- Justin Anderson (His stats might not represent the complete picture this past year: he missed 8 games in 2014-15 plus 2 games with limited minutes due to a broken finger and an emergency appendectomy. He measured at a 43" vertical. Is he one dimensional or can he be more?)
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He's probably gone by our pick but he definitely intrigues me, especially as he's supposedly a great and versatile defender, only he also has some offense. Again with the "lack of feel for the game" though. If he's there, he may be one player who actually might contribute straight off, as we're shallow at the wing, maybe shallower without Wes.
 
BonesJones said:
exactly. Not that I'm against Wright but certain styles of play translate better to the next level. College awards don't mean much.
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Very true, except that is not why I pointed it out. There seems to be a lot of discussion about his shooting skills, and I think it is important that we recognize his overall skills.

Yes Kendall Marshall and RAYMOND FELTON were past Bob Cousy winners
YES Allen Crabbe was Pac-12 PLAYER OF THE YEAR,
Yes Andre Roberson was Defensive Player of the year

And although these awards might mean nothing, Delon Wright was in the top 3 for voting for all 3 of those awards.
A 6'5" PG who was voted the best PG in the nation and all defensive team both years he played........

It really doesn't make a difference because I am not alone being impressed with him. He won't be there at 23.
 
Pinwheel1 said:
Very true, except that is not why I pointed it out. There seems to be a lot of discussion about his shooting skills, and I think it is important that we recognize his overall skills.

Yes Kendall Marshall and RAYMOND FELTON were past Bob Cousy winners
YES Allen Crabbe was Pac-12 PLAYER OF THE YEAR,
Yes Andre Roberson was Defensive Player of the year

And although these awards might mean nothing, Delon Wright was in the top 3 for voting for all 3 of those awards.
A 6'5" PG who was voted the best PG in the nation and all defensive team both years he played........

It really doesn't make a difference because I am not alone being impressed with him. He won't be there at 23.
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The one thing that intrigues me about Delon is if he can play SG and therefore be paired with Lillard, which gives us another good ballhandler and Dame can play off the ball more - the key is whether he is (or can become) a good enough outside shooter (like Wes or CJ)?
 
42N8Bounce said:
Cliff Alexander (Is he the next "Thomas Robinson"? Can he overcome his perceived low BBIQ?)
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Dunno if this is reliable, but it's put me off him:

Weak post game - he bullied players in high school, but struggled against bigger college players, which does not bode well for the NBA. His fundamentals, footwork and post moves are all sub par, leading to terrible percentages in the post, and a lot of turnovers. Another terrible passer, generating an assist for every 41 minutes played.
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Re: Delon Wright

Pros:
Good size
Good defender
Played PG in college

Those are very good pros. BUT

Cons:
Old
"played PG in college" doesn't mean "can play PG in the NBA"
Especially if you were ball-dominant but won't be in the position to be that in the NBA
Weak shot, and if you're playing for Terry Stotts, you better be an epic 3-point shooter

He makes me think of this player:
Senior stats in college (for storied program):
PPG: 20.6 (DW: 14.7)
APG: 5.1 (DW: 5.0)
RPG: 4.5 (DW: 5.0)
Consensus first team All-American
Player of the year for his conference

I bet you can guess who it is. He was also an "old" senior.

Unlike you, I believe Delon Wright WILL be available at the #23 pick. I also hope he will be available at the #24 pick.
 
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Nolan Smith I bet. And I didn't even cheat. And if so, he didn't play defense so there is that difference at least.
 
Joseph Smith is a better comparison to Nolan Smith.
Delon Wright is not even close to being the same type of player as those two. Delon Wright is a natural PG. The other two are shooting guards who converted to PG because of their size. Huge difference when yo are talking about moving up to the NBA level.

Who cares if he is an old PG or a young PG. Andre Miller was an old PG coming out of college and 15 years later in the NBA he still is an old PG. (and still effective)

IMO you either have PG instincts/skills or you don't. And Wright has them, along with another skill we desperately need: Defense!
 
To me, Wright is sturdy but not spectacular.

I want us to target Bobby Portis. He's easily my favorite player in the draft respective to where our pick is. After that I really like Dekker and Hollis-Jefferson would be great as well. But, I'm sold on Portis.



He plays with fire. Something this team needs. I think he is going to be a star type player.
 
MickZagger said:
I want us to target Bobby Portis. He's easily my favorite player in the draft respective to where our pick is. After that I really like Dekker and Hollis-Jefferson would be great as well. But, I'm sold on Portis.


He plays with fire. Something this team needs. I think he is going to be a star type player.
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Watching the other videos on nba draftexpress, he reminds me of Ibaka.
(Minus the Freakish athleticism)
 
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Pinwheel1 said:
Joseph Smith is a better comparison to Nolan Smith.
Delon Wright is not even close to being the same type of player as those two. Delon Wright is a natural PG. The other two are shooting guards who converted to PG because of their size. Huge difference when yo are talking about moving up to the NBA level.

Who cares if he is an old PG or a young PG. Andre Miller was an old PG coming out of college and 15 years later in the NBA he still is an old PG. (and still effective)

IMO you either have PG instincts/skills or you don't. And Wright has them, along with another skill we desperately need: Defense!
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Fair enough. If we draft him, I hope you're right. If we don't draft him, I hope I am. I was prepared to love Nolan (and Armon and goddamnit even Erick Barkley) so I'll come around fast if he ends up a Blazer. But if one of the big senior PGs drops, I'm more intrigued by Jerian Grant, even if he's not noted for his D.
 
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