Enes Kanter isn't an unskilled stiff. [video=youtube;l5kAZL0Q3ic]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5kAZL0Q3ic&feature=relmfu[/video]
This is the key. A center develops only with extraordinary coaching. Otherwise he becomes just another shooter who can't set a strong pick. Even worse, he may have to play forward like Aldridge because no coach dares yell at him. The only good center coaches were Wooden, Auerbach, Fitch, and Motta.
I see your Kanter video and raise you a Thabeet highlight mix. [video=youtube;5GFC5892OTs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GFC5892OTs[/video]
Kanter actually is fairly good. The reason he hardly gets playing time is because he fouls at a very high rate and one of the big reasons he fouls at such a high rate is because he doesn't flop at all. People ram into him and since he is a rookie and doesn't really move and the other guy falls he gets fouls all the time. Bismack Is simply what he is, a skilled big who is very very raw. You can't discount him already because everyone knew going into drafting him that he would be a 2 to 3 year plan before he could become even serviceable.
Meyers Leonard is another very good prospect. He reminds me of a taller LaMarcus. Graceful athlete, can hit hit the jump shot. He doesn't seem to be much of an inside presense though. He could be a very good PF in the NBA though.
The NBA game is still WAY TOO FAST for him. I don't see a lot of hope that he's going to somehow adjust and be worthy of the #3 pick. Although that was was a pretty mediocre draft, so it's not a huge miss.
Drummond does seem to be that type of prospect that you "hope" develops skill. Right now, he's just an elite level athlete. He also has questionable drive, and history doesn't bode too well for those types. Mike Rice seems to think he's really going to plummet in the draft, and he could be right. I'd actually prefer Leonard over Drummond. But I think the Blazers are taking Marshall at #11 and one of the wings or SGs at #6.
Which wings or SG's do you think are options? It seems that #6 is too high or too low for any of them.
If Portland doesn't take Drummond at #6, and he's still there at #11, I think they'll take him. At #11, he is ESPECIALLY worth the risk.
I could see any of them potentially falling to Portland. Some mocks even have Drummond going in the top 5, which would make one more available.
Beal, Barnes, or MKG.? That would be nice. Especially Beal IMO. But who moves up into the top 5? I guess Drummond possibly could. But looking at the current teams in the top 5, I just don't see it.
If Drummond is available at #6 we have to take him. I think it's more likely that he'll be gone though.
I agree with nik, I am FAR less worried about a young player being raw than about a possible lack of motivation. It's might sound OT but it's not. There's a really really successful hardware store, locally owned, near where I live. Contracters go there, so do do-it-yourselfers, and a lot of folks who just need a garden tool or even light bulbs. It's popular in an era of big box stores and online retailers because almost as soon as you walk in someone is asking if you need assistance and then helps you. They said in a local interview that they don't care of their hires know jack about hardware. They hire outgoing people-oriented helpful folks and teach them hardware. IMO same basic idea. You can teach hardware, or footwork, or anydamnthing else if you have the person who wants to learn it. If they don't really want to, it doesn't matter how much they know about hardware.
so...many.. commas... missing! ARGH! okay, calm down. Yes, I agree that drive is equally important as talent. Clearly Oden had injury problems, but he also didn't seem to love the game. I read that 20% of americans over 7ft play in the NBA. If you are that friggin' tall, why not try it for a job. But to many I'm sure it's just a job they were pushed into based upon their height.
