Official 2013 Draft thread

18 PPG | 7 APG | 50 FG% | 37 3PT% | 59 TS% | 31 PER

Burke is playing at an elite level as a soph.

 

He ain't no Soup Juggler.

Just messin, I really like Burke, too. As I've stated earlier in this thread, I can't believe his stock on mocks is where its at. I can't picture him not being picked in the lottery. But, if I have the option of McLemore, Smart or Mohammed over Burke than I take those guys over him every time. Especially with our need at that position.

 

thoughts on carter-williams? stats this year scream meh, why ranked so high?

 

I'm not a huge fan. He does some ridiculously athletic things that make your jaw drop, but plays like a spazz too much. Kinda reminds me of Shaun Livingston.

 

I'm not sold either. His stock is largely a product of his size and his inflated APG. I made some comments about his game a page or so back about is game, but that's really as far as I'm willing to make assertions at the moment, because he's just starting to play against decent competition. The reality is that Syracuse has played a Charmin-soft schedule to this point. The Big East, in general, is an overrated conference this season, but Syracuse, in particular, has had one of the easier roads.

I watched the Illinois/Michigan State game tonight. The Illini rely too much on threes. Their whole offense stems from Paul/Abrams/Richardson making perimeter shots to open up lanes to the basket. That'll help you win some games and pull off some upsets, but that's definitely not a sustainable style of play.

As far as Michigan State goes, I don't think any of their guys will come out this draft, but Adreian Payne is a player to watch. He came to Michigan State as a very raw post player that made most of his plays off of his length and athleticism, but it looks like he's worked his ass off on his shot. He's gone from a player that only attempted two threes in his first two years at MSU to a player that's knocked down a three in five of his last six games, including going 3-4 from 3pt against Indiana. He also brought his FT% up from 48.6% to 77.8% this season.

Call me crazy, but I think Payne has late lottery potential if he stays another year. He's a legit 6'10" with the length of a seven footer, he's one of the most athletic and explosive players in the collegiate game, and now he's developing a legitimate perimeter game. There aren't too many players with his athleticism and length that can actually knock down outside shots. He'll kill it in the combine if he decides to leave early.

 

Yeah, my Zags played the Illini when they were shooting out of their minds. Thats what happens sometimes with those teams that live by the 3. You catch them on a night where they aren't missing and you're in for a long night no matter what you do.

9/10 times I think my Zags beat the Illini.

 

Yeah, they're like a less talented version of that '05 team that nearly went undefeated. I've always said that '05 team was one of the best teams to never win a title, but they also definitely relied a little too much on the outside shot. The difference is that they had Dee Brown, Luther Head, and Deron Williams taking those outside shots with guys like Powell and Augustine being able to benefit downlow. The talent on this year's squad isn't even comparable. It's funny how we're seven years and two coaches removed from that year's team, but they still have the same tendencies though.

I feel you on your Zags loss to the Illini. That's the beauty and the curse of the collegiate game. There are a lot of mediocre teams that can randomly get really hot from the outside and bury you. The Illini used to do that to MSU all the time in the Dee Brown years. Brown and Head would be hitting contested shots from beyond NBA range, and there's really nothing you can do at that point.

BTW - Do you remember the '05 Maui Invitational? The Michigan State/Gonzaga game was one of the best games I've seen in the 2000's. There were so many small plays that could have pushed the game either way, but that missed layup by Goran Suton is one of those plays I'll never forget.... wide open, no one around him, and he wiffs on the game winner.

 

I remember that game like the back of my hand. Morrison was a man possessed that night and Shannon Brown was matching his every move. My Zags have been in some very exciting games over the years and that has to be up in the top 2. The other was the 2OT game against Arizona in the tourney when we had Blake Steppe going off. Its why I love the college game, so much heart and excitement in every play. Also, I love watching guys go from college and seeing how it translate to the pro's.

As for Illinois, yeah that is true, they always play a game predicated on 3's. There was 4 guys on that Illini team that sniffed the pro's. I think I remember watching them lose to Arizona in the tourney that year I think in the FF if my memory serves me. I really like Luther Head's game at the time, but he was kind of too small to be a 2 and didn't have legit skills of a natural 1. That team was full of tweeners aside from D-WIll. I think they played the same way back in the day when they had Nick Anderson, Marcus Liberty, Kendall Gill and Stephan Bardo. I was too young to remember that team, but I've watched a lot of classic games and they played the same style.

 

Hey MickZagger. you sure know a lot about college ball, but from what i read , you sure don't know much about the NBA.

 

You were probably an Adam Morrison fan! lol

 

oh.

 

I'm watching Canes/Wolfpack play right now and I've been really impressed by CJ Leslie. A guy who probably should have entered last year. He's great at finishing, great athleticism and plays solid defense. He'd be a steal if drafted in the 20's.

 

Have you been watching any of this OSU - Kansas game? Smart has 24 but he's 0-5 on threes with only two assists.

83 to 80 OSU up with 7.9 seconds left.

 

9 rebounds though. OSU steal, win.

 

Has anyone watched Steven Adams of Pitt?

He's Meyers Leonard-raw but the guy is a physical freak. He has that Oden-like build as a freshman. He is a player that should stay in school for a few more years. Right now he has NO post game whatsoever.

 

Just the mentioning of Meyers Leonard sours me on any prospect

 

Yeah, that's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

 

Getting any prospect with as much potential as Leonard is a great thing.

 

I don't see him ever standing out at his position.