Official 2013 Draft thread

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.

 

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.

 

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]

 

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.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...offseason-plan-for-the-portland-trail-blazers

 

Mike R (San Francisco)

Heard that Timmy Hardaway Jr has been tearing it up. Do you think this has affected his draft stock?
Chad Ford (1:05 PM)

Just saw him workout in Chicago yesterday. Was very impressed. Goes hard all the time. Not a lot of holes in his game. Has a 7-foot wingspan which is phenomenal for a two guard. Very competitive. NBA scouts were wishy washy on him all year, but I could see him performing really well in workouts and moving up sort of the same way MarShon Brooks did a few years ago.

 

Im not sure I have heard this name:

Julien T (Brooklyn)

What are your thoughts on Ricky Ledo?
Chad Ford (1:10 PM)

Definite sleeper. One of the 5 or 6 guys that scouts are most excited to see here. Glen Rice Jr., Rudy Gobert, C.J. McCollum and Mike Muscala are other guys scouts are keen at getting a closer look at.

 

I asked about him recently, why no one is mentioning him as a target for us? Seems like a great fit alongside Lillard, and very attainable with our pick or late in the first round if we trade down (or up with our three second rounders).

 

We do seem to take the mock drafts as gospel. This year's mocks though seem to really vary.

 

Isn't it a given that Tim H. Jr. has to go to Golden State? I mean, not just the TimBug connection, but GS is collecting every ex-NBA-player's offspring.

 

Tim Hardaway Jr

Draft Express: 2nd Rd 42nd Pick
NBAdraft.net: 1st Rd 21st Pick
Bleacher Report : 1st Rd 30th pick
CBS Sports: 2nd Rd 42nd pick

 

Drummond was said to be lazy and sleep walking.. Id say he might be the best player in this draft. If he played the entire yeae with decent minutes he may have challenged Lillard. So yes it can be done.

 

What Boise Blazer said. No one seems to think much of Hardaway Jr in the pre-draft buzz, but the guy has a lot of potential. Most combo guards are short for their position, but here's a dude that has SG size and PG handles. Outside shooting is solid but still needs some work. I like the chances for that to improve a lot more than someone who lacks dribbling or passing skills. Plus, his dad was one of the early examples of guys that defied scouting because his confidence greatly exceeded his measurable skills. That sort of quality leads players to work hard at refining their game, and I see Jr as having a bit of the same thing.

 

I really wonder how some people rush to judgement here. Shabazz didn't have the ball all that much as anything other than a scorer. His points came off of plays set for him (coming off of screens, flex cuts, etc) and bis ability to offensive rebound. Yes there were isolations as well, but not pick and roll or anything to help him facilitate offense. Lack of assists id the last thing im worried about, especially when most of his points came off of smart basketball plays or sets made for HIM to SCORE. OJ mayo had the rock A LOT in college as a PG/SG combo.

 

Not sure about the 7 foot wingspan number for Hardaway Jr. DX has it at 6'7".

I know these type of measurements can fluctuate, but by 5 inches?