What's up with these projected high picks?

These guys like Paul, Taft, Warrick getting bumped out of the tourney early? It makes me feel that if they were as good as advertised their team would have come through against weaker competition. I am watching the UNC game a bit right now and I dont know what to think. My eyes are drawn to Felton (who I am hoping we draft) and May. May looks big, but he also looks really out of shape. I think I heard on an earlier game in the year that he used to be over 300lbs and he lost like 70lbs. It looks like he needs to lose another 30-40lbs to me. I would not want to take a risk on a guy that has that kind of history with conditioning...

 

^^^^ May is perty big but he does a really good job of throwing his weight around and getting to the line

 

Taft is a worse version of Wilcox. Pass. His stock has dropped a lot and he should change his mind about going early.

We don't need a PG, but Chris Paul is good (22 pts, 9 ast, 6 reb in the loss to WVU). He was also in foul trouble that game and ended up fouling out. But he most likely won't enter the draft, he says he wants to stay at Wake Forest.

Warrick is a mid-1st round pick and I think he is good. He had 21 pts and 12 rebounds in that Vermont game. I wouldn't mind trading down and getting him.

 

Yeah, I would not mind some freakishly athletic SF to back up Dunleavy or replace him if need be. I would also like to look at a back up PG for Davis or a big bruising PF/C that can play defense and bring some low post offense..

 

May,a junior,figures to return. He has improved a lot,in skill and physically and his desire and work ethic are impressive. He probably will be 10lb lighter and more toned in a year. With a wide body type you want to see some agility and a guy who is still tough in the 4th qtr-and May looks okay. At 6-9 he would be a power F in the NBA so he's got to be mobile enough to keep pace

 

Anyone think Francisco Garcia is gonna be in this year's draft?

 

I like Francisco Garcia. Talk about a playmaker and a leader. The guy creates havoc with his ability to block shots, get loose balls, create turnovers, shoot the ball, and he is a very good passer, especially for his age. Everytime I watch college basketball lately, it seems like Louisville is always playing. And I always like what I see from that guy. I wouldn't mind him being a Warrior. But I don't know how plausible that is due to where he goes and where the Warriors select and what the Warriors need. But having the 1, 2, 3, go Baron Davis/Fisher, JRich/Pietrus, Dunleavy/Garcia, would be kind of awesome. Francisco is probably like a Shaine Battier but possibly more of a play maker in the same less flashy ways as Battier, I suppose.

But I don't know if he's going to be in the draft. I guess in a way he is kind of getting old now a days. I think he's 24 or going to be 24 or something. And that's as old as most of the vets on this team...haha.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Clif25:</div><div class="quote_post">I like Francisco Garcia. Talk about a playmaker and a leader. The guy creates havoc with his ability to block shots, get loose balls, create turnovers, shoot the ball, and he is a very good passer, especially for his age. Everytime I watch college basketball lately, it seems like Louisville is always playing. And I always like what I see from that guy. I wouldn't mind him being a Warrior. But I don't know how plausible that is due to where he goes and where the Warriors select and what the Warriors need. But having the 1, 2, 3, go Baron Davis/Fisher, JRich/Pietrus, Dunleavy/Garcia, would be kind of awesome. Francisco is probably like a Shaine Battier but possibly more of a play maker in the same less flashy ways as Battier, I suppose.

But I don't know if he's going to be in the draft. I guess in a way he is kind of getting old now a days. I think he's 24 or going to be 24 or something. And that's as old as most of the vets on this team...haha.</div>

Lol yeah, right now we need more yungun's to secure a good future for us. I say draft Taft. He should at least be able to score down low unlike Murphy.

However the idea of Garcia is good. He might be passed up and made an early second rounder, so we could defenitly go after him and have him come off the bench for Dunleavy. He and Pietrus coming off the bench would be awesome!

 

Who can get to the bottom of this Taft thing. He's got all these skills but he plays really passive. Is it his team, his coach, or what gives? He seems like he has all the tools to dominate like a Rasheed Wallace, but he doesn't.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Who can get to the bottom of this Taft thing. He's got all these skills but he plays really passive. Is it his team, his coach, or what gives? He seems like he has all the tools to dominate like a Rasheed Wallace, but he doesn't.</div>

Well at this point the Warriors should take him. Although Murphy can shoot and might be able to get a low post game, Taft has one. Foyle has the buildings of one, but is too old to teach and has aluminum hands, wheras Taft can play PF, has a low post game, and good hands. If he gets a good defensive game, he can be a very valuable asset to us with Biedrins and Taft down low, wheras Murphy can play the pick and roll and eventually inside like the game against the Knicks, but shoots too much from the outside. He needs to play like he did a while ago when he would be posterizing people alll the time like Biedrins. If he can do that, we should look at other options in this years draft or play Taft as a back-up and do a Fortson to Zarko which I am completley against. If it goes on like this, go after Taft

 

Ike Diogu entered and is far better than Taft. True,Taft could,with his size become an above average backup C,while with Ike you maybe get a bigger Shawn Marion. Diogu can play either F,and so we'd have several guys getting minutes based on how they produced. we'd add D,depth,versatility,at least,and maybe we'd find a star. From what I have seen of Taft,I'd as soon stick with Adonal and Andy,maybe deal for a guy like K. Cato.

 

adding details-Taft at around 6-10 255 or so is not significantly bigger than Sheldon Williams or Sean May,2 very good college C's who play with so much more toughness,skill and desire that a frickin' inch seems pretty irrelevant. 6-9 is certainly small for an NBA C-though Bill Russell was a good one and Wes Unseld was 6-8 as was Wayne Embry (back when). These days a 6-9 guy can be your "smallball" C,or a C/F...especially if he's getting results.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">Ike Diogu entered and is far better than Taft. True,Taft could,with his size become an above average backup C,while with Ike you maybe get a bigger Shawn Marion. Diogu can play either F,and so we'd have several guys getting minutes based on how they produced. we'd add D,depth,versatility,at least,and maybe we'd find a star. From what I have seen of Taft,I'd as soon stick with Adonal and Andy,maybe deal for a guy like K. Cato.</div>
You make me drool with your comaparisons

 

mays weight

May is rather large, his body type reminds me of Michael Sweetney....ones body size doesnt necesarily have to impact on theit playing ability so dont right him off because of it

 

May still has a bit of baby fat,including a round face that makes him appear a bit more chubby than he is. Last I heard May was 260,Sweetney about 280. In the paint,a guy 6-7 to 6-10 with bulk,strength and skill can often overpower a guy who is taller but thin

 

What about Tiogu Splitter? Brazil's verison of Pau Gasol (better defense). Gifted athlete, can score with either hand, high basketball IQ, good attitude, okay shotblocker, etc. I'm a big fan of Pau even though he's hideous on defense and turnover prone, but his offensive game is pretty complete. Rare for a big man. I'm already pumped about this guy because he's described as more aggressive on the defensive end. If he has the skillset and understanding of the game down early (which he does), I think he can be one of those near star type players that can put a whole lot of moves in the paint for us. He was a perimeter player, but he's not as reliable so they moved him to the paint where he can break down defenders and then get the contact and finish with either hand. He also has some potential to play some center too.

 

At this point I think trading our pick may be a good idea if it could bring us some front court help. That way we could possibly get someone who is already developed and ready to contribute. We got plenty of young guys already who are developing and it doesn't seem like this is a very good draft and our draft position is dropping, the question is who could we trade for and who would we throw in on the trade? Id love to get a player like Magloire but Im not sure if NO is willing to trade him.

 

I have no idea what's up with this Martynas guy. Why do people think so highly of him?? The JBB Mock draft has you guys taking him.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">What about Tiogu Splitter? Brazil's verison of Pau Gasol (better defense). Gifted athlete, can score with either hand, high basketball IQ, good attitude, okay shotblocker, etc. I'm a big fan of Pau even though he's hideous on defense and turnover prone, but his offensive game is pretty complete. Rare for a big man. I'm already pumped about this guy because he's described as more aggressive on the defensive end. If he has the skillset and understanding of the game down early (which he does), I think he can be one of those near star type players that can put a whole lot of moves in the paint for us. He was a perimeter player, but he's not as reliable so they moved him to the paint where he can break down defenders and then get the contact and finish with either hand. He also has some potential to play some center too.</div>
Splitter,unlike some imports getting talked about has at least some experiance as a full time player. Still,for us its mainly second/third hand info,as we have not seen Splitter play,though maybe there is a 10 sec highlight clip somewhere. I have heard he needs more strength,that his D is not so good,have also heard just about the opposite. Splitter is 6-11 and his weight is + or - about 5lb from Shika and Zarko,so it could be awhile before he's going to help much at C. NBA scouts,GM's do fly over and watch these guys,but they need to keep in mind who else is on the floor,as well as the differences in the Euro game. Probably the situation on Magliore is that the cap would be an issue. Rookie contracts give a team a few years at a price that is a bit below a similar veteran,and a guy picked around 6-7-8 likely would be lower cap $ than Magliore. Magliore would'nt be my target if I was looking to deal the pick,but it is a move that is at least a possibility. I mentioned Cato as a competent veteran who could add some depth,has a moderate contract (I think) and isn't anyones starter. A guy who crosses my mind at times is Curtis Borchardt,ex-Stanford 7 footer who's had a lot of foot injuries. At this point his market value is way down. Maybe there's more injuries in his future,maybe not. It would requre a medical exam,and then it's kind of a roll of the dice. I liked the way his game was evolving when he was at Stanford and I wonder if he will be able to get back to that track or not

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">Splitter,unlike some imports getting talked about has at least some experiance as a full time player. Still,for us its mainly second/third hand info,as we have not seen Splitter play,though maybe there is a 10 sec highlight clip somewhere. I have heard he needs more strength,that his D is not so good,have also heard just about the opposite. Splitter is 6-11 and his weight is + or - about 5lb from Shika and Zarko,so it could be awhile before he's going to help much at C. NBA scouts,GM's do fly over and watch these guys,but they need to keep in mind who else is on the floor,as well as the differences in the Euro game. Probably the situation on Magliore is that the cap would be an issue. Rookie contracts give a team a few years at a price that is a bit below a similar veteran,and a guy picked around 6-7-8 likely would be lower cap $ than Magliore. Magliore would'nt be my target if I was looking to deal the pick,but it is a move that is at least a possibility. I mentioned Cato as a competent veteran who could add some depth,has a moderate contract (I think) and isn't anyones starter. A guy who crosses my mind at times is Curtis Borchardt,ex-Stanford 7 footer who's had a lot of foot injuries. At this point his market value is way down. Maybe there's more injuries in his future,maybe not. It would requre a medical exam,and then it's kind of a roll of the dice. I liked the way his game was evolving when he was at Stanford and I wonder if he will be able to get back to that track or not</div>
Sorry, I get caught in up in these euros and international players. It's the mystique and the possibility of landing a Dirk, Peja or Pau or Illgauskus or Yao. Those guys are pretty skilled and mobile for their sizes.

I'm down with Cato and I thought that was you that mentioned him earlier. He wouldn't make a mistake flushing the ball down the hoop and his 7 foot size and length is intimidating and that's all we really need. Orlando might want something for him before he goes UFA so we never know and Foyle might be a guy to provide some lockeroom stability. I'm down with the idea of Borchardt as center. He's kind of like a little bit of Andris Biedrins in the shotblocking department (very long and quick) mixed with Raef La Frentz's offensive game. He can shoot the 3 ball and is more of a face up player. The knock on Borchardt is his offensive game doesn't really include any post moves and he's super injury prone, but Curtis is a way better passer than any of our current big men. Monty would love having him again because he's an underrated high post passer and a pretty solid defensive guy with a shooting touch. If he actually stayed healthy, I would consider him an upgrade over Murphy in that he can basically do the same things except for matching Murphy's rebounding, but providing more intimidating presence as a shotblocker.

If we could land another allstar from New Orleans, I will change my sig to Allan Bristow and Chris Mullin rules2! If I found out we were getting Magloire for this year's draft pick and a future first rounder plus whatever trade exceptions we've had, I'd be amazed.