I saw an old thread somewhere else where people put there over rated and under rated players. It's funny to see what people thought a few years ago before the draft and you can see who knew what they were talking about. Put it in writing so everyone can laugh in 3 years (or maybe 1 with some of these players) I think the six best players form this draft will be (in order) Davis - Long ways to go offensively but he'll get better. Defense and rebounding NBA ready day 1 Robinson - Although he was a junior he still has room to grow. Shined in the championship against the best team. Rivers - Rivers has the fire to be really good in the NBA. He will learn to work in an offense at the next level but his ability to create and hit big shots will be what carries him at the next level. Lillard - instant offense, good at creating his own shot and hitting from the outside. Looking at the playoffs good offensive PG on 3/4 of teams. Barnes - Not great, but will be a very good player. Can hit the outside shot and play defense. Still has a lot of potential but at worst will be a very solid player. Lamb - Will be very good defensively, will be able to create some but not at a top level. Should end up as one of the top 6 players of this class My top picks for ROY will be Robinson or Lillard For over rated Beal - way to short, no PG skills. He will be able to shoot in the NBA but not a top 4 pick Sullinger - Too short, too slow Ross - I know he's not on top of any mocks but people keep talking him up. He will be the guy with tons of unreached potential that fans love but never amounts to an average NBA talent DraftExpress.com Mock Draft 1 Anthony Davis PF 2 Thomas Robinson PF 3 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist SF 4 Bradley Beal SG 5 Andre Drummond C 6 Jared Sullinger C 7 Harrison Barnes SF 8 Jeremy Lamb SG 9 John Henson PF 10 Damian Lillard PG 11 Kendall Marshall PG 12 Perry Jones PF 13 Austin Rivers SG 14 Tyler Zeller C 15 Terrence Jones PF 16 Terrence Ross SF 17 Dion Waiters SG 18 Quincy Miller SF 19 Moe Harkless SF 20 Marquis Teague PG 21 Meyers Leonard C 22 Evan Fournier SG/SF 23 Arnett Moultrie PF/C 24 Fab Melo C 25 Tony Wroten PG/SG 26 Jeff Taylor SF 27 Tyshawn Taylor PG 28 Royce White PF 29 Orlando Johnson SG 30 Andrew Nicholson PF/C
You think Beal is too short, but not Austin Rivers? Beal rebounds extremely well for his size, plays amazing defense, passes at a very high level, and has a great BBIQ. Austin Rivers is literally a undersized chucker. Yeah, he can dribble, solely to look for his own shot. Not a playmaker, can't rebound, atrocious on D. This is coming from one of the biggest Duke fans on the planet. Disagree with Beal, Sullinger, Ross. Beal for obvious reasons, as I mentioned above. Sullinger will be decent (undersized yes, but has great footwork, can get his shot off on anyone) Don't see how you can be a bust if you're not even drafted in the lottery... I think Rivers, Henson, Zeller are gonna be busts. I also think that if Terrence Jones really does go #7 that bust written all over it.
This was just on DraftExpress http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Bradley-Beal--3944/ The measurements will be out in the next couple of days but Rivers will probably be about 2 inches taller then Beal. Plus Rivers handles are way better then Beal's. Beal and Rivers averaged the same amount of assists last year.
I just don't see Rivers as a bust.... I am not sold on Lillard though at all, against better teams he struggled....He is going to face WAY better athletes in the NBA than he faced in his conference I like Beal....Not sure I see Ray Allen though
Uhm. Both Rivers and Beal were listed at 6'4. Beal has a better frame and is probably more athletic as well. I'd be shocked if Rivers was "at least 2 inches taller" as they are both shorter. And Beals jumper is a lot better than Rivers. Them averaging the same amount of assists actually is negative towards Rivers, who played A LOT of PG for Duke as well as SG. Neal played primarily SG and SF.
I think MKG is going to end up being overrated. I think he'll be a solid pro, but not an All-Star caliber player and not worthy of a top-five pick. I think Beal is overrated, only because I don't think he's going to end up that much better or worse than Lamb or Rivers. I think Davis might end up being overrated, because I'm not convinced he's a franchise player. He has the potential to be, but by the end of the day he could just be another solid power forward.
I like them both I said...but you do realize that Rivers actually shot the deep ball better than Beal last year...and there FG% were pretty close and I would argue that Beal had much better talent around him than Rivers did, who was basically asked to do it all for Duke...and I like his moxie and big game\shot mentality.....
Draft express has Beal listed at 6'3.5" and Rivers at 6'5". Also Beal shot 33.9% on threes which is supposed to be his strong point, while rivers shot 36.5%.
I will say this, watching the OKC\SA game last night I was struck with thought that this team needs players who have that killer instinct\"assasin mentality" on the court... All of OKC's big 3 have it...Durant, Westbrook & Harden.... POR has ZERO of those players.... Who has that in this draft? MKG maybe? I think Rivers does... Waiters? Besides the obvious talent or top tier talent, this team really needs such a player that has that talent but also a mean streak when they are on the court...they don't just want to win...they want to rip your fucking heart out while they do it....
Agreed Blaze. We have too many passive guys, or guys that seem passive, at least. Lamb seems that way as well, which is why I shy away from him. Beal seems closer to it. Rivers seems that way.
Sounds like Thomas Robinson fits the bill. http://sulia.com/channel/basketball/f/1e2a0a79-2430-4b53-82e1-ca935e8061f3/?source=twitter http://sulia.com/channel/basketball/f/d9ec7eb3-662e-4cc4-962b-5ef04a7112dc/?source=twitter
Robinson should be ROY ("check the stats"). The fans of the team that gets MKG will be disappointed, but the team will mysteriously improve. Exactly the opposite scenario will play out with Austin Rivers. Royce White will be a steal and will either have a nervous breakdown or will make an all-rookie team. Kendall Marshall will be this year's Ricky Rubio.
I think it's still too early as the mocks will change a lot before the draft. That being said, I am not really a fan of rivers , lamb or beal, but think that beal will likely end up being the best of those three. Basically I think this draft does not have any excellent options at SG. Players I like are Robinson, barns and lillard. Drummond Is very interest ing and although a big risk, he just might be the right chance to take. MKG seems solid but just doesn't excite me. South East and OregonHuskerMan, both of you have limited posts but argue and discuss on this forum in a respectful and interesting way. Thank you. I hope you both give your opinions more often.
I was wrong about their height, I was going by what was on DraftExpress.com. Still think Rivers will be the best SG from this class. Definitly the best fit for Portland with his attitude and desire to take the tough shot. My perfect draft would Be Robinson, Rivers and if they can pick up another pick Lillard. All three of those guys have the attitude that the Blazers need. I think the only 2 players on the Blazers that have that right now are Matthews and Elliot Williams. Neither of those guys have the talent to back it up so Portland really needs to infuse some attitude and toughness.