Finally watched some of the Pope report. And I'm still on the Shabazz wagon. If I remember the #s correctly Bazz shot significantly better off of catch/shoot situations. His wingspan is also 5" greater, despite being the same height. And the fact that he can post and shoot with either hand from the post is quite nice. Watching Pope's shot, there's a hitch in it - it takes a little while for him to get the shot off. So even though he might have better range, defenders will have more time to close out on him. Your mention of defense made me think I might switch sides, but the potential for defense wasn't great enough to outweigh Shabazz's supposed strengths. I'm sticking with Shabazz at #10.
Is there really a 5" difference? That is alot when attacking the basket. The hitch doesn't bother me for Pope. Last year we were all worrying about Lillard low release.... I agree Pope does look to be a better perimeter defender. This is a good debate. Are we assuming McCollum will be gone? I am wondering if we will have to choose between Pope and Bazz. Only one may be left, but both could be. I am holding off until after the workout tomorrow.
As I said, I was on the Shabazz bandwagon but moved to the Pope one after watching both their scouting videos. They both should be good players. But if I had my preference then I would pick one over the other. I know they are long but everyone should take a look at the videos. Pope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uWJ-1QS4To [video=youtube;5uWJ-1QS4To]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uWJ-1QS4To[/video] Shabazz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISAOSMA2kP8 [video=youtube;ISAOSMA2kP8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISAOSMA2kP8[/video] And yes Shabazz does have a lot larger wingspand. One of the critiques on him though is he doesn't use it. He gets into the lane at will but then takes floaters.
They are long. I have watched them both. But I did not see much footage of Pope attacking the basket. He pulled up deep on almost everything. (I think) He still has a nice skill and there is no reason to think he can't get into the lane and develop a shot around the basket. I mean he has a great long range pull up jumper, so doing it a little closer to the basket should be doable for him. Like I said he is growing on me. he is still young
I was just re-watching a bit of the Shabazz video and he reminds me of a SG version of Zbo! I'm sure that comparison will reinforce some negative opinions of Shabazz, but I always liked Zbo. Also, I think his weaknesses are things that should be able to be taken care of through coaching. Watching him shoot against 3/4/5 defenders while teammates are standing around wide-open was a bit cringe inducing. But that's not going to fly in the NBA - at least not under a coach who is worth even half a damn. I would expect that Stotts would pull him if he did that in games, and would then use film to show him what he's doing wrong. Dame also seems like he'd be able to respectfully keep Shabazz in check. In short - I think his strengths outweigh both his own weaknesses and the strengths of others who might be available at #10. But again - this is all coming from someone who watched maybe two NCAA games this year.
Ya and I bet all the players will be sitting at home thinking "I can't wait to get on the basketball court with this guy"
Shabazz, Nogueira are my two targets as of now. Shabazz, because he has amazing scoring potential and in a not-so-star deep draft, you have to take a risk to try and find a star.
I voted MCW. I think that he and Lillard could be a very good match in the back court in the long run, with Lillard getting a chance to shoot more with a passing guard on the floor with him while not having to guard bigger 2's at the other end. Zeller would be my second choice from that group. Ed O.
Yeah but his first year he will be coming off the bench and for the most part be playing with other bench players so do we really care what Joel and Victor are thinking? When he does play with the first unit, I have no worries who will be getting the majority of the touches. He will learn his place in the pecking order real quick.
This thread will be a classic. In 2 weeks, whoever guessed right about our pick will crow that he won. In 2 years, whoever chose a player who looks soid after 2 years will be bragging. Actually, about 3 times the true number of posters will say they got it right, or make excuses for getting it wrong.
Is that why you have not posted in this thread? Lots of us post early so we can discuss it. Get other peoples takes that may or may not sway their decision. It makes this forum fun. Others wait until the end to make up their mind (Probably pretty smart) Then there are a few that just bitch and don't go on record so they can continue to bitch and not be wrong.
I had to dig this thread up, because I remember I voted that Franklin would be a good fit in Portland at #10, and to think my team got him at #41 is a great feeling... One thing I'm noticing though is that there's no C.J. McCollum in the poll. I'm racking my brain, was that because he was considered more of a reach than those guys when this thread was posted not too long ago? Great fit, great pick,... just interesting how perspectives can change seemingly overnight.
