that's what i thought. i think he's a good second round gamble. really high upside if he can shake off the injuries. of course, my general rule for early second rounders is: draft a high performing undersized pf.
Agreed. I also think undersized PFs are underappreciated, especially going forward they can be very useful in this league. Guys like Boozer, Draymond Green, Paul Millsap, Marc Gasol (not really undersized)...but there are forwards that go under the radar. Even a guy like Amir Johnson or Chuck Hayes would be helpful as backup 4s.
yeah, i don't have time right now to go back and look, but my sense is that a lot of good, useful players have slipped into the second round because they were an inch or two shorter than typically desired at their position. of these, the pfs seem to be the most successful in overcoming this deficit. maybe because there is so little current emphasis on post play, especially from the pf position? this is opposed to the 90s, when teams were going really big and playing two guys who could work in the low post. undersized pfs are no longer a threat to be exploited on defense. but maybe the success of boozer, millsap, and draymond green types will adjust draft strategies, creating a new class of typical second round success stories.
I was really just focusing on LeVert. I know he's a 2nd Round guy this go around the others of course will fluctuate a bunch. As for the PF idea, the only problem I have with that is we've got two guys right now that are likely to be the future of our PF position. I'd love to get an athletic guy kind of like Tarik who can slot in as an undersized backup C as well as PF.
Honestly, we have two relatively undersized power forwards now. I think trading the 32nd pick is the best option, but if we can't, we need to take a project big that can play center. Like Realdeal said, a Tarik Black type who is an undersized center might be OK, but eventually we are going to have to get a real center, and if we strike out in free agency on Biyombo, Horford and Whiteside, we need to start figuring out what to do there.
If we want project bigs or backup bigs there's plenty in that area: Stephen Zimmerman- 7 footer out of UNLV; under 20 years old; some upside; slim frame needs to gain weight; soft around the basket. Thon Maker- probably will move up, but most mocks say late 1st/eary 2nd; good upside; needs to gain weight/develop better feel; intelligent kid. Diamond Stone- 6'10" bruiser type; strong body; not a strong defender; jumper is questionable Zhou Qi- 7'2" but only 220 pounds on a good day; needs to put on 20 pounds or so to play in the NBA; can shoot a little; soft. Chinanu Onuaku- 6'10" built like a tank; good length and athleticism; great rebounder; can't shoot at all and might never be able to. AJ Hammons- 7' with a good frame; good athleticism; has little feel for the game. Comp: Javale McGee. Robert Carter- 6'9" solid frame; limited athleticism; potential as a stretch big; needs to be a better defender. Ben Bentil (@abeer3 's favorite)- strong and athletic; can run; potential to stretch the floor; needs consistency rebounding/defending. Joel Bolomboy- 6'9" and bouncy; not necessarily quick feet but can elevate in space; shot is hitchy; great rebounding potential; raw everywhere else. Juan Hernangomez- (I expect him to go in the 1st) 6'9" with good athleticism; has a natural jumper out to NBA range; struggles with consistency. Pascal Siakam- 6'10" fluid athlete; has potential as a stretch 4/5; needs some weight in his legs to stay at the NBA level; has some Larry Nance Jr. vibe to him. Georgios Papagiannis- 7'1" pretty good athlete; probably a draft and stash candidate; pretty soft right now and needs to get in a lot better shape. A guy I'm really hoping makes it past the 1st round is DeAndre Bembry. I think he could be a real steal.
Geez, they make this sound like a formality and this is his introductory press conference. Here's hoping.
Agreed. Look at a guy like Blair coming out. He didn't last long, but he was a monster on the boards when he was functional. Rebounding seems to translate very well. Also, Leon Powe. Even getting a few years of solid ball on a cheap contact is well worth a late pick.
just means we're signing a max FA at SF, but I would trade down and take him. I don't see taking him at 2.
Sirron if we sign max players...we aren't going to pick a project and wait 5 years until he is ready...or he is not. If we sign a max FA this draft pick will be traded for another "can play now" player. Saying we will trade down to get Bender is pretty much asinine.
I agree the Bender plan does seem half-arsed. I think we either build for the future or go all in to contend now.
