So what they've had workouts? It's standard procedure. I don't see how those guys are dark horses. It's common knowledge this is a two man draft. The pick is easy.
Stop with the Simmons "bashing" Dude will be a stud, sky is the limit for him. Im perfectly fine with getting Ingram but if we had the no.1 pick, i would expect us to draft Ben. He might be that good, one in a generation type of talent.
Watched countless times this year for LSU when the game was close, Ben would run from shots. He would have the ball in his hands and dribbling but then pass it to a teammate with the shot clock winding down. Besides this and the fact of quitting on your team when just the previous year with roughly the same players they made the NCCA Tourney isn't the best look. As for his shot, I'm sure he get a lot better with that and continue to use is incredible ball handing and passing ability to make a difference.
I'm not sure anyone is bashing, but yes, there is being some crapping on his game because we think we aren't getting him. If we get a huge shock and Ingram goes 1 tonight and we take Simmons, I'd expect the tune to change around here. "Well, sure he can't shoot now, but LeBron couldn't either and he fixed it enough eventually to win 3 titles". I'll take either one of these guys.
If we do that CHA trade and get the #22 pick, I really want us to pick Malik Beasley. Comes from a great family, can't flat out score the ball, and has great athleticism for his size. Reminds me of a Clarkson, but I fully expect him to be gone in the 20's of this draft.
The mental side is a huge question mark for him, but it's easier to overcome that than it is to overcome crappy athleticism. I'd rather take the guy who could luck his way into greatness than a guy who has to work for it. Just look at LeBron. Now, I'm not saying Ingram is crappy athletically, that's not my point. I love Ingram and I'm glad we're going to get him. I'm just saying that's the reason Simmons will go first tonight. Simmons could luck his way into a title and that's what Philly is hoping for. I'm glad to take either guy though. Either one makes us a lot better.
Names that could be there for the Lakers: Zhou Qi Thon Maker Diamond Stone Brice Johnson Damian Jones Stephen Zimmerman Ante Zizic Chiek Diallo Georgios Papagiannis
That's what we all thought with Okafor/Towns didn't we? Common knowledge doesn't mean inside knowledge. You can assume all you want, and have the information on these guys in the world, but unless you're Mitch Kupchak or Jesse Buss doing the scouting, there's always moves in play. How do you know we're really interested in Hield and could draft down for him? How do you know we could just trade the pick out right? You don't.
If true, I'm guessing that pretty much kills all hype around Thon since he wasn't absolutely dominating high school players? Any interest in taking Hawes and the 22nd in a salary dump? Edit: Just realized the Hawes stuff is being discussed in the free agency thread, so in here I'll ask you draft experts specifically, is there anyone projected to go in the early-mid 20's that you'd be interested in?
I've been saying it over and over but a guy I'm interested in that could be at 22 is DeAndre Bembry. Wing player who has some issues, but can score the ball. He'd be a solid backup SF for us. Other guys who could be interesting: Dejounte Murray (scoring guard), Henry Ellenson (Ryan Anderson?), Taurean Prince (backup wing), Furkan Korkmaz (SG/SF type). Thon is such a weird case now. If he's actually that old his lack of muscle becomes a real concern too. How far along is he developmentally? I might still take a shot at him with a late pick, he seems like a nice kid with a decent work ethic. His slide through the draft could be epic.
