2015 Nba Draft Discussion: Russell, Nance Jr., Brown

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by LaVarBallsDad, Oct 14, 2014.

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  1. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Interesting if its true that we have Mudiay over Russell. I haven't been shy about my love of Russell, but I wonder what Mitch and Co have seen that would give Mudiay the edge.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Feb 10, 2015
    #501
  2. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    I think Mudiay has the higher ceiling and has the best chance to be the next franchise PG, drawing comparisons to Wall.

    I don't think Russell has the ceiling or obviously the athleticism Mudiay possesses. I don't see him having franchise potential.

    Sampling size, exposure, and competition have been setbacks for Mudiay. I think once he takes part in workouts over here, he'll lock up the #2 spot.
     
    JSM, Feb 10, 2015
    #502
  3. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    This. I know Russell is the hot topic these days, but I still don't believe he's the guy I want. I see talent for sure, but I'm not sure I'm seeing NBA level talent. His lack of athleticism is going to make his efficiency plummet in the NBA and his vision is going to take time to develop at the next level as well. He reminds me of maybe a Kevin Martin.

    Mudiay has the ceiling of a Wall and probably the floor of a Tyreke Evans or something. He's got good skills (albeit still quite raw) and more importantly elite athleticism. If he were playing in college now I think more people would be much higher on him.

    Still for me though personally I like Okafor, Johnson, Towns, Mudiay, then Russell.
     
    therealdeal, Feb 10, 2015
    #503
  4. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    As far as Chad "Draft Board" Ford's response... of COURSE we'd love Okafor. A front court of Okafor/Randle for the next 15 years would be a dream come true. I think they would have the chance to be the best players in back-to-back drafts. They're both talented enough to reach the All-Star game in their careers (doesn't sound like much, but that's a huge accomplishment for their ages). If the Lakers get the #1 pick, they pick Okafor so fast that we can skip the opening intro.

    You draft Okafor, you probably end up taking Tyus Jones later with Houston's pick (Jones and Okafor are inseparable friends), take a kid like maybe Timothe Luwawu (international guy looks like an NBA player) if he slides or Dakari Johnson or Rashad Vaughn with that high 2nd round pick, take a project with the late 2nd rounder.

    Without even entering free agency the Lakers would have-

    _______/Clarkson/Jones
    Kobe/_______/ Vaughn
    _______/ Young
    Randle/Kelly
    Okafor/Sacre(?)

    that's worth about 45.6 million. We would have 20.9 million left which is exactly enough to get Rondo. You could also go with Dragic for 12 million, then bring in hopefully someone like Wes Mathews for 8 million if you're lucky. Or maybe you bring back Wes Johnson and give a bigger contract to Ed Davis and Wayne Ellington. Something like 4/16 for Davis and 3/9 with Wayne. Then a minimum deal for Johnson...

    You get the point. We'd be a pretty decent team and a really, really young squad looking to a bright future with or without Durant.
     
    therealdeal, Feb 10, 2015
    #504
  5. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    therealdeal, Feb 10, 2015
    #505
  6. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    I don't believe Chad Ford or his sources regarding the Lakers. I think it's a smoke screen if it's coming from a Lakers 'insider.' There is so much more college basketball too go and we haven't even seen how these kids perform in the tournament, plus all the rigorous workouts these players have to go through, etc...I just don't buy it.

    Also, remember this, and nobody had this right...We drafted Randall with our #7 pick. Do you know who was next on our draft board? McDermott. Ramona reported this after the fact, and I don't think nobody had that right. Point? A lot could happen between now and June...
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #506
  7. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Real posted it...hahaha. My fault.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #507
  8. shoe

    shoe - Rookie -

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    Tyus Jone's could be the steal of the draft. I would love to get him wtih the Houston pick.
     
    shoe, Feb 10, 2015
    #508
  9. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Agreed. The only reason why I wouldn't take Russell, Johnson, or Mudiay ahead of a Center is because of the scarcity at the Center position; although, I think Mudiay has gotten a lot of hype, and quite frankly, he's really hard to gauge for me presently.

    I'd go:

    1. Okafor
    2. Towns.
    3. Russell
    4. Johnson
    5. Winslow

    It's ever-changing though as the season progresses, but with Tyus, you could go Center (if one is available with our pick), and grab him (T. Jones) later on; that's a heck of a draft, IMO.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #509
  10. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm not a huge Tyus Jones guy. He's really small and lacks a lot of the physical tools to be an NBA player. I think his upside is pretty limited, but he can be a solid player. He can be maybe a Jordan Farmar type to me.
     
    therealdeal, Feb 10, 2015
    #510
  11. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Correct. Although, I think he'll be slightly better than Farmar; that said, there might be another PG who we haven't seen nor thought of that is having a good year that the Lakers scouting department likes and goes after; similarly to the way they found Clarkson and most were surprised at the pick and said Jordan who...plenty of options.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #511
  12. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    For sure. I think the team though that ends up with Okafor will end up with Jones. If that's us, awesome, if not then I'm okay with it too. I think Jones has the mentality and demeanor, but it'll be interesting to see if he can make up for his less than NBA-level physical abilities.
     
    therealdeal, Feb 10, 2015
    #512
  13. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    If the NBA draft were today, we'd have 4 picks; 4, 27, 34, 53. Anybody think we might trade one of these picks or maybe package with Hill if he's still on the roster? We own his bird right. Or do we incorporate all 4 rookies next year???
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #513
  14. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    4 minute video of Russell's last game and his triple double...
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #514
  15. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    53 would be a stash, for sure. Honestly, we probably need the rest of them on the team. If Mitch is actually going to spend money this free agency, we will be in dire need of cheap talent. Draft is the best route to do that. That said, I would certainly be ok with packaging a 27 and Hill for something in the teens, but I don't see any team in the teens willing to drop 10 spots just for Hill.
     
    JSM, Feb 10, 2015
    #515
    therealdeal likes this.
  16. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Ben Rosales @brosales12 · 11m 11 minutes ago
    Looking at centers in DX's measurement database, only one guy w/similar height/weight to Towns has had a higher max vertical: Miles Plumlee.

    Ben Rosales @brosales12 · 10m 10 minutes ago
    Towns was listed at 6'11.25'', 250 lbs, with 36.5 foot max vertical at UK's pro day. Every guy with a better vert was significantly lighter.

    Ben Rosales @brosales12 · 6m 6 minutes ago
    So, yeah, back to Towns: dude's pretty damn athletic for a center. And he'll probably test even better when we get to the actual combine.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #516
    ElginTheGreat and therealdeal like this.
  17. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    We need the spots. Look at my potential roster for next season further up there on the page and it's clear we need the bodies. ESPECIALLY if we end up getting a max level guy this summer like Rondo or maybe even Love or something. We'll need all the cheap, reasonably NBA players we can get.

    First though we need that Top 5 pick...
     
    therealdeal, Feb 10, 2015
    #517
  18. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Probability of keeping the pick with finish: 1st: 100% 2nd: 100% 3rd: 96.0% 4th: 82.8% 5th: 55.2% 6th: 21.5% 7th: 15.0%. Top 2 here we come!!!
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #518
  19. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

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    I like him a lot. And the more and more I watch Okafor idk.... I just would rather take someone like Russell, Towns, or Johnson even if every so called expert has Okafor going #1.
     
    Battle Tested20, Feb 10, 2015
    #519
  20. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    I like Russell, and I have expressed that over and over again...however, skilled Centers are so hard to find and are in such limited supply and in such demand whey they are available. Historically, let's ask ourselves, has there ever been a team in the history of the NBA that has been carried by their point guard for a long period of time and dominated an era of basketball? Besides, Magic who was on one of the best teams of all time and maybe Isaiah, I can't think of one.

    I thought of that and while thinking about Russell...we've won by having great centers, great wings, and I believe Magic has a PG was an exception to the rule; one of the GOAT's who along with Kareem lead that team in the 80's to 5 championships. We have to draft Towns or Okafor if available to us, IMO. That's the way to go...pair them up with Randle and go from there...
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 10, 2015
    #520
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