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

Gotcha. Let's hope by that time we have a more modern offense we're running...

 

ESPN described his 'floor' has MKG; 'celing' K. Leonard.

"He's just a man out there," one scout said of Winslow. "I love the hunger that he plays the game with. He's hungry on offense. He's hungry on defense. He wants to destroy you. His skill set offensively is still pretty raw. But it's that fire that I think gets him drafted. Stanley Johnson is inconsistent with it. It's tough to tell what [Mario] Hezonja has. Kelly Oubre is more of a cool customer. But Winslow? He wants to attack you every second he's out there. I can't see how he fails in the NBA."

From Chad Ford on a Scout's take on Winslow. I loved that quote.

 

Yeah. That profile was a nice take on Winslow and I liked that quote as well. Pretty much exactly how I see the SF prospects.

 

Whom should Lakers target in draft?

 

Chad Ford's Top 15

1. Karl-Anthony Towns
2. Jahlil Okafor
3. Emmanuel Mudiay
4. D'Angelo Russell
5. Kristaps Porzingis
6. Justise Winslow
7. Willie Cauley-Stein
8. Mario Hezonja
9. Myles Turner
10. Kevon Looney
11. Stanley Johnson
12. Kelly Oubre
13. Frank Kaminsky
14. Jakob Poeltl
15. Sam Dekker

 

Ford gives Towns the edge over Okafor based on him having the edge in athleticism, rim protection, and free throw shooting.

Apparently a couple of teams believe Porzingis is the third best player in the draft. I hope the Lakers aren't one of those.

Turner and Looney are being bumped up due to their size and potential.

Johnson is seen as having an NBA body but lacks Winslow's motor and athleticism. They also think he does a lot of things well, but lacks one elite skill.

Kaminsky is still not viewed as an elite athlete but won over most of his critics with great performances against Towns, Okafor, and Cauley-Stein.

A lot of interesting stuff in Ford's draft coverage. Definitely worth reading through if guys have some free time.

 

Thanks @ElginTheGreat for the summary. I think Johnson's elite skill is his defense.

Also can someone explain the love for Oubre to me? Cause I don't see it. I've watched 4, maybe 5 of his games and nothing about him impressed me as a future NBA player. I'd have Dekker and Frank ahead of him.

 

I haven't seen much of Wood, but his numbers certainly look good. I'll have to look for some clips on him. I like Hollis-Jefferson or Anderson with the second first round pick or early second round pick but am open to anyone.

Upshaw is a tough call. I agree with you. His defense is insane. I think he would instantly improve our defense in the paint. But the drug issues are hard to ignore. Hand this kid a big contract and the bright lights of LA and easily see things going bad for him in a hurry. I wouldn't be too upset if we reached for him in the second round, especially if we have already grabbed a guard and a wing, but he scares me. Safer pick might be a guy like Dakari Johnson who isn't as gifted defensively but doesn't have nearly as much baggage.

 

I also think Johnson's elite skill would be defense, but thought that comment was interesting. I think that's way too low for Johnson and there is no way I would pick guys like Turner or Looney before him.

I also agree on Oubre. I'm a KU alum and I have yet to see what all the hype was about. He struggled to get playing time the first half of the season, played OK for a stretch in a weak Big 12, then flamed out in the tournament. Just doesn't seem to have much competitive fire. I think I said before that I'm not sure what "it" is but I am pretty confident Oubre doesn't have it.

Ford says scouts like his length, shooting touch and defensive abilities and think he may have the most upside of any wing in the draft. I honestly didn't see much of that through the year. If he fell to the mid-twenties I might take the gamble on him but there is no way he played well enough to be a lottery pick.

 

Ford describes Wood as a player on the rise with good size, length, and athleticism. He has improved his perimeter game and is a good leaper, rebounder and shot-blocker. Knocks are that he falls in love with his jumper instead of playing in the post and lacks strength.

 

Robert Upshaw offers intrigue despite past transgressions

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/featur...-robert-upshaw-could-still-go-in-first-round/

"He was kicked off two teams within three seasons, including at his hometown school after two suspensions, has been dogged by off-court problems as the former programs stick with the purposely vague explanation that Robert Upshaw violated team rules and NBA front offices recite a list of specifics, and he spent time at John Lucas' treatment program in Houston.

And Upshaw could still be drafted in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft.

It's far from a consensus opinion, and it is especially hard to imagine amid the sea of red flags, but some executives say it is still viable, after everything, that Upshaw goes among the first 30 picks on June 25. His transgressions may be that serious, but he can be that good.

"It's possible," an executive said. "He's one of the most talented big guys I saw this year. He can score in the post. He can block shots. He's long. It'll just be do you think you can keep him clean. It's happened twice.... There's a lot going on with that kid.""

 

I really hope Miami loses their pick to Philly. And say, we end up ahead of Philly, #5 and #3, and Towns and Okafor are gone, I'd trade down to them so they can get Mudiay, and they give us #5 and #11.

Stanley Johnson and Kaminsky anyone?

 

I think real's love for Ebanks and Wes disqualifies him from scouting the SFs in the draft. Sorry, bud. ( obviously just busting yer balls)

 

I was always high on Johnson, but the recent reports claiming his tendency to lose focus/effort concerns me. I'm starting to wonder if Winslow is a better prospect.

 

I'm strongly confident in t aking Winslow over Johnson. He's also a great defender and excels in the biggest moment, whether it be with a basket, rebound, or defensive stop. Dude was everywhere, even if he didn't have amazing box scores. Also, he has that harden eurostep ability to draw fouls that will be oh so beneficial in today's nba.