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

Probably out of our reach unless they like Hill, Young, Sacre or some combination.

 

I don't see anything that Porzingis showed that Myles Turner didn't except maybe a smoother release. And the Turner video showed a longer string of consecutive shots. One is a mid first rounder and the other is being hyped as a top 2-3 player after his workout. Every year unknown is mistaken for higher potential

 

I think they are trying to go after justin anderson. A line up of westbrook, anderson, durant, ibaka, and kanter will be ridiculously good as long as they all stay healthy. And with that lineup, I think they can hide Kanter pretty well on the defensive side. And if Kanter still sucks defensively, they still got Adams and McGary to back him up. Crazy!

 

I think I gave the turner comp a few pages back when someone suggested that if porzingis was black (and American?) that he's be MORE hyped.

I agree that I don't see a lot in porzingis that I don't see in turner. the zinger may have a bit smoother stroke, but turner's a bit heavier and looks more able to add functional weight, too.

 

Rookie Years from PF/Centers

Elton Brand: 20 pts, 10 rebounds, 48% FG's
Tim Duncan: 21 pts, 11 rebounds, 54% FG's
David Robinson: 24 pts, 12 rebounds, 53% FG's
Demarcus Cousins 14 pts, 8 rebounds, 43% FG's
Shaquille O'Neal: 23 points, 14 rebounds, 56%
Anthony Davis: 13.5 points, 8 rebounds, 51% FG's

Where do you guys think Okafor ends up?

 

North of Cousins, south of Brand.

 

God, Shaq was such a beast. What that I would give to have someone like that on our team again.

 

I think there are a few things to consider.

1. Duncan/Robinson were seniors, Shaq was a junior, and Brand was a sophmore as rookies entering the NBA.

2. Boogie and Davis were one and dones. Their year 2 numbers are better comparisons to Brand's 20/10/48%

Demarcus Cousins 18 pts, 11 reb, 45%FG
Anthony Davis: 20.0 pts, 10 reb, 52%FG

3. To be fair, Brand was a solid player for about a decade with 2 allstar appearances. If he had spent his prime in a competitive environment, and not the Clippers, I'm sure he would of thrived. Another wasted talent by the Clips.


As for my prediction, I have Okafor at 16 pts, 8 reb, 53%FG as a rookie. He'd score much more efficiently than Boogie or Davis.

 

I'll take cousins' stats. Look at where He's at now.

His first season's stats are not gonna tell us what hes gonna do in the future.

 

It depends on what kind of commitment we make to the young guys this year. If we sign vets and think we are going to sneak another playoffs with Kobe, I don't think we see big numbers. But if we prioritize developing the young guys and let Clarkson, Randle, and Okafor(assuming we get him) play early and as many minutes as they can handle, I think Okafor could average 16-17 w/ 8-9 rebounds

 

I don't think it's a matter of commitment. If Clarkson, Randle, and Okafor don't play up to our huge expectations, we aren't making the playoffs, regardless of who we sign in the FA market. Like it or not, we will have to rely on them heavily for us to succeed.

 

I'm referring to how we picked up Boozer last year and made him a starter even though we just drafted Randle. It obviously ended up not mattering, but I'd prefer to let the young guys play as many minutes as they are capable of without somebody there to eat up their minutes. They'll take some lumps, but just let them learn to play together

 

That too, but even pre-injury (and signing with the 76ers) I feel he never tapped his full potential with the Clips. Just like how Pau was rotting in Memphis. Had he played for us, he would have become a perennial allstar.