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

If Okafor goes one, we take Towns.

The only reason we wouldn't is because he hasn't come in for a workout with us, but I think that's more of an angle to get the #1 pick than an angle to not be a Laker. When you've got a multi-talented big 7-footer on the board with enormous potential, you take him and you doing look back.

 

Yeah we're only a week away so it's become fairly clear where everyone is angling.

Towns to Minny
Okafor to LA
Russell to Philly
everyone tries to stay out of NY.

 

I just have this weird feeling building inside me that we might take Russell, and it will end up being a great decision...or maybe it's just gas.

 

There was some really interesting stuff in here.

I found it very interesting that two scouts had two different views on Okafor's heart/work ethic. That 2nd Scout with a dirty mouth either has information that literally no one else has or he's wrong because that's literally the first I'd ever heard about Okafor's work ethic being poor. And I've read almost everything I could on the guy!

I also found it interesting that not ONE scout thought Towns was as great a shooter as the mainstream guys have claimed. They all loved his versatility which is the high point for just about everybody, but everyone knew right off the bat that he's not an NBA range shooter yet. That's alright though as long as the form is there, it'll happen eventually.

Also no one was concerned about Russell athletically and defensively. I still don't draft him unless you're SURE he's Steph Curry because otherwise he's not going to be a transformative player. And Steph needed a while to marinate too while also being one of the best shooters, maybe the best, ever.

 

Re-Okafor's conditioning: it's a problem. No one has said differently and it's why we need a veteran backing him up. It's why I want Ed Davis basically regardless of which big man we take.

I don't think he doesn't WANT to be in shape though just like I don't think Julius Randle doesn't WANT to be in shape. I find that silly UNLESS you think Okafor doesn't want to be great. Once Randle realized the importance of nutrition for longevity and health, he changed his diet and cut weight. Okafor has definitely changed his body type since after his college season.

It's a problem short-term, but I don't see it being a concern long-term at all.

 

I've literally heard no one else say that. I'd like to know who that scout is and who he spoke to. I'm coming off defensive, but really I'm just curious. It's the first I'd ever heard that being an issue. A love of the game? The dude won a national championship and I've heard nothing but glowing remarks on how much he wants to learn and how much he's studied past greats... I haven't seen a shred of evidence about not loving the game.

Now conditioning to be sure is a problem. He's 270 pounds and his body fat percentage can't be great, but he's only 19 in that regard. Just like JR last year you kind of expect a little bit of that problem. I'd rather have his beefy legs than skinny ones at his size anyhow. Byron will get his butt in shape that's for sure.

But love of the game? I don't know about all that. I haven't heard anything about that and given how much he glowed about being in winning organizations and winning on all levels... That doesn't make much sense to me.