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

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

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  1. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    I'd take him ahead of Hezonja, Porzingis, Oubre, imo. If we chose 7-10.
     
    lakerfan2, Apr 7, 2015
    #1881
  2. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Kaminsky is also a senior who has had the experience of being on the big stage in the previous tournament, playing in big games at Wisconsin, and is older than Okafor. Okafor was playing in high school last year, came into Duke, had a fantastic 1st year, and did what Kaminsky couldn't do in his 1st year which is win a championship. Okafor is 19.

    Simply playing okay against Okafor on D doesn't not give a good indication of whether or not Kaminsky will be great at playing good defense at the next level. If anything, he showed effort, heart, and a willingness to go against a very good low-post presence who is a freshman, but it does not mean he'll be any good playing defense at the next level. Also, NBA teams are much smarter; they won't attack Kaminksy in the post; they'll have him guard out in space where he's slow laterally, not a very good leaper, and won't play very well on an island. It's a screen-roll league.

    Kaminsky brings shooting, IQ, good passing, and 1 move in the post; a drop step spin move to his left shoulder. That's it. The reason why scouts and analysts love WCS is because he is the best defender coming out of this draft and has 1 elite skill; playing defense. That could be a major difference for a team like the Lakers or another team that needs an anchor; they'll gladly take WCS because he improves your defense the moment he steps on the floor.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Apr 7, 2015
    #1882
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  3. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    @Punk-101 I don't think Okafor's FT shooting will improve much. He's got those huge hands that Shaq also struggled with.

    As for Okafor/Towns and who is better for the Lakers, I think it ultimately boils down to the development of Randle. If he becomes a 20+ppg scorer demanding double teams on a nightly basis, Towns may be better. If he develops into only a decent scorer, what Okafor brings as a #1 option would be invaluable.
     
    tada, Apr 7, 2015
    #1883
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  4. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    Elaborate por favor. Bynum went from a doughy 17y/o kid to the best post scorer in the league, when healthy. He was a weirdo, often a douche, and at times, petulant and stubborn according to KAJ. Towns post game reminds me so much of young Bynum, but without the bad attitude. Doesn't Towns seem like the kind of kid that would soak up KAJ's tutelage, at least more than Bynum. Add to that the fact that he already has a reliable jumper to 3pt range (which he didn't get to showcase in Kentucky, so his %'s are low), and he's a fantastic passer...something Bynum always struggled with.

    Bynum + good attitude + good jumpshot + excellent passer + more mobile + loves to play D. Jeez, as long as he can stay healthy I'm in love!
     
    Punk-101, Apr 7, 2015
    #1884
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  5. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    I don't know man. A Jordan/Kobe backcourt would probably not work too well. Too similar of players. It's not like the Dream is Sam Bowie. Olajuwon is still a top 10-15 player all time. I think a Jordan/Pippen/Dream trio would CRUSH. Jordan and Pippen playing perimeter D with the Dream anchoring the middle. They'd give up like 70 points a game.
     
    Savory Griddles, Apr 7, 2015
    #1885
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  6. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I think it's mainly because of position, his team wasn't very good and another guy emerging who plays the same position. I also think he may of had the most "wow" games of anyone during the season. I don't think passers like him come around all the time.

    But Johnson slipping is not that big. Meaning I think he may have went from being 5 to 7 to 7 to 9. Still a top ten guy if he comes out this year.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 7, 2015
    #1886
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  7. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    Just for Gits & Shiggles, let's say we trade down for a #5 and #11 or so pick, whatever... somewhere in there. Which Sf/C pairing do you prefer?

    Winslow or Johnson+Kaminski
    or
    WCS+Dekker
     
    Punk-101, Apr 7, 2015
    #1887
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  8. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    If I had the number one pick I'd go Okafor. I just think he's too talented to pass on. Towns has got great upside though. I still think they go Okafor one and Towns 2, but we'll see. I do really wish we could get one of them. But maybe WCS as consolation prize? He might be a perfect complement to Randle. Can you imagine a Davis/WCS and Randle/Black front court next year? I can and the idea of it makes me pretty excited. That would be pretty insane.

    You keep JC as backup 1, pick up a vet PG like Mo, hold on to Ellington for cheap and go after a FA SF. Still have Nick Young under contract for bench scoring at SF. Works for me.
     
    lakerjones, Apr 7, 2015
    #1888
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  9. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    Well yeah, I wanted to argue my point that drafting the best player is not always the end-all formula.
     
    tada, Apr 7, 2015
    #1889
  10. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    Considering Dekker's stock may have slipped to 15-20, or perhaps, lower. As much as I love Frank, I'd do Johnson+WCS. That'd kill two birds with one stone for us defensively.

    Clarkson
    Kobe
    Johnson
    Randle
    WCS

    I like that.
     
    lakerfan2, Apr 7, 2015
    #1890
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  11. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    Very intriguing. As much as I like Johnson I think I'd probably go WCS. Not sure about Dekker.
     
    lakerjones, Apr 7, 2015
    #1891
  12. Ryanwestlombardi

    Ryanwestlombardi - Rookie -

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    What teams have 2 1st rounders?...
     
    Ryanwestlombardi, Apr 7, 2015
    #1892
  13. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    WCS+Dekker

    Wait, is that allowed? Then Johnson snd WCS would be a no-brainer.
     
    tada, Apr 7, 2015
    #1893
  14. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Well I just don't know if I see Towns as a post player in the NBA honestly. We see a lot of NBA-Bynum in him because frankly Bynum had 2-3 moves he used well in the NBA, but not much more than that. Towns used the same two principled moves: jump hook and drop step. The two Golden Moves for a post player.

    To do it, he used his above average strength and above average length. In the NBA he won't have above average strength. HIs weak lower body will keep him from establishing the same type of post position he enjoyed in college. His strong upper body will be met with strong, grown men. His length and athleticism can't be taught, so I see that translating pretty well.

    I've never really seen Bynum in Towns. I think if he lands in LA he could replicate Bynum pretty well (right down to the shoddy knees). If he lands elsewhere though and doesn't have the strong base that LA provides, he could end up being Greg Oden. No, the more I watch Towns the more I see Joahkim Noah. A guy with some good feet, good hands, strong body, defensive mind-set, good passer, and an active rebounder. I see Noah with a jump-shot in the NBA.

    The way I see it: Towns is all potential and that potential can be wasted if he ends up in a crap hole like Philly, Minny, or Orlando where they'll try to turn him into just a defender/rebounder type of player. If he ends up in LA or maybe NY he could be great, but that's a big if. Okafor's a given to me. He'll be what he is and wherever he lands he'll be a solid player capable of scoring on any team in the NBA. There's great value in that. If I'm the Lakers and I have that #1 pick, I go Okafor because he's got a proven skill-set that I think translates immediately and the ceiling to allow development in other areas as well. Not to mention the big, strong body that projects nicely in the NBA. If I'm not the Lakers, I go Okafor because he's got immediate NBA impact. Towns might develop into a better player one day, but Okafor will be able to step into a starting NBA lineup right now and hold his own on most nights. I'd take the safe bet over the potential player.

    That's just me though. If we are first and we end up with Towns I won't be upset really. We'll have a good player that projects to fit nicely next to Randle and Clarkson.
     
    therealdeal, Apr 7, 2015
    #1894
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  15. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Ben Rosales @brosales12 · 15h15 hours ago
    And there dies the lottery talk. RT @DraftExpress: Going 0-6 for 3 brings Sam Dekker's season 3P% down to 32.4%. Shot 32.6% as a sophomore.
    You go Dekker and you better make sure he shoots better from the 3-point line. Any starting 5 that includes WCS and Randle needs an SF that can space the floor consistently...
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Apr 7, 2015
    #1895
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  16. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    He might never be a great FT shooter, but I think he can get into the 70s%

    He's fundamentally sound. Shaq was just bigger and more athletic and then when he began to show down, he was just bigger than anyone and forced his will with brute force and body mass. That required little to no finesse or touch (his little hook was the only soft shot in his arsenal). I haven't seen or read anything negative about Okafor when it comes to studying, working on his game, or work ethic (so for now in going to assume it's not there).

    Okafor has a softer touch around the rim. So while a proper FT technique might not come easy, he could even flip a one handed palming FT softer than Shaq ever could.
     
    JSM, Apr 7, 2015
    #1896
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  17. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I go Winslow and Kaminsky just to see them interact together for 4 years after playing each other in the National Title game.
     
    therealdeal, Apr 7, 2015
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  18. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I actually might go Johnson or WCS and Jerian Grant.

    Clarkson
    Grant
    Johnson
    Randle

    I can live with that.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 7, 2015
    #1898
  19. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    Tim Duncan is just under 70% lifetime, and I can see Okafor getting close to that range between 60% and 70%. Shaq was just hopeless like Wilt. Okafor reminds me more of Duncan in terms of his touch and release.
     
    lakerjones, Apr 7, 2015
    #1899
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  20. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    Hmm.. didn't know his shooting was that poor.
     
    tada, Apr 7, 2015
    #1900
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