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

I admittedly haven't seen Anderson enough, but I've always considered RHJ a very good prospect. I was surprised early mocks had him late 1st, and I predicted he'd be mid-1st by the end of things. just too good an athlete, too fluid, too much upside. the shot can improve, and if it doesn't, he still has something between iguodala and tony allen upside. he can step in and defend either wing position in the nba right now. and he's a craftier offensive player than he's given credit for.

I've also maintained that he'd rise too high for the lakers to pick him. same is probably true for Anderson. but they're working these guys out (and payne), so their agents must believe the lakers have the ability to move up to picks 12-17, right?

 

Hollis-Jefferson is definitely a great prospect. He was easily one of the best defenders in college hoops last season. I think he probably has more potential overall than Anderson does.

But I like Anderson's overall game. I think he is a bit more ready to come in and contribute on both ends of the floor. Anderson fell off the radar a bit with an injury but has looked really good in workouts. I thought that he might fall to us given the injury, but his stock has risen and I could see several teams grabbing him in the early 20s. He's not as good a defender as RHJ, but he is a good defender.

 

If I could take a guy in the mid to late first round, and he has an 'elite' skill, I'm taking that all day. RHJ is elite defensively and it will translate to the NBA. I take that over the all around player all day long...

 

Okafor's workouts start at 9. The 3 ball? You mean long-2? . Either way, shooting is the easiest thing to fix. Plus, I don't know if Anderson's 3-ball was an anomaly or not because of the small sample size we had over the season with him.

 

Agreed.

The thing with Anderson (for me at least) was that I was always looking at him based on the thought that he could be a late first round or early second round pick. Now that his stock has risen, I'm a lot more torn. I still like him and think he's more ready to contribute from day one than other guys, but I do like the thought of picking up a guy with elite skills in the middle of the first round. I've also always subscribed to the theory that if you are going to move up in the draft you do it to make a real splash and try to get an elite level player.

 

Reminder: we're working out Cameron Payne individually today. I might have spelled his name wrong. If I did, please correct me.

 

If Mitch manages to get Okafor, Payne, and doesn't strike out in FA then he's got to be exec of the year.

I really like Payne's game. I think he'll be a phenomenal backup or a solid starter, just depending on what role you envision for him. I wonder how we sold his agent on a workout. Knicks, I get. It's a free for all over there. If they chose to look a late 2nd rounder for their #4 pick, I wouldn't be surprised. But we're obviously not taking Payne at 2, so Mitch had to give them some indication of what he's thinking and how he could get another pick.

If we were trading up in his range, I'd prefer Stanley Johnson or Dekker, but we're not working them out. So clearly something about Payne stands out. I would also gather from that that we'll consider getting a backup PG in the draft but want to upgrade the SF position in free agency as far as a starting wing goes-- I'm fine with that.

 

so Okafor is working out for us today? can someone post the vid once available?

 

Ariza came to us with a broken shot and turned his career around by developing that shot. I think Shannon Brown developed his shot through us as well. I believe it was when we had Craig Hodges that we had a really good shooting team.

 

http://m.tmz.com/#Article/2015/06/09/jahlil-okafor-lovin-cali-with-duke-teammates

This is a kid who wants no part of Minny. They certainly don't have pool parties there.

 

I think of you have a good developmental staff and a guy comes in with a broken jump shot, he puts in the effort, time, and work, the jump shot can improve.

For instance, Clarkson. He wasn't highly touted as a jumper and hosn3 point shot still needs to improve; nevertheless, his shot chart from His last year at Missouri and Los Angeles is night and day.

Specifically, with RHJ, he has a hitch in his jump shot. A change in some technique, repetition, and he'll be fine. I

 

Tony Allen has made a career out of being a defensive specialist with a broken shot. If you have a guy that can shut down a player, that is just as valuable as hitting 2-3 three pointers a game.

What I saw from RHJ is that he can guard multiple positions with high energy. Again, it's not impossible for a player to develop a shot. If we can get RHJ to at least 30%, that would be sufficient for the type of defender he is.

 

Allen has also hurt the team with his lack of a 3 point shot. If he's a 36% percent 3 point shooter, defenses aren't sagging off of him, and he doesn't get benched for Jeff Green. In fact, it gives the Memphis team a totally different dynamic that the opposing team has to prepare for each night.

I'd say if RHJ can become a 36% 3 point shooter, he's instantly a starter with his defensive capability.