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

I knew you would answer that way, but I respect the response. He often did delegate matters, and you're probably right. He means more to free agency than the draft. But getting his opinion in all matters proved to be invaluable over the course of time. Jerry was wrong; however, he was more right than he was wrong.

 

Yes. I think Russell is brilliant. He'll probably end up with another team, though. That ok with me. I have NBA League Pass so I'll be able to watch him wherever he gets drafted at...

 

Russell is great prospect. Honestly I have only run into a pretty small group of people outside of this site who don't think he is a great prospect.

I like Okafor but I really don't get the constant knocks on Towns and Russell around here.

 

Still ..... the old tried and true decision for the most part..... great, very big prospect over small, great prospect. I have no doubts he sees the floor and passes like few others can, and can shoot the ball. But he's not dominant athletically and he's not an even harder to find great "BIG" prospect. Okafor may not be a pre-eminent defender around the basket, yet, but he sure as hell will defend Boogie, and Gasol and Davis and Jordan and Towns and Pek and all the other legitimate Bigs in the league better than Russell will .....with ultimately "starter" minutes in games. Takes a load off the PG constantly getting beat up driving into key to open up other players for shots. Half the time now when Jahlil gets the ball in there with those big mitts he will find those same guys when doubled. We got lucky and should take the potential franchise CENTER.

 

Yeah, I understand that position. I'm hoping the least Byron could do is whip Okafor into shape by getting after him defensively.

Quite honestly, I think we're in business with Okafor, Towns, and or Russell for various reasons. I have other glaring concerns going into next season.

 

This is how I see the high lottery picks.

High floor / High ceiling
Okafor and Towns

High floor / Medium ceiling
S.Johnson and WCS

Medium floor / High ceiling
Hezonja and Russell

Low floor / High ceiling
Mudiay and Porzingis

I generally prefer players with high floors, but would take Hezonja over WCS because of our need for a wing and his superstar potential.

 

I don't see many knocks on towns around here, other than he won't work out for the lakers.

I agree with others that Russell's lack of elite athleticism is a concern, and it's the primary reason I'd take either big over him without thinking. he'd be three on my board, no question, though.

 

Yeah, if Jah wasn't in this draft then Towns would be my favorite option for us. I greatly prefer Okafor to Towns both as a prospect and as a Laker and I guess the comments from that group would be what Elgin is largely referencing. My biggest problem with Towns, comparisons aside, has been him unwilling to come on for a workout. That really rubbed me the wrong way.

As far as Russell, I know I'm in the minority, but I just really don't see IT.

 

76ers fans were concerned that D'Angelo Russell no longer wanted to play for the team when he canceled a workout Friday because he was "real sick."

They have no reason to be concerned, according to a source close to the former Ohio State guard. "He really loves Philly," the source said.
Russell got an up-close look at what could become his adopted home on Tuesday and Wednesday. Several mock drafts have the Sixers taking him with the third overall pick in the draft next Thursday.

Russell arrived on Tuesday afternoon and had dinner with general manager Sam Hinkie. Then he spent Wednesday at the Sixers' practice facility at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The point guard worked out for the team and had a lengthy meeting with coach Brett Brown.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/...-with-Sixers-workout.html#UQmGb1u4V21kjGVP.99

 

D'Angelo Russell "killed it" at his 76ers workout on Wednesday, according to a 76ers team source.

src: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

Before D’Angelo Russell canceled a meeting with the Sixers last weekend, raising eyebrows, the Ohio State guard quietly worked out for the Knicks on June 11 in Westchester, The Post has learned.

Russell, after the Knicks meeting, didn’t show up for the Sixers workout reportedly because he got sick. But he was back East Wednesday to work out for the forever-rebuilding Philly franchise, which may hold the key to Phil Jackson’s draft fortunes.

http://nypost.com/2015/06/17/knicks...ss/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

I feel the same way, man. Trust me, I do. . I'm sure the Lakers are cognizant of their big men history, but they are not oblivious to the changes in the game, or their success in drafting a guard or two; quite frankly, Russell and Okafor and defending modern lineups as well as the availability of FA big men could potentially strengthen Russell's case. I don't think it's an open and shut case by any means.

By the way, I was listening to Mason and Ireland the other day; Mason asked Ireland if he seen Mitch lately, and John responded he had last Thursday. He said Mitch liked Okafor and liked Russell a lot. I think we draft Okafor, but Russell is definitely in play here. I want Okafor because he's won at every level, and as I keep saying he wants to be here; nevertheless, I won't shed any tears if we get Russell, believe me.

 

You won't have to.... I got you covered.

 

So, Towns doesn't want to do a workout for us? f*** you then buddy. Get your no.1 pick and enjoy your basketball mediocrity.

 

I can't believe that it's only a week until draft day. Time flies.

 

We never really know Mitch's plan until it happens, but if we take everything we've heard at face value, it doesn't seem like Towns is #1, #2, and possibly even #3 on our board. This brings up an interesting possibility.

What happens if Flip takes Okafor #1? Do we just take Russell at 2? If he's our guy after Okafor, I'm not sure it's going to be possible to trade down for him and gain much value. Maybe Philly is willing to deal due to Embiid suffering another setback, but I don't see them giving up much. If Russell falls to NY, even if they were willing to deal, I don't see what they have that we should want.

Orlando at #5 is very interesting, as they're on the hunt to pair a good defensive big with Vucevic, and they have plenty of pieces that I assume we'd love to have. The problem is really who is going to be left for us at #5. While it's unlikely, it's far from impossible for Russell to still be on the board at 5 and he makes absolutely no sense for Orlando. I could see Hinkie taking Kristaps and Phil taking Mudiay, WCS, or Winslow. If it went down this way, I think Orlando would be all over trading for Towns. I won't speculate about the haul we could get in return but it could be really good.

Or. Maybe Mitch is thinking Okafor or bust and we focus on getting an established allstar and 1st outside of the top 5 for Towns.

This is just wild speculation on my part. But yet another crazy scenario to think about with the draft right around the corner.