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

Damn, why'd you have to bring up Bynum? Now I'm sad again. Bynum was one of my favorite players ever to watch develop. At his best, when he was healthy, he was the best post player I've ever seen (to clarify, I'm too young to really remember prime Shaq). But he was so damn raw coming into the league. Okafor is already leagues ahead of rookie Bynum offensively.

 

Ok guys. I'm just gonna say it. I thought this was a horrible draft for us. We could've stayed at the 4 slot and drafted Mudiay if going small ball was the plan. I just don't know how you pass up on the best low post big man in college basketball since 1997 with Tim Duncan. Then we use our 27 pick on a mid 2nd rounder at best. Outside of getting Brown at 34, I'm really disappointed and shocked at what we done. There better be an Aldridge or Love on the back end of this.

 

Was watching it on time shift with my son, an hour behind so had to stay away from here. Shocked when they passed Jahlil and the look on his face said it all. My fear is he ultimately in not too many years is on a contending team and makes it a point to just kill us in the playoffs every year with no one that's a high quality big man defender. Then we passed at 27 no bigs. We left to go watch Jurassic World at that point, good movie for a 2nd sequel. Checked my phone in the lobby afterward and saw Brown taken at 34 and bummed further. But then boom saw Upshaw will be on summer league team and that gives me hope we may yet have a defensive stud to use at center against the best ones for other teams. Has those crazy long arms and great timing. 7 footer and can also shoot the J somewhat in footage I've seen. I hope his head is permanently screwed on straight and that he can make the team. They probably would have to release Sacre for the space though. If he gets the expected camp invite those two will really be battling knowing what's at stake. But that saved me somewhat, plus also knowing Russell is a special talent. Just so we're not going to get killed by good - great centers on other teams because we passed on one of them when we could have taken him.

 

There can only be one explanation for the completely bizarre draft day for the Lakers -- next year's draft pick is top 3 protected and they want to make certain they don't lose it.

 

I'm with everyone, I'm sad because we did not get a Center my favorite position. I pray that Russell is the next Magic/Jerry West just to save face when Okafor is dominating.

 

Well, I'm with the experts, all of which appear to give last night's draft an A grade.

I never thought there was a conspiracy against Okafor. I thought the questions on his game were valid. He could get better sure, but he isn't a great defender, had conditioning issues, and isn't a great free throw shooter. I think the front office picked up on all of that especially if he had a poor second workout and went in another direction.

 

Calm down guys. Russell is gonna be a stud for us. I need some Summer League now!

 

Call me a homer, but I don't think Okafor will reach his potential in Philly.

 

I'm bummed with the Nance pick, he probably would have gone undrafted and he'd be in our summer league team without the guaranteed money.

 

Like most people here, I prefered Okafor over Russell, but I can say I'm bummed with the pick or something like that. Anything other than Russell, Towns or Okafor would've got me that way, but I can definitely live with Russell. I think he has a tremendous potential to be great, and we can only hope he lives up to it.

If Okafor was (for me) the most fun player to watch in the post in this draft, Russell is the most fun to watch in the perimeter, so I won't go complaining. It is also true that it makes our lineup easier to make considering all the best free agents this summer are big men, and we already have Randle, who seems to be doing a fantastic job in workouts and stuff.

And well, some love it, some not that much and some don't care much, but the fact is that now D'Angelo Russell is a Laker, and from now is a guy will probably be supporting for a good number of years.

 

Yeah, I wish we could reverse the picks..... Brown at#27 and Nance at #34

 

Mitch Kupchak will be on the Dan Patrick show today.

http://player.tritondigital.com/embed.php?embedid=11761

 

Anytime I hear "conditioning issues" in the draft, I get very concerned. Seems like draftees who have that phrase attached to them either never realize their potential, or they take forever to pan out. And even then, they might only reach greatness for a few years.

That said, Okafor to me looks like he has a good attitude and good work ethic anyway, which would minimize any early conditioning issues he may have. He's not playing just because he's talented like some players we've seen; he's playing because he loves the game and really wants to win. At least, that's what it looks like to me.

Anywho, no more looking back anymore. It's Russell all the way now.