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

Yeah. I agree. Besides, I don't think Philly does this in a million years. They are going after a pg or a wing to team with their "Two Towers" and Orlando's got talent, but none of them are worth giving up #1. Besides, I think there are some talented players we can snag at 27. If we grab Okafor, there's Hollis-Jefferson, Justin Anderson, etc to fill our sf abyss. George Lucas maybe to give us some pg depth. You don't give up a likely minimum 18-9 center for the next 10 years in Okafor for some slightly above average depth.

 

Jerry West and Jerry Buss' sons are the ones who convinced them to draft Clarkson. Jesse Buss is the Director of Scouting and Ryan West is the Assistant Director.

 

Jerry West? No way hes giving us advise when he works for the Warriors.

 

I know that there's a younger Buss and one of Jerry West's sons in the scouting department (Ryan West I believe). There's others as well, but I don't know them by name. Also Mitch will go on scouting trips himself occasionally and I believe they have a 4 person team of MIT students that use analytics to help find both players in the NBA and talented youngsters.

 

Yup. I read a great piece by Ryan West about how his father brought him along as a scout and how eager he is to prove his own worth. He's an earnest guy and I think he's doing a great job so far. Just like Jim, Jesse Buss has been quieter but since he's the man on top I think he's doing something right as well.

Our scouting department is top notch. They've been finding valuable pieces for years.

 

DE was going nuts over Upshaw's measurements. Physically he profiles as one of the best Center prospects to come through Chicago's combine.

The question was never physical though, it was all mental. His stock is certainly rising and I expect him to go in the teens when draft day rolls around.

 

The buzz I'm picking up is that Philly really likes Russell. Russell and Noel are friends, they feel like Embiid should be ready by then, and then you've got three young cats ready to grow together.

More and more I'm thinking we end up with a good shot at Okafor even if we end up at #4. Towns has the buzz right now, Mudiay has good buzz right now, Philly wants Russell... Okafor is the only one whose stock is slipping. If the draft order doesn't change I could see Minny taking Towns, NY taking Mudiay, and Philly taking Russell which would leave us Okafor.

NY then goes and gets Monroe in FA. Philly and Minny do whatever it is that terrible franchises do. We get Okafor and dance our way into the future. Throw a max at Butler... Bring back Davis and maybe Lin (preferably Mo though). Once Butler gets matched, throw a bunch of cash at Carroll. Roll into the future with a great young trio (Clarkson, Randle, Okafor), solid role players (Davis, Carroll, Young?), and enough room to either get that star player we want or to simply build around the three studs we've got incubating.

God I hope we keep that pick...

 

All that seems likely, but I still think its rather pointless to throw the max at Butler or Leonard. In those three days it takes for Chicago to match we may lose any shot at Carroll, Harris, Middleton...they all may be on their way. Granted, none of that kills us IMO. If we do snag Okafor to pair with Clarkson and Randle, and maybe find a solid wing at 27, we'll be well on our way.

 

I agree, but that's what I've been seeing. Philly apparently feels comfortable passing on the bigger guys if they can get Russell.

 

Actually I do think Mudiay fits in NY better than Okafor. Okafor on paper fits the Triangle perfectly, but that team is built around Carmelo and the sense is that he and Okafor are ultimately a terrible fit. Okafor needs the ball sometimes on the block and well Carmelo won't let that happen. The sense I've gotten is that they'd prefer a young wing who can defend and will run the offense to get Carmelo the ball in his spots. Russell might be a better fit as far as the Triangle goes, but Mudiay's defensive ability puts him ahead of Russell.

Philly wants Russell but if Mudiay is on the board ahead of him, they would have to think about it at least. Got to take into account Philly loves Noel, they want to build a young core, and Russell and Noel are buddies. Not to mention Russell has already indicated he'd love to play in Philly.