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

I think the Lakers are being first class with all the potential #2 picks they're looking at. If you see one twice you should see all of them. Plus gives players a 2nd shot to show their stuff. This is only chance Lakers will have to do this, might as well take advantage to really get to know these guys, where they were now.....and where they might be for reference in the future and free agency and/or trades. The longer this goes without seeing Towns the weirder it seems. Unless MN is a done deal and that has been conveyed. No point spinning everyone's wheels? I guess we could still get news of a meeting and workout if Towns is interested in being a 2nd pick in this year's draft. Seems like not.

 

Or maybe some people (The Knicks) are trying to angle Okafor away from the Lakers into taking Russell/Mudiay so that he falls into their laps? I mean, that one scout with pirate mouth, sounds like he could be from New Yawk.

Not gonna happen.

 

Quote:
"We had a Lakers dinner and they were about 8 or 9 of us and the table was "evenly divided" between Okafor or Russell. Some people like the idea of taking a guard and not a big man, but the thing that became obvious to me is that there is no consensus on what the Lakers should do."

From Ireland

 

We have a GUARD. His name is Jordan Clarkson. Ayiyi.

 

Ryan West was there. Don't know the others.

 

didn't see the context, but i guess they're also assuming towns won't be there at 2?

 

Ryan, really? That does make you wonder who else but not really necessary as Ryan certainly is an insider. What fun to be the proverbial fly on the wall.

 

Yes, Ryan, LTL. . Can you make to draft day? I am kind of worried about you. .

Yes, abeer, they're assuming Towns is of the table.

 

Harden. Great. GTF...I kid I kid. I get your sentiment though.

One more week. A LOT of smoke and mirrors are gonna be thrown around, best to take things with a grain of salt from now until then. Don't know who to believe now.

 

The bottom line is that Russell and Okafor are both poor defenders right off the bat so we're basically comparing offense. If their offensive ceilings are Duncan and Harden, that's a tough decision, but I side with Okafor because he's much closer to that ceiling. Russell is mostly praised for his "feel" for the game but that is so hard to accurately scout.

 

Jay Bilas Quick Recap on Mason and Ireland

- Russell is the best "pure" basketball player in the draft.

- Okafor is at the top of (Jay Bilas') board. Okafor's dominant trait of his low post scoring edges Towns. Not every center has to be great defensively, Dwight Howard is not a good pick and roll defender.

- Towns is a more versatile prospect, makes shots, free throws, and is a shot blocker, but no dominant trait.

- Porzingis is not a rebounder, he's not physical in the post, there's a degree of risk.

- Russell is not a good defender either but his defense won't be an issue. He's not a superior athlete but it's better than most give him credit for. He's in the mold of a Steph Curry type of player but not quite as good.

- Okafor's footwork is phenomenal, he can become a better defender in the NBA. Not a rim protector, but a better defender.