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

I guess guys.

A seven footer who can defend almost any position on the court? Yeah. I am interested especially if we end up at number 5.

Guys like Cauley-Stein and Russell impress me (and pretty much every professional scout that has watched them) in the most important area - their actual play on the court. The knocks on them compared to the praise for guys like Johnson really has me scratching my head.

 

'Very much agreed. WCS is back to #4 for me, because we can take him and go to bed at night knowing that the C position is squared away for the next 5+ years. I have no doubt at all that he'll be a good to great defender on the next level.

I actually think he has an added value that will be more important in the NBA than it is in college. His perimeter defense is so good for a guy his size that you might be able to simply switch on PnRs with him. Or you can blitz pick & rolls, because he's not a liability 25 feet from the hoop. He's a guy you can build your defense around. People keep bringing up Tyson Chandler, but defensively he actually reminds me more of Kevin Garnett.

He's behind Porzingis, Hezonja, & possibly Mudiay in terms of potential, but they're all behind him in terms of their floor. The Lakers are fortunate in that with their FA appeal, they don't need Randle or this pick to develop into being the best player on the team. Of course it would be nice, but it's not a necessity. I'd be perfectly happy with WCS at #4, knowing we're getting a good player.'

Read this from a guy who used to coach at the college level regarding WCS; I'll post some videos for you later of his jump-shot that's he's displayed over the course of the season. Surprisingly, his handles for a man his size have improved has well.

 

- contested

Stein shooting jumpers. I had more examples to cite; he's still not consistent, but if he could work at that shot and develop it consistently, that would help.

 

Exactly. If he can knock that down consistently then I think he goes in the top 5. Definitely top 6 or 7.

 

My current rankings:
1) Okafor
2) Towns
3) Mudiay

4-6 are interchangeable and I won't be able to lock those down till tourney play and maybe until the workouts begin. Johnson, Russell, and WCS. The biggest difference between the two groups is at 4-6, you are no longer looking at potential franchise players. Career starters? Yes. All Star appearance or two? Sure. But they don't have the ceiling as the first three.

 

I'm starting to get more intrigued by WCS/Randle pairing. Grab a PG in Free Agency (maybe Dragic) and you might be off and running...

Elgin, have you watched Oubre from Kansas? I think I've seen you mentioning him before...what are your thoughts?

 

First game back since his injury

 

What you said reminded me of what Mychal Thomson said a couple of weeks ago; he said 'all these guys carry nowadays which would have been called in the 80's'. LOL. Sick hesitation nonetheless You should see him do that in and out crossover hesitation in transition; oh my word!

 

I'd still would want to see him against NBA PG's that are quicker and more athletic; he just doesn't have that 'burst' and I want to see how he responds at the next level...

 

Larry Brown on Mudiay

"You need a great point guard. First and foremost I think it starts with them defending the ball. Emmanuel's 6-5, he's long, he's athletic. I think he can keep the ball in front of him. He's a pass-first point guard. He's an extra rebounder. He's not a great shooter, but, in the NBA, you have so much time to work on your shot and improve your game, his shot's not broken. I think it'll get there. I think he has it all."

http://www.nj.com/sixers/index.ssf/2015/02/larry_brown_says_sixers_drafting_emmanuel_mudiay_w.html

 

A couple Mudiay highlights. Not much but it's worth a look nonetheless...

 

Yeah i have seen him. I think he needs another year. Started off slow and still inconsistent but he has improved quite a bit. If he comes out I think he could be a steal if someone grabbed him in the twenties or second round. Definitely wouldnt use a lottery pick on him though.

 

I agree too.

I see Artest (without the headcase) written all over Stan Johnson. Maybe not a superstar, but Artest's defense with superior athletism and a huge heart + work ethic is pretty much guaranteed with this kid. That is a huge asset.

I question Russell's speed/athletism/build. Guys like Nash, Kidd, and Andre Miller were slow too, but they they had big upper bodies and craftiness under defensive pressure that I don't see from Russell. He could end up being very average. And I don't think his ceiling is that high either, especially against the super-athletic PG nowadays.

As for Mudiay, he is a bit more interesting, but I don't see franchise player (Rose, Westbrook, Wade) potential.

Much rather take a Artest Plus before these two unknowns.

 

That and his lack of interest in basketball are as of now the only reasons why I might pick someone else. Other than that, he looks like a phenomenal prospect. He was also teammates with Julius for a year, which is enticing. I think that's an awesome frontcourt duo moving forward, and great frontcourt players are much harder to come by than point guards which seem to be the other best option with a top 5 pick.