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

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by LaVarBallsDad, Oct 14, 2014.

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  1. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Dekker might also fit into that group. Those three at SF are solid picks though. I think Stan is the better defender and maybe smarter player, but Winslow has a pretty good game too. Dekker is more of a SF/PF hybrid, but he could fit in with them as well.
     
    therealdeal, Mar 22, 2015
    #1321
  2. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    I called on Nigel Hayes from Wisconsin during the Big 10 tourney few pages back.

    He's really coming into his own. Very Stan JOHNSON like. Big body, quick hands, can shoot and finish inside, and he has a nose for the ball.

    He's not even projected anywhere, not sure if he plans to stay, but I'd love him as a second round pick.
     
    lakerfan2, Mar 22, 2015
    #1322
  3. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    As a Kansas guy, there is just no way I would draft Oubre. I guess if he slipped to the second round. Kid just doesn't seem to have it.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Mar 22, 2015
    #1323
  4. ninjagorn

    ninjagorn - Rookie -

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    I love Russell's game, though. If Towns and Okafor are gone, he's my guy.[/QUOTE]

    I dont now what to do - last years draft, Wiggins and then Embiid or Randle, thats how i would pick ATM- i am not really high on Parker, there are a lot of good scorers in the league.
    We are playing pretty good ATM (defense is OK)-no more 20+ points losses. If Towns defense translates (and we have some evidence that it could- NN in Philly-after a year out), we could make some noise with some good FA signings.
    Lets be honest-we are rebuilding, but i dont wont to see another 2 seasos like that for a long time...
     
    ninjagorn, Mar 22, 2015
    #1324
  5. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I would be so excited to have those two down low. They'd be a seriously fun and dynamic duo for a decade.

    Man if we can get this pick down and get one of these elite players our rebuild will feature some of the best young players in the NBA.

    trodgers and I touched on it elsewhere, but seriously think about it:
    Randle, Clarkson, and Black are at worst three of the top 15 players from that draft, probably top 10 players. Jabari Brown looks at least serviceable AND we add a Top 5 pick? We'd have a gaggle of young geese to spearhead the rebuild. Throw in a couple solid free agent additions and we could maybe hit the playoffs within these next two years.
     
    therealdeal, Mar 22, 2015
    #1325
  6. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    I dont now what to do - last years draft, Wiggins and then Embiid or Randle, thats how i would pick ATM- i am not really high on Parker, there are a lot of good scorers in the league.
    We are playing pretty good ATM (defense is OK)-no more 20+ points losses. If Towns defense translates (and we have some evidence that it could- NN in Philly-after a year out), we could make some noise with some good FA signings.
    Lets be honest-we are rebuilding, but i dont wont to see another 2 seasos like that for a long time...[/QUOTE]

    We'll see how it goes, man. Right now, I just want the pick. That helps accelerate the rebuild. The top 3 is where I want us to land for obvious reasons; if we land outside of the top 3, there are still nice prospects, but I'd be more inclined to shop the pick and see what's out there.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Mar 22, 2015
    #1326
  7. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    LaVarBallsDad, Mar 22, 2015
    #1327
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  8. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Can't remember if this is posted yet or not, but man does he look like Artest in this one or what?
     
    therealdeal, Mar 23, 2015
    #1328
  9. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    I know it's hard to look ahead, but I'm hoping for a Wisconsin-Arizona matchup.

    Wisconsin has a very similar player to Johnson in Hayes, like almost identical frame, size, skills. That'll be a fun matchup.
     
    lakerfan2, Mar 23, 2015
    #1329
  10. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Here's Jahlil dominating inside against SDSU.

     
    therealdeal, Mar 23, 2015
    #1330
  11. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    Like I said, the gap keeps widening.
    Okafor is the sure fire #1.

    Besides, I haven't seen anything from Towns that suggests he has a higher ceiling.
     
    tada, Mar 23, 2015
    #1331
  12. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    You haven't been watching.

    What puts Towns in the conversation is size in combination with the athleticism that Okafor doesn't have. Towns also commits 100% on the defensive end, a fantastic help defender, post defender, and pick and roll defender. His foot speed and lateral quickness for his size is pretty good. Also, Towns has made strides in his offensive repertoire. Yeah, their basic hook shots, but when he gets those shots up, no one can really reach it and he has a nice soft touch to boot, much like Bynum did his early Laker years (think 2007 Bynum). Also, he actually has a fantastic stroke especially from the charity stripe.

    Although Okafor is currently the better player, it's the prospect that Towns can be the better player down the road with the tools that he has.
     
    lakerfan2, Mar 23, 2015
    #1332
  13. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Two 50 loss seasons in a row; are the Lakers willing to draft a a player that might take awhile to develop?
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Mar 23, 2015
    #1333
  14. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    But if you're looking for a sure thing, it's Okafor. That's what makes him the #1 pick and the kind of player the Lakers need to turn this ship around.

    Towns has great potential, but potential is great until it's unrealized. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If Okafor can come in and be productive right away offensively, it's worth it over the kid that might one day be good offensively and defensively.
     
    therealdeal, Mar 23, 2015
    #1334
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  15. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    Well, I think Towns can immediately help us on the defensive end out the gate. Something that will really fit well with Randle at PF working inside.

    Towns with his length and size can really work on grabbing those offensive boards, not to mention, he has the ability to step out for a midrange jumper.
     
    lakerfan2, Mar 23, 2015
    #1335
  16. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    Please basketball gods, let us see a Duke/Kentucky matchup in the tourney! Not that I expect Okafor to struggle, but has he ever faced a team with two legit defensive bigs like Towns+WCS? It'll be a good test of how his game will translate to the NBA. What if he DOES struggle mightily, for discussion's sake?
     
    Punk-101, Mar 23, 2015
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  17. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    Well, not many teams, even in the NBA, have the depth and size that Kentucky have with WCS+Towns on the inside.

    I still think Okafor will be an offensive force in the NBA solely on the fact that there aren't many teams that have capable players his size to defend him. Maybe Marc Gasol, Noah, Chandler. I think he's a little predictable where a real NBA defender can read his moves. He'll need to add a few tricks to his arsenal (face up jumper) to really make defenders think in the NBA, but I think the kid is smart enough to make that adjustment.
     
    lakerfan2, Mar 23, 2015
    #1337
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  18. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I think he'd fair alright in that contest. Okafor's greatest strength is finding separation against post defenders. That's where the Duncan comparisons come in because while he's not the most athletic kid, he knows how to put his butt out there get some contact and go the other direction.

    He might not score at a 70% clip like he did the last couple games, but he'll do alright.

    @lakerfan2 I don't think Okafor is predictable at all. He is a complete natural and takes what the defense gives him. He's got a couple of go-to moves, but that doesn't mean he can't adjust on the fly.
     
    therealdeal, Mar 23, 2015
    #1338
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  19. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    So who's the better player and / or has the higher upside physically, skills, competitor intelligence wise......if both are 100% healthy....coming out of college if you had the first pick and your choice was amazingly between Embiid or Okafor? I'm guessing Okafor? How was Embiid's defense in college?
     
    LTLakerFan, Mar 23, 2015
    #1339
  20. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    For it's Okafor because he's got that big body. Embiid is more athletic, a better rim protector, and has some great footwork, but Okafor's frame is half the battle. If Okafor and Embiid play one-on-one in the post, Okafor probably wins most of the time. He's just a bigger, wider body and that helps with a lot of the wear and tear.
     
    therealdeal, Mar 23, 2015
    #1340
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