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

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

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JSM - Lakers Legend -

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Trevor (AZ)
Chad, has the tournament changed the opinion of GMs on the debate between Okafor and Towns?
Chad Ford 1:30 PM ET
No. Okafor was great both games. Towns was terrific in UK's opening game. So-so in their second game. And on a decision as important as this, they aren't making it based on two tournament games. I can tell you every GM and scout in the league is praying it's a UK-Duke final. To see those guys go head-to-head might be the deciding factor in who goes No. 1.

Taylor (Utah)
Whats the difference between Hollis-jefferson and Justice Winslow?
Chad Ford 1:37 PM ET
Both are elite NBA athletes who play physical defense. Winslow is a better shooter -- especially from beyond the arc. Hollis-Jefferson's utter lack of a perimeter game is what is keeping him out of the lottery right now. I think Hollis-Jefferson may be the best perimeter defender in the draft however. Winslow is in the 6 to 12 range and I'm leaning closer to 6 right now. Hollis-Jefferson in the 15 to 25 range.

Ryan ((NJ))
If you were GM of the Sixers and had to choose between Mudiay and Russell, who you pick?
Chad Ford 1:38 PM ET
I think Mudiay is ahead of Russell on their board. And he probably should be. He's been ranked ahead of Russell on our Board all year. That's never changed and I don't see it changing. Mudiay's elite athleticism trumps Russell's superior basketball IQ.

Steve (NYC)
Highest upside among the potential lottery SFs: Winslow, Oubre, Johnson and Hezonja?
Chad Ford 1:55 PM ET
Every scout has a different order. They've bounced back and forth on our Board all year. Every player has had their strong stretches and weak ones. Each one has different strengths and weaknesses. Right now I have it: Winslow, Hezonja, Oubre and Johnson. Winslow is, based on my talks with scouts, moving into the front runner position. Lots of debate on those other three guys. All of them should end up in the 6 to 12 range.
Click to expand...

I would be quite content if we netted Hollis-Jefferson with Houston's pick.

I don't get how he has Johnson behind the other lotto bound SFs on his potential list. He's the most NBA ready, but i still think he has a great ceiling.

JSM, Mar 25, 2015

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Here I read Mudiay over Russell and I nod for a moment, then he says Johnson after not only Oubre but HEZONJA. Yikes...

No wonder he has to fix his draft board when no one is looking.

edit- also I'd love to snatch up Hollis-Jefferson late. DE has him going 24 and right now we're at 27 so... we'll see. I see a lot of Andre Iguodala in him.

therealdeal, Mar 25, 2015

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Emmanuel Mudiay, who finished as Scout's No.2 overall prospect in the 2014 class, chose a different path than his high schools peers.

Instead of playing college basketball, Mudiay, a 6-foot-5 point guard, opted to go the professional route after high school graduation and play in the Chinese Basketball Association.

And with the move, Mudiay profited handsomely.

According to sources, Mudiay signed for more than $1 million with the Guangdong Southern Tigers and also signed a lucrative and incentive based endorsement deal with Under Armour.

While in China, Mudiay battled an ankle injury and a language barrier, but also was provided with an opportunity to learn and play against professionals at just 18-years old. Through 12 games of action, Mudiay averaged 18 points, four rebounds and nearly four assists a game.

Mudiay returned to the United States last week and spoke to Scout about his journey, the upcoming draft and the thought of other elite high school players bypassing college and taking a similar route.

Scout: How did you think the overall experience played out for you?
Emmnauel Mudiay: At first it was a bit challenging just because it was a foreign country and not everybody spoke the same language. I had to get used to talking through the translator instead of directly with my coach. That was different. Basketball was the easy part. That was the universal language. When you play, you play. Just adapting to the culture was probably the toughest thing

Was it difficult communicating with your teammates?
My teammates spoke English. Basketball made it easier for me. When we were talking about random things, then no, they didn’t speak good English. When basketball was the topic there was enough to understand what they were saying.

Who all went with you?
It was me, my brother, my cousin and my mom.

Was it beneficial for you having them with you every step of the way?
Yeah. Jeremy Tyler was the first one to ever do it—I actually ended up playing against him—and he talked to me about it. He said that’s where he messed up because he didn’t take anybody with him. He said I was smart for bringing them with me. Honestly if it wasn’t for them I probably would have been back earlier, but they kept me focused as far as being overseas.

>
Players like Stephon Marbury,Ron Artest & Pooh Jeter gave Mudiay advice
What was your day-to-day schedule like?
It was two-a-days every day so my work ethic I feel like increased. Over here in America you do two-a-days, but probably just for a week. I had two a days for five and a half months. You would get some days off, but it was really on game days and stuff like that.

Playing-wise, what was the biggest adjustment for you?
I would say the traveling. As soon as a game was over you'd fly out to go to the next city. I think that’s one thing I have an advantage on now because you know how they always say players hit the rookie wall. Other than the traveling, they have a 24-second shot clock. The game was much faster and by far the physicality was the main thing.

Do you feel like the physicality is going to prepare you more for the NBA?
Actually Will Bynum was my teammate and Jeff Adrien, and they told me the NBA is actually easier physicality wise. We were getting fouls, but overseas you have to play through them. They said it wouldn’t be like this in the NBA, but it would still be physical. But they said I’m kind of a step ahead from going over there first and taking that beating, I guess.

How did you think you faired from a playing standpoint?
I always feel like I could do better, but for what I did and with the games I played, I did good. When I got hurt it made me look at the game different. I’d never been away from basketball that long. I started watching film a lot more. That made my IQ higher. That made me ready for the games when I came back and played. As far as basketball, that was a main thing. Me and my coach would watch film before every game I played. It was just me and him, one-on-one. We would talk and he really helped me. Everyone out there can play, but you have to separate yourself with your mind.

After this experience, breakdown your game? What are your strengths now and what are you trying to improve on?
Before I started watching film everyday, my technique on my shooting was kind of off. I became a better shooter out there because my coach would always make sure the guy who was guarding me would sometimes pressure me and sometimes back up. He would switch it up on me to make sure I see what’s coming up next and what teams would show me. Some teams went over and some teams went under, but there’s this thing I really learned with re-screening. If someone went under we would immediately re-screen and I really didn’t learn that in high school. The little things are what separate you and my teammates were really cool and helped me out a lot, too.

From a shooting standpoint, do you feel like you’re a superior shooter than when you were in high school?
Yes. I don’t care about the percentages, but I wasn’t happy with some. I saw something that I definitely needed to start focusing and locking in on. I didn’t shoot a lot of free throws and I made more than I missed. That pissed me off a little bit because I know I’m a way better shooter than that. How was your relationship with your coach?
We actually met at the Nike Hoop Summit. I’ve known him. But I didn’t know he was going to end up being my coach. The experience, in general, did it go how you envisioned it?
Besides the injury, yes. I felt like that was really in God’s plan. When I got hurt, I had never been away from the game. It actually benefited me because I was in the weight room every day with our strength and conditioning coach. He got me stronger. I lost body fat and weight, but I gained muscle. I leaned up. So I really was working on myself a lot. I stayed in shape.

Compared to the guys that went to college, do you feel like you have a leg up on those guys?
I’d say yes. I was playing against 30-year old men that are trying to feed their family. In college, they are trying to get an education and try to get a job after that. I was put in a job position.

Looking back, if you had to do it all over again, is that the route you would go?
Definitely. Honestly it challenged me as a basketball player. I’m not saying I’m better than everybody in college, but I felt like it gave me a better challenge than college would have given me.

Past Emmanuel Mudiay Coverage

None And Done

Profile: Emmanuel Mudiay

Highlights: McDonald’s All-American game

How do you think it prepared you for the Draft?
Will Bynum, Jeff Adrien, Stephon Marbury, Al Harrington, Willie Warren, all of the players I was playing against told me what to expect in the league. They’ve been there and played there. I played against a lot of NBA players and it got the best out of me. The first game against Stephon Marbury was an eye opener. I had 18 or something like that, but it felt different. He talked to me after the game and he gave me advice on how to play over there. After he told me that, my game started going up and up. Then I got hurt. But everything he told me stayed in my mind. Then Will came after I got hurt so I was seeing him in practice everyday and going against him. That was helping me out and I got that call to come back and play and I was ready.

It almost sounds like the Americans that were over there took you under their wing and helped you…
That’s what was the most surprising thing honestly. Pooh Jeter was the first one actually and Ron Artest, too. They treated me like a little brother in a way. They told me to do this and that and just gave me advice.

What was their advice to you?
From a basketball standpoint, just how to carry yourself because it’s a profession. They are getting paid to play the game. That’s their job. That’s how they feed their family. I just took every advice I could get, plus they played in that league. Pooh Jeter was there three years before I got there and he was just telling me what to expect.

I don’t think you’ll be the last guy that goes this route, would you recommend this type of thing to elite high school players?
A part of me yes and a part of me no. You have to feel like you can challenge yourself in that way. You just have to understand that it’s not just basketball. That’s the thing. Before I got hurt, I would say, "Go, go." But when basketball wasn’t there, it’s like "Dang." I was out there. It helped me find myself. All I did was stay in my Bible to keep me focused. You have to have the right group around you. I would advise you not to go by yourself. I don’t know if they would get the deal I got. That was a crazy type deal. That was a main thing too. Even thought it’s not about the money, if you got $300,000 I wouldn’t recommend you to do it because, well I don’t want to say wasting your time, but you can gain more by staying then going.

When we talked before you went you said that a few high school players had reached out to you about following in your footsteps. Has that happened anymore?
No one has confirmed to me and said, "I’m going to do it." I’ve heard Thon Maker was thinking about it. But I don’t know. I think it’s been more people reaching out to coach Ray [Forsette] because I wasn’t here.

What are your plans coming up preparing for the Draft?
As soon as I got back I got in the gym. But they are telling me to chill out. It’s weird. I don’t know what to do with myself. Once the season is over I guess I’ll get back to it really hard.

It’s a little ways away, but do you have any inclination on how this draft will go? Have you thought about it much?
I’m not focusing on anybody but myself. I’m really proud of D’Angelo [Russell] though. I knew he was good. But he definitely surprised some people. I knew he had it. I don’t think anybody thought he’d do what he did this year. I’m really happy for him. I expected Jahlil [Okafor], Karl Town and Stanley [Johnson] and them to hold their own.

It would be fun to see you and D’Angelo go head-to-head…
I’m not going to lie, I’m a different player, too. It’ll definitely be fun. It’ll be fun to go up against any of them. Watching the college basketball tournament, I really feel like if I had gone to SMU we would still be in there.

There’s a group of people that thought you had to go overseas and couldn’t go to SMU. What are your thoughts on that?
It was definitely my option. People are going to talk. But it was definitely my option. Coach Brown said it himself. I wanted to help my mom and my family out. That’s more what it was about. I can always get my education, which I will get.
Click to expand...
therealdeal, Mar 25, 2015

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^ That's a fantastic Q & A with Mudiay on his time overseas. It really highlights the pluses and minuses of that league. It also (*cough*) goes into a little bit about why I think playing overseas could have been more beneficial than the NCAA in some ways. It's definitely a better built in argument than the one I was so ineloquently making earlier.

therealdeal, Mar 25, 2015

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Yes excellent interview and look into who this young man is. I came away impressed.

LTLakerFan, Mar 25, 2015

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therealdeal said: ↑

It's just a really tough comparison to make man. Shaq played a different game than anyone else. You might get away more with comparing him to Hakeem in 94 or Duncan in 02 or maybe even Pau in that 07 season before he came to LA.

I don't know if I could see Okafor scoring 28 ppg with that kind of efficiency. I think Okafor tops out probably around 23/12 with a block and a steal on 53% in 35 minutes per game. That's GREAT by the way. Those are MVP type of numbers if his team is winning. I think that's about as great as he can be.

Shaq took 83% of his shots within 3 feet meaning he dunked everything. I don't think Okafor has that kind of strength. He'll be more like Duncan or Pau and work at finding angles to score at.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I shouldn't have brought up Shaq because, I admit, he was just ridiculous in his prime. At times it was unfair for the opposing team.

But I have never seen a 19 year old kid possess such a natural post game. It is just so smooth. And judging by the way he demands the ball, I think he has the scoring mentality to become a #1 option as a big. I think that's what seperates him from Duncan and Pau. I think he is more assertive on the offensive end.

Savory Griddles said: ↑

Yes, but Shaq did that while being double and triple teamed because you really had no choice. If Okafor is doubled, it will be because the defender isn't good enough. A really good defender can defend Okafor and slow him down. Shaq needed to be doubled because you could not defend him one on one no matter how good a defender you were.
Click to expand...

Okafor would definitely demand a double team. No defender can stop a scorer single coverage. Especially when the scorer catches the ball deep in the post.

tada, Mar 25, 2015

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JSM said: ↑

I would be quite content if we netted Hollis-Jefferson with Houston's pick.

I don't get how he has Johnson behind the other lotto bound SFs on his potential list. He's the most NBA ready, but i still think he has a great ceiling.
Click to expand...

I can't believe they have Oubre ahead of Johnson. I have watched most of KU's games this year and that kid is fool's gold right now. I just don't see it.

ElginTheGreat, Mar 25, 2015

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therealdeal said: ↑

link
Click to expand...

Great read

ElginTheGreat, Mar 25, 2015

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I think draftniks don't like Johnson because he's not an exciting athlete. but he's a good enough athlete, he's appropriately sized for his position, and he has things approximating nba sf skills right now. nobody thought jimmy butler was all that good, either.

agree with real on RHJ. I've been on that train since last year. I'm surprised draft boards have him so low, and I'm guessing that once teams see him gobble up the upper-tier guys in workouts, he'll climb the boards. he's a freak athlete with a serious motor, and it's not like he has no basketball skills. his jumper has improved quite a bit already, and he handles pretty well for a guy his size. anyway, love to have him, butno way he slips to where the lakers will be picking, imo.

abeer3, Mar 25, 2015

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@abeer3 i agree, he is plenty athletic. No one jumps out of the gym at that size. Unless you're Lebron, of course.

tada, Mar 25, 2015

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Mudiay might regain his Top 2 rank during workouts...

KareemtheGreat33, Mar 25, 2015

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This idea came to me this morning, so I'm going to throw it out there and see if it sticks....

With KD on the shelf, RW taking off and Durant being a FA after next season, does anyone think Presti is going to go James Harden and Reggie Jackson and trade Durant before he hits FA? Has RW/KD reached their peak together?

Top 5 pick / Houston 1st / 2nd round pick / Fillers (Kelly/Sacre/Lin?) get the job done? Would you guys do it?

_____ / Clarkson
Kobe / ______
Durant / Young
Randle / Kelly
_____ / Black

With 5 cap holds

~ 59 million

Bring back Davis with the rest of the cap and Ellington or a PG with the BAE.

Clarkson / Brown?
Kobe / Ellington
Durant / Young
Randle / Kelly
Davis / Black

Just spit ballin' here, but it would be a Mitch Kupchak move and Presti has a history of selling before the player hits the market.

* granted I'm talking pick 3-5.

Doc Brown, Mar 26, 2015

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@Doc Brown I think they would demand Randle or Clarkson too, maybe both.

tada, Mar 26, 2015

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tttttada said: ↑

@Doc Brown I think they would demand Randle or Clarkson too, maybe both.
Click to expand...

And that's fine. We will tell them we will see KD in FA. I just think we will see Mitch at least put an offer out there to kick the tires on this one.

Doc Brown, Mar 26, 2015

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I'd be hesitant honestly. Durant has had some real injury issues this season, ones that could linger.

The fact that I'm on the fence means it's probably a pretty fair deal. I just think if we take our pick and take our chances we end up seeing if Durant is going to come back healthy and kickin'.

therealdeal, Mar 26, 2015

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I'd be hesitant too. If Kobe was 5 years younger I'd do it in a heartbeat, but Durant solo with no supporting cast would be like revisiting the 2005 Lakers.

tada, Mar 26, 2015

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I would not give Randle and Clark, but I would give them our picks, Lin, and whatever else they want -- Kelly, Hill, whatever. And I think that's a fair trade if Durant tells them he would like to go somewhere else. I mean, Clark/Kobe/Durant/Randle/Black would be very solid. It would be an elite team with a younger Kobe, but... well... you can't have everything I guess. But KD would be a perfect superstar to lead our young guys, and that team would attract free agents easily. Also, Durant would work well with Kobe.

karacha, Mar 26, 2015

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^ You're not concerned that he's barely played this season?

therealdeal, Mar 26, 2015

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I'm not trading anything for Durant until I see him play consistent pain free high-level basketball. Big men are foot issues are a RED FLAG. I'm good on trading anything away for KD this summer. That said, I still think there is a slim chances he even comes to Los Angeles. Westbrook has a higher likelihood of coming and if KD leaves, I'm almost certain Presti would trade Westbrook before he hits Free Agency. So, if we strike out on Durant, Westbrook is up next, IMO. That would gives a reasonable amount of time to see what we have in Randle, keep developing Clarkson, and keep acquiring assets for a superstar like talent in Westbrook or anybody else that potentially becomes available in or around that time.

I'd still be pleasantly surprised if we have our top 5 pick, Randall, and Clarkson heading into training camp next year; I think there is pressure to win and wouldn't be surprised if we shop this pick for an impact player on lottery night, IMO. We'll see, though. The key is giving Mitch as much flexibility as possible to improve this roster so we could become an attractive place where FA's desire to play...

LaVarBallsDad, Mar 26, 2015

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Doc be tease trolling.

TIME, Mar 26, 2015

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