2012-2013 NBA Prospects thread

[Jay Cardinal]

Think you guys nailed it with Oladipo as a defensive specialist and Shabazz as a lights-out shooter. I love watching Olodipo's athleticism. Reminds me of Shawn Marion as far as his quicks around the ball (particularly defensively). I think both players can be successful in the NBA, though in different ways.

 

[Errntknght]

I know you're just quoting others but his name for those interested is Victor Oladipo.

Steve

I copied the one guy that got it wrong...

 

[AzStevenCal]

I copied the one guy that got it wrong...

It's an easy name to get wrong. If we draft him I'll probably start calling him VO, it's much easier to remember.

Steve

 

[JCSunsfan]

I copied the one guy that got it wrong...

Sorry.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Think you guys nailed it with Oladipo as a defensive specialist and Shabazz as a lights-out shooter. I love watching Olodipo's athleticism. Reminds me of Shawn Marion as far as his quicks around the ball (particularly defensively). I think both players can be successful in the NBA, though in different ways.

I was thinking that he reminds me of a combination of Shawn Marion and Leandro Barbosa. Fast, hard to stop. Get's to the rim. Athletic rebounder. And while not a volume shooter, efficient when he does shoot.

 

[JCSunsfan]

In basketball terms he is 2 years older, he is a junior, Shabazz a freshman. Oladipo is supposed to be better right now, he had 2 years extra semi-professional coaching and basketball experience under his belt.

I am not so sure about that. The High School and AAU programs out there are well, well, coached. Shabazz has been a star since junior high. Oladipo's background is less stellar. I just don't think age or experience should weigh at all when comparing these two.

There is talk now about him being college POY. He has NBA athleticism no doubt. I could see him going top 3 easily. If he has a good tournament, he could go #1. This is a draft where a player that separates himself, even this late, can rise to the top.

You can't coach desire, motor, or athleticism. All this kid has to add is a consistent jumper (which he seems to have done) and he is star material.

 

[Russ Smith]

I am not so sure about that. The High School and AAU programs out there are well, well, coached. Shabazz has been a star since junior high. Oladipo's background is less stellar. I just don't think age or experience should weigh at all when comparing these two.

There is talk now about him being college POY. He has NBA athleticism no doubt. I could see him going top 3 easily. If he has a good tournament, he could go #1. This is a draft where a player that separates himself, even this late, can rise to the top.

You can't coach desire, motor, or athleticism. All this kid has to add is a consistent jumper (which he seems to have done) and he is star material.

Bazz basically exploded between the end of 9th grade and the start of his soph year so AAU after freshman year. His HS coach said that Bazz was like the 10th best prospect in the city of Las Vegas entering HS, and by his soph year was the top rated kid in the nation in his class. that was because he worked so hard, and got such high level coaching and training. his dad played college ball and pro overseas, he grew up playing against college and NBA guys, they built the AAU program for him(there was no Dreamvision before Bazz the dad started the program) and the HS program was built around him as the star of the team.

Oladipo played for DeMatha but they're not the national power they used to be under Morgan Wooten, and IIRC Oladipo played inside like a 4/5 in HS I seem to recall earlier this year hearing that was why he was so underrated and raw coming out of HS, he was a 2 playing inside.

Bazz' HS is a national power now, they just won another state title. younger brother Rashad is the PG(not an elite prospect but good) and the starting C is a soph named Stephen Zimmerman who's like 6'11" and considered one of the top 10 nationally in his class. They're one of those private schools that recruit so he absolutely got excellent coaching in HS.

Tough for me, Bazz is a terrific player but he's just a tough kid to root for. He played the USC game after having pinkeye and had one eye half closed, apparently the pinkeye bothered his contacts. Had a slow game and then with 30 seconds left and the game over he leaks out with USC barely trying and Kyle Anderson reluctantly lobs to Bazz who misstimes his jump, doesn't catch it clean and misses the shot. he then turns and glares at best buddy Kyle like he's mad the pass denied him the dunk. UCLA was up FOURTEEN points, 30 seconds left and USC kids weren't even trying to defend at that point if he actually got that dunk he probably would have gotten levelled, or gotten a teammate levelled for running up the score. Very selfish player, can't recall the last UCLA player that was this selfish. he's VERY good, but I wish he was a bit more team oriented it's tough to root for a kid that much about getting his.

 

[slinslin]

I like Shabazz attitude, it is similar to Kobe the guy wants to be the man and is very driven.

Sure he needs to mature some but I'd rather have that kind of attitude on my top pick than being a coaster. Let's not forget playing NCAA basketball is nothing Shabazz dreamt of. He would have gone straight to the pros and would have been the #2 pick behind Anthony Davis last year if he could declare.

 

[Phrazbit]

An argument can be easily made that Kobe's attitude has cost the Lakers more titles than it has won them. He has a horrible attitude, its only because of his immense talent that people put up with him at all.

Not saying I wouldnt take Shabazz (though I'd prefer McLemore) but Kobe's attitude in terms of teammate interaction is not at all someone to look up to.

 

[JCSunsfan]

An argument can be easily made that Kobe's attitude has cost the Lakers more titles than it has won them. He has a horrible attitude, its only because of his immense talent that people put up with him at all.

Not saying I wouldnt take Shabazz (though I'd prefer McLemore) but Kobe's attitude in terms of teammate interaction is not at all someone to look up to.

Wow. I agree. Although I would really consider Oladipo over both. Have to see how the rest of the year goes first.

 

[slinslin]

We are currently drafting #3. No way I'd take Oladipo that high. His handle is shaky, he palms the ball on most plays and his dribble seems to be extremely high. I also do not think he is even close to being as athletic as people make it sound based on what I have seen.

Shabazz, McLemore, Noel still clearly the top 3 imo.

 

[SirStefan32]

We are currently drafting #3. No way I'd take Oladipo that high. His handle is shaky, he palms the ball on most plays and his dribble seems to be extremely high. I also do not think he is even close to being as athletic as people make it sound based on what I have seen.

Shabazz, McLemore, Noel still clearly the top 3 imo.

I always assumed Bazz and Noel would be gone by the time we picked, but I guess I should be getting worried. I don't want the Suns to touch either one of them with a 10 foot pole.

 

[HooverDam]

I always assumed Bazz and Noel would be gone by the time we picked, but I guess I should be getting worried. I don't want the Suns to touch either one of them with a 10 foot pole.

Suns are going to win the lottery, so they can take whomever.

I know the Suns don't have the best odds to win it, but it just feels like cosmic fate for the Suns to win it the year there's no clear #1 guy.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Chances are pretty high that we are going to draft top 3. I am beginning to have my doubts about McLemore as well. Of the top 3, Shabazz is probably the safest pick. He might not be a superstar, but he is going to have a long, productive NBA career. Noel has the potential to be an injury ridden player. Supposedly you can come back 100% form ACL these days, but his game is so much dependent upon his athleticism. McLemore seems more fragile to me some how--not physically, but emotionally, and mentally.

I would love to get Oladipo, but I could sour on him too. The thing that he really has going for him is a motor that won't stop and a defensive intensity that is really rare. If his offense never really develops, he still has the real potential to be all-defensive team caliber.

I do believe that one of those 4 players will be on our roster next year, and it will be interesting to watch the progress.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Suns are going to win the lottery, so they can take whomever.

I know the Suns don't have the best odds to win it, but it just feels like cosmic fate for the Suns to win it the year there's no clear #1 guy.

I want the Lakers to miss the playoffs and the Suns to win the lottery with the Laker's pick. Then we can draft #1 and #4.

 

[ProdigalSun]

This kid is good...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmMbm78sEB4&feature=youtu.be

 

[jagu]

This kid is good...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmMbm78sEB4&feature=youtu.be

He's definitely way better than Hamed Haddadi.

 

[HooverDam]

I want the Lakers to miss the playoffs and the Suns to win the lottery with the Laker's pick. Then we can draft #1 and #4.

Haha well that would be awesome, but insanely unlikely. Winning the #1 pick with LAs pick would be especially sweet though. Sadly if LA is the "best" non playoff team, they'll only have a 0.5% chance to win the lottery

 

[Russ Smith]

I like Shabazz attitude, it is similar to Kobe the guy wants to be the man and is very driven.

Sure he needs to mature some but I'd rather have that kind of attitude on my top pick than being a coaster. Let's not forget playing NCAA basketball is nothing Shabazz dreamt of. He would have gone straight to the pros and would have been the #2 pick behind Anthony Davis last year if he could declare.

You clearly haven't seen him play this year if you say he doesn't coast. in fact Ben has actually started pulling him out of games for not playing hard on defense. Bill Walton was complaining about it on a couple of telecasts recently, Bazz should be on th efloor Ben can't yank him just for not running back on defense what is he thinking.

I agree the current system forced Bazz to go to school, that doesn't mean he can't be a team player. can't forget that nonsense a couple of weeks ago when Drew hits the game winner and Bazz is visibly mad because he didn't get to take the shot.

Selfish player.

 

[BC867]

He's definitely way better than Hamed Haddadi.

And a better free-throw shooter than Howard. The Lakers should hire the kid as its free-throw coach.

 

[overseascardfan]

In all seriousness if we are drafting Top 5 IMO Cody Zeller should be the pick. NBA Draft Net compares him to LaMarcus Aldridge and he will fill the need for an offensive post player once Gortat is gone. He is far from complete as he has games where he only grabs 5 rebounds and he isn't going to remind anyone of Dikembe Mutombo with his shot blocking averaging just over 1 a game.

Noel's knee concerns me as this is his second knee injury going back to his high school days and his athleticism will be impacted by this injury. I say he's a 8/7/2 guy in the NBA as his numbers in NBA will definitely drop from college. Plus at 6'10, 228 going against guys who outweigh him by 20 pounds ain't going be easy.

McLemore is a stud but good SG's are easier to come by than productive post players, plus he may go #1 so he may not be available to PHX. There are other pretty good SG's that can be had later in Round 1 like Tim Hardaway Jr, Archie Goodwin or CJ McCollum.

Muhammed just reeks of a cancer who will destroy a locker room. Talented as he is as a scorer he just is not worth the headache. He will struggle in the NBA being guarded by bigger, stronger players who will force him to go right.

This is definitely the wrong year to have a Top 5 pick as all the prospects have major flaws. The only positive is PHX has 2 first rounders and the value towards the end of the round is better than in the lottery. Plus there will be a lot of pretty good players available in Round 2.

 

[Phrazbit]

I want to stay far away from Cody Zeller. He does not have the strength that Aldridge does to back down and create space. And he looks pathetic defensively and weak on the glass.

I think Zeller has the most bust potential of any of the projected high picks.

 

[SirStefan32]

I don't think he will be a bust, but I don't think he will ever be anything more than a decent role player. Maybe my expectations for him are really low?

To me, a big man who doesn't play D and doesn't rebound is not worth a first-round draft pick, let alone a top-five pick.

Don't want to touch Bazz with a ten-foot pole, Noel busted up his knee, which is really bad for someone who has nothing except athleticism, Bennet is a tweener, McLemore has some issues, but he is likely to be gone by the time the Suns pick, so I really don't know who I would take if McLemore was gone. Marcus Smart, Otto Porter, Oladipo, perhaps? Not sure how I feel about Len just yet.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't think he will be a bust, but I don't think he will ever be anything more than a decent role player. Maybe my expectations for him are really low?

To me, a big man who doesn't play D and doesn't rebound is not worth a first-round draft pick, let alone a top-five pick.

Don't want to touch Bazz with a ten-foot pole, Noel busted up his knee, which is really bad for someone who has nothing except athleticism, Bennet is a tweener, McLemore has some issues, but he is likely to be gone by the time the Suns pick, so I really don't know who I would take if McLemore was gone. Marcus Smart, Otto Porter, Oladipo, perhaps? Not sure how I feel about Len just yet.

Most tweeners are basketball players in search of a position, I don't feel that way about Bennett. I'm hoping we can grab him and one of the better shooting guards.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

Most tweeners are basketball players in search of a position, I don't feel that way about Bennett. I'm hoping we can grab him and one of the better shooting guards.

Steve

Eh, not too crazy about a 6'7 power forward, though his arms are very long, so he might be less undersized than most other 6'7 PFs. Too heavy to guard small forwards for sure, though he doesn't play defense no matter who he is guarding anyway.

EDIT:
In all fairness, he is a very good scorer, and almost impossible to defend.