2015-16 Draft Picks to watch...

[hcsilla]

Agreed, I also don't really get the enthusiasm towards WCS.

I understand that mobile 7-footers who are capable and willing to defend both pick-and-roll and the rim are valuable assets but if that's all what a #6-8 pick offers, I would be probably looking for other options.

 

[slinslin]

I'd be interessted how people feel about the top of the draft.. there seems to be two clear tiers at the top..

Tier 1 Potential Franchise Players
PG D'Angelo Russell - seems to have all the makings of a superstar PG, great vision, great size, good shooting, makes passes very few PGs can make
C Jahlil Okafor - super post player, but surprisingly weak on the boards
C Karl Anthony Towns - high upside, athletic, all-around center

Tier 2 Potential Allstars
SF Justise Winslow - very athletic, very good all-around game
PF Kristaps Porzingis - Nowitzki or Bargnani?
GF Mario Hezonja - athletic and talented guard/small forward, very cocky
PG Emmanuel Mudiay - hard to evaluate in China, injury history, scoring PG
SF Stanley Johnson - all around small forward, but needs to work on perimeter game

 

[JCSunsfan]

Hezonja reminds me of Dan Majerle as a rookie.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'd be interessted how people feel about the top of the draft.. there seems to be two clear tiers at the top..

Tier 1 Potential Franchise Players
PG D'Angelo Russell - seems to have all the makings of a superstar PG, great vision, great size, good shooting, makes passes very few PGs can make
C Jahlil Okafor - super post player, but surprisingly weak on the boards
C Karl Anthony Towns - high upside, athletic, all-around center

Tier 2 Potential Allstars
SF Justise Winslow - very athletic, very good all-around game
PF Kristaps Porzingis - Nowitzki or Bargnani?
GF Mario Hezonja - athletic and talented guard/small forward, very cocky
PG Emmanuel Mudiay - hard to evaluate in China, injury history, scoring PG
SF Stanley Johnson - all around small forward, but needs to work on perimeter game

there's something a little... doughy about Okafor that gives me pause to think he'll be a superstar. Not saying I wouldn't take him in a heartbeat, but does he have a killer inside him? Don't know enough about him to make that claim assertively, but anyone who watches regularly see the same or much different?

 

[slinslin]

I think Russell could or maybe should be the #1 pick. Seems like a safe pick to be a star.

 

[slinslin]

there's something a little... doughy about Okafor that gives me pause to think he'll be a superstar. Not saying I wouldn't take him in a heartbeat, but does he have a killer inside him? Don't know enough about him to make that claim assertively, but anyone who watches regularly see the same or much different?

From a Suns perspective I agree I think Okafor is the weakest of the top choices. Also because he does not run the floor hard/well.

His offensive game really reminds me of Duncan including his demeanor but on defense he looks more like Al Jefferson.

 

[Cheesebeef]

From a Suns perspective I agree I think Okafor is the weakest of the top choices. Also because he does not run the floor hard/well.

His offensive game really reminds me of Duncan including his demeanor but on defense he looks more like Al Jefferson.

From what I've seen, Jefferson sounds like a good comparison. Could he play PF next to Len if we tried to go with a Memphis type front line?

 

[Cheesebeef]

So disappointing. Miller's a very good coach, but I'm withholding words like great or spectacular until he actually a accomplishes something in the Dance (as would EVERY ONE OF YOU if he coached anywhere else).

 

[slinslin]

So disappointing. Miller's a very good coach, but I'm withholding words like great or spectacular until he actually a accomplishes something in the Dance (as would EVERY ONE OF YOU if he coached anywhere else).

Hard to blame him, Arizona just can't shoot at all.

Stanley Johnson has been terrible offensively in the tournament. I think right now he might not be a top 10 pick. His offense is just too limited, he is not perimeter threat at all and does not create. Winslow and Hezonja are most likely going to be taken before him so he'd be the 3rd SF taken.

Rondae is the only other NBA talent on that roster but he can't shoot either.

Kaminsky is really unpleasant to watch and plays no defense at all. I don't think his game translates well to the NBA, Spencer Hawes type maybe..

 

[slinslin]

DX only has Stanley at #9, Ford has him at #12

It is possible that Stanley Johnson will be passed up by Hezonja, Winslow, Oubre and Dekker and be only the 5th SF taken and available when the Suns pick.

I am not so sold on Stanley Johnson anymore, he has the work ethic to improve a lot but right now Stanley Johnson = PJ Tucker

 

[Russ Smith]

DX only has Stanley at #9, Ford has him at #12

It is possible that Stanley Johnson will be passed up by Hezonja, Winslow, Oubre and Dekker and be only the 5th SF taken and available when the Suns pick.

I am not so sold on Stanley Johnson anymore, he has the work ethic to improve a lot but right now Stanley Johnson = PJ Tucker

His issue is he matured physically very early so hes' always overpowered guys. he still can but not like he used to.

I don't know that I take Oubre ahead of him though, he really struggled for half a year at Kansas, he was not good on defense and very inconsistent on offense. Better athlete than Stanley but I'm not sure he has the offensive game.

Winslow is a better player for sure.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I wasn't impressed with Okafor in the Gonzaga game. I know that is a small window of observation, but he seemed to really struggle against size. He will face size like that all the time in the NBA.

I have been impressed with Kaminsky. He has great basketball skills. He can shoot, dribble, great fundamentals, boxes out rebounding. He also is fairly quick, even if not that athletic. He lacks strength, but has the skills to play and defend the 4 in the nba. Smaller quicker 4's would give him problems, but a player like Kieff would really struggle against Kaminsky.

He is alot like Channing Frye. He has the shooting ability, is similiar everywhere else, except Kaminsky has much better handles. For those that say Kaminsky is a more versatile scorer, that is true in college. But it was true in college with Frye too. Frye began to shoot the three much more only after he came to the Suns.

 

[Joe Mama]

I wasn't impressed with Okafor in the Gonzaga game. I know that is a small window of observation, but he seemed to really struggle against size. He will face size like that all the time in the NBA.

I have been impressed with Kaminsky. He has great basketball skills. He can shoot, dribble, great fundamentals, boxes out rebounding. He also is fairly quick, even if not that athletic. He lacks strength, but has the skills to play and defend the 4 in the nba. Smaller quicker 4's would give him problems, but a player like Kieff would really struggle against Kaminsky.

He is alot like Channing Frye. He has the shooting ability, is similiar everywhere else, except Kaminsky has much better handles. For those that say Kaminsky is a more versatile scorer, that is true in college. But it was true in college with Frye too. Frye began to shoot the three much more only after he came to the Suns.

I don't know. Watching Kaminsky in the tournament I would say Channing Frye has Michael Jordan like athleticism compared to Kaminsky. I don't think Kaminsky will get by anybody in the NBA. He looked really slow to me and I think what bothers me most was that he remind me of Robin Lopez the way he was always kind of leaned over trying to get around people.

I wanted to like him as a prospect. Really did. I think he's going to have to shoot the hell out of the three-pointer to stick in the NBA and I think he's going to get eaten alive on the other end whether he's guarding power forwards or centers.

Next Saturday's game will be fun to watch, especially if they defend him straight up with Cauley Stein , Towns, Lyles, Johnson, or one of the other seemingly endless supply of NBA caliber players on Kentucky.

I don't know. It seems like I've been wrong about as many players as I've been right about when it comes to success in the NBA, and I'll certainly change my mind several times before the draft. As of this exact moment though I would not take Kaminsky in the lottery.

Joe

 

[JCSunsfan]

I don't know. Watching Kaminsky in the tournament I would say Channing Frye has Michael Jordan like athleticism compared to Kaminsky. I don't think Kaminsky will get by anybody in the NBA. He looked really slow to me and I think what bothers me most was that he remind me of Robin Lopez the way he was always kind of leaned over trying to get around people.

I wanted to like him as a prospect. Really did. I think he's going to have to shoot the hell out of the three-pointer to stick in the NBA and I think he's going to get eaten alive on the other end whether he's guarding power forwards or centers.

Next Saturday's game will be fun to watch, especially if they defend him straight up with Cauley Stein , Towns, Lyles, Johnson, or one of the other seemingly endless supply of NBA caliber players on Kentucky.

I don't know. It seems like I've been wrong about as many players as I've been right about when it comes to success in the NBA, and I'll certainly change my mind several times before the draft. As of this exact moment though I would not take Kaminsky in the lottery.

Joe

Watch the head to head video of Kaminsky vs. Okafor on draftexpress. I assume Okafor will be a legit big man. Kaminsky seems fairly quick to me, though not fast down the court. He has pf skills and seems like he would best fit that role.

It seems to me that college ball these days is played at a frenetic, out of control pace (with all the accompanying turnovers and fouls). It might make a big man playing under control look a little slower than he actually is.

Let me put it this way. He has as much athleticism as Kieff. But he is bigger and has better skills. Kieff is stronger. There are things that Kaminsky is doing now that many starting NBA centers will never be able to do in their careers. He has his limitations, but his floor is high.

If we could find a way to move up from 13 to 9 or 10 to get him, it would probably be worth it.

 

[slinslin]

Kaminsky could not guard a chair.

I don't think any of his skills will translate, Spencer Hawes is the best case I see for him.

Kaminsky is not even close to as athletic as Kieff.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Kaminsky could not guard a chair.

I don't think any of his skills will translate, Spencer Hawes is the best case I see for him.

Kaminsky is not even close to as athletic as Kieff.

Wow. Hard to believe our opinions could be so different. I am curious why you think he is such a bad defender. He is known as a decent defender.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/frank-kaminsky-wisconsin-final-four-ncaa-title

How does he do it? He’s a seven-footer who plays like he’s four inches shorter. He has the ability of a Coach K disciple of playing aggressive offense and stifling defense without getting called for a foul. (Prior to Saturday, Kaminsky never was whistled for more than three fouls in a game.) He’s as deadly from beyond the arc as he is inside and his standing, one-handed floater from the key is nearly unstoppable. Kaminsky can dribble through a press, play solid interior defense and always seems to make the right decision on the offensive end. He’s rated No. 1 nationally on kenpom.com in terms of offensive efficiency. His Badgers also hold that No. 1 ranking as a team.

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/102973/advanced-stats-favor-kaminsky-over-okafor

Defensively
Although many of the advanced offensive metrics favor Kaminsky, both players are having extremely efficient seasons on that end of the court. They are major reasons why Wisconsin and Duke are two of the most efficient offenses in the nation.

The one major difference when comparing the two players, though, is their contributions on defense. Despite his size, Okafor is 14th in the ACC in defensive rebound percentage and has struggled to keep opponents out of the paint (Duke allowed 62 paint point Wednesday against UNC). Kaminsky leads the Big Ten in defensive rebound percentage and is rebounding almost 27 percent of his opponents’ missed shots.

Basketball Reference’s defensive rating is an estimate of the points a player allows per 100 possessions that he faces while on the court. It is based on his rebounds, blocks, steals, turnovers and forced misses. Based on this all-encompassing measure, Kaminsky is a top-35 defender and Okafor ranks outside of the top 300 (minimum of 20 minutes per game and 20 games played).

I really have a hard time seeing why he is as bad as everyone seems to think except that he is white and he doesn't jump really high.

 

[SirStefan32]

Wow. Hard to believe our opinions could be so different. I am curious why you think he is such a bad defender. He is known as a decent defender.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/frank-kaminsky-wisconsin-final-four-ncaa-title

How does he do it? He’s a seven-footer who plays like he’s four inches shorter. He has the ability of a Coach K disciple of playing aggressive offense and stifling defense without getting called for a foul. (Prior to Saturday, Kaminsky never was whistled for more than three fouls in a game.) He’s as deadly from beyond the arc as he is inside and his standing, one-handed floater from the key is nearly unstoppable. Kaminsky can dribble through a press, play solid interior defense and always seems to make the right decision on the offensive end. He’s rated No. 1 nationally on kenpom.com in terms of offensive efficiency. His Badgers also hold that No. 1 ranking as a team.

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/102973/advanced-stats-favor-kaminsky-over-okafor

Defensively
Although many of the advanced offensive metrics favor Kaminsky, both players are having extremely efficient seasons on that end of the court. They are major reasons why Wisconsin and Duke are two of the most efficient offenses in the nation.

The one major difference when comparing the two players, though, is their contributions on defense. Despite his size, Okafor is 14th in the ACC in defensive rebound percentage and has struggled to keep opponents out of the paint (Duke allowed 62 paint point Wednesday against UNC). Kaminsky leads the Big Ten in defensive rebound percentage and is rebounding almost 27 percent of his opponents’ missed shots.

Basketball Reference’s defensive rating is an estimate of the points a player allows per 100 possessions that he faces while on the court. It is based on his rebounds, blocks, steals, turnovers and forced misses. Based on this all-encompassing measure, Kaminsky is a top-35 defender and Okafor ranks outside of the top 300 (minimum of 20 minutes per game and 20 games played).

I really have a hard time seeing why he is as bad as everyone seems to think except that he is white and he doesn't jump really high.

I don't quite agree with Slin, but regardless of what these fancy advanced stats say, Kaminsky doesn't pass the eye test for a top-35 defender spot.

 

[Phrazbit]

Wisconsin is a strong defensive team, one of the better in the country, but that is in large part due to a load of experienced players buying into the system. So he may rate as a 'top 35 defender' (which is such a random number that I'm guessing he is 33rd-35th), but IMO that is a reflection of the system. I don't see any chance he ends up being a plus defender in the NBA. Pau plays a similar style and is a very very good defender but I'd guess he weighs at least 30 pounds more and is (or at least was in his prime) more mobile too.

 

[slinslin]

Arizona constantly attacked Kaminsky and scored on him, even tiny 6'8 Brandon Ashley had his way with him in the post.

I don't think his offensive moves will work against NBA defenders. Hooking around a defender or going by them.

I can't see how he could possibly defend power forwards in the NBA he is not as athletic as Channing Frye.

 

[Russ Smith]

Arizona constantly attacked Kaminsky and scored on him, even tiny 6'8 Brandon Ashley had his way with him in the post.

I don't think his offensive moves will work against NBA defenders. Hooking around a defender or going by them.

I can't see how he could possibly defend power forwards in the NBA he is not as athletic as Channing Frye.

He's certainly not a great defender but UA scored on him because he got fouls and had to be careful. Keep in mind Ashley and Tarc combined for 28 points and 6 boards in 46 minutes, Kaminsky put up 29 and 6 in 38 minutes all by himself. So while yes UA attacked him, he more than held his own against UA.

And as others have mentioned, he's not normally in foul trouble, the refs called lots of fouls in this game. UA fans were saying that was to the detriment of UA, I disagree, it hurt Wisconsin more. They foul less than anybody else, they don't have depth up front, that was very unfamiliar territory for them playing that long with a key guy in foul trouble, and it showed.

I don't think he'll be an NBA star but I do think he'll eventually be able to score in the NBA, he'll have to get stronger.

I expect UK will bother him with all that size, but they bother everyone, if they play Duke, they will bother Okafor too.

 

[slinslin]

Ashley and Tarc also are not NBA caliber players.

 

[JCSunsfan]

That is my estimation of him. Borderline all-star (just because there are so few bigs, and especially if he goes to the EC) on the high side, Channing Frye 6th man type on the low side. He will contribute. He is just too skilled, too big, and too smart not to do so.

Safe pick.

 

[slinslin]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/237274/Chris-McCullough-Plans-To-Declare-For-NBA-Draft

McCullough was a prime target for the Suns before his injury I thought. Especially if he measured a true 6'10. Very athletic power forward.

With the injury he is probably at best a late first round pick.

 

[slinslin]

Willie Cauley-Stein must have lost a lot of credit.

So far scouts were still saying despite his low raw production that he is a generational type defensive prospect.

But tonight he got 2 points 5 rebounds in 33 minutes while Kaminsky had his way.

WCS in the tournament

6.4 ppg 6.4 rpg 29mpg. As a junior that can't be top 10 material no matter what.

Justise Winslow on the other hand.... hands down best player in the tournament.

 

[leclerc]

We need about everything so I think we should draft BPA this year.

Maybe not PG though if we keep Bledsoe and Knight with Goodwin being able to play the point.

I hope we go big because I think Warren and Goodwin can be our starters on the wing positions or at least be in the rotation. Hopefully we trade Bledsoe or Knight with some other pieces to get better up front.

We only have our own first round pick this year, right?

Let's get someone who does one or two things really well. A tweener with potential but lacking effort is typically a wasted pick.