You have to be nuts to pass on Carmello Anthony!

[Yuma]

If I was a GM it's Carmello Anthony, no doubt with the number one pick! You see how he can score on the best opponenets division 1 basketball can throw at him? This is potential Michael Jordan stuff here. The name of the game is putting the ball in the basket and this guy has done it against better competition than anyone else in the draft, period! Lebron James will put fans in the stands for a half season to a season tops! When they see how weak his game is against NBA big men, and him riding the pine major minutes, fans who are coming to the games just to see him will give up pretty quickly on that. Who has he scored against? Other short slow high school kids? Look at how much his stats were inflated by how many dunks he had. Amare is different because he is a genetic freak. He has the strength to muscle up against NBA's strongest guys. He can't be pushed out. Lebron will be. I know none of you will agree with me, but I am calling my shot now. Whoever gets Carmello Anthony will have this next season's NBA Rookie Of The Year! I would trade Joe Johnson and Casey Jacobsen plus next year's number one for Anthony. Make him our starting two guard and watch the Suns hit the 100 point margin every game!

 

[Chaplin]

I'd actually like to know how many times you've seen either player play, Yuma...

 

[Joe Mama]

You would give up Joe Johnson, Casey Jacobsen, and that year's No. 1 for the No. 2 draft pick to get Anthony? I got news for you, Yuma. It would take a HELL of a lot more than that to do it. It would probably take more than that just to get a late lottery pick.

I have a prediction for some of you who love Anthony so much. I think he's going to be a very good player, but he isn't going to be a superstar. Anthony is not Tracy McGrady. McGrady is much, much more athletic. He's also a better shooter. Anthony is more like a poor man's Paul Pierce. That's damn good, but Wilbur on James has more potential.

Of course you guys know it's going to be difficult to judge these players next year. A lot of it will have to do with which team takes them.

Joe Mama

 

[Yuma]

Three times for Lebron off the top of my head, and however many times Anthony played on TV this year during the NCAA playoffs. I was very impressed with his tournament play (Anthony) and thought the Lebron James high school games I saw were freak shows. The high school all star game I saw was just like an NBA all star game in that noone was really playing too much defense, so it was really hard to see how Lebron's skills would parlay into the NBA. He has a nice jumper at times, but looked like he could be rushed offensivly when a guy was putting a hand in his face. I thought he looked weak when he tried to bang. He will not be able to do that in the NBA. He also doesn't box out well. I would love to see him try and guard Amare, or try and box him out!

 

[Chaplin]

I also think that James is overrated, but I still think he is the clear-cut number one pick. He still could be a very good player--he has a better personality than Kobe had when he was drafted as well.

 

[Yuma]

Joe I would take Paul Pierce playing with Marion, Marbury, and Stoudamire in a minute!!! That's what I am saying, get a legitimate two guard with this group and watch the points pile up. Anthony is 100 times more agressive than Joe Johnson, and that's what we need! I agree with you that my package would not be enough, however, a couple teams have already said if they get a high pick, they are willing to trade down. Once the Lebron lottery is over, you may see a team pass up on Anthony, and trade down.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

No team in the top 3 will trade down. Maybe the number 4 and below, but whoever gets the top 3 is getting a very good talent. No way anyone leaves that spot, unless they get an allstar in return.

 

[Yuma]

I can't find it yet because I read about 40 online sports sites a day, but one of the GMs just today said he would be willing to trade down from the two or three spot if that's what he got in the lottery. I'm wanting to say it was Cleveland's, but I am not 100 percent sure on that until I find the quote directly. I also remember a couple months ago one of the Eastern Gms saying he would think about a muliple player trade for the number one pick, and that was assuming James was coming out. I think you would have to wait a while for james and Milic to adjust to the NBA, whereas, Anthony could be starting for you before the year was out, especially if you are a lottery team, he could start right away.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Yuma
Joe I would take Paul Pierce playing with Marion, Marbury, and Stoudamire in a minute!!! That's what I am saying, get a legitimate two guard with this group and watch the points pile up. Anthony is 100 times more agressive than Joe Johnson, and that's what we need! I agree with you that my package would not be enough, however, a couple teams have already said if they get a high pick, they are willing to trade down. Once the Lebron lottery is over, you may see a team pass up on Anthony, and trade down.

Don't misunderstand me. I would absolutely love to have Anthony. As far as your "package" not being enough... well that sounds like a personal problem to me.

Originally posted by Yuma
I thought he looked weak when he tried to bang. He will not be able to do that in the NBA. He also doesn't box out well. I would love to see him try and guard Amare, or try and box him out!

Lebron James is bigger and stronger than Carmelo Anthony. He's also more athletic. If you watched that McDonald's All-America game were the first game they showed on ESPN you saw James' greatest strength-his passing.

BTW, there are probably only a handful of players in the entire draft that could box out Amare Stoudemire. Lebron James might play small forward at first (actually point forward), but he'll end up in the backcourt.

Joe Mama

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Yuma
I can't find it yet because I read about 40 online sports sites a day, but one of the GMs just today said he would be willing to trade down from the two or three spot if that's what he got in the lottery. I'm wanting to say it was Cleveland's, but I am not 100 percent sure on that until I find the quote directly. I also remember a couple months ago one of the Eastern Gms saying he would think about a muliple player trade for the number one pick, and that was assuming James was coming out. I think you would have to wait a while for james and Milic to adjust to the NBA, whereas, Anthony could be starting for you before the year was out, especially if you are a lottery team, he could start right away.

I read somewhere also that Cleveland will trade down if they don't get one of the top two draft picks. Of course that could have been just media speculation.

I really think you are underestimating James. I can't think of a team in the lottery that he wouldn't be starting for right away.

Joe Mama

 

[Yuma]

Anthony is more of a Marion type player, who I see being moved to the two gaurd in the NBA. He has a much better shot than Shawn, and can shoot the three. I really think he has NBA three range. I am really down on the Suns getting some real help in this draft. I mean starter type help. We don't have that great of centers, and even then I don't think we can draft a starter over what we have. I am looking at the talent, and I think Anthony is the only guy in the draft that could crack our starting lineup. That being said, I wouldn't break up Marion, Marbury, and Stoudamire to get him. So I really don't think we would get him. I am just amking a point, that if I was a lottery GM, I would take Anthony over James. Everyone would scream about it, but I would take the heat until he is cooling off the criticism by putting up NBA ROY numbers!

 

[Joe Mama]

The Suns two greatest needs are a center and scoring off the bench. I agree that they're not going to find someone to crack the starting lineup, but they really could find someone to contribute off the bench. Look at Tayshaun Prince. He was drafted 22 or 23, and he is making a significant difference for the Pistons in the playoffs.

Joe Mama

 

[Yuma]

Joe, as far as my package not being enough, that's my wife's problem!

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by Yuma
Joe, as far as my package not being enough, that's my wife's problem!

most men would argue that point, not admit to it.........

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

i'd actually consider trading marion and jj for 'melo. i think he's gonna be that good. he can create his own shot (which marion still can't do). we'd lose some rebounding with marion, but i think in all other areas 'melo will be as good as marion (with time, i don't think he'll come in as good right off the bat). also, i don't think 'melo's game is ever gonna translate over to sg. he's a pure sf in my mind.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
You would give up Joe Johnson, Casey Jacobsen, and that year's No. 1 for the No. 2 draft pick to get Anthony? I got news for you, Yuma. It would take a HELL of a lot more than that to do it. It would probably take more than that just to get a late lottery pick.

I have a prediction for some of you who love Anthony so much. I think he's going to be a very good player, but he isn't going to be a superstar. Anthony is not Tracy McGrady. McGrady is much, much more athletic. He's also a better shooter.

Joe Mama

I agree. Anthony reminds me of the less talented and a bit more athletic version of Jamal Mashburn.

 

[slinslin]

I wouldn't say less talented than Mashburn.

It took Mashburn years in the NBA to get to the level he is now. Anthony could very very quickly get to that level.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by slinslin
I wouldn't say less talented than Mashburn.

It took Mashburn years in the NBA to get to the level he is now. Anthony could very very quickly get to that level.

I don't remember how talented was Mashburn when he entered in NBA.
Anthony will have to improve a lot to average Mashburn's ball-handling, passing and one-on-one play level.

 

[PhxGametime]

Mashburn avg. 24.1 pts 2nd year in league and 19 1st year...IMO Darko could be biggest disappointment of 3...

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Joe Mama

I have a prediction for some of you who love Anthony so much. I think he's going to be a very good player, but he isn't going to be a superstar. Anthony is not Tracy McGrady. McGrady is much, much more athletic. He's also a better shooter. Anthony is more like a poor man's Paul Pierce. That's damn good, but Wilbur on James has more potential.

Of course you guys know it's going to be difficult to judge these players next year. A lot of it will have to do with which team takes them.

Joe Mama

Some of that is true but what I love about Carmelo is you're talking about a kid at 19 who dominated college basketball and he's not even in great "shape" yet. First thing scouts started saying about him is he needs to get in the gym, quit eating junk food and tone that body(which is true he needs more definition). This is a kid who's gained about 25 pounds since his junior year, some of it muscle, some of it not.

Put him in the right program and he's going to be a much better athlete in 2 years than he is now, won't be McGrady but he'll be a good athlete for sure. I think he's a better PURE shooter than TMac but it's hard to tell Tmac's shooting has improved every year in the NBA.

I can say without a doubt he's a better shooter than LeBron is, and he has better fundamentals what really set him apart is his footwork which allows him to find shots from impossible angles on the baselines.

I like both players, I think Anthony will probably be a better player at first(although LeBron will likely get more minutes) because of his year in college.

 

[slinslin]

Originally posted by BbaLL_31
Mashburn avg. 24.1 pts 2nd year in league and 19 1st year...IMO Darko could be biggest disappointment of 3...

Masburn also averaged 10.6 in his 4th year, 13.4 in the 5th and worse until he got back to 17.5ppg in 99/00

When Mashburn first came into the league I don't remember him being nearly as complete of a player as he is right now.

I don't see how Carmello is less talented. If anything I think Carmello is more talented and more athletic.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by slinslin


I don't see how Carmello is less talented. If anything I think Carmello is more talented and more athletic.

There is a lot wrong with this statement. This is a major opinion, and one that isn't really backed up with any facts. It's easy to assume he'll play the same in the NBA as he did in college. But it's a different game.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Chaplin
There is a lot wrong with this statement. This is a major opinion, and one that isn't really backed up with any facts. It's easy to assume he'll play the same in the NBA as he did in college. But it's a different game.

I don't see how either opinion is backed with facts?

Anthony was the top rated HS player in the country as a senior, Mashburn wasn't. Mashburn wasn't even the top rated PF coming out of HS both Ed O'Bannon and Rodney Rogers were rated ahead of him. Mash was very good but he had a weight problem in HS and was still seen as a kid who needed to drop the fat if he was going to pan out.

He is a good not great athlete he's not a great leaper nor explosively quick. he's a great ball handler, very versatile, but not a great shooter.

anthony is similar in that he's not yet fully grown into his body he's getting bigger and stronger but he's got a ways to go before he is a "cut" athlete. He's about the same height and a better shooter. he's a great passer he didn't always get to show it at Syracuse but he's got that in his game.

I don't know if he'll be better than Mash or not but I don't think it's a stretch to say Carmelo at 19 is more talented than Mash was at 19.

 

[slinslin]

Chaplin if you are already trying to be a smart ass about everything why don't you read a little more carefully?

I never said that Carmello Anthony's impact in college has anything to do with his impact in the NBA.

But anyway the fact that Anthony was the top rated highschool player, top rated college player and immediately lead his team to the NCAA championship as a freshman should tell you something that he is far ahead of Mashburn at the same stage of their careers.

This pretty clearly backs up my opinion that he is more talented than Jamal Mashburn.

Mashburn made his first allstar team this season.

 

[Yuma]

If you want a guy that can play at the NBA level immediatly, then take Carmello. I get the feeling watching Lebron's game in HS, that the NBA players are going to make a point of shutting him down in games thay play against him, and they will be able to do it. As a HS kid he's great, but his footwork, and slow delivery on jumpers are going to kill him on this level. Milicic will have problems in that he is very light weight for his position and he is a skills player who doesn't have the body to bang or the good footwork to box out consistently. He can be moved off the low post, and will be. His game in Europe thrived on the non-contact play they do over there. I will be amazed if he does well next year. However both James and Milicic have the raw skills to be very good down the road. Lebron it may take two years to get rolling, and Milicic may not be really good until his third year, at which point he's almost out of his NBA rookie contract. They are complaining Detroit has only one scorer, Rip Hamilton, and noone else can make their own shot on the team currently. Enter Carmello Anthony, as a legit second option for the Pistons. Rebounding, and a center shooting threes is not what the Pistons need. They need some more speed and athleticism. They may still take Milicic, but I think it's a mistake.