Minnesota will fuck up the first pick taking a bad luck future bust off the bored.
Lucky Lakers
- Thread starter RaceBannon
- Start date
allpurpleallgold
New Fish
People are already saying they'll take Okafor when everyone agrees Towns is better. I don't know who those players are, because I don't watch college "basketball", but I'm hearing they're good.
NeedleInTheSky88
New Fish
I like Okafor more. Okafor is arguably the most polished low post player out of college since Tim Duncan. If he were to play in the NBA tomorrow, he'd already be a top 6 or 7 offensive center. The problem with Okafor is he can't shoot FT's worth a lick and can't defend. He'll never be a shot blocker, but I do think he can improve on his positional defense.
Either way the Lakers are sitting good. They can't screw this up. It's like when Seattle had the #2 pick and got Durant. There are two really good players in this draft, it is up to the TWolves to screw it up, Lakers just take whoever the TWolves don't take. Just like how Seattle was going to take whoever Portland didn't take between Oden and KD.
Either way the Lakers are sitting good. They can't screw this up. It's like when Seattle had the #2 pick and got Durant. There are two really good players in this draft, it is up to the TWolves to screw it up, Lakers just take whoever the TWolves don't take. Just like how Seattle was going to take whoever Portland didn't take between Oden and KD.
BallSacked
New Fish
I could see both Okafor and Towns turn to be just okay. Okafor has some nice offensive skill, but he doesn't strike me as an above average defender/rim protector. Towns is the opposite player. I could see either guy get the #1 spot.
I think Mudiay ends up the best player in the draft, went to China for a year instead of SMU. Reminds me of John Wall a bit. He'll go to Philly at 3 or NY at 4.
I think Mudiay ends up the best player in the draft, went to China for a year instead of SMU. Reminds me of John Wall a bit. He'll go to Philly at 3 or NY at 4.
NeGgaPlEaSe
New Fish
Upshaw to the Lakers at 27,
Front line of Upshaw, Okafor and Randle,
Front line of Upshaw, Okafor and Randle,
FreeChavez
Active poster
I'll channel my inner doog and say that upshaw could be a very good to elite nba center. He obviously already has the defensive side, and was starting to mold his offensive game before he shot himself in the foot and was removed. It will hurt him in the first contract, but providing he's in shape for team workouts I wouldn't be shocked to see him go in the first round. Hell, the cavs could even take him. Pair him with bron and you'll really see things rolling.
Voted down for taking so long to realize this. I completely agree with your inner doog Chavey. He has elite size and defensive instincts. Rim protection is very coveted in the NBA, and Upshaw offers that. Any offense is a bonus, and word from his workouts is that he has shown offensive skill that wasn't seen in college.
I'll be very surprised if Upshaw doesn't go first round. The contracts are only guaranteed for two years and there are only 5-10 (at most) true impact players in every draft. Upshaw is one of those guys.
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Tequilla
Active poster
Okafor is the best player in the draft ...
Most of the things that he needs to improve on can be fixed with hard work and attention to detail.
Towns is a guy that I could see being a 16-18 point per game, 8+ boards per game but I'm not sure I ever see him as a difference maker. Okafor is a difference maker.
Most of the things that he needs to improve on can be fixed with hard work and attention to detail.
Towns is a guy that I could see being a 16-18 point per game, 8+ boards per game but I'm not sure I ever see him as a difference maker. Okafor is a difference maker.
FreeChavez
Active poster
That's a fair shot across the bow
Disagree. Okafor will be a very good low post scorer, but he's maxed out. He's not getting much better. He will always be slow footed and he will never be a defensive presence. I see him as a 20 a game guy on borderline playoff to lottery teams.
Towns' game fits better in today's NBA. He can shoot and he can play PF or C. He played very well in the tournament against Notre Dame and Wisconsin.
NeGgaPlEaSe
New Fish
Lakers still need to target Upshaw. He will go in the first round, Boston of all teams loves Upshaw as well. Seems like some team will take a chance on him, money will buy a sports Doctor, and rehab specialist.
Indiana at #11 would be a good spot for Upshaw too. He either sits behind Hibbert for a year or the Pacers jettison Hibbert and let Upshaw and a cheaper veteran take over.
@Tequilla - This Bleacher Report article lays out why Towns is better. Flag for Bleacher Report if you would like, but it has some good stats that show why Towns' is the smarter pick. Towns' defensive rating led the country. He's a two way player, who can shoot FT's. The only thing Okafor does better is score. Towns' is a better rebounder, shot blocker, and he's a better athlete with a higher ceiling.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ny-towns-over-jahlil-okafor-in-2015-nba-draft
@Tequilla - This Bleacher Report article lays out why Towns is better. Flag for Bleacher Report if you would like, but it has some good stats that show why Towns' is the smarter pick. Towns' defensive rating led the country. He's a two way player, who can shoot FT's. The only thing Okafor does better is score. Towns' is a better rebounder, shot blocker, and he's a better athlete with a higher ceiling.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ny-towns-over-jahlil-okafor-in-2015-nba-draft
RavennaDawg
New Fish
Can't get luckier than trading two stiffs to the Cavs for James Worthy. Unless you can manage to trade Gail Goodrich to the Jazz for Magic Johnson.
I think Upshaw's a great flyer for a team to take at the bottom of the first round, but anyone taking him at 11 is batshit crazy. Yeah he could be a top 10 player in this draft. He could also be out of the league in six months.
It's not the NFL draft where you might not want to take a chance. It's way different. If you have a chance at a true impact guy, you take a chance. The first round contracts are only guaranteed for two years, so it's really not even that big of risk. Chances are, an impact guy isn't getting picked #11.
The past ten guys who went #11: Doug McDermott (probable bust, role player at best), Michael Carter-Williams (good pick), Myers Leonard (Some skill, but soft), Klay Thompson (All Star), Cole Aldrich (Bust), Terrence Williams (Bust), Jerryd Bayless (Journeyman), Acie Law (Bust), JJ Redick (good pick), Fran Vasquez (who?). If we go further back we get Andris Biedrins, Michael Pietrus, Jared Jeffries, Kedrick Brown, Jerome Moiso, and Trajan Langdon. Biedrins did well enough to get a large 2nd contract before washing out. Pietrus and Jeffries were role players at best.
4 out of the 16 guys listed are/were good NBA players. I'm being generous and considering Biedrins a good player. 25%. Only one is an All Star. I bet it's likely you could do the same thing with most picks outside the top 5.
Early projections don't think that Upshaw won't go lottery, and I don't necessarily believe he will be picked #11, but if a team thinks he can be a starting center and defensive anchor, history shows it would be FS not to pick him, regardless of his baggage.
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dnc
New Fish
Good research and I'd be interested to see if 11 has just been unlucky or if 10, 12 and 13 have sucked too.I think Upshaw's a great flyer for a team to take at the bottom of the first round, but anyone taking him at 11 is batshit crazy. Yeah he could be a top 10 player in this draft. He could also be out of the league in six months.
It's not the NFL draft where you might not want to take a chance. It's way different. If you have a chance at a true impact guy, you take a chance. The first round contracts are only guaranteed for two years, so it's really not even that big of risk. Chances are, an impact guy isn't getting picked #11.
The past ten guys who went #11: Doug McDermott (probable bust, role player at best), Michael Carter-Williams (good pick), Myers Leonard (Some skill, but soft), Klay Thompson (All Star), Cole Aldrich (Bust), Terrence Williams (Bust), Jerryd Bayless (Journeyman), Acie Law (Bust), JJ Redick (good pick), Fran Vasquez (who?). If we go further back we get Andris Biedrins, Michael Pietrus, Jared Jeffries, Kedrick Brown, Jerome Moiso, and Trajan Langdon. Biedrins did well enough to get a large 2nd contract before washing out. Pietrus and Jeffries were role players at best.
4 out of the 16 guys listed are/were good NBA players. I'm being generous and considering Biedrins a good player. 25%. Only one is an All Star. I bet it's likely you could do the same thing with most picks outside the top 5.
Early projections don't think that Upshaw won't go lottery, and I don't necessarily believe he will be picked #11, but if a team thinks he can be a starting center and defensive anchor, history shows it would be FS not to pick him, regardless of his baggage.
I'm sure most of those teams thought their picks could be something worthwhile though so I'm not sure thinking Upshaw can be a starting center means it would be FS not to take him. There's probably four or five guys that all those teams think *could* turn into something at that point, the trick is picking the right one.
@dnc, now I'm curious. Here it is.
#10 - Elfrid Payton (Solid so far, but can't shoot), CJ McCollum (Has a chance), Austin Rivers (Role player at best), Jimmer (Bust), Paul George (All Star), Brandon Jennings (good player), Brook Lopez (Good player, borderline All Star), Spencer Hawes (I detest his game and soft bigs in general, but he did have a few decent years), Mohammud Sene (Bust - Forgot the Sonics took this bum), Andrew Bynum (was an All Star), Luke Jackson (Bust)
Most guys picked #10 have been successful.
#12 - Dario Saric (Hasn't played yet), Steven Adams (good player), Jeremy Lamb (Bust so far), Alec Burks (Decent, nothing special), Xavier Henry (Bust), Gerald Henderson (Decent to good player), Jason Thompson (Journeyman), Thaddeous Young (Good player), Hilton Armstrong (Bust), Yaroslav Korelev (Who?, Huge Bust), Robert Swift (lol)
#12 has been a mixed bag. No All Stars, a couple decent players, a couple busts
#13 - Zach Lavine (Raw talent. IMO a probable bust), Kelly Olynk (Decent), Kendall Marshall (Bust), Markieff Morris (good player), Ed Davis (Journeyman to Bust), Tyler Hansborough (Bust), Brandon Rush (Bust), Julian Wright (Bust), Thabo Sefalosha (Role Player), Sean May (Bust), Sebastian Telfair (Bust)
#13 have been mostly busts. No All Stars.
I still stand by saying that if GM's really believe Upshaw is a lottery talent, you might as well take him in the lottery. If he fucks up, he's gone in two years. And at the recent NBA combine, Upshaw did nothing but help himself by having the tallest standing reach and the biggest hands of anyone there.
I kind of see a parallel with Marcus Peters. Peters was considered toxic for awhile, and his dismissal was supposedly going to cost him millions before his talent won out and he got picked about where he should have. He maybe slipped a little, but not too much. I think ultimately that will happen with Upshaw.
#10 - Elfrid Payton (Solid so far, but can't shoot), CJ McCollum (Has a chance), Austin Rivers (Role player at best), Jimmer (Bust), Paul George (All Star), Brandon Jennings (good player), Brook Lopez (Good player, borderline All Star), Spencer Hawes (I detest his game and soft bigs in general, but he did have a few decent years), Mohammud Sene (Bust - Forgot the Sonics took this bum), Andrew Bynum (was an All Star), Luke Jackson (Bust)
Most guys picked #10 have been successful.
#12 - Dario Saric (Hasn't played yet), Steven Adams (good player), Jeremy Lamb (Bust so far), Alec Burks (Decent, nothing special), Xavier Henry (Bust), Gerald Henderson (Decent to good player), Jason Thompson (Journeyman), Thaddeous Young (Good player), Hilton Armstrong (Bust), Yaroslav Korelev (Who?, Huge Bust), Robert Swift (lol)
#12 has been a mixed bag. No All Stars, a couple decent players, a couple busts
#13 - Zach Lavine (Raw talent. IMO a probable bust), Kelly Olynk (Decent), Kendall Marshall (Bust), Markieff Morris (good player), Ed Davis (Journeyman to Bust), Tyler Hansborough (Bust), Brandon Rush (Bust), Julian Wright (Bust), Thabo Sefalosha (Role Player), Sean May (Bust), Sebastian Telfair (Bust)
#13 have been mostly busts. No All Stars.
I still stand by saying that if GM's really believe Upshaw is a lottery talent, you might as well take him in the lottery. If he fucks up, he's gone in two years. And at the recent NBA combine, Upshaw did nothing but help himself by having the tallest standing reach and the biggest hands of anyone there.
I kind of see a parallel with Marcus Peters. Peters was considered toxic for awhile, and his dismissal was supposedly going to cost him millions before his talent won out and he got picked about where he should have. He maybe slipped a little, but not too much. I think ultimately that will happen with Upshaw.
Most mock drafts (draftexpress, si.com, nbadraft.net, bleacher report) I have seen have Towns going #1.Towns' offensive numbers are pretty good, especially considering how many guys he shared the load with. On a per minute basis he averaged more points than Anthony Davis so to pretend like he wasn't good on offense is FS. He was good, and he shot 81% from the line.
I would say big guys that can protect the rim, rebound, and stretch the floor are pretty fucking valuable in today's NBA. Towns offers all of those things.
Okafor's not maxed out, but Towns is a better athlete. The general consensus is that Okafor is more polished, but Towns has a higher ceiling and is a better defender.
How does Okafor have more skill? The only thing Okafor does better is score in the post. Towns did everything else better. He rebounded better, he's a better shooter, he blocked more shots, his defensive rating was better. And he's taller with a slightly larger wing snap.
On a 40 minute comparison, Towns wins in most categories. He rebounded better, he blocked more shots, he averaged more assists, less turnovers. Okafor scored more and had a higher FG percentage.
Are we done here or should I keep going?
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