Cody Zeller

What are the chances we end up with Cody Zeller playing along side Unibrow?

I think that would be one serious dynamic duo.

what are the chances we win back to back lotteries?

He's gonna go top 3 so its gonna be tough, mostly likely we will be drafting a SF or C like poythress or that Alex dude from maryland who owned nerlens noel.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

He's gonna go top 3 so its gonna be tough, mostly likely we will be drafting a SF or C like poythress or that Alex dude from maryland who owned nerlens noel.

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I know I'm probably in a very small minority but I'm already rooting for us to lose. It's obvious that we're not going to the playoffs and that EG10 won't be back until (best case) mid December - probably much later. Ditto for AD23. So what's the point of winning 30 games and winding up with the 7th pick when we are truly thin and young enough to finish with a bottom 3 record and get a top 3 pick - a true piece for our rebuild.

If you want to talk about following the OKC model that entails this year being horrible record-wise and then making a mammoth leap next season.

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Originally Posted by WisconsinHornet

I know I'm probably in a very small minority but I'm already rooting for us to lose.

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I'm with you and I'm not afraid to post it on a message board! :D

I see him as the most likely to fall on draft night.

i think shabazz will end up being the top pick when its all said and done. So we wouldn't need to actually win the lottery again. Heres hoping we can land a top 3 though. If stern actually rigged the davis lottery for us i hope he throws us another bone this year. Not that i think he did, but a man can hope can't he?

Mark my words. Zeller won't be the first pick. I know it. Quote me. Put in on a postcard. Turn it into a fortune cookie. Make it a motivational poster. He won't be. No doubt.

While I would like us to get a very good draft pick, I believe it is very dangerous to establish losing as the norm for a franchise. While things have gone great for OKC, they got lucky to an extent and nailed 4 huge draft picks. Durant was obvious, but Westbrook was a project, Harden wasn't a sure thing, and Ibaka was even more of a project than Westbrook. What if they miss on the Westbrook pick for example? For every OKC there are all of the Kings, Wizards, Bobcats, and Pistons of the NBA.

More than anything I'm pulling for growth for the team. If we win good, we're learning how to win, if we lose, okay then we're going to have a better draft pick. But regardless, we're going to end up with a good pick and the chance to find a good player. You don't need a top 5 pick to get a great player in the draft.

Good teams/systems have a better chance of developing a late lottery pick than a horrible team does a top 5 pick.

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Originally Posted by Bee-Fense

While I would like us to get a very good draft pick, I believe it is very dangerous to establish losing as the norm for a franchise. While things have gone great for OKC, they got lucky to an extent and nailed 4 huge draft picks. Durant was obvious, but Westbrook was a project, Harden wasn't a sure thing, and Ibaka was even more of a project than Westbrook. What if they miss on the Westbrook pick for example? For every OKC there are all of the Kings, Wizards, Bobcats, and Pistons of the NBA.

More than anything I'm pulling for growth for the team. If we win good, we're learning how to win, if we lose, okay then we're going to have a better draft pick. But regardless, we're going to end up with a good pick.

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You don't really have much to worry about as this is all just fan talk. Watching the Hornets night in and night out, it's pretty obvious to see that they play with a lot of effort and there are no evidence that shows they are losing games on purpose. If there's one thing that this team doesn't do night in and night out, it's trying to lose games.

The Clippers had a bunch of top 10 draft picks back to back to back and they remained trash. Just because OKC got lucky doesn't mean the next team can build what they've built. I just can't cheer for my team to lose just for a chance to get a player that may be a bust. Zeller is cool but i'd rather see the Hornets in the playoffs this year.

I see the Hornets having a decent chance at landing Zeller Or Nerlens Noel, if u look at the current order of team ranks and their needs:


1. Washington - Shazbazz Muhammad - they have okafor and nene, need another scorer and SF badly
2. Toronto - Alex Poythress - have lowry and derzon, valanciunas is really developing nicely, and have ed davis, need a SF, mcguire wont cut it
3. Cleveland - James Mcadoo - they have varejao and tyler zeller with irving and waiters, need an all around sf/pf
4. Detroit - Archie Goodwin - need someone who can score at will and really need to upgrade at the SG, great future backcourt w knight.
5. Sacrmento - Marcus Smart - a combo guard in the dwayde, westbrook mold, need a PG badly, jimmer wont cut it.
6. New Orleans - Nerlens Noel or Cody Zeller
7. Orlando - Nerlens Noel or Cody Zeller
who would yall rather?

I don't think it even matters on team needs, no team is letting Noel or Zeller fall past 3.
Washington/Toronto is not passing on Noel/Zeller because of Ed Davis and Okafor...

This draft looks to be very good if you need a big man. Outside of Zeller and Noel, Guys like Alex Len, Rudy Gobert, Isiah Austin, Steven Adams, Mason Plumlee, Jeff Withey, and Willie Cauley Stein(if he enters) will make this draft very deep for bigs.

Everyone said this draft is weak but the more you look into it, the deeper it's looking as each and every day passes.

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Originally Posted by Nola Hornet

This draft looks to be very good if you need a big man. Outside of Zeller and Noel, Guys like Alex Len, Rudy Gobert, Isiah Austin, Steven Adams, Mason Plumlee, Jeff Withey, and Willie Cauley Stein(if he enters) will make this draft very deep for bigs.

Everyone said this draft is weak but the more you look into it, the deeper it's looking as each and every day passes.

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I think I like Alex Len as somewhat of a sleeper pick among the bigs.....

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Originally Posted by NOH2313

Mark my words. Zeller won't be the first pick. I know it. Quote me. Put in on a postcard. Turn it into a fortune cookie. Make it a motivational poster. He won't be. No doubt.

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:rolleyes: Because he is white right?

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

I see the Hornets having a decent chance at landing Zeller Or Nerlens Noel, if u look at the current order of team ranks and their needs:


1. Washington - Shazbazz Muhammad - they have okafor and nene, need another scorer and SF badly
2. Toronto - Alex Poythress - have lowry and derzon, valanciunas is really developing nicely, and have ed davis, need a SF, mcguire wont cut it
3. Cleveland - James Mcadoo - they have varejao and tyler zeller with irving and waiters, need an all around sf/pf
4. Detroit - Archie Goodwin - need someone who can score at will and really need to upgrade at the SG, great future backcourt w knight.
5. Sacrmento - Marcus Smart - a combo guard in the dwayde, westbrook mold, need a PG badly, jimmer wont cut it.
6. New Orleans - Nerlens Noel or Cody Zeller
7. Orlando - Nerlens Noel or Cody Zeller
who would yall rather?

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I like Poythress and Mcadoo but no way do I see them going before Zeller and Noel. Or Smart.

You can tell a team isn't playing well when the fans are already talking draft in November.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

I see the Hornets having a decent chance at landing Zeller Or Nerlens Noel, if u look at the current order of team ranks and their needs:


1. Washington - Shazbazz Muhammad - they have okafor and nene, need another scorer and SF badly
2. Toronto - Alex Poythress - have lowry and derzon, valanciunas is really developing nicely, and have ed davis, need a SF, mcguire wont cut it
3. Cleveland - James Mcadoo - they have varejao and tyler zeller with irving and waiters, need an all around sf/pf
4. Detroit - Archie Goodwin - need someone who can score at will and really need to upgrade at the SG, great future backcourt w knight.
5. Sacrmento - Marcus Smart - a combo guard in the dwayde, westbrook mold, need a PG badly, jimmer wont cut it.
6. New Orleans - Nerlens Noel or Cody Zeller
7. Orlando - Nerlens Noel or Cody Zeller
who would yall rather?

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I don't see why Washington would go Muhammad, unless he is just so much better than the rest of the class. They already have John Wall and Bradley Beal (Jordan Crawford off the bench). If you asked me their need would be SF (Ariza's eventual replacement) or PF/C (Nene and Emeka are both 30).

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

He's gonna go top 3 so its gonna be tough, mostly likely we will be drafting a SF or C like poythress or that Alex dude from maryland who owned nerlens noel.

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Alex Len.

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Originally Posted by Luke's Hornets

I like Poythress and Mcadoo but no way do I see them going before Zeller and Noel. Or Smart.

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poythress and mcadoo might not go before zeller and noel but definetly before smart, and i was a smart fan before anyone on this board even knew who he was and before people jumped on the bandwagon

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Originally Posted by Nsingh93

I don't see why Washington would go Muhammad, unless he is just so much better than the rest of the class. They already have John Wall and Bradley Beal (Jordan Crawford off the bench). If you asked me their need would be SF (Ariza's eventual replacement) or PF/C (Nene and Emeka are both 30).

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I was referring to shabazz playing SF for them

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Originally Posted by Nsingh93

I don't see why Washington would go Muhammad, unless he is just so much better than the rest of the class. They already have John Wall and Bradley Beal (Jordan Crawford off the bench). If you asked me their need would be SF (Ariza's eventual replacement) or PF/C (Nene and Emeka are both 30).

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Bazz is a SF.

Zeller is going top five. His skills as a big don't come by everyday. I'm not a fan of nerlens noel. But with that said. I think we go for a backcourt player. Even if that means trading down.... Shabazz or Archie would be great, depending on our Gordon situation.

not according to draft express

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

I was referring to shabazz playing SF for them

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Ah I was under the influence that Bazz was a SG. My apologies.

Steven adams or bust!

I like Zeller and think he'll be a good pro despite a relatively down beginning of the season, but his limitations (good but not freak athlete, extremely short arms for height, below average rebounding for position) will have worse players picked above him. If we end up in that 7-9 position and he happens to be around, I think he could be a nice complement and one of the better values in this draft.

I don't really want a SF/PF tweener like McAdoo or Poythres. They never really pan out in the NBA, and always end up being undersized PFs that don't shoot the ball particularly well. Would much rather draft BPA that isn't a tweener.

Psh, give me Shabazz, Noels or Zeller and I wont be mad

PF/SF tweeners are rarely successfull in the NBA and are more often than not the players the end up being busts in the NBA, even the ones who are successfull I'm not particularly fans of... Ie) Jeff Green, Josh Smith, Morris twins

Other than height, there's nothing about Poythress that screams tweener to me. He looks and plays like a face up 4. A lot of tweeners go into the NBA tend to float out of the post and take poor shots due to this problem. And the biggest problem for this guys is the lack of physicality and if you watch Poythress, he loves the post and plays like he belongs there. He is a physical 240 pound kid who has great touch around the basket. Kid is going to easily be 250 pounds in the league.

Latest Walterfootball NBA mock has Zeller going to us at 5. Interestingly in this scenario, we would choose him over McAdoo who is picked next at 6. Do you guys think that would be the right call?

http://walterfootball.com/nbadraft2013mock.php

Shoot, we aren't even in December yet. There's still a lot to see from these players. At this point last year, Andre Drummond was the #1 pick for pretty much everyone while Jared Sullinger was top 5.

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Originally Posted by bradael

Shoot, we aren't even in December yet. There's still a lot to see from these players. At this point last year, Andre Drummond was the #1 pick for pretty much everyone while Jared Sullinger was top 5.

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March Madness also helps their draft stock. So way to early to determine who goes where.

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Originally Posted by NOH2313

Latest Walterfootball NBA mock has Zeller going to us at 5. Interestingly in this scenario, we would choose him over McAdoo who is picked next at 6. Do you guys think that would be the right call?

http://walterfootball.com/nbadraft2013mock.php

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Definitely would rather have Zeller over McAdoo. The three prospects I really like are Zeller, Smart, and Gorbert. If we land any of those three ill be ecstatic. Although, I wont complain if we land Bazz or Nerlens either.

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Originally Posted by Redskin

Definitely would rather have Zeller over McAdoo. The three prospects I really like are Zeller, Smart, and Gorbert. If we land any of those three ill be ecstatic. Although, I wont complain if we land Bazz or Nerlens either.

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I agree. While McAdoo fufills arguably a greater position of need, I think you would have to go BPA here. For the longest time, I envisioned Anderson-Davis as our future front court but I think this season has exhibted that Anderson can excel either way (starter or 6th man). Taking Zeller would also save us $5m we would otherwise have to commit to Lopez. I can dig it despite the fact that Zeller will never be a franchise changer.

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Originally Posted by NOH2313

I agree. While McAdoo fufills arguably a greater position of need, I think you would have to go BPA here. For the longest time, I envisioned Anderson-Davis as our future front court but I think this season has exhibted that Anderson can excel either way (starter or 6th man). Taking Zeller would also save us $5m we would otherwise have to commit to Lopez. I can dig it despite the fact that Zeller will never be a franchise changer.

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I'm not sold on McAdoo playing SF in the NBA. Zeller is the safer pick and is the better player, IMO. I don't think Zeller will be a franchise player either but I think he would be a great compliment to AD. With a four man rotation of AD, Zeller, Anderson, and J Smith I think we would have the best front court in the league for years to come.

Not many players are franchise players but are extremely useful, look at people like Zachary Randolph who is a beast, Zeller has an insane post game, rebounder, and blocks crazy shots and runs the floor, he and Davis compliment so perfectly it's actually scary, plus we have 2 franchise players w Gordon and Davis. Anyways a future of Gordon, Davis, Zeller, and Rivers is extremely bright

I also really like Marcus Smart. The dude dominated Lorenzo Brown the other day going for 20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks. He plays good offense and defense. He held Brown to 6 points, 1 assist, and 7 turnovers. I think this kid is the real deal and no question the best PG in the draft. Him and Gordon would make a great back court on both ends of the court. Rivers could be the 6th man subbing in for both positions. That would make Vasquez expendable, so we could trade him for another piece (hopefully a SF) while his value is very high.

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Originally Posted by Redskin

I also really like Marcus Smart. The dude dominated Lorenzo Brown the other day going for 20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks. He plays good offense and defense. He held Brown to 6 points, 1 assist, and 7 turnovers. I think this kid is the real deal and no question the best PG in the draft. Him and Gordon would make a great back court on both ends of the court. Rivers could be the 6th man subbing in for both positions. That would make Vasquez expendable, so we could trade him for another piece (hopefully a SF) while his value is very high.

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There are quite a few PGs that looks very promising this year. Smart looks to be the class but guys like McCollum and Burke makes this draft competent for PGs. What we do in the draft will say a lot about Vasquez and Rivers.

I think Alex Len is a very good prospect. I don't think he's being talked about enough.

7'1 with a good wingspan, good mobility, and has been able to add some weight already (supposedly he's put on 30lbs). He'll have good NBA size all around and is fairly athletic for a big man. Great shotblocking skills, good rebounder, has some nice post moves, and looks to be improving as a shooter. Draftexpress thinks he's the Ukraine Jonas Valanciunas and is a "BIG time prospect."

I know we need a perimeter player more, but I also go with talent > need and worry about the fit later. Len will be interesting to follow this year. He's only 19 and has shown a good amount.

Funny to go back and read this thread...

FWIW... I think Zeller is definitely the pick if he's there at 6. I think Dell brought in McLemore and went up to see Oladipo because of rumors Phoenix or Charlotte could take Zeller.

Defenses can't play Zeller the same way they did this past season if another big, like Anthony Davis, is on court with him. How do you defend a Zeller/Davis lineup??

I wouldn't mind Zeller

Wow, funny to bring this back up and see all the ancient opinions lol

But, I still see Zeller as a nightmare scenario. Little upside for what could possibly be our last top 10 pick

I think Zeller will be a very productive player in this league, especially offensively. He will be a better version of Sullinger without the injury concerns and Sullinger was playing very well this season for Boston.

The thing about Zeller is that if you take the skills we know he has and then consider his weaknesses in the context of playing next to AD for the next 7 years, I think he would be a dream scenario! He's a legit 7'0" and 230, and like AD, is versatile enough to play PF or C. The mismatches they would present in the frontcourt of the modern NBA could be franchise altering.

And nab draft.net now has Zeller going 4th overall. So don't think 6 is a reach. To me he's more polished than Len and fits character wise with what we're trying to build.