The 2013 NBA Draft lookout thread! Who do you want if we land a top ten pick?

[Eman5805]

Aminu scored 15 a game in college as well ^^

Oh. Nevermind.

As for Nash. The maturity and decision making are red flags. But coming back a year instead of jumping right into the NBA showed a smart decision on his part. Who knows.

He takes a lot of shots, but it could be because he feels obligated to score a lot. Who knows.

He gets compared to Ron Artest, but he's really gotta apply himself defensively. He's got the build and strength to be a nasty defender though.

[MichaelMcNamara]

If I get my wish and Gordon is gone, my top target would be Marcus Smart if we keep the pick. Closest thing I have seen to Dwayne Wade since Dwayne Wade. But, again, Wade came out after junior year and had a solid rookie year, nothing transcendent. So if we take another 19 year old, that player likely wont be a big contributor until the end of Anthony Davis's contract. I still prefer the idea of young vet, but if we are gonna build this thing slow, give me Smart.

What really scares me is that OKC could easily have the 4th or 5th pick this year. Imagine that nucleus with one of these stud players. Ugh

[BallSoHard]

If I get my wish and Gordon is gone, my top target would be Marcus Smart if we keep the pick. Closest thing I have seen to Dwayne Wade since Dwayne Wade. But, again, Wade came out after junior year and had a solid rookie year, nothing transcendent. So if we take another 19 year old, that player likely wont be a big contributor until the end of Anthony Davis's contract. I still prefer the idea of young vet, but if we are gonna build this thing slow, give me Smart.

What really scares me is that OKC could easily have the 4th or 5th pick this year. Imagine that nucleus with one of these stud players. Ugh

They play the real Nba like 2k :/

[Eman5805]

If we move from Gordon and go SG, guy I want is Archie Goodwin. He's kinda like a bigger Gordon without the weird brain Gordon has that makes him not play through pain or act wishy washy.

[ramsters60]

the best way for me to approach this thread is to throw out 10 names I personally feel pretty good about....in no particular order I would go with Zeller, Shabazz, Noel, Len, Poythress, Porter, Smart, McLemore, Austin, and McAdoo.....I really hope we pursue a PG through trade or FA, but the ones that come to mind in he draft should be available a bit later on.... and the two who intrigue me right now would be McCollum and Burke....

[BallSoHard]

I just feel like in the NBA you have to do something really well skill wise, and Aminu isnt a guy that really does that. If Prothress is a guy that can rebound at a high rate or defend, or has a good stroke or has a knack for scoring, i'm for it. Like i said i haven't watched him. But if he's another project with his whole skill set, ie doesn't have a calling card, no thanks. I don't think they need to be a specialist per say, but i'd like 1 or 2 areas of their game to come naturally.

[Nola Hornet]

McLemore is my guy. Monster Athleticism and above the rim finisher. Coordinated and has the ability to play off ball. I think he makes a great complimentary player with guys like Gordon and Rivers as he isn't ball dominant and is still a threat to score anywhere on the court.

[DefensiveMind]

Best Player Available unless said player is Anthony Davis-lite or stretch 4. We have plenty of that on this team. Every other spot can be upgraded.

My hope is that the Hornets are ready to bring in some polished pieces that have an established game. We have enough projects and developmental uncertainty. We need to get some guys where we can realistically project what they will do with the lights on. Think of a player like Patrick Patterson or Darren Collison coming out college. I think trading back if we are not in the top 3 should be a very real possibility this year.

[UNO Gracias]

Le'Bryn Nash?

Kind of name is Le'Bryn Nash? Did this kids mom know Nash, Kobe, and Lebron in the biblical sense? Just pick a name already.

[HornetGuru]

1. shabazz would be a dream come true, super athletic, incredible jump shot, he is the next koba
2. poythress is a tweener who cant create for himself, he is aminu 2.0
3. if shabazz is gone cody zeller would be absolutely incredible, kid has a post gae better than 75% of most players in the NBA but still if we land shabazz i would trade everything and anything possible for demarcus cousins, grevis, jason smith and next years 1st, could u fathom a lineup of

rivers
gordon
shabbaz
davis
cousins

[1501 Girod St.]

Shabazz if we're lucky in the lottery, unlucky for the rest of the season. I agree with not taking another four, besides that, have to go with the best available. Nash is intriguing, but I think it's too early to tell. AD wasn't thought of as the consensus number one at this time last year. Especially with these one and dones like Shabazz, a complete college season is a good evaluation.

[HornetGuru]

the 2 best players in the country are zeller and shabazz, everyone else is miles away just like davis and everyone else last year, cody zeller is the next lamarcus aldridge and shabazz is the next kobe, and i think after a terrible saints season from absolute bull**** the basketball gods will bless us and we will get another top 3 pick and worst case if shabazz and cody go first and 2nd which they wont we get NOEL!

[Miss_318]

1. shabazz would be a dream come true, super athletic, incredible jump shot, he is the next koba
2. poythress is a tweener who cant create for himself, he is aminu 2.0
3. if shabazz is gone cody zeller would be absolutely incredible, kid has a post gae better than 75% of most players in the NBA but still if we land shabazz i would trade everything and anything possible for demarcus cousins, grevis, jason smith and next years 1st, could u fathom a lineup of

rivers
gordon
shabbaz
davis
cousins

I just can't get down with Cousins.....dude has all the talent in the world but his attitude is awful. I don't think even Monty could get him do do right I really don't......which is sad cuz he could be such a superstar but he reminds me of the equivalent of Jamarcus Russle....has all the tools to be a great player but has no desire to change his attitude for the better to do so.

[iNolaNightmare]

I just don't want any offensively raw players*

[bradael]

I think Shabazz could be a really good fit with this team. He of course would most likely go back and forth between SF & SG depending who else in on the court. I am concerned a little bit about his size though for SF.

He measured at 6'4.5" w/o shoes with a 6'11.25" wingspan this year. By comparison, Austin Rivers is 6'3.5" w/o shoes with a 6'7.25" wingspan. Shabazz should still grow some considering that he just turned 19, but I wouldn't expect a Paul George type of growth.

Overall though, I'd just go with BPA. If it's a SG, then take him despite Gordon & Rivers being there. You'd just have those two playing a lot more at PG. If it's a PF, then take him despite having Anderson & Davis. Davis you could move to Center in another year or two. It's still very early in the college basketball season though. Drummond was the consensus #1 pick at this point last year.

[AD23forMVP]

the 2 best players in the country are zeller and shabazz, everyone else is miles away just like davis and everyone else last year, cody zeller is the next lamarcus aldridge and shabazz is the next kobe, and i think after a terrible saints season from absolute bull**** the basketball gods will bless us and we will get another top 3 pick and worst case if shabazz and cody go first and 2nd which they wont we get NOEL!

Slow down a bit, Shabazz isn't the next Kobe. He won't even be a superstar, but he's perfect for this roster.

This draft really does suck though.

[MichaelMcNamara]

Slow down a bit, Shabazz isn't the next Kobe. He won't even be a superstar, but he's perfect for this roster.

This draft really does suck though.

Agree with you on Shabazz- not the next Kobe. I dont know where people say he has "elite athleticism". Maybe if you have just seen his mixtapes, but if you have actually watched his game, that is not true. Ceiling for him IMO is lefty Paul Pierce. Very crafty, intelligent scorer who had above average athleticism early in career.

As for your point that this draft sucks, I couldn't disagree more from an overall perspective. Now, it does not have an elite prospect but it has more depth in Tiers 2 and 3. Look back at last year's draft- you had a Tier 2 of Beal, MKG, and Robinson, then a Tier 3 of Barnes, Lillard, Waiters, and Drummond. That was it.

I think this draft has no Tier 1, a Tier 2 of 4-6 guys and a Tier 3 of 8-12 guys. This draft will have more good players taken 8-20 that any year since 1996 IMO. But the top won't have the elite multi-appearance All-Stars that most do. In that respect it is a below average draft, but overall it is not.

[AD23forMVP]

Agree with you on Shabazz- not the next Kobe. I dont know where people say he has "elite athleticism". Maybe if you have just seen his mixtapes, but if you have actually watched his game, that is not true. Ceiling for him IMO is lefty Paul Pierce. Very crafty, intelligent scorer who had above average athleticism early in career.

As for your point that this draft sucks, I couldn't disagree more from an overall perspective. Now, it does not have an elite prospect but it has more depth in Tiers 2 and 3. Look back at last year's draft- you had a Tier 2 of Beal, MKG, and Robinson, then a Tier 3 of Barnes, Lillard, Waiters, and Drummond. That was it.

I think this draft has no Tier 1, a Tier 2 of 4-6 guys and a Tier 3 of 8-12 guys. This draft will have more good players taken 8-20 that any year since 1996 IMO. But the top won't have the elite multi-appearance All-Stars that most do. In that respect it is a below average draft, but overall it is not.

I overstated the the draft sucks, there are a few guys I like but they are very few. All the other guys don't really intrigue me.

[Big-EZ]

Best game of the season so far, Butler-Indiana. Watched it to see if Butler could pull the upset, which they did. Also got to see Zeller. He is pretty good, but I don't see him as a great NBA big until he devolops his game. He got is points mostly at the line, but mainly because Butler was in the bonus alot. I think if he adds strength and becomes a better rebounder, he can become very good for a long time.

[iNolaNightmare]

I don't see all the Zeller hype. I get that he's got a nice offensive game but he's so skinny, he will be dominated on a nightly basis at the center position. I think he'll play PF in the NBA.

[Eman5805]

I've been meaning to say that too, but hever really got around to it. I think Zeller is nice. But I don't see the greatness either.

I'm also the same with Muhammad. Don't see what's so great. Seems to be a someone bound to become a Luol Deng type, but not with the defense yet or size.

Poythress though, I see something of Paul George there. Can't explain it. And likin' me some Archie Goodwin.

Edit: Addendum about Muhammad. Luckily on this team he wouldn't need to be much more than a Luol Deng. So I'm not at all against drafting him if we get the shot.

[Big-EZ]

I've been meaning to say that too, but hever really got around to it. I think Zeller is nice. But I don't see the greatness either.

I'm also the same with Muhammad. Don't see what's so great. Seems to be a someone bound to become a Luol Deng type, but not with the defense yet or size.

Poythress though, I see something of Paul George there. Can't explain it. And likin' me some Archie Goodwin.

Edit: Addendum about Muhammad. Luckily on this team he wouldn't need to be much more than a Luol Deng. So I'm not at all against drafting him if we get the shot.

I remember watching the kentucky access show they've been showing on espn. He works hard in school, so maybe that work ethic translates to the court?

[Eman5805]

We'll see. He's a specimen though. I hope he's not as much of a tweener as Terrence Jones was and develops a good perimeter game on both ends of the court.

[Big-EZ]

We'll see. He's a specimen though. I hope he's not as much of a tweener as Terrence Jones was and develops a good perimeter game on both ends of the court.

To be honest, we won't see Kentucky's true pontential for a good bit of time until their chemistry develops.

[Zach Leto]

What? No love for Trey Burke? Or is he not considered a top-10 prospect?