Pelican draft workouts

I can assure you that Burke is faster than Gravy. Also, I wouldn't mind getting Saric if we buy Dallas draft pick. But what about CJ? I wonder if they are going to take a look at him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

Not a chance ^

---

^That they would or that you agree that Bazz is worth it? It's far from a crazy statement.

I also rather Shabazz at the 3, but I wouldn't be angry if we took Saric instead.

I trust that Demps knows what he's doing. He hasn't given us much evidence to believe otherwise (outside the CP3 fiasco *cough, cough*).

I think my initial gut reaction on wanting Gobbert and stashing him would be the best thing. I know it won't happen.

You want a good look at Saric, watch a full game rather than a highlight video.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallSoHard

I think my initial gut reaction on wanting Gobbert and stashing him would be the best thing. I know it won't happen.

---

I would rather Len than Gobert but if we stashing someone, Gobert should be the one.

I don't mind Len either, just don't love him. Gobbert still have that allure of the unknown to me; which isn't a great reasons to like him, but there's not really anyone else that jumps out at me l.

I have a feeling that none of the guys that workout for us will be drafted by us.

Most of the players I like are out of our range :(... This really is a weak asssss draft

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jsl05

I have a feeling that none of the guys that workout for us will be drafted by us.

---

So you think we are drafting Giannis? :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JJackisangry

So you think we are drafting Giannis? :p

---

No, Dario

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jsl05

No, Dario

---

No Gobert, no wait? What game we playing?

These videos of Saric don't really impress me.

I think anyone who watches any player need to watch it not as a polished veteran NBA player. But look at what he CAN do then what he could add to his game over time. I can look at some player in draft and say oh man that guy is skinny, or that guy missed shots in the game I saw. Thats so fan like for us to say. I think the talent evaluators are looking at the stuff we find boring. Did he shuffle his feet, whats his form look like on his jump shot, how is his vision, stuff like that.

When I look at Saric, i see a guy who could be a problem for teams to defend. Because he is a find a way to impact the game guy. He will be that guy crashing the offensive boards getting a close range put back. And I think I can clearly see how great him and AD will be playing with each other in time. That length around the basket is pretty scary. Especially when that length is coming from the small forward. He will tower over the smaller, 3's taking them into the post and finishing at the rim. Shooting over the bigger forwards, because he such a long player. In 3 or 4 years he will deadly from anywhere on the court. He can face you up, score in the post, pass and rebound. Not to mention he can be a point forward.

Of course he is going to have to improve defensively. We do have a pretty good defensive coach to teach him, I think. I will say this: If we dont find a good pure PG, all of this is mute. Saric is a guy that is going to need, at least in his early years, someone to put him in position to score. Yeah put backs and jump shots will get you some points, but a good pg could you in position to score in the double digits. So I would try to get another pick or trade for one.

Besides Giannis, no one projected in the 1st round is younger than Saric. He is very, very young having only turned 19 this April.

Something I have noticed with a lot of the European greats (in the NBA that is) is that almost all of them seem to hit their prime later than Americans do. American born players seem to hit their primes around the age of 25. However, I've noticed the European greats seem to hit their primes around the ages of 27-30. This could be because they rely less on athletic ability and more on skill, but some examples are

Tony Parker played his best ball this year at the age of 30
Dirk didn't hit his peak until 27, and then dominated the playoffs at the age of 32
Pau Gasol didn't peak until the age of 30
Manu had his best season at the age of 30
Marc Gasol is now entering his prime at 28

Now the reason why I point this out is because if Saric is the guy, I think we can expect a lot of progress from him and that what we see now isn't even close to the final product. Right now we see a wing that can score in the post, pass better than a lot of guards, rebound, and shoot sporadically from outside. We could eventually see a more developed post game and an improved jump shot and the size to take advantage of smaller wing players. Combine that with his ball handling and passing, and you have a really good offensive wing. Defensively, he won't be Tony Allen, but the guy works hard, has size, and at the wing I think he can be a solid defender. Marco was never a great athlete but he became a good defender for us. I think Saric can be a similar type of defender at the SF spot. The guy put up terrific numbers in the Croatian playoffs - 15.4 PPG (68% from 2, 30% from 3, 74% FT), 8.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.0 BPG. This is against grown men, so he's shown he can play well against the older guys too.

It's key that he improves his jumpshot in order to be more effective off the ball. Also he'll probably struggle defensively early on (like almost every young player) but he works very hard and is passionate, so I'm sure he will improve.

There's a lot of reasons to like Saric in my opinion. McCollum is my guy, but Saric is no slouch and I don't really consider him a reach. Big, smart, and hard working wings are nice to have. Hollinger has said before that big, productive wings almost never fail, and I don't think Saric will.

Side note - Gustavo Ayon was my favorite player to watch in 11-12 because of his feel for the game and his passing, and having a guy similar to that I'm sure will be a lot of fun to watch.

Croatian forward Dario Saric may opt to stay in Europe for another year, even if he's picked in the first round (via Sportando.net):
"I expect to be picked in the 1st round" said Saric who is playing with Cibona this season. "Being picked is a dream which comes true. But I may pull my name out of the draft. I will talk with my agent. Even if I get selected in the draft, I will return to Europe next season" added the forward.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Imnos 2

I think anyone who watches any player need to watch it not as a polished veteran NBA player. But look at what he CAN do then what he could add to his game over time. I can look at some player in draft and say oh man that guy is skinny, or that guy missed shots in the game I saw. Thats so fan like for us to say. I think the talent evaluators are looking at the stuff we find boring. Did he shuffle his feet, whats his form look like on his jump shot, how is his vision, stuff like that.

When I look at Saric, i see a guy who could be a problem for teams to defend. Because he is a find a way to impact the game guy. He will be that guy crashing the offensive boards getting a close range put back. And I think I can clearly see how great him and AD will be playing with each other in time. That length around the basket is pretty scary. Especially when that length is coming from the small forward. He will tower over the smaller, 3's taking them into the post and finishing at the rim. Shooting over the bigger forwards, because he such a long player. In 3 or 4 years he will deadly from anywhere on the court. He can face you up, score in the post, pass and rebound. Not to mention he can be a point forward.

Of course he is going to have to improve defensively. We do have a pretty good defensive coach to teach him, I think. I will say this: If we dont find a good pure PG, all of this is mute. Saric is a guy that is going to need, at least in his early years, someone to put him in position to score. Yeah put backs and jump shots will get you some points, but a good pg could you in position to score in the double digits. So I would try to get another pick or trade for one.

---

Interested to know what you think of his form on his jumpshot?
To me it doesn't look too good.

Also, from Chad Ford

Quote:

---

Mike (Detroit)
Any chance Dario Saric goes #6 to the Pelicans? Or would they only draft him if they trade back?

Chad Ford (1:15 PM)
Yes and yes. There are a handful of teams that believe Saric is a top five talent in the draft. I believe the Pelicans are one of them. So, yes, if the guys they have ranked ahead of him are all gone, I do think they'd take him at 6. However, they could probably trade down to a pick like 9 or 10, pick up an asset and still get him. The scouts that REALLY know Europe say that there's not a huge difference between Saric and Otto Porter.

---

Look to be honest if:

McClemore, Porter and Oladipo are gone I trust that the Pelican’s will select best player available out of:

Burke
Len
Saric
McCollum
Bazz
Pope

Any of these 10 players and I think we will get a decent player.
I just hope we can buy another pick and select a C like Adams or Gobert if of course we don’t pick Len already.
To come away with two picks either it being a PG, SG, SF or C I think this addresses a lot of problems moving forward.
I’d expect we pick up some players in FA and by the end of next year’s draft we will be going into year 3 of the ‘plan’ and we will see what the Pelicans will be for the future moving forward.

Exciting times!

I really dont understand the media buzz with this dude.... Not impressed at ALL with Saric... plus the fact that he might still play overseas next year?!?! Mr Benson aint gonna go for that!! He wants to win NOW!! I hope to god this is all a smokescreen and we dont pick him at #6. Give me Burke or Olidipo please!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shrimpnose

Croatian forward Dario Saric may opt to stay in Europe for another year, even if he's picked in the first round (via Sportando.net):
"I expect to be picked in the 1st round" said Saric who is playing with Cibona this season. "Being picked is a dream which comes true. But I may pull my name out of the draft. I will talk with my agent. Even if I get selected in the draft, I will return to Europe next season" added the forward.

---

wowowowowowowo hold the phone. What?

Reminds me of Gallinari; Saric that is.

my goodness this draft is trash

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bee-Fense

Besides Giannis, no one projected in the 1st round is younger than Saric. He is very, very young having only turned 19 this April.

Something I have noticed with a lot of the European greats (in the NBA that is) is that almost all of them seem to hit their prime later than Americans do. American born players seem to hit their primes around the age of 25. However, I've noticed the European greats seem to hit their primes around the ages of 27-30. This could be because they rely less on athletic ability and more on skill, but some examples are

Tony Parker played his best ball this year at the age of 30
Dirk didn't hit his peak until 27, and then dominated the playoffs at the age of 32
Pau Gasol didn't peak until the age of 30
Manu had his best season at the age of 30
Marc Gasol is now entering his prime at 28

Now the reason why I point this out is because if Saric is the guy, I think we can expect a lot of progress from him and that what we see now isn't even close to the final product. Right now we see a wing that can score in the post, pass better than a lot of guards, rebound, and shoot sporadically from outside. We could eventually see a more developed post game and an improved jump shot and the size to take advantage of smaller wing players. Combine that with his ball handling and passing, and you have a really good offensive wing. Defensively, he won't be Tony Allen, but the guy works hard, has size, and at the wing I think he can be a solid defender. Marco was never a great athlete but he became a good defender for us. I think Saric can be a similar type of defender at the SF spot. The guy put up terrific numbers in the Croatian playoffs - 15.4 PPG (68% from 2, 30% from 3, 74% FT), 8.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.0 BPG. This is against grown men, so he's shown he can play well against the older guys too.

It's key that he improves his jumpshot in order to be more effective off the ball. Also he'll probably struggle defensively early on (like almost every young player) but he works very hard and is passionate, so I'm sure he will improve.

There's a lot of reasons to like Saric in my opinion. McCollum is my guy, but Saric is no slouch and I don't really consider him a reach. Big, smart, and hard working wings are nice to have. Hollinger has said before that big, productive wings almost never fail, and I don't think Saric will.

Side note - Gustavo Ayon was my favorite player to watch in 11-12 because of his feel for the game and his passing, and having a guy similar to that I'm sure will be a lot of fun to watch.

---

Outstanding, so if we take Saric over Burke or CJ we get a guy that 1. Isn't even on the team until 2014-2015 2. Won't be a productive 2 way player for years instead of two PGs that will be productive next year.

Excuse me if I don't get excited about that. :(

So lets draft Saric, and wait 9 years for him to hit his prime.

:hihi:

http://youtu.be/Hs8hjC3mkiI

This is the best video I've seen that shows off Burke's quicks.

I'm all for taking Saric and stashing him for a year.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

I'm all for taking Saric and stashing him for a year.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

---

What would be your short term answer at SF then? 2 year contract for someone?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by da ThRONe

http://youtu.be/Hs8hjC3mkiI

This is the best video I've seen that shows off Burke's quicks.

---

Yeah, not that quick. Relies on craftiness and his step back A LOT. You can just see him not exploding past a guy on his first step and it taking change of direction to get a step on guys. Him having such a good J really really aids him though with his average quickness. Keeps guys off balance.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

I'm all for taking Saric and stashing him for a year.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

---

who knows what direction we might go in, but I just struggle with seeing this at #6....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Purple Haze

What would be your short term answer at SF then? 2 year contract for someone?

---

Re-sign Aminu and continue with his development, as well as Miller's. That would be my plan, anyway.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Yeah, not that quick. Relies on craftiness and his step back A LOT. You can just see him not exploding past a guy on his first step and it taking change of direction to get a step on guys. Him having such a good J really really aids him though with his average quickness. Keeps guys off balance.

---

I've watched videos of Paul at Wake Forest and he does his damage the same way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Yeah, not that quick. Relies on craftiness and his step back A LOT. You can just see him not exploding past a guy on his first step and it taking change of direction to get a step on guys. Him having such a good J really really aids him though with his average quickness. Keeps guys off balance.

---

This is one of those things that people hear and hold on to to the tenth power before the draft, but it simply is not true. I am a big WF fan and I watched Paul in college, he never blew by anyone, in fact he wasn't even as shifty as Burke and he used to put his back to defenders A LOT. Burke is extremely crafty and to say he isn't quick is, to me, just plain false. I've even seen him compared to GV???? This has to stop at some point.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by da ThRONe

I've watched videos of Paul at Wake Forest and he does his damage the same way.

---

He STILL DOES. :hihi:

Here watch yourself.

http://youtu.be/GLWWedoI0Lg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by da ThRONe

I've watched videos of Paul at Wake Forest and he does his damage the same way.

---

Those aren't just highlights. I watch all WF games, Paul did not blow by anyone at WF. Really PG's in college seldom get to show what they are actually capable of in college bc of the style of play. You can just watch Burke and see he has a lot of game and quicks as well. I'd take a crafty person who doesn't NEED to be quick over a super-athletic-freak anyday, BUT what people need to understand is there is a difference between not NEEDING to be quick and NOT being quick. Burke is anything when he needs to be, I mean watch him play, it's as simple as that.

You're exactly correct though. To this point, the dude plays exactly like Paul. I mean people say these things in hindsight now, but Paul wansn't Paul back then either...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by saintsinNO

This is one of those things that people hear and hold on to to the tenth power before the draft, but it simply is not true. I am a big WF fan and I watched Paul in college, he never blew by anyone, in fact he wasn't even as shifty as Burke and he used to put his back to defenders A LOT. Burke is extremely crafty and to say he isn't quick is, to me, just plain false. I've even seen him compared to GV???? This has to stop at some point.

---

What did i say that wasn't true. Please explain? Did i say he couldn't play? Nope. I said he didn't explode past people on the first step, which you agree'd with. Said it took a change of direction to get by players. which you agree'd with and compared to Paul. I said he relied on his craftiness, which you agree'd with. In fact the only thing that i can see you disagree'd with is that he isn't quick. When all i said is he's of average quickness; he's not that quick ie he is nothing to marvel at in that department.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by da ThRONe

Here watch yourself.

http://youtu.be/GLWWedoI0Lg

---

I think you and SaintsinNO are misunderstanding my ost. I mthink the guy has a ton of game. I'm just saying he's not that quick. I'd be ok with Burke. We need to pump the brakes a bit on paul comparisons though.

I just watched the cp3 vid and he looks a lot quicker IMO and is about 100x's better at stealing the ball. Burke seems to be the better shooter off the dribble in regards to college.

International prospects say all of the time they may pull out of the draft or stay overseas. It is often a play to get a lottery promise. We'll see.

Burke's combine numbers were pretty much the same as Vasquez. Do we really want another point guard that can't guard opposing guards?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallSoHard

What did i say that wasn't true. Please explain? Did i say he couldn't play? Nope. I said he didn't explode past people on the first step, which you agree'd with. Said it took a change of direction to get by players. which you agree'd with and compared to Paul. I said he relied on his craftiness, which you agree'd with. In fact the only thing that i can see you disagree'd with is that he isn't quick. When all i said is he's of average quickness; he's not that quick ie he is nothing to marvel at in that department.

---

No, I didn't or don't agree. I agree he plays crafty, but your post indicates he has to rely on that because he is 'not that quick.' To me that's false. I think we can all agree CP is very quick, but look at the tape he put up...he played the exact same way and didn't blow by anyone and no one's saying he's CP, but at this particular point he is at least as good, if not better, than Paul was. I know no one will back that because of what Paul has now become, but it's a fact, the dude plays just like Paul did at this time. Which my point is, people have to understand that there is a difference between not being quick and having to rely on being crafty and being crafty. Burke and Paul are the latter and both have an abundance of quicks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NSFW

Burke's combine numbers were pretty much the same as Vasquez. Do we really want another point guard that can't guard opposing guards?

---

BallSoHard, see what I mean...absurd. If you are going to let combine numbers tell you the story you'll be the NBA's Raiders. Have you watched Burke play? This is absurd.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by saintsinNO

BallSoHard, see what I mean...absurd. If you are going to let combine numbers tell you the story you'll be the NBA's Raiders. Have you watched Burke play? This is absurd.

---

I didn't use them Personally. I've watched a lot of Burke an am impressed, but I think you've got to admit he's got some flaws. A lot of the Burke lovers refuse to admit it. He's not a perfect prospect. And the people on the other side of the argument need to realize that he does make up for a lot of his flaws with other tools he possesses. Like I said in my original post, his stellar shot off the dribble, change of direction and ball handling makes up for his average quickness.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Purple Haze

What would be your short term answer at SF then? 2 year contract for someone?

---

I'm thinking they'll bring back AFA and Darius. Still need a "starter" at the 3 but I can see them bringing those 2 back.

I just don't understand the Burke and Iverson comparisons that people are saying. And Sacric at 6 scares the hell out of me. I think Ryno does the same thing except the passing. Wasted pick.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NSFW

Burke's combine numbers were pretty much the same as Vasquez. Do we really want another point guard that can't guard opposing guards?

---

GV didnt take part in the athletic drills of the combine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallSoHard

I think you and SaintsinNO are misunderstanding my ost. I mthink the guy has a ton of game. I'm just saying he's not that quick. I'd be ok with Burke. We need to pump the brakes a bit on paul comparisons though.

I just watched the cp3 vid and he looks a lot quicker IMO and is about 100x's better at stealing the ball. Burke seems to be the better shooter off the dribble in regards to college.

---

Saying two guys are comparable in skill and play style isn't saying one is as good as the other. However a lot of people are trying to make the case that this skill level and style won't pan out in the league when the best player at the position plays it the same way.

Like I've said before the spacing in college is different because there's no 3 sec rule and most college bigs can't shoot. So beating your man rarely leads to open lane to the basket. I don't think anybody is calling Burke a clone of Paul(although IMO he's the closest I've seen since) or that he has Wall, Rose, Westbrook, Lawson type quickness, but with his combo of his physical ability(which seem to be vastly underrated), skill, and IQ he has the potential to be special.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallSoHard

I didn't use them Personally. I've watched a lot of Burke an am impressed, but I think you've got to admit he's got some flaws. A lot of the Burke lovers refuse to admit it. He's not a perfect prospect. And the people on the other side of the argument need to realize that he does make up for a lot of his flaws with other tools he possesses. Like I said in my original post, his stellar shot off the dribble, change of direction and ball handling makes up for his average quickness.

---

Absolutely flawed. No argument there. My simple point is a lot of people get carried away. Paul wasn't 'Paul' at this point either...I mean Marvin Williams and Bogut went before him and really almost Felton. Just saying at this point I believe he is as good a prospect as Paul was and I feel because he isn't 'Paul' right now some lose sight of that, but I see what you are saying.

The other thing that drives me nuts is when people really say he can't be much better that GV. To me that's insane. GV is a lot of empty numbers, Burke is a winner ala CP. I really like the kid, but all these guys are flawed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ramsters60

who knows what direction we might go in, but I just struggle with seeing this at #6....

---

It is understandable that anyone would want their first round pick to join the team immediately, but you also have to remember it isn't about next season, its about the future and the whispers are that Saric is a top 5 talent. Just in recent history we have seen early picks stay overseas and then have successful rookie seasons.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by da ThRONe

Saying two guys are comparable in skill and play style isn't saying one is as good as the other. However a lot of people are trying to make the case that this skill level and style won't pan out in the league when the best player at the position plays it the same way.

Like I've said before the spacing in college is different because there's no 3 sec rule and most college bigs can't shoot. So beating your man rarely leads to open lane to the basket. I don't think anybody is calling Burke a clone of Paul(although IMO he's the closest I've seen since) or that he has Wall, Rose, Westbrook, Lawson type quickness, but with his combo of his physical ability(which seem to be vastly underrated), skill, and IQ he has the potential to be special.

---

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: