Who should become the first person to be drafted to the pelicans?

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Originally Posted by Nola Hornet

You sound like you just dislike him for whatever reason. If you want to talk about his concerns... His legitimate ones include his rebounding rate, assist rate, Steals rate, Block rate,Turnover rate(high considering he doesn't handle the ball, isolate, or create for his teammates), and his mediocre FT% considering he's an elite shooter. He doesn't hustle enough and there's really no good reason why he doesn't.

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I don't like him that much as a prospect, and it's nothing personal. I guess my issue with him is the scoring, and scoring potential, aren't so good that it makes up for the other deficiencies in his game.

The more time goes by the more I'm becoming sold on guys like Oladipo immediately after McLemore and Trey Burke. Even if his offensive efficiency more in line with a 6'9" PF doesn't hold up with more touches or the NBA 3, his defense WILL hold up.

I think we get a shot at Burke pretty
much wherever we are and I think we have to take him.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

I think we get a shot at Burke pretty
much wherever we are and I think we have to take him.

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Co-signed.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

I think we get a shot at Burke pretty
much wherever we are and I think we have to take him.

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One can only hope.

You guys like Burke over Marcus Smart?? It just seems like Smart is more of a sure thing than Burke, who I really like, but there is a bit more risk with him. (I guess the same was said about CP3)

It would be great if we can trade Lopez for a mid first rounder

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Originally Posted by rubicon

You guys like Burke over Marcus Smart?? It just seems like Smart is more of a sure thing than Burke, who I really like, but there is a bit more risk with him. (I guess the same was said about CP3)

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I don't think we can go wrong either way, but Burke is my personal preference.

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Originally Posted by rubicon

You guys like Burke over Marcus Smart?? It just seems like Smart is more of a sure thing than Burke, who I really like, but there is a bit more risk with him. (I guess the same was said about CP3)

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Why, because of his height?

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Originally Posted by rubicon

You guys like Burke over Marcus Smart?? It just seems like Smart is more of a sure thing than Burke, who I really like, but there is a bit more risk with him. (I guess the same was said about CP3)

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Smart seems more like a combo guard. IMO we already have 3 of those and need another skillset in the equation.

Its really just physical stats. If Smart becomes a better shooter which Burke has after his freshman year then Smart is a safer pick. But I do like Burke's game.

I saw the same kinda things I liked from Damian Lillard from Burke. The same ability to change and mold a game. That IT factor. He's got it. Whatever that IT is, Shabazz doesn't have it. It's a strange thing, IT.

I also saw good things from Oladipo and will be paying very close attention to him going forward as well.

I haven't watched a single game from Marcus Smart yet. I keep hearing him come up on here, so I'll just have to peep him out too.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

I saw the same kinda things I liked from Damian Lillard from Burke. The same ability to change and mold a game. That IT factor. He's got it. Whatever that IT is, Shabazz doesn't have it. It's a strange thing, IT.

I also saw good things from Oladipo and will be paying very close attention to him going forward as well.

I haven't watched a single game from Marcus Smart yet. I keep hearing him come up on here, so I'll just have to peep him out too.

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For the record I would still take Shabazz, maclemore(spelling?) Len, possibly Noel and maybe Zeller before Burke , but I think we will be in prime position to not have to be in the position to choose between them.

I don't know, I think we had the fourth worst record last year and we got the number 1 pick. So anything is possible. I agree Shabazz doesn't have the IT factor but I think he can have the career of someone like Caron Bulter, which isn't bad. McLemore will be the best player from this draft. I don't care that we have Eric Gordon, and I'm not even a Gordon hater, I want McLemore if he's available. The only way I would be down to get Len or Zeller is if Lopez is traded for a mid round draft pick. In that way we might be able to get Burke or someone of that stature.

If McLemore was there I'd take him and trade gordon for an elite SF or center

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

If McLemore was there I'd take him and trade gordon for an elite SF or center

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Who would you consider an elite 3 or 5 that would swap for Gordon?

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

If McLemore was there I'd take him and trade gordon for an elite SF or center

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I dont know how to start a thread, but have y'all seen this? http://www.hoopsrumors.com/

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Originally Posted by RUFshreve

Swap EG and for Paul George and throw in whatever pieces we need to in order to make it work.

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So throw in Anthony Davis ?

He meant Eric Gordon, not Ben Gordon.

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Originally Posted by Purple Haze

Why, because of his height?

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Idk his reasoning, but I like Smart better because he plays both sides of the court.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

I saw the same kinda things I liked from Damian Lillard from Burke. The same ability to change and mold a game. That IT factor. He's got it. Whatever that IT is, Shabazz doesn't have it. It's a strange thing, IT.

I also saw good things from Oladipo and will be paying very close attention to him going forward as well.

I haven't watched a single game from Marcus Smart yet. I keep hearing him come up on here, so I'll just have to peep him out too.

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You'll definitely be impressed by Smart. He plays excellent on both sides getting steals and rebounds. He definitely has that "it" factor. He can take over a game and make his whole team better. People keep referring to him as a combo guard but I think he can be a pure PG in the NBA and a good one at that. Plays with alot of intensity and energy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_0fyUYB3cA

I had a massive, stats-based post on Smart lined up today which I lost when the battery on my laptop shorted out, but long story short, he fills up the stat sheet better than any lottery-bound guard since Wade. He's averaging 4.5 combined steals and blocks per 40 pace adjusted, which is better than anyone since Wade had 5.1 his freshman year (Rondo also had 4.5 his freshman year, but Smart rebounds much better as a freshman than Rondo). His on-ball defense is physical, tenacious and is the closest thing college ball has to the Lowry, Bledsoe, Bradley, Allen, Iguodala level---as an 18 year old freshman. He's an emotional leader, a winner, and every coach he's been around raves about him. The more I watch him play, the more it confirms he's my favorite player in this draft.

Otto porter looking pretty good vs marq

He's caught my eye for sure. Not a great athlete, but he's fluid, smooth. Don't like the Austin Riversian jumper form, but his release is much quicker so it makes up for it. And the dude loves the mid-range shot. He's listed at 200lbs but he looks bigger than that. He'll add muscle that frame with ease, I hope.

You guys still think we'll be picking in the top 10?

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Originally Posted by Biasvasospasm

I had a massive, stats-based post on Smart lined up today which I lost when the battery on my laptop shorted out, but long story short, he fills up the stat sheet better than any lottery-bound guard since Wade. He's averaging 4.5 combined steals and blocks per 40 pace adjusted, which is better than anyone since Wade had 5.1 his freshman year (Rondo also had 4.5 his freshman year, but Smart rebounds much better as a freshman than Rondo). His on-ball defense is physical, tenacious and is the closest thing college ball has to the Lowry, Bledsoe, Bradley, Allen, Iguodala level---as an 18 year old freshman. He's an emotional leader, a winner, and every coach he's been around raves about him. The more I watch him play, the more it confirms he's my favorite player in this draft.

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Very interesting. Very. I'd love to see that post. :hihi:

They say Smart is comparable to Harden and Zeller to Pau Gasol, while Noel is comparable to Camby. Take you pick as 2 of the 3 should be there at our #6 pick.

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Originally Posted by Nola Hornet

You guys still think we'll be picking in the top 10?

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I want to say no so bad but if we keep sitting Gordon after back to backs and go on these sporadic losing streaks, then I see us picking anywhere between 7-12 right now. I will always root for the win no matter what.

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Originally Posted by UNO Gracias

They say Smart is comparable to Harden and Zeller to Pau Gasol, while Noel is comparable to Camby. Take you pick as 2 of the 3 should be there at our #6 pick.

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#6?! :hihi: Dude get a grip.

Oh I got a grip. I am calling it right now. We will draft somewhere between 6 and 9.

That's fine, but not what you said. :coolg:

I think we'll be 9-11.

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Originally Posted by bojangles837

I want to say no so bad but if we keep sitting Gordon after back to backs and go on these sporadic losing streaks, then I see us picking anywhere between 7-12 right now. I will always root for the win no matter what.

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There's only 5 back to back games left in the season and 30 games left. 12 Road games and and 18 Home games. 14 games against opponents under .500. We're 10-8 with Gordon in the line up.

I'll honestly be surprised if we finished in the top 10 barring injuries.

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Originally Posted by Purple Haze

That's fine, but not what you said. :coolg:

I think we'll be 9-11.

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That's fine. Every mock I have seen has us drafting in the top 6. I figure give us a a better margin of 6-9 but count on 6 seeing as how we still have unforseen injuries and the fact we are still young.

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Originally Posted by Purple Haze

Very interesting. Very. I'd love to see that post. :hihi:

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Not sure what the point of this was. :help:

I don't think Smart plays much like Harden at all. The only similarity I can see is build and surprising athleticism for build. Harden, even in college, was a much more efficient and skilled scorer but completely checks out on defense, whereas Smart plays extremely hard on defense but his individual offense is really inefficient at this point. He's more like a bigger, more athletic version version of Lowry without a consistent jumper.

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Originally Posted by Biasvasospasm

Not sure what the point of this was. :help:

I don't think Smart plays much like Harden at all. The only similarity I can see is build and surprising athleticism for build. Harden, even in college, was a much more efficient and skilled scorer but completely checks out on defense, whereas Smart plays extremely hard on defense but his individual offense is really inefficient at this point. He's more like a bigger, more athletic version version of Lowry without a consistent jumper.

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Saying that I wished you hadn't lost the post?

Oh, that's cool. I thought you were being sarcastic.
I was bummed when I lost it, I spent a lot of time on it pulling stats from draftexpress and sportsreference for similar players (lottery PG/SG). The results were interesting. His numbers pointed to being clearly more of a point than Wade, Evans, Mayo, Bledsoe, but less than Wall, Rose, Irving and way less than Paul, Dwill, Conley. It is his first season at the position, though, and he makes some impressive passes when you watch him. His tertiaries are crazy, though, and that extends to stuff like DRtg and Defensive win shares, which are in a totally different class than similar players. I might try to put it together again, but I might wait until I can get someone to send me some synergy stuff so I can quantify his on-ball defense and see if it matches the eye test.

No I am a lot but not in that case. :hihi: I would love to get Burke or Smart so the input is appreciated.

Anthony Bennett might well be the BPA when we pick, but there is just one thing about him.....I have heard that his heart is in San Franciso....

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Originally Posted by ramsters60

Anthony Bennett might well be the BPA when we pick, but there is just one thing about him.....I have heard that his heart is in San Franciso....

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:hihi:

Ya'll are going to seriously try to convince me that Porter is a better prospect than Bennett. I mean 240 right out of college?

Who does Bennett compare to? Is a a sf in the NBA or an undersized PF? He was a pretty big deal coming out of HS will his game take time to develop or is he a turn key player?

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Originally Posted by UNO Gracias

Who does Bennett compare to? Is a a sf in the NBA or an undersized PF? He was a pretty big deal coming out of HS will his game take time to develop or is he a turn key player?

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That's the problem. Some think that he uses his size too much in college and will be overwhelmed in the NBA. He's not overly quick because he's so big. Definite tweener but probably the biggest upside/risk in the draft. Could be a massive star.

And he has range.

So that's appealing. Is he more Larry Johnson?

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Extremely powerful and explosive forward who can step outside and knock down jumpers or take defenders off the dribble.

more explosive Paul Milsap

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Anthony Bennett provides such an infectious personality for the UNLV Rebels. He shoots the ball, passes it to teammates, and everyone plays better around Bennett.

While Bennett may be raw, he has all the potential in the world to become the best prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. When watching his tape, I was reminded of Derrick Williams coming out of Arizona a few years ago.

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5. New Orleans Hornets
Player Name: Anthony Bennett
Position, School: SF/PF, UNLV
Bennett is the complete package offensively and would fit in rather nicely with an up and coming Hornets team. Bennett’s foot speed is typically too quick for 4s and his strength and power can overwhelm 3s. He is an explosive athlete that keeps rising up draft boards.

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:coolg:

And like I said, 6'7", 240 right NOW. Porter's game is more polished, but this guy could be a freak.

But he's Canadian.

Finally found the one I was looking for, answers your question somewhat better.

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Hornets – Anthony Bennett, SF/PF, Fr, UNLV:
The only thing holding me back from sliding Bennett into the top three is I don’t know what role he’ll have in the NBA. He can undoubtedly score from the low block and is developing into a nice face up player as well, but he can be a liability on the defensive end and he doesn’t move all that well. My fear is that Bennett relies too much on his size and strength in college, an advantage that he’ll lose in the pros. I’d say this is the biggest hit or miss prospect in the top 10. Best case, Bennett can provide some muscle and toughness on the block and allow Anthony Davis to play the high post, a spot that I believe suits him better in the long-term than down low.

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Canadians aren't that bad. I met 2 people from Toronto last night in the quarter and they were pretty cool, although I'm not joking when I say one dude said eh at at least 10 times while talking to him.

No one will have anything bad to say about Canadians once Andrew Wiggins is mashing on heads.

The first person he reminded me of was Paul Pierce. Great face up game and can shoot it from the perimeter. He isn't extremely mobile but he isn't slow by any means. He is a freak athlete. I'd take him in a heart beat. Biggest upside player in the draft and might be the most physically ready player as well.

The Pelicans are projected to take him if things stand as they are now.
http://thehoopsreport.com/aspnethoop/draft.aspx

Wow I never thought of that, good comparison even on measurements. What a pick that would be. :hihi: