Pelican draft workouts

But we knew there would be workouts. At this point, we know almost nothing.

Again, I'm not trying to start conspiracy theories...just pointing it out.

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Originally Posted by Smirk

But we knew there would be workouts. At this point, we know almost nothing.

Again, I'm not trying to start conspiracy theories...just pointing it out.

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Yeah that is pretty weird. But then again you never know with Dell!

Promise to Burke IMO :cool:

^^Yeah, with Burke coming in on Friday we all know it's just for his informal interview kind of like what AD did last year right? ;)

With the number 6 pick, I'd expect they'd be working out a smaller number of players than they would with the #10 pick. Who knows? The next two weeks won't get here fast enough.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Promise to Burke IMO :cool:

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I'm so tired of seeing these mocks that have us taking Len when Burke is available :(

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

I'm so tired of seeing these mocks that have us taking Len when Burke is available :(

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Me too.

I just looked at 3 mocks and 2 of them (CBS and NBADraft.net) had us taking Burke and 1 had us taking Bennett (DX).

I think our draft board looks as such

1) Porter
2) Trade if offers good
3A) Saric
3B) Len
4) Burke

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

I'm so tired of seeing these mocks that have us taking Len when Burke is available :(

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Why? Len is the better option and is in the mix for #1 overall. He'll probably be gone by the time we pick anyway. He's trending up while Burke is trending down.

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Originally Posted by FlyGirl

^^Yeah, with Burke coming in on Friday we all know it's just for his informal interview kind of like what AD did last year right? ;)

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http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/1721...-crossed-o.gif

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Originally Posted by Smirk

Why? Len is the better option and is in the mix for #1 overall. He'll probably be gone by the time we pick anyway. He's trending up while Burke is trending down.

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Trends are always right I guess. O and Len at #1 is laughable. What a weak class.

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Originally Posted by Smirk

Why? Len is the better option and is in the mix for #1 overall. He'll probably be gone by the time we pick anyway. He's trending up while Burke is trending down.

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Hibbert's performance only helps show hwo important a big C with a soft touch can be. and C has less depth than PG on this team.

The Pelicans are drafting #6 in a draft where the top 3 or 4 are pretty fluid. You think any of the top guys are eager to concede they could end up 6th?

The Hornets can schedule KCP, MCW, CJMac, etc... in about 2 nano secs... It's probably a weird coincidence mixed with a tad bit of gamesmanship to keep their big board under wraps.

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

Trends are always right I guess. O and Len at #1 is laughable. What a weak class.

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They certainly aren't always right, but they usually indicate that the bloggers and amateur draftnik websites are catching up with what actual talent evaluators (ie actual team scouting departments) think.

If Len pans out, having a dominant frontcourt of Len/Davis, players that coincidentally compliment each other perfectly, is a much better option for a small market than going with a PG. In today's NBA, PGs are just about the easiest thing to find. 7 footers with Len's potential skillset aren't easy to find. Len has the higher ceiling.

The injury is the major concern, however. Foot injuries/stress fractures in big men have a way of hampering careers.

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Originally Posted by Smirk

The injury is the major concern, however. Foot injuries/stress fractures in big men have a way of hampering careers.

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That is a concern to me as well.

That's all on the medical staff's evaluation. I don't particularly trust our medical staff, but their it is.

If he checks out...you go with the big man. Let him learn under Lopez who is on a favorable contract and get in the mix over time.

If he pans out, you have a potential dominant frontcourt, which is a major way for small market teams to compete with the glamour markets and their elite wing players.

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Originally Posted by Smirk

That's all on the medical staff's evaluation. I don't particularly trust our medical staff, but their it is.

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This is the part that concerns me more than anything.

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Originally Posted by Smirk

That's all on the medical staff's evaluation. I don't particularly trust our medical staff, but their it is.

If he checks out...you go with the big man. Let him learn under Lopez who is on a favorable contract and get in the mix over time.

If he pans out, you have a potential dominant frontcourt, which is a major way for small market teams to compete with the glamour markets and their elite wing players.

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If we can select a great player it doesn't matter what position they play. The key is to have enough of those players.

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Originally Posted by Smirk

That's all on the medical staff's evaluation. I don't particularly trust our medical staff, but their it is.

If he checks out...you go with the big man. Let him learn under Lopez who is on a favorable contract and get in the mix over time.

If he pans out, you have a potential dominant frontcourt, which is a major way for small market teams to compete with the glamour markets and their elite wing players.

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I agree with this. The premium that is paid to big men can be quite an expensive (although necessary expense) the chance to get a serviceable one a rookie scale deal.. in addition to the contracts of Davis, Anderson, Lopez, and Smith is a tremendous competitive advantage.

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

If we can select a great player it doesn't matter what position they play. The key is to have enough of those players.

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Not true.

A great PG is not the same as great wing or center. Magic Johnson aside. I hate having this debate in every single thread :hihi:

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Originally Posted by Smirk

They certainly aren't always right, but they usually indicate that the bloggers and amateur draftnik websites are catching up with what actual talent evaluators (ie actual team scouting departments) think.

If Len pans out, having a dominant frontcourt of Len/Davis, players that coincidentally compliment each other perfectly, is a much better option for a small market than going with a PG. In today's NBA, PGs are just about the easiest thing to find. 7 footers with Len's potential skillset aren't easy to find. Len has the higher ceiling.

The injury is the major concern, however. Foot injuries/stress fractures in big men have a way of hampering careers.

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I see this both ways really. You could also argue that the league has drastically gone away from true centers period. The game has changed. PG's are like QB's. Sure, everyone has one. But the good ones drive the ship. We were a perrenial playoff team with CP3, and a top lottery team without. Clippers were a perrenial lottery team without, and are a playoff team with. That's the impact a PG can make.

The entire outlook of this team would be different with Burke at point. He can push the fast break as well as play the pick and roll. He's quick enough on the defensive rotations and quick enough to stay in front of oppossing PG's(as oppossed to GV).

While I think Len can be a great building block, I think Burke can be a great difference maker. Time will tell of course.

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

If we can select a great player it doesn't matter what position they play. The key is to have enough of those players.

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If something can be both true and false, that is it.

In a totally philosophical sense, you just want good players on your team, that's true. You pick the best players you can, the most talented, with an eye on making it work together.

But some positions are more premium than others, some are easier to find in FA or later in the draft, and some are more of a need.

Teams don't just rank players 1-100 usually, like fans do. They have a much more complex system with tiers, groupings etc. They pick the best player out of a particular tier that fits what they want to do.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

I see this both ways really. You could also argue that the league has drastically gone away from true centers period. The game has changed. PG's are like QB's. Sure, everyone has one. But the good ones drive the ship. We were a perrenial playoff team with CP3, and a top lottery team without. Clippers were a perrenial lottery team without, and are a playoff team with. That's the impact a PG can make.

The entire outlook of this team would be different with Burke at point. He can push the fast break as well as play the pick and roll. He's quick enough on the defensive rotations and quick enough to stay in front of oppossing PG's(as oppossed to GV).

While I think Len can be a great building block, I think Burke can be a great difference maker. Time will tell of course.

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First of all, I would argue that since the league is going smaller that having a truly dominant frontcourt makes a team standout, and much more likely to be a mismatch nightmare against small ball teams. Memphis.

Second, your other points are only true if you see Burke as having elite level talent.

Perhaps mastermind Demps loves Saric and has told him he will promise him at 6. The stipulation is he must project that he will pull out of draft so others don't really give him much attention until its probably too late. I know this is a strech, but if I were a GM I would play all kinds of mind games (Especially if I thought I found a diamond in rough that was fairly under the radar).

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METAIRIE, La. — The Pelicans hold the No. 6 pick in the June 27 NBA draft but don’t ask coach Monty Williams for any hint as to what New Orleans will do.

And it’s not because he doesn’t want to give away any secrets.

It’s because he honestly doesn’t seem to know.

“We still don’t know where we’re going to go yet because it’s that kind draft where they’re talking about a guy could be No. 1 or he could be 10,” Williams said. “I’ve never seen a draft like that, where a guy could be the first pick or he could be the fifth pick. He’s either going to be one or two.

“And this draft, guys are all over the place.”

With a little more than two weeks to go before the draft, the Pelicans have yet to bring in a player for a workout or for an interview. In years past, however, there would already have been several workouts in the books.

Williams said there has been a sea change in that regard, saying players “don’t want to work out.”

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http://www.wwltv.com/sports/Pelicans...211012141.html

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Originally Posted by Smirk

Second, your other points are only true if you see Burke as having elite level talent.

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Which is of course the real rub here. PF is probably the most saturated position in the league, but I'm sure you, like me, and everyone else was on the Anthony Davis train last year. All depends on how you feel about the player in the end.

I think Burke is the best player in the draft. Hands down. I would strongly consider Porter over him as I think that's a 10+ year starter at SF(a position lacking serious depth in the league), our weakest position, and a guy that will contribute in many many different ways.

I would be happy with Len. Very happy.. He's not just your average 7 footer. He's even taller than those guys. He's got good touch, and he's very agile. Working with Monty, I think he could get a ton out of him. And I am ALL for having a cheaper option at center instead of paying some average stiff down the road.

But a player that will change the culture of the team, that will take the ball and win a basketball game. The difference between winning and losing. I think that's Trey Burke. I've seen enough of him to make most people sick, and he's a special talent.

Monty's lack of knowledge about this class is puzzling. He stated after the lottery that he was not up on the players and now he seems just as unprepared. I don't buy that players don't want to work out, as they are working out for other teams. It almost makes me feel that we have every intent on trading this pick.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Monty's lack of knowledge about this class is puzzling. He stated after the lottery that he was not up on the players and now he seems just as unprepared. I don't buy that players don't want to work out, as they are working out for other teams. It almost makes me feel that we have every intent on trading this pick.

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Not sure how its puzzling... Seems to me, he knows the guys he wants and hes frustrated because they don't wanna workout. For guys who could go #1,2 or 3. It's understandable that they don't wanna work out for Pelicans @ 6 at this juncture. Trey Burke..the guy who needs to establish his floor...is doing so with us (albeit with stipulations) seems to me like we are doing what we can without spinning our wheels or wasting our time. Len and Bennett were probably evaluated with other doctors at the combine... And Like I said, if we need to get KCP, MCW, CJmac and those tier 2 guys in..we can do so at anytime and they will be on the first thing smoking as soon as we call.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Monty's lack of knowledge about this class is puzzling. He stated after the lottery that he was not up on the players and now he seems just as unprepared. I don't buy that players don't want to work out, as they are working out for other teams. It almost makes me feel that we have every intent on trading this pick.

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It seems like it's either Burke or a trade is on the horizon....maybe we can move back and take a Euro? Giannis? Or even Saric if he stays in.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Monty's lack of knowledge about this class is puzzling. He stated after the lottery that he was not up on the players and now he seems just as unprepared.

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In yesterday's presser he talked about how wide open the draft was.

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We still don't know where we're gonna go yet because it's that kind of draft where they're talking about a guy could be number 1 or he could be 10, I've never seen a draft like that, where a guy could be the 1st pick or he could the 5th pick. It's either he's gonna be 1 or 2. In this draft guys are all over the place. And so you don't know what's going to happen. Draft night should be pretty interesting. I think teams may trade their picks because they just don't understand this draft the way that we did last year.

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http://www.nba.com/pelicans/audio/mo...ssistant-coach

And he was also quoted in the TP about watching lots of film on prospects.

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Although the Pelicans have not had any predraft workouts, Coach Monty Williams says he’s spent a substantial amount of time watching game tapes of potential draft prospects they are targeting.

``I’ve got to look at from a different lens, because I don’t have all the background that (Pelicans General Manager) Dell Demps and his staff might have. I’m trying to look at it how he (draft prospect) fits in our offense, how he can come off a screen and how he’s going to run this pick and roll.

In their draft evaluations , Williams said they’re always trying to find right fit that blends talent with a players’ ability to fit into his system. The Pelicans have the sixth overall pick in the June 27th NBA draft.

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http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.s...guard_gre.html

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Monty's lack of knowledge about this class is puzzling. He stated after the lottery that he was not up on the players and now he seems just as unprepared. I don't buy that players don't want to work out, as they are working out for other teams. It almost makes me feel that we have every intent on trading this pick.

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He's not saying he doesn't know about the players...he's saying he has no idea would will be available when we pick because it is so fluid this year (aka the draft sucks).

I'm pretty intrigued with Bennett. He made 74% of his shots at the rim (which seems like a pretty special # ... I think Len was at 63%, and that's considered very good) and shoots the ball well with range. Jumper looks strong, and he's got a good body type to play next to AD ... even if he's not "center", he's got the bulk to handle heavyweights on a lot of nights, freeing up Davis.

Utah at times had success last season running lineups with all 3 of their bigs. They abandoned ship more or less on that this year, but I'd be interested to see if we could run that lineup with Davis, Anderson and Bennett. Defending the wing would be problematic, of course, but if the other team has a defensive "hiding" spot on the wing it seems like something that could play well. Those2 of those 3 bigs have 3 point shooting range and Davis has a nice jumper, so spacing issues wouldn't be as big of a deal for that team.

I know the knock on Bennett is that he's just 6'7, but he's a lot bulkier than a Derrick Williams or even a Carl Landry, and he's longer than those guys as well (7'1 wingspan). I think he'll make an impact.

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Originally Posted by Smirk

He's not saying he doesn't know about the players...he's saying he has no idea would will be available when we pick because it is so fluid this year (aka the draft sucks).

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I don't think the draft sucks, aside from not wanting to be one or two. There's no clear cut favorites, but as far as picking where we are, I think the field at six looks pretty good. I think the top tier is just level, no clear cut superstar ... but you never get that at six, (going into it) anyway.

I like Bennett and think he will be a good player, but I do not see us drafting him.

Monty "...I’m trying to look at it how he (draft prospect) fits in our offense, how he can come off a screen and how he’s going to run this pick and roll."

Seems pretty obvious why Burke is on their radar. Given, he's the only scheduled prospect thus far in the draft; and he fits perfectly in the offense imo. Analyzing Monty's comments, it seems that finding a player that can effectively run the PnR is a major priority. Noone's better at that in the draft than burke

Don't know if this was already posted but here are some comments from Monty,

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Originally Posted by jhow0036

I like Bennett and think he will be a good player, but I do not see us drafting him.

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I think he's an underdog for us, to be sure. But he might well be the BPA when we're up, depending on how you feel on Burke or whoever else might fall.

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Originally Posted by PowerPel

Don't know if this was already posted but here are some comments from Monty,

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Please tell me this was meant to be blank :hihi:

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Please tell me this was meant to be blank :hihi:

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I see it...

Try here if you can't see it,


http://videos.nola.com/times-picayun..._river_default

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Originally Posted by RAMIL7

Monty "...I’m trying to look at it how he (draft prospect) fits in our offense, how he can come off a screen and how he’s going to run this pick and roll."

Seems pretty obvious why Burke is on their radar. Given, he's the only scheduled prospect thus far in the draft; and he fits perfectly in the offense imo. Analyzing Monty's comments, it seems that finding a player that can effectively run the PnR is a major priority. Noone's better at that in the draft than burke

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Sounds like we should bring Noone in for a workout!

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Originally Posted by ml wave

Sounds like we should bring Noone in for a workout!

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Sounds like we maybe trading down. Monty didn't look to thrilled with what is out there.

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Originally Posted by ml wave

Sounds like we should bring Noone in for a workout!

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That's wasn't what I was implying. Didn't say Burke was the only player they were considering, just judging from his comments I see why their bring him in.

Monty definitely wants a vet, I wonder if that is IGGY? Maybe Guru was right?

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Originally Posted by PowerPel

Monty definitely wants a vet, I wonder if that is IGGY? Maybe Guru was right?

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He will be a FA if he opts out of his player option, so we would not need to give up our draft pick.

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Originally Posted by PowerPel

Sounds like we maybe trading down. Monty didn't look to thrilled with what is out there.

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It sounded more like he's frustrated that the top 5 guys aren't coming in. He feels like any one of them can go anywhere from top 5 -top 10. But their agents aren't going to allow them to work out. While I don't think a trade is out of the possibility, I also don't think he's trying to imply that he dislike the class.

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Originally Posted by MonsterMash

I don't think the draft sucks, aside from not wanting to be one or two. There's no clear cut favorites, but as far as picking where we are, I think the field at six looks pretty good. I think the top tier is just level, no clear cut superstar ... but you never get that at six, (going into it) anyway.

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This draft has the best chance of any draft since 2000 to have the fewest impact players. It may end up with a lot of rotation players, but not many difference makers.

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Originally Posted by Kibner

This draft has the best chance of any draft since 2000 to have the fewest impact players. It may end up with a lot of rotation players, but not many difference makers.

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You mean impact ever or impact in rookie season? Cause last years draft didn't have a lot of impact either if that's the case. Some guys just take time. There are only a handful of guys in this draft that are NBA ready right now but given time, a lot them could be very good.

Agent confirms Otto Porter will work out only for top 3 in NBA draft, so no trip to Charlotte Bobcats: blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba…

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) June 11, 2013

Looks like you may be right Nola Hornet.

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Originally Posted by GESWhoseBack

You mean impact ever or impact in rookie season? Cause last years draft didn't have a lot of impact either if that's the case. Some guys just take time. There are only a handful of guys in this draft that are NBA ready right now but given time, a lot them could be very good.

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Impact ever. To quantify that a bit, I mean players good enough to make All-Star and/or All-NBA teams. A star player, basically. Obviously, there also don't appear to be any superstars in this draft, which I define as a player being considered underpaid if they receive a max deal.

A starter or rotation player is not an impact player in my eyes. You can pick those up in free agency or with later draft picks (in most drafts) relatively reliably.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

He will be a FA if he opts out of his player option, so we would not need to give up our draft pick.

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he already did opt out, he is a free agent