thoughts on Michael Carter Williams?

I just read the a mock and they had the Pels passing on Burke to pick him. Just wondering what some thoughts of memebers on here. Dude averaged 35 mpg - averaging 11.8 ppg, 7.3 apg, 5.0 rpg and 2.7 spg. Here's the mock I read.

http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/...daway-jr-11th/
"6. New Orleans Pelicans – Michael Carter Williams, PG, Syracuse. The polarizing point guard over Trey Burke? Yup. Austin Rivers is clearly a combo guard, and I think MCW is more of a table-setter than Burke because of Trey’s offensive game."

Here's a recent thread discussing him. Also a very good read linked within this:

http://www.pelicansreport.com/showth...MCW-over-Burke

nice thanks i must have missed that.

He reminds me of Rajon a lot. Not potential (because no one saw Rondo taking off like he did) but his handles, defense, and lack of a true shot. Primary inside scorer. I wouldn't mind too much if we picked him up as I feel there are worse options at 6. I just think 6 is too high, maybe the 8-12 range.

Personally I would want Burke but wouldn't be crushed if we picked him

I don't think he is worth a 6th pick but wouldn't be opposed to having him at all

We already have this guy.

I've been looking into him and I really really like him. Probably my favorite PG in this draft. I'd LOVE to add him.

He would be good later in the lottery but 6th is too high. A lot of holes in his game.

Hell no. Yuck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

I've been looking into him and I really really like him. Probably my favorite PG in this draft. I'd LOVE to add him.

---

Same thing here. Probably a darkhorse for the most underrated player so far in this draft. A 6'5-6'6 ATHLETIC pass first pg? Come on bruh lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicans78

He would be good later in the lottery but 6th is too high. A lot of holes in his game.

---

Disagree. He has a complete game aside from his decision making (which isn't terrible but can get better) and shooting, which is the two easiest things to improve upon and will improve upon in the NBA. He has the potential to be a absolute stud. #6 would be perfect for him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

Disagree. He has a complete game aside from his decision making (which isn't terrible but can get better) and shooting, which is the two easiest things to improve upon and will improve upon in the NBA. He has the potential to be a absolute stud. #6 would be perfect for him.

---

You may be right from a scouting aspect, but he should be better than where he is right now. I think it will take him at least 2-3 years to be an impact as a starting PG and that may be generous.

Coming from the Syracuse system? I think that's the reason he looks as he does right now. Once he gets into a NBA program he will flourish. I was talking to a couple Syracuse fans in the NBA and they feel like once he gets into the NBA and gets more developmental time he'll really come on.

I do agree with the 2-3 years thing, though I'd say it's closer to 1.5-2 years, but that's not to say he wouldn't have a huge impact off the bench during that time. And when he comes on he'll be a terror with the size and length, instincts, athleticism, and just abilities all in all.

The Syracuse system seems to hinder prospects. Haven't really seen a prospect from there reach their potential in the pros.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicans78

The Syracuse system seems to hinder prospects. Haven't really seen a prospect from there reach their potential in the pros.

---

What do you blame that on though? I think you have to look at it in ways that they have their good and bad, just like the majority of schools. But they are kind of under a spotlight because of high profile busts like Wesley Johnson and Johny Flynn. But they also have their fair share of guys who have solid NBA careers.

Personally I like to look at the player rather than the school, and the scouting department has to earn their money. When I look at MCW I see a guy with excellent size, pure PG skills, a high ability to use the dribble and passes to help himself and others, a guy who can get into the lane at will, a guy that can push the tempo and find the shooters, etc. But the thing that I am the most excited about is his defensive potential. It's off the charts. He's not just some big PG like Greivis Vasquez. He's big and long, he's athletic, he can move his feet to stay in front of his man, has incredible instincts (offensively and defensively), he's instense and can put pressure on the ball as well as guard multiple positions. I mean 3.2 steals per 40 minutes? That's exactly what this team needs.

They way he passes while the paint is the perfect compliment to Davis' skillset. Just look at the first few minutes of his Draft Express scouting vid and tell me you can't see him and Davis playing together. Perfect pairing it seems. Didn't he and Davis talked during the lottery?....:huh2: if no one else is there who is really good I wouldn't mind taking him there or moving back and getting him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicans78

The Syracuse system seems to hinder prospects. Haven't really seen a prospect from there reach their potential in the pros.

---

Carmello Anthony... Also, Dion Waiters had a pretty productive and promising rookie season.

Who's his comparison ? Penny as a ceiling ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Psalm 102.6

Carmello Anthony... Also, Dion Waiters had a pretty productive and promising rookie season.

---

Waiters wasn't that good to be honest.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Who's his comparison ? Penny as a ceiling ?

---

I doubt Penny. Penny was way better at the same age. He could shoot and score much better.

I think Rondo is his ceiling especially if he doesn't improve his shooting.

The biggest attributes working in MCW's favor are his length and height. He's a huge PG and would create potential defensive mismatches with it. He also has a high level of passing ability, and is a gifted athlete, with a high basketball IQ. He's capable of scoring from anywhere on the court, and has pretty good ball handling skills.

On the flipside, while he has a high ceiling, he also has a pretty high floor. There really isn't much gray matter with him, he's either going to be a top 5-7 PG or he's going to follow fellow Syracuse alumnis Jonny Flynn's path and flame out of the league; destined to spend the vast majority of his career overseas or as the 12th man off the bench and bounce around the league. His shot selection and inconsistent outside shooting are in need of major work, he's turnover prone, and isn't really the floor general that you want in a PG. Also needs to bulk up some.

Best case scenario: A bigger version of Rajon Rondo.
Worst case scenario: Shaun Livingston or Jonny Flynn.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicans78

Waiters wasn't that good to be honest.

---

He made the NBA All-Rookie team and finished fifth in voting for Rookie of the Year. He wasn't that bad.

If we chose him over Burke I'd break my TV.

I'd prefer him over Burke, fits this team better.

There is about 0 zero chance they would pass on Burke, a master of the pick and roll, for a younger, faster version of Vasquez. :hihi:

That mock author is just trolling for views, and he got ya. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

I'd prefer him over Burke, fits this team better.

---

In what way?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Purple Haze

There is about 0 zero chance they would pass on Burke, a master of the pick and roll, for a younger, faster version of Vasquez. :hihi:

That mock author is just trolling for views, and he got ya. :D

---

The younger, faster version of Vasquez is Burke.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jsl05

The younger, faster version of Vasquez is Burke.

---

Ummm that's about the weirdest comparison I've ever heard. In what respect? :hihi:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Purple Haze

In what way?

---

Probably because he's just a mediocre player.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Purple Haze

In what way?

---

Defensively in every way imaginable. And Burke won't have the offensive impact in the NBA that he had in college.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

Defensively in every way imaginable. And Burke won't have the offensive impact in the NBA that he had in college.

---

Fair enough. But at 6' 5" wingspan don't sleep on Burke's ability to be coached defensively as well.

I see MCW being similar to Shaun Livingston. Can run an offense but can't score. I'm not interested and waiting for him to develop into a scoring threat.

His strengths are cool but sheez... his weaknesses scream "D League!".

My problems with him are this.

1. he's not a scoring threat as a PG at all.
2. He doesn't have Rondo-level athleticism to compensate for no shot.
3. He makes some wild/bad decisions as a passer.

I think anyone taking him over Burke is overthinking this. Sure, he's taller and a better one-on-one defender. That's it. I wouldn't mind him in the middle of the 1st round, but 6 seems too high.

"younger, faster version of Vasquez is Burke"

lol.......if Vasquez was younger and faster, he would very possibly be a good defender, and a nearly-elite point guard. Vasquez is no bum, he's just too slow to start against elite point guards. His speed is obviously his biggest weakness, and kills him in all sorts of situations. I wouldn't mind a guy with a similar skill set who is a faster player.

I think that Burke is a natural leader and playmaker - while he doesn't have elite NBA speed/athleticism, it's not bad either (he just can slow down his pace pretty well, so sometimes he looks slow). His outside shot will make him a weapon, and force defenders to guard him close, which will allow him to get around defenders and into the lane easier. I really hope we take Burke if he is there at 6. He's not lead-footed like Vasquez and can grow as a defender.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

His strengths are cool but sheez... his weaknesses scream "D League!".

---

His weaknesses are some of the things that will improve the most once he enters the NBA.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

His weaknesses are some of the things that will improve the most once he enters the NBA.

---

Maybe, Rondo still can't shoot, and if he doesn't improve he won't be in the league long. I prefer Burke, who only has to improve his defense.

I don't think so. We already have Gravy who's just about the same player. I would rather Burke or CJ over him at the point.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

His weaknesses are some of the things that will improve the most once he enters the NBA.

---

It's hard to say if he will improve on those skills. It's possible. But unknown. Obviously Burke is better now, especially offensively with his shooting and overall control of the game.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sleepingbunch

My problems with him are this.

1. he's not a scoring threat as a PG at all.
2. He doesn't have Rondo-level athleticism to compensate for no shot.
3. He makes some wild/bad decisions as a passer.

I think anyone taking him over Burke is overthinking this. Sure, he's taller and a better one-on-one defender. That's it. I wouldn't mind him in the middle of the 1st round, but 6 seems too high.

---

He is a pretty good athlete all the same. And by being like 4 inches taller, that length compensates for not having crazy athleticism.

Just sayin'.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eman5805

He is a pretty good athlete all the same. And by being like 4 inches taller, that length compensates for not having crazy athleticism.

Just sayin'.

---

Doesn't help Vasquez to much

True. But it's the height plus the 41 inch vertical that really makes up the difference.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eman5805

True. But it's the height plus the 41 inch vertical that really makes up the difference.

---

MCW is definitely a better athlete than Vasquez (who isn't?) but he's so rough on offense. Wouldn't be upset with him, but much rather Burke or even CJ

There will be a litany of better players at 6, so I'm not even considering any scenario where we take him. Unless we trade down.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sleepingbunch

"younger, faster version of Vasquez is Burke"

lol.......if Vasquez was younger and faster, he would very possibly be a good defender, and a nearly-elite point guard. Vasquez is no bum, he's just too slow to start against elite point guards. His speed is obviously his biggest weakness, and kills him in all sorts of situations. I wouldn't mind a guy with a similar skill set who is a faster player.

I think that Burke is a natural leader and playmaker - while he doesn't have elite NBA speed/athleticism, it's not bad either (he just can slow down his pace pretty well, so sometimes he looks slow). His outside shot will make him a weapon, and force defenders to guard him close, which will allow him to get around defenders and into the lane easier. I really hope we take Burke if he is there at 6. He's not lead-footed like Vasquez and can grow as a defender.

---

Not sure why you didn't quote me, but I never called Vasquez a Bum. He is far from it. And a better term is probably "quicker", not faster.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Purple Haze

Not sure why you didn't quote me, but I never called Vasquez a Bum. He is far from it. And a better term is probably "quicker", not faster.

---

yeah, sorry....

I guess my point was this - I'd take a younger, faster version of Vasquez any day, as his speed is what kills him on defense.

I love compound surnames in player. I also like PGs who can score, and apparently this guy can't. I would only take him if we trade down.

NO! As said above, we need a scorer at the point. Burke can run the PNR and can also score. I feel like if we're looking to draft MCW we're better off trading our pick and compensation for Eric Bledsoe. Otherwise, Burke is the pick if the consensus top 5 isn't there anymore.

And as far as rookies succeeding in the NBA, I think that is a bad discussion to have because these kids (I am 22) don't even stay in college long enough to develop, and people wonder why they can't develop a consistent postgame or jump shot.

Great vertical leap, had a dozen 5+ turnover games..
no thanks