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

[Purple Haze]

I thought this draft was supposed to be crap. Then I start reading things and all of a sudden I feel like we're choosing between an infinite amount of hall of famers between picks 1 and 15. To an extent this happens every year. What gives?

We're going to pick between 1-15. There is good talent there. After that this draft craps off. This draft doesn't suck it's just not great.

But some of the people could be VERY solid or great.

[goat gorilla]

I've watched 3-4 ucla games this year. Muhammad just doesn't impress me for some reason. I'm calling bust.

[Snarly]

I've watched 3-4 ucla games this year. Muhammad just doesn't impress me for some reason. I'm calling bust.

I wouldn't go that far. UCLA offense makes it hard for NBA prospects to shine. Holiday and Westbrook are prime examples of it.

[Bee-Fense]

I think Muhammad will end up being the Eric Gordon of SFs. Great scoring, good defense, not much else, and a bit undersized. Not sure if he's a great fit with us imo.

[Snarly]

I think Muhammad will end up being the Eric Gordon of SFs. Great scoring, good defense, not much else, and a bit undersized. Not sure if he's a great fit with us imo.

Anyone at SF that can shoot is a good fit. LOL. Maybe not the best fit possible but certainly isn't someone you pass on.

[RUFshreve]

I think Muhammad will end up being the Eric Gordon of SFs. Great scoring, good defense, not much else, and a bit undersized. Not sure if he's a great fit with us imo.

That's why him and Aminu would be a great duo at SF for us. Completely different players. Shabazz is just what we need, imo.

[carpo_07]

I think Muhammad will end up being the Eric Gordon of SFs. Great scoring, good defense, not much else, and a bit undersized. Not sure if he's a great fit with us imo.

Great scoring+ good defense = all star

Can't really see how being a great scorer with good defense is not exactly want anyone would want to draft???

[ramsters60]

I like Shabazz and Burke very much, but put a gun to my head and having the option, I would be hard pressed not to go with McLemore.....

[goat gorilla]

I guess I'm not saying the guy won't make it or won't be a fine role player. I just see too many of the same qualities in him which I despise in the current Gordon (I.e. lack of rebounding, ability to completely disappear in games, etc). I just don't think he will live up to production of a top 5-10 pick. He seems to be so pedestrian at times vs college players, nba guys will just eat him alive (idk-my thoughts). I think there are a few guys in this draft that aren't top 5 picks that will end up very special players in the long run.

[Bee-Fense]

I'm not saying Shabazz wouldn't be a good pick. I'd be happy to have him. I'm just saying I don't think he's a great fit next to Gordon because they're both fairly one-dimmensional and are undersized. There's more to the game than just scoring. But if we take BPA over fit, I'm totally okay with that. I'm just not sure if Shabazz/Gordon is the true long term answer at the wings.

[tdcreator]

I see a Paul Pierce type of player with Shabazz so I won't be opposed to getting him, but he takes a lot of shots. He's not my first choice, I wish he was a couple inches taller. 6'6 is the size of a lot of guards and yes I'm aware that his reach is crazy long.

I'm starting to hope for Smart. Give me 4 combo guards all around 6'3 to rotate in would be awesome. Rivers, Gordon on the first team and Bledsoe and Smart for 2nd team. Still have to address SF. All are quick enough to cover small pg and tall enough to stay with most SGs. All depends where we pick and what kind of deals we can get for Vasques and Lopez.

[RUFshreve]

I see a Paul Pierce type of player with Shabazz so I won't be opposed to getting him, but he takes a lot of shots. He's not my first choice, I wish he was a couple inches taller. 6'6 is the size of a lot of guards and yes I'm aware that his reach is crazy long.

I'm starting to hope for Smart. Give me 4 combo guards all around 6'3 to rotate in would be awesome. Rivers, Gordon on the first team and Bledsoe and Smart for 2nd team. Still have to address SF. All are quick enough to cover small pg and tall enough to stay with most SGs. All depends where we pick and what kind of deals we can get for Vasques and Lopez.

I think Smart can be a good PG in a starting line up. I think he may start over Rivers, unless Rivers comes on in a big way.

[beastbowen40]

Watched ucla vs Washington tonight. Shabazz was good, not great. I like the assessment of Gordon of sfs. If there's any reason I wouldn't want him is this:

While Shabazz runs right by the point guard trying to get the last shot, the ucla pg couldn't get him the ball but the pg ends up making a game winning shot. The team runs to dog pile with him. Not Shabazz, he showed no emotion at all and kinda just slowly walked over to the dog pile.

[Snarly]

Watched ucla vs Washington tonight. Shabazz was good, not great. I like the assessment of Gordon of sfs. If there's any reason I wouldn't want him is this:

While Shabazz runs right by the point guard trying to get the last shot, the ucla pg couldn't get him the ball but the pg ends up making a game winning shot. The team runs to dog pile with him. Not Shabazz, he showed no emotion at all and kinda just slowly walked over to the dog pile.

I don't have a problem with him showing no emotions after the final shot or during the celebration. What I had a problem with was his reaction during the play. He snapped during the play. That's absolutely the worst thing you can do. It shows his lack of maturity and awareness in that situation.

[carpo_07]

I don't have a problem with him showing no emotions after the final shot or during the celebration. What I had a problem with was his reaction during the play. He snapped during the play. That's absolutely the worst thing you can do. It shows his lack of maturity and awareness in that situation.

He was probably pissed off he didn't pass him a new Gucci backpack

[Biasvasospasm]

I hate 22 points on 8-of-23 shooting, that's a Rudy Gay line. And people are confusing his current defense (roughly average) with defense that people are projecting for him due to his length and above average athleticism. I don't see him as a great prospect.

[BallSoHard]

I don't have a problem with him showing no emotions after the final shot or during the celebration. What I had a problem with was his reaction during the play. He snapped during the play. That's absolutely the worst thing you can do. It shows his lack of maturity and awareness in that situation.

I cannot believe an 18 year old true freshman showed a lack of maturity awareness. The only think care about is : is he a great player with a lot of upside and is he a good guy off the court. If he's 24 and has those maturity problems then we have an issue.

[Snarly]

I hate 22 points on 8-of-23 shooting, that's a Rudy Gay line. And people are confusing his current defense (roughly average) with defense that people are projecting for him due to his length and above average athleticism. I don't see him as a great prospect.

I don't know why you're fixated on the statline. His body of work is large enough for you suggest that's not the norm for him. If there's one thing no one should question, it's his ability to put the ball in the basket. Everyone has those type of nights. Even guys like Durant, Anthony, Rose, Curry, and etc.. all have been there in college. His defense isn't just average. He's an above defender with the potential to be really good...

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.

[Snarly]

I cannot believe an 18 year old true freshman showed a lack of maturity awareness. The only think care about is : is he a great player with a lot of upside and is he a good guy off the court. If he's 24 and has those maturity problems then we have an issue.

Let's hope it was just one of those in the heat of the moment things that he learns and move on from. It's not the kind of attitude you want to project regardless of age.

[AD23forMVP]

I honestly hope we trade the pick, not all that enamored with this class.

[BallSoHard]

Let's hope it was just one of those in the heat of the moment things that he learns and move on from. It's not the kind of attitude you want to project regardless of age.

I just saw it on sportscenter. I think he's used to being "the man" and was probably promised that going to UCLA. I agree how he just walked off wasn't good but he kind of checked himself in his statement. Hopefully he learns from it.

[Kurgan]

Are there good SGs in this draft?

[BallSoHard]

I honestly hope we trade the pick, not all that enamored with this class.

Cash considerations

[RaisingTheBar]

Cash considerations

Did Shinn/Bower come back????

[Purple Haze]

I honestly hope we trade the pick, not all that enamored with this class.

If it's around 12, who would trade up?

I'll wait.