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

[nolaslim213]

Well, any hope of drafting Victor Olidapo are but gone. He is now a lock for the top 5. Unless we lose out we are going to miss out on him.

What makes you say that? I've been high on him for a while now, but having a good game or 2 doesn't change his draft status over night.

[UNO Gracias]

What makes you say that? I've been high on him for a while now, but having a good game or 2 doesn't change his draft status over night.

Game or two is one thing. Planting yourself firmly in the talk for player of the year is another. Guys play this season has been amazing and he has outplayed Zeller (I would bet he gets drafted higher than Zeller). Magic was singing his praises. While people here are saying MCW is going to be the next Dwayne Wade, Magic is saying Olidapo is a mix between Jordan and Wade.

[bojangles837]

I'm not against what your saying but I haven't heard MCW's name on here in weeks.

[TPDG22]

Victor Oladipo - Guard (Indiana)

[UNO Gracias]

Sorry, I meant Smart not MCW.

[bojangles837]

Sorry, I meant Smart not MCW.

Alright. Yea I've seen those comparisons.

[nolaslim213]

Game or two is one thing. Planting yourself firmly in the talk for player of the year is another. Guys play this season has been amazing and he has outplayed Zeller (I would bet he gets drafted higher than Zeller). Magic was singing his praises. While people here are saying MCW is going to be the next Dwayne Wade, Magic is saying Olidapo is a mix between Jordan and Wade.

I said that a while ago. Oladipo has Jordan athleticism, but he needs to do a lot of refining in his game. He is definitely a project, but I'd love to take him if we can get him. I'd even play him at the 3 just to get him on the court.

[Bee-Fense]

I'm starting to think there's a legitimate chance Shabazz will be there for us when we pick and if we're serious about moving Gordon out, I'm more open to taking Shabazz than I was earlier.

Interesting thing about Shabazz, he has a 30.4% USG rate, and only a 9.2% TO rate. That's really, really impressive, especially for a freshman.

[nolaslim213]

I'm starting to think there's a legitimate chance Shabazz will be there for us when we pick and if we're serious about moving Gordon out, I'm more open to taking Shabazz than I was earlier.

Interesting thing about Shabazz, he has a 30.4% USG rate, and only a 9.2% TO rate. That's really, really impressive, especially for a freshman.

It is, but can he carry a team? Can he close out games? Does he have that "it" factor? I'm not so sure... and that's what worries me about him. I see a lot of Xavier Henry in his game, and it isn't because they are both lefties.

[Bee-Fense]

It is, but can he carry a team? Can he close out games? Does he have that "it" factor? I'm not so sure... and that's what worries me about him. I see a lot of Xavier Henry in his game, and it isn't because they are both lefties.

Well by carry a team I assume you're referring to scoring, since AD will be the best player regardless, and I think that yes, Shabazz could carry a heavy scoring load and close out games.

Right now he's already carrying a huge load for UCLA and doing so very well, and that's without a right hand at all. I'm confident he will develop some options going right, and it will allow him to create for himself off the dribble much easier. Besides that, he's pretty complete when it comes to scoring, and has shown the ability to hit some big, big shots in some big games (vs Arizona and vs Missouri)

The difference between X and Shabazz is that X was a role player in college, and never showed any signs of being "the man." Half of his attempts in college were 3's, and somehow he completely forgot how to shoot when he got to the NBA, so he hasn't been much of use. Meanwhile Shabazz has a post game, can finish in the paint, is the better athlete, and simply has a better feel for the game. Xavier just settles for jumpers that he can't hit. If somehow Shabazz just completely forgot how to shoot, he would at least be able to score down low.

I'm not saying Shabazz is going to be a top 5 scorer in the NBA, that seems pretty unlikely. However, I think he can definitely average 20 a night, and with Anderson and Davis also providing scoring, I think that might be enough. It's really all dependent on how much Davis can give us offensively.

Regardless, I think if Gordon is gone, Shabazz is the most realistic candidate for us to be "the guy" when it comes to scoring the ball for us.

[PelsFan2313]

I think if we move Gordon out for a player like Klay, and acquire Shabazz in the draft, we'd need a point guard who can constantly break down the D and create for others. Between Klay, Shabazz, and Anderson, we'd have serious floor spacing.

The question is who could fill that vital role.

Of course, this is purely hypothetical.

But still, I wonder.

[ramsters60]

I think if we move Gordon out for a player like Klay, and acquire Shabazz in the draft, we'd need a point guard who can constantly break down the D and create for others. Between Klay, Shabazz, and Anderson, we'd have serious floor spacing.

The question is who could fill that vital role.

Of course, this is purely hypothetical.

But still, I wonder.

if it was me, I would try to do some business in Atlanta....

[PelsFan2313]

if it was me, I would try to do some business in Atlanta....

Teague?

EDIT: Looking back, we'd also be pretty weak defensively. I think a guy like Bledsoe would fit perfectly in that lineup. Something like Vasquez and maybe a first would do the trick. Imagine a lineup next year of Bledsoe, Klay, Shabazz, Anderson, and Davis, with Rivers, Smith, Lopez, Gordon deadweight, and 1-2 FAs.

It's fun to dream.

[Purple Haze]

Yes, he is 6'5, but he is the most athletic guy in the draft, which helps him make up for it, and he also has a monster 6'11 wingspan, which helps him make up for it. His ball handling is only horrifying when he is trying to iso guys up. When he is running the break or cutting to the rim, his handle is actually pretty good. He is only TO prone because of his attempts to iso, but when he cuts down on that (you know Monty will put him in a "box"), then he should be fine. Comparing him to Aminu is ridiculous, at best.

What he is better than Aminu at:

1) Finishing at the rim - 69% in the half court.
2) Efficiency - 68% in the NCAA, good enough for 1st place.
3) Better defender - Oladipo is the best defender in the NCAA, and he actually has a feel for the game, unlike Aminu.
4) Creates TOs - 3.5 steals per 40 min. which is good enough for 1st place in the NCAA.
5) Way better shooter, which stems from his good shooting form - Over 50 % from 3, and I don't care if it's 37 attempts or not, that is a decent enough sample size. He also shoots 60% off the dribble.
6) Better off the ball - 50% in catch and shoot situations.
7) Work Ethic - Coaches rave about him, but you can see how hard he works defensively, and the time he put in the gym over the off season is paying off in his shooting %.
8) Overall basketball I.Q. - he doesn't look lost on the court like Aminu does. Simple as that.

Side note - He is the #1 offensive rebounding SF in the NCAA with 4 offensive boards per game.

Felt like this was a worthy bump after Oladipo's game last night...

I'd play the kid at 3.

[Purple Haze]

What makes you say that? I've been high on him for a while now, but having a good game or 2 doesn't change his draft status over night.

I've seen a couple of mocks that had him at 5 or so before last night. There is so much potential there. Imagine if the Thunder snagged him with their early pick? I know they have Lamb but O has so much more potential.

[Eman5805]

Maybe not any franchise players, but there will be solid B and C players in this draft. Oladipo, Burke, McLemore, Smart, even Muhammad. Can't forget Bennett and if Noel comes out.

Be interesting for damn sure.

[ramsters60]

Maybe not any franchise players, but there will be solid B and C players in this draft. Oladipo, Burke, McLemore, Smart, even Muhammad. Can't forget Bennett and if Noel comes out.

Be interesting for damn sure.

you are right, E....you better not go to sleep on Bennett... and I am very, very curious how the CJ McCollum thing will eventually play out once he recovers from his foot injury....(thank goodness he didnt bump knees with someone)

[UNO Gracias]

So he (Victor) is a bad ball handler, that not very MJ like. One of my fondest MJ memories is when he crossed up Larry Bird.

[Eman5805]

It's to me a move that's quintessentially 80s. The stiff scissor leg thing he did. If that move is done today, it's a lot fancier looking, but maybe not as effective.

He reminds Vitale of Jordan because he physically resembles Jordan and is a hyper athlete with a LOT of bounce. To me, he seems like a less coordinated, slightly bigger Westbrook. With a splash of Dwyane Wade.

[UNO Gracias]

Either way, I am a fan of losing to draft him.

[Purple Haze]

It's to me a move that's quintessentially 80s. The stiff scissor leg thing he did. If that move is done today, it's a lot fancier looking, but maybe not as effective.

He reminds Vitale of Jordan because he physically resembles Jordan and is a hyper athlete with a LOT of bounce. To me, he seems like a less coordinated, slightly bigger Westbrook. With a splash of Dwyane Wade.

I like that comparison Even more so when you examine his endurance. The dude does NOT get tired, it's uncanny.

[Pelicans78]

I think I would take Oladipo with the top pick right now.

[Inner_GI]

I think I would take Oladipo with the top pick right now.

I think you need to rethink that. lol

[Eman5805]

Maybe not. The ability to take games over is an invaluable commodity. If Oladipo is just scratching the surface of his potential, he could become a #1 player like Kyrie Irving someday.

[Pelicans78]

I didn't realize McLemore was already 20.