Pelicans picking for need?

[Blackout]

So how would the draft board look like ?

1. Burke
2.Porter
3.Gobert
4.Oladipo

[Snarly]

Here is a question for you guys. We all almost agree that our biggest needs re PG and SF. Given that we have two major ways to fill those needs, either via our lottery pick or using our cap space. I'm leaving out any trade possibilities because they are not guaranteed. So, the Q is:

Which of the following options would you prefer:
1- (Drafting Burke and signing a SF such as AK47 (if opted out) or Corey Brewer)
2- (Drafting a SF "Porter or Bazz" and signing a PG "Jennings")

Personally, my ideal situation would be to sign Jennings and draft Porter. But in all likelihood, he would be gone when we draft. I would still pick Bazz and sign Jennings.

Jennings /GV (assuming not traded)/Roberts
EG / Rivers/ serviceable sg
Aminu/Bazz / Miller
AD / Ryno/ serviceable pf
Lopez/ Smith/ another big body

Your opinions?

The draft will dictate who we will go after in free agency. Let's say Porter is gone and we take Buke, we'd obviously try to find a SF in free agency or vice-versa. It's really hard to predict what we're going to do until the draft happens. Then, we'd know what direction to go. Hard to plan for free agency before the draft especially when the draft plays such a big role on what happens in free agency.

[Mythrol]

I know a lot of people are on Burke's train but we already have a PG with higher upside on our team. Everyone is acting like PG has to be an immediate fix. Why? We aren't going anywhere next year for sure and most likely for two years. Why wouldn't we take a player with higher upside than Burke? People trying to "fix" PG are falling into the trap of going after need while everyone says BPA.

Do I think Burke is a better point than Rivers now? Yes. In two years? I dunno about that. I simply see Burke with a higher floor. I'd rather draft quite a few guys ahead of Burke.

[AD23forMVP]

So how would the draft board look like ?

1. Burke
2.Porter
3.Gobert
4.Oladipo

1. Porter
2. McLemore
3. Oladipo
4. Noel
5. Burke

[HornetGuru]

porter
burke
mclemore
oladipo
noel

[durun]

My picks are:

Burke
McCollum
Len
Zeller
Dieng

[HornetGuru]

My picks are:

Burke
McCollum
Len
Zeller
Dieng

drinking this early is bad for you.

[durun]

Zeller was doubled a lot at IU which created spacing for Oladipo. Zeller is really underrated and I am not surprised at his agility and speed displayed at the combine. Zeller has a very good midrange game. Like AD, his negative is strength and that is why he may be more suitable to play as a power forward.

I am a bigger fan of Burke and McCollum and if the Pels move back in the late teens then Dieng of Louisville. Dieng would be a great fit for the Pelicans.

[HornetGuru]

Zeller was doubled a lot at IU which created spacing for Oladipo. Zeller is really underrated and I am not surprised at his agility and speed displayed at the combine. Zeller has a very good midrange game. Like AD, his negative is strength and that is why he may be more suitable to play as a power forward.

I am a bigger fan of Burke and McCollum and if the Pels move back in the late teens then Dieng of Louisville. Dieng would be a great fit for the Pelicans.

I agree, zeller's best fit is at PF, he could have a similar impact as lamarcus alridge.

[da ThRONe]

I know a lot of people are on Burke's train but we already have a PG with higher upside on our team. Everyone is acting like PG has to be an immediate fix. Why? We aren't going anywhere next year for sure and most likely for two years. Why wouldn't we take a player with higher upside than Burke? People trying to "fix" PG are falling into the trap of going after need while everyone says BPA.

Do I think Burke is a better point than Rivers now? Yes. In two years? I dunno about that. I simply see Burke with a higher floor. I'd rather draft quite a few guys ahead of Burke.

The right PG can jump start a rebuild unlike any other position. The reason for that is the right PG makes everybody jobs easier. I don't see Rivers ceiling being more than a 6th man of the year. Trey is the most complete PG out of college that I've seen since Chris Paul. If that's a low ceiling than I'd gladly like for this team to be midgets. He does things already that even some of the most seasoned PG's don't do. The way he paces and controls the game on offense is again CP3 like. He more than athletic enough when you add his tangible skills with his intangible skills I think the kid is a star maybe even superstar. Just my opinion of course.

[HornetGuru]

The right PG can jump start a rebuild unlike any other position. The reason for that is the right PG makes everybody jobs easier. I don't see Rivers ceiling being more than a 6th man of the year. Trey is the most complete PG out of college that I've seen since Chris Paul. If that's a low ceiling than I'd gladly like for this team to be midgets. He does things already that even some of the most seasoned PG's don't do. The way he paces and controls the game on offense is again CP3 like. He more than athletic enough when you add his tangible skills with his intangible skills I think the kid is a star maybe even superstar. Just my opinion of course.

agreed, a PG can improve ur team quicker than any position because he can make everyone better. Also I was thinking if u have burke at the 1 and gordon at the 2 and they both get 33 minutes a game, that leaves 30 minutes between backup PG and backup SG avilable, is it possible for rivers to get all of those minutes or no because the time frame? They could take either the PG or SG out early to get rivers in the rotation quicker so it is possible I think. Think they will do the same with ad, lopez and ryno

[Pelicans78]

I agree, zeller's best fit is at PF, he could have a similar impact as lamarcus alridge.

I like that comparison to LA. I like Zeller as a prospect as well. Much better than Oladipo IMO.

[HornetGuru]

I like that comparison to LA. I like Zeller as a prospect as well. Much better than Oladipo IMO.

ya they are both big, can shoot, have a post game, better suited for the 4.

[MMEmbreno]

I like it, still think we need to upgrade the center position and get a more athletic/shot blocking beast to pair with AD

[durun]

I was not drinking this morning but rather I was being enlightened at Tulane's graduation. BTW he did not wear his Pelicans gear.

I like players that can create and have handles. Mclemore, VO and Porter lack handles and can not shoot off the dribble. A handle is so important but is lacking by some many NBA players like AFA. With a handle you can create off the dribble, split doubles, add spacing for your shoot and make your teammate better.

The lack of a handle reduces the speed and agility of players. It is the difference between a role player and a fringe allstar player. It is an underated basketball skill. That is why I am a big fan of EG. Gordon has a handle and can create. You should read Darrell Williams article on May 15th in the Advocate. The article is about Brian Roberts' first pitch at a Zephyrs game. Jason Smith's comments may enlighten. Burke and McCollum both have great handles.

The Wildcats center is too light and has minimal offensive skills. I pass.

[donato]

Porter
Oladipo
McLemore
Noel
Burke
Gobert

(not drinking, but hung over )

[Basketball Nate]

Draft class looks mighty weak IMO. If we can't improve the 3 in this draft the only alternative I see to improving the 3 is to trade for Danny Granger.

[Pelicans78]

I like it, still think we need to upgrade the center position and get a more athletic/shot blocking beast to pair with AD

I agree with this too. Until Davis becomes strong enough to anchor the center, we need another guy to fill that role. Lopez doesn't do it.

[luckyman]

agreed, a PG can improve ur team quicker than any position because he can make everyone better. Also I was thinking if u have burke at the 1 and gordon at the 2 and they both get 33 minutes a game, that leaves 30 minutes between backup PG and backup SG avilable, is it possible for rivers to get all of those minutes or no because the time frame? They could take either the PG or SG out early to get rivers in the rotation quicker so it is possible I think. Think they will do the same with ad, lopez and ryno

Your starting backcourt should average no less than 35 mins and that's being conservative. I'd like to think the sweet spot is about 37 a piece.

[kclaboy504]

Here is a question for you guys. We all almost agree that our biggest needs re PG and SF. Given that we have two major ways to fill those needs, either via our lottery pick or using our cap space. I'm leaving out any trade possibilities because they are not guaranteed. So, the Q is:

Which of the following options would you prefer:
1- (Drafting Burke and signing a SF such as AK47 (if opted out) or Corey Brewer)
2- (Drafting a SF "Porter or Bazz" and signing a PG "Jennings")

Personally, my ideal situation would be to sign Jennings and draft Porter. But in all likelihood, he would be gone when we draft. I would still pick Bazz and sign Jennings.

.
Jennings /GV (assuming not traded)/Roberts
EG / Rivers/ serviceable sg
Aminu/Bazz / Miller
AD / Ryno/ serviceable pf
Lopez/ Smith/ another big body

Your opinions?

#2 option is much better and it's not even close. IMO. Love drafting Burke in option 1 but don't want either of those guys to be our sf. Honestly I wouldn't take either of them over aminu at this point. I still have faith in aminu on this team. Whether that be as starter or backup. He has really Improved under monty

[kclaboy504]

agreed, a PG can improve ur team quicker than any position because he can make everyone better. Also I was thinking if u have burke at the 1 and gordon at the 2 and they both get 33 minutes a game, that leaves 30 minutes between backup PG and backup SG avilable, is it possible for rivers to get all of those minutes or no because the time frame? They could take either the PG or SG out early to get rivers in the rotation quicker so it is possible I think. Think they will do the same with ad, lopez and ryno

Agree with all this except I'd like to see them guys getting atleast 38 min per game.

[donato]

Agree with all this except I'd like to see them guys getting atleast 38 min per game.

I think that's too much. Damian Lillard lead the league in minutes played and he "only" averaged 38.6.

[Pelicans_fan_504]

Draft class looks mighty weak IMO. If we can't improve the 3 in this draft the only alternative I see to improving the 3 is to trade for Danny Granger.

Why would we trade for a hurt aging 3

[Mythrol]

The right PG can jump start a rebuild unlike any other position. The reason for that is the right PG makes everybody jobs easier. I don't see Rivers ceiling being more than a 6th man of the year. Trey is the most complete PG out of college that I've seen since Chris Paul. If that's a low ceiling than I'd gladly like for this team to be midgets. He does things already that even some of the most seasoned PG's don't do. The way he paces and controls the game on offense is again CP3 like. He more than athletic enough when you add his tangible skills with his intangible skills I think the kid is a star maybe even superstar. Just my opinion of course.

I don't disagree with what you're saying however what are you basing Rivers upside on? A lackluster year where all preseason he was asked to play point and less than a week before the start of the season he was moved to STARTING SG? I'm just curious because even watching him play all season I think with the improvements he made he was starting to get it. He was known to be a multi year project and he got a bad deal the first season of it. And was put in an impossible situation but survived it. Talentwise I don't think it's even close who's ceiling is higher. If Rivers hits his he's Tony Parker.

Now I think it's more risk, yes. But I also think given his drive and work ethic that the only think stopping him from being a great PG for us is an injury. Burke feels more sure bet to knowing his ceiling because I don't think he's going to have a huge jump. Which is both good and bad. I wouldn't be upset with the Burke pick, it i just see other people with higher upsides. Heck after Zeller's combine I think he has a higher ceiling than Burke.

[Pelicans78]

I've evaluated the advanced statistical metrics per age of Porter, Noel, Burke, Mclemore, and Shabazz. I looked at offensive/defensive rating difference, and win shares per 48 minutes by age. So far this is how they measure out:

1. Noel - (age 18) 31, 0.250
2. Porter - (age 18/19) 30.9/38.3, 0.240/0.315
3. Burke - (age 19/20) 5.1/24.3, 0.172/0.303
4. McLemore - (age 19/20), 28.1, 0.262
5. Shabazz - (20/21), 5.6, 0.185