Pelicans picking for need?

[Flight of the Pelicans]

I'm not to sure Dell and Co. will go with luck.

luck isnt a strategy. Getting davis was luck

[R_Ash]

I think Alex Len or Ben McLemore should be the pick

[Purple Haze]

I think Alex Len or Ben McLemore should be the pick

One is a horrible pick at 5 and the other won't be had unless we get a top 3 pick. I'd pick Zeller over Len 10 times out of 10.

[Pelicans78]

One is a horrible pick at 5 and the other won't be had unless we get a top 3 pick. I'd pick Zeller over Len 10 times out of 10.

I would too easily. Zeller is flat out better.

[Purple Haze]

I would too easily. Zeller is flat out better.

Before the combine and about 100% more afterwards. With an NBA training regimen his is going to be beastly. Problem is I think he fits more at the 4, not a great fit here.

[Pelicans78]

Before the combine and about 100% more afterwards. With an NBA training regimen his is going to be beastly. Problem is I think he fits more at the 4, not a great fit here.

I like him at the PF as well. Not enough defense or rebounding to anchor the 5, but he will produce offensively. He doesn't fill a need right now with the Anderson at the 4. Same with Bennett.

[Mythrol]

Before the combine and about 100% more afterwards. With an NBA training regimen his is going to be beastly. Problem is I think he fits more at the 4, not a great fit here.

I agree. Good thing we believe in taking BPA and not drafting for need right?

[Purple Haze]

I agree. Good thing we believe in taking BPA and not drafting for need right?

That only works to a point though. When you already have a log jam at a position I think you have to skip down a spot on your board unless it's a consensus #1 like Davis. Zeller's not a sure thing and EVERY other position other than PF is a need right now.

[Pelicans78]

That only works to a point though. When you already have a log jam at a position I think you have to skip down a spot on your board unless it's a consensus #1 like Davis. Zeller's not a sure thing and EVERY other position other than PF is a need right now.

The question is do we take Noel is we're number one. Obviously he's a long-term pick meaning this team may struggle again. That's not a bad thing considering how good the next draft is at the wings.

[BallSoHard]

The question is do we take Noel is we're number one. Obviously he's a long-term pick meaning this team may struggle again. That's not a bad thing considering how good the next draft is at the wings.

The real question is, is do you think Noel, who I think we can all agree will never be a force on offense will ever be a deserving max money guy?

[Pelicans78]

The real question is, is do you think Noel, who I think we can all agree will never be a force on offense will ever be a deserving max money guy?

Depends how dynamic he is in the paint. Shooting a high FG% and truly becoming a defensive anchor then he could be somewhat like a Tyson Chandler who was the second best player on the Mavs championship run. He's a long-term project but the same could be said of Chandler. Scouting is the real key. Which guy has the best upside, best work ethic and best impact on the floor. Stats don't tell the whole story. I'm not sure if any of these guys are max contract players.

[bradael]

Picking 5/6/7/8, I really like Zeller there out of the options likely to be available. Teams won't be able to run with the Pelicans when they have Zeller & Davis at the 4 & 5.

However, I do find it interesting that Zeller's combine numbers are nearly identical across the board to Jason Smith. Same exact height w/o shoes, wingspan, reach, and max vert. Nearly identical weight, agility run, and sprint (with Zeller being slightly better at the agility run & sprint) and with Zeller having a 35.5 standing vert to Jason Smith's 33.5.

They also had nearly identical stats their sophomore seasons in college. Main difference is Cody Zeller played in the Big 10 compared to Jason Smith playing in the Mountain West.

I do think Cody Zeller is a better player and will be a much better pro than Jason Smith. But I also find those numbers interesting.

[Pelicans78]

Yeah that's why it's gonna be hard to draft Zeller due to having Anderson and Smith here. But Zeller will produce. He can play.

He and Porter may be the safe pick. I would be happy with Porter in the end. As a SF, he will defend and produce offensively. He will start right away and for a long-time. I like Burke too, but his defense worries me. I would feel comfortable with Oladipo in the 6-9 range of the draft. I think top 5 is too high.

[tdcreator]

If we draft for need it has to be porter but I'm ok with anything. Can't wait for Tuesday.

[Purple Haze]

The question is do we take Noel is we're number one. Obviously he's a long-term pick meaning this team may struggle again. That's not a bad thing considering how good the next draft is at the wings.

It would be really hard for me after him measuring in at 206. That's just TINY. And people scoff at Davis playing C at 225...

[Purple Haze]

Picking 5/6/7/8, I really like Zeller there out of the options likely to be available. Teams won't be able to run with the Pelicans when they have Zeller & Davis at the 4 & 5.

However, I do find it interesting that Zeller's combine numbers are nearly identical across the board to Jason Smith. Same exact height w/o shoes, wingspan, reach, and max vert. Nearly identical weight, agility run, and sprint (with Zeller being slightly better at the agility run & sprint) and with Zeller having a 35.5 standing vert to Jason Smith's 33.5.

They also had nearly identical stats their sophomore seasons in college. Main difference is Cody Zeller played in the Big 10 compared to Jason Smith playing in the Mountain West.

I do think Cody Zeller is a better player and will be a much better pro than Jason Smith. But I also find those numbers interesting.

Wow great post, that really is eye-opening. I'm a huge Smith fan and LOVE him as our primary 4/5 backup.

[Pelicans78]

It would be really hard for me after him measuring in at 206. That's just TINY. And people scoff at Davis playing C at 225...

I was surprised too but obviously he would be another long-term project like Rivers. But he will go number one most likely and if we do draft him we can let him develop behind Lopez, Smith, etc and hope we get our wing player in the 2014 draft.

[donato]

I'd go Gobert over Zeller or Len.

[Pelicans78]

I've never seen Gobert play. The film doesn't lie either. Scouting is crucial.

[NMThreeMVP]

I can see Pelicans doing just about anything with their pick.... Except picking Zeller or any other PF.

The Pelicans are trying to build a rotation, and the PF spots are already 3 deep.

[BallSoHard]

I've never seen Gobert play. The film doesn't lie either. Scouting is crucial.

If there's no one you love you take him and stash him in Europe until he develops.

[Pelicans78]

If there's no one you love you take him and stash him in Europe until he develops.

I don't think the team loves anyone in this draft. I just get that feeling.

[BallSoHard]

I don't think the team loves anyone in this draft. I just get that feeling.

I can't say I blame them. When Burke is who everyone's excited about, it's a bad draft. Not to say he won't be a fine player.

[Snarly]

If there's no one you love you take him and stash him in Europe until he develops.

What if the prospect doesn't want to be stashed? That's a very real possibility with a prospect like Gobert.

[AD23forMVP]

I once again want a late first rounder. Some of the guys we like to talk about as lottery picks will end up having the same value as guys that go in the 20's deep in the first round. You see it time and time again with the good teams, drafting guys that become rotation players. Guys that have one or two particular NBA skills and they carve a career with just those skills. Jeff Withey, Allan Crabbe, Erick Green, Jamaal Franklin, Tony Snell, Reggie Bullock, Deshaun Thomas, and so on.