Is this the most unimpressive NBA draft ever?

[a0t0w0]

Charlotte strikes out again! 

 

I don't like Noel, but Noel> Zeller

[FredsSlacks]

Charlotte strikes out again! 

 

I don't like Noel, but Noel> Zeller

agree. Zeller has already peaked in my opinion.

[a0t0w0]

WOW Thomas got selected late. 

[HB]

Glad to see Colten Iverson picked. A little surprised to see Withey go as late as he did.

[hhcmatt]

 

 

 

 

It might have been a good year for McDermott to come out but sounds like he was projected as late 1st round or 2nd round pick.  That is surprising considering the group this year.

Well, I for one am glad he came back. 

 

I'm hoping Echenique can sneak into the second round.  He's had a lot of workouts (12 at last count) and has been getting some pub as the highest rising player that wasn't even on the grid previously.

 

2nd round?  Are you serious?

Yeah, I don't think he'll make it to the first. 

 

You do understand that there are only two rounds, right?

You do understand I said that because I don't think he is getting drafted at all, right?

 

 

Yeah, he was like an unpolished Maric and Maric didn't really have a chance.

He should have a lengthy pro career somewhere.

[hhcmatt]

WOW Thomas got selected late. 

 

A lot of these teams were picking foreign players to stash for salary cap reasons.

[bobcat402]

Bennett at #1 suprised me, than it just got weird from their, the trades, some of the Draft and Stash was comical, its one thing to draft and stash with the eventual intent to actually play them but the latter part of the 1st round and almost all of the second it was like hey this kid is 18 playing in some d grade euro league lets draft him knowing he well never ever make to the NBA.

 

1. I'd really like to see 3 things happen. the exapansion of the D league to foster more talent rather having all these college guys who we know and can keep track of go to europe.

2.  as one of the announcers said last night adopt the baseball model for the draft. If you feel your talent is worthy and ready enough to go pro straight outta high school go. but if you dont get picked or if your selected beyond where you wanted to you stay in college for 3 years.

3. Have a limit on how long a player drafted from Europe can be kept off payroll, or have rules based on intent of that player actually playing in the NBA.

 

thats about all i got...and Good Job to Ubell and Talley for signing pro contracts.

[TheKamdyMan]

I liken the draft and stash like baseball's old draft rule with the draft and follow option they used to have.  I personally like the option because you either feast or famine your possibly only top pick on these guys like the Spurs or Blazers have done. 

[bobcat402]

i get why they wanna save money, but for me it seems way to cheap, id rather see these players who you feel arent quite there yet in the d-league, but i do feel this explosion in draft and stash has gottenw way out of hand in these last three drafts.

[hhcmatt]

Does anyone know where Talley signed?  I didn't see that anywhere

[royalfan]

Of course there is more to basketball than athletic ability but this year's group is the most athletic in testing in the history if the draft combine. Cody Zeller's numbers crushes what Dwight Howard put up at the.combine. I think there are some people in this year's group that are going to surprise a lot of people.

Yep there will be surprises without a doubt. The main difference is that there aren't the high probabilities of large success at the top of the draft. Makes sense on the athletic testing. People continue to become more athletic as time goes on. That is why the nba is better than ever right now.

[Dean Smith]

Of course there is more to basketball than athletic ability but this year's group is the most athletic in testing in the history if the draft combine. Cody Zeller's numbers crushes what Dwight Howard put up at the.combine. I think there are some people in this year's group that are going to surprise a lot of people.

Yep there will be surprises without a doubt. The main difference is that there aren't the high probabilities of large success at the top of the draft. Makes sense on the athletic testing. People continue to become more athletic as time goes on. That is why the nba is better than ever right now.

I of course don't think the NBA Is better now than ever. With 7 more teams in the league there is a logical diluting of talent. So even if you think the top players are better now (which I don't) the teams were deeper and IMO better.

[bobcat402]

i think certain teams bring the whold product down, but the NBA Image is riding sky high, compared with the recent multiple murder completed by players in the NFL and what it seems like numerous scandals regarding law violations they have, and Baseball with is doping issues, and whose still on perfromance enhancers and what not, Hockey is trying but i feel like every time they get close they mess it back up again, the only real problems the NBA must deal with are Superteams, players colluding, and how the flow of the game is played.

[ShortDust]

Thunder took fellow new Zealand teammate of tai, Steven Adams. Curious to see if he pans out.

[a0t0w0]

Bennett at #1 suprised me, than it just got weird from their, the trades, some of the Draft and Stash was comical, its one thing to draft and stash with the eventual intent to actually play them but the latter part of the 1st round and almost all of the second it was like hey this kid is 18 playing in some d grade euro league lets draft him knowing he well never ever make to the NBA.

 

1. I'd really like to see 3 things happen. the exapansion of the D league to foster more talent rather having all these college guys who we know and can keep track of go to europe.

2.  as one of the announcers said last night adopt the baseball model for the draft. If you feel your talent is worthy and ready enough to go pro straight outta high school go. but if you dont get picked or if your selected beyond where you wanted to you stay in college for 3 years.

3. Have a limit on how long a player drafted from Europe can be kept off payroll, or have rules based on intent of that player actually playing in the NBA.

 

thats about all i got...and Good Job to Ubell and Talley for signing pro contracts.

 

Wasn't there a euro guy who went early in the second round that was a bench warmer playing limited minutes?  Comical is spot on.

 

I liked the Utah- Minnesota trade for both teams.  I want to see Burke succeed and I think he has a shot at that in Utah.  Minnesota picked up two guys who can help, but I don't know if Dieng will be anything special.  Shabazz...who knows what's going on with that guy.

 

The NY fans make drafts like these worthwhile.  The heckling of Stern always cracks me up.  Giving him a good cheer and passing the boos to Silver was perfect.

[bobcat402]

^{The guy that played like 8 mintues was funny, but was worse was basically when a team drafted a center here is how they described him: big, tall, and protects the rim, may give you a point or two, has legnth. That is how you get a NBA contract in todays NBA...sad}

[TheKamdyMan]

 

Bennett at #1 suprised me, than it just got weird from their, the trades, some of the Draft and Stash was comical, its one thing to draft and stash with the eventual intent to actually play them but the latter part of the 1st round and almost all of the second it was like hey this kid is 18 playing in some d grade euro league lets draft him knowing he well never ever make to the NBA.

 

1. I'd really like to see 3 things happen. the exapansion of the D league to foster more talent rather having all these college guys who we know and can keep track of go to europe.

2.  as one of the announcers said last night adopt the baseball model for the draft. If you feel your talent is worthy and ready enough to go pro straight outta high school go. but if you dont get picked or if your selected beyond where you wanted to you stay in college for 3 years.

3. Have a limit on how long a player drafted from Europe can be kept off payroll, or have rules based on intent of that player actually playing in the NBA.

 

thats about all i got...and Good Job to Ubell and Talley for signing pro contracts.

 

Wasn't there a euro guy who went early in the second round that was a bench warmer playing limited minutes?  Comical is spot on.

 

I liked the Utah- Minnesota trade for both teams.  I want to see Burke succeed and I think he has a shot at that in Utah.  Minnesota picked up two guys who can help, but I don't know if Dieng will be anything special.  Shabazz...who knows what's going on with that guy.

 

The NY fans make drafts like these worthwhile.  The heckling of Stern always cracks me up.  Giving him a good cheer and passing the boos to Silver was perfect.

 

 

who are you referencing?

[a0t0w0]

 

 

Bennett at #1 suprised me, than it just got weird from their, the trades, some of the Draft and Stash was comical, its one thing to draft and stash with the eventual intent to actually play them but the latter part of the 1st round and almost all of the second it was like hey this kid is 18 playing in some d grade euro league lets draft him knowing he well never ever make to the NBA.

 

1. I'd really like to see 3 things happen. the exapansion of the D league to foster more talent rather having all these college guys who we know and can keep track of go to europe.

2.  as one of the announcers said last night adopt the baseball model for the draft. If you feel your talent is worthy and ready enough to go pro straight outta high school go. but if you dont get picked or if your selected beyond where you wanted to you stay in college for 3 years.

3. Have a limit on how long a player drafted from Europe can be kept off payroll, or have rules based on intent of that player actually playing in the NBA.

 

thats about all i got...and Good Job to Ubell and Talley for signing pro contracts.

 

Wasn't there a euro guy who went early in the second round that was a bench warmer playing limited minutes?  Comical is spot on.

 

I liked the Utah- Minnesota trade for both teams.  I want to see Burke succeed and I think he has a shot at that in Utah.  Minnesota picked up two guys who can help, but I don't know if Dieng will be anything special.  Shabazz...who knows what's going on with that guy.

 

The NY fans make drafts like these worthwhile.  The heckling of Stern always cracks me up.  Giving him a good cheer and passing the boos to Silver was perfect.

 

 

who are you referencing?

 

Well now I feel like a goob because I can't remember for sure.  Fairly certain it was Marko Todorović

 

**Edit

Definitely him.  Here's his stat line-

 

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Marko-Todorovic-6414/stats/

[TheKamdyMan]

Marko was ranked as the #3 international player for the 1992 class, so 21 year olds, behind Gobert and Noguira who both went in the 1st round.  He doesnt play much on his team though because he was the youngest on his team the last two years and was their best player on the b team.

[a0t0w0]

I had never heard of him until the commentators read off some of his stats.  I see a lot of places have him highly regarded now that I've looked around.  We'll see if he ever makes it to the NBA.  Something tells me he won't.

[royalfan]

 

 

Of course there is more to basketball than athletic ability but this year's group is the most athletic in testing in the history if the draft combine. Cody Zeller's numbers crushes what Dwight Howard put up at the.combine. I think there are some people in this year's group that are going to surprise a lot of people.

Yep there will be surprises without a doubt. The main difference is that there aren't the high probabilities of large success at the top of the draft. Makes sense on the athletic testing. People continue to become more athletic as time goes on. That is why the nba is better than ever right now.

I of course don't think the NBA Is better now than ever. With 7 more teams in the league there is a logical diluting of talent. So even if you think the top players are better now (which I don't) the teams were deeper and IMO better.

 

Top 50 players now boatraces the top 50 from previous eras. 

[Donkey]

It is unfair to compare athletes in different eras with regard to the NBA.  Rule changes on defense alone the past 20 years have had a dramatic effect.  It used to be more of a strength and power league.  Zone defenses were not permitted and defenders could have their hands all over guys when they had the ball.  Plus, the defenders could only double players when they had the ball.  Remember back in 2001 in the Knicks/Raptors series when the games would end with basically a Vince Carter/Latrell Spreewell one-on-one game?  In about the mid to late 90's, defenders were not permitted to reach out and grab players while handling the ball.  The result was an increase in scoring.  Then starting in the 2001/2002 season, zone defenses were permitted.  However, many coaches still preferred the man defenses.  Over time the emphasis on defense has shifted to more speed and less strength/power.  Also, zone defenses have become more sophisticated.  By focusing more on speed, defenders can shift between offensive players quickly.

 

These types of zone defenses have led to the creation of offenses like the Heat and Knicks which feature a multi-dimensional SF/PF driving and kicking the ball out to snipers near the 3 point line.  Speed is needed to stop those types offenses so you can still double down on the driving player and cover the guys on the wings.  

 

It stands to reason that Zeller scored higher than Dwight Howard because NBA offenses were focusing on different skill sets.  Kids were being developed differently with more focus on power than speed.  

 

Finally, this comparison of players through metrics is a waste of time.  Player development in high school and college has vastly changed from 5 to 10 to 15 to 20 years ago.  With different offenses and defenses comes different training styles and focuses.  Remember when people scoffed at Kevin Durant because he could not bench 225 lbs.  Barnes defended Durant explaining that Texas did not make its players do bench presses but developed its players using other methods.  Under those antiquated NBA metrics Kevin Durant was a bad athlete.  Fortunately, Seattle ignored those metrics and still took him second overall.     

[Dean Smith]

I wasn't trying to start another now vs then debate, I was just stating my opinion that this years draft combine scores as a group were the highest comparing the exact same tests that they've used every year. My point being that this is not the worst draft class ever in my opinion.

Now comparing eras, I think vs the champions of the 80's & 90's the Heat would struggle to get to a game 5 before being sent hone. Actually, I dont think as they are constituted today that they make it to the finals. Now that is simply my opinion & is as valid as anyone else's. So unless someone on the board creates a time machine it is always going to be impossible to ever say there is one right answer to that question.

[Nebrasketballer]

https://twitter.com/CoachMiles/status/350295254815088641

Well, Miles was right.  Iverson was taken with the 23rd pick of the 2nd round.  7'0", 265 lbs, Center from Yankton, SD.

[HF_]

It is unfair to compare athletes in different eras with regard to the NBA.  Rule changes on defense alone the past 20 years have had a dramatic effect.  It used to be more of a strength and power league.  Zone defenses were not permitted and defenders could have their hands all over guys when they had the ball.  Plus, the defenders could only double players when they had the ball.  Remember back in 2001 in the Knicks/Raptors series when the games would end with basically a Vince Carter/Latrell Spreewell one-on-one game?  In about the mid to late 90's, defenders were not permitted to reach out and grab players while handling the ball.  The result was an increase in scoring.  Then starting in the 2001/2002 season, zone defenses were permitted.  However, many coaches still preferred the man defenses.  Over time the emphasis on defense has shifted to more speed and less strength/power.  Also, zone defenses have become more sophisticated.  By focusing more on speed, defenders can shift between offensive players quickly.

 

These types of zone defenses have led to the creation of offenses like the Heat and Knicks which feature a multi-dimensional SF/PF driving and kicking the ball out to snipers near the 3 point line.  Speed is needed to stop those types offenses so you can still double down on the driving player and cover the guys on the wings.  

 

It stands to reason that Zeller scored higher than Dwight Howard because NBA offenses were focusing on different skill sets.  Kids were being developed differently with more focus on power than speed.  

 

Finally, this comparison of players through metrics is a waste of time.  Player development in high school and college has vastly changed from 5 to 10 to 15 to 20 years ago.  With different offenses and defenses comes different training styles and focuses.  Remember when people scoffed at Kevin Durant because he could not bench 225 lbs.  Barnes defended Durant explaining that Texas did not make its players do bench presses but developed its players using other methods.  Under those antiquated NBA metrics Kevin Durant was a bad athlete.  Fortunately, Seattle ignored those metrics and still took him second overall.     

 

He couldn't bench 185.  Still not sure if he could right now.  But you're right, those NBA metrics are even less relevant than the NFL combine's.