Intrigueing 2013 draft prospects

[gurpilo]

And about Porter, still too early to set but I think we will be picking 16 and 18, Porter can perfectly fall there, there is decent and equal talent from 5 to 20.

Robinson is more a SF than a SG, we need a SF badly from the draft because we have already a prospect at SG, SF FA class is from weak to non existent and there are good FA SG out there.

I would pick anyone from Porter, Robinson or Poythress but have to admit that Goodwin and Caldwell Pope really intrigues me for different reasons.

[mattlanta]

So coachx, do you have a list of prospects to really look out for in this year's tournament? I have not been very good with keeping up with the college basketball season, let alone the Hawks this year, but I'd love to at least keep an eye out on a few prospects when I check the box scores, etc.

[TheFuzz]

After watching these highlights I'm sold on Saric. He's a little slow and his defense may need work, but he reminds me a bit of Gallinari. Of course, Gallinari is more athletic and a better shooter/defender (Gallo is a top 10 SF at least, maybe closer to top 5), but I like Saric's passing ability and post-up game. He plays with passion too. Could be Turkoglu, could be a whole lot better than that.

I also really like Steven Adams. He's raw but incredibly athletic with a good head on his shoulders. If he declares I want him. Kabongo has some nice PG skills and is athletic as well. He could be a solid back-up from the get go.

Robinson, Goodwin, Burke and Gobert are also intriguing. I think Saric and Adams would be my ideal picks now, unless perhaps that Giannis kid declares or we decide we really like Kabongo.

Edited March 18, 2013 by TheFuzz

[gurpilo]

I've already said that, Saric could not even make a Spanish roster on a medium team and on the weak Croatian league he is averaging 7.8ppg. For reference, Terrico White is averaging 14.5 ppg. He is not the next Gallinari or at least is far from been him. You are seeing highlights from an Under 18 Tournament against some teams and we don't know if they are good or not.

I would prefere any of Porter, Poythress, Robinson, Goodwin, Burke, MCW or a big man rather than Saric, he is a high risk not so clear high reward type of player.

[gurpilo]

Even on the Croatian league he is shooting 36,9% that is reaaaaally low for an European league, he is far from been a contributor.

[coachx]

So coachx, do you have a list of prospects to really look out for in this year's tournament? I have not been very good with keeping up with the college basketball season, let alone the Hawks this year, but I'd love to at least keep an eye out on a few prospects when I check the box scores, etc.

In my opinion McLemore is the best player in the country and Whitney is one of the best defensive centers. That is why I choose Kansas to win it all.I would love to see McLemore lock horns with Oladipo, of Indiana, and Zeller and Whitney wrestle in The Final 4.

Louisvile scares me a little....they depend on the refs to swallow their whistles when they engage their full court press. If a non Big East referring crew calls a game "by the book" Louisville will go down. The Big East Refs let them get away with murder when they press. I really like Dieng as a late 1st round pick for the Hawks so I will be watching him. He was only 6'8'' a couple of years ago but is now listed at 6'10'' with a huge wingspan.

I really like that Okl St. team as a #5 seed. The lost by 1 point to both Gonzaga and Kansas (two #1 seeds). They have 3 of the best athletes in the country on that team (Smart, Brown, & Nash) . I can see them giving Louisville a hell of a game in the Sweet 16. They are one of the few teams who can match Lousiville's quickness and athletic ability. Smart will make Pitino's full court press a non factor in that game and could take advantage of their mall, but quick, PG, Siva.

That possible Duke / Creighton 2nd round game really intrigues me with Kelly vs. McDermott being the feature matchup with similar skill sets. Kelly reminds you of a Ryan Anderson and McDermott reminds you of fellow Creighton alumni Kyle Korver. Duke's Plumlee should "beast out" on Creighton but he dissapears far too often for his physical skill set. He looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane too often. The combination of Kelly, Curry, and Plumlee should be too much for Creighton but they don't call it March Madness for nothing.

Gonzaga / Pitt 2nd round matchup is interesting with Gonzaga playing a physical Big East team to test their pojected 1st round center Olynyk (rs junior). Scouts will really be watching how he perfrorms vs. more athletic competition. Pitt's freshman 7 footer, Adams, could shut down Olynyk. Stockton, Jr. is not draft material but he is fun towatch , for hte Zags, none the less.

The potential NC State / Indiana 2nd round matchup could be a suprise in the making. That NC State team can beat anybody on a given night but are just not consistent. Brown on Olidipo should be a good guard matchup. Leslie is NC States X-factor and is a tremendous athlete. It would not suprise me to see NC St's Howell dominate the projected top 10 pick Cody Zeller in that matchup. I think Howell's motor and intensity could make Zeller really back down. NC State has 3 NBA players on their team......none will probably be stars in the NBA but they have the talent to get hot and make a run as an #8 seed. Their lack of tru PG is what hurts their consistency in my opinion. Brown is forced into playing too much PG but he is really a SG.

I'm also worried about Michigan taking out Kansas if they get hot from the perimeter. Its hard to pick against Kansas though b/c of Whitney locking down the paint vs. Michigan's 3 guard attack of Burke, Hardaway, and Robinson III. There are 4 players here who could be potential picks for the Hawks in: Burke, Hardaway, Robinson III, and Whitney....and then you have the best player in the country, McLemore. Michigan could upset them if Whitney gets in early foul trouble. The good thing about Whitney is that he rarely fouls for a shot blocking center. He has an uncanny of ability of blocking / effecting shots without body contract. Michigan's center is a below the rim type of player who will probably struggle vs. Whitney...........but with 3 NBA caliber guards Michigan can get hot at any time.

I think alot of Hawks fans fell in love with Georgetown's SF, Porter, but he should be a top 10 pick now. He is one of the more improved players in the country from his freshman to sophomore year.

Michael Carter Williams, of Syracue, is an intrigueing 6'6'' PG. He really struggled in the 2nd half vs. Lousiville in the Big East Championship Game. Pitino went exclusively to the full court press with smaller 5'11'', but much quicker, Siva, applying full court pressure on MCW. MCW easliy has the best PG instincts and passing ability of any player in college basketball. However, his size and lack of quickness probably confuse scouts for his NBA draft grade. Can he defend NBA PGs ? Probably not but he may mesh well with a scoring PG like a Jeff Teague for instance.

Kadji, of Miami, may be a 2nd round steal for somebody. His age, turns 23 in May, is what hurts his stock / upside. At 6'11'' he is one of the more versatile mig men in the game. I could see a contender taking him in the 1st round........ like his hometown Miami Heat.

Those are basically the guys I will be looking at in the tourney .....many of whom could be potential Hawks draft picks.

Edited March 20, 2013 by coachx

[MrMeltdown]

Trey Burke acts like he has no teammates when things get tough. Oladipo impact will be that of Afflalo or Ariza when he was a Laker. Porter is best option for Hawks in whole draft. Ryan Kelly as a 2nd rd stretch 4, along with Murphy from Florida plus Kadji from Miami could all be good system picks. The same goes for Hardaway JR he could be a good system pick his jumper reminds me of Jason Richardson. All of this is eye test. Looking forward to pre draft combine.

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

Give me McCollum. Big PG to compliment Teague off the bench with. Can play off the ball at SG too. Great offensively, better defensively. Very intelligent player. Just needs to beef up a little.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omY6v5jJIjw&feature=player_embedded

[Kimsey]

J. Franklin I got the chance to see for the first time against OU and I'm mostly sold. Alot of Dwade comparisons throughout the years but this dude reminds me of him. He has something to his game that gets me excited.

[Kimsey]

Another intruiging prospect for one of the late 2nd round picks is AJ Matthews.

[gurpilo]

I'm beginning to like McCollum as I think he will fall to us due to his injury, he could be a good consolation prize is Burke, MCW, Porter or Robinson are gone. He could play the same role as Devin Harris.

I'm also beginning to think that Whithey could be a decent option where we pick as some players seems that are not going to declare

I think the following players will be available, McCollum, Franklin, Goodwin, Caldwell Pope, Hardaway, Saric, McDoo, Whithey, Dieng, many players are not going to declare for the draft. In my mind we should come with McCollum, Whithey or the best of the SGs available, for me sbould be Goodwin although Franklin really intrigues me.

[gurpilo]

Norvel Pelle is declaring, I wonder if he could be an option for us, he was supposed to be one of the best players of his class.

[TheFuzz]

Huh. Saric's percentages don't look good at all. I saw that Franklin kid and he does have talent. Dieng has looked solid. I'm warming up to McCollum too.

Really, I feel we should just draft the best talent/iq combo available. Someone will slip to us and we can develop them as back ups.

Edited March 27, 2013 by TheFuzz

[Kimsey]

Rodney Williams is a prospect that may fall to one of the 2nd round picks but most likely not. He may have the most AA in this draft. He could hang defensively with the Lebrons and Durants.

[gurpilo]

Dieng had a very good match against Duke and Plumlee yesterday, I didn't have him as one of possible targets but I am beginning to like him, he is having a great tournament, I would pick Dieng or Withey with the lower of our first round picks, 2 Centers that has size and can block shots, fill a need.

[Ruckus]

Withey reminds me of too many players that had amazing college years and then disappeared in the NBA.

Edited April 1, 2013 by Ruckus

[coachx]

Dieng had a very good match against Duke and Plumlee yesterday, I didn't have him as one of possible targets but I am beginning to like him, he is having a great tournament, I would pick Dieng or Withey with the lower of our first round picks, 2 Centers that has size and can block shots, fill a need.

Weclome to the club.

Dieng's season stats would be better had Louisville not had so many blow-out wins. He sat the last 10 minutes of many a game b/c the game was already in hand.

[coachx]

Withey reminds me of too many players that had amazing college years and then disappeared in the NBA.

That could be the case. What he has going for him is that he is a specialist. Normaly specialist traits to translate. He has a veteran nack for not biting on pump fakes and effects shots without fouling. He also has a motor and runs the floor very well for a 7 footer. There are very few centers, who are as active as him, and can play 15 minutes straight without a rest. His conditioning is exceptional for a 7 footer. Those are traits that will translate in my estimation. I would bet on him having a long career. He will never be a star but I think he will be servicable.

[gurpilo]

Steven Adams has also declared, I wonder if we should go after him before Dieng or Withey.

[gurpilo]

After some research I would definately take Adams ahead of Dieng and Whithey althought I have to recognize I haven't seen him play, every draft site has him ahead of Dieng and Whithey. His stats seems to be better than them at the same age, he is 3 years younger, he has better combination of size and athleticism than them, has not played much basketball but seems to have high BB IQ and is improving at a higher rate, a legit 7 footer with shot blocking instincts and higher upside, a prospect that could developed into a legit starting big man given the time, excatly what we have been lacking, I'm sold with him, the upside is there higher risk but higher reward.

This class is deep on Center, top tiers are Norel, Zeller, Len and Caulley-Stein, it's a shame he is nota going to declare. After them Ollynk and Plumlee are not exactly the typical centers but seems will be gone by the time we pick and I consider they are not good fits and then we have Gobert, Adams, Whithey, Dieng and Austin. Gobert seems to be miles away from filling his frame and be able to compete at NBA level, for me Adams is the best prospect and we should definately make the bet.

The other pick I would spend on a wing prospect, best available, hopefully Robinson, unless MCW or Burke are available but with 2 draft picks and a really deep class at C I think we should get a good prospect at this position that we have been lacking for years.