Intrigueing 2013 draft prospects

[hussamga]

I would be happy with Defensive Big and SF/SG shooting wing with length for our two picks in the 1st round.

Dieng would definitely be one of my targets without moving up or down; the other pick could be swapped depending what BA wing with length is available. Not interested in projects until second round, plenty of shooting wings available in first round.

[TheFuzz]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Sergey-Karasev-6118/#cb=f29dab361d1be9&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.draftexpress.com%2Ff3d1fd060fa2e82&domain=www.draftexpress.com&relation=parent&error=not_authorized

It will be interesting to see how Ferry gages Sergey Karasev with the thorough International scouting the Spurs butter their bread with ( Parker, Ginobli, Splitter).

Is he a young Peja ? Maybe just a young Korver ?

I hate to get high on international guys b/c I have never seen them play but you have to wonder what Ferry thinks of him.

I've watched a few games of him. He's much more dynamic than Korver, he's closer to Ginobili-lite offensively. Yes, he can shoot, but the dude gets to the free-throw line, has decent handles and is a very creative passer. He's also 19 playing with grown men. He'll be a positive on offense from day one. The question is can he defend...

Edited May 23, 2013 by TheFuzz

[KB21]

I've watched a few games of him. He's much more dynamic than Korver, he's closer to Ginobili-lite offensively. Yes, he can shoot, but the dude gets to the free-throw line, has decent handles and is a very creative passer. He's also 19 playing with grown men. He'll be a positive on offense from day one. The question is can he defend...

I think Kasarev will be high on the list. He is productive, can knock down the three point shot, and gets to the free throw line at a good rate. It all depends on if he is the style of player Danny is looking to add.

[Admin]

On Anderson the concern is his clumsiness catching and bobbling passes. People assumed the issue was hand size. Now it appears to be hand eye coordination.I would have to take Dieng 1st. He is just my type of center for the value at 17/18.

Coach were you the guy really clamoring for Festus last year? I didn't know a lot about him but he looks like he's going to have a very solid NBA career and so far appears to be far better than Fab Melo. Which would you take, Festus or Dieng if they were both in this draft?

[coachx]

Coach were you the guy really clamoring for Festus last year? I didn't know a lot about him but he looks like he's going to have a very solid NBA career and so far appears to be far better than Fab Melo. Which would you take, Festus or Dieng if they were both in this draft?

Yes, I had a man crush on that Vandy team. I was actually making threads about Festus in 2011 but he stayed for another year and got inured.......just like how Dieng broke his wrist last year. I was higher on Festus then Melo, in 2012, and was vocal about it even though mocks.....and Danny Ainge thought other wise. Every one kept saying upside with Melo but I trusted my eyes. Festus played some good minutes vs Duncan and Splitter in the 2nd round. He does a lot of dirty work and is very physical. No one pushes him around.....which is rare for a rookie C.Festus was probably better over all then Dieng but doesn't specialize in any 1 attribute like Dieng does. Festus was a better scorer then Dieng and played well vs. last years 1 pick, Davis, in UK only loss 2 years ago. Both started playing basketball late in life being from Africa. However, Dieng is much more of a defensive specialist and rim protector then is Ezeli. Dieng is a better passer and started showing a good mid range shot last year once his broken wrist healed. Both are very coachable with no character concerns. Pitino efen named one of his race horses after Dieng. Ezeli has no jump shot but is slightly better in the post then Dieng. Some of that is probably due to Diengs broken left wrist. Dieng needs to develop a left handed hook. Teams were able to play him to the right all last season b/ c he broke his wrist left wrist early in the season. Ezeli is much stronger and more physical but is not the rim protector. I like Dieng more then Festus b/c I think his shot blocking will translate better to the NBA. Festus is more of a physical bruiser.

[Admin]

Yes, I had a man crush on that Vandy team. I was actually making threads about Festus in 2011 but he stayed for another year and got inured.......just like how Dieng broke his wrist last year. I was higher on Festus then Melo, in 2012, and was vocal about it even though mocks.....and Danny Ainge thought other wise. Every one kept saying upside with Melo but I trusted my eyes. Festus played some good minutes vs Duncan and Splitter in the 2nd round. He does a lot of dirty work and is very physical. No one pushes him around.....which is rare for a rookie C.Festus was probably better over all then Dieng but doesn't specialize in any 1 attribute like Dieng does. Festus was a better scorer then Dieng and played well vs. last years 1 pick, Davis, in UK only loss 2 years ago. Both started playing basketball late in life being from Africa. However, Dieng is much more of a defensive specialist and rim protector then is Ezeli. Dieng is a better passer and started showing a good mid range shot last year once his broken wrist healed. Both are very coachable with no character concerns. Pitino efen named one of his race horses after Dieng. Ezeli has no jump shot but is slightly better in the post then Dieng. Some of that is probably due to Diengs broken left wrist. Dieng needs to develop a left handed hook. Teams were able to play him to the right all last season b/ c he broke his wrist left wrist early in the season. Ezeli is much stronger and more physical but is not the rim protector. I like Dieng more then Festus b/c I think his shot blocking will translate better to the NBA. Festus is more of a physical bruiser.

Thanks for the breakdown, that was a good read. Ezeli was a pretty good shot blocker for a rookie and if Dieng is a better rim protector then him then that's saying something. Dieng was a big part of a very good team defense with Louisville but I don't remember him blocking a lot of shots. If we are looking for a lanky rim protector then he'll be a good fit for that role, assuming his skills translate to the pros. But since I doubted you on Ezeli then I will trust your opinion of Dieng.

[KB21]

The issue I had with Ezeli was that he was a poor rebounder. His poor rebounding followed him to Golden State.

[TheFuzz]

Thanks for the breakdown, that was a good read. Ezeli was a pretty good shot blocker for a rookie and if Dieng is a better rim protector then him then that's saying something. Dieng was a big part of a very good team defense with Louisville but I don't remember him blocking a lot of shots. If we are looking for a lanky rim protector then he'll be a good fit for that role, assuming his skills translate to the pros. But since I doubted you on Ezeli then I will trust your opinion of Dieng.

I like Dieng better. He's not as strong but he can pass, shoot and rebound better IMO. More agile too.

I'm hopping on the Mike Muscala bandwagon. If he can put on some strength he could be a very solid player in a few years. He's decently athletic, very polished and puts up stats (albeit against weak competition). I'd pick him with a 2nd/late first if we can get one.

Edited May 25, 2013 by TheFuzz

[KB21]

I like Dieng better. He's not as strong but he can pass, shoot and rebound better IMO. More agile too.

I'm hopping on the Mike Muscala bandwagon. If he can put on some strength he could be a very solid player in a few years. He's decently athletic, very polished and puts up stats (albeit against weak competition). I'd pick him with a 2nd/late first if we can get one.

From a straight up production standpoint, Muscala is the most productive center in this class. With that, you have to take into account his level of competition.

There are three stats that centers put up that can be a predictor of what they will do in the NBA. Those are B/40, A/40, and R/40. Of those three stats, only two players in this draft rate in the top 6 in all three categories (top 6 among DX's Top 100 prospects among centers). Those two players are Gorgui Dieng and Nerlens Noel.

[Admin]

Dieng also played for a pro style coach where they really taught team defense. That will help him transition to the NBA much quicker.