NBA Draft: Yahoo Sports Sleepers

If you want to win, don't pick me

Yahoo Sports did an article on their sleepers for the draft. They mention two of the three players who were on The Commish's Steals of the Draft List (Josh Selby and Jeremy Tyler). They mention Klay Thompson as a sleeper, but I really disagree. Klay is a top 15 lock in my opinion, and the only reason he is is because this class is awful and lacks scorers. Klay shoots pretty well but that's about it. I just don't think he's special in any way. If I had the option to draft him at number ten this year or take whoever is slated at twelve next year, I'd go next year all the way. Being a scorer is the worst indicator from college to pros (ask Adam Morrison or )

NBA Draft: The Commish's First Round Mock Draft

First of all I have to give credit to ESPN. I love their mock draft machine thing. Here's some looks from me with some reasoning behind what I did.

• A lot of people are gonna be surprised by the dip I have in Derrick Williams. Yeah he's explosive and people say he can play either Power or Small Forward, but I think he won't be great at either. Also the TWolves have Kevin Love secure at the Power (he's no Center), and I think Beasley can blossom into a very good player. Utah has way too much in both forward spots so that's why I have him sliding to number four with the Cavs.
• I think the best addition for the T Wolves is at the Center or Shooting Guard spot, and just look at the draft. There's no prime time shooting guard. Enes Kanter can be an All Star Center.
• My biggest decision was with the Raptors pick. It comes up to do they like Bayless or not? I'm just siding with I'm not a fan of Kemba Walker. Jan Vesely is a great inside out player that is most noted for his non stop motor. If they take Kemba then either Kawhi Leonard or Vesely will go to the Kings. 
• If what I put happens that means the Kings are gonna have to reach because they need a scorer. It would be between Thompson, Burks, and Jimmer.
• Utah is going to get a shooter or Point Guard because they are swamped with their bigs. Alec Burks and Jimmer are all the rave there.
• Either way, analysts say there's no way Jimmer gets past the Pacers.
• Bismack Biyombo is a great run the floor Center and will give the Suns some defense they definitely need.
• The 76ers need a Center since they're loaded with tweeners and no depth at Center.
• I will never think twice about D'Antoni going foreign with his Italian ties.
• Singler is a great safe pick for the Thunder givina lack g them looks at Power and Small Forward.
• I think Selby could be a great replacement for kid when he puts away the kicks. I love Barea but don't see him as a everyday starter in this league. He's more of an energy booster off the bench. A much better version of Eddie House when he was  with the Celtics.
• I think Honeycutt is steal this late and would be a nice fit with the nets since he can play the Small Forward or Shooting Guard.
• The Bulls can stock up with an foreign guy who has good potential and a great combo guard in Nolan Smith to pick up Rose and Bogans. I could see Smith breaking into the starting line up in three years.
• With the success of Manu how can the Spurs resist Bertans.

NBA Draft: The Commish's Risky Reward Players

Bismack Biyombo

This list is guys that have the potential to be great, but also wouldn't surprise some guys if they epically failed.

Bismack Biyombo- I love the way this guy can dunk and swat balls on defense, but he struggled greatly during his Euro Camp workout. The reason was he can't really shoot well. Some say he missed around 80% of his mid range jumpers. That might not matter since he's been getting tabbed as a the next Ben Wallace, but if he's not as good as publicized on defense and rebounding, he could be a big bust.

Donatas Motiejunas- Here's another foreigner that did not a have an impressive workout at the Euro Camp. Compared by some as a more atheltic Andrea Brgnani, the 7 footer couldn't hit the ocean from the beach. That wasn't the part that worried me though because some shooters have a tough day. I just could never pick a guy that looks like he doesn't wanna be there. He just looked like he had no heart. This guy is suppose to be a lock in the top ten but scares me big time. Best case scenario is a taller version of a player I really like, Danilo Gallinari.

Klay Thompson- This guy is shooting up draft boards because he can shoot. This is more of a sign of a weak draft class than this guy being a great scorer. He's 6'7 sniper, and some guy's have him getting into the top ten. I guess with his size, he has the assets to be a go to scorer, but I think it's a long shot. ESPN's Chad Ford stated a Knicks representative said he could be the next Allen Houston. The only problem is if he's not, he's just a shorter version of Mike Dunleavy.

Tomorrow will be the Commish's Mock Draft of the First Round

ESPN Boston Must Be Reading the Blog!

So I'm reading ESPN Boston today and check the Celtics blog by Chris Forsberg. So his two posts from today are about Celtics looking at Jeremy Tyler and how they can't but wish they could trade for Chris Kaman. I blogged about Tyler and Kaman a couple days ago. Then read Chris Ford's Analysis in his Mock Draft. Basically quotes me word for word.

 Hey ESPN if you're reading my stuff so much why don't you just shoot me an email or give me a call. If you don't have either just comment. Nobody other than Nick usually does anyways so I'd know it's you even if you made it anonymous. Just put me in the booth or hook me up in a cubicle. I'll make the Magic happen!

NBA Draft: The Commish's Favorites

Kyrie Irving looks to be the #1 Pick

All of these players my not be superstars, but these are the guys I like in the draft:

1. Kyrie Irving- Irving is almost a lock at the #1 spot in he draft. The Dukie is a pure Point Guard by all means. He's a great passer, runs the transition game perfect, can score in almost every way, is extremely quick, and plays great defense. It looks like he will be a Cavalier along with a big guy like Enes Kanter. He will be a bright spot for the Cavs future.

2. Enes Kanter- Even though many people haven't seen this guy play, Enes moves extremely well for a 6'11 guy. At Hoop Summit last year, he outplayed Jared Sullinger, and Sullinger would probably have been a top 5 pick this year. I don't think he's as much of a risk as the average Joe at the bar may say he is.

3. Bismack Biyombo- A lot of services have him right around the top ten. I wouldn't take him there. I see him as a high teen pick. His explosiveness is off the charts. I can see teams that need a high flying big man reach for him in the top ten and understand it, but he is still a little bit raw. His mid to long range game needs some work, but he can swat anything in sight and goes strong to the rim. I think he willl do exceptionally well running the floor.

4. Tyler Honeycutt- For some reason I really like this guy. he's a great match up at Small Forward standing at 6'9. He's smooth and is constantly moving on offense. Known as a streaky shooter in college, I think he can really step up and be a big time player. He plays with a high basketball IQ and has a good mid range pull up. I would not be upset if the Celtics snagged him in the first (they just better find some big men through trades, other draft pick, or free agency).

Tomorrow will be the highest Risk Reward Players

NBA Draft: Prospects That Are Steals In Their Draft Slot

Jeremy Tyler

These players I believe are steals in this year's NBA Draft at their current slot. I'm not saying these guys will be superstars, but you're going to get your moneys worth with these guys.

Josh Selby- Selby was Rivals #1 prospect in  high school in his class. Because of receiving improper benefits, Selby was suspended for like 9 games or something. This gave him a slow start at Kansas. With Kansas' ultra balanced offense and depth from upperclassmen, he wasn't really given the opportunity to stand out and display his talents. I think Selby is a phenomenal defender and can be a play maker when the ball is in his hands. Most drafts don't even have him going in the first round, but I think Selby has star potential and will at worst be a great role player. Selby is projected as early to mid second round, but I think his talent and potential should put him near the 25 spot.

Kyle Singler- Singler is projected as late first early second round guy. I think he's a great quality player for that range. guys in those slots last year weer Daniel Orton, Lazar Hayward, Tibor Pleiss, Dexter Pittman, and Hassan Whiteside. Not too much production there. I see singler as a great Bench guy that is versatile on offense with his inside out game and defense with his height and long arms.

Jeremy Tyler- Tyler will forever be known as the kid that left high school early to play overseas. well that was a epic failure with his immaturity of not even being 18 showing. because of this a lot of teams are scared to take him, however I would love for the Celtics to grab this kid. Tyler has perennial NBA All Star potential. Tyler is 6'11 and had the longest wing span at the draft combine. With the right coaching and veteran leadership (KG lets no one slouch) I think he would be the biggest steal of the draft. Tyler is slotted as a middle second round guy, and if he did the usual route, he would have most likely been a top ten pick.

Tomorrow I will do The Commish's Favorites for the Draft

NBA Draft: Prospects I don't Trust in Their Projected Slot

Two of these three make the list

With the NBA Draft this month, I'm going to cover it a lot. This article is prospectsthat I'm not sold on as players in the NBA:

1. Kemba Walker- It seems he will be a lock in the top ten and maybe a top five pick. I just don't see him being great. I compare him to a poor man's version of Ben Gordon. He should be able to score a decent amount (a best around 15 points a game during his peak), but I don't see him doing much as a defender in the NBA. Don't get me wrong, he's an incredible college player, but you think he will be able to separate himself from  a 6'6 guy compared to Butler's little minions.

2. Jimmer Freddette- Jimmer was probably my favorite non Duke player this year but him in the lottery I don't see as a good choice. Word as there's no way he gets by the Pacers at 15. This draft does suck and severely lacks scorers, so I guess that's why he will go that early. I see him as a JJ Reddick, a quality shooter off the bench that can give good spurts. He will struggle defensively and will run some point, but a top 15 pick? Not so much.

3. Chris Singleton- A lot of mocks have him right around the number ten pick. This really is a sign of the weakness in this draft. He's got great height 6'10 and has an inside out game, but he wasn't outstanding in any aspect in college. He played on a sub par team and was suppose to be be the go to guy but only averaged a mediocre 13 points and 6.8 rebounds. That's not a guy who I see being an instant impact (not necessarily starting right away but playing) on a team.

Tomorrow I will do a segment on guys who I think are a steal at their draft spot.

Now the Celtics Really Need a Center

Lucas Nogueira

According to the twitter of Hoops Hype: Got confirmation that Russian reports are true and Nenad Krstic is indeed joining CSKA Moscow.

With Krstic leaving the Celtics, they are in dire need of some big guy presence. Now we need to add at least two big men this off season. Now I think 7 footer Lucas Nogueira from Brazil is added to our big men list of foreigners that I mentioned Tuesday. Nogueira is a lesser rated big man and there is a good chance he would be available for us in our current slot in the draft. I compare him to a slightly better Semih Erden, and he's only 18 year's old. Maybe we should try to make a move for Kaman if the Clippers are looking to ship him.

Rubio Becomes a Timberwolf, T Wolves in a SF Dilemma

Well the Timberwolves may have someone to complement rebound machine Kevin Love. Earlier this week Rubio agreed to sign with the Timberwolves. This gives the T Wolves some help at point guard since the other the drafted is a complete bust compared to the others drafted after him (Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson). Most scouts think that Rubio has lost some of has sparkle from two years ago, but I think most of that has attributed to him switching teams last year and playing on an injured foot for most of this past season. Rubio may not be a scoring assassin but definitely has that playmaker ability.

The bigger question seems to be what are the T Wolves do at Small Forward. Last year they drafted Wes Johnson, who I see as almost useless in the NBA. He averaged nine points a game on a team that was screaming for a number two guy behind love. Johnson is not that man my friends. They also traded for Michael Beasley. Beasley has these short outbursts saying he could be that guy they need, but nothing is set in stone. With the number two pick this year, it seems like they can't pass up on Derrick Williams from Arizona. Now there are three reasonable scenarios that could happen. One they could trade the draft pick for an accomplished veteran player and/or later pick(s) in the draft to take a Shooting Guard or Center. Two they could draft Williams and trade either Wes Johnson or Michael Beasley. the other option would be to draft a Center like Enes Kanter who everyone has been raving about after the combine. If they draft Williams and keep Johnson and Beasley, I think they are clogging up one position while they still have enormous needs at Shooting Guard and Center. I understand Johnson could play the Shooting Guard, but truthfully I just don't like the guy.