smackeddog wrote:

blkexec wrote:

nixluva wrote:WCS with another workout where he showed he could hit Mid Range and 3pt Jumpers consistently.

Willie Cauley-Stein flashes potential in Nuggets pre-draft workout
by Christopher Dempsey

Among the tattoos on the right side of Willie Cauley-Stein's neck is one famous phrase.

Hakuna Matata.

No worries.

It's a large part of how he views the pre-draft process.

"I see myself as the No. 1 player in the draft, but it is what it is," said the 7-foot, 240-pound former Kentucky standout. "You can just take it day-by-day, put in the work and the draft is going to be the outcome of whatever the draft is."

Is he mad at not being mentioned in the same breath with former Wildcats teammate Karl-Anthony Towns or Duke star Jalil Okafor, the first two players expected to be chosen.

"You can't get mad about it," he said. "You just gotta work for it."

Hakuna Matata.

It's not clear whether Cauley-Stein will be on the board when the Nuggets seventh overall pick comes up, or even if the team would select him if he was available. He worked out for the Nuggets on Monday.

Cauley-Stein's biggest asset is his defensive ability. He's arguably the best and most versatile defensive player in the draft, and if you're looking for a comparison think of a taller Kenyon Martin, the former Nuggets forward.

Cauley-Stein is a shot blocker who can steal the ball as well. He's long and athletic and quick. He's perfect in situations where the defense is switching on screens because he can guard pretty much any player on the court. He's got good hands, as evidenced by his background as a top-flight wide receiver in high school, where he caught 14 touchdown passes and had 1,140 receiving yards as a senior.

He played three years at Kentucky, and this past season he showed up on pretty much everyone's all-defensive team, and he was named AP first team all-America. He's the first player in Kentucky's tradition-rich history to block 200 or more shots and have 100 or more steals.

He's going to help a team immediately at the defensive end.

Offensively, Cauley-Stein remains a work in progress, and that's the only thing keeping him from being considered a top-tier prospect in this draft. He was able to show an improved jump shot in the Nuggets workout Monday, both from mid-range and out to the 3-point line, even though he'll likely not take that shot in the pros.

"I showed today that I've got good mechanics on the shot," he said. "Showing that I'm confident in my shot and I can consistently make it."

He said he has "kind of" seen teams put him through a battery of offensive challenges in order to get a grasp on just how far he's come on that end.

"I feel like they do the same thing for everybody, though," Cauley-Stein said. "They put you through the same drills, it's just to see if you can do the same move over and over and over, and make or miss you're doing it with confidence."

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_28275827/cauley-stein-flashes-potential-workout-nuggets

Its encouraging to see his consistency with his jumper. Reminds me of KG when he came into the league....very thin....run the floor....block shots....mid range jumper. Stein sounds like somebody that will always have a chip on his shoulder. Sounds like a player worth the #4 pick....Kenyon Martin was the key for our team.....If Stein is a younger 7 foot version of Martin.....then at 4 hes a steal.

Kind of worrying that a player who is considered horrific offensively, has better shooting mechanics and shot than Mudiay!

For me the clincher regarding WCS isn't whether he can hit a 3 pointer, but rather it will be how they rate his desire and personality. I think the whole shooting thing regarding him is over rated- we are interested in signing DeAndre Jordan for a max!

No one can question WCS as a great defender. However, he was so great for the same reason Tyson was in NY, UK constantly switched on defense because they had great height as a team. The only team in professional and amateur basketball taller than them in the entire world was the Portland Trailblazers. So defensively I feel a vote for WCS as the pick is a vote for switching defensively and that was a disaster for NY.

wargames wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

blkexec wrote:

nixluva wrote:WCS with another workout where he showed he could hit Mid Range and 3pt Jumpers consistently.

Willie Cauley-Stein flashes potential in Nuggets pre-draft workout
by Christopher Dempsey

Among the tattoos on the right side of Willie Cauley-Stein's neck is one famous phrase.

Hakuna Matata.

No worries.

It's a large part of how he views the pre-draft process.

"I see myself as the No. 1 player in the draft, but it is what it is," said the 7-foot, 240-pound former Kentucky standout. "You can just take it day-by-day, put in the work and the draft is going to be the outcome of whatever the draft is."

Is he mad at not being mentioned in the same breath with former Wildcats teammate Karl-Anthony Towns or Duke star Jalil Okafor, the first two players expected to be chosen.

"You can't get mad about it," he said. "You just gotta work for it."

Hakuna Matata.

It's not clear whether Cauley-Stein will be on the board when the Nuggets seventh overall pick comes up, or even if the team would select him if he was available. He worked out for the Nuggets on Monday.

Cauley-Stein's biggest asset is his defensive ability. He's arguably the best and most versatile defensive player in the draft, and if you're looking for a comparison think of a taller Kenyon Martin, the former Nuggets forward.

Cauley-Stein is a shot blocker who can steal the ball as well. He's long and athletic and quick. He's perfect in situations where the defense is switching on screens because he can guard pretty much any player on the court. He's got good hands, as evidenced by his background as a top-flight wide receiver in high school, where he caught 14 touchdown passes and had 1,140 receiving yards as a senior.

He played three years at Kentucky, and this past season he showed up on pretty much everyone's all-defensive team, and he was named AP first team all-America. He's the first player in Kentucky's tradition-rich history to block 200 or more shots and have 100 or more steals.

He's going to help a team immediately at the defensive end.

Offensively, Cauley-Stein remains a work in progress, and that's the only thing keeping him from being considered a top-tier prospect in this draft. He was able to show an improved jump shot in the Nuggets workout Monday, both from mid-range and out to the 3-point line, even though he'll likely not take that shot in the pros.

"I showed today that I've got good mechanics on the shot," he said. "Showing that I'm confident in my shot and I can consistently make it."

He said he has "kind of" seen teams put him through a battery of offensive challenges in order to get a grasp on just how far he's come on that end.

"I feel like they do the same thing for everybody, though," Cauley-Stein said. "They put you through the same drills, it's just to see if you can do the same move over and over and over, and make or miss you're doing it with confidence."

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_28275827/cauley-stein-flashes-potential-workout-nuggets

Its encouraging to see his consistency with his jumper. Reminds me of KG when he came into the league....very thin....run the floor....block shots....mid range jumper. Stein sounds like somebody that will always have a chip on his shoulder. Sounds like a player worth the #4 pick....Kenyon Martin was the key for our team.....If Stein is a younger 7 foot version of Martin.....then at 4 hes a steal.

Kind of worrying that a player who is considered horrific offensively, has better shooting mechanics and shot than Mudiay!

For me the clincher regarding WCS isn't whether he can hit a 3 pointer, but rather it will be how they rate his desire and personality. I think the whole shooting thing regarding him is over rated- we are interested in signing DeAndre Jordan for a max!

No one can question WCS as a great defender. However, he was so great for the same reason Tyson was in NY, UK constantly switched on defense because they had great height as a team. The only team in professional and amateur basketball taller than them in the entire world was the Portland Trailblazers. So defensively I feel a vote for WCS as the pick is a vote for switching defensively and that was a disaster for NY.

Any defense is a disaster when bargs is the one switching on guards. It didnt matter what defense we ran....And when barbs didnt switch, he just blamed it on Shump. WCS is available to save the day. Winslow is available to save the day. 1 protects the rim...the other fights over picks. It would be nice to have players like this on your team.

nixluva wrote:

wargames wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

blkexec wrote:

nixluva wrote:WCS with another workout where he showed he could hit Mid Range and 3pt Jumpers consistently.

Willie Cauley-Stein flashes potential in Nuggets pre-draft workout
by Christopher Dempsey

Among the tattoos on the right side of Willie Cauley-Stein's neck is one famous phrase.

Hakuna Matata.

No worries.

It's a large part of how he views the pre-draft process.

"I see myself as the No. 1 player in the draft, but it is what it is," said the 7-foot, 240-pound former Kentucky standout. "You can just take it day-by-day, put in the work and the draft is going to be the outcome of whatever the draft is."

Is he mad at not being mentioned in the same breath with former Wildcats teammate Karl-Anthony Towns or Duke star Jalil Okafor, the first two players expected to be chosen.

"You can't get mad about it," he said. "You just gotta work for it."

Hakuna Matata.

It's not clear whether Cauley-Stein will be on the board when the Nuggets seventh overall pick comes up, or even if the team would select him if he was available. He worked out for the Nuggets on Monday.

Cauley-Stein's biggest asset is his defensive ability. He's arguably the best and most versatile defensive player in the draft, and if you're looking for a comparison think of a taller Kenyon Martin, the former Nuggets forward.

Cauley-Stein is a shot blocker who can steal the ball as well. He's long and athletic and quick. He's perfect in situations where the defense is switching on screens because he can guard pretty much any player on the court. He's got good hands, as evidenced by his background as a top-flight wide receiver in high school, where he caught 14 touchdown passes and had 1,140 receiving yards as a senior.

He played three years at Kentucky, and this past season he showed up on pretty much everyone's all-defensive team, and he was named AP first team all-America. He's the first player in Kentucky's tradition-rich history to block 200 or more shots and have 100 or more steals.

He's going to help a team immediately at the defensive end.

Offensively, Cauley-Stein remains a work in progress, and that's the only thing keeping him from being considered a top-tier prospect in this draft. He was able to show an improved jump shot in the Nuggets workout Monday, both from mid-range and out to the 3-point line, even though he'll likely not take that shot in the pros.

"I showed today that I've got good mechanics on the shot," he said. "Showing that I'm confident in my shot and I can consistently make it."

He said he has "kind of" seen teams put him through a battery of offensive challenges in order to get a grasp on just how far he's come on that end.

"I feel like they do the same thing for everybody, though," Cauley-Stein said. "They put you through the same drills, it's just to see if you can do the same move over and over and over, and make or miss you're doing it with confidence."

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_28275827/cauley-stein-flashes-potential-workout-nuggets

Its encouraging to see his consistency with his jumper. Reminds me of KG when he came into the league....very thin....run the floor....block shots....mid range jumper. Stein sounds like somebody that will always have a chip on his shoulder. Sounds like a player worth the #4 pick....Kenyon Martin was the key for our team.....If Stein is a younger 7 foot version of Martin.....then at 4 hes a steal.

Kind of worrying that a player who is considered horrific offensively, has better shooting mechanics and shot than Mudiay!

For me the clincher regarding WCS isn't whether he can hit a 3 pointer, but rather it will be how they rate his desire and personality. I think the whole shooting thing regarding him is over rated- we are interested in signing DeAndre Jordan for a max!

No one can question WCS as a great defender. However, he was so great for the same reason Tyson was in NY, UK constantly switched on defense because they had great height as a team. The only team in professional and amateur basketball taller than them in the entire world was the Portland Trailblazers. So defensively I feel a vote for WCS as the pick is a vote for switching defensively and that was a disaster for NY.

This is some WCS defense from last year.

This sequence from this years NCAA vs Notre Dame is good to see how WCS defended too.

I think the Knicks won't be a strictly switching defense like under Woody. WCS just gives you defensive flexibility because he can hold the guard long enough to allow our guard to get back into the play if possible. The better our perimeter defenders are the less WCS will have to actually switch. I think mostly he'll just hedge hard and recover.

His defensive ability is very attractive, but those quotes and stories I read (I think on realgm) struck fear into me- he said that he couldn't always motivate himself and would lose focus, and didn't know why. Stuff like that- makes you question his drive.

crzymdups wrote:

smackeddog wrote:
His defensive ability is very attractive, but those quotes and stories I read (I think on realgm) struck fear into me- he said that he couldn't always motivate himself and would lose focus, and didn't know why. Stuff like that- makes you question his drive.

I've seen that too and that worries me. It's why I have been leaning towards Winslow, who by all accounts is a warrior and insane competitor. I keep going back and forth though, between Stein and Winslow.

Thats the downfall of playing two sports. Football you dont need drive.....otherwise you will get knocked on your behind. Stein was also surrounded by the best college recruits. ...so his job was almost too easy. He never had to work on anything.....just use his natural defensive instincts. But NY media....fans....have the ability to apply pressure. But it is a red flag.....the questiin is how major is it. If we had Lebron, i wouldnt say it was major. But with Melo you need motivated leaders around him. Winslow is still an option.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/608382905363120128

crzymdups wrote:For what it's worth...

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/608382905363120128

No no I think WCS is better than Lyles for goodness sakes. That must be BS.

blkexec wrote:

nixluva wrote:I'm not that worried about WCS desire and dedication to the game. He's been clearly putting in the work on his game and has looked great in his workouts. He even spoke about the questions about his desire for the game and said he loves the game and considers himself as good as Towns and Okafor. He's got lots of pride and fire that may not have come across at Kentucky. He said he's motivated by the doubters and uses that anger in his training.

Sometimes when the game looks easy on one end.....it looks loke hes not trying. Question nix....what if the pick came down to whos available in free agency.

Is it easier to get a poor version of WCS....and harder to get a Draymond green type. Because it might cost more to get a winslow type player vs robin lopez who's a poor man's version of stein. And i like stein just as much as anybody. But we still need to think about other critical areas.

I think there are a lot of bigs in Free Agency and he could decide to go Winslow and then grab a couple of lower cost defensive bigs. That's one option. I personally would prefer the go WCS and grab a 2 way wing player in Free Agency. Heck we still have young wings that we're still developing for cheap.

The biggest impact you can make on your D is a great defensive big like WCS. One good elite defender won't have the same impact as one elite defensive center who can anchor your entire defense. Phil is the one who brought up the importance of him finding a big man defender similar to Tyson but that could defend PnR and guards out in space. He clearly has a plan to create a roster that can slow down modern teams that play a lot of 4 out 1 in basketball.

jbeachboy wrote:you guys want this guy over mudiay or winslow?

I do. Winslow is a tweener that has great feel for the game but he's more of a SF than SG. Mudiay is a solid PG but we don't really need a PG as much as an anchor for our defense. WCS would be just what the doctor ordered to anchor this team's defense.

jbeachboy wrote:no freakin way, willie is going to need 5 years for his body to really develop , he is way too skinny and is really raw offensively, did you see the youtube video of his weaknesses offensively, its really awful, please watch that video again, he is a real project offensively and has poor technique offensively and struggles with easy shots except dunks

WCS has been gaining strength and IMO already looks bigger than he did a few months ago. As for his offense, that's not why we're drafting him. IF you draft WCS it's mostly for his defense. That said I think he'll have just enough offensive skills to be just fine in our system.

Some are convinced that WCS is a long way from being able to provide any kind of offense outside of dunks but I disagree. He won't have to turn into Tim Duncan on offense to be effective. Just refining his Jump Hook and face up Jumper would be a good start. Physically he has all the talent needed to be a capable scorer. He's quick and agile and has good footwork when he goes into his moves. Perhaps you need to watch his workout videos again to see how he's progressed. He's obviously been working hard and getting better.

CrushAlot wrote:

crzymdups wrote:For what it's worth...

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/608382905363120128

I wish someone else had the afternoon drive show. Francessa doesn't have any sources for basketball. I think he seems bothered when he has to talk about it.

This is about as bad as what Phil said when he basically described WCS as what he wanted from the draft. To tweet we dont like WCS--its always the opposite of what they say and then they say it about Lyles who has little chance to go in the lottery at all.