BRIGGS wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:We might need a big, and I'm in on taking OK4, but some of the biggest mistakes in draft history have occurred when teams took big over not so big.

Thabeet, Darko, Oden, Bargnani, K. Brown, Olowokandi, Bowie... You don't always hit an Anthony Davis or Tim Duncan jackpot.

I think Russell will have a lot of appeal to Phil, but the college regular season is not over, there is March Madness, and then all the tryouts. Add to this the possibility of not getting OK4, and I see no reason why Phil HAS to go for size.

I think there is significant safety factor with Okafor as a big. When you get down to it--you can say what skill does this guy have--and the bottom line is this guy can score in the post--the names you mentioned above at their best in CBB or who didnt even play CBB--they dont have the fundamental and proven offensive talents/skills/size that this guy has. At worst we could look around to find a pogo stick type like Chris Andersen to play next to Okafor to make up for his defensive deficiency--those guys are round and dont cost too much. but to get the potential 25 point pivot scorer--thats the hard part.

When you say pick #1 or 2 3 etc.. I think you need some bonafies. I think there is some bonafides that Okafor than Russell are proving to be big time players. Karl Towns has played 1 great game against a mid major--one game he scored over 15 points out of 18. Now you cant dismiss his triple threat ability--but is he has safe as proven Russell or Okafor--no. Even if Towns ended up as the best player in the draft--unless he has a few more games like he did against E Kentucky--its hard to pick him above these two(thats is were lucky enough to be top 3) as well as Mudiay without seeing consistent game production in a live setting like these two guys are doing. I think that any one doing their draft stuff must have Okafor #1 and Russell #2 right now.

So it would seem that the real issue with you would be who we pick if we lose out at #1, and have to choose at #'s 2,3,or 4.

Sounds like you would target Russell, and I think Phil might also be more interested in him than Towns, although you always have to consider guys who might prove themselves the rest of the year- especially someone who would carry a team in the NCAA tournament.

Got to see Portis in overtime yesterday. Not one of his best games, although he did score the winning basket on a very smart cut to the basket. Moved well on defense- came out to the perimeter once or twice, and saw a good block on an Alabama penetrator. Saw one attempted shot in the paint which did not look polished, but was not able to see that high release jump shot of his because he did not take one. Wish I had been able to see the entire game.

Yeah that was Portis's worst -looking game of the season--but still had good production and a double double. Have you seen Michael Qualls play--I have him ranked as my #22 player--hes a top 3 athlete in CBB.

Did not even know who he was until I saw end of the game. Plays with some real energy. Looked at his stats- his 3 pt shooting has improved each year, as has his FT shooting. I thought his FT form was not great, but he seems to be making the shots.

Had some big steals. Did not look at his 1/1 D, since I was "scouting" Portis.

Type of player who you would look at later in the first round if you really like him at your tryout session, but who knows how the season goes- maybe he shines later in the year and he moves up a bit.

He's a Junior, so who knows if he comes out this year- might be a kid who wants to do the 4 years.

make no mistake.. until he starts maturing into his body he will probably be abused on the defensive end much like curry at the beginning of his career but curry's made himself into a decent defender... and i'm sure he will be passable on that end also...

on offense, he's not vince carter.. but he can hit from every spot on the floor and is very advanced in his understanding of the game and the pick and roll... the college game almost bores him and it's like he's sort of sleeping walking thru the game and all of a sudden he throws up 25pts...

he's going to be very good...