Uptown wrote:Today is the first time I actually had the time to watch Russell play a full game and this kid has the look of an NBA Allstar. He does things that you cannot teach:

He has elite level instincts in that he's always 1 to 2 plays ahead of everyone else. He sees the play develop before it happens. With this instinct, he is able to slow the game down and play at an even pace while most everyone else seems to be frenetic and in a rush around him. Also, one of the commentators shared a story about Russell, saying his watches videos of his opponents on his own and points things out in the vids to his teammates. This is what self-motivated, leaders do. You can tell this kid is going to get better and will be a team leader. Russell also has a presence on the floor. You always notice him when he is on the floor even without the ball because he understands how to move without the ball.

Russell is the real deal and at this point, I'd take him over Towns. Of course things could change as the season progresses but besides Russells obvious talent, he just has those intangibles that you dont teach.

newyorker4ever wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:If we get the no.1 pick, I'd look to trade down for Dieng and the Wolves' pick to select Russell.

Dieng is looking like the real deal for a young big so i'm not sure the Wolves would want to trade him if they're in the top 5 and they know they can get either another big or S.Johnson or D.Russell??

I completely agree with you but sometimes teams undervalue their own assets (see us trading away Tyson Chandler for bull****). Once upon a time, the Flip Saunders-Kevin McHale-Glen Taylor trifecta thought it'd be a good idea to trade away Brandon Roy for Randy Foye, so hopefully the duo of Flip Saunders-Glen Taylor would be inclined to do something that is similarly foolish on draft night. I don't think it'd be too much of a stretch because Okafor is still being considered as a generational talent, which Dieng is not. Given the dearth of talented big men in this league, I think it makes Okafor even more valuable, especially since the Wolves are set at their guard spots with Rubio and Lavine.

Stevo718 wrote:

blkexec wrote:You pick OK4 with the #1 pick, since thats the most popular pick...Then unload him in a mega deal either to fill out the roster or to a team picking 3rd or 4th. I think Stanley Johnson is a major sleeper, as far as his two way skill set. He could be the next Jimmy Butler or Artest. The top 5 picks have star potential. OK4, Towns, Mudiay, Russell, Johnson.

And as I watched OK4 again...he will impact the NBA like Zach Randolph. Duke looked better on defense when OK4 was at PF. And Plumlee was at center.

+1

I think you get more value by doing that. Okafor will be a star but not a franchise player... Duncan was more athletic in college and I see Okafor having problems with a higher level of play in the NBA.

I really like Mudiay and Russell... Russell has a quick release and a high percentage that i think will translate in the NBA really well, when he shoots it looks effortless. Everything he does is smooth. Mudiay is not as smooth as Russell but I think he will be a superstar like a Westbrook type this kid has skill and athleticism . Towns also will be a star but not a franchise type player.

I agree if we get the first pick i'd trade it for the number 3.

I think (assuming the end pick reflects their current records) the Lakers (4 and 24), Sixers (3 and 16) and some other team have 2 first round picks, so if we got lucky and landed the first, we could have that option (if we decided Russell was the player we wanted)- the NY media would blast us though.

Swishfm3 wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:To be pick#1

Briggs...Considering the how L.Galloway has played for us since being called up, do you still look to draft a PG?

If that team makes a deep March run behind Russell's play he goes #2, unless Phili is #1 and simply decides they have enough bigs and go with Russell.

fishmike wrote:draftexpress just bumped Russell to #2 behind OK4

The one (only) thing that scares me about Russell is his zone defense. He's not accustomed to playing man in college, and thats needed in the NBA. So his defense is a risk.....Just like Mudiay's jumper is a risk. But what if you knew the future and Mudiay improved his jumper like John Wall did? Then Mudiay might be the pick, since he's fastest and more athletic, which means he will be able to hold his own on defense.

I don't know, but Mudiay seems like a solid player with NBA level confidence. And if he has a strong head and maturity, then the sky is the limit. BUT, he could also be like D.Rose.....A player with elite athleticism derailed by an ACL / achilles injuries, which will change his game completely. Russell's game is less on athleticism and more on execution. This tells me that Russell may have a longer career, and less injury prone.

blkexec wrote:

fishmike wrote:draftexpress just bumped Russell to #2 behind OK4

The one (only) thing that scares me about Russell is his zone defense. He's not accustomed to playing man in college, and thats needed in the NBA. So his defense is a risk.....Just like Mudiay's jumper is a risk. But what if you knew the future and Mudiay improved his jumper like John Wall did? Then Mudiay might be the pick, since he's fastest and more athletic, which means he will be able to hold his own on defense.

I don't know, but Mudiay seems like a solid player with NBA level confidence. And if he has a strong head and maturity, then the sky is the limit. BUT, he could also be like D.Rose.....A player with elite athleticism derailed by an ACL / achilles injuries, which will change his game completely. Russell's game is less on athleticism and more on execution. This tells me that Russell may have a longer career, and less injury prone.