smackeddog wrote:So out of OK4, Towns and Russell, who complements Melo the best and who the least?

I watched the OK4 game yesterday- first time I've watched a full game of him. The way he can put the ball in the net is almost mystical, However my concerns were that there that he seemed to hold the ball a lot (which wouldn't be a problem if it was just him, but putting him on a team with Melo doing likewise, and suddenly I worry about our offensive flow). Also his defense was worse than I expected- I know he has a bad rap, but it was honestly some of the worst D I've seen by a centre since Eddy Curry. Amazing scorer, however- fun to watch.

smackeddog wrote:Hmm, not really a good game from Towns today.

Man, this year is tough. There's no clear cut #1 pick. OK4 has the size of a 5, and (in my opinion) too slow to guard 4's.
OK4 defense has looked bad, but it could be due to his injury. With all of his flaws, he's still the best prospect coming out of the draft, which doesn't say a lot about the others. He's the only one I've seen that demands a double team. But I think thats a knock on the draft class. This draft is hard to project, because the top picks are based on potential.

Towns might not be worth a #1 pick right now, but he has everything we need in a post player, playing along side Melo. His development to reach his potential is an issue. Since Kentucky is so deep, Towns doesn't get the same PT as OK4. So it's hard to see Towns as a go to guy, demanding the ball and working the offense through him. I still like Towns potential on defense as a shot blocker, rebounder and shooting touch, especially on his free throws. Thats nice for a guy his size.

I think Towns has done enough to separate himself from Russell and Okafor.. Despite what some think.. he is safe to be an elite center in the league as soon as next year...
1. Karl Anthony Towns

These two are dealing with minor leg injuries it seems... they are not too much a threat to upend Towns unless Okafor starts blocking lots of shots...
2. DeAngelo Russell
3. Jahlil Okafor

The difference between Okafor and Portis is bigger than the difference between Portis and Stanley Johnson.. it's very close after the top 3 and that's why you see alot of different names behind the top 3 in a lot of mocks... Portis is a safe good starter type which is why he ranks higher than the others but it's not by much...
4. Bobby Portis
5. Myles Turner
6. Delon Wright
7. Kris Dunn
8. Emmanuel Mudiay
9. Jakob Poeltl
10. Christian Wood
11. Willie Cauley Stein

The draft is very light at the SG/SF position.. these guys are probably the only ones that can be something interesting at the next level and Oubre and Winslow are coming on strong as of late... Both could be in the top 10 with a strong tourney... Johnson has tailed off a lot after a strong early part of the year...
12. Kelly Oubre
13. Justise Winslow
14. Stanley Johnson

These guys represent very solid big men who have a good chance at being rotation guys....
15. Cliff Alexander
16. Montrezl Harrell
17. AJ Hammons
18. Jordan Mickey

Some interesting names with some flaws but enough reason for optimism for them to be able to make it in the pros... Kaminsky is interesting and he could be very good depending on where he lands... or he could be another Danny Ferry...
19. Cameron Payne
20. Frank Kaminsky
21. Denzel Livingston
22. Jerian Grant
23. Terry Rozier
24. Rakeem Christmas
25. Shawn Long

fitzfarm wrote:Sad part about eddy is the guy is still only 32.. He could still be a offensive force if he had little work ethic..I mean look at zack Randolph that fat f*** can ball and it's because he is determined and plays angry... If eddy played angry and with energy like Zach he'd still be in the NBA and for how weak the center position is in the NBA... It goes to show you how stupid eddy is he could will be making millions if he put in 25 percent effort instead of zero.

It really is a shame. I remember sitting up and going oooh and ahhh at some of the things he did. I really think he had some of the best natural finishing at the rim talent for a big man I've ever seen. He had this uncanny knack with the ball when going up against defenders. There was magic in his hands at close range that was intuitive and something almost no guys his size have. He really could have been totally unstoppable. But he didn't give a crap, so nobody remembers the good things he did briefly.

FistOfOakley wrote:duke by a mile.......

By a mile?
Kentucky have a really good guard in Devin Booker, they have the Harrison Twins and Tyler Eullis is really good just too short.

BRIGGS wrote:

TPercy wrote:

FistOfOakley wrote:duke by a mile.......

By a mile?
Kentucky have a really good guard in Devin Booker, they have the Harrison Twins and Tyler Eullis is really good just too short.

Kentcuky has very under rated backcourt--theyre the guys who score! It will take a great effort to beat Kentucky. I am going against the grain--but it will have to be a VIllanova type game.