Drummond seen as the #2 Lottery Pick

[Nostical]

After Kentucky's Anthony Davis. Only UNC's Harrison Barmes was mentioned as often as Drummond.


http://m.espn.go.com/nba/analysis?columnistId=chad_ford

 

[Brochacho]

#2 could very well be the Bobcats. I personally think he should be a one and done player, and I know a lot of posters are concerned about Drummond leaving too early and turning into a Thabeet but does anybody actually think Kemba would let a UConn alum fail on his team? Thabeet went #2 in the weakest draft in recent history, this year's class has the potential to be considered in the same light as the '03 and '07 draft.

 

[dogpause]

Wow, I know the popular opinion is that Drummond should go, but I really like to see a player dominate in college before making that jump. Athletically, there is no question he is NBA material, but he's just not an NBA-ready basketball player. Just my opinion.

 

[UConn77]

Being NBA-ready has little to do with the decision to go. Its basically about the money.

 

[Waquoit]

That rebound dunk against Hall had NBA all over it.

 

[progrocks]

He is as ready as Bynum to play in the league, and miles beyond Thabeet. The kid will do fine.

 

[uconNYC]

If #2, he should be encouraged to leave. Plenty of players have matured in the NBA, it's not like the NCAA is the only place a player can develop.

 

[RuffRuff]

As raw and unpolished as AD can look at times, there is no denying the kid is a manchild. Unlike a Thabeet, who was a giant stiff who got by on the college level because of height/size alone, Andre has great hands, touch and quick feet. The NBA draft is all about potential and Andre is a well of that.

The person I do wonder a bit more about is Jeremy - I mean, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see the kid has struggled as the go to guy and he hasn't been quite as dynamic a scorer as we may all have anticipated. He's become much more of a jump shooter than anything and that alone doesn't differentiate at the NBA level.

 

[James]

I want him two years, like the blake griffin plan. But i dunno, he's the .01 %. read this.

 

[Gurleyman]

Lamb has struggled with isolations and physical defending. He still has intriguing size and physical tools for the 2, but his lack of explosive quickness has shown through a bit. He's smooth, but he can be defended. I was on record back in november that I thought Lamb was a better prospect than Barnes, but I've changed my mind on that one - Barnes has developed a more all-around game, and Lamb has regressed into being just a shooter as he's lost confidence in his slashing ability/mid-range game. It used to be the opposite - Barnes settling for contested jumpers and Lamb being a versatile scorer.

 

[bobbygt]

If AD goes after this year, I don't see him doing anything significant in the nba for 3-4 years. I don't think he has the fundamentals yet to play right away.

It took Bynum about 3 years to become a bona fide starter, although I have no idea how Bynum looked coming straight out of hs.

I imagine AD's 'potential' will still be there were he to come back.

Would it hurt for him to come back?

 

[Prezidint]

Based on $ alone, Drummond should go.
Based on Total Career Possibilities, Drummond should stay.
Based on Prezidint's preference, he should stay.

Based on this year, Lamb should have gone last year. Not sure where he's listed, but this year has offered a better window through which to view his game.

Kemba made everybody better. Much better. Kemba made Lamb look like a lottery pick.

 

[Kitaman]

AD will always be a top 2-3 pick. It's up to him what year to leave. Team selection is critical.

 

[caw]

If Drummond leaves, playing time will depend on where he goes.

For example, Bismark Biyombo (who I think is close to Drummond in development and behind Drummond athletically) started last night for the lowly Bobcats and posted a double-double.

Drummond would probably start on the Bobcats right now. Looking at the bottom 10 teams in the NBA,these are their main bigs:

• Bobcats: (Biyombo, Thomas, Diop, Diaw)
• Hornets: (Okafor, Kaman, Landry)
• Washington: (McGee, Booker, Blantche)
• Detroit: (Monroe, Jerebko)
• New Jersey: (Okur, Lopez, Humphries)
• Toronto: (Amir Johnson, Bargani)
• Sacramento: (Cousins, Hickson)
• Knicks: (Chandler, Amare)
• Golden State: (Biedrins, Lee)
• Phoenix: (Frye, Gortat)

I don't think he would dominate, but he would have some good and some bad games and he would be better than some of the other options for those teams. I mean look at some of those players and tell me he wouldn't start or play ahead of a lot of them.

 

[Brochacho]

The person I do wonder a bit more about is Jeremy - I mean, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see the kid has struggled as the go to guy and he hasn't been quite as dynamic a scorer as we may all have anticipated. He's become much more of a jump shooter than anything and that alone doesn't differentiate at the NBA level.

I wish Lamb would bring that floater back. Was thinking of other passive #1 options in college and one that came to mind was James Harden.

So. Harden: 20.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 48.9 fg%/35.6 3pt%/75.6 ft%
So. Lamb: 17.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 47.7 fg%/35.6 3pt%/83.5%

Relatively similar players.

 

[Cheddie]

Drummond is an exceptional athlete, but his offensive game, beyond dunks, is just really raw. He's going to be a top 5 pick whenever declares. I'd love to see him work on some post moves for another summer and year in college, so he can step into the league at a more competitive level. Bynum only played 7 minutes a game as a rookie, and he was lucky to go to the perfect franchise where he had relatively limited pressure, and where he had Kareem to tutor him one on one. See the thread on John Wall on growing up in the NBA. I'd much rather see AD come into the league ready to rock & roll, like Griffin. But I suspect Calhoun's future health will have a lot to do with things.

 

[The Boatyard]

I think Lamb's been struggling primarily because of Bazz. It's tough to put up good stats when you have issues with your point. That and the fact that they've been trying to make him the leader since day 1, and that's just not part of his personality. If he goes I think he'll be fine (he should bulk up a little though). If he stays I think he'll be fine (if coaches and Bazz let him be the player he's meant to be).

As for Drums, I don't know who was announcing the game yesterday, but he said it perfectly, he's a phenomenal athlete. He just has to learn how to be a basketball player. He might have more athleticism than any player on the team...he's just not all there yet from a basketball standpoint. Give him time. He's said multiple times that he's staying next year. I think it'd be in his best interest to do just that.

 

[EricLA]

As raw and unpolished as AD can look at times, there is no denying the kid is a manchild. Unlike a Thabeet, who was a giant stiff who got by on the college level because of height/size alone, Andre has great hands, touch and quick feet. The NBA draft is all about potential and Andre is a well of that.

The person I do wonder a bit more about is Jeremy - I mean, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see the kid has struggled as the go to guy and he hasn't been quite as dynamic a scorer as we may all have anticipated. He's become much more of a jump shooter than anything and that alone doesn't differentiate at the NBA level.

i have no idea how deep or strong the draft is but i'd be surprised if Jeremy went until early in the 2nd round, or late in the 1st round at the soonest. he exploded last year, but seems to have plateaued and i'm not sure a NBA GM would want to take a chance on him early in the draft...

 

[caw]

i have no idea how deep or strong the draft is but i'd be surprised if Jeremy went until early in the 2nd round, or late in the 1st round at the soonest. he exploded last year, but seems to have plateaued and i'm not sure a NBA GM would want to take a chance on him early in the draft...

This is a "deep" draft for bigs if everyone declares. Zeller, Zeller, Henson, Sullinger, Davis, Drummond, Leonard, Young, Robinson, Jones III, Jones (UK) are all possible first round picks 6'9 or taller. Then you have guys like Melo, Dieng, Pope, Gates, Green, Plumlee, Moser, Moultrie, Ezeli, Oriakhi (just for huskymagic) who could be drafted somewhere. That's not including Euro guys or guys I forgot.

SF's you have Barnes, Gilchrist, Miller, Nash, and Ross (UW)??? Maybe Harkless
SG's you have Rivers, Lamb (UK), Beal, Barton, Waiters and Wroten? I can't think of anyone else worth mentioning.
PG's I don't know if there are any good PG's this draft unless it's a late first or second rounder and you really need one.

I may take a number of the bigs before Jeremy, but aside from Rivers and Beal there aren't any SG's I would even consider before Jeremy Lamb. None of the SF prospects wow me as being much better than Lamb for their position or upside.

The above is just off the top of my head, so I'm sure I forgot someone.

 

[champs99and04]

Based on $ alone, Drummond should go.
Based on Total Career Possibilities, Drummond should stay.
Based on Prezidint's preference, he should stay.

Based on this year, Lamb should have gone last year. Not sure where he's listed, but this year has offered a better window through which to view his game.

Kemba made everybody better. Much better. Kemba made Lamb look like a lottery pick.

Let's slow down there. It's not like Lamb has been a stiff this year. If you look at his numbers, they are about the same as Harrison Barnes'. 17.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 48% FG, 84% FT, 36% 3PT, 1.9 AST, 1.5 STL, 0.7 BLK, 2.3 TOV for Lamb, 17.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 48% FG, 72% FT, 44% 3PT, 1.0 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.4 BLK, 1.8 TOV.

They are pretty much identical. I think Barnes can create his shot a little better than Lamb, but Lamb is a better rebounder for his position, is longer, and better off the ball. Very similar to Richard Hamilton. I think at worst lamb is a late lottery pick.

 

[Scot-e]

If I was AD and I wanted $$$$$ I would leave. If they will pay you to develop you are a special type of player and getting paid millions to develop is a pretty good job.

Lamb is as good as gone and he will do just fine in the NBA.

 

[Danzz]

Drummond has said that he would return next year but we'll see.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

It seems like AD and his mother have been taking their time, in no rush for him to go to college or the pros. He seems like a happy, goofy kid who loves the team and college. He seems to me to be the kind of kid who would benefit from the time to experience college and have some more time to grow up some. Remember when he spoke about playing against "full-grown men"? It would be good for him to see himself as one of those when he becomes a professional. Whatever he does is fine with me, although I would like to see him stay for his and out sake. It would be really fun to see what he could do with another year under his belt as a Husky.

 

[Ricky1Moore]

He's hopefully coming back... And if he doesn't I hope he makes it known hes leaving before Noel makes his choice... Don't think we can get Noel if AD stays, not sure they are exactly bffs... Nice looking team next year if he does, even if (mmm when) Lamb declares

I'd rather AD but if he leaves then Noel should def go to uconn... Perfect fit, blocks crazy shots

 

[James]

lamb is a top ten pick, if he performs well late in the season top 3