It's too early to talk draft but some positive observations

[saltlover]

Keep an eye on Caris Levert from Michigan as a potential wing player.  He's young for a junior (doesn't turn 21 until August - so a month older than that UNLV freshman center mentioned in this thread).  He's got a pretty long frame to help him defensively, and has moved from being just a guy who takes (and makes) open jump shots to someone who can drive to the bucket when needed as well.  Last year he played the point some as well, although this year he's primarily a 2/3, which is what he'll be in the NBA.  He might not be a dominant scorer in the pros, but he has a great all-around game.

[DrJasper]

In my oppinion we should do everything we can to get Karl Towns! He has SUPERSTAR potential!! Earlier I was a little bit concerned about his position, but than I read this article:
http://www.kentucky.com/welcome_page/?shf=/2014/11/24/3557460_uk-notes-confident-towns-embraces.html
If he really becomes a rim protector he would be a perfect fit for boston! Moreover he has a high IQ and is willing to learn!
So I would say trade rondo for a young talent + a 2015 lottery pick, and than package most of our picks to move up in the draft!

[DrJasper]

Who else wants to see Smart and Towns match up against Mudiay and Randle in the finals?? (Dreaming big)

[CFAN38]

In my oppinion we should do everything we can to get Karl Towns! He has SUPERSTAR potential!! Earlier I was a little bit concerned about his position, but than I read this article:
http://www.kentucky.com/welcome_page/?shf=/2014/11/24/3557460_uk-notes-confident-towns-embraces.html
If he really becomes a rim protector he would be a perfect fit for boston! Moreover he has a high IQ and is willing to learn!
So I would say trade rondo for a young talent + a 2015 lottery pick, and than package most of our picks to move up in the draft!

At the UK combine he measured 9'1 reach and at hoop summit 9'5 I dont understand the discrepancy but in both cases he has the length to play center. I agree with you that he is going to be a special player, I still take Okafor #1 but Towns is going to be a great consolation prize. For the Cs he may even be the better system fit with his ability to stretch a defense from outside.

[knuckleballer]

In my oppinion we should do everything we can to get Karl Towns! He has SUPERSTAR potential!! Earlier I was a little bit concerned about his position, but than I read this article:
http://www.kentucky.com/welcome_page/?shf=/2014/11/24/3557460_uk-notes-confident-towns-embraces.html
If he really becomes a rim protector he would be a perfect fit for boston! Moreover he has a high IQ and is willing to learn!
So I would say trade rondo for a young talent + a 2015 lottery pick, and than package most of our picks to move up in the draft!

At the UK combine he measured 9'1 reach and at hoop summit 9'5 I dont understand the discrepancy but in both cases he has the length to play center. I agree with you that he is going to be a special player, I still take Okafor #1 but Towns is going to be a great consolation prize. For the Cs he may even be the better system fit with his ability to stretch a defense from outside.

I read an interesting take on standing reach discrepancies.  Players can increase their standing reach by stretching, but this reduces their vertical jump measurement as they subtract their standing reach from their max vertical reach to determine their max vertical.  When Towns measured a 9'1" reach, he also measured a very impressive 36.5" max vertical.  When he measured a 9'5" reach, his max vertical wasn't tested. 

If you want to show an impressive reach, stretch and you will add a few inches.  If you want to show an impressive vertical, don't stretch.

[CFAN38]

Games to watch this week,

Tonight

Duke vs Wisconsin 9:30 ESPN
                 Great game for NBA prospects. Okafor vs Kaminsky, Decker vs Winston and also    Tyus Jones at PG for duke

Friday Dec 5

Texas vs Kentucky 7:00 ESPN
               UKs bigs vs Turner and Ridley should be very interesting. This game will tell alot about Turner in the NBA.

Florida vs Kansas 9:00 ESPN
               Florida hasn't been playing great and is on a down talent year but this is a great opportunity for Chris Walker to live up to some of the hype vs a Kansas team with a solid group of future pros including by Alexander, Ellis, Selden, Mykhailuk and the under achieving Oubre.

Saturday Dec 6th

Arizona VS Gonzaga 5:15 ESPN
              These are two big teams with NBA prospects on both sides. For Arizona both Hollis-Jefferson and Johson are likely lottery picks. They also the PF Ashley and C Tarczewski who are likely 2nd round picks. Gonzaga has Sabonis as a solid 1st rd prospect at PF and a hand full of 2nd round guys including 6'9 Wiltjer and 7'1 Karnowski.

[slamtheking]

Just to throw this in from time to time here, C's are sitting with the 6th and 23rd picks right now.  Should be able to get a stud and a good role player out of this draft right now.  Picks figue to improve once NY, Detroit and everyone not Philly gets it together in the East.  Clips figure to slide a couple of spots when OKC gets rolling and the Eastern playoff teams start playing the weaker Eastern teams more frequently.

[CFAN38]

Games to watch this week,

Tonight

Duke vs Wisconsin 9:30 ESPN
                 Great game for NBA prospects. Okafor vs Kaminsky, Decker vs Winston and also    Tyus Jones at PG for duke

Friday Dec 5

Texas vs Kentucky 7:00 ESPN
               UKs bigs vs Turner and Ridley should be very interesting. This game will tell alot about Turner in the NBA.

Florida vs Kansas 9:00 ESPN
               Florida hasn't been playing great and is on a down talent year but this is a great opportunity for Chris Walker to live up to some of the hype vs a Kansas team with a solid group of future pros including by Alexander, Ellis, Selden, Mykhailuk and the under achieving Oubre.

Saturday Dec 6th

Arizona VS Gonzaga 5:15 ESPN
              These are two big teams with NBA prospects on both sides. For Arizona both Hollis-Jefferson and Johson are likely lottery picks. They also the PF Ashley and C Tarczewski who are likely 2nd round picks. Gonzaga has Sabonis as a solid 1st rd prospect at PF and a hand full of 2nd round guys including 6'9 Wiltjer and 7'1 Karnowski.

unexpected find after the Duke-Wisc game


Jakob Poeltl, the freshman big for Utah. Chad Ford mentioned him as a sleeper in his weekly chat. I stayed up to late to watch a little of him and was impressed. Granted Witchita lacks size inside but the kid was impressive. He is said to be a true 7' with 7'3" wingspan and 36" vertical. Not sure I believe the vertical but he is an athlete and runs the floor well for his size. I would comp him to a bigger longer more explosive T Zeller. He is certainly on DA radar as they play BYU on the 10th. I will be interested to see him vs Kansas on 13th and UNLV the 20th.

[CFAN38]

Just to throw this in from time to time here, C's are sitting with the 6th and 23rd picks right now.  Should be able to get a stud and a good role player out of this draft right now.  Picks figue to improve once NY, Detroit and everyone not Philly gets it together in the East.  Clips figure to slide a couple of spots when OKC gets rolling and the Eastern playoff teams start playing the weaker Eastern teams more frequently.

Per draft express Mock that would put the Cs right in range for both UK centers WCS at #9 and Dakari Johnson at #22. Either would be a nice addition.

[clover]

Just to throw this in from time to time here, C's are sitting with the 6th and 23rd picks right now.  Should be able to get a stud and a good role player out of this draft right now.  Picks figue to improve once NY, Detroit and everyone not Philly gets it together in the East.  Clips figure to slide a couple of spots when OKC gets rolling and the Eastern playoff teams start playing the weaker Eastern teams more frequently.

Per draft express Mock that would put the Cs right in range for both UK centers WCS at #9 and Dakari Johnson at #22. Either would be a nice addition.

I don't get the fascination with WCS on this board. He's old as a C prospect and very tall, yet he's at best a mediocre rebounder, and has no range--even out to the FT line.

I think I'd reach down to Myles Turner and his funny gait before I'd take Stein. (I also like Johnson.)

[TwinTower14]

Just to throw this in from time to time here, C's are sitting with the 6th and 23rd picks right now.  Should be able to get a stud and a good role player out of this draft right now.  Picks figue to improve once NY, Detroit and everyone not Philly gets it together in the East.  Clips figure to slide a couple of spots when OKC gets rolling and the Eastern playoff teams start playing the weaker Eastern teams more frequently.

Per draft express Mock that would put the Cs right in range for both UK centers WCS at #9 and Dakari Johnson at #22. Either would be a nice addition.

I don't get the fascination with WCS on this board. He's old as a C prospect and very tall, yet he's at best a mediocre rebounder, and has no range--even out to the FT line.

I think I'd reach down to Myles Turner and his funny gait before I'd take Stein.

WCS is so overrated on this board it's not even funny!  He will not be a good NBA player and Dakari Johnson will not be a good pro either.  No thanks to both of those guys.  People saying that WCS is like Tyson Chandler is just not true....

[CFAN38]

Just to throw this in from time to time here, C's are sitting with the 6th and 23rd picks right now.  Should be able to get a stud and a good role player out of this draft right now.  Picks figue to improve once NY, Detroit and everyone not Philly gets it together in the East.  Clips figure to slide a couple of spots when OKC gets rolling and the Eastern playoff teams start playing the weaker Eastern teams more frequently.

Per draft express Mock that would put the Cs right in range for both UK centers WCS at #9 and Dakari Johnson at #22. Either would be a nice addition.

I don't get the fascination with WCS on this board. He's old as a C prospect and very tall, yet he's at best a mediocre rebounder, and has no range--even out to the FT line.

I think I'd reach down to Myles Turner and his funny gait before I'd take Stein.

WCS is so overrated on this board it's not even funny!  He will not be a good NBA player and Dakari Johnson will not be a good pro either.  No thanks to both of those guys.  People saying that WCS is like Tyson Chandler is just not true....

WCS isn't a complete player no one will argue that he is. He is a specialist. It just so happens that his specialty (rim protection) is of high value in the NBA and the biggest need for the celtics. Aside from protecting the rim and blocking shots he also moves very well laterally. This is especially important in todays pick and role dominated NBA. Where a big man getting out on a smaller player and recovering to the rim is the base of a good D. Having a player with a physical profile in the mold of Ibaka/Sanders can change a defense

[CFAN38]

Just to throw this in from time to time here, C's are sitting with the 6th and 23rd picks right now.  Should be able to get a stud and a good role player out of this draft right now.  Picks figue to improve once NY, Detroit and everyone not Philly gets it together in the East.  Clips figure to slide a couple of spots when OKC gets rolling and the Eastern playoff teams start playing the weaker Eastern teams more frequently.

Per draft express Mock that would put the Cs right in range for both UK centers WCS at #9 and Dakari Johnson at #22. Either would be a nice addition.

I don't get the fascination with WCS on this board. He's old as a C prospect and very tall, yet he's at best a mediocre rebounder, and has no range--even out to the FT line.

I think I'd reach down to Myles Turner and his funny gait before I'd take Stein.

WCS is so overrated on this board it's not even funny!  He will not be a good NBA player and Dakari Johnson will not be a good pro either.  No thanks to both of those guys.  People saying that WCS is like Tyson Chandler is just not true....

I answered the WCS hate in the above post,

Why the Dakari Johnson hate? He doesnt have elite length but is a huge body who is a capable all around big man?

[clover]

Just to throw this in from time to time here, C's are sitting with the 6th and 23rd picks right now.  Should be able to get a stud and a good role player out of this draft right now.  Picks figue to improve once NY, Detroit and everyone not Philly gets it together in the East.  Clips figure to slide a couple of spots when OKC gets rolling and the Eastern playoff teams start playing the weaker Eastern teams more frequently.

Per draft express Mock that would put the Cs right in range for both UK centers WCS at #9 and Dakari Johnson at #22. Either would be a nice addition.

I don't get the fascination with WCS on this board. He's old as a C prospect and very tall, yet he's at best a mediocre rebounder, and has no range--even out to the FT line.

I think I'd reach down to Myles Turner and his funny gait before I'd take Stein.

WCS is so overrated on this board it's not even funny!  He will not be a good NBA player and Dakari Johnson will not be a good pro either.  No thanks to both of those guys.  People saying that WCS is like Tyson Chandler is just not true....

Johnson just turned 19 and seems to have really progressed over his first year. Solid rebounder and blocker. Improving on offense, assts, TOs, etc. What don't you like about his potential?

[Celtics4ever]

Johnson just turned 19 and seems to have really progressed over his first year. Solid rebounder and blocker. Improving on offense, assts, TOs, etc. What don't you like about his potential?

There are some folks who think the UK team this year could beat some NBA teams. 

The UK team has too much talent.  The talent could be there your just not seeing it as much as there is not enough playing time to go around.