Highest Potential/Upside Picks possibly available at #16?

[Chris]

I listened to an interesting Pod cast from Chris Ford last night. He made the point that the best upside picks are the guys with elite size for their position and above average athleticism. These are the guys who can develop well above their draft position. An example would be Paul George. As a SF he has average to above average athleticism to go along with a ridiculous 8'11 standing reach (average center is 9'-9'2").

Using that train of thought my highest upside guys would be..

Tony Snell, SG with PF reach (8'9.5") solid athlete, with great outside shot

and

Rudy Gobert, everyone knows he is freakishly long

Ledo, who some consider a PG could also fit that qualification.

[LooseCannon]

I listened to an interesting Pod cast from Chris Ford last night. He made the point that the best upside picks are the guys with elite size for their position and above average athleticism.

So, who is this year's Fab Melo?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Am I the only one here intrigued about the idea of drafting Mike Muscala?

Needs to add strength but is very skilled.

[clover]

Am I the only one here intrigued about the idea of drafting Mike Muscala?

Needs to add strength but is very skilled.

I'm surprised he's not talked up more.

[OhioGreen]

IMO this years Fab Melo is Steven Adams. Great physical tools, but not a lick of BB talent, and plays very passive. Now this is based on the 3/4 games I saw him play this year, but not impressive at all. REALLY hoping he is NOT our pick!!

[Celtics4ever]

Fab Melo was not a great athlete by any stretch.  His bench press was 9, his lane agility drill was 12.14, 3/4 court sprint 3.44, no step vert was 29, max vert was 31.  Adams is a better athlete and stronger.   Bench press was 16, his lane agility drill was 11.85, 3/4 court sprint 3.40, no step vert was 28.5, max vert was 33.  Adams is better in every category save no step vertical.

He may still be a bust but let's put to rest the myth that Fab Melo is a physical talent, he is not.

[hwangjini_1]

Am I the only one here intrigued about the idea of drafting Mike Muscala?

Needs to add strength but is very skilled.

I'm surprised he's not talked up more.

then let's do so. i just looked at draftexpress write up and videos. the kid looked very good. no weaknesses physically. very good offense, tall with long arms, rebounds great, blocks shots, boxes out really well, smart (academic all american), good defense...

so why is he rated low on everyone's board? DX says the only real question is the level of competition. can muscala play against top centers or not?

if he is available in the second round, ainge should buy a pick and take this guy. he looked really good on the video at least.

[sofutomygaha]

In terms of the specific skills he has shown, the skills he definitely lacks, overall mobility, and his bust potential, Rudy Gobert is the Fab Melo of this draft.

[CFAN38]

Fab Melo was not a great athlete by any stretch.  His bench press was 9, his lane agility drill was 12.14, 3/4 court sprint 3.44, no step vert was 29, max vert was 31.  Adams is a better athlete and stronger.   Bench press was 16, his lane agility drill was 11.85, 3/4 court sprint 3.40, no step vert was 28.5, max vert was 33.  Adams is better in every category save no step vertical.

He may still be a bust but let's put to rest the myth that Fab Melo is a physical talent, he is not.

I disagree, if he doesn't make it as a pro it will not be due to his physical abilities. Watching him play he moves very well for a 7' 250 lb guy. His physical talent is at the level of your average 7' nba starting center. It's not like he is a stiff like most 7' guys in college.

[Celtics18]

Adams.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

IMO this years Fab Melo is Steven Adams. Great physical tools, but not a lick of BB talent, and plays very passive. Now this is based on the 3/4 games I saw him play this year, but not impressive at all. REALLY hoping he is NOT our pick!!

He is very different. His footwork alone is miles ahead of Fab. Outside of Nerlens Noel (who moves like a freaking SF), I've never seen such quick footwork for a 7 footer, defensively of course.

He can effectively play pick and roll defense in an NBA level right away. His feel for the game defensively is miles ahead as well, he knows where and when to rotate, and can get back after giving hard shows on screens. Fab is still a head scratcher when it comes to that.

He's also younger, meaning he'll still grow physical wise, even though his strength is being lauded already by scouts.

Of course he's a ton of work offensively, but he'll be a much better prospect and an immediate contributor than Fab Melo is.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Am I the only one here intrigued about the idea of drafting Mike Muscala?

Needs to add strength but is very skilled.

I'm surprised he's not talked up more.

then let's do so. i just looked at draftexpress write up and videos. the kid looked very good. no weaknesses physically. very good offense, tall with long arms, rebounds great, blocks shots, boxes out really well, smart (academic all american), good defense...

so why is he rated low on everyone's board? DX says the only real question is the level of competition. can muscala play against top centers or not?

if he is available in the second round, ainge should buy a pick and take this guy. he looked really good on the video at least.

This is actually the big reason as to why teams are sort of looking down on him.

His strength is a BIG weakness. It seems that he can get pushed around. Big example, his play against Butler, he's being pushed around and out of position by again named Andrew Smith, a name who's not even on anyone's radar. If he can't even go toe to toe with this guy, strength wise, how can he on an NBA level?

Add to the fact that he's 22, and could have already grown into his man body.

His skills are exceptional though. Triple threat on the post, good shooting stroke and a decent motor, which is why i'm very intrigued.