Nikola Vucevic, USC

[erisred]

Funny, NBAdraft.net has him at #43, while DraftExpress has him at #21. Heck of a range there.

In this draft the difference in quality between 15 and 40 is likely to be very small. I think there will be good players scattered all up and down the draft from 1 to 60...no real stars, but good rotation quality players. The problem is going to be picking the ones that pan out and avoiding the ones that don't pan out.

[CeltsAcumen]

I get where you are going with him, and I can see the upside to his game.  However, I think the Celts can either trade up in the 2nd round and not waste a 1st or see if he falls to the Celts 2nd round pick.  

Folks are saying he could go as high as Philly or New York at 16 or 17, I would be shocked if he made it out of the first round, and surprised if he made it to 25.

Really?  wow, never thought he was that good.  No way he gets drafted before the Morris Twins and I value them mid to late 1sts.  I ve seen USC play about 5 times live this season and as I said he has upside, but he is not, imo, a 1st round pick.  He cannot guard anyone who has quickness.

One site said some scouts thought Vucevic looked as good as Kanter and Kanter is projected to be one of the top five picks.  So either Kanter wasn't impressive in workouts, which I heard he was, or Vucevic has been flying a bit under the radar.  

The guy has offensive skills, I just doubt he is tough enough to guard an NBA center or quick enough to stop a NBA forward.  

Kanter is the exact opposite.  Huge rebounder and inside defender who can guard both PFs and Cs, there is plenty of tape from the summer to support his size, strength and quickness.  

[CeltsAcumen]

Let me add just one thing about Kanter v. Vucevic, if Kantor plays for Kentucky, they win the Ncaa tourney by 30 pts easy, nobody touches them.

[Silent Storm]

Here are the athletic testing results from the combine. Vucevic and Jordan Williams did not look good: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2011-NBA-Combine-Athletic-Testing-Results-3725/

[kozlodoev]

Here are the athletic testing results from the combine. Vucevic and Jordan Williams did not look good: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2011-NBA-Combine-Athletic-Testing-Results-3725/

I am not sure why you think Vucevic didn't look good. He ranked near the bottom in vertical and lange agility drills, which is not unexpected or surprising for someone who is 7 ft, 260 lbs.

[Cman]

Here are the athletic testing results from the combine. Vucevic and Jordan Williams did not look good: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2011-NBA-Combine-Athletic-Testing-Results-3725/

I am not sure why you think Vucevic didn't look good. He ranked near the bottom in vertical and lange agility drills, which is not unexpected or surprising for someone who is 7 ft, 260 lbs.

Agreed.
Here is the appropriate comparison:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?year=All&sort2=DESC&draft=100&pos=5&source=All&sort=10

FWIW, Vucevic is as agile as LaMarcus Aldridge, has the same standing vertical jump as Chris Kaman, and a better max vertical than Chris Bosh....

[kozlodoev]

Here are the athletic testing results from the combine. Vucevic and Jordan Williams did not look good: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2011-NBA-Combine-Athletic-Testing-Results-3725/

I am not sure why you think Vucevic didn't look good. He ranked near the bottom in vertical and lange agility drills, which is not unexpected or surprising for someone who is 7 ft, 260 lbs.

Agreed.
Here is the appropriate comparison:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?year=All&sort2=DESC&draft=100&pos=5&source=All&sort=10

FWIW, Vucevic is as agile as LaMarcus Aldridge, has the same standing vertical jump as Chris Kaman, and a better max vertical than Chris Bosh....

Yes, and have in mind that "ranking near the bottom" is relative to who else was in the draft -- and Vucevic was the biggest player by far (tallest, highest standing reach, second heaviest).

[ctrey]

I guess Vucevic could be a decent pick. I would rather see us get an athletic 4 or 2. The best defender/finisher available. I am hoping we buy an extra pick between say 17 and 22 from a cash strapped team. Ainge seems to draft better than any other part of his job as GM.

[Cman]

I guess Vucevic could be a decent pick. I would rather see us get an athletic 4 or 2. The best defender/finisher available. I am hoping we buy an extra pick between say 17 and 22 from a cash strapped team. Ainge seems to draft better than any other part of his job as GM.

I think his drafting in the 2nd round is better than any other part of his job as GM, but it seems to me that his 1st round drafting is on par with his FA signings -- he takes gambles that don't always pay off.

So, if he's going to purchase anything, i'd rather he purchase a mid-high 2nd rounder than a 1st rounder.

[kozlodoev]

I guess Vucevic could be a decent pick. I would rather see us get an athletic 4 or 2. The best defender/finisher available. I am hoping we buy an extra pick between say 17 and 22 from a cash strapped team. Ainge seems to draft better than any other part of his job as GM.

I think his drafting in the 2nd round is better than any other part of his job as GM, but it seems to me that his 1st round drafting is on par with his FA signings -- he takes gambles that don't always pay off.

So, if he's going to purchase anything, i'd rather he purchase a mid-high 2nd rounder than a 1st rounder.

The entire drafting process is a gamble that doesn't always pay off.

[kn 99]

dont mind him, rather look at defensive bigs. He is a good rebounder though, which is a huge need.

[CaptainJackLee]

I saw him in the U20 European Championships in Greece like 2 years ago and he was soft as pillows and not particularly athletic. He must have improved a lot if he's being talked as a NBA prospect.