Draft Express' latest has us picking Adams at 16.

[Boris Badenov]

wouldn't be a horrible pick as an investment for the future but that's just what he'd be -- an investment, not an immediate contributor

In a way I have to disagree.

He's a much better rebounder now than our previous investment named Fab Melo.

Calling Fab an "investment" is unfair to the concept of investing, which implies a payoff that comes in the future.

[Evantime34]

I would prefer Adams or even Dieng to Shabazz, but if we end up with Shabazz it will be good value and I won't complain... too much.

[Evantime34]

wouldn't be a horrible pick as an investment for the future but that's just what he'd be -- an investment, not an immediate contributor

In a way I have to disagree.

He's a much better rebounder now than our previous investment named Fab Melo.

Calling Fab an "investment" is unfair to the concept of investing, which implies a payoff that comes in the future.

Investing implies a potential future return.

[Celtics18]

I understand that Adams is somewhat raw, but his physique and his athleticism are absolutely elite.  He already looks much stronger and much less goofy on the court than Fab Melo. 

i wouldn't mind having both him and Melo on the roster next year and letting the two of them push each other for playing time. 

[SHAQATTACK]

rather have Dieng ...... Adams is another Fab Melo  ......no shaw sam or what ever  .

[Yoki_IsTheName]

wouldn't be a horrible pick as an investment for the future but that's just what he'd be -- an investment, not an immediate contributor

In a way I have to disagree.

He's a much better rebounder now than our previous investment named Fab Melo.

Calling Fab an "investment" is unfair to the concept of investing, which implies a payoff that comes in the future.

Sometime you fail when you invest, it's still an investment. Jury is still out on Fab though.

[Boris Badenov]

wouldn't be a horrible pick as an investment for the future but that's just what he'd be -- an investment, not an immediate contributor

In a way I have to disagree.

He's a much better rebounder now than our previous investment named Fab Melo.

Calling Fab an "investment" is unfair to the concept of investing, which implies a payoff that comes in the future.

Sometime you fail when you invest, it's still an investment. Jury is still out on Fab though.

I guess no one got the joke. I was implying that there is no uncertainty at all in Fab's case, and never has been. Picking him was like putting $5 million in a big pile and burning it.

I hope I'm wrong, for what that's worth.

[kozlodoev]

has us picking Adams at 16.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2013/

That guy has been my favorite for awhile now.  I think Steven Adams is a pick with a lot of potential.

Isn't Adams just this year's version of Fab Melo? My recollection is that his basketball experience is limited, and he's still not even remotely NBA-ready.

Also, 44% FT shooting ... ouch.

[Kevin OConnor]

has us picking Adams at 16.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2013/

That guy has been my favorite for awhile now.  I think Steven Adams is a pick with a lot of potential.

Isn't Adams just this year's version of Fab Melo? My recollection is that his basketball experience is limited, and he's still not even remotely NBA-ready.

Also, 44% FT shooting ... ouch.

Yes, he is.

[relja]

I would take Shabbazz instead of a 2013 version of Fab, thank you.

[CFAN38]

wouldn't be a horrible pick as an investment for the future but that's just what he'd be -- an investment, not an immediate contributor

In a way I have to disagree.

He's a much better rebounder now than our previous investment named Fab Melo. He has quicker footwork and played man defense in college and knows how to rotate on defense already, he can pick up the defensive system in no time. His pick and roll defense is excellent.

He's physically NBA ready to. No way he'll be a big piece at this stage, but I think with his tools he can provide us with some 10-12 minute grind where he rebounds, sets good picks and play the pick and roll defense.

I do think adams is a marginally better prospect than fab, but he is not ready to play at all next season. If he is picked he will be on the same d-league plan fab is on. The hope would be they both develop and the cs have two cheap young defensive centers.

[Boris Badenov]

wouldn't be a horrible pick as an investment for the future but that's just what he'd be -- an investment, not an immediate contributor

In a way I have to disagree.

He's a much better rebounder now than our previous investment named Fab Melo. He has quicker footwork and played man defense in college and knows how to rotate on defense already, he can pick up the defensive system in no time. His pick and roll defense is excellent.

He's physically NBA ready to. No way he'll be a big piece at this stage, but I think with his tools he can provide us with some 10-12 minute grind where he rebounds, sets good picks and play the pick and roll defense.

I do think adams is a marginally better prospect than fab, but he is not ready to play at all next season. If he is picked he will be on the same d-league plan fab is on. The hope would be they both develop and the cs have two cheap young defensive centers.

In some ways they are actually quite similar statistically, and in terms of physical profile. More similar than I thought:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Fab-Melo-5715/stats/

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Steven-Adams-6301/

The big difference, of course, is that at the time of the draft last year Melo was 21, and Adams is 19. Adams seems to be viewed as having more potential for improvement.

[StartOrien]

To me, the guy doesn't past the eye test.

Has a good NBA body, but the complete lack of fluidity in his game is concerning. Seems like he's laboring with every motion.

[bfrombleacher]

Who else is fine with this?

I am.

[Celtics18]

wouldn't be a horrible pick as an investment for the future but that's just what he'd be -- an investment, not an immediate contributor

In a way I have to disagree.

He's a much better rebounder now than our previous investment named Fab Melo. He has quicker footwork and played man defense in college and knows how to rotate on defense already, he can pick up the defensive system in no time. His pick and roll defense is excellent.

He's physically NBA ready to. No way he'll be a big piece at this stage, but I think with his tools he can provide us with some 10-12 minute grind where he rebounds, sets good picks and play the pick and roll defense.

I do think adams is a marginally better prospect than fab, but he is not ready to play at all next season. If he is picked he will be on the same d-league plan fab is on. The hope would be they both develop and the cs have two cheap young defensive centers.

In some ways they are actually quite similar statistically, and in terms of physical profile. More similar than I thought:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Fab-Melo-5715/stats/

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Steven-Adams-6301/

The big difference, of course, is that at the time of the draft last year Melo was 21, and Adams is 19. Adams seems to be viewed as having more potential for improvement.

Adams looks stronger, faster, more agile and more athletic to me.  And, he's only 19.  I haven't given up on Fab yet, but my take is that Adams has considerably more upside. 

I wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be one of the best pros in this draft, and I wouldn't be surprised if he contributes in his rookie year.