The perils of the 6th/7th lottery slots

[Sully7]

I think we have 2 studs in this draft, Embid, Parker, 2 potential studs in Exum and Parker and a group of solid starters in Randle, Noah V., Harris, Smart, Ennis, Gordon.

The big problem I see with a pick out of the top 5 is that we are suddenly looking at power forwards and point guards.   Obviously we'll take the best player available but where this pick falls might decide a great deal of how Ainge moves this team forward.

[hpantazo]

i think the Jazz and the Kings move up in the standings, especially if they can get healthy.

i predict another big losing streak again for the C's (showcase time is over!). Agree that LA is a complete wildcard. I don't think losing Blake will hurt because Marshall is there, but i don't see either Kobe or Nash returning this year.

Nash is already back.

[kozlodoev]

i think the Jazz and the Kings move up in the standings, especially if they can get healthy.

i predict another big losing streak again for the C's (showcase time is over!). Agree that LA is a complete wildcard. I don't think losing Blake will hurt because Marshall is there, but i don't see either Kobe or Nash returning this year.

Nash is already back.

The Lakers didn't "lose" Blake, they got rid of him:

GM Mitch Kupchak said one of the reasons he traded Steve Blake was to "free up some time in the backcourt to look at Jordan [Farmar] and give Kendall [Marshall] the time that he's earned."

[TwinTower14]

I think we have 2 studs in this draft, Embid, Parker, 2 potential studs in Exum and Parker and a group of solid starters in Randle, Noah V., Harris, Smart, Ennis, Gordon.

The big problem I see with a pick out of the top 5 is that we are suddenly looking at power forwards and point guards.   Obviously we'll take the best player available but where this pick falls might decide a great deal of how Ainge moves this team forward.

You are forgetting Wiggins, not sure if you follow college hoops but he has been a different player than the guy that started the season.  A lot more aggressive etc.  Him and Embiid have the highest upside of anyone in this draft.  Don't sleep on Vonleh either, I believe he is a year younger than most because he reclassified.  This draft doesn't have a Lebron or Durant but they have 6-7 potential All-Stars that would be a real nice fit next to Rondo and Sully...

[Smokeeye123]

Should of traded Bass for a loaf of bread and given more time to Olynyk. Might of been ablt to crack top 4 instead I think we will max out the tank with the 5th worst record. (SAC is capable of winning some games)

[kozlodoev]

I think we have 2 studs in this draft, Embid, Parker, 2 potential studs in Exum and Parker and a group of solid starters in Randle, Noah V., Harris, Smart, Ennis, Gordon.

So is Parker a stud or a potential stud?

[Spicoli]

I've just about given up hope that the C's will land the first overall pick, or even a top 5 pick. The C's are too well coached to lose as many games as the Bucks, Magic, and Sixers of the world. If they end up drafting 6th or 7th, we just have to hope that player meshes with Rondo, Sullinger and Green because it looks like that's the core that they will be building around.

[Nerf DPOY]

I'm guessing Sully7 meant to type Wiggins the first time.

Or it could be a statement about the many moods of Jabari Parker.

[Boris Badenov]

i think the Jazz and the Kings move up in the standings, especially if they can get healthy.

i predict another big losing streak again for the C's (showcase time is over!). Agree that LA is a complete wildcard. I don't think losing Blake will hurt because Marshall is there, but i don't see either Kobe or Nash returning this year.

Nash is already back.

He's out again.

[guava_wrench]

i think the Jazz and the Kings move up in the standings, especially if they can get healthy.

i predict another big losing streak again for the C's (showcase time is over!). Agree that LA is a complete wildcard. I don't think losing Blake will hurt because Marshall is there, but i don't see either Kobe or Nash returning this year.

Nash is already back.

The Lakers didn't "lose" Blake, they got rid of him:

GM Mitch Kupchak said one of the reasons he traded Steve Blake was to "free up some time in the backcourt to look at Jordan [Farmar] and give Kendall [Marshall] the time that he's earned."

Kupchak is just polishing a turd with that explanation. That is just spin. Freeing up time for Farmar? Really?

[kozlodoev]

i think the Jazz and the Kings move up in the standings, especially if they can get healthy.

i predict another big losing streak again for the C's (showcase time is over!). Agree that LA is a complete wildcard. I don't think losing Blake will hurt because Marshall is there, but i don't see either Kobe or Nash returning this year.

Nash is already back.

The Lakers didn't "lose" Blake, they got rid of him:

GM Mitch Kupchak said one of the reasons he traded Steve Blake was to "free up some time in the backcourt to look at Jordan [Farmar] and give Kendall [Marshall] the time that he's earned."

Kupchak is just polishing a turd with that explanation. That is just spin. Freeing up time for Farmar? Really?

Farmar was clearly more efficient than Blake this season before he got hurt. And there's pretty much no disputing Marshall's starting role right now.

[slamtheking]

I'm feeling that it's more and more likely that if the C's finish out of the top 4, Danny will probably trade that pick for an established all-star level player at SG or C to fill a need.  obviously some other pieces would be involved but that's the gist.

if it's in the top 4, Danny takes whoever's left of Embiid, Parker, Wiggins, Exum

[saltlover]

I think we have 2 studs in this draft, Embid, Parker, 2 potential studs in Exum and Parker and a group of solid starters in Randle, Noah V., Harris, Smart, Ennis, Gordon.

The big problem I see with a pick out of the top 5 is that we are suddenly looking at power forwards and point guards.   Obviously we'll take the best player available but where this pick falls might decide a great deal of how Ainge moves this team forward.

You are forgetting Wiggins, not sure if you follow college hoops but he has been a different player than the guy that started the season.  A lot more aggressive etc.  Him and Embiid have the highest upside of anyone in this draft.  Don't sleep on Vonleh either, I believe he is a year younger than most because he reclassified.  This draft doesn't have a Lebron or Durant but they have 6-7 potential All-Stars that would be a real nice fit next to Rondo and Sully...

I assumed that since he mentioned Parker twice, one of those Parkers was Wiggins.  For my taste, Wiggins has moved back to my #1 over Embiid.

Vonleh is young for a freshman (turns 19 in August).  Wiggins turns 19 on Sunday, so he's not old for a freshman, and probably in the younger half.  Parker turns 19 in March.  Embiid turns 20 in March, and is one of the older freshmen out there.

[Fafnir]

I'm feeling that it's more and more likely that if the C's finish out of the top 4, Danny will probably trade that pick for an established all-star level player at SG or C to fill a need.  obviously some other pieces would be involved but that's the gist.

if it's in the top 4, Danny takes whoever's left of Embiid, Parker, Wiggins, Exum

While he did that with Pierce/Allen last time we "tanked" I wouldn't assume it'll work out again.

I think he could easily try the same, but it takes a lot of circumstances coming together.

[BigAlTheFuture]

Had a dream last night about the draft. We finished with the 8th spot but Wiggins fell and was available when we were up to pick.... and Danny PASSED on him. I remember throwing stuff at the TV in my dream. Wonder what it meant.