2013 draft revisited

[Joe Green]

I'm fine with KO as the pick.
For those hating on Giannis, he's probably the most valuable trade chip/asset out of all those 2013 picks.

Remember that Lebron couldn't really shoot a lick from the outside for his first 8 or 9 seasons in the NBA- but he could get to the line and in the paint at will by freight training his way through offense. Giannis in theory should be able to do the same but with less force and more agility.

Giannis vs Anthony Davis in epic 7 game playoff action.

A. I am not "hating" on the Gianis pick. I think he is a top 5 pick from that draft
B. I am surprised that some people who love Gianis and Gobert for their potential knock Steven Adams who is nearly as rare a physical specimen (huge, long arms + Linebacker strong and lean as a runner)
C. As for Gianis and his shot - he is no where near Lebron shooting level even at the same age
D. Comparing him to Anthony Davis, a potential MVP this year is a stretch. Find me 2 back to back games he has played well so far. He could be the best player of that draft in 5 years from now - but it is far from certain....

[rollie mass]

gotta give KO alot of credit-adjusting to nba bigs and power forwards with strength and speed and with his early season sprain-kellys shooting and movement this year from setting screens.,passing  and his shot seems almost effortless -he is light years from last years rookie-

[chambers]

I'm fine with KO as the pick.
For those hating on Giannis, he's probably the most valuable trade chip/asset out of all those 2013 picks.

Remember that Lebron couldn't really shoot a lick from the outside for his first 8 or 9 seasons in the NBA- but he could get to the line and in the paint at will by freight training his way through offense. Giannis in theory should be able to do the same but with less force and more agility.

Giannis vs Anthony Davis in epic 7 game playoff action.

A. I am not "hating" on the Gianis pick. I think he is a top 5 pick from that draft
B. I am surprised that some people who love Gianis and Gobert for their potential knock Steven Adams who is nearly as rare a physical specimen (huge, long arms + Linebacker strong and lean as a runner)
C. As for Gianis and his shot - he is no where near Lebron shooting level even at the same age
D. Comparing him to Anthony Davis, a potential MVP this year is a stretch. Find me 2 back to back games he has played well so far. He could be the best player of that draft in 5 years from now - but it is far from certain....

I agree with everything you've said. Personally I think Stephen Adams has the potential to be an All Star and I wanted him as our pick- mainly because I know how athletic and insanely strong the Maori native New Zealanders are. (I'm Australian and was slightly biased towards the New Zealander). His defense looks like it could be game changing for the Thunder- him and Ibaka could be a nightmare.

[Joe Green]

I agree with everything you've said. Personally I think Stephen Adams has the potential to be an All Star and I wanted him as our pick- mainly because I know how athletic and insanely strong the Maori native New Zealanders are. (I'm Australian and was slightly biased towards the New Zealander). His defense looks like it could be game changing for the Thunder- him and Ibaka could be a nightmare.

What strikes me about him is he is so frikkin huge (he looks like 275 lbs to me) and has good hands. He is like 80% accuracy around the rim (take a look at the putback highlight from last night) and he is actually averaging 2.5 steals in the pre-season.

People get caught up in length (which is important in basketball.. don't get me wrong). The greatest rebounders and defenders however use strength and skill .

[Lucky17]

Anyone see the Cavs-Bucks game last night? I just looked at the box score.

Antetokounmpo's line: 23 minutes, 0-5 from the field, 0 assists, 0 steals. He managed as many fouls (5) as he did rebounds and blocks combined (4 and 1).

Can someone tell me he actually had more of an impact on the game than those numbers indicate?

[rondohondo]

Anyone see the Cavs-Bucks game last night? I just looked at the box score.

Antetokounmpo's line: 23 minutes, 0-5 from the field, 0 assists, 0 steals. He managed as many fouls (5) as he did rebounds and blocks combined (4 and 1).

Can someone tell me he actually had more of an impact on the game than those numbers indicate?

Didn't see it , but they started him at PG . He is a SF , but now they have Jabari there . They need to bring him off the bench or use him as a SG in the starting lineup .

[Lucky17]

Anyone see the Cavs-Bucks game last night? I just looked at the box score.

Antetokounmpo's line: 23 minutes, 0-5 from the field, 0 assists, 0 steals. He managed as many fouls (5) as he did rebounds and blocks combined (4 and 1).

Can someone tell me he actually had more of an impact on the game than those numbers indicate?

Didn't see it , but they started him at PG . He is a SF , but now they have Jabari there . They need to bring him off the bench or use him as a SG in the starting lineup .

The PG experiment was what I was getting after (see earlier this thread).

[Csfan1984]

Anyone see the Cavs-Bucks game last night? I just looked at the box score.

Antetokounmpo's line: 23 minutes, 0-5 from the field, 0 assists, 0 steals. He managed as many fouls (5) as he did rebounds and blocks combined (4 and 1).

Can someone tell me he actually had more of an impact on the game than those numbers indicate?

He looked slower to me than the highlights I've watch posted. And other than pushing the ball up he can't help run the offense. Movement without the ball is also an issue. But that last one could be coaching.

Do have to say Henson looking good.  Sweet hook shots on offense and a lot of length to blanket guys on defense.

[aingeforthree]

I was indifferent when we took KO. Last year I thought danny made a mistake early on by missing out on the Greek freak for a guy who I thought would ever start for us.

However I think KO has ability and a unique skill set for a guy his size. I think he could be a top five player from the draft and maybe even the best player from this draft as long he gets stronger, continues to improve his jumper, and quicken his first step.

I'm optimistic about KO this year and in the future. Currently happy with the pick.

On another note I'm highly suspicious about the Greek freaks ability to be an NBA pg.

Not only does KO have the unique skill set, it looks like he's got the work ethic to become great as well.  I really like what he did with his body over the offseason and that leads you to believe he actually cares about getting better.

With those qualities, sky's the limit for this player.  Great pick.

he is a really weak defender . I see him as a role player . Sully has more upside IMO

Sully has definite upside, no doubt.  Kelly will have to learn the defensive side of things, and he can.  It won't come in one season.  Not in this league.

With the way he's worked on his body, it looks like he's up for the task.

[aingeforthree]

Anyone see the Cavs-Bucks game last night? I just looked at the box score.

Antetokounmpo's line: 23 minutes, 0-5 from the field, 0 assists, 0 steals. He managed as many fouls (5) as he did rebounds and blocks combined (4 and 1).

Can someone tell me he actually had more of an impact on the game than those numbers indicate?

Like Kelly did a year ago, Giannis has a ways to go to work on his body.  He keeps on growing, which is great, but won't be so great if he doesn't fill out.  At least not in this league.  He's got to put some meat on the bones and he's still so young he'll have every chance to do so year after year.

You've drafted potential here that has a ways to go.  Sort of similar to Ainge's James Young pick.  You can't gauge these players after year 1.  They need 3-4 years in this league and to age.

The one thing with KO that you really have to like right now is the way he worked this offseason.  He really worked on his body, and it shows.  He's willing to put in the work to improve on his game, and that body comes first at his position.  This will help him down the road defending, etc.  He'll just keep getting better.

[Celtics18]

Giannis, much to my dismay, stunk up the joint last night.  He's a joy to watch when he get the opportunity to push the ball in the open court.  He didn't get many of those opportunities last night. 

I don't think J-Kidd will actually play him at point much once the season actually starts.  He definitely needs to improve his awareness off the ball to be an effective player.

He's nineteen years old and is clearly an exciting prospect, but he's got a bunch of stuff to learn before becoming a good pro. 

[wiley]

The only guy that keeps me up at night from that draft is Dieng.

[Celtics4ever]

Giannis has a ways to go to work on his body.

He has potential but his skillset is very low at present.

[Celtics18]

Giannis has a ways to go to work on his body.

He has potential but his skillset is very low at present.

I disagree.  He's got some fairly advanced passing and ball handling skills.  He's also a decent finisher at the rim.

His court awareness and overall feel for the game definitely need improvement, though, as does his outside jumper.

[LarBrd33]

I continue to have a feeling a lot of guys from that draft are going to redeem themselves.