It's too early to talk draft but some positive observations

[Sixth Man]

How about WCS and one of Dakari/Kaminsky/Upshaw?  I'm feeling hungry for centers these days.

No chance, IMO. Ainge and Stevens may draft one center and one scorer. I don't know the order of the picks, it depends of our position. If they can't pick Okafor, Towns (both very unlikely) and WCS (much possible), I see them drafting someone like Hezonja or Winslow and using the second pick to grab Dakari or Kaminsky.

I also think your scenario is very possible.  SF would be a nice place to staff with a stud young prospect.

[krumeto]

Along with Wash vs Stanford some other games to check out today

Kansas vs UNLV @ 4:30 on CBS

With Oubre getting court time this is an interesting matchup. UNLV features a 1st rd pick caliber freshman SG in Vaughn, a 1st round caliber long athletic 4 in Woods and a 6'10 young rim protector in Okonboh. The latter of the two will also show how Alexander handles nba level length.

UCLA vs Utah @ 4:00 on Pac 12

This game will show Poeltl vs NBA length in Looney

Has anyone watched some of the games? I'd be interested in feedback on Poeltl, Looney, Upshaw or Oubre.

By the way, great thread and thank you for keeping us posted CFAN38.

[clover]

How about WCS and one of Dakari/Kaminsky/Upshaw?  I'm feeling hungry for centers these days.

No chance, IMO. Ainge and Stevens may draft one center and one scorer. I don't know the order of the picks, it depends of our position. If they can't pick Okafor, Towns (both very unlikely) and WCS (much possible), I see them drafting someone like Hezonja or Winslow and using the second pick to grab Dakari or Kaminsky.

I also think your scenario is very possible.  SF would be a nice place to staff with a stud young prospect.

No interest in Myles Turner if they can't reach the top tier?

[TwinTower14]

Looks like Oubre is starting to settle in and play well. If the C's can land a big, I wouldn't mind Winslow, Johnson or Oubre....

[jonaslopes]

How about WCS and one of Dakari/Kaminsky/Upshaw?  I'm feeling hungry for centers these days.

No chance, IMO. Ainge and Stevens may draft one center and one scorer. I don't know the order of the picks, it depends of our position. If they can't pick Okafor, Towns (both very unlikely) and WCS (much possible), I see them drafting someone like Hezonja or Winslow and using the second pick to grab Dakari or Kaminsky.

I also think your scenario is very possible.  SF would be a nice place to staff with a stud young prospect.

No interest in Myles Turner if they can't reach the top tier?

Maybe, but I still think he's way too thin, and too much a PF-style.

[CFAN38]

Along with Wash vs Stanford some other games to check out today

Kansas vs UNLV @ 4:30 on CBS

With Oubre getting court time this is an interesting matchup. UNLV features a 1st rd pick caliber freshman SG in Vaughn, a 1st round caliber long athletic 4 in Woods and a 6'10 young rim protector in Okonboh. The latter of the two will also show how Alexander handles nba level length.

UCLA vs Utah @ 4:00 on Pac 12

This game will show Poeltl vs NBA length in Looney

Family obligations limited my bball viewing this weekend but I did catch a little of Kansas vs UNLV and Wash vs Stan

Upshaw is a unit. For being clearly 265+ lbs he runs the floor well and stays active tracking down lose balls. He is very long and contests/blocks alot of shots by barley jumping or not jumping at all. This allows him to not fall for fakes and stay in position for 2nd blocks. The negative I see with him are a general lack of athleticism his length allows him to finish around the rim but he does so with little explosiveness. On offense he has good body control and can even handle the ball some but his moves seem slow and calculated. His hands arnt great he had a couple of passes that he bobbled but i didn't see any that he clearly lost. I think his comp would be DeSagana Diop and the highest his ceiling could reach would be Hibbert (and this may be a stretch) . I would place him behind Johnson and Poeltl in the center prospect rankings due to lower ceiling but I think he will be a solid long term NBA backup/rotation player. The right system would help him (ex would be great back up to Chander or in OKC rotation)

The very little I saw of Kansas vs UNLV was highlighted by Seldon getting hot and nailing a bunch of 3s to start the game. Looking at the stat line Oubre stayed very involved playing 35 min and though he didnt shoot well 3-10 he did have 10rb and 3 as. At least he stayed active while not shooting well. Another guy who really stood out to me was Christian Wood. He has great length at the 4 and is comfortable shooting college 3s. He really needs to add strength but seems like a kid who could shoot up the draft board.

 

[wiley]

Along with Wash vs Stanford some other games to check out today

Kansas vs UNLV @ 4:30 on CBS

With Oubre getting court time this is an interesting matchup. UNLV features a 1st rd pick caliber freshman SG in Vaughn, a 1st round caliber long athletic 4 in Woods and a 6'10 young rim protector in Okonboh. The latter of the two will also show how Alexander handles nba level length.

UCLA vs Utah @ 4:00 on Pac 12

This game will show Poeltl vs NBA length in Looney

Has anyone watched some of the games? I'd be interested in feedback on Poeltl, Looney, Upshaw or Oubre.

By the way, great thread and thank you for keeping us posted CFAN38.

Looney seems a bit under the radar in terms of blogger discussion.  A SF/PF who is between 4 and 6 on at least 2 mocks...seems like an appealing player who would fit the current Celtics style.  Wonder what he's got over Stanley J. and K. Winslow in the eyes of some of these mockers, other than the versatility to play the 4 as well, which some may view as tweenerism.  Seems unlikely to me that he'll go ahead of either Johnson or Winslow, but he must be a real good player.  I feel like every year some players are artificially placed high on mocks to allow for late mock season risers and fallers.  Am I right that that's a pattern and is he one of those or is Looney the real deal?  I haven't seen him play so I second your request for reportage on some of Looney's games!

[CFAN38]

Along with Wash vs Stanford some other games to check out today

Kansas vs UNLV @ 4:30 on CBS

With Oubre getting court time this is an interesting matchup. UNLV features a 1st rd pick caliber freshman SG in Vaughn, a 1st round caliber long athletic 4 in Woods and a 6'10 young rim protector in Okonboh. The latter of the two will also show how Alexander handles nba level length.

UCLA vs Utah @ 4:00 on Pac 12

This game will show Poeltl vs NBA length in Looney

Has anyone watched some of the games? I'd be interested in feedback on Poeltl, Looney, Upshaw or Oubre.

By the way, great thread and thank you for keeping us posted CFAN38.

Looney seems a bit under the radar in terms of blogger discussion.  A SF/PF who is between 4 and 6 on at least 2 mocks...seems like an appealing player who would fit the current Celtics style.  Wonder what he's got over Stanley J. and K. Winslow in the eyes of some of these mockers, other than the versatility to play the 4 as well, which some may view as tweenerism.  Seems unlikely to me that he'll go ahead of either Johnson or Winslow, but he must be a real good player.  I feel like every year some players are artificially placed high on mocks to allow for late mock season risers and fallers.  Am I right that that's a pattern and is he one of those or is Looney the real deal?  I haven't seen him play so I second your request for reportage on some of Looney's games!

I didn't watch UCLA take a beating from Utah but have seen a couple UCLA games this year. My view of Looney is that he may be one of the 3-4 biggest upside guys in this draft but that's with alot of perimeter development. He has the body to be a star SF in the NBA but right now his game looks to be that of the dreaded athletic 4-3. I see him as a guy who will have three potential paths in the NBA.

1. Stays his current course and be an athletic hustle 4 who can defend big 3s

2. Bulk up and be a true face up 4 (terrance Jones style)

3. Add a consistent outside shot and be a stud

compared to Winslow and Johnson he will need more development. Those two could walk into an NBA game today and defend the perimeter and have a set role. Looney will take time.

[CFAN38]

also wanted to point out my new favorite guard prospect,

I know he has been mentioned before but


Jerian Grant,

I made the mistake of thinking he was a SG. I failed to notice that he averages 6AST a game and only 1.6 TO. As a PG prospect I really like this kid. He can shoot (35% from 3, 78%FT), has great size 6'5 200lbs, is very athletic (see video below), and comes from an NBA family. Seems like a great fit if he is available at the 76ers pick. I can see him as a bench 1/2 in the reggie jackson mold. I would put his floor at Etwan Moore.

[Evantime34]

Along with Wash vs Stanford some other games to check out today

Kansas vs UNLV @ 4:30 on CBS

With Oubre getting court time this is an interesting matchup. UNLV features a 1st rd pick caliber freshman SG in Vaughn, a 1st round caliber long athletic 4 in Woods and a 6'10 young rim protector in Okonboh. The latter of the two will also show how Alexander handles nba level length.

UCLA vs Utah @ 4:00 on Pac 12

This game will show Poeltl vs NBA length in Looney

Has anyone watched some of the games? I'd be interested in feedback on Poeltl, Looney, Upshaw or Oubre.

By the way, great thread and thank you for keeping us posted CFAN38.

Looney seems a bit under the radar in terms of blogger discussion.  A SF/PF who is between 4 and 6 on at least 2 mocks...seems like an appealing player who would fit the current Celtics style.  Wonder what he's got over Stanley J. and K. Winslow in the eyes of some of these mockers, other than the versatility to play the 4 as well, which some may view as tweenerism.  Seems unlikely to me that he'll go ahead of either Johnson or Winslow, but he must be a real good player.  I feel like every year some players are artificially placed high on mocks to allow for late mock season risers and fallers.  Am I right that that's a pattern and is he one of those or is Looney the real deal?  I haven't seen him play so I second your request for reportage on some of Looney's games!

My concern with Looney is that I think he is more of a long athletic rebounding 4 than a 3. If in the pre draft work outs he proves himself to have some perimeter skills he hasn't showcased at UCLA then I'm all for drafting him with our first pick. With our first selection I will be upset if we don't go center or small forward since there are a lot of good prospects at those positions.

[BleedGreen1989]

Along with Wash vs Stanford some other games to check out today

Kansas vs UNLV @ 4:30 on CBS

With Oubre getting court time this is an interesting matchup. UNLV features a 1st rd pick caliber freshman SG in Vaughn, a 1st round caliber long athletic 4 in Woods and a 6'10 young rim protector in Okonboh. The latter of the two will also show how Alexander handles nba level length.

UCLA vs Utah @ 4:00 on Pac 12

This game will show Poeltl vs NBA length in Looney

Has anyone watched some of the games? I'd be interested in feedback on Poeltl, Looney, Upshaw or Oubre.

By the way, great thread and thank you for keeping us posted CFAN38.

Looney seems a bit under the radar in terms of blogger discussion.  A SF/PF who is between 4 and 6 on at least 2 mocks...seems like an appealing player who would fit the current Celtics style.  Wonder what he's got over Stanley J. and K. Winslow in the eyes of some of these mockers, other than the versatility to play the 4 as well, which some may view as tweenerism.  Seems unlikely to me that he'll go ahead of either Johnson or Winslow, but he must be a real good player.  I feel like every year some players are artificially placed high on mocks to allow for late mock season risers and fallers.  Am I right that that's a pattern and is he one of those or is Looney the real deal?  I haven't seen him play so I second your request for reportage on some of Looney's games!

My concern with Looney is that I think he is more of a long athletic rebounding 4 than a 3. If in the pre draft work outs he proves himself to have some perimeter skills he hasn't showcased at UCLA then I'm all for drafting him with our first pick. With our first selection I will be upset if we don't go center or small forward since there are a lot of good prospects at those positions.

This draft does appear "top heavy" at the center position as well. Okafor, Towns, WCS, and Turner all seem like interesting options.

[D Dub]

The big from St Johns looked like Bill freakin Russell the other day against Tulane-- man can block shots.    Anyone know his deal?   Doesn't seem to be highly touted...

Obekpa I believe is his name.

[clover]

How about WCS and one of Dakari/Kaminsky/Upshaw?  I'm feeling hungry for centers these days.

No chance, IMO. Ainge and Stevens may draft one center and one scorer. I don't know the order of the picks, it depends of our position. If they can't pick Okafor, Towns (both very unlikely) and WCS (much possible), I see them drafting someone like Hezonja or Winslow and using the second pick to grab Dakari or Kaminsky.

I also think your scenario is very possible.  SF would be a nice place to staff with a stud young prospect.

No interest in Myles Turner if they can't reach the top tier?

Maybe, but I still think he's way too thin, and too much a PF-style.

He's only 18 and already 242 pounds.

[Celtics4ever]

How about WCS and one of Dakari/Kaminsky/Upshaw?  I'm feeling hungry for centers these days.

I can't believe some guys like Upshaw, he is tall and has good size but man he can barely jump and seems unathletic and slow.  I watched the tape, he does have nice timing but that guy will get  ate alive in the NBA.   Watch that tape and tell me he is a good athlete, I defy you.

[TheTruthFot18]

How about WCS and one of Dakari/Kaminsky/Upshaw?  I'm feeling hungry for centers these days.

No chance, IMO. Ainge and Stevens may draft one center and one scorer. I don't know the order of the picks, it depends of our position. If they can't pick Okafor, Towns (both very unlikely) and WCS (much possible), I see them drafting someone like Hezonja or Winslow and using the second pick to grab Dakari or Kaminsky.

I also think your scenario is very possible.  SF would be a nice place to staff with a stud young prospect.

No interest in Myles Turner if they can't reach the top tier?

Maybe, but I still think he's way too thin, and too much a PF-style.

He's only 18 and already 242 pounds.

Anthony Davis is 6 10 and 220 while Noel is 6 11 and 230. Noel will improve after this season but these guys aren't pushovers.

In fact, his nba comparison (Lamarcus Aldridge) has the same 6 11 240lbs body. Again, not someone who gets walked over.

Barring a lucky (haha) lottery ball, I'm all in on Turner for a pick in the 4-6 range. His value might drop since the rankings are changing daily now which would help us even more.