I really hope we move up. The main reason is I think that the draft order is going to get silly. There is a real chance that people start picking wonky early (Rusell @ 2, Porzingis @ 3, Trey Lyles @ 7, Cameron Payne top 10, etc) and it will mess up the other teams. Someone could really fall. I am seeing Mudiay going 5th in some places, Stanley Johnson going outside the top 9, WCS going 9th, etc. If we can move up we should absolutely do so.
If Stanley Johnson, Mario Hezonja or WCS fall to 9 and we could move up with Kelly and 16, then come on we have to do it. We'd essentially have made the playoffs and gotten a lotto pick last year. Best of both worlds.
Good post. I guess it really depends on if those 3 guys are available.
I'm not convinced that Johnson will be a better player than Justin Anderson.
You should be convinced. My god, people love Anderson here.
Anderson is a beast
Anderson did not show the ability to create for himself and others as a Junior. Stanley Johnson showed that as a freshman.
Surprised so many people love Anderson. I wouldn't be happy if we took him at 16.
Able to create a shot is just one quality. Anthony Morrow can create. But what else??
You guard sj a little closer. Guard his shot bc he will have a tough time finishing near the basket
Anderson is a much more explosive athlete than sj. He will have diff kinds of adv on a more open nba court. Better shooter than SJ also
Anthony Morrow can not create. He is strictly a spot up shooter. I understand your point, but you should have used a different example. In general players that can defend several positions and create their own shots are really successful in the NBA. Where guys who can only score off ball movement or their teammates penetration usually need the right situation to succeed. When the C's offense bogged down, it was because they lacked offensive creators. Offensive creators will always have more value than 3 and d guys.
He had a tough time finishing at the basket in his freshman year in college. This doesn't mean that long term it will be a problem. He didn't get a ton of rise in college but during an interview he said his trainers had noticed an area of weakness in his legs that he can correct and gain a lot on his vertical. Having never done strength training until college, I think that under an NBA training staff he will develop better vertical explosion. As to the other facets which athleticism is judged by, he has them all, he is big, strong and quick.
I understand your proclivity for athletes, because athletes often have a higher upside. I just think you are wildly underrating Stanley Johnson's athleticism.
Anderson was a significantly less explosive athlete before this year. He really trained hard in the offseason and improved to the point he is now a great athlete. Comparing his athleticism after working on a strength program for three years, to Johnson's athleticism after his freshman year.
As to creating being only one quality. Stanley Johnson has the tools to be an elite defender, guard multiple positions, and be a plus rebounder for his position. He is not just an offensive spark plug but a guy who has a chance to be an elite well rounded player.