Mitch Kupchak " I'm not sure the gap between#2 and #3 is as big as people think"

[loco_91]

I'd take porzingis over okafor and Russell in a second.

I like Turner more than okafor. I like booker way more than Russell.

Agreed, agreed, and agreed.

[max215]

This sounds like preparation for possibly not taking one of the top two guys.

[jpotter33]

This sounds like preparation for possibly not taking one of the top two guys.

Exactly. I'm not sure who it would be, though. Maybe they're caught in the Porzingis/Bender hype, especially after missing on him last year.

I must say, though I don't think he's got the ceiling that Simmons does, Ingram would fit really nicely here on our team that lacks shooting, though if Simmons would happen to slip he'd also fit in perfectly with us at the 4.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Sounds like posturing. Haven't they been reported to be shopping the pick already?

[j804]

Sounds like posturing. Haven't they been reported to be shopping the pick already?

wouldnt that hurt their stance, it being a 2 man draft chatter would help them this doesn't

[max215]

This sounds like preparation for possibly not taking one of the top two guys.

Exactly. I'm not sure who it would be, though. Maybe they're caught in the Porzingis/Bender hype, especially after missing on him last year.

I must say, though I don't think he's got the ceiling that Simmons does, Ingram would fit really nicely here on our team that lacks shooting, though if Simmons would happen to slip he'd also fit in perfectly with us at the 4.

Here is my guess, complete speculation. I think they're positive that Simmons is going to Philly. I think they don't love Ingram, but are really impressed by Bender or Murray, maybe even Hield. Mitch is preparing his fan base for not getting one of the two "consensus" guys, because he just doesn't want Ingram/does want someone else. Perhaps Mitch will try to trade down with us, or maybe they'll just leak some stuff about how incredible their guy is in workouts, slowly convincing their fans that it would not be crazy to pass on Ingram. That's my best guess at least.

[cltc5]

This begs the question...where would Bender be ranked if he were a high school senior and had constant exposure? I think we're very fortunate that he's remains somewhat of a mystery by not playing many minutes overseas. Not only is he 1 year younger than Simmons, but he's also 7-1 and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses like Simmons (outside shooting) or Ingram (weight) have.

HAHA, I admit he looks promising but have you watched his game footage? Or even seen a photo of him? If you think Ingram has weight issues, Bender is a PF/C and he has problems with his shooting mechanics as stated here https://youtu.be/vhREj9q-UpM

I like dx and that scouting report is terrible.  Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. are we thinking drafting him?

[chilidawg]

Wouldn't he be saying the opposite if he wanted to trade the pick?

[jpotter33]

This sounds like preparation for possibly not taking one of the top two guys.

Exactly. I'm not sure who it would be, though. Maybe they're caught in the Porzingis/Bender hype, especially after missing on him last year.

I must say, though I don't think he's got the ceiling that Simmons does, Ingram would fit really nicely here on our team that lacks shooting, though if Simmons would happen to slip he'd also fit in perfectly with us at the 4.

Here is my guess, complete speculation. I think they're positive that Simmons is going to Philly. I think they don't love Ingram, but are really impressed by Bender or Murray, maybe even Hield. Mitch is preparing his fan base for not getting one of the two "consensus" guys, because he just doesn't want Ingram/does want someone else. Perhaps Mitch will try to trade down with us, or maybe they'll just leak some stuff about how incredible their guy is in workouts, slowly convincing their fans that it would not be crazy to pass on Ingram. That's my best guess at least.

Yep. And I'm guessing he's not getting good vibes on the trade front either. I also wonder if the Lakers/Celtics history will prevent them from making that kind of trade-down deal with us. Could they risk not getting their man and go to Phoenix at 4 instead? I guess it depends on who they're eyeing.

I can't see it being Murray with them having Russell already. That doesn't seem like a very good backcourt mix with neither of them even being average defenders. The Porzingis miss last year could definitely have them high on Bender, and I could see where they're high on either Dunn or Hield as a two-way backcourt mate to Russell.

But I think you're right. With as heavily as this draft is being labeled as a "two-man draft," I can definitely see him trying to temper expectations if they're not feeling Simmons.

[PhoSita]

Man, I'm not seeing the point in him saying this, because it ultimately just devalues his pick by propping up the subsequent pick as nearly equal to his own. Perhaps he's thinking about trading down with us, and he's trying to temper people's perception that won't like that deal? That's the only thing that makes sense to me right now with him saying that. Even if he truly believes this, he wouldn't just say it to say it without an ulterior motive.

 So would you trade #3,#16 and #23 for #2 overall?

Wouldn't even take a heartbeat.

[PhoSita]

It's hard to imagine why they wouldn't want Ingram. I could see them maybe not liking Simmons so much with their core group. What if Philly takes Ingram and the Lakers decide to take Bender because Mitch is in love with his skill and size combo? Maybe they pick up a couple extra firsts by trading with the Celts and the Celts end up with Simmons after all.

I'd be thrilled with either Ingram or Simmons. But maybe Mitch is just being weird.

[alldaboston]

My opinion on Mitch's comment is that I think he's trying to downplay expectations on himself in case he somehow screws up having the #2 pick after passing on Okafor and failing to get a big name FA last summer, and watching the team tank away Kobe's final season. Its like trying to say "hey guys , getting the #2 pick is no slam dunk you know".

Russell turned out to be solid for them.

He looks solid so far, but he is no star, solid is not what you want for the #2 pick. They missed on Okafor and Porzingis with that pick. It will haunt them long term.

Russell will be a borderline star in this league. He's very talented. It won't be a miss in my opinion and it won't haunt them.

[Rondo9]

It's hard to imagine why they wouldn't want Ingram. I could see them maybe not liking Simmons so much with their core group. What if Philly takes Ingram and the Lakers decide to take Bender because Mitch is in love with his skill and size combo? Maybe they pick up a couple extra firsts by trading with the Celts and the Celts end up with Simmons after all.

I'd be thrilled with either Ingram or Simmons. But maybe Mitch is just being weird.

I think they love Simmons, but they've just resigned with Philly drafting him. Ingram I don't think they're that in love with him from the looks of it, otherwise Mitch wouldn't saying this. Why would you want to devalue your pick, especially if it's hyped as a two player draft? And especially if your rival has the number 3 pick?

[max215]

My opinion on Mitch's comment is that I think he's trying to downplay expectations on himself in case he somehow screws up having the #2 pick after passing on Okafor and failing to get a big name FA last summer, and watching the team tank away Kobe's final season. Its like trying to say "hey guys , getting the #2 pick is no slam dunk you know".

Russell turned out to be solid for them.

He looks solid so far, but he is no star, solid is not what you want for the #2 pick. They missed on Okafor and Porzingis with that pick. It will haunt them long term.

Russell will be a borderline star in this league. He's very talented. It won't be a miss in my opinion and it won't haunt them.

I agree. I'd rather have Russell than Okafor, and I think he could turn out better than Porzingis. People don't realize how much Porzingis cooled down after the first month or two.

[PhoSita]

It's hard to imagine why they wouldn't want Ingram. I could see them maybe not liking Simmons so much with their core group. What if Philly takes Ingram and the Lakers decide to take Bender because Mitch is in love with his skill and size combo? Maybe they pick up a couple extra firsts by trading with the Celts and the Celts end up with Simmons after all.

I'd be thrilled with either Ingram or Simmons. But maybe Mitch is just being weird.

I think they love Simmons, but they've just resigned with Philly drafting him. Ingram I don't think they're that in love with him from the looks of it, otherwise Mitch wouldn't saying this. Why would you want to devalue your pick, especially if it's hyped as a two player draft? And especially if your rival has the number 3 pick?

I just don't understand how they wouldn't like Ingram. He can play with their other young guys and he is basically the piece that team is missing. That and a decent center.

Simmons on the other hand couldn't really play with Randle, and Russell and Clarkson might be too weak defensively to work next to him.

But you're probably right.

Man, getting Ingram would be awesome. He is exactly the piece the Celts are missing. But that's why it's so hard to see the Lakers pass on him. Ingram is the piece the vast majority of the teams in the league are missing. Even if he is a stick figure who will take a few years to become a full time starter due to his resemblance to a late afternoon shadow.