NCAA draft prospects positional breakdown

[celticmania]

Bobby Portis reminds me of Greg Monroe. Nice size although he's not a great athlete. I'd say he's at least an average athlete. Just a good basketball, really good midrange shooter ( only real difference between him and Monroe).. Port iscould be a solid starter in the NBA. Only flaw is that he isn't a rebounder but Olynyk turned out to be a better rebounder in the pros than in college so Port is can improve. I see 16 and 8 potential plus valuable floor spacing and iq

[CFAN38]

Nice list, TP.  This lines up pretty much exactly with my thoughts.

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=75904.msg1815315#msg1815315

Re: D'Angelo Russell - this kid can flat out play.  Superb court vision, superb feel for the game, very good shooter, albeit with low release point.  Should have NBA 3pt range.  Plus rebounder for a PG.  Sneaky quick, excellent hesitation moves, no trouble getting his shot, can stop on a dime with good pull-up mechanics, scores from anywhere.  And he's 18 years old!!

You'd be absolutely crazy to pass on Russell.  He's one of maybe 3 or 4 guys with All-Star potential in this draft.

CFAN38 - can I put you on the spot and ask who your 2,3, and 4 picks would be without regard for need (assuming Okafor is 1)?  Also, any thoughts on Bobby Portis?

I find a top ten regardless of need to be tough and prefer to tier players but here it is

MY top ten regardless of team or need.

1. Okafor
2. Towns
3. Russell
4. Mudiay
5. Johnson

Its tough because I would put Towns, Russell, and Mudiay all in the 2nd tier then the 3rd tier is Johnson, WCS, Porzingis, Hezonja and Looney. I think if I had more exposure to Porzingis he may actually be ahead of Johnson and a member of the 2nd tier but right now I say 3rd. Towns' lack of consistency scares me but he is a guy who I feel is having his talent hidden on a dominate UK team. He came into college heralded as an offensive stud, and has actually been more dominate as a defender in college. 
 

As for Portis the little I have seen he seems like a solid rotational player who with added mass should be able to back up 4 and 5. He is a guy I want to watch more I honestly watched the Ark vs Alabama to check out Portis and ended up focused on Michael Qualls career game. 

[CFAN38]

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[acieEarl]

I'd love to see the Cs grab Harrell with their second pick. They might have to move up some to get him, but I can't see this kid not being a solid player in the NBA. Yes, a little undersized but makes up for it with his length and motor.

On a side note, the college games this year have been great as most teams have a guy or two who could be on the Cs next year.

[CFAN38]

I'd love to see the Cs grab Harrell with their second pick. They might have to move up some to get him, but I can't see this kid not being a solid player in the NBA. Yes, a little undersized but makes up for it with his length and motor.

On a side note, the college games this year have been great as most teams have a guy or two who could be on the Cs next year.

I agree Harrell has the making of a very solid player. I see him excelling in a role similar to T Gibson. He has a different physical profile but should be able to provide elite D and hustle off the bench without being an offensive liability.

[sofutomygaha]

I'd love to see the Cs grab Harrell with their second pick. They might have to move up some to get him, but I can't see this kid not being a solid player in the NBA. Yes, a little undersized but makes up for it with his length and motor.

On a side note, the college games this year have been great as most teams have a guy or two who could be on the Cs next year.

I agree Harrell has the making of a very solid player. I see him excelling in a role similar to T Gibson. He has a different physical profile but should be able to provide elite D and hustle off the bench without being an offensive liability.

The way that the draft order is shaping up, I'd be a-ok taking Herrell with our first pick. No way will he still be there when the Clipper pick comes up.

In terms of the upside/downside economy of it, selecting Herrell in the late lottery would be quite similar to selecting Marcus Smart last year.

[CFAN38]

NBA TV had a replay yesterday of real Madrid vs FC Barcelona.


FC Barcelona is Herzonja's team and this gave me a chance to actually watch him. I was very impressed. Draft Express has a nice breakdown of the game but watching the whole game really gave me a better over all view of him.

He finished with 22 pts vs a team full of ex NBA players. Watching the game I would think that real madrid is talented enough to compete for the 8th seed in the east this year.

Watching this game I am firmly convinced that he is going to be a very good pro. His skill set is comparable to J Youngs but he further developed both physically and as a player. He seems comfortable with the ball and playing off the ball and was very competitive on the defensive end. I really think this kid has the makings of an around 20pt a game NBA wing and a capable #2 scorer on a good team. 

[krumeto]

NBA TV had a replay yesterday of real Madrid vs FC Barcelona.


FC Barcelona is Herzonja's team and this gave me a chance to actually watch him. I was very impressed. Draft Express has a nice breakdown of the game but watching the whole game really gave me a better over all view of him.

He finished with 22 pts vs a team full of ex NBA players. Watching the game I would think that real madrid is talented enough to compete for the 8th seed in the east this year.

Watching this game I am firmly convinced that he is going to be a very good pro. His skill set is comparable to J Youngs but he further developed both physically and as a player. He seems comfortable with the ball and playing off the ball and was very competitive on the defensive end. I really think this kid has the makings of an around 20pt a game NBA wing and a capable #2 scorer on a good team.

Great game by the kid, indeed. Mario's talent and physical tools have never been a question mark. It is the "I am a superstar and I know it" mentality before he has actually accomplish anything that strikes me. There is something Laker-eque in him.

I watched him against Alba Berlin recently and he was the definition of defensive liability against way smaller and less athletic players. The anti-Smart - super talented and no effort.

If this kid grows up and buys into a more team-oriented mentality, he really has the superstar tools. Otherwise it's just another Nick Young.

[CFAN38]

NBA TV had a replay yesterday of real Madrid vs FC Barcelona.


FC Barcelona is Herzonja's team and this gave me a chance to actually watch him. I was very impressed. Draft Express has a nice breakdown of the game but watching the whole game really gave me a better over all view of him.

He finished with 22 pts vs a team full of ex NBA players. Watching the game I would think that real madrid is talented enough to compete for the 8th seed in the east this year.

Watching this game I am firmly convinced that he is going to be a very good pro. His skill set is comparable to J Youngs but he further developed both physically and as a player. He seems comfortable with the ball and playing off the ball and was very competitive on the defensive end. I really think this kid has the makings of an around 20pt a game NBA wing and a capable #2 scorer on a good team.

Great game by the kid, indeed. Mario's talent and physical tools have never been a question mark. It is the "I am a superstar and I know it" mentality before he has actually accomplish anything that strikes me. There is something Laker-eque in him.

I watched him against Alba Berlin recently and he was the definition of defensive liability against way smaller and less athletic players. The anti-Smart - super talented and no effort.

If this kid grows up and buys into a more team-oriented mentality, he really has the superstar tools. Otherwise it's just another Nick Young.

Good in site the Real Madrid game is really all ive seen of him. He looked focused on D this game but plenty of players (rondo) can have peaks of valleys in their defensive effort. I like the Nick Young comp as a floor for this kid.

[CFAN38]

2/25 update

Added Euro's + Portis and moved Looney

2015 draft class

PG

Russell, + shooting, court vision - perimeter D (#2/#1 scoring option)
Grant,   + size, attacking rim - nba 3pt range (3rd guard 6th man)
Jones,   + passing, court vision - defense (backup PG)


SG

Booker, + shooting - strength (#3 option)
LaVert,  + ball handling, length - strength (3rd guard)

SF

Johnson, + elite strength, athleticism, D -NBA 3pt range (#3 option)
Herzonja, + scoring, size, perimeter shot - maturing, consistent effort on D (#3 option)
Oubre  , + scoring, rebounding -strength, IQ (bench scorer 6th man)
Winslow, + athleticism, perimeter D, - shooting (bench role player)
Anderson, + strength, athleticism, D, corner 3 - ball handing (3-D 5th starter)
Hollis-Jefferson, + elite perimeter D, Athleticism, - shooting (defensive specialist)
Dekker, + size, IQ - nba 3pt shot (bench backup 3/4)

PF

Prozingis, +length, height, shooting range, faceup skill, shotblocking - strength (#3 option)
Harrell, + strength, length  athleticism, perimeter and post D - height , offensive skill set (PF 5th starter)
Kaminsky, +size, shooting, IQ - athleticism (stretch 4/5 3rd big)
Looney,+ length, athleticism, ball handling, rebounding - outside shot ( 3rd big)
Alexander, + strength, length, athleticism - offensive skill set, really a center (3rd big hustle guy)
Wood, + length, athleticism, skill set - strength (bench big)
Portis, solid size, diverse offensive skill set - average athlete (bench big)

Center

Okafor + post scoring, passing, size - defense (#1 option)
Towns + shot blocking, athleticism, face up game - consistency (#2 option)
Cauley Stein, + shot blocking, post D, pick and role D - offense (starting 5 4th defensive anchor)
Turner + shooting range, shot blocking - mobilitiy (5th starter)
Poeltl + mobility, hustle - strength (defensive 5th starter)
D Johnson + post scoring - mobility (rotational big)
Upshaw + size, shot blocking - mobility (rotational big)



To clarify,

5th starter, by this I mean a specialist who is good enough to start. Ex Bruce Bowen 3-D, Perk defensive anchor

scoring 6th man, offensive spark like JR Smith, J Crawford, R Jackson

4th starter, not a top 3 scoring option but a key well rounded player

[PickNRoll]

Towns is coming on lately.

19-8-3-2 in 31 mins vs. Florida
12-13-2-2 in 26 mins vs. LSU
19-10-2-4 in 21 mins vs. Auburn 

66% shooting over last 6 games

[jonaslopes]

Towns is coming on lately.

19-8-3-2 in 31 mins vs. Florida
12-13-2-2 in 26 mins vs. LSU
19-10-2-4 in 21 mins vs. Auburn 

66% shooting over last 6 games

Towns is going to be so much better than Okafor. So much.

[TA9]

Honestly for some reason I'm not that excited by the upcoming draft. Besides Okafor and 3 to 4 other guys I really don't think that it's a strong draft by any means...
Cauley Stein would be a solid pickup the C's, but then again he is so limited offensively. If I were Ainge, I would try to get Embiid from the Sixers by using some of our picks this year, as I'm not that excited by the players in the upcoming draft.

[howl1309]

Towns is coming on lately.

19-8-3-2 in 31 mins vs. Florida
12-13-2-2 in 26 mins vs. LSU
19-10-2-4 in 21 mins vs. Auburn 

66% shooting over last 6 games

Towns is going to be so much better than Okafor. So much.

I couldn't agree more. The kid looks like he is going to be a stud. I have watched a lot of Kentucky, mainly to watch WCS, but every time Towns just stands out.

I do think that WCS is perfect for the celtics. It gives them so much flexibility and with the backcourt defense he will upgrade the overall team defense a lot.

I really haven't seen any other guys that stand out as much, obviously minus the euros since I have only seen clips/highlights.

[loco_91]

I think you're spot on with most of the strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure if athleticism is a strength for Towns, he certainly isn't in the WCS range of explosiveness and it might even be a weakness at the NBA level. But he has an elite standing reach to make up for it.