Links to the Present, mid-season mock draft edition.
2013-02-16
Lots of Cavs related news today on all the usual sites, including the Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com.
A few things stand out:
Ball Don’t Lie with a nice quote from KI on the Rising Stars crossover contest:
But more or less, that kind of rivalry with me and B. Knight has been happening since high school, since we started playing against each other. We were battling for the one and two spot in high school. He’s a good friend of mine. It’s great competition.
In a sign that the summer of 2014 is going to reach ridiculously inane levels of hype, Mary Schmitt Boyer spends 375 words talking about how LeBron and Kyrie weren’t talking about something.
Of course, Fox Sports’ Sam Amico counters with third hand conjecture: “Sources suggest James already has the ear of Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving about the potential of teaming up for an entire season (and beyond).”
(Please note, that this isn’t meant as a criticism of Scmitt Boyer or Amico, who are just doing their jobs: feeding the sporting public’s appetite for wish fulfillment).
Finally, Cavs the Blog’s own Mallory Factor does his best Chris Grant impersonation in a mock draft for The TrueHoop New Orleans affiliate, Hornets247.com. With the #4 pick after a colossal whiff by Washington at #3, Mallory takes Shabazz Muhammad :
It would be a blessing if Muhammad fell to Cleveland at 4. With the recent injury to Noel, and the Cavs’ drafting of Dion Waiters last year, the obvious choice is the highly touted small forward. Though Cleveland could easily take a center with this pick, the most glaring need is a natural swingman. After two years of the Alonzo Gee/Omri Casspi experience, it’s time to find a real starter.
To read the more of what they had to say on Muhammad and the rest or the draft lottery, click here.
I noticed the outlets too. It’s what most caught my eye, grover, and I agree with all your observations. I think with some real coaching Gobert could be something.
OK, now that I saw that link on Gobert, some comments- – No ball skills what so ever. Clearly not comfortable with the ball, and not much in the way of post moves. What does that mean? Very little. No different than any college freshman. – Really impressed with the two steals coming out to help on the pick n roll. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a center knock a dribble away from a guard- and he did it twice. – Also impressed with the quick outlet passes after rebounds. Speaks to soft hands and court awareness. Some… Read more »
Nate-
Astute observation on Gobert. I read somewhere- I don’t remember where- that if Gobert was playing for Kentucky, he’d be a guaranteed top-10 pick. If the Lakers sneak into the playoffs and we get a mid-teens pick, I think Gobert would be a decent long-term investment.
Muscala has put up nice numbers all season. The best part: even at the low RPI level, rebounding and blocked shots translate to the pros. His numbers remind me a lot of why I liked Andrew Nicholson. Though I don’t know if he has Nicholson’s mitts. He would be a very intriguing pick if the Cavs end up with the Heat pick instead of the Lakers’. Like Nicholson, I think he will slowly creep his way up the draft boards. Bachynski was recently featured on draftexpress. http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jordan-Bachynski-19603/ He’s a project, but a project with upside. He’ll need a lot of… Read more »
+1 for Rodney’s suggestions! Saw Muscala on TV & I couldn’t believe that guy was playing for.. Bucknell?
Every site has Washington picking ahead of us.
With John Wall back they have a MUCh better team than the Cavs, they will win more games than us this season.
Muhammad does not fit well at SF with the Cavs. You then have three slightly undersized ball-dominant players on your perimeter. That’s not a good formula for a championship team. I see him as a SG. I’d personally prefer Muhammad to Waiters, but that’s not going to happen.
Porter should be the pick.
Agree with Korey. Shabazz would be awesome though if Bron comes back, which would move him to the two and Waiters into the super-sub role. Irving,Bazz,Bron,TT,Andy….Jeez would that team be beastly if they could stay healthy. Honestly, who could offer LBJ a better, younger supporting cast?
Also Kordan Bachynski out of Arizona St in the late 2nd round. Is going to be a steal. He’s 7-2 and not on anyone’s radar because he’s 23. He’s averaging 3.8 blocks per game. Averages 9 points on six shots for a TS of 60%. I be shocked if he couldn’t turn into a bench player. Another steal might be Mike Muscala from Bucknell great passer and most efficient player in college
I think bazz is more of 2 guard in the pros. I wouldn’t complain if we took him but Len, and Noel are my preference
Kyrie is ridiculous. No where to say anything about the 3 pt contest yet so uhh … he’s trying to take over the league!
Only thing I fear about Bazz is being too much of an undersized team. Kyrie obviously isn’t the smallest pg in the league but far from a tall one. Sion is an undersized sg and bazz an undersized sf. I know he has the reach of someone taller but. I just really hope Nerlens falls to us somewhere in the top 5. Well, Heck, either one would help a ton.
Hopefully ESPN will again have the Hollinger draft rater. It would probably give an indication on who Grant will select.
I’m secretly hoping we end up in the latter half of the lottery so taking Otto Porter (a true SF) doesn’t seem like a reach. Either that, or we end up at the very top so we can take Len. I’m worried about Muhammed being to ball dominant and not big enough to play the SF effectively. I’m also worried about Noel, obviously, with his injury. Big Men and knee injuries don’t mix well.
Amico’s “sources” are just from his own head.
Shabazz seems like a good pick. Good job MF.