2015 draft discussion

[Don Che]

SMH the more I read the more I see WCS.

Red you may get your wish!

He has dud written all over him....SMFH

[cragganmor]

wcs is a specialist, not a special player. he'd fit best on a thib-coached team as a long and versatile defender.

[KnicksFanInSouthFL]

The next Klay Thompson... He shoots like him but I don't think he'll defend like him.

[youtube]N-JhTHC-pdw[/youtube]

[spree#8]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/ ... -chad-ford

Chad Ford (1:00 PM)

Aloha everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat today. We'll be talking NBA Draft all hour. Big Board 11.0 just went up today as well as a new Top 100. We're getting close ... let's roll!
Travis (Dover, NH)

It seems like Mudiay's floor is Sacramento at 6 but is he in serious consideration at 1 & 2?
Chad Ford (1:03 PM)

He should be. The Lakers brought him in on Saturday. The Wolves are bringing him in as well. I think he actually makes more sense in LA than Okafor does. And as far as mental and physical maturity goes, I think he's the most NBA ready of the top five prospects. As for the Wolves, it only makes sense if they have a deal in place for Ricky Rubio. But honestly, I think Karl Towns is the best fit in Minnesota. Philly and NY will also give him close looks. If he's there at 4, I honestly think the Knicks would be crazy to pass on him for Winslow or Cauley-Stein. I like both of those guys a lot, but I think Mudiay will have a better career.
Josh [via mobile]

Why shouldn't the Timberwolves take Porzingis at 1?
Chad Ford (1:04 PM)

He should get a serious look there. He'd be a very good fit for them. They need shooting and I think his size at the four would be great. But personally think Towns is the safer and best option at 1. But if I were the Wolves, Porzingis would be No. 2 for me.
Kyle (Regina, Saskatchewan)

Are Okafor's defensive liabilities enough to make him slide in the draft? I understand he's skilled in the post but will that matter if teams pick and roll him to death defensively?
Chad Ford (1:07 PM)

He might slide a little, but I'd be surprised if he slid very far. And, I still think there's a good chance he goes No. 1 overall to the Wolves. He's heavily in the mix with the Lakers at 2. I don't think he's a great fit in Philly, but that hasn't stopped Sam Hinkie before. I can't see the Knicks passing on him at 4 -- even as they preach defense right now. If for some reason they did, then it would be interesting. He's not a terrific fit in Orlando, Sacramento, Denver or Detroit. But my guess is, a trade would be in order.
Matt (Philly) [via mobile]

I saw that Russell has overtaken Okafor on the big board. Why did that happen and is Okafor still the pick at 2?
Chad Ford (1:09 PM)

The Big Board is the consensus of a number of different NBA execs and scouts I speak with. For the first time all year, a slight majority of them now had Russell over Okafor. It was a very slim margin. That's why he moved ahead. Doesn't mean the Lakers (or Wolves for that matter) won't take Okafor ahead of Russell. This is just the consensus of the whole league -- not what an individual team will or won't do. As you can expect, not everyone agrees and often not everyone in the same front office agrees!
Eduardo (California)

Who do you believe Lakers will select with the #2 Pick (Okafor, Mudiay, or Russell)?
Chad Ford (1:11 PM)

That's a great question. And the answer is, I don't know. It's tough to get a read right now at the moment. If Towns is there, he's a slam dunk. All year I would've said Okafor is next, but I'm not so sure. Workouts may end up deciding this.
Jim (Philly)

Many assume Russell is the 76ers' preference at 3, but are Porzingis, Mudiay and even Hezonja in play here? Who do you think tops Hinkie's board as of now?
Chad Ford (1:15 PM)

I've been writing for the past few months that the Sixers like Mudiay and still believe they do. And for the past few weeks I've been writing that the team is very high on Porzinigs. So yes, Russell is no slam dunk there if he's on the board at 3. As for Hezonja,I don't think he's in the mix at 3. I'd say Porzinigs, Mudiay or Russell.
Pete (Philly)

I know the Sixers like Porzingis, but does he fit with Noel, Embiid, Saric?
Chad Ford (1:18 PM)

Forget about fit. When you are rebuilding like the Sixers, the goal is to get the best player on the board. On my own personal Big Board -- Porzingis is No. 2. So ... if I were the Sixers I'd take him and figure out fit later.
Nick (NY)

Knicks Big Board right now?
Chad Ford (1:20 PM)

Lots of voices in that Knicks organization. Lots of different opinions. Depending on who you talk to ... they love Russell and Okafor (two offensively talented, defensively limited players. Or they love Willie-Cauley Stein and Justise Winslow (great defenders, raw offensively) or they love Mudiay (who isn't a great fit in the triangle). Either they are orchestrating one of the great smoke screen campaigns in recent draft history or there just isn't a clear direction yet.
Lonny (Florida)

Can you give me some insight on Mario Hezonja and where will he be drafted
Chad Ford (1:22 PM)

"He's crazy talented. He's also a little crazy." Those are the words of one my favorite scouts when talking about Hezonja. Great size, great athlete, great shooter. Plays with uber confidence. Very aggressive. But his confidence can borderline on cockiness and his aggressiveness can lead to mistakes. If he harnesses it, he has a chance to be a star. If he lets it get the best of him, he'll struggle. But on talent, he's worthy of being selected anywhere between 3 and 8.
Sly (motorcity) [via mobile]

is it crazy that i believe looney might be the biggest sleeper in the draft? Is it even crazier i think detroit should trade down a bit and grab him?
Chad Ford (1:24 PM)

Not crazy. Many teams had him in the 5 to 10 range for much of the year. Concerns about about a hip injury, motor questions due to some asthma issues and concerns about what position he'll play have all hurt his stock a bit. But I've heard he's been good in workouts, and I think on potential, he's one of the Top 10 players in the draft. You're just going to have to be patient. I don't think Stan Van Gundy is very patient however. Not sure that's the right fit.
Nick (UT)

Myles Turner is known as a nice rim protector/defender, though when I watch him, his feet are really slow and he can't move side to side. Should I be worried?
Chad Ford (1:27 PM)

He's been working on it. Talking to his trainer in Vegas, he never really was taught how to run. I know that sounds weird, but when you watch him, it rings true. I'm told he looks dramatically better. It was just about teaching technique and getting his legs a little stronger. He's doing a big workout on Friday in Vegas in front of a ton of NBA execs. I'll be there. We'll see. If he's fixed that, he's a very intriguing prospect. The first 9 or so guys in this draft are very talented. I really like the draft the closer we get to it.
Biz (NY)

What about Stanley Johnson? Who's looking at him? Is he a potential sleeper in this group?
Chad Ford (1:29 PM)

I actually think he's one of the "safer" picks in the draft. You know what you get with Stanley. Great NBA body. Very tough. Aggressive offensively. Shoots it better than you think. His ceiling just isn't particularly high because he lacks explosive athletic ability and struggles to finish at the rim. But he'll be in the league a long time.
Aaron (Houston, TX)

Cameron Payne seems to be shooting up the draft boards. Are teams really interested in him in the top 7, or is this some kind of sick joke? I thought my Pacers were initially reaching a bit by bringing him in for a workout, but that doesn't seem to be even close to the case now. Will he be there at #11, or will he be long gone?
Chad Ford (1:31 PM)

I can't quite figure out what's gotten into everyone. I like Payne a lot. But at No. 2 to the Lakers or No. 4 to the Knicks? C'mon. Even the Kings at No. 6 seems like a stretch. They need a franchise point guard, but it's usually a mistake to draft for need that early in the draft if it requires you to take a less talented prospect. I think his range should really be Charlotte at 9, Indiana at 11 or Thunder at 14. Those three teams make a lot of sense for Payne and I think that's a more appropriate range.
Lincoln (NJ)

What do you think of Kelly Oubre's mental makeup? The potential is there but I have seen many people question if he will reach it.
Chad Ford (1:34 PM)

That's the question with Oubre. He's got the physical tools. 6-7 wing with a 7-2 wingspan. He's got the athleticism. He's got some very good defensive tools and I think he'll be a good three point shooter in the NBA. He could really develop into a 3-D guy in the NBA. But does he want it. Teams were scared off by his early play at Kansas. He was clueless, lacked effort and was clearly (and rightfully) in Bill Self's dog house. But he did get better, significantly better as the season went on. And his trainer, Drew Hanlen (who's trained Brad Beal, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and a host of others) tells me he's as hard of a worker as he's trained. If that's true, people are sleeping on him.
Aaron (Houston, TX)

Follow up: First I thought they may just be bringing in Payne to compete with some of the other guys (Mudiay, Russell, etc). Does this ring true, or do you think these teams are looking to trade back get additional assets?
Chad Ford (1:36 PM)

No, those guys won't work out against him. Two theories. One, those teams are looking to move down or acquire another pick. Two, teams tend to want every prospect to come in and workout. It's just due diligence. So it's not uncommon for them to insist to agents that they are considering drafting their player even when they aren't.
Greg (Broomfield, CO)

Are the Nuggets still in the NBA? Does anyone care? Any idea what they will do at 7? Do they know?
Chad Ford (1:39 PM)

Yes. They're just a mess. The entire team is in flux and on the trading block and there's no clear direction forward. So ... when it comes to the draft, anything seems plausible. Any of the 5 positions. They just need talent.
Peleg (Israel)

What is The best case sanrio to WCS ? Can you see him becoming DPOTY in the future ?
Chad Ford (1:39 PM)

He has that ability yes. His ceiling is probably the Knicks at 4. Magic at 5, Kings at 6 are other good fits for him. I doubt he gets past the Pacers at 11.
Simon (Boston)

What are Gm's saying about Rashad Vaughn? Seems like a high ceiling guy. Whats the best projection you heard of him so far?
Chad Ford (1:41 PM)

He's really risen in the past several weeks. Wowed at a workout in Santa Monica with how he shot the ball and has worked out really strongly wherever he's gone. I could see him as high as the Bucks at 17. Reminds me a bit of OJ Mayo.
Tim (Crescent City)

Every year there are guys who went high that bust from Bowie to Darko to Beasley to Kwame. Who is most likely this year to "fail" for lack of better word?
Chad Ford (1:46 PM)

Actually our ESPN Analytics Team is doing a major project using projected statistical plus/minus as a way of projecting draft prospects in their first five years. They have a formula that assigns percentages to players based on them becoming a superstar, a starter, a role player and bust. D'Angelo Russell has the highest shot at being a superstar (15.2%) and the highest chance of being a bust (40.9%) of the top 25 guys. Weird. But interesting.

Dom (Fl) [via mobile]

What's all this I hear about Tyus Jones and the Rockets giving a promise?
Chad Ford (1:50 PM)

He "hurt" his back in a workout with the Rockets. Quit working out. The Rockets love him. Thus the speculation (and it's speculation) that perhaps they shut him down by promising to take him at 18 if he quit working out. We'll see if Jones starts working out again in the next few weeks. But I do get it from both sides. The Rockets need a point guard and are big on analytics. Most analytics models are very high on Jones. Jones would have a chance to play major minutes on a good team. That has to be very appealing. What number you are drafted at doesn't matter nearly as much as where you are drafted
Derek (Salt Lake) [via mobile]

Utah's preference in order: Lyles, Booker, Looney, Johnson, Turner?
Chad Ford (1:52 PM)

I think those are the guys getting serious looks from them. Kaminsky and Dekker too. A few of them won't be there at 12, but most of them will. I don't really know their order yet. I have them taking Turner (with Booker and Johnson off the board). But all of those guys would be fits. Utah is in a nice position at 12.
Vance (Chi Town)

which late 1st or 2nd rd guy has the highest potential to be a star?
Chad Ford (1:55 PM)

I honestly don't see it this year. I think the talent in the draft drops off pretty heavily at about 25. A lack of any real talented international players after Hezonja and Porzingis hurts. The closest I could get to that is Joe Young of Oregon. Great scorer, good shooter ... could see him becoming a Lou Williams type of super sixth man in the NBA.
Chad Ford (1:56 PM)

Gotta run everyone. Tons of draft content coming the next two weeks. I'll be in Vegas this Friday checking out Porzinigs for our next Making the Case for No. 1. Stay with us. Should be a ton of fun

[taowave]

WTF??

Dangelo Russel,15% chance of being a star,40% chance of being a BUST??

I hope that 15% is made up of the Wolves or the Lakers..

Aloha everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat today. We'll be talking NBA Draft all hour. Big Board 11.0 just went up today as well as a new Top 100. We're getting close ... let's roll!
Travis (Dover, NH)

It seems like Mudiay's floor is Sacramento at 6 but is he in serious consideration at 1 & 2?
Chad Ford (1:03 PM)

He should be. The Lakers brought him in on Saturday. The Wolves are bringing him in as well. I think he actually makes more sense in LA than Okafor does. And as far as mental and physical maturity goes, I think he's the most NBA ready of the top five prospects. As for the Wolves, it only makes sense if they have a deal in place for Ricky Rubio. But honestly, I think Karl Towns is the best fit in Minnesota. Philly and NY will also give him close looks. If he's there at 4, I honestly think the Knicks would be crazy to pass on him for Winslow or Cauley-Stein. I like both of those guys a lot, but I think Mudiay will have a better career.
Josh [via mobile]

Why shouldn't the Timberwolves take Porzingis at 1?
Chad Ford (1:04 PM)

He should get a serious look there. He'd be a very good fit for them. They need shooting and I think his size at the four would be great. But personally think Towns is the safer and best option at 1. But if I were the Wolves, Porzingis would be No. 2 for me.
Kyle (Regina, Saskatchewan)

Are Okafor's defensive liabilities enough to make him slide in the draft? I understand he's skilled in the post but will that matter if teams pick and roll him to death defensively?
Chad Ford (1:07 PM)

He might slide a little, but I'd be surprised if he slid very far. And, I still think there's a good chance he goes No. 1 overall to the Wolves. He's heavily in the mix with the Lakers at 2. I don't think he's a great fit in Philly, but that hasn't stopped Sam Hinkie before. I can't see the Knicks passing on him at 4 -- even as they preach defense right now. If for some reason they did, then it would be interesting. He's not a terrific fit in Orlando, Sacramento, Denver or Detroit. But my guess is, a trade would be in order.
Matt (Philly) [via mobile]

I saw that Russell has overtaken Okafor on the big board. Why did that happen and is Okafor still the pick at 2?
Chad Ford (1:09 PM)

The Big Board is the consensus of a number of different NBA execs and scouts I speak with. For the first time all year, a slight majority of them now had Russell over Okafor. It was a very slim margin. That's why he moved ahead. Doesn't mean the Lakers (or Wolves for that matter) won't take Okafor ahead of Russell. This is just the consensus of the whole league -- not what an individual team will or won't do. As you can expect, not everyone agrees and often not everyone in the same front office agrees!
Eduardo (California)

Who do you believe Lakers will select with the #2 Pick (Okafor, Mudiay, or Russell)?
Chad Ford (1:11 PM)

That's a great question. And the answer is, I don't know. It's tough to get a read right now at the moment. If Towns is there, he's a slam dunk. All year I would've said Okafor is next, but I'm not so sure. Workouts may end up deciding this.
Jim (Philly)

Many assume Russell is the 76ers' preference at 3, but are Porzingis, Mudiay and even Hezonja in play here? Who do you think tops Hinkie's board as of now?
Chad Ford (1:15 PM)

I've been writing for the past few months that the Sixers like Mudiay and still believe they do. And for the past few weeks I've been writing that the team is very high on Porzinigs. So yes, Russell is no slam dunk there if he's on the board at 3. As for Hezonja,I don't think he's in the mix at 3. I'd say Porzinigs, Mudiay or Russell.
Pete (Philly)

I know the Sixers like Porzingis, but does he fit with Noel, Embiid, Saric?
Chad Ford (1:18 PM)

Forget about fit. When you are rebuilding like the Sixers, the goal is to get the best player on the board. On my own personal Big Board -- Porzingis is No. 2. So ... if I were the Sixers I'd take him and figure out fit later.
Nick (NY)

Knicks Big Board right now?
Chad Ford (1:20 PM)

Lots of voices in that Knicks organization. Lots of different opinions. Depending on who you talk to ... they love Russell and Okafor (two offensively talented, defensively limited players. Or they love Willie-Cauley Stein and Justise Winslow (great defenders, raw offensively) or they love Mudiay (who isn't a great fit in the triangle). Either they are orchestrating one of the great smoke screen campaigns in recent draft history or there just isn't a clear direction yet.
Lonny (Florida)

Can you give me some insight on Mario Hezonja and where will he be drafted
Chad Ford (1:22 PM)

"He's crazy talented. He's also a little crazy." Those are the words of one my favorite scouts when talking about Hezonja. Great size, great athlete, great shooter. Plays with uber confidence. Very aggressive. But his confidence can borderline on cockiness and his aggressiveness can lead to mistakes. If he harnesses it, he has a chance to be a star. If he lets it get the best of him, he'll struggle. But on talent, he's worthy of being selected anywhere between 3 and 8.
Sly (motorcity) [via mobile]

is it crazy that i believe looney might be the biggest sleeper in the draft? Is it even crazier i think detroit should trade down a bit and grab him?
Chad Ford (1:24 PM)

Not crazy. Many teams had him in the 5 to 10 range for much of the year. Concerns about about a hip injury, motor questions due to some asthma issues and concerns about what position he'll play have all hurt his stock a bit. But I've heard he's been good in workouts, and I think on potential, he's one of the Top 10 players in the draft. You're just going to have to be patient. I don't think Stan Van Gundy is very patient however. Not sure that's the right fit.
Nick (UT)

Myles Turner is known as a nice rim protector/defender, though when I watch him, his feet are really slow and he can't move side to side. Should I be worried?
Chad Ford (1:27 PM)

He's been working on it. Talking to his trainer in Vegas, he never really was taught how to run. I know that sounds weird, but when you watch him, it rings true. I'm told he looks dramatically better. It was just about teaching technique and getting his legs a little stronger. He's doing a big workout on Friday in Vegas in front of a ton of NBA execs. I'll be there. We'll see. If he's fixed that, he's a very intriguing prospect. The first 9 or so guys in this draft are very talented. I really like the draft the closer we get to it.
Biz (NY)

What about Stanley Johnson? Who's looking at him? Is he a potential sleeper in this group?
Chad Ford (1:29 PM)

I actually think he's one of the "safer" picks in the draft. You know what you get with Stanley. Great NBA body. Very tough. Aggressive offensively. Shoots it better than you think. His ceiling just isn't particularly high because he lacks explosive athletic ability and struggles to finish at the rim. But he'll be in the league a long time.
Aaron (Houston, TX)

Cameron Payne seems to be shooting up the draft boards. Are teams really interested in him in the top 7, or is this some kind of sick joke? I thought my Pacers were initially reaching a bit by bringing him in for a workout, but that doesn't seem to be even close to the case now. Will he be there at #11, or will he be long gone?
Chad Ford (1:31 PM)

I can't quite figure out what's gotten into everyone. I like Payne a lot. But at No. 2 to the Lakers or No. 4 to the Knicks? C'mon. Even the Kings at No. 6 seems like a stretch. They need a franchise point guard, but it's usually a mistake to draft for need that early in the draft if it requires you to take a less talented prospect. I think his range should really be Charlotte at 9, Indiana at 11 or Thunder at 14. Those three teams make a lot of sense for Payne and I think that's a more appropriate range.
Lincoln (NJ)

What do you think of Kelly Oubre's mental makeup? The potential is there but I have seen many people question if he will reach it.
Chad Ford (1:34 PM)

That's the question with Oubre. He's got the physical tools. 6-7 wing with a 7-2 wingspan. He's got the athleticism. He's got some very good defensive tools and I think he'll be a good three point shooter in the NBA. He could really develop into a 3-D guy in the NBA. But does he want it. Teams were scared off by his early play at Kansas. He was clueless, lacked effort and was clearly (and rightfully) in Bill Self's dog house. But he did get better, significantly better as the season went on. And his trainer, Drew Hanlen (who's trained Brad Beal, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and a host of others) tells me he's as hard of a worker as he's trained. If that's true, people are sleeping on him.
Aaron (Houston, TX)

Follow up: First I thought they may just be bringing in Payne to compete with some of the other guys (Mudiay, Russell, etc). Does this ring true, or do you think these teams are looking to trade back get additional assets?
Chad Ford (1:36 PM)

No, those guys won't work out against him. Two theories. One, those teams are looking to move down or acquire another pick. Two, teams tend to want every prospect to come in and workout. It's just due diligence. So it's not uncommon for them to insist to agents that they are considering drafting their player even when they aren't.
Greg (Broomfield, CO)

Are the Nuggets still in the NBA? Does anyone care? Any idea what they will do at 7? Do they know?
Chad Ford (1:39 PM)

Yes. They're just a mess. The entire team is in flux and on the trading block and there's no clear direction forward. So ... when it comes to the draft, anything seems plausible. Any of the 5 positions. They just need talent.
Peleg (Israel)

What is The best case sanrio to WCS ? Can you see him becoming DPOTY in the future ?
Chad Ford (1:39 PM)

He has that ability yes. His ceiling is probably the Knicks at 4. Magic at 5, Kings at 6 are other good fits for him. I doubt he gets past the Pacers at 11.
Simon (Boston)

What are Gm's saying about Rashad Vaughn? Seems like a high ceiling guy. Whats the best projection you heard of him so far?
Chad Ford (1:41 PM)

He's really risen in the past several weeks. Wowed at a workout in Santa Monica with how he shot the ball and has worked out really strongly wherever he's gone. I could see him as high as the Bucks at 17. Reminds me a bit of OJ Mayo.
Tim (Crescent City)

Every year there are guys who went high that bust from Bowie to Darko to Beasley to Kwame. Who is most likely this year to "fail" for lack of better word?
Chad Ford (1:46 PM)

Actually our ESPN Analytics Team is doing a major project using projected statistical plus/minus as a way of projecting draft prospects in their first five years. They have a formula that assigns percentages to players based on them becoming a superstar, a starter, a role player and bust. D'Angelo Russell has the highest shot at being a superstar (15.2%) and the highest chance of being a bust (40.9%) of the top 25 guys. Weird. But interesting.

Dom (Fl) [via mobile]

What's all this I hear about Tyus Jones and the Rockets giving a promise?
Chad Ford (1:50 PM)

He "hurt" his back in a workout with the Rockets. Quit working out. The Rockets love him. Thus the speculation (and it's speculation) that perhaps they shut him down by promising to take him at 18 if he quit working out. We'll see if Jones starts working out again in the next few weeks. But I do get it from both sides. The Rockets need a point guard and are big on analytics. Most analytics models are very high on Jones. Jones would have a chance to play major minutes on a good team. That has to be very appealing. What number you are drafted at doesn't matter nearly as much as where you are drafted
Derek (Salt Lake) [via mobile]

Utah's preference in order: Lyles, Booker, Looney, Johnson, Turner?
Chad Ford (1:52 PM)

I think those are the guys getting serious looks from them. Kaminsky and Dekker too. A few of them won't be there at 12, but most of them will. I don't really know their order yet. I have them taking Turner (with Booker and Johnson off the board). But all of those guys would be fits. Utah is in a nice position at 12.
Vance (Chi Town)

which late 1st or 2nd rd guy has the highest potential to be a star?
Chad Ford (1:55 PM)

I honestly don't see it this year. I think the talent in the draft drops off pretty heavily at about 25. A lack of any real talented international players after Hezonja and Porzingis hurts. The closest I could get to that is Joe Young of Oregon. Great scorer, good shooter ... could see him becoming a Lou Williams type of super sixth man in the NBA.
Chad Ford (1:56 PM)

Gotta run everyone. Tons of draft content coming the next two weeks. I'll be in Vegas this Friday checking out Porzinigs for our next Making the Case for No. 1. Stay with us. Should be a ton of fun

[/quote]

[spree#8]

Those percentages are coming from a statistical model how his NCAA stats translate to the NBA. His confidence interval seems to be wide. I don't care though: a number four pick is about the highest potential to become a superstar, so I would gladly take Russell at 4.

Of course the potential of becoming a superstar is lower, because they are so rare. No worries here. "Highest shot at being a superstar" is all you need to know.

[taowave]

I find it interesting that the model forcasts that it is 2.5x more likely that he is a BUST then a superstar.Don't you find it odd that the guy with the highest probability of being a stud has an overwhelming chance of being a bust?

Wonder how bust is,defined?

Those percentages are coming from a statistical model how his NCAA stats translate to the NBA. His confidence interval seems to be wide. I don't care though: a number four pick is about the highest potential to become a superstar, so I would gladly take Russell at 4.

Of course the potential of becoming a superstar is lower, because they are so rare. No worries here. "Highest shot at being a superstar" is all you need to know.

[BXGuy]

Justise "League" Winslow
Highly intelligent, Hard worker, great defender. In a few years people will ask themselves how he wasn't the top pick.

best case senario: MKG meets James Harden
probably: MKG meets Jason Richardson with more passing.
worst case: Jason Richardson.

[BXGuy]

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-dr ... nded/2015/

porzingis may go 3rd.
Booker can be picked as high as 4.

[KnicksFanInSouthFL]

[youtube]eIvBe6HH40g[/youtube] [youtube]-d-UJZuWlrE[/youtube]

SG/SF - 6'7" and 180lbs

I doubt he gets drafted but he could be a good pickup for our Summer League team. And since he played for Westchester Community College he could turn into an immediate fan favourite.

He's got skills, at the very least I know BXGuy will like him...

[Don Che]

basketball fan of me is thinkin eh


the dominican of me is thinkin....future Joe Johnson lol

How great would it be if LA takes Russell and Philly takes Kris

we would have a chance at Okafor or Towns or Mudiay there at 4.....whoever Phil would pick...a section of the fan base would lose it no matter what

[KnicksFanInSouthFL]

basketball fan of me is thinkin eh


the dominican of me is thinkin....future Joe Johnson lol

How great would it be if LA takes Russell and Philly takes Kris

we would have a chance at Okafor or Towns or Mudiay there at 4.....whoever Phil would pick...a section of the fan base would lose it no matter what

[Don Che]

one of my favorite villains in horrible movies..ice pick scene was sick

New York would be nuts if there was a spanish new yorker on the team...oh wait

[KnicksFanInSouthFL]

Michael Qualls, one of my predictions for Steal of the Draft suffered a torn ACL... Got injured during his first workout for the Suns.

[youtube]1r2mvLkNLiI[/youtube]

But every cloud has a silver lining, Qualls was able to withdraw from the draft and will return back to Arkansas. Hopefully, all goes well for him on his path to recovery.

[Don Che]

I think at this point...I just want whoever we pick to be placed in a position to play big minutes and a chance to succeed.

I dont care about position...As long as the guy as a NBA ready body...1 or 2 skills that translate to the NBA...superior work ethic/killer mentality..And whoever we sign in free agency isnt meant to start over him.

Phil if you can get a guy to do that...im good money. Its like a week away and the finals are over...My season starts now lol

[StevoStarks]

This is kind of crazy. Ford has us taking Russell at 4 and WCS falling to #11 in his latest mock:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13089 ... k-draft-70

[KnicksFanInSouthFL]

Stevo, your 2015 mock draft will be just as credible as Chad Ford's...

Here's his mock from last year, 2014 mock draft.

[StevoStarks]

Stevo, your 2015 mock draft will be just as credible as Chad Ford's...

Here's his mock from last year, 2014 mock draft.

Jesus christ was he off. Those ESPN "analysts" always seem to blow it with their mock drafts. I'm looking at Ford and Mel Kiper.

[KnicksFanInSouthFL]

[youtube]CsfyG-OTaAw[/youtube]

Ya guy looks good, thewatcher.

[n8 the gr8]

Those percentages are coming from a statistical model how his NCAA stats translate to the NBA. His confidence interval seems to be wide. I don't care though: a number four pick is about the highest potential to become a superstar, so I would gladly take Russell at 4.

Of course the potential of becoming a superstar is lower, because they are so rare. No worries here. "Highest shot at being a superstar" is all you need to know.

I haven't been reading this thread carefully but this is interesting to me. I always thought it was generated from surveys or something. Do you have a link to a place that explains how this is calculated?