Samuels

Harden as our number one scoring option is a bit depressing though. I don't really want to cap out at mediocre.

He is a way more talented then Beal ever will be. Even in college he was basically the same guy but put up more points because he was the #1 option. If you look at it realistically if your expecting a #1 scoring option out of this draft your gonna be disappointed. I think Barnes is one of the few who could be a 20ppg scorer but still not a number 1 option. Harden will average 20ppg easily if he is the #1 option.

Maybe I'm wrong but if he is a restricted free agent in a few years dosen't that mean you could match any offer he gets?

Yes after next season he is restricted. You control his rights the next 2 years and you can pay him more then anybody else if you wanted.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8104507/florida-gator-bradley-beal-oklahoma-city-thunder-talked-moving-up

Harden is still under a teams control for 2 years. After next season he is restricted.

James Harden

Cole Aldrich

#28

for

Blatche

#3

#32

We would be a very dangerous team especially if we woulda hired a real detailed oriented defensive coach.

If we're going to get Beal, I hope its because we think he has the best chance of becoming a superstar. I don't want to draft players (especially this high) based on a metric like how this (recently crappy) team is constructed. How many pics have we passed on based on stuff like this?

If anything though, I trust that Ernie can find athletic guys. He doesn't always go for brains, but he does go after athleticism. Hopefully that'll help.

I was told top 5 ranking were

Davis

Trob

MKG

Barnes

Beal

We are clearly drating for need instead of Bpa.

Take it with a grain of salt its 2nd hand info.

Man I hope your source is wrong.

But it's totally believable. This dumbass of a GM would is completely capable of ignoring the smart move in favor of the dumb one.

I dont want Beal either not in the top 3. Much prefer Barnes,Mkg or even Drummond.

My source is'nt a scout or front office exc but hangs out and eats lunch with them almost daily.

Was just told the pick is Beal barring trades. If he is gone lookout for one of the trades I mentioned involving Blatche.

As long as we can get John Jenkins or even Doron Lamb with our 2nd pick i'll be estactic. I would'nt be shocked at all to see Jenkins become the best 2 guard from this draft. Even if we draft Beal i'd double up. Let Crawford be a combo guard he is better with the ball in hand anyway.

Can Barnes guard power forwards?

Also, do you think TRob can guard the wing like when teams go small ball and put, say, Dano Gallinari at the PF spot?

---------- Post added June-25th-2012 at 01:06 PM ----------

If TRob can guard all three front court spots, I'd say that's a huge source of value that trumps current shooting ability. Especially when you factor in his rebounding.

Barnes can guard the 2 or 3 much like Ariza can. Barnes is a very underrated defender at this point. I think Ariza will guard the tougher assignment. On offense its a nice fit and keeps the ball where it belongs in Walls hands letting him create. Harrison will have a huge advantage on 2 guards size wise and has a good postup game. He would be run off screens constantly and be able to shoot over most 2 guards with ease. We dont need ball pounders anyway.

Thats a very big lineup even off the bench.

http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/david_aldridge/06/25/morning-tip-pat-riley-influence-heat-championship/index.html

Read this on RealGM.

Barnes is rated higher on there board but they know Beal fills a need that was the 2nd hand info I got. Doubtful they amensty Blatche.

I read one trade proposal, obviously no legs on it, but it was Blatche and the 3 to Houston for 14+16. I think I'd hunt down Ernie if he traded away a top 5 pick just to get rid of Blatche contract. Might have been the craziest proposal I have ever seen. Obviously brought up because of the rumors that Houston wants to get top ten picks for a Dwight Howard rental trade.

Its actually Lowery,14,16 for Blatche,3.

Ive heard 3,Blatche for 6, Matthews.

Blatche+3 for Garcia+5.

I was told all have been discussed last week. This is the type of deal that is gonna happen we will not amensty blatche.

What would the purpose of Cleveland smokescreening us about moving up to 2nd be though Samuels?

We won't trade up to #2 and we know Davis is going first. What would them saying they'll move up to two accomplish? Try to get us to move down from 3 before draft day?

If not, it'd be pretty clear on draft day it was just a smokescreen when Charlotte picks at 2. Then nothing has changed for us, since we apparently favor Beal over Barnes anyway.

Or maybe the smokescreen isn't targeted at us? But if that's the case, I can't imagine who they're trying to fool. Charlotte themselves would know whether it's a smokescreen or not because they'd of course know whether Cleveland has approached them and made a serious offer.

I was told we are split on Beal and Barnes. They have Barnes ranked higher but Beal fills the biggest hole. And that its not a forgone conclusion that either will be the pick though. I told my buddy well damn that tells me alot.

Not sure there smokescreening or not but I think they want Barnes pretty bad.

Barnes/ or MKG and Lamb at #11 i'd do backflips. I'd double up on wings preferably that can score or shoot.

It looks like maybe Cleveland is smoke screening about moving to #2 for Beal. I think they really want Kyries buddy Barnes. Its been noted they had Barnes ranked as the #2 overall prospect last year as well.

If we traded with Portland it will go

1-Davis

2-TRob

3-Drummond

4- Barnes

5- MKG

6- Beal

Sactown will go MKG over Beal because of Tyreke.

If i'm wrong and Cleveland really wants Beal and moves to #2 then it will go.

1-Davis

2-Beal CLEV

3-Drummond

4- TRob CHAR

5- MKG/BARNES

6- MKG/BARNES

I think its a lock at #6 we'd end up with one of Barnes, Beal or MKG.

I read this morning that Rivers and MKG are coming back in for 2nd workouts. Maybe there thinking #6 and #11 I dunno but someone in the top 6 will be right there either Beal,Barnes,TRob,Drummond or MKG. Thats the move i'd make if its on the table #3+#32 it would probably take for #6+#11 but i'd do it without hesitation. Your are locked into getting a top 6 player and another nice piece at #11.

I'm alot like Bilas on Beal listening to him last night on the NBA channel draft special. I have Lamb ranked #1 like he does and Beal #2 but I'm not as down on him as he is, he had him ranked #4. I just did'nt see alot of NBA type scoring out of Beal. Beal scored on alot of spotup wide open jumpers. You very rarely saw him beat someone 1 on 1. I think he is getting overrated bigtime right now but he looks likely to be our pick.

Compared with Lamb. Lamb faced double teams and shot a ton of 3's off the dribble. Lots of ISO's and beating people off the dribble, lots of screens. His ability to setup defenders off of screens and dribble is the best in this draft by a mile. He also has a absolutely lightening quick crossover. The defenses were designed to stop him unlike Beal.

Barnes and Lambs game especially offensively is well suited to NBA play.

And I absolutely love MKG I have all year but with the cast of misfits dumbfeld has put together its just a horrible fit. If we could swing a trade for a pure shooter maybe Okafor for Ben Gordon i'd be on board.

If we trade for #6 and #11 and ended up with Barnes and Lamb lookout.

Roy Williams' system is the same system Dean Smith had. Vince Carter, Jordan, Stackhouse, even Forte got busy in that system. Barnes didnt because he has stiff movement.

The same system that Paul Pierce did his thing. That Keith Langford looked like a potential lottery pick.

Its not the same system because he learned under Dean you just assume it was. Roy did run alot of the same sets with Pierce though. I believe even one of the draft sites wrote about Roys system being Pg and Bigman dominant.

People can knock Barnes all they want but this thread will be on here and hopefully we bump it up for next year.

---------- Post added June-22nd-2012 at 11:00 PM ----------

Getting ready for Caps draft right now hopefully we get a nasty center but this draft is defense heavy.

That's a good analogy.

Normally I wish former players well when they go to other teams but I hope Blatche fails at his next stop too. He is the most irritating player non named Haynesworth to play in D.C. in a while.

---------- Post added June-22nd-2012 at 02:08 PM ----------

The decision not to take on any new contracts by our FO is looking like a really smart one.

I still think this was the primary motivation behind the Shard trade. They wanted to get two veteran players without taking on contracts for more than two years each.

The reason being the free agent class of 2014 looks pretty amazing. Check it out:

Old hand FAs

LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Carmelo, Bosh, Dirk, Pau, Granger, Pierce, Rudy Gay, and Z-Bo.

All of those guys are UFAs except LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Carmelo, Amare, Gay, and Z-Bo. These guys have either player options or early termination options.

Next consider that it's the first year the big time rookies of the draft class of 2010 will be eligible for restricted free agency. And the unextended rookies from the draft class of 2009 will be UFAs.

Either way it shakes down, it's going to be such a banner year for free agency that there will be so many quality FAs even the Wizards might be able to get in on the action.

Amnesty Blatche and Nene's 13 million dollar contract is the only one we're on the hook for that summer. We have the ability to go out and sign two max deals. We probably won't entice the Carmelos or LeBrons of the world to come here. But the younger generation of guys who've gotten to work with Wall is a possibility.

I think it's entirely possible to win enough games in the next two years for Wall to make a leap and also to entice Wall into staying with a big extension. I think where ever Wall commits to long term, there is a very good chance that's also the place DeMarcus Cousins commits to long term. I think we have a good shot at signing Cousins unless he signs an extension in Sacramento. And if he's not winning in Sacramento, I have a hard time seeing him want to extend there.

Here's a question: If we were to sign Cousins in 2014 or 2015, who would be the best player to take in this draft to compliment a Wall/Cousins foundation?

---------- Post added June-22nd-2012 at 02:35 PM ----------

Harrison Barnes was 53-0 his final two years in High School.

What happened at UNC? He came in a sure thing and never quite lived up to his billing. Last year UNC was one of the most talented teams ever assembled, four current lottery picks and at least one future one, a Senior All American and ACC POTY Center and a Junior two time ACC DPOY.

I want to know what was going on at UNC for why he and the team did not meet expectations.

Can't put all that on Barnes although he did struggle. And nobody ever mentions that Roy Williams system is'nt designed for a guy like Harrison to really get off. In the NBA he will have a more wide open, heavily spaced league that fits his strenghts much better. I think that to many people scream to draft certain guys based on college play and there not projecting them into the next level or looking at the overall big picture coaching,systems,teammates etc.

UNC had a great chance to win it all this year. Marshall going down killed them and any chance they had especially with his primary backup out as well, that little dude who took his spot was just awful.

The NBA is a pick&roll heavy league with lots of isolations. Barnes has proven that he is by far the best midrange shooter in this draft. He has also scored in isolations a ton his 2 dribble pullup and step back jumpers are NBA caliber. He has proven he can shoot off screens much more then Beal did this year. He is a good long defender with a NBA offensive game.

A need that isn't as glaring, in terms of discussion about it, but would help this team tremendously imo is a vet PG with a good jumper. I think adding one can help this team, a lot.

I wanted Machado bad with #46 but its gone now. Hoping for John Jenkins or Doron Lamb to fall into our lap at #32.

Barnes according to reports had a great workout today for the bobcats. Reporters said he made over 80% of his jumpers and dunked the ball like 20 times in a minute or something crazy like that in drill work. There coach was talking him up afterwards.

They must think Barnes or Ariza can play the 2 a little bit. You see the Pacers do it with George and Granger.

Ariza played the 2 alot last year for the hornets. He can defend both spots.

Ernie just said they won't count on the draft pick this season, he will only be 19 maybe 20. If you read into that Beal turns 19 on draft night. Barnes just turned 20 like 2 weeks ago. TRob is 21 and MKG and Drummond both are 18 until the fall.

I was told this morning they are split on Barnes and Beal. They like Harrison better but Beal fills a huge hole its gonna come down to need vs BPA on there board. And despite Teddy saying they will keep the pick I was told they've talked to the kings,blazers and warriors about trading back.

Another thing to consider...

Shard = not contributing this year

#46 pick = crapshoot

Ariza/Okafor = WILL contribute this season in one way or another. Also, BOTH deals are expiring after next year making the two guys attractive trade pieces before the 2014 season.

*People are harping on Ariza's offense...dude is a VERY good defender. That's being lost in this conversation.

There both very good defenders. Okafor and Nene is a formidable frontcourt if both are healthy. The problem is it makes us a late lottery type of team without capspace or a high draft pick. Its the exact opposite of the supposed plan.

Looking at the roster its very unbalanced

C- Nene- Seraphin

PF- Okafor- Booker- Vesely

SF- Ariza-Singleton-Vesely

OG- Crawford

PG-Wall- Mack

Thats 10 under contract. This move is gonna hurt the development of our young front court players.

I don't think they're washed up, I also don't think they'll be any better than what they already are. Okafor's injury history scares me a bit as well. Big money tied up in 2 front court players who might miss as many games as they play.

---------- Post added June-20th-2012 at 06:15 PM ----------

My biggest fear with this deal is that it puts us in basketball purgatory. We'll be just good enough to miss out on impact players in the draft, but not good enough for serious playoff contention or to entice free agents.

BINGO, just good enough to compete for the #8 seed and miss out on top 5 impact players in the draft. This team still needs to find that legit #1 scorer/shooter and really needs to hit big on this pick.

The pick has to be Barnes or Beal. I personally think Barnes offensive game is ready made for NBA basketball but were loaded at the 3. I'd be shocked if the pick was'nt 1 of those 2 unless another trade is made.

Okafor can still play and Ariza defends well but this is horrible without #10

Are you kidding me? How can you possibly think Harden played well last night? It wasn't just the shooting. What about the dumb turnovers and getting completely abused by LeBron? He's been terrible this series.

He has' nt played well at all but its a few games on the biggest stage. Thats not what I was commenting on anyway. You implied he was overrated. We all can see he had a few bad games.

I'd take him in his 3rd year over anybody in this draft but Davis. He has played in the Nba almost as a duplicate of how he played in college almost exact %' s etc.

It's not just that he hasn't been hitting his shots. He's been horrible all around. He is legitimately weak going right. Dude is overrated.

Your nuts on this one Steve no offense. Even shooting 2-10 last night he still grabbed 10 boards. He has missed alot of wide open jumpers the last two games he will normally drain.

If we get a player remotely close to being as good as Harden we will be in great shape.

Anyone else feel James Harden has been exposed a bit in this series?

Anyone still believe he's worth the second or third pick? Miami pretty much laid out the blueprint for guarding him: make him go right...

Absolutely he is a very good player damn sure better then Beal, Barnes or Mkg will ever be. He is getting the same shots he did all year just not hitting them. The heat have nothing to do with it game 1 he was constantly do whatever he wanted.