LeBron James thinks he and Dan Gilbert could get along again
February 16, 2012Anderson Varejao out 4-6 weeks, no surgery needed
February 16, 2012
With the All-Star break approaching and the dust beginning to settle, we will start to change up our Not-so-Big board to cater to where the Cleveland Cavaliers can be anticipated to make their selection. No longer can we just anticipate top-three or top-five as the Wine and Gold find themselves 2.5 games behind the eight-seed New York Knicks.
We will be operating under the assumption that, as of now, the Cavs will not be drafting in the top-five this summer. Sure, the lottery can work wonders — it did just that this past year. That said, you’ve seen enough of these Boards to know which players we prefer in the event luck bounces Cleveland’s way once again.
If anything, this updated format will lend insight into any relative drop-off between the top-five and the top-10.
As always, we are slowly accumulating larger samples of these top-flight NBA prospects. We will update this not-so-big board on a bi-weekly basis – feel free to comment, critique or debate in the comments below. We have a little more shake-up this week following some excellent NCAA contests.
_______________
Anticipated top-five: Anthony Davis (PF, Kentucky), Andre Drummond (C, Connecticut), Harrison Barnes (SF, North Carolina), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF, Kentucky), Thomas Robinson (PF, Kansas)
_______________
| Player | Thoughts | ||
| 6 |  Bradley Beal, SG (Florida) |
I’ve long knocked Beal down a few pegs due to his size (listed at 6’3″), but after his ever-consistent efforts in both scoring and rebounding, the Gators shooter is firmly ahead of the pack when it comes to wing players who should be available outside of the top five. Beal made up for a 2-for-8 night against Tennessee by getting to the free throw line 13 times; he’s averaging just under two steals per game over his last five. I think the Ray Allen comps may be a bit premature, but this kid is looking more and more like the real deal for a team in desperate need of an additional scoring option. | |
| 7 |  Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut) |
Lamb’s athleticism and ability to score is highly enticing. However, as UCONN continues to falter — losing four of their last five games — Lamb is starting to display tendencies that are not exactly positive; he continues to launch three-pointers (10 attempts in the loss to Syracuse, 11 in the loss to Georgetown) despite shooting at a 21 percent clip from long range over the last four games. The steals and rebounds are a nice bonus, but I’d be concerned about some of Lamb’s decision-making as of late. Good news is, if Lamb is a guy whom you covet, he should be there late i the lottery if the Cavaliers keep winning. | |
| 8 |  Perry Jones III, SF (Baylor) |
Is there a more frustrating player in Division I hoops right now? Jones has all the tools in the world; a 6-foot-11-inch athlete who could conceivably play the wing at the next level. And what does he do? Back-to-back clunkers against top-ranked opponents, combining to go 3-for-20 with nary a blocked shot. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that the Baylor big man pulled down 11 boards against Oklahoma State and followed that up with two seven-rebound contests and a bit of a bounce-back scoring effort (18 points) against Iowa State. Jones is a player whose draft stock is in his own hands — what he does with it remains to be seen. | |
| 9 |  Myers Leonard, C (Illinois) |
A true seven-footer who can only get better as he adds size, Leonard is the Big Ten big man that gets glossed over around these parts. Over his last five games, Leonard is averaging 13 points, nine boards and just under three blocked shots. He runs the floor well, plays with his back to the basket and has a defensive knack that would keep him in high praise within Byron Scott’s system. How Leonard shapes up against the rest of the Big Ten from here out will only serve to further cement his draft stock within the 2012 lottery. | |
| 10 |  Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina) |
Another seven-footer, Zeller has been on fire as of late, averaging 21 points, 15 rebounds and two blocked shots over his past five contests with the Tar Heels. The elder Zeller may be discredited for being a senior who lacks athleticism, but he is a solid rebounder, runs the floor very well and has excellent touch outside of the paint for a seven-footer, possessing the ability to consistently hit mid-range jump shots. Adding a player like Zeller would allow the Cavaliers to move Anderson Varejao back to power forward, giving the Wine and Gold an excellent defensive front court to compliment Kyrie Irving at the point. |
A few more thoughts on…
Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State) – Just because someone will undoubtedly ask, the answer is ‘no.’ I do not have Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger in my current top 10. He’s lost weight and could still lead the Scarlet and Grey to the promise land, but as of right now, the Buckeyes’ big barely cracks the top three at his position. I think the only way the Cavaliers go with a power forward is if they land the top selection and even that is a stretch.
Austin Rivers, SG (Duke) – It took a big game-winner from North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes last season before he turned the corner and took his draft stock up nearly a full round. Rivers, as you may have heard, hit one of the biggest shots of the regular season as his Blue Devils came from behind to top their intra-state rivals. That said, there is a growing suspicion that Rivers — who by no means needs the money — could stay in college for another year to work on additional aspects of his game. This would be a win-win for he and whichever NBA team opted to select him at some point in the future.
Terrence Ross, SG (Washington) – Washington’s Ross is just outside of the top 10 and I felt he deserved a special mention as, like Arizona’s Derrick Williams last season, his west coast habitat doesn’t allow many midwestern folks to see his game. Ross is an athletic sharp-shooter who has a knack for hard-nosed wing defense. Ross’ 6-foot-6-inch frame would add size to any NBA backcourt; he has two double-digit board totals in the past three games, he blocks shots (eight in his last five games), and he gets to the line. Keep an eye on him.
Cody Zeller, C (Indiana) – The younger Zeller with potentially more upside than the one listed above, Cody would see his name loft up the Not-so-Big Board if he were to declare for the draft. As of now, I’m operating under the suspicion that, while he may not go a full four year like Tyler, Cody will be back in Bloomington to tear up the Big Ten in 2012-13.
Patric Young, C (Florida) – Young’s draft stock will largely depend on where he is slated to play at the next level. Playing center for Florida, the 6-foot-9-inch Young will likely end up as a power forward in the NBA, suppressing what could have been a top-10 pick if not for the single-digit inch total. An excellent defender and great on the glass, Young already has the body and athleticism to translate to a professional level. I just fear that he will be undersized and could be a liability on the offensive end.
Required Viewing:
2/18 (6) Ohio State at (19) Michigan – 9pm EST, ESPN
2/20 (10) Baylor at Texas – 9pm EST, ESPN
2/21 Illinois at (6) Ohio State – 7pm EST, ESPN
2/21 (1) Kentucky at (23) Mississippi State – 9pm EST, ESPN
2/23 (5) Duke at (21) Florida State – 7pm EST, ESPN
2/25 Vanderbilt at (1) Kentucky – 12pm EST, CBS
2/25 (7) North Carolina at (22) Virgina – 4pm EST, ESPN
Previous Not-so-Big Boards:
Not-so-Big Board 1.4
Not-so-Big Board 1.3
Not-so-Big Board 1.2
Not-so-Big Board 1.1
Not-so-Big Board: 1.0
20 Comments
Interesting thoughts. I would argue that 11 boards against OK State isn’t exactly a silver lining… they are one of the worst rebounding teams out of all BCS schools. But then again, I have just never been a fan of Perry Jones III (does Baylor have a monopoly on thirds?). I like and agree with your thoughts on Beal. Would love to see him in the Wine and Gold.
I can guarantee that Perry Jones will be the answer to one of two questions in the NBA
either
“Why did we pass on X to take Jones?”
or
“How did we pass on Jones to take X?”
no middle ground he is either going to get it together and be a star or a bust IMO
I caught a few Wash games to see Ross after he was mentioned on some other draft sites. Tough call between him and Beal, but I like the bigger Ross, because I don’t see that much difference in their games but 3 inches is 3 inches.
Leonard is really intriguing, if Kyrie can show he gets something out of Erden imagine what he could do with a talented big man. I feel like the worst you would get out of him is Roy Hibbert II and that really isn’t a bad thing drafting in the 9-12 range.
i’m not a fan of Beal, but I’m really not a fan of PJIII. let’s restrict the Baylor alum to the Browns please.
PJIII = Drew Gooden (same crazy upside that he’ll likely never reach because of the same general malaise that he plays with)
still need to watch another game of Leonard’s. I will try to do so this weekend otherwise I’ll just wait for Tuesdays matchup.
Where is Terrance Jones on this list?
In my opinion, the same goes for Meyers Leonard.
In my opinion, the same goes for Meyers Leonard.
Leonard is a great player, however, he’s very immature. Watching him in a game recently, he committed some bad fouls (both silly fouls and frustration fouls), and seemed out of it once the team adjusted to him. I think he’s a late teens pick at best.
I would like to go after Lamb. I like a 6’5″ scoring SG who will fill out as opposed to a 6’3″ SG. Lamb is a more explosive and creative scorer than beal. He was great in the tournament as a freshman and he complimented kimba’s game well. I beleive that will translate to Kyrie.
he’d be ranked about the 5th kentucky player just like how he’s the 5th option in real life 🙂
I agree. And, to further the point, I think UConn is mis-using him right now. He’s their best player, so they are putting the ball in his hands and “making him create.” Well, he’s okay at that, but what he is/was really good at is moving without the ball and getting open looks. That and he is a + defender who also gets steals and rebounds.
You know, exactly what we need a SG next to Kyrie to do (he probably fits better than MKG, but I love Gilchrist’s game so much and the explosive nature that he could provide that I’m willing to ignore that)
I haven’t had much of a chance to see Beal — what has he been showing that people are so high on? How is Florida misusing him? Does he create his own shot well?
I mean to say I see his box scores, which certainly don’t tell the whole story, but he has a reputation as a shooter and he’s putting up these shooting duds every few nights. Like I said, how is Florida misusing him?
Good list, but i’d take Perry Jones off and add Moe Harkless, the 6’8 SF from St. John’s. Also I’d switch Beal and Ross, with Lamb as a close second option. Rather develop someone with ideal size.
I think Sullinger has a better chance of going in the top ten than Jones because at least GM’s know what they’re getting. I hope they’re both picked early though. The more PF’s that go before we pick the better.
Any ideas on who might be there in the bottom of rd 1 if we get a pick for Sessions?
some guys who ‘might’ be there in the 20s if they come out (and depending who above them comes out too (of the ones I’d be interested in):
Fab Melo, 7′ Center, Syracuse
Jeffrey Taylor, 6’7″ SF, Vandy
Alex Young, 6’6″ SG, IUPIU
Tomas Satoransky, 6’6″ PG/SG, Czech
All i know is that we need a big physical guy at the Center position..BAD. Erden plays sooo soft, and Hollins isnt going to cut it. Yes, we need scoring, but we also need stronger interior D. What’s more important the scoring or the D? Hypothetical: we have get two first round picks..1st pick under 10 and the 2nd pick in the late 20’s….who do we want? who do we need?
we want the BPA at each spot and not to worry as much about “need” (factor it in a little so we don’t go Kahn, but not like it’s a HUGE priority)
if MKG slipped to wherever we picked and then we got Satoransky, then we would have an incredibly athletic and potentially devastatingly defensive wing combo that can run like the wind. I’d like that very much.
just to see it outlined, here would be our “stopper” lineup:
PG: Irving
SG: Satoransky
SF: MKG
PF: Tristan
C: AV
Here’s a question: Of the 15 players on this page, is there any one you wouldn’t rather have than Tristan Thompson? Patric Young is a better prospect that Thompson, and he could go between 15th and 20th. Wow, was last year’s draft terrible.