Adams vs Gobert vs Len (alphabetical order and such)

[video=youtube;fmq_o9jnFGg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmq_o9jnFGg[/video]


Steven Adams big sister Valerie Adams goes 6'4'' 265 lbs of solid muscle. I can imagine how big steven adams is going to be as he fills out.

I want to like these three prospects even more. Not feeling convinced yet.

Adams looks like he will be a physical force, but watching videos of him fumbling under the basket (on offense) makes me wonder how long it will be to see any real offensive production. He just doesn't seem to know what he's doing yet on the court, although I admit, it's intriguing to think how he could develop and he is young.

In some of the videos on his site, Gobert gets pushed around by guys 8 inches shorter, and his jump shot is nonexistent. He knows how to finish lobs, as long as he doesn't get pushed out of position, and he can be a defensive monster -- both with blocks and by poking away the ball from dribblers surprised by his length. But he is not especially fluid or quick defensively in the half-court. No shades of Anthony Davis. He has a long way to go, and he needs to go spend time with Steven Adams family to gain a lot of muscle and weight. Feels like there is too much Ryan Hollins in him right now but the wingspan is remarkable. Someone will draft him very high on potential and physical gifts.

Len -- well, I've been a fan all year and hope the injury isn't terrible. He seems to be a lot more savvy than either of the above guys, although not as physically overwhelming as Adams. I still don't think he drops too much because there's so much potential.

Noel -- I watched some early-season videos to remind myself why people like him so much. He just can do things these other guys can't do (or he could do them before he got injured). So quick, savvy, runs like a gazelle, shockingly athletic. Without the injury, he would be a no-brainer choice. But that injury worries me.

I guess this is a long way of saying that I'm not feeling fantastic about any one player but I am pleased that there are multiple bigs in the mix (along with Zeller, Dieng, Olynyk, Plumlee, Withey, Nogueira and some others). That's 10 possible top big prospects with the Cavs having two choices in the top 19 (or higher). It may not be a great draft, but it holds possibilities for a team like the Cavs. Last year only 4 potential Centers (Davis, Drummond, Leonard, and Zeller) were chosen in the top 20. Can't wait for the lottery to be over so we can think about how the Cavs will proceed.

I wonder what the likelihood is the Cavs don't draft a wing at all and just grab 2 centers.

mds said:

I wonder what the likelihood is the Cavs don't draft a wing at all and just grab 2 centers.

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if i had to guess very unlikely

mds said:

I wonder what the likelihood is the Cavs don't draft a wing at all and just grab 2 centers.

Click to expand...

I remember when they did that in 1996 and passed on the following wings Kobe, Nash, and Stojakovic. Should have taken Kobe and then Big Z at #20.
ahhh hindsight.

Kobe was going to force his way to LA no matter who drafted him. He may have accepted staying Philadelphia if they took him #1 or in Boston if they took him at #6 but short of that, he was going to force his way to LA no matter what.

Len said:

I remember when they did that in 1996 and passed on the following wings Kobe, Nash, and Stojakovic. Should have taken Kobe and then Big Z at #20.
ahhh hindsight.

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is it just me, but im a bit worried that rudy gobert looks just like ryan hollins and plays just like him? i hope he's not as dumb as hollins..

Ryan Hollins alnost went undrafted. Rudy Gobert is a lottery pick. No comparison.

Basically the fact that there are 4 High Potential Centers means that the Cavs have a great chance at one of them either through trading up or through just one falling. Heck if we are lucky we might be able to get two of them by taking on assets from this draft to acquire a pick and then draft whichever one falls to #19.

I look at Adams and see a guy who can do some things so easily, but looks like a rugby player playing basketball. His best chance of success is here with Z, Moseley and Andy to learn from he should be able to develop some sort of offense.

Gobert has the intangible measurements but needs to prove he can use them and make up for his lack of strength

Len is clearly the most polished player and probably likely to be able to contribute right off the bat.

I would be happy with any of them, although a project like Adams with the 4th pick will require a bit of patience from the fan base, he will be worse than zeller offensively for a long time and might fould out in 15 mins

What about Porter at 4, trade up from #19 to get Len at 8-10, then trading back up using Varejao and taking on salary in a 3 team trade with Dallas to get whichever of Gobert/Adams is still available? Our young core would be:

PG-Irving
SG-Waiters/Ellington
SF-Porter/Gee
PF-Tristan/Zeller
C-Len/(Gobert/Adams)

Among the three, Adams probably has the most defensive potential. I could see him maxing out as a more athletic Pekovic. Imagine the horror of opposing teams facing that kind of a punishing big man.

I am thinking Adams more and more. He is the best mix of strength and speed. Fastest and strongest big man who focuses on Defense? Sounds great

adams shoot 72% from mid range and has solid machnics

Adams could work as a nice compliment to Zeller. Zeller can be the offensive center and Adams the defensive guy. I also liked Adams ability to play pick and roll basketball; he reminds me of Varejao and hopefully he would slowly be able to add to his offensive game as his career goes on like Andy has done.