If we had 2 high picks in 2012, who would you want?

[adam81king]

I think Henson could be a better center than you give him credit for, given his athletic ability. He would need to get bigger though, that's for sure. Since he was an incoming freshmen, he has put on almost 40 pounds of muscle...seems unbelievable because he's still a twig, but he went from 183 to 220. I don't know where you got the SF possibility from...he's a PF who could play C because of his athleticism and wingspan, in my opinion.

I don't think Henson's future is at center at all. His wingspan might be that of a center, but his body is not. He makes Tyson Chandler look like Shaquille O'Neal. He'd need to add another 20-40lbs of muscle to start to get there, and I don't know if that's realistically possible. As a center prospect, I could see him as a Chris Anderson-type. As a power forward, I think he could be much more successful. I'd take him over Tristan Thompson, but after spending the #4 pick on Thompson, I don't think you'll see another PF picked in the Lottery unless it's someone truly special (Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Mitch McGary, etc).

As for the SF comments, those aren't coming from me. I've seen, read and heard more than a few people mentioning Henson possibly as a perimeter player. It's probably because he's so slight and highly unlikely to put on enough weight, or gain enough strength, to be a highly effective post player. Should he be able to add a perimeter shot and ball-handling, he could surely be as effective as Andrei Kirilenko, Tayshaun Prince, etc. Those improvements are about as likely as him becoming strong enough to play in the post on a regular basis, though. Again, not my theory, just things I've heard.

 

[The Oi]

I don't think Henson's future is at center at all. His wingspan might be that of a center, but his body is not. He makes Tyson Chandler look like Shaquille O'Neal. He'd need to add another 20-40lbs of muscle to start to get there, and I don't know if that's realistically possible. As a center prospect, I could see him as a Chris Anderson-type. As a power forward, I think he could be much more successful. I'd take him over Tristan Thompson, but after spending the #4 pick on Thompson, I don't think you'll see another PF picked in the Lottery unless it's someone truly special (Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Mitch McGary, etc).

I don't think Tristan Thompson precludes the Cavs from taking another PF. In fact, I think having Tristan Thompson means you absolutely MUST get another PF...and one who can score.

I think Tristan Thompson's ceiling is probably as a 6th man of the Anderson Varejao quality. He's not a good shooter, but he is a good clean-up guy. I think he's a guy that COULD play alongside of Andy, but you just wouldn't see either of them creating their own points. I really don't think that's ideal unless you have a wing that can score like crazy playing off of Kyrie. With Andy playing center, you'd put Henson at PF and have Tristan come off the bench. Henson can create some points of his own...at this point, Tristan and Varejao are pretty reliant on playing off the ball in Andy's case or rebounding in Tristan's case.

By no means do I think that Tristan's cemented in that starting PF spot. And certainly, if Anthony Davis was on the board, I'd have to imagine the Cavs would consider him.

 

[MRMsix6]

I think Tristan Thompson's ceiling is probably as a 6th man of the Anderson Varejao quality.

Really? If anything I'd say that's more likely his floor. There's no way his best-case scenario is Anderson Varejao, that's insane. He'll score more than Varejao on athleticism alone with the ability to finish strong at the rim and draw fouls.

 

[The Oi]

Really? If anything I'd say that's more likely his floor. There's no way his best-case scenario is Anderson Varejao, that's insane. He'll score more than Varejao on athleticism alone with the ability to finish strong at the rim and draw fouls.

Just keep in mind that you're suggesting that the very worst TT can be is a guy that could arguably be the best sixth man big in the league and the best hustle man in the league for sure.

He's demonstrated nothing in his career to this point that suggests he does anything Varejao cannot. Not sure where you're getting that my opinion is insane.

 

[MRMsix6]

Just keep in mind that you're suggesting that the very worst TT can be is a guy that could arguably be the best sixth man big in the league and the best hustle man in the league for sure.

That's not what I said. What I said is I think it's more likely that his floor is Varejao than his ceiling. Semantics really. Floor/ceiling arguments are dumb anyways because the actual floor is a player blowing out his knee and never playing again. Either way I would strongly disagree that TT's ceiling is Varejao.

He's demonstrated nothing in his career to this point that suggests he does anything Varejao cannot. Not sure where you're getting that my opinion is insane.

He blocks shots at a much higher rate, draws fouls at a much higher rate, and is in another league athletically. He was the 2nd leading scorer on a Texas team that started 3 NBA players. Most of the things he did well in college translate VERY well to the NBA game. I think it's likely that he will be an Anderson Varejao-type player, but he also has the athletic ability that Varejao doesn't, which is what could propel him past "6th man of the year candidate" territory.

At least that's what I hope.

 

[The Oi]

That's not what I said. What I said is I think it's more likely that his floor is Varejao than his ceiling. Semantics really. Floor/ceiling arguments are dumb anyways because the actual floor is a player blowing out his knee and never playing again. Either way I would strongly disagree that TT's ceiling is Varejao.



He blocks shots at a much higher rate, draws fouls at a much higher rate, and is in another league athletically. He was the 2nd leading scorer on a Texas team that started 3 NBA players. Most of the things he did well in college translate VERY well to the NBA game. I think it's likely that he will be an Anderson Varejao-type player, but he also has the athletic ability that Varejao doesn't, which is what could propel him past "6th man of the year candidate" territory.

At least that's what I hope.

Hey...I won't argue with your optimism. I'm just saying...Anderson Varejao is an incredibly valuable player. Good point about the athleticism, but that athleticism doesn't necessarily mean he'll be as effective as Andy.

He might get fouled at a much higher rate, but he sure misses his FT's at a much higher rate too. Fouls don't matter quite as much if you can't make the shots.

In any case...I hope you're right and that he exceeds expectations.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Heres a left field idea:
Look at these two stat lines
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/57279/andre-drummond
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51343/fab-melo

One of them is Andre Drummond and one of them is Fab Melo. One is projected top 2, the other could go anywhere late in the first to 2nd round. Stats are similar, Drummond has more weight, but Melo has more height. Does anyone feel like drafting Melo later would be a better idea?

• Andy can play while Melo develops
• Melo is a legit 7'
• Drummond may command more touches, where as Melo is all cleanup and has the size to do so
• Melo would come at a cheaper cost. Allowing us to use higher picks on other players
• If he doesn't work at C we still have Andy, so we wouldn't necessarily be forced to play our C draft pick. If we draft Drummond that high, he is almost guaranteed to take the starting spot if he goes #1 or #2.

So lets say we draft #5 and #13. Then can package our 2nd rounders for Melo if he is taken in the first, or pick him up with our highest 2nd rounder. Granted this is all speculation if he even comes out.

PG-Irving
SG-Beal/Eyenga
SF-Gilchrist
PF-Thompson
C-Andy/Melo

That sounds pretty good to me. Then maybe in 2013 draft a 4 year combo guard to fill role player minutes.

 

[mofire]

I think if the Cavs get lucky again and land the number 1 pick it's a no brainer that you take anthony davis and you run with it. That could open up trading tristan or having tristan on the bench as the 6th man. Against some teams you will be able to play davis and Thompson on the floor together for extended minutes. The only teams that would give us a problem with that would be the likes of Orlando, Lakers, and probably the Thunder with perkins.

 

[Chris]

Let's wait and see how the NCAA season shapes up before saying what we'd do without question.

 

[The Process God]

Now that the season is actually going to happen, we'll land the number one pick, be able to use our TPE in a trade so we can acquire a second high 1st rounder, and then the Kings make the 8th seed in the West. Also, the age limit is going to be removed, so we draft Anthony Davis at #1, Shabazz Muhammad with our 5-10 pick that we traded for, then we draft Drummond with our last pick because he falls because of lack of production, but still ends up great because he's going to be motivated in an NBA setting. Then our lineup will be as follows:

PG - Irving
SG - Muhammad
SF - Barnes
PF - Thompson
C - Drummond

And then we win the 2012 NBA Championship and have a dynasty for the next 15 years. Oh, and Thompson is going to develop a 3-pt show a la Kidd.

That's pretty realistic, I'd say.

But in all seriousness, I think the best possible pick we can get in a trade to set us up for two high picks is in the 6-15 range or so. Of course, we could also get lucky and get lucky with the Kings slipping into the playoffs. I think we really need for that to happen with the draft being the way it is, actually. If we won the lottery, I'd grab Davis as of right now. If Drummond lives up to his potential, he might be better, but we'll see. With the other pick, I'd grab either Beal, Rivers, Miller, McAdoo, Gilchrist, or Lamb or whatever SG or C is available. I'd like to think that Davis could be our SF.

 

[The Oi]

Let's wait and see how the NCAA season shapes up before saying what we'd do without question.

Oh ok, great. Just let us know when its ok for us to move forward with this thread.

 

[Triumph36]

By no means do I think that Tristan's cemented in that starting PF spot. And certainly, if Anthony Davis was on the board, I'd have to imagine the Cavs would consider him.

lol. only way the Cavs would need to "consider" anything wrt Davis is if they are picking #1 overall. if it's not #1 and he's still on the board, they grab him and run. TT is irrelevant when it comes to Davis.

i like Henson (a lot more than TT, actually) but hopefully the Cavs aren't picking low enough that he's a realistic target

 

[bigjmac0815]

Andre drummond and harrison barnes

 

[Chris]

Oh ok, great. Just let us know when its ok for us to move forward with this thread.

:chuckles: Come on.

"WE'D TAKE [insert player] WITHOUT QUESTION!!!!" when these guys gave been playing for a couple weeks. It's hilarious.

 

[The Oi]

:chuckles: Come on.

"WE'D TAKE [insert player] WITHOUT QUESTION!!!!" when these guys gave been playing for a couple weeks. It's hilarious.

I hear you. But you've got to expect comments like that in draft threads. Its like watching The Matrix and judging it based on its realisticness (real word?)

Personally, I don't even notice that stuff. I just read through looking for new guys to watch and new aspects to watch for in the games of guys I'm already watching.