369 replies to this topic

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Who's No. 1 pick in 2013 draft? (Insider)

http://insider.espn....pick-2013-draft

At least three players -- Kentucky's Nerlens Noel, Indiana's Cody Zeller and UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad -- came into the season with a legit shot at going No. 1. Two others -- Kentucky's Alex Poythress and Maryland's Alex Len -- have been mentioned as possible No. 1s as well by GM's I've spoken with since the season began.

[Mike B]

ESPN: Who's No. 1 pick in 2013 draft? (Insider)

http://insider.espn....pick-2013-draft

First look, no sure things but want to see more of Muhammad.

Len is going to go high based on size, mobility, hands and being coachable.

[Adam Wolff]

Being a Terps fan, it would be incredibly exciting to have Len as the first round pick. I think teams will be extremely encouraged by the amount of progress Len has made this season. If he continues to play this well throughout the ACC schedule, he could be the guy.

[BSLChrisStoner]

SI: NBA Draft Big Board 5.0
http://sportsillustr.../?sct=uk_t12_a1

[Adam Wolff]

SI: NBA Draft Big Board 5.0
http://sportsillustr.../?sct=uk_t12_a1

I will be very interested to see, assuming he comes out, how Len performs in the NBA. He has looked pretty bad against most able bodied opponents, which he will face every night in the NBA. You can't teach his size and athleticism, but I don't see a guy right now that belongs on an NBA floor.

[BSLMikeLowe]

The conundrum with Alex is that I'm not sure how much better he can get by staying at MD. While he has his shortcomings, the way he's used at MD (or more accurately, isn't used) and the lack of a decent PG to feed him better entry passes, his most realistic chance to grow his game might be to make the jump now. I think NBA GMs and scouts simply want to see that he's motivated and will remain engaged even when he doesn't get a lot of touches, as he looked disinterested at times this season when he wasn't getting many.

[Oriole85]

If he's a top 10 draft choice (like I've seen on many projections); even not accounting for potential injuries, there's a much better chance, his draft stock goes down than goes up. If you're a lottery pick, you should almost always go in these situations. Sure if your team could contend for a national title, I could see you putting $$$ aside for a year.

I know many are going to counter that he could improve in the long-term even if his draft stock takes a hit. Sometimes, you only get one big contract. If you're in a position to become instantly wealthy, it's hard to turn down.

I think many want him to come back for selfish reasons moreso than his best interests. It seems like Maryland fans moreso than any other contigent "thinks" he should stay another year. I don't think that's a coincidence.

[FlavaDave10]

If he's a top 10 draft choice (like I've seen on many projections); even not accounting for potential injuries, there's a much better chance, his draft stock goes down than goes up. If you're a lottery pick, you should almost always go in these situations. Sure if your team could contend for a national title, I could see you putting $$$ aside for a year.

I know many are going to counter that he could improve in the long-term even if his draft stock takes a hit. Sometimes, you only get one big contract. If you're in a position to become instantly wealthy, it's hard to turn down.

I think many want him to come back for selfish reasons moreso than his best interests. It seems like Maryland fans moreso than any other contigent "thinks" he should stay another year. I don't think that's a coincidence.

 

Well said. I honestly can't blame Len if he leaves. When you have a chance to be a lottery pick, you gotta go for it. Not saying that I agree that he SHOULD be a lottery pick, but everything I'm hearing says that he will be. Could be a decent center/power forward if he bulks up. 

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Dad: Russ Smith to enter NBA draft

 

http://espn.go.com/n...ccording-father

 

 

ESPN: Hoosiers' Victor Oladipo to go pro

 

http://espn.go.com/n...aving-nba-draft

 

 

ESPN: Ben McLemore declares for NBA draft

 

http://espn.go.com/n...lares-nba-draft

[SBTarheel]

What a terrible draft class this is..shades of 2000.

[Oriole85]

What a terrible draft class this is..shades of 2000.

All the more reason for someone like Len to go.

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Trey Burke entering NBA draft

 

http://espn.go.com/n...cording-reports

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Tim Hardaway Jr. to enter draft

 

http://espn.go.com/n...enter-nba-draft

 

ESPN's Chad Ford said Wednesday in his chat he thinks Hardaway would be a second-round selection. He is the No. 15 shooting guard in ESPN's draft rankings and the No. 55 player overall.

 

[SBTarheel]

I don't think there will be one perennial All Srar in this draft class.

 

 

 

 

Excelt Reggie Bullock, of course.

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Dad: Shane Larkin to enter draft

 

http://espn.go.com/n...es-declare-draf

 

One less obstacle for the Terps next year.

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Doug McDermott staying at Creighton

 

http://espn.go.com/m...ays-senior-year

 

Bad move IMO, next year won't be as watered down as this year. Obviously, there's other factors here with his dad as the coach and playing for a solid team.

[Adam Wolff]

ESPN: Doug McDermott staying at Creighton

 

http://espn.go.com/m...ays-senior-year

 

Bad move IMO, next year won't be as watered down as this year. Obviously, there's other factors here with his dad as the coach and playing for a solid team.

 

Hard to see his stock improving, but if the team can make an NCAA tournament run, we've seen in the past how some NBA teams can fall in love with a player because of that. And I'm sure, coming from a family where his father is a successful coach, there's more to this whole basketball thing than making money. Getting a diploma and making a run at an NCAA title are probably as important in that household as anything.

[Icterus galbula]

Hard to see his stock improving, but if the team can make an NCAA tournament run, we've seen in the past how some NBA teams can fall in love with a player because of that. And I'm sure, coming from a family where his father is a successful coach, there's more to this whole basketball thing than making money. Getting a diploma and making a run at an NCAA title are probably as important in that household as anything.

Yeah, I don't think he would have been a strong pick this year anyway. With money not a factor for his family, might as well get a degree and try and have as nice a college career as possible.

[Chris B]

I still think the move to the Big East is what kept him around for his senior year.

[Oriole85]

Hard to see his stock improving, but if the team can make an NCAA tournament run, we've seen in the past how some NBA teams can fall in love with a player because of that. And I'm sure, coming from a family where his father is a successful coach, there's more to this whole basketball thing than making money. Getting a diploma and making a run at an NCAA title are probably as important in that household as anything.

Spot on analysis. The relationship between the coach and player changes the dynamics a bit, no matter how much they try to downplay. You can never truly separate that relationship. Obviously this is an extreme example(and different sport), but I look at someone like Matt Barkley and see how he went from a very top selection to the 4th round. It's that kind of example though which makes me thing you can never pass up a sure thing.