Hezonja or Bust...

[Proudiddy]

Plain and simple...   Point blank, period. 

 

The last few drafts, I didn't really care one way or another.  But I care this time...  

 

It's just my opinion, but I DO NOT WANT DEVIN BOOKER.  Imo, he is PJ redux, and honestly, that's an insult to PJ, because I think PJ is a better natural scorer and a better athlete.  Regardless, they are too similar and it serves no purpose to draft him with PJ already on the roster, considering we haven't even given PJ a chance to fully show what he can do yet either.  The bottom line is, they are similar in size and imo, booker is less explosive and less of a natural scorer.  I'm not impressed at all. 

 

Now, Hezonja...   This is a milestone for proudiddy.   I'm the guy every year when they go through mocks and the talking heads are pushing the international players, I almost immediately write them off.  I want no part of them, with very, very few exceptions over the years.  Biz is a prime example.  I told people I did not want him at where he was projected and all I was told was how young he was, and how he would "develop."  I didn't care.   In the late 20s?  Sure,  he would've been worth it, but to me, to make the trade we did to acquire another pick in the single-digits and then turn around and pick Biz, I was disgusted. I said at the time, his best case scenario was Ben Wallace, and that was not likely.  Well, look at us now...   It's very likely that he can still become Ben Wallace, and to his credit, I think he's already a better offensive player than Wallace.  Additionally, I much rather him be our starting center going forward and ditch Big Al, but that's another thread... 

Back to my point, I just feel like Hezonja is going to make an instant impact.  I feel, if given the minutes, he will be the rookie of the year.  He is uber-athletic and a ridiculous shooter, and he IS a natural scorer with a true killer instinct and supreme confidence.  I don't associate any of those characteristics with Booker (hence why I prefer to give PJ his time to prove himself).  Hezonja is what we need, and I promise you he will be a difference maker from day one. 

I know I'm setting myself up for disappointment, but imo, there is no other option with our first pick...   And I doubt Hezonja makes it to 9, so we have to move up.  Easier said than done, I know, but I think for starters, Al's contract is a nice piece to dangle out there.  If we don't find a way to take Hezonja, I don't even want what's there at 9.  If we have to choose between WCS and Booker at 9, then we ABSOLUTELY NEED to trade back and take Hunter or Grant (who could be steals in the mid-first).  Booker is garbage and we don't need another player who has absolutely no offensive ability coming in (WCS), as our draft history is chock full of those guys. 

With Hezonja, we have flexibility.   Again, with his size, athleticism, and natural scoring ability, he gives us versatility...   We could play small and have a lineup of Hawes, Hezonja, MKG, Hendo/PJ, Kemba.  We could also play with a traditional lineup and use Hezonja at either wing depending on match ups and what we need.  He is pure offense.   And that's what we need, desperately. 

 

You're welcome. 

 

 

[cbarrier90]

I'm not going to quote all that but I will say considering little to no mocks have Mario falling to us I suggest trying to talk yourself into back up plans.

May I recommend Biz (and future Al) replacement Willie Cauley-Stein?

[Proudiddy]

Actually CB, I was watching the draft special on nbatv last night and their "Internet concensus"  mock had Hezonja falling to 10, IIRC.  Which I thought was hilarious...  But,  that's why I said we need to trade up. 

IM not saying WCS will be a horrible player.   I think if he applies himself, he can be a dominant defensive force and offers HUGE advantages in pick and roll defense.   That being said, hasn't our fan base had enough of drafting offensively deficient, defensive specialists across the board?   I can't take anymore of those picks.   And as you mentioned, imo, with the presence of Biz, WCS is redundant.   He sucks on offense and he's redundant, those are two characteristics of each and every one of our drafts and the reason we have been so bad for so long.

 

Thats why I say, trade up for Hezonja (which shouldn't be hard, as most mocks I've seen have him going between 6-8), or if not, trade back and take hunter or grant.  Or the other option is trade the pick altogether for an already proven vet. 

 

My other angle here is that the most likely piece to help us move up in a trade for hezonja would be Al's contract.   Imo, he has to go this offseason for us to improve.   In that scenario, Biz is re-signed and goes into the season as our starter - then we have tremendous defense and rebounding inside with guys like Hawes, Hezonja, PJ, etc, standing around on the perimeter ready to create or shoot. 

[cbarrier90]

I think you are selling WCS short and way overselling Biz. Just to clarify, Mario is my favorite as well.

First, Willie has the freak athletic ability to guard all 5 positions. He is also 7'1, nearly a half foot taller than 6'9 Biz. Biz is still incredibly uncoordinated and learning the game, nevermind even shooting beyond 3 feet from the rim. Willie is nothing to write home about on that end, but he can at least catch an entry pass and finish.

Obviously Biz has shown his worth on the defensive end and provides a valuable skill in the "new" NBA, but how much is that worth. His qualifying offer is 4 million dollars. At 22 years old playing backup, is he really going to be worth a long term contract, especially when you can get a far more polished guy to do the same thing AND be on the rookie scale AND replace Al long term?

DeAndre Jordan is about to get a max deal. I think Willie could be that same type of player.

Tl;dr: YOUR OPINION IS WRONG! (haha, kidding)

[Cuttinedge]

Deandre Jordan is about to get a max deal and he ain't worth it.  On the right team he can help but on a team with putrid offensive guards and forwards he would suck. He has no offense. He can dunk and can't shoot FTs he's a liability late. 

 But I agree with diddy big men who have only one talent (that being defense) is not the new nba. Time for the hornets to try something different. And my opinion weeks ago was bookers a potential bust. If we pick him I'm gonna have a hard time watching him sit on bench for 2-3 yrs

[emhoward]

I think you are selling WCS short and way overselling Biz. Just to clarify, Mario is my favorite as well.

First, Willie has the freak athletic ability to guard all 5 positions. He is also 7'1, nearly a half foot taller than 6'9 Biz. Biz is still incredibly uncoordinated and learning the game, nevermind even shooting beyond 3 feet from the rim. Willie is nothing to write home about on that end, but he can at least catch an entry pass and finish.

Obviously Biz has shown his worth on the defensive end and provides a valuable skill in the "new" NBA, but how much is that worth. His qualifying offer is 4 million dollars. At 22 years old playing backup, is he really going to be worth a long term contract, especially when you can get a far more polished guy to do the same thing AND be on the rookie scale AND replace Al long term?

DeAndre Jordan is about to get a max deal. I think Willie could be that same type of player.

Tl;dr: YOUR OPINION IS WRONG! (haha, kidding)

I feel the same as everyone about Mario. He's my number 1. But I like WCS as we'll. 

also I think OP is underselling Booker. I didn't love him a first but the more I looked the better he looked. 

Where as PJ is a natural scorer, Booker is a natural shooter. He's not as streaky as PJ is. Plus he has great Basketball IQ. And I think he's just as good as an athlete as PJ. Booker tested surprisingly well at the Combine. 

What at gives people pause on Booker is upside. All he can do is shoot and pass. He definitely needs to add to his game. He's the youngest player in the draft so he has time to do it. It comes down to if you believe he can. I think his floor is JJ Reddick which ain't bad for 9.

[Manos]

My problem with Booker is I don't see a difference between him, Maclemore, Stauskus or Caldwell Pope. All were the next Klay Thompson and so far have been pretty bad.

[cbarrier90]

My problem with Booker is I don't see a difference between him, Maclemore, Stauskus or Caldwell Pope. All were the next Klay Thompson and so far have been pretty bad.

Nailed it!

[JJman Returns]

Watch Booker's game. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor and can knock down shots off the dribble. Offensively his only main struggle is attacking and finishing through contact. That'll improve through expierence. Defensively he is solid.

Now, being the shooting coach at one of the local high schools I can tell you I am very biased to shooters. However, Booker's release is almost identical to Klay Thompson. Im not comparing them, but they both get their shot off at such a high release point that it is nearly impossible to block. This will help him be one of the best shot creators in the league. Plus,  who  doesnt love a 6'6 SG?

[JJman Returns]

Of course, I'd take Mario over him. But that won't happen as he will go before we pick

[Carl Spackler]

It's gonna be Hunter, Oubre or Turner.

Straight trash homie

[Jakob]

Plain and simple...   Point blank, period. 

 

The last few drafts, I didn't really care one way or another.  But I care this time...  

 

It's just my opinion, but I DO NOT WANT DEVIN BOOKER.  Imo, he is PJ redux, and honestly, that's an insult to PJ, because I think PJ is a better natural scorer and a better athlete.  Regardless, they are too similar and it serves no purpose to draft him with PJ already on the roster, considering we haven't even given PJ a chance to fully show what he can do yet either.  The bottom line is, they are similar in size and imo, booker is less explosive and less of a natural scorer.  I'm not impressed at all. 

 

Now, Hezonja...   This is a milestone for proudiddy.   I'm the guy every year when they go through mocks and the talking heads are pushing the international players, I almost immediately write them off.  I want no part of them, with very, very few exceptions over the years.  Biz is a prime example.  I told people I did not want him at where he was projected and all I was told was how young he was, and how he would "develop."  I didn't care.   In the late 20s?  Sure,  he would've been worth it, but to me, to make the trade we did to acquire another pick in the single-digits and then turn around and pick Biz, I was disgusted. I said at the time, his best case scenario was Ben Wallace, and that was not likely.  Well, look at us now...   It's very likely that he can still become Ben Wallace, and to his credit, I think he's already a better offensive player than Wallace.  Additionally, I much rather him be our starting center going forward and ditch Big Al, but that's another thread... 

Back to my point, I just feel like Hezonja is going to make an instant impact.  I feel, if given the minutes, he will be the rookie of the year.  He is uber-athletic and a ridiculous shooter, and he IS a natural scorer with a true killer instinct and supreme confidence.  I don't associate any of those characteristics with Booker (hence why I prefer to give PJ his time to prove himself).  Hezonja is what we need, and I promise you he will be a difference maker from day one. 

I know I'm setting myself up for disappointment, but imo, there is no other option with our first pick...   And I doubt Hezonja makes it to 9, so we have to move up.  Easier said than done, I know, but I think for starters, Al's contract is a nice piece to dangle out there.  If we don't find a way to take Hezonja, I don't even want what's there at 9.  If we have to choose between WCS and Booker at 9, then we ABSOLUTELY NEED to trade back and take Hunter or Grant (who could be steals in the mid-first).  Booker is garbage and we don't need another player who has absolutely no offensive ability coming in (WCS), as our draft history is chock full of those guys. 

With Hezonja, we have flexibility.   Again, with his size, athleticism, and natural scoring ability, he gives us versatility...   We could play small and have a lineup of Hawes, Hezonja, MKG, Hendo/PJ, Kemba.  We could also play with a traditional lineup and use Hezonja at either wing depending on match ups and what we need.  He is pure offense.   And that's what we need, desperately. 

 

You're welcome. 

 

 

Thank fuging god someone feels the same way I do about Booker.

[emhoward]

I question McLemore's basketball IQ though. He doesn't seem to have a very good feel for the game. KCP, I don't think was ever considered a dead-eye shooter, more scorer. I agree on Staukas though, I really liked him last year, maybe he gets better. 

[MichaelNewtonII]

Hezonja Gang