Official 2013 NBA Draft Thread

[finallyfamous]

No chance they draft the other Zeller .. that would be just too much ..couldn't handle that

 

[pmatic]

@DraftDreams FYI @AnthonyBennett will have surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff-left shoulder w Dr. Altchek @HSpecialSurgery

@chadfordinsider Agent Jeff Schwartz confirms Bennett will be out up to 4 months. No draft workouts or summer league for Bennett

 

[finallyfamous]

Damn so Bennett and Len both out 4 months

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Anthony Bennett has been injury prone his entire high school career, shoulder and back problems, it's mot that he's not tough, his body just can't take the punishment he puts on it, I think he's barley ever made it through a high school season intact.

Even the way he ran in high school kinda worries me, the way he plays defense, his back seems so stiff.

I think he's the second best prospect in this draft on talent alone but...

he resembles Larry Johnson in more ways than one.

 

[bigmike23]

if there was a year you could get hurt and still go top 10 its this year.

but bennett better not get fat.

 

[pmatic]

Utah Jazz radio voice David Locke is getting ready for the NBA Draft. Here is the video breakdown of Lehigh point guard C.J. McCollum

 

[awwsome]

if there was a year you could get hurt and still go top 10 its this year.

but bennett better not get fat.

Bennett is definitely going to get fat

 

[jolly]

Spoke to people in Anthony Bennett's camp, they've been reassured he's going top 10 regardless. 

The timing of the surgery seems bad, but it's to ensure that he's 100% for NBA training camp. Last 2 months of NCAA season he was hurt which would explain the decline in his numbers.

Hoping for the best, but it would've been nice to see him beast in the workouts. 

 

[dacomeup]

DJ, are you being sarcastic about the Wiz's pick?

 

[jjs07]

DJ, are you being sarcastic about the Wiz's pick?

I wish.

We'll be picking 8th or 9th and we'll get one of those stiffs to play for us.

 

[pmatic]

Chad Ford:

2013 NBA Mock Draft 2.0

The NBA season is over. Lottery odds and draft orders are set. The early entry list is in. NBA teams finally are beginning the workout process.

That means it's time for the second edition of our first-round mock draft.

In drawing up our second mock draft, we've taken into account team needs, but very little is set in stone. Expect things to fluctuate greatly over the course of the next two months. The NBA draft combine in Chicago is a little more than a week away. Typically a handful of players will see significant movement in their draft stock based on the combine. Further, we won't know the results of the NBA draft lottery until May 21.

Thus, the mock draft order begins with the lottery teams that own the greatest possibility of winning the No. 1 pick (by percentage), then followed by the remaining teams in reverse order of the final regular-season standings. If you want to see what your team might do with their No. 1 pick, check out our Lottery Mock Draft Machine that features more than 2,000 scenarios.

1. Orlando Magic - Nerlens Noel

Analysis: I'm not sure there will be a Disney World parade down the streets of Orlando if the Magic win the No. 1 pick. According to sources, Orlando had its heart set on Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart until he broke its heart when he decided to stay in college. While the Magic need just about everything, point guard might be their biggest area of need. So, does Orlando roll the dice on Trey Burke or do they go after Noel, who gives the Magic something else they desperately need (shot blocking)? The Magic were tied for 24th in the league in blocked shots and could use an athlete in the paint next to Nikola Vucevic. While there will be a solid argument for Burke here, high-ceiling players like Noel are hard to come by.

2. Charlotte Bobcats - Ben McLemore

Analysis: The Bobcats need everything. With the possible exception of 2012's No. 2 pick, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the team requires upgrades everywhere. McLemore makes a lot of sense here. The Bobcats ranked 27th in the league in 3-point shooting percentage last season, and McLemore has a beautiful stroke. Anthony Bennett and Alex Len are other possibilities, though their recent injuries cast doubt on whether teams would take them this high.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Otto Porter

Analysis: Porter is the perfect fit for Cleveland, and according to sources he is the No. 2-ranked player on the Cavs' board right now. With two dynamic scorers in their backcourt and good size up front, they need a wing like Porter who can excel without having the offense run through him.

4. Phoenix Suns - Victor Oladipo

Analysis: Though the Suns just hired Ryan McDonough as the new general manager, the team still has many basketball needs. Right now its biggest problem seems to be character and drive. The Suns are a leaderless group that desperately needs toughness and energy. While Oladipo is far from a polished product, his lockdown defense, elite athletic abilities and super-high motor seem like the perfect antidote to the malaise in which Phoenix found itself this season. C.J. McCollum could be another possible pick at No. 4. He would give the Suns the pure scorer it lacked all season.

5. New Orleans Pelicans - Trey Burke

Analysis: Burke certainly will get a look as the potential No. 1 pick if the Magic draft there. The other team that seems to fit Burke are the Pelicans. Yes, Greivis Vasquez is coming off a breakout season, but Burke is a totally different player and could complement Vazquez coming off the bench early on. The Pelicans' other big need is at small forward. Shabazz Muhammad could get a look here. So could Croatia's Dario Saric. Sources say that the Pelicans are one of the two or three strongest suitors for Saric at the moment.

6. Sacramento Kings - Anthony Bennett

Analysis: The team is in flux right now as the NBA works out who is going to own the team and where it will be located. So any real inside information is pretty hard to come by. The team's biggest need probably is at small forward. However, adding a shoot-first player like Muhammad seems like a disaster waiting to happen, as much of the Kings' roster is populated by similar players.

Enter Bennett. While he also has a tendency to let it fly, there's an upside there that Muhammad lacks. Tuesday's news that Bennett will have rotator cuff surgery, which could keep him out up to four months, might give the Kings second thoughts about drafting him this high. But overall, I think Bennett's the best talent at this point in the draft.

7. Detroit Pistons - Shabazz Muhammad

Analysis: The Pistons have had a bit of luck the past few years in the lottery. Every year a player who is ranked very high at the start of the season seems to slide to them later in the draft and somehow fits a perfect need. First it was Greg Monroe in 2010. Brandon Knight slid in 2011. Last year it was Andre Drummond. At times, all three were ranked in the top five with Monroe and Drummond going as high as No. 2. Could it happen again this year with Muhammad? The Pistons clearly have a need for a shooter, and before the season began, many scouts had Muhammad as a top-three pick. He didn't look like one at UCLA, but draft prospects rarely shine in Ben Howland's system.

8. Washington Wizards - Alex Len

Analysis: Before last week's news that Len was undergoing surgery and would miss the NBA draft workouts, the combine and summer league, it seemed improbable that the 7-foot-1 big man would fall this low. Now, it appears that he's right within Washington's range. Len could be a steal at No. 8 and could fit a long-term need for Washington. He's one of the two or three most skilled big men in the draft and still has enormous upside.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves - C.J. McCollum

Analysis: McCollum is getting looks as high as No. 4 to the Suns, but if he falls to No. 9, it will be a coup for the Wolves. The team ranked dead last in the NBA in 3-point percentage, while McCollum shot a scintillating 51 percent from 3 this season. He could be a terrific backcourt mate for Ricky Rubio -- the Stephen Curry they should have had four years ago.

10. Portland Trailblazers - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Analysis: Right now, Caldwell-Pope is one of the fastest risers on NBA draft boards. He is a terrific shooter and a very good athlete. While the Blazers already have Wesley Matthews, adding Caldwell-Pope to the mix gives Portland great depth in the backcourt.

11. Philadelphia 76ers - Cody Zeller

Analysis: While there still are a few scouts clinging to the Zeller bandwagon, it's gotten less crowded over the past few months. While there are a few teams with which Zeller fits ahead of the Sixers' pick, this looks like the most obvious fit. With the exception of Spencer Hawes, the Sixers just don't have a lot of size. While I don't think Zeller is worthy of a top-five pick anymore, he's a good value here.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto Raptors) - Gorgui Dieng

Analysis: Really, Oklahoma City is set at every position. However, Dieng is the one player left on the board who probably could help them now. Not only is he physically ready for the NBA, he's a good shot-blocker, a solid rebounder and an excellent passer out of the high post. With the Thunder a little weak up front, I think Dieng could be a nice addition to their frontcourt.M

13. Dallas Mavericks - Dario Saric

Analysis: The Mavs will have a tough call here between Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams and Saric. The Mavs want a player with big upside, and both Carter-Williams and Saric have it. But I'm hearing the Mavs, who have historically been on the cutting edge of drafting international players, feel Saric could be a star someday -- especially if he has a year or two of mentoring from Dirk Nowitzki.

14. Utah Jazz - Kelly Olynyk

Analysis: The Jazz's biggest need is at point guard, but I don't see the next point guard on the board -- Carter-Williams -- as a fit. The Jazz need their point guards to be able to shoot the basketball, and that's Carter-Williams' biggest weakness. The Jazz also will have needs in the frontcourt. With Al Jefferson most likely leaving this summer via free agency, they'll need big bodies. Olynyk was the most efficient big man in college basketball and would add another wrinkle to a bright up-and-coming tandem of Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors.

15. Milwaukee Bucks - Glen Rice Jr.

Analysis: We put Rice in our top 30 several months ago after he started getting more minutes in the D-League and broke loose. It wasn't a fluke. Rice led the Rio Grande Vipers to the D-League championship, scoring 25 PPG in the finals. He's a bit of a tweener, but he has NBA athleticism, can really shoot the basketball and is an excellent rebounder for his size. Most importantly, in the D-League he excelled at a high level among elite college players and former NBA rotation guys. He could help the Bucks right away next season.

16. Boston Celtics - Michael Carter-Williams

Analysis: With Rajon Rondo's future up in the air, Carter-Williams could be a very good pick here. The Celtics already are accustomed to having a long, athletic point guard who can't shoot. His size would allow him to share the backcourt with Avery Bradley. Some scouts have Carter-Williams ranked as high as No. 5 on their boards, so landing him at No. 16 would be a steal.

17. Atlanta Hawks - Robert Gobert

Analysis: Atlanta is in rebuilding mode and can afford to swing for the fences. Gobert's best attribute is a 7-foot-9 wingspan. He's played adequately in the French League this year, but he's still very much a work in progress. With most of the team heading into free agency, they need depth everywhere -- especially on the front line.

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets) - Jamaal Franklin

Analysis: Atlanta is somewhat set in the backcourt, but I think Franklin, who also can play some small forward, might be worth the gamble. His infectious energy and athletic ability should give the team a real shot in the arm.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers) - Steven Adams

Analysis: Cleveland still is rebuilding, so it can afford to take a gamble. Right now, scouts feel Adams has the most upside of the young bigs left on the board. Adams has the NBA body and toughness, but he remains incredibly raw offensively. With Anderson Varejao as a mentor, it seems Adams could be a good long-term fit.


20. Chicago Bulls - Mason Plumlee

Analysis: Plumlee had a terrific season at Duke, but he's struggling to convince NBA teams that he could put up similar numbers in the pros. He's big, athletic, a solid rebounder and runs the floor well. I'm not sure he falls this far, but if he does, the Bulls certainly will snatch him up. They could use another athletic body in their frontcourt. Sergey Karasev, a sharpshooter from Russia, also is a real possibility here.

21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors) - Shane Larkin

Analysis: The Jazz still need a point guard, and among the point guards still left on the board, Larkin could be the best fit for Utah. Yes, he's undersized. But he's a great athlete, sees the floor well and shot more than 40 percent from 3 this season. Look for Baylor's Pierre Jackson and Germany's Dennis Schroeder also to be in the conversation with this pick.

22. Brooklyn Nets - Sergey Karasev

Analysis: No, I'm not just placing Karasev here because he's Russian. Brooklyn is playing to win now, and there aren't a lot of players on the board who could step in and help the Nets right away. Karasev is putting up impressive numbers in Russia, and the Nets could use another sniper from beyond the arc.

23. Indiana Pacers - Dennis Schroeder

Analysis: Indiana is thrilled with George Hill's production but still hasn't found the right fit at backup point guard. Schroeder could be a steal for the Pacers here. He's super quick, has a 6-foot-7 wingspan and sees the floor really well. He wowed teams at the Nike Hoop Summit, and if he doesn't fall to the Pacers, I could see him going as high as No. 16 to the Celtics.

24. New York Knicks - Jeff Withey

Analysis: The Knicks have a strong front line but an aging one. Withey is one of the best two or three shot-blockers in the draft and could immediately help the Knicks' interior defense.

25. Los Angeles Clippers - Pierre Jackson

Analysis: The Clippers can't afford to keep Eric Bledsoe, so most likely he'll be traded this summer. The Clippers will need a cheap replacement, and Jackson could fill that need. Clippers fans will love Jackson, an elite athlete who plays with reckless abandon. He's got the potential to be another Nate Robinson.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies) - Giannis Adetokunbo

Analysis: The Timberwolves have an excellent international scouting staff, and with one lottery pick already in the books at this point, they can afford to take a huge gamble on Adetokunbo. Granted, he's playing against very poor competition in the second division of the Greek League, but the physical and basketball skills are undeniable. Minnesota can afford to wait and develop him overseas or in the D-League for a few years before trying him out in the NBA.

27. Denver Nuggets - Allen Crabbe

Analysis: Denver is one of the deeper teams in the league right now and might opt for an international player just to save a roster spot. However, Crabbe could be the one guy on the board who intrigues them. He's an excellent shooter with deep range. It's an area with which the Nuggets struggled all season and in the playoffs. Crabbe could be an inexpensive solution.

28. San Antonio Spurs - Alex Abrines

Analysis: Abrines actually is getting decent minutes for one of the best teams in Europe right now. He's a scorer who can get it going from wherever. Abrines is a major sleeper in my opinion, which is exactly the type of guy the Spurs always seem to find.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Richard Ledo

Analysis: Ledo was one of the country's best high school scorers in 2011-12, but he wasn't able to showcase his talents after being ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA. Still, a number of GMs believe he could be a late-first-round steal. With the Thunder going for a safe big man in Dieng at the top of the first round, it might not hurt to roll the dice in the second half.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat) - Archie Goodwin

Analysis: This is a pure talent grab by the Suns. Goodwin has elite speed and quickness. But his wild shot selection and poor outside shooting contributed to Kentucky's woes this season. The Suns, however, can afford to be patient with him and wait to see if he develops.

 

[shannonscrooks]

6. Sacramento Kings - Anthony Bennett

Analysis: The team is in flux right now as the NBA works out who is going to own the team and where it will be located. So any real inside information is pretty hard to come by. The team's biggest need probably is at small forward. However, adding a shoot-first player like Muhammad seems like a disaster waiting to happen, as much of the Kings' roster is populated by similar players.

Enter Bennett. While he also has a tendency to let it fly, there's an upside there that Muhammad lacks. Tuesday's news that Bennett will have rotator cuff surgery, which could keep him out up to four months, might give the Kings second thoughts about drafting him this high. But overall, I think Bennett's the best talent at this point in the draft.

Draft undersized but athletic power forward, trade him mid-season. Draft another undersized power forawrd. Sound logic

 

[frshstunna]

Glen Rice Jr

 

[IATT]

[h1]NBA draft Big Board 7.0[/h1]

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An unheralded prospect at the start of the season, Victor Oladipo has been one of the draft's biggest risers.

Andrew Hancock/SI
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All eyes will be on Chicago this week, as NBA decision-makers will gather to scrutinize scores of NBA prospects at the annual draft combine. And in a draft that has plenty of parity -- "There's not a whole lot of difference between [Nos.] five or six and 15 or 16," a Western Conference GM said -- a strong combine could go a long way.
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Here's the latest (and final) Big Board, with SI.com's first Mock Draft to be published next Tuesday, after the lottery slots are decided.

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Chris Mannix's NBA Draft Big Board

1 Nerlens Noel Kentucky, Freshman 6-10, 228 PF/C Two months after surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, Noel still is the most likely top selection. Multiple executives from lottery teams expressed no concern that the knee would become a significant issue. "It's a run-of-the-mill ACL tear," said a Western Conference executive. "If it wipes out most of next season, so what? This kid is still the best big man by a lot." Executives continue to praise Noel's defensive instincts and the consistent energy with which he plays.

2 Ben McLemore Kansas, Freshman 6-5, 195 SG The next Ray Allen? The smooth shooting McLemore is a more athletic version, with a stroke that is surprisingly polished for a 21-year-old. In a draft loaded with uncertainties and projects, McLemore is considered a sure-fire starter, possibly as a rookie. With prototypical size, strength and shooting mechanics, McLemore is being referred to by more than one executive as "can't miss."

3 Anthony Bennett UNLV, Freshman 6-8, 240 PF Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff will keep Bennett from participating in the pre-draft combine, but his imposing size (6-foot-7, 239 pounds), wingspan (7-1) and athleticism have team execs salivating at his potential. There is some debate as to what position Bennett will play in the NBA -- he can handle the ball, has a nice midrange game and a developing three-point shot, all small forward skills -- but, says an Eastern Conference exec, "it's a good problem to have."

4 Otto Porter Georgetown, Sophomore 6-8, 205 SF Porter is a polished player with a nice midrange game who attacks the glass and has, said one Eastern Conference executive, "a high skill level everywhere." Some execs have expressed concern about Porter's ability to create his own shot, and he will have to bulk up. But the 6-foot-8 forward is versatile and effective playing off the ball, while several executives have praised his intelligence, which should make it easier for Porter to adapt to complex NBA systems.

5 Trey Burke Michigan, Sophomore 6-0, 190 PG Here's why several executives are dismissing Burke's lack of size and swear he will be effective at the next level: The pick-and-roll is an NBA coach's bread-and-butter play, and Burke excels in it. Short(ish) point guards tend to slip into the late teens/early 20s (see Ty Lawson, Jameer Nelson, Darren Collison), but Burke's combination of scoring ability and underrated playmaking -- his 3.02 assist to turnover ratio was fifth-best in D-1 last season -- will make Burke the first playmaker off the board.

6 Victor Oladipo Indiana, Junior 6-5, 214 SG Oladipo ranks as perhaps the draft's biggest riser, an unheralded prospect at the start of the season who through stifling defense and surprisingly effective three-point shooting has developed into a legitimate 2-guard prospect. Oladipo lacks traditional size -- it will be interesting to see what he officially measures out at in Chicago -- but is a dynamic athlete.

7 Cody Zeller Indiana, Sophomore 7-0, 240 PF/C Concerns about Zeller's size -- he is a legitimate 7-footer with a 6-8 wingspan, per DraftExpress, which is small for a guard, much less a power forward/center -- continue to linger, as does the unimpressive way he finished the season: Ten points on 3-of-11 shooting in a double-digit loss to Syracuse. Still, in two years at Indiana, Zeller was consistently productive offensively, finishing his sophomore season with averages of 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds. "There are a lot of issues with Zeller," a Western Conference GM said. "But you know what? He's a 7-footer who can score. I can work with a talent like that."

8 Shabazz Muhammad UCLA, Freshman 6-6, 225 SF Despite an uneven freshman season, Muhammad has electrifying offensive potential. He's raw -- one Eastern Conference executive described Muhammad as a top-five pick going left, 15-20 going right -- but Muhammad has the ability to develop into a Paul Pierce/Rudy Gay type scorer. "He can power past anyone," an Eastern Conference GM said. "But what happens when a Paul George or a Kawhi Leonard is in front of him? He has a lot of developing to do."

9 Michael Carter-Williams Syracuse, Sophomore 6-6, 185 PG Carter-Williams enters the draft with natural playmaking skills and the kind of size few point guards can match. He will need to work on his ball handling -- his high dribble would be easy pickings for some of the NBA's better defensive point guards -- and his jump shot is streaky. But Carter-Williams is brilliant in transition and has the raw tools teams can work with.

10 Alex Len Maryland, Sophomore 7-1, 225 C The rugged Len is an appealing prospect, but his stock will likely be hurt by a stress fracture in his left ankle that will keep him sidelined for the next few months. "Undoubtedly [the injury] affects him in some ways, I really think he just misses an opportunity to really skyrocket up the board," Len's agent, Michael Lelchitski, told The Baltimore Sun. "Everyone -- Alex, [Maryland] coach [Mark] Turgeon -- everyone who has seen him understood that he would have been phenomenal in that setting [of the workouts], 1 on nothing, even 1-on-1, he would have shone a lot more than you got to see this year."

11 C.J. McCollum Lehigh, Senior 6-3, 190 PG/SG McCollum's college career ended in January, when he broke his left foot, but he showed enough scoring skills in 3 1/2 years at Lehigh to make several teams believe he will be a lottery pick. The success of Portland's Damian Lillard -- the unanimous Rookie of the Year who, like McCollum, was a scoring guard in college -- could work in McCollum's favor, as will his range and ability to play in the pick-and-roll.

12 Rudy Gobert France, 20 years old 7-1, 235 C Gobert is an international man of mystery. "How skinny he is scares me," said an Eastern Conference exec. But he is a 7-foot-1 big man with a 7-9 wingspan who can run the floor, block shots and has shown flashes of potential. His upside is too tempting to pass up.

13 Dario Saric Croatia, 18 years old 6-10, 223 SF/PF Saric has been indecisive about entering the draft -- at the moment, he's in -- though most league executive see plenty of NBA potential. At a wiry 6-foot-10, 223 pounds, Saric has plenty of room to fill out. He has power forward size but most scouts agree his future is at small forward, where his passing ability can be used in a point-forward role.

14 Mason Plumlee Duke, Senior 6-10, 235 PF Plumlee reportedly won't participate in drills at the combine, which could cost him with teams looking to see a player who relied heavily on athleticism go through NBA drills. He completed a productive senior season with a strong tournament, showcasing good hands, athleticism and ability to finish around the rim, but Plumlee is on the older side at 23, and in four years at Duke did not develop much of a post game. His ceiling is lower than most prospects.

15 Kelly Olynyk Gonzaga, Junior 7-0, 238 PF/C Olynyk is an NBA-ready scorer: He has a diverse offensive game, is capable of scoring with either hand and can step out and make a jump shot. Defensively, there are question marks. Olynyk isn't particularly strong and is a below-average rebounder. Some executives have wondered what position he can play (read: defend) at the next level.

16 Gorgui Dieng Louisville, Junior 6-11, 245 PF/C Dieng is a space-eating center with superior defensive instincts that should make him a quality shot blocker in the NBA. His offense is a work in progress, but last season at Louisville Dieng showed flashes of a decent face-up game and nice touch around the rim. Several teams in the 20's hope he will slip that far, but that kind of size and potential will be tough to pass up in the teens, perhaps even in the lottery.

17 Archie Goodwin Kentucky, Freshman 6-4, 198 SG Kentucky's ballyhooed incoming freshman class forced Goodwin out of Lexington before he was ready, but superior athleticism, a 6-foot-10 wingspan and an ability to score in bursts will make him a first-round pick. But what position will he play? Goodwin struggled as a point guard at Kentucky and will need to bulk up to defend the 2. Still, scouts see good defensive skills in Goodwin, and a team willing to wait for him to develop could give Goodwin a top-20 look.

18 Sergey Karasev Russia, 19 years old 6-7, 205 SF Think of a better-shooting Andrei Kirilenko, one executive said of Karasev, with a little Ricky Rubio mixed in. The 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward has started to move up boards around the league thanks to a polished all-around game. "This guy is a stud," an executive said. "He does a little of everything. He would make any team better."

19 Jeff Withey Kansas, Senior 7-0, 235 C Withey has a clear NBA skill: defense. He's strong with superior footwork, timing and defensive technique. There isn't much depth in Withey's offensive repertoire right now, though he has shown a nice touch around the rim, submitting a 16-point, 16-rebound output against North Carolina in the tournament. One personnel scout compared Withey to former Indiana forward Jeff Foster, a grinder who had a productive 13-year career despite never averaging more than seven points per game.

20 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Georgia, Sophomore 6-5, 205 SG Caldwell-Pope, the SEC Player of the Year on a mediocre Georgia team last season, has slowly started to creep up at least a few draft boards. He's an efficient scorer and an excellent rebounder (7.1 per game) for his position. Two executives that have studied Caldwell-Pope like his work ethic, his defensive instincts and that he has significantly improved his game in all areas since coming to Georgia.

/INTRO #1 /#1 #2 /#2 #3 /#3 #4 /#4 #5 /#5 #6 /#6 #7 /#7 #8 /#8 #9 /#9 #10 /#10 #11 /#11 #12 /#12 #13 /#13 #14 /#14 #15 /#15 #16 /#16 #17 /#17 #18 /#18 #19 /#19 #20

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20130515/nba-draft-2013-big-board-nerlens-noel-ben-mclemore/#ixzz2TNaYvApz

 

[IATT]

am i crazy for liking kentavious caldwell-pope?

i admittedly dont watch college ball.. but the more i read and the videos i watch on dude, i wouldnt mind getting him at 12 (if we end up with the raptors pick).. or using our own pick (thunder) and the bobcats 2nd to get up high enough to get him after getting gobert at 12

 

[awwsome]

Nope, Pope is the goods he just played on a terrible team.

If he played at a power school he'd be top 10 easily

 

[seymore cake]

I am hoping he will slip to us

 

[jpzx]

I am hoping he will slip to us

He won't make it past the T'Wolves at 9 (our probable pick).

 

[worldbeefreeg]

After watching the playoffs, it just confirms my feelings about Len. Size, especially athletic size can't be caught. I'd take him top 5 without thinking twice.

Him and Ant would be a problem down in NOLA together

 

[seymore cake]

I am hoping he will slip to us

He won't make it past the T'Wolves at 9 (our probable pick).

I'll hate y'all.

 

[champcruthik]

I'd like to see CJ to Utah.

Could be a poor man's Lillard with the natural scoring ability and size.

 

[frshstunna]

After watching the playoffs, it just confirms my feelings about Len. Size, especially athletic size can't be caught. I'd take him top 5 without thinking twice.

Him and Ant would be a problem down in NOLA together

I think Len can be a solid big to have in a rotation...nobody on the terps knew how to throw an entry pass or they would forget they had a 7 footer down low

 

[IATT]

[h2]Chat with Chad Ford[/h2]
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SportsNation

Welcome to SportsNation! On Wednesday, ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford will drop by to talk some hoops.

Ford covers the NBA and NBA Draft for ESPN Insider and also makes appearances on ESPN Radio and ESPNEWS.

Send your questions now and join Ford Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET!

More Chad Ford: Chats | Columns | NBA index

[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (12:59 PM)



Hi everyone. I'm in Chicago for the NBA Draft Combine. It will be televised live on ESPNU Thursday and Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Will be taking draft questions all hour. Let's roll ...

[h6]Deven (New York, NY)[/h6]


Any thoughts on Andrew Wiggins committing to Kansas?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:01 PM)



As both a draft analyst and a Kansas homer, I'm thrilled. I watch every KU game anyway, so this makes it easy! He's the best high school prospect we've had since Kevin Durant. Think Kansas is a perfect fit for him. Bill Self is a great coach and he fits well into the talent already there. He would go No. 1 this year and he's a heavy, heavy favorite to go No. 1 in a stacked 2014 draft class.

[h6]Deven (New York, NY)[/h6]


What's the latest Nerlens Noel? How's his knee holding up?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:02 PM)



He's rehabbing. He'll be at the Draft Combine, but obviously won't be doing drills or athletic testing. Medicals and interviews will be it. This should be where docs get their first real look at Noel's knee. Will probably be the biggest day for him leading up to the draft.

[h6]Morgan (Encinitas, CA)[/h6]


The more I watch of Ben McLemore, and the more I read about his work ethic and drive, the more I think he should be the first player off the board in June. Doesn't he have the highest upside in the draft in relation to a somewhat safe pick, as he seems to have a solid likelihood to make at least one All-Star team?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:04 PM)



All worthy points. Question is motor and aggressiveness. He's a very nice young man who can be very deferential. NBA players need to have a little alpha dog in them to rise above other competitive, talented players. That's the biggest worry and unfortunately, it's a hard thing to teach. Players tend to either have it or they don't.

[h6]Mike R (San Francisco)[/h6]


Heard that Timmy Hardaway Jr has been tearing it up. Do you think this has affected his draft stock?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:05 PM)



Just saw him workout in Chicago yesterday. Was very impressed. Goes hard all the time. Not a lot of holes in his game. Has a 7-foot wingspan which is phenomenal for a two guard. Very competitive. NBA scouts were wishy washy on him all year, but I could see him performing really well in workouts and moving up sort of the same way MarShon Brooks did a few years ago.

[h6]JD (VA)[/h6]


What are the main things scouts keep an eye out for during the combine?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:08 PM)



It's tough honestly. The top players won't participate in the drills. The rest will, but truthfully, the drills won't tell you much. One thing they look for is effort and energy. When players don't take this seriously, it's a red flag. They'll be looking for conditioning. Who has been working out and getting their body better. Some times they are looking to see whether a prospect has been working on a weakness. Have the adjusted shot mechanics or tightened up a handle. Interviews and the medical are the two biggest things. This is their first time to meet the players and ask them tough questions. Obviously the medical is the first chance for team doctors to have a look. Most overrated is the athletic testing. It's sexy, but doesn't have a huge impact on draft decisions.

[h6]Julien T (Brooklyn)[/h6]


What are your thoughts on Ricky Ledo?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:10 PM)



Definite sleeper. One of the 5 or 6 guys that scouts are most excited to see here. Glen Rice Jr., Rudy Gobert, C.J. McCollum and Mike Muscala are other guys scouts are keen at getting a closer look at.

[h6]Steve (Los Angeles )[/h6]


What have you heard about the kid norvel pelle? Hearing buzz that he may surprise a lot of people and move up the draft board!
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:10 PM)



He's the other super sleeper. Almost a blank slate. He could really help or really hurt himself the next two days.

[h6]Couch Gm (GB)[/h6]


Who do you think can boost their stock the most at the combine? I feel Steven Adams is going to really help himself because he has NBA size already and should test well athletically.
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:12 PM)



Sort of think the opposite. It's tough for big guys to look good in the drill setting. He's not the most skilled big here (Cody Zeller, for example, would look good). Athletic testing should help, but the drills will probably emphasize how raw he is on the offensive end of things.

[h6]Mike R (San Francisco)[/h6]


Which team has the most to lose by not getting the 1st overall pick? Orlando, Cleveland, or Charlotte?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:13 PM)



Charlotte. Has the least amount of top tier young talent of any of the high lottery teams.

[h6]russ (chicago)[/h6]


It seems like there are always some bigs who don't look so big when you see them against nba guys. Anyone in the camp look like that to you?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:15 PM)



Think this is where Zeller could get dinged. Isn't long and don't think he's a legit 7 footer. He's trying to position himself as a face the basket four right now as he knows the measurements are going to help his case.

[h6]Mike (Chicago)[/h6]


None of the top teams in the draft are going to get a franchise player. So isn't the dream scenario to get Noel, let him rehab most of the year, and then get Wiggins, Parker or Randle next year to go with him?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:15 PM)



Exactly. I actually think that's helping Noel's case with teams like Orlando and Charlotte. Going for the double-play.

[h6]tony (paris)[/h6]


Are Glen Rice Jr.'s problems at Georgia Tech a red flag?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:16 PM)



Yes, but he's been on his best behavior, by all accounts this year. Think NBA teams will grill him in interviews for sure. But if he comes out OK, he's going way higher than we originally thought. Have him mid-first round right now.

[h6]q (South Dakota)[/h6]


WOLTERS? Thoughts?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:18 PM)



Can't wait to see him in this environment. Intriguing game and size for his position. Could see a team like the Jazz surprising people and grabbing him at 21.

[h6]bob (san diego)[/h6]


Do you think a top 5 team will reach for Shabazz Muhammad? DO you seem him as a NBA starter? What team does he fit with?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:20 PM)



I'm skeptical right now. Has a lot to prove this week both on the floor, in athletic testing and in interviews. I'm keeping an open mind, but just wasn't that impressed with what I saw all year at UCLA. Will be watching him closely. Think it would be a big mistake if he skips the drills portion. Would just feed the narrative that he believes he's entitled to be drafted high based on what he did in high school.

[h6]Allen (So CaL)[/h6]


I really like what I saw of Dennis Schroeder at the Hoops Summit. Is it a stretch to think that he'll be the 2nd PG taken off the board when it's all said and done?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:20 PM)



Probably. Burke, McCollum and Carter-Williams probably go ahead of him. But he could be next after that. Thrilled he's going to be playing in the combine. Will be great to see him matched up against his peers.

[h6]Jonah (Memphis)[/h6]


What do you think of DJ Stephens?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:21 PM)



Think he may be the most underrated player in the draft. Think he should've been given an invite to the Combine. I know offensively he's not going to do much in the NBA, but with that motor and elite athletic ability, feel he'll be a great defensive lock down rotation player.

[h6]Doug (Canada)[/h6]


What are the things scouts will be looking for from Olynyk during the combine
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:22 PM)



He should look good here. He's skilled and pretty athletic. What scouts question is the toughness, but unfortunately, in this setting, that just doesn't get tested. Will have to wait for workouts.

[h6]Will (Chicago)[/h6]


What happened with Erick Green? He had 1st round potential during season and then seems to have trailed off.
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:25 PM)



He's on the bubble. Questions about whether he's a point. But the guy can really score

[h6]Clay (Dallas, TX)[/h6]


Seth Curry. Does a team like SA or OKC take a flier on him to shore up their bench scoring? Seth is perhaps more Dell than Steph, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:26 PM)



His brother is certainly help his stock right now. Curry is injured and won't be participating in the drills and athletic testing, so it will be hard to help his stock here. Ditto for Ryan Kelly.

[h6]Rick (Kentucky)[/h6]


Can Dieng help himself in Chicago?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:28 PM)



No. His ankle is hurt and he's actually walking around in a walking boot. So no drills or athletic testing for him. Probably better off. His stellar play in the NCAA Tournament is the lasting image he wants for scouts.

[h6]Jon (DC)[/h6]


Archie Goodwin; is there a market for 6'5" hyperathletic combo guards with no decision making ability, a broken shot, and a propensity for hard falls?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:29 PM)



He's probably 6-3 but you have the rest just about right. I'm having a very hard time placing him right now. Every scout and GM I speak with is down on him. Doesn't mean he won't impress in workouts, but I think he could end up on the wrong side of the first round bubble.

[h6]Tabb (Tampa, Florida)[/h6]


Is Deshaun Thomas at the combine? Doesn't he have to prove in interviews and drills that he can play defense?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:29 PM)



That's one of the biggest questions but no defense in the combine and as far as interviews go, that's not the time to prove it.

[h6]Matt (Chicago)[/h6]


How do you think Jeff Withey will fair against the other bigs in the combine? What is a realistic range for him to be taken?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:30 PM)



Not a great event for him unless they ran a drill asking bigs to block as many shots as possible in 3 minutes without committing fouls. Then he'd come out on top. He's in the 19-25 range.

[h6]Shane (Detroit)[/h6]


Who do you think will get the first promise?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:31 PM)



Dario Saric. He's not staying in the draft if he's not a lottery pick. So if he stays, someone promised him in the lottery.

[h6]Jerry (NYC)[/h6]


What are Reggie Bullock's chances of sneaking into the bottom of the 1st as a 3 and D guy?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:32 PM)



Good. Can play right away. Fills a role. Definitely a possibility in the 20s.

[h6]Jerry (Texas)[/h6]


Where do you have Alan Crabbe going in the draft?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:33 PM)



Late teens to 20s. One of the best shooters in the draft. Needs to test well in the athletic testing this week.

[h6]Bill (MQT)[/h6]


Any chance Trey Burke goes #1?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:33 PM)



Yes, if the Magic get the No. 1 pick. Possibly if the Pelicans do as well. But outside ...

[h6]Brett (Seattle)[/h6]


Where does Grant Jerrett get drafted? One of the best shooters in the draft who just happens to be 6'10
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:34 PM)



Yes. He's likely to go in the second round. Teams like stretch fours and I think he can do that, with time in the D-League, in the NBA.

[h6]Shane (Detroit)[/h6]


How do you think CJ McCollum will fare at the Combine?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:36 PM)



Excited to see. He's only recently been cleared for full activity (he broke his foot in January) so I'm not sure if he'll be 100 percent. But looking forward to seeing him out there with everyone. It's unlikely, as a top prospect, that he actually does the drills, but we should see him in the athletic testing.

[h6]JJ (Atlanta)[/h6]


Can Caldwell-Pope get himself into the Lottery with a good workout at the combine?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:36 PM)



Think he's already there, honestly. Think he'll get looks as high as No. 9 to the Wolves. But yes, a good workout in Chicago would help.

[h6]JR (Missouri)[/h6]


Which of the "second-tier" point guards could possibly separate themselves or benefit themselves the most at the combine.. Pressey, Siva, Lorenzo Brown, Canaan, Ray McCallum, Pierre Jackson...?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:39 PM)



Could/should add Shane Larkin and Dennis Schroeder to the top of that list. They both will look good in the combine setting. Ditto for Jackson who is an elite athlete. Canaan too ... These guys will all be going head-to-head in workouts and then I think you'll start to see some separation. But to me Larkin, Schroeder and Jackson are the best of that group right now.

[h6]ER (NY)[/h6]


If Gobert shows well at the combine, how high do you think his stock could rise? Could he be a top 10 pick in this draft?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:40 PM)



For sure. He may have the most to gain of anyone. With a 7-foot-9 wingspan, you just have to show you have a heart. Scouts aren't sure. If he competes really hard here, it will be very, very good for him.

[h6]Jared (Orlando, FL)[/h6]


Do you know why Michael Snaer was not invited to the combine?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:41 PM)



The NBA provides all 30 teams with a ballot of a few hundred draft-eligible players. Each team votes for 60 players & NBA tallies the votes. The NBA invites the players receiving the most votes from teams with an eye toward arriving at (or near) 60 total participants. Snaer, surprisingly, didn't make the cut.

[h6]McKay Lasko (Pleasant Grove, Ut)[/h6]


Any chance the Jazz package their 2 first rounders to move up with their eyes on Trey Burke?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:42 PM)



Don't think 14 & 21 together could get them high enough to get Burke. Would likely need to get into the Top 5 or 6.

[h6]Ross (Ireland)[/h6]


McLemore vs Oladipo?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:44 PM)



NBA guys are leaning McLemore but I just spoke with Tim Hardaway Jr. yesterday and he had an interesting take. He played against both players this year (Oladipo twice) and said both were very tough. However, he felt Oladipo was the toughest because he could get you at both ends and you could never lose sight of him on the court.

[h6]ER (NY)[/h6]


I feel like MCW is being overrated. I'm a Syracuse fan so I watched him all year. The size and defense are nice, but his shooting is bad, his handle is only okay, and while he makes some great passes he is also turnover prone. Thoughts?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:45 PM)



You're not alone. HOWEVER, some scouts actually feel the opposite and feel's way underrated right now. Big PG who can handle and they believe he's a much better shooter than he showed at Syracuse.

[h6]Robb H. (Provo )[/h6]


Brandon Davies won the MVP at the PIT and earned himself an invite to the combine. Will he be picked in the second round, or go UFA?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:47 PM)



He really impressed people at Portsmouth. IF he plays like he belongs here ... yes, I think he could be a 2nd round pick.

[h6]Sot (Biloxi, Miss.)[/h6]


What did you see in Isaiah Canaan yesterday? And where do you think he will go?Late first or 2 round, in the middle.
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:48 PM)



Very quick. Great body. Very athletic. Great scorer. Looks small to me. I'm 6-1 and he wasn't as tall as me. Maybe 5-11? Still needs to work on that jumper, mistakes with the ball. Tim Hadaway Jr. game him a tough time.

[h6]ER (NY)[/h6]


From what you saw at the recent workout, how does James Southerland look athletically compared to the other prospects? Was he able to defend well in a man to man setting? If so, I think he could turn into a solid role player as a 3+D guy. Great size for the SF position, and in the gym range.
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:50 PM)



He's a good athlete. He's a quick jumper. Doesn't get that high in the air, but is quick off his feet. Defensively he moves his feet very well. Excellent shooter. Good size as a 3. Looks like a solid rotation SF in the league.

[h6]Jon (DC)[/h6]


Compared to writing about other drafts, is writing about this one a bit tedious? Is this like covering minor league baseball when you've been an MLB beat writer for 15 years?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:52 PM)



No. Actually more challenging. Anthony Davis, MKG, Brad Beal, Lillard, Drummond ... these were obvious NBA talents. Just a lot harder this year. Some of these guys will be good NBA players. A lot of them won't be. Trying to figure out the real deal has been a challenge. Love it actually.

[h6]Nick (San Diego)[/h6]


How will Jamaal Franklin fair at the combine?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
  (1:54 PM)



He's also in a walking boot right now. Injured his ankle a few weeks ago. Still a week or two away from being back to 100 percent. So no drills or athletic testing. Too bad on Franklin. Would've loved to see that vertical.

 

[finallyfamous]

Come join the family Otto

 

[pmatic]

NBA teams dissect Muhammad, Zeller at combine

Soaked in sweat, former UCLA forward Shabazz Muhammad settled into a folding chair on Thursday morning and was immediately swallowed by a sea of cameras, digital recorders and notebooks. There were nearly a dozen other potential draft picks in the makeshift press room at Harrison Street Athletics Facility, site of the 2013 NBA Draft Combine, but most of the attention was devoted to Muhammad, the flashy, volume scoring swingman who is fast becoming the most debated player in the draft.

At 6-foot-6, 220-pounds, Muhammad already has an NBA body. He's powerful, rebounds well for his position and made strides as a halfcourt player in UCLA's system, which often required him to come off screens. And Muhammad believes the NBA's free flowing style will unlock even more of his offensive potential.

"The NBA is more up-tempo and spaces the floor," Muhammad said. "UCLA was great for me, I learned a lot and I loved Coach Howland as a coach, but there was a lot of structure. I can go right, I can take guys off the dribble. I can play pick-and-roll. I think I can score the ball in a variety of ways."
"I have a preference for playing the two-guard. I think I can be one of the tallest guys playing the two. I was out here with the three's today and I have some good size for that position but I think if I'm a two, I can do a lot of damage at the guard position."

Yet Muhammad has become something of an enigma. Many executives expressed concern that he is only effective going left. One exec cited the mechanics on his jump shot as an area of concern. Another raised Muhammad's one-dimensional game as a reason he could free fall in the draft.

"The analytics people don't like guys who only do one thing," said an Eastern Conference exec. "And in this draft, where there is so much parity out there, the analytics are going to play a big part."

Credit Muhammad for this: While Ben McLemore, Cody Zeller, Mason Plumlee and other projected high first-round picks sat out the drills portion of the combine, Muhammad came to work. He didn't shoot the ball particularly well, two executives remarked. But he played hard and was clearly eager to showcase a more rounded game. And despite battling through a controversial freshman season at UCLA -- one marred by accusations of selfishness, an NCAA suspension and a public dispute about his age -- Muhammad came to the combine ready and willing to address any issues teams had with him head on.

"I love the interviews," Muhammad said. "I knew there were going to be those questions. I wanted to get them out of the way. I was so happy to get to it. I was telling them everything, telling them the truth, letting them know I'm a good kid, I'm here to play basketball."
"I'm 20 years old. I have my license. I never declared that I wasn't 20. I don't know what [caused him to be listed at 19]. If someone asked me, I'm 20. My license says I was born in 1992. I can't deny it. I can't say I'm 19 and someone looks at my license and say I'm 19 if I was born in '92. Unless you can't count, you know I'm 20."

Muhammad -- who has met with Minnesota, Portland, Toronto and Houston, with more interviews scheduled for Thursday -- made it clear that after years of allowing others to speak for him, no one will anymore.

"I'm going to speak for myself now," Muhammad said. "I was a guy who used to play basketball and let some of my guys talk for me, family members. I think now I'm a more mature person and I'm just going to talk for myself. I think that's the right way to do it."

Got wingspan?

Wingspan. It's one of NBA executives' favorite measurements and a word Indiana's Cody Zeller is tired of hearing. Despite a productive sophomore season at IU, where the 7-foot Zeller averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds, much of the talk in the last few weeks has focused on Zeller's short wingspan, which according to multiple reports is 6-foot-8.

But here's the thing: Zeller -- who will be officially measured on Friday -- says reports of his short wingspan have been inaccurate. According to Zeller, his wingspan is 6-foot-10 3/4.

"It's still not good," Zeller said. "But it's better than 6-foot-8."

A projected top-three pick in November, Zeller's NBA stock slipped during the season as his numbers didn't significantly improve from his freshman year. Several NBA executives say Zeller plays small for someone his size. Still, Zeller says he considers his final year at Indiana a successful season.
"I thought we had a great year, individually and as a team," Zeller said. "We had high expectations for the season, and we would have liked to win a national championship. But we still won maybe the best conference in the country. And I thought I had a great year individually as well. My numbers went up since my freshman year and I had all the attention of double and triple teams, the numbers didn't [improve] too much but I feel like I improved a lot."
Zeller, who interviewed with Toronto, Portland, Houston and Boston, says he sees himself as a power forward in the NBA.

"There are a lot of comparisons to LaMarcus Aldridge," Zeller said. "I can catch in the mid-post and use my quickness. I didn't shoot it from outside as much this year. I think I have that ability. It [won't be] a huge adjustment for me, proving I can do what I already know."

McCollum looking to follow in Lillard's footsteps

Lehigh's C.J. McCollum and Portland's Damian Lillard, the recently crowned NBA Rookie of the Year, have a lot in common. Both were smallish, prolific scoring guards for mid-major schools. Both suffered fractures of the fifth metatarsal during their college careers. Neither ever made the NCAA tournament. And both came to the NBA with questions as to whether they could play point guard at the next level.

I think we're similar in terms of the demeanor, in the way he carries himself on the court," McCollum said. "Nothing fazes him. That's from playing four years in college. He has that experience, that mental edge, that push. That's one of the things we both have. When you come from a small school, you have to put in more time than the other guys."

Last January, McCollum's senior season ended with a foot injury. McCollum says he was fully cleared 2 1/2 weeks ago and that he is already "in game shape." He says he refused to have his foot put in a cast after the surgery to repair the injury, instead opting for a walking boot so he could begin his rehabilitation immediately. He shot from chairs and on one foot and took up boxing to keep his conditioning at a high level.

McCollum says he believes he can play either guard spot but when pressed said his preferred position was the point, where his offensive explosiveness (he averaged 23.9 points last season) can be more of an asset. At Lehigh, McCollum was put in plenty of pick-and-roll situations, one of the NBA's bread and butter plays. He says he has zeroed in on tightening up his ball handling but does not want to stray too far from what got him to this point. He cited San Antonio's Tony Parker as an example of a playmaker who can distribute but also come off of screens and be a scorer.

"You don't want to lose your strengths," McCollum said. "I don't think I'll ever be a pass first point guard because of the capabilities I have on offense. I have to embrace and accept that. When guys go under screens, you shoot it. And being a bigger point guard, running the show, it provides more of a challenge for opposing teams."

Interest in McCollum is high: On Thursday, McCollum said he was scheduled to interview with 15 teams, including Oklahoma City, Orlando, Denver and Cleveland.

Muscala studies Kobe

When you are an NBA prospect playing for a small school, every big, nationally televised matchup is important. So Bucknell's Mike Muscala knows just how badly he blew it when he posted nine points (on 4-of-17 shooting) against Butler center Andrew Smith in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
"It was really disappointing," Muscala said. "Coming from a small university, when you get on the big stage you want to play well. I was ready for the challenge. I had heard [Smith] did well against Kelly [Olynyk] and [Cody] Zeller. He did a really good job. It just didn't go my way. I thought I got good position, took good shots; they just wouldn't go in."

The Butler game was a bitter end to an otherwise productive career for Muscala, who led the nation in double-doubles (22) as a senior and was named the Patriot League's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Muscala considers himself the ultimate student of the game, one who lifts the best from every player he watches on tape. He developed his midrange game after seeing how successful Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge used it so effectively and has carefully studied Kobe Bryant's footwork.

Muscala, who interviewed with Sacramento and Atlanta, will likely slip to the second round. But he believes his ability to be a stretch-four will land him a roster spot.

"I think I'm a good outside shooter," Muscala said. "We do a lot of pick and roll and pick and pop at Bucknell in our offense. I'm used to that. I was doing that for four years. I can do it in the NBA."

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