NCAA Tourney Thread

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Dear God, please let me watch Towns play Kaminsky followed by Okafor. True test awaits him.

If Kentucky and Duke meet in the finals, it is going to shatter ratings records. It will bring back memories of '92; Towns vs. Okafor; Kentucky trying to become the first undefeated team since Indiana; two storied programs going up against each other, etc., etc.

Dear God, make it happen!

[TheFuture]

I know I am in the minority but I don't like WCS at all for where we are drafting

Willie Cauley-Stein is allowing only 21% shooting defending in one-on-one situations on the perimeter this season... THAT'S why he's a high draft pick in waiting. That's stupid considering all the switches he takes on. Comfortable guarding 1-5 and that's not an exaggeration.

That's an insane stat. Wow.

[Papalrep]

I was at a sports bar tonight (surprise) the guy next to me was adamant that the guy the Tpuppies need is Cauley Stein, whether we draft first or 10th. We need defense, that's his calling card. He thought Towns is a punk. Whatever. One more point of view.

[Papalrep]

The ine thing I like about watching the inevitable Kentucky march to the chanpionship is seeing Ashley Juggs in the stands. She must be 50, hot as ever.

[kekgeek]

The t,hing I worry about WCS is he has no and offense at all, not a great rebounder and always has had an elite PF next to him (Davis, Randle, Towns).I like him in pick role defense and think he could be elite but I am also worried about if he, will be a good post defender, kind of like gourgi is struggling with. Some guys who are known for their defense like bismak, thabeet and gourgi coming out of college have been complete busts and I am worried about the same is WCS defense dosen't translate he will bring nothing offensively

[A Friendly Flatulence [enjin:8907904]]

I know I am in the minority but I don't like WCS at all for where we are drafting

To be fair he just went end to end, step for step with an NBA caliber guard on that last play. That's crazy for a 7 footer.

I know I am in the minority but I don't like WCS at all for where we are drafting

To be fair he just went end to end, step for step with an NBA caliber guard on that last play. That's crazy for a 7 footer.

This right here, was really something to watch him cover that guy the entire length of the court step for step with the game on the line trusting him to not foul too. Also a few plays earlier he recovers and blocks a 3 for a huge play for Kentucky. In the right situation WCS can be a X factor and difference maker for a team. His offense is going to consist of Oops and put backs so it will be limited, but on the defensive end he looks to be able to guard just about anybody but the power centers and the super speedy guards?. The rebounding is a concern, but there is a lot to like. I wouldn't be comfortable if we left the draft with just WCS, because I think we are still a 1 major offensive piece short and I don't think WCS would fill that void. But if we were able to sneak back into the draft around the 6-7 spot with Martin/Bazz/Bennett depending that would be incredible.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

The t,hing I worry about WCS is he has no and offense at all, not a great rebounder and always has had an elite PF next to him (Davis, Randle, Towns).I like him in pick role defense and think he could be elite but I am also worried about if he, will be a good post defender, kind of like gourgi is struggling with. Some guys who are known for their defense like bismak, thabeet and gourgi coming out of college have been complete busts and I am worried about the same is WCS defense dosen't translate he will bring nothing offensively

PnR defense and perimeter defense are just more valuable than post defense. The worst that happens if he gets taken to the woodshed on the block is usually two points as long as he doesn't foul. Meanwhile bad PnR defense leads to multiple good looks giving the opposing team more offensive options like hitting guys for corner 3's, etc. Worst comes to worse we just double whoever in the post and hope our athletes can recover to the first and second option because WCS can recover for anything else. I'm not saying he's a top 4 pick, but he is a tremendous defensive talent for a big. Also, DJ, Chandler, etc. are getting by just fine on alley oops and put backs. I'm sure WCS will be serviceable as well. Once you get past the two way guys and elite offensive talents, WCS is right there with an elite NBA skill of being a terror on the defensive end who may be able to guard 1-5.

Going back a little bit to Cam's proposal of 1 for 4 and 6 from Philly. At this point I do it as long as it lands us WCS and Winslow. We get a potential 2 way star in Winslow (I've added him to my potential stars list based on his great tournament performance thus far) and a defensive force in WCS.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'd trade anything other than our own 2015 1st, Wiggins and LaVine to be able to get another top-six pick (assuming Cauley-Stein is available), and that includes Rubio.

Wiggins / Towns / Cauley-Stein
Wiggins / Cauley-Stein / Okafor
Russell / Wiggins / Cauley-Stein

It'd bold, I realize that. And while I am a big fan of Rubio, I think a defensive anchor like Cauley-Stein is harder to find than a point guard in the NBA is. Hopefully that doesn't come off like I'm downplaying Rubio's impact on the court.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

I'd trade anything other than our own 2015 1st, Wiggins and LaVine to be able to get another top-six pick (assuming Cauley-Stein is available), and that includes Rubio.

Wiggins / Towns / Cauley-Stein
Wiggins / Cauley-Stein / Okafor
Russell / Wiggins / Cauley-Stein

It'd bold, I realize that. And while I am a big fan of Rubio, I think a defensive anchor like Cauley-Stein is harder to find than a point guard in the NBA is. Hopefully that doesn't come off like I'm downplaying Rubio's impact on the court.

I wouldn't go that far as to trade a proven Rubio for an unknown guy. That's big time risky. I agree about getting that defensive anchor though.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'd trade anything other than our own 2015 1st, Wiggins and LaVine to be able to get another top-six pick (assuming Cauley-Stein is available), and that includes Rubio.

Wiggins / Towns / Cauley-Stein
Wiggins / Cauley-Stein / Okafor
Russell / Wiggins / Cauley-Stein

It'd bold, I realize that. And while I am a big fan of Rubio, I think a defensive anchor like Cauley-Stein is harder to find than a point guard in the NBA is. Hopefully that doesn't come off like I'm downplaying Rubio's impact on the court.

I wouldn't go that far as to trade a proven Rubio for an unknown guy. That's big time risky. I agree about getting that defensive anchor though.

I doubt there's a Holiday/6th pick type trade out there anyway.

BUT for the sake of interesting discussion, what if Sacramento, who needs a point guard badly, called with a package around the 5th/6th pick and WCS is there?

I'll take this a step forward. What if this whole LaVine at PG thing wasn't just Flip trying to accelerate his learning of both positions? What if he's seeing if Zach can handle the job and using Ricky as an asset? Doubtful, highly doubtful, but I'm throwing a bunch of hypotheticals out lately. Add this to the bunch.

What if we took Russell at 3 to be the point guard moving forward? Russell / LaVine / Wiggins / Dieng / Cauley-Stein as the potential five moving forward.

I'd also be just as fine keeping a proven guy in Rubio, but like I said, it's an idea. As an NBA GM, I'd assume that every situation has to be accounted for and every player has a price.