Minnesota Sports Forum

Hicks123 wrote:

Camden wrote:Portis not a difference maker? How about carrying an Arkansas team that has zero business making the tourney to a 5-seed. One of the most consistent producers in NCAA all year.

I am specifically talking about what I think of his prospects as a pro. I just don't see anything in this guy that makes me think he will be an impact guy at the NBA level.

Well, he's pretty skilled. He could use more bulk to make his moves that much more effective, but I think he'll be a good starter at the next level.

Some thoughts...first on the tourney:
-So many nail biters, nice first day
-SMU got screwed, that "goaltending" on the UCLA triple at the end of the game was probably the right call, but it wasn't going in (it was clearly about to hit the front corner of the rim). Big choke job on that one.

Now on some players... Big players came up big..
-Stanley Johnson nice game in a blowout win. Q talks about Johnson's mature body as lack of upside. I'd argue that he can still grow taller and when you project NBA prospects, you only hope they get to the body type that Johnson has. His skills have improved all around, and he leads one of the nations top teams as a freshman.
-Russell was clearly the best player on the floor on the VCU vs The Ohio State matchup. Hitting off balance corner 3's, showing a great ball handle and competitiveness throughout. VCU was double teaming Russell every time he touched the ball late in that game.
-The Kentucky twins.. I missed about half this game due to the Wolves game and making dinner, but man would it be nice to be able to draft Towns and Cauley-Stein and have all that length in the middle. I'm trying to figure out who Towns reminds me of, but Cauley-Stein reminds me of Tyson Chandler.

Duke hasn't played yet, and I realize that everyone is hoping for the #1 pick, but if you asked me right now who the best player in this draft will be in 5 years, I really would have no idea what to say, and I could see all of these guys helping us in different ways. I think there are multiple right answers in this draft where we'll no doubt be drafting.

Hicks123 wrote:I know a couple people like Portis....and he may be a fine prospect....but he is not a difference maker. Just not enough skill or dominance. Not impressed the few times I have seen him. I want nothing to do with him.

Agree 100%. I mentioned this a few times in the prospect thread. I could see him making a living as a role player doing dirty work, but not a starter at all. Cam, you say he has carried that team, but from the games I've watched against good competition he's been nearly unnoticeable. His team almost seems to avoid getting him the ball.

Keep in mind Towns was going against a frontline sporting towering 6'8 and 6'6 players. He won't have it that easy later in the tournament and especially against pros. I'm gonna hold my reservation for him for later in the tourney. #1 is still up for grabs in my mind.

khans2k5 wrote:Keep in mind Towns was going against a frontline sporting towering 6'8 and 6'6 players. He won't have it that easy later in the tournament and especially against pros. I'm gonna hold my reservation for him for later in the tourney. #1 is still up for grabs in my mind.

That's the hard part of evaluating bigs. Rarely do they get a real challenge. Usually they are going against a 6'8" guy or a 7' who wouldn't even be on the team if he weren't 7'. True great big men are so rare. That's why they usually get picked first in the draft. I want to see Towns and Okafor really challenged.

My bracket has Towns and Okafor facing off in the championship game.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:My bracket has Towns and Okafor facing off in the championship game.

So does mine. I've never wanted to see a matchup so badly either.

I think everyone wants that match up, unfortunately I think Gonzaga or Villanova is going to end up in the championship over Duke.

How about Hoiberg and Iowa State busting up almost everyone's bracket. Think Hoiberg is still dead set on coaching college ball?

So Russell is pretty damn good. Ugh. So many options for us. Still like 1.Okafor 2.Towns 3.Russell but would not be surprised if Russell turns into a Steph Curry like guard. Any or all 3 of these guys have the potential to be all star players.

For a 2nd round possibility I really liked watching Hammons step it up for Purdue. I was sad they lost that game, but he looked a lot more athletic than I had thought with really good hands.