CoolBreeze44 wrote:The question isn't whether Russell can play, it's where in the top 4 he should be ranked. No one is saying he isn't a top prospect. It's my opinion that his physicality has him at #4. I like the two bigs and Mudiay a little better.
I believe Russell has a 6'9 or 6'10 wingspan, and there is definitely room for him to grow yet. In my opinion, skill does trump athleticism, and most guys who aren't overly athletic have spent more time honing skills at every level of competition. With that said, I rank the players this way..
For potential it goes Towns, Mudiay, Russell, Okafor for me
For team fit/need i'd go Towns, Russell, Okafor, Mudiay.
According to those lists, I'm taking Towns first, followed by Russell, then Mudiay, and lastly Okafor.
Hate it, or love it. I realize ill likely receive some negative review on how low I have Okafor. I'm just not a huge Okafor fan. He scores well, but rebounds like a brook lopez. Can't play pick and roll D, doesn't intimidate at the rim. Can't shoot free throws, when he'll likely get fouled a lot around the basket. I believe I remember a lot of people saying you wouldn't want DeAndre Jordan because you do not want a player on your team who can't shoot free throws? Well, why is Okafor an exception when he shoots 50%? He is not Duncan, he isn't al Jefferson. He projects worse than both in overall game.
Towns has the most potential of all 4, but he is also one of, if not the biggest risk of the 4. A risk i'd gladly take though. He is athletic, but he's not a very smooth athlete. Maybe that's just because you see him next to WCS, who is about as smooth as they come for a 7 footer. Towns shoots the free throw decent, has shown the ability to develop a mid range game, maybe further? He does have post moves, though not very polished. His defense is very good, both man to man and help defense, and he is enough of an athlete to play the pick and roll well. He has the chance to provide low post scoring, be a threat in the pick and pop, all while providing good defense. That's what I want in my big. He does kind of run funny though, no? Him and Dieng would be quite the spectacle going up and down the court. hah
I have a hard time deciding between Russell and Mudiay for the 2nd slot, for now I put Russell there because I simply have seen more of his play. Mudiay's scouting reports are very exciting though, and his potential is also off the charts.
Russell is a cool cat. A veteran's mind. He plays the game so smooth, and makes the right play, the one given by the defense. If he had a bit more of a team around him at OSU I believe he'd be putting up even better numbers. He really carried that whole team all year. He can shoot, he can drive, he can pass. He'd be a great fit next to Rubio, or even LaVine. The issue with him is his defense. I think some of his lack of effort has to do with him being the man on offense game in and game out, and exerting so much energy on that end of the court. I expect him to be at least an average defender.
Mudiay is the athlete that Russell is not. He can get right or left as if both are his main hands. He's strong, and finishes at the rim. Great vision, great ball handler, great speed. The issue is his shooting, and that's one reason i'd take him after Russell. I don't have much more info on Mudiay at this time, as I just have not been able to watch much tape on him. Based on potential, Mudiay could go #1 this year. I think his decision to skip SMU moves him down, but I take him at #3 over Okafor.
I wish this season would be over. Outside of Wiggins, and to some extent LaVine, the only exciting thing about this season is the thought of the draft. Sad, but true.
