2014 Draft

[Lipoli390]

We had two first round picks in 2014. Flip could have used those two picks to take CJ McCollum and Gobert. Instead, Flip traded down and ended up with Shabazz, Dieng and some cash. We all know what Gobert did last season. McCollum had 30 points tonight and had another big scoring night in the Blazers' preseason opener.

So which tandem from the 2014 draft would you rather have now?

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I saw McCollum's big game last night, and my first thought was "I wonder if he gave up 32!". He makes Shabazz look like "The Glove" on defense. He's a pretty good shooter (although under 70% from the line for his career), but has about as many career assists as turnovers.

Gobert had a terrific second half of last season and will start at center this season for Utah, but I'm waiting to see if he's for real...he hasn't been as effective in pre-season. It's a good poll question because I think that even if Gobert turns out to be a bust on offense, his defense makes him the most effective player of the 4. But Bazz is such a prolific scorer and Gorgui had the highest PER for the Wolves last year of players averaging more than 25 MPG. I still vote for Bazz/Gorgui.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I can't believe anyone would vote for Shabazz & Dieng. They must not have watched Gobert play last year. When he was put in the starting lineup, he transformed Utah's defense into the best in the league and Utah made a late season run.

Gobert alone has a much bigger impact on the game than these two ever will. Gobert is a rising star. Dieng is good but never will come close to being the defensive disrupter of Gobert. Shabazz is a backup with limited skills.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Lip is still trying to defend McCollum, lol. 30 points is great, but even the sun shines on a dogs ass. With LA and Matthews gone, sure he'll get more shots.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

You have to go with McCollum/Gobert because of Gobert. This is all hindsight of course, so I don't blame Flip for what was a solid draft, but clearly Gobert impacts the game way more than these other guys.

[Coolbreeze44]

Good question. I think McCollum Gobert edges our guys.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I think it's close, but Muhammad's distinct scoring advantage gives the nod to Bazz/Gorgui. Here are last year's stats:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&y1=2015&p1=dienggo01&y2=2015&p2=goberru01&y3=2015&p3=muhamsh01&y4=2015&p4=mccolcj01&p5=&p6=

If you look at the per 36 numbers, assists, rebounds and steals are almost exactly the same for each pair. Gobert had one more block per 36 than Gorgui, but that is partially offset by his sub 60% free throw rate...you can hack a Rudy, but it doesn't pay to hack a Gorgui. But the big difference is in points scored per 36. While Gorgui only averages a point more per 36 than Rudy, Shabazz averaged almost 5 per points per 36 than CJ.

So while it's close, it looks like the Wolves' pair was more productive last year than the guys they didn't draft.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

LST, you are way undervaluing the contribution of Gobert. He got the starting gig after the allstar break. He was a rebounding and block machine and the opponents FG% in the paint plummeted. If you go to the Utah board and suggest Shabazz and Dieng for Gobert, I guarantee they will laugh you off the board.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Using Per 36 numbers based on last year is a pretty useless way to value their projected value going forward. Gobert's value became evident in the last part of the season and there is no way the per 36 factors in what a force he was on defense. Gobert should be an allstar this year. I don't even look at McCallum because Gobert alone is easily more valuable than Shabazz and Dieng, but McCallum's stats are looking to take a huge leap this year due to his starting role. Dieng's stats might take a hit because of Karl Towns and I expect Bazz to be about the same as last year.

[Monster]

It's too early to tell right now I would like to see what all 4 guys do this year they are all likely to have roles that give them opportunities. Personally I am just glad to get out of that draft with two players that looks worthwhile and both Dieng and Bazz have plenty of positive trade value. That's a welcome thing coming from the previous dumpster fire of drafting.