NBA draft....who would you pick?

[CPA]

Originally posted by: diamondgoat53
all you Anthony fan-boys need to remember one thing. it's not like 'Melo and LeBron have never been on the same floor together. and no one who has seen the two of them play together thinks Anthony is better than James. no one. last year, after his junior year, James tore Anthony up in the summer games. that's why he'll go first. for all of you who never heard of Anthony before this year, get a grip. or a clue.

You are friggin nuts!!! James only had two more points than Carmelo, and I think Melo had more rebounds. You need to get a clue!

 

[Soccer55]

After a year's worth of hype and television coverage, there is no doubt that whoever has the #1 pick will have to pick LeBron. Why? If the team with the #1 pick passes on LeBron and he turns out to be the next Kobe or MJ, the GM of that team would get crucified for passing on him.

With that said, I would take Carmelo over LeBron in a heartbeat. I watched almost every SU game this year (and was at just about all of the home games) and I'll tell ya, this kid is for real. He is a very unselfish player that looks to get his teammates involved, but he can also take over a game if he needs to. He's a big guy that can grab rebounds, post up down low, or step outside and shoot the 3. Hell, he can even bring the ball up the court. But what I think is the best part about Carmelo's game is the fact that he has fun. I can't even count the number of times he drained a 3 in some guys face or drove in for a layup/dunk and then ran down the court smiling and laughing. Something like that seems so insignificant, but once it spreads to his teammates, you're dealing with a completely different basketball team.

As for LeBron.....I watched a few of the televised games and yea, he's a great player, but he was a man amongst boys this season. There is no way that anyone in HS could compete with him in athleticism or talent. I have no doubt in my mind that LeBron will be a great player, but I think it's way too early to tell how good he will be next year. On the other hand, Carmelo has proven himself against the best amateur talent in the nation. I don't think there was one team this year that could really stop him for a whole 40 minutes. Granted, the NBA is a step or 2 up from college, but I would argue that it's about 3 or 4 steps up from HS. No matter what happens, both players will be very exciting to watch next year.

I think my top 5 would be:
1. Carmelo Anthony
2. LeBron James
3. T.J Ford
4. Darko
5. Nick Collison

-Tom

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: diamondgoat53
all you Anthony fan-boys need to remember one thing. it's not like 'Melo and LeBron have never been on the same floor together. and no one who has seen the two of them play together thinks Anthony is better than James. no one. last year, after his junior year, James tore Anthony up in the summer games. that's why he'll go first. for all of you who never heard of Anthony before this year, get a grip. or a clue.

You are friggin nuts!!! James only had two more points than Carmelo, and I think Melo had more rebounds. You need to get a clue!

In their head to head matchup, James had 36 and Melo had 34 but Melo's team won.

Somebody mentioned 3 positions? Who brought the ball up the court in the Final Four games at the end of the game? Yup, that's right, Anthony. He broke Kansas' press by himself because as soon as he got the ball they immediately retreated. Talk about respect. Anthony could easily play on either wing spot or play as a point forward as evidenced by his near triple double (20, 10, and 7 dimes).

So in my opinion both guys can score at will (slight edge to Anthony because he did it against tougher competition and put anybody that guarded him in foul trouble), both can handle the ball, james may have a small edge in passing but Anthony easily beats Lebron on the boards and has a great feel of being in the right place at the right time.

Lebron will be good but until he proves himself as the next McGrady or Kobe, I'll stick with Melo

 

[Rob9874]

I don't know how scouts can assess a player's talent by watching him against high school players. Sure LeBron looked good against mediocre 16-year-olds, but is there a chance that the competition in the NBA is a bit better?

 

[Heifetz]

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I don't know how scouts can assess a player's talent by watching him against high school players. Sure LeBron looked good against mediocre 16-year-olds, but is there a chance that the competition in the NBA is a bit better?

No kidding mr obivous. Of course the competition in the NBA will be better, and all the scouts have that in mind. Look at it this way, scouts are paid to look for talent, they must have a lot of experience and expertise. All of you who are jumping on the Melo bandwagon all of a sudden need to get a clue. Lebron would have been picked #1 LAST YEAR if he had come out of HS. Most of you probably didn't even know who Melo was before his team won the NCAA tournament. Melo's stock has risen dramatically since then. Melo seems more like the flavor of the month, where as Lebron has been the flavor for TWO YEARS! Everyone says this kid has the talent to become one of the best in the NBA. How can you discount that? He has played mostly against HSers, but he has also gone to camps and played against real NBA players! A triple double threat is far more valuable than a 20 - 10 player, which there are an abundance of in the NBA.

I think most will agree that Lebron's potential is far greater than anyone else in the draft. Melo maybe good now, but how much room does he have for improvement in the NBA? It'll take a couple of years for Lebron to acclimate to the NBA's style of playing, but he can become one of the great basketball players in the next decade.



I'll probably go
1. Lebron
2. Milec
3. Melo


Teams shouldn't get caught up in the ferver about Melo all of a sudden.

 

[Rob9874]

I didn't mean I don't agree that LeBron should go #1. His film footage is amazing. I'm just saying I wouldn't have the experience to know how well he would play against NBA players. The scouts must know what they're doing.

 

[Turkey22]

it depends on which team you are drafting for... I think you could build a team around james or anthony, those 2 are really the only real top talents in this draft. Obviously neither are ready to be flat out stars as they both relied on beating the crap out of weaker opposition than they will face at the next level. Anthony has a bit of a better jumper while james is a better passer, anthony is a better defender but not by much they both suck... If james went to college for a year he could be as good as anthony is but the jump to the nba will stunt his growth and it will take longer for him to have an impact. The guy I havent mentioned darko who will most likely be picked 2nd (again depending on who gets those picks) has alot of potential like many in this draft but and should turn into an allstar caliber player but isnt the type of guy you build a team around.

But to answer the question if I were my team (Pistons), who will have a lottery pick unless memphis gets the number 1 pick, I would hope for Anthony. The best need pick for detroit is a long pf/c with range and great defense (basically a younger cliff robinson to replace him) I dont belive darko has the defensive ability though, other wise he would be ideal. The other need though is someone to take over on the offensive side and get some scores when they are needed late in the game which would be Anthony.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Turkey22
But to answer the question if I were my team (Pistons), who will have a lottery pick unless memphis gets the number 1 pick, I would hope for Anthony. The best need pick for detroit is a long pf/c with range and great defense (basically a younger cliff robinson to replace him) I dont belive darko has the defensive ability though, other wise he would be ideal. The other need though is someone to take over on the offensive side and get some scores when they are needed late in the game which would be Anthony.

as a fellow Pistons fan, I drool at the thought of the getting the #2 or 3 pick Anthony or Darko. Both would be awesome.

 

[iamme]

honestly, i don't see how you can lose out in either Anthony or James. Both seem to have tremendous amounts of talent. Anthony has success in the NCAA going for him. James has tons of hype and excitement going for him. It's hard to imagine either has as draft bust.......but who knows.

 

[nitsuj3580]

Teams shouldn't get caught up in the ferver about Melo all of a sudden.

This just shows that you are like the "most people" that you quoted in the fact that you never heard of Melo until the tournament. Most of us that have posted I recognize from the several Syracuse b'ball related threads and we have been watching Melo all year! From Memphis to Kansas, watching Melo as well as the whole SU team has been fun to watch and unfortunately, not a lot of people have had the fortune of following the team as much as myself, Soccer55, CPA, etc.

The kid was unstoppable all year but still played unselfishly and put a team that played 3 frosh, 3 soph, and a junior and a senior in their 8 man rotation on his back and led them to a 30-5 season capped off with a National Championship against the best D1 teams in the country! You don't average a double double for the season playing the highest level of D1 b'ball by just being good in the tournament. He could've averaged 30+ a game but that wasn't what was best for the team.

I'm sure Lebron will be good but Melo still has tons of room for improvement as well and that is scary. Lebron may be the next Kobe or TMac but I can see Melo getting stronger and better and being more of a shorter version in the mold of a Tim Duncan. Not going to wow you with his athleticism but he has plenty of it and can take over a game when he wants to.

We'll all find out soon enough. I've been hearing doubters all year as a die hard 'Cuse fan that recently moved down here to Virginia and it's been a blast saying "I told you so" time and time again. Well, I guess this will just be another case once Melo starts dominating in the NBA

 

[phatj]

Originally posted by: milagro
why would anyone choose carmelo over lebron? will NEVER happen.... Lebron will sell tickets where/ever he goes and will most like be a major stand-out player for years to come....not as certain w/ the mellow man..

Agreed.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

ford

 

[Ranger X]

LeBron James

Even if he doesn't perform well at the NBA-level, he'll bring in the revenue.

 

[hdeck]

Originally posted by: lilcam
ford

ford needs to stay at UT so we can win next year =/

anway...

1. dark millic
2. dwayne wade
3. nick collison
4. chris bosh
5. kirk hinrich

i don't buy into the hype of james and anthony...

 

[mpitts]

Originally posted by: hdeck

Originally posted by: lilcam
ford

ford needs to stay at UT so we can win next year =/

anway...

1. dark millic
2. dwayne wade
3. nick collison
4. chris bosh
5. kirk hinrich

i don't buy into the hype of james and anthony...

I don't know how anyone can respect the opinion of someone who rates Kirk Hinrich over Carmelo Anthony.

 

[LeStEr]

After watching alot of his games I have to go with Lebron.

 

[roncarter]

Originally posted by: Evan Lieb

Originally posted by: milagro

Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
Carmello Anthony no doubt. I've seen videos of James in high school games and he's simply amazing, but the NBA is quite different obviously. Anthony is more experienced, and IMHO has bigger potential than other any college player I've seen in years.

I don't think you could say that Carmello could play strong at three different positions the way you can with Lebron...

Uh, why not? James and Carmelo are almost identically the same height and weight, and looking at Carmelo's college stats in rebounds I'm really not sure what you're talking about. Besides, could you say that Jordan can play 3 different positions? No, but does it really matter? Obviously not. Jordan's poise, skills at his position, and his ability to come through in the clutch are what makes him great.

Besides, what has James proved that Carmelo hasn't? Just look at what Carmelo did this year for Syracuse. Besides having tremendous potential what has James proven?

James has proven he can sell out crowds and make money. Thats what teams want buddy

 

[roncarter]

Originally posted by: Soccer55
After a year's worth of hype and television coverage, there is no doubt that whoever has the #1 pick will have to pick LeBron. Why? If the team with the #1 pick passes on LeBron and he turns out to be the next Kobe or MJ, the GM of that team would get crucified for passing on him.

With that said, I would take Carmelo over LeBron in a heartbeat. I watched almost every SU game this year (and was at just about all of the home games) and I'll tell ya, this kid is for real. He is a very unselfish player that looks to get his teammates involved, but he can also take over a game if he needs to. He's a big guy that can grab rebounds, post up down low, or step outside and shoot the 3. Hell, he can even bring the ball up the court. But what I think is the best part about Carmelo's game is the fact that he has fun. I can't even count the number of times he drained a 3 in some guys face or drove in for a layup/dunk and then ran down the court smiling and laughing. Something like that seems so insignificant, but once it spreads to his teammates, you're dealing with a completely different basketball team.

As for LeBron.....I watched a few of the televised games and yea, he's a great player, but he was a man amongst boys this season. There is no way that anyone in HS could compete with him in athleticism or talent. I have no doubt in my mind that LeBron will be a great player, but I think it's way too early to tell how good he will be next year. On the other hand, Carmelo has proven himself against the best amateur talent in the nation. I don't think there was one team this year that could really stop him for a whole 40 minutes. Granted, the NBA is a step or 2 up from college, but I would argue that it's about 3 or 4 steps up from HS. No matter what happens, both players will be very exciting to watch next year.

I think my top 5 would be:
1. Carmelo Anthony
2. LeBron James
3. T.J Ford
4. Darko
5. Nick Collison

-Tom

Just the fact that you would take TJ Ford over Darko makes anything you say stupid! TJ ford is good in college, but in the NBA, he willl stink! Look how big he is. Hes the same size as me for god sakes. And I probably have a better jump shot then he does.

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: kindest
if i were an owner, definately lebron.
draw out a crowd just to see him play = mo money.
but if he turns out to be a stinker after a year
then your screwed.

Heh

 

[Miramonti]

James
Milicic
Melo

James is better than anthony and always will be, and will make his teammates better, unlike anthony. He's also worthy of the hype, he's that good, and anthony isn't. Who knows about milicic and I doubt anyone here has even seen him play, but he seems to scrawny to hold his weight defensively imo, altho he's very young.

Wade will be outstanding imo, he makes things look so effortless and is lightning quick, and Heinrich and Collison are way overrated.

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: jjsole
James
Heinrich and Collison are way overrated.

Agreed.

 

[ed1564]

I thuoght Frod said that he was goign to stay another year

 

[jbahseng]

1st pick, Lebron James
2nd pick Darko
3rd pick Carmello

For the past few years, the first pick always go to the player with the most potential. Most of the GM no longer pick the best player in the draft, but the player with most potential and tangible. They will draft the most talented player and think about it later. Look at 2002 draft picks, Mike Dunleavy at 3, Nickoloz at 5, Chris Wilcox at 8, and the most ready player Caron Butler was drafted at 10. With the talent, hype and marketable, Lebron will goes number 1. Darko will goes number 2 because of his height and skill, not to mention he is only 17 and play against men in the Euroleague. Carmello will most likely be the number 3 pick eventhough he has proven what he can do in the tournament.

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: hdeck

Originally posted by: lilcam
ford

ford needs to stay at UT so we can win next year =/

anway...

1. dark millic
2. dwayne wade
3. nick collison
4. chris bosh
5. kirk hinrich

i don't buy into the hype of james and anthony...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....still bitter after that whoopin Anthony and the 'Cuse put on your Longhorns? 33 points and 14 boards and a double digit win over a #1 seed. Yup, that must be all hype.

Syracuse = National Champions AND Big 12 Champions! I know it hurts but Texas should do well next year.

 

[First]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: Evan Lieb

Originally posted by: milagro

Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
Carmello Anthony no doubt. I've seen videos of James in high school games and he's simply amazing, but the NBA is quite different obviously. Anthony is more experienced, and IMHO has bigger potential than other any college player I've seen in years.

I don't think you could say that Carmello could play strong at three different positions the way you can with Lebron...

Uh, why not? James and Carmelo are almost identically the same height and weight, and looking at Carmelo's college stats in rebounds I'm really not sure what you're talking about. Besides, could you say that Jordan can play 3 different positions? No, but does it really matter? Obviously not. Jordan's poise, skills at his position, and his ability to come through in the clutch are what makes him great.

Besides, what has James proved that Carmelo hasn't? Just look at what Carmelo did this year for Syracuse. Besides having tremendous potential what has James proven?

Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard. Yes I can say Jordan can play 3 positions. Next?

Remind me again of all the names of those great 6'6" 190 lbs small forwards in history? LOL, Jordan is his prime was strong but not strong or tall enough to be able to be a successful small forward. Jordan would be decent at point, but in his prime he was too tall (and, gasp, maybe not good enough) to be a great passer off the dribble like current point guards Payton, Nash, Kidd, Stockton, Parker, etc.

Next.