2008 NBA Draft

[DaytonBuck]

Why is Hansbrough not even in the top 60? I dont like UNC but you got to give it to the kid for his toughness and he's freaking averaging about a double-double isnt he? If its because hes not a senior I think no way he comes back next season.

Hansbrough is considered undersized for the NBA

 

[crazybuckfan40]

another guy I like, but probably won't come out this year is PG Zaga Jeremy Pargo...

 

[billmac91]

another guy I like, but probably won't come out this year is PG Zaga Jeremy Pargo...

Ya, Pargo is solid. Definately has the upper-body strength to get where he wants. Kind of a hybrid of Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton.

I like the addition of Delonte West, but I'm excited for the addition of a legit PG. Not really saying Delonte isn't a legit PG, but he didn't learn the position until he entered the NBA after playing next to Jameer at St. Joes. I do think somehow/someway we go into next season with a solid PG.

 

[BengalsAndBucks]

Hansborough is the textbook dominant college player who doesn't translate well to the pros at all. The antithesis of KK, if you will. Which btw, good to see people finally moving him off their 2008 draft boards. We will be dominant if he stays.

One player who I really like but who isn't getting mentioned anywhere is Robert Vaden out of UAB. Big SG who can hit any shot on the court. The Kentucky game, he shot 7-11 from 3 land to single-handedly win them the game. Don't understand the complete lack of pub, I feel like he can be a very good player.

Also will be interesting to see where Neitzel and Lofton fall in this draft, if at all. Would think there would be some market for excellent 3-point shooters, but who knows.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Hansborough is the textbook dominant college player who doesn't translate well to the pros at all. The antithesis of KK, if you will. Which btw, good to see people finally moving him off their 2008 draft boards. We will be dominant if he stays.

One player who I really like but who isn't getting mentioned anywhere is Robert Vaden out of UAB. Big SG who can hit any shot on the court. The Kentucky game, he shot 7-11 from 3 land to single-handedly win them the game. Don't understand the complete lack of pub, I feel like he can be a very good player.

Also will be interesting to see where Neitzel and Lofton fall in this draft, if at all. Would think there would be some market for excellent 3-point shooters, but who knows.

Vaden is in the second round of the nbadraft.net 09' draft...

Think Lofton will get drafted, but don't think Neitzel will...

 

[billmac91]

A guy I really like in the second round, if we can't get an elite prospect is Tyrese Rice from Boston College. Kid shoots the lights out, is crafty around the hoop, and has a good handle. My only concern on him is the ability to defend NBA PG's, and his ability to get the ball up and down in a transition game. But Tyrese Rice would definately stretch defenses for LeBron.

What a scorer this kid is. 38 points against UNC so far and still 13 minutes left. Still have concerns about his defense, but this kid is a flat-out scorer in multiple ways.

Still think he'll be available in the second round too.

 

[daveeb]

The Cavaliers are in an interesting position for this draft. I mean, they really do have some depth at every position. I'd just like to point out some facts, though.

-Zydrunas is 32. I'm not saying he doesn't have another 3-4 years in him. But, it often does take that long to develop a Center. See: Bynum.
-Delonte has been stellar since coming over to the Cavs, but we could still use another PG.
-You can never have enough big guys who can score.
-Gibson should have the SG spot tied up for years.

If I were the Cavs GM, I'd address the PG situation in Round 1, and then get another big guy in Round 2. Right now, NBADraft.net has the Cavs picking up Jason Thompson, a 6'10" Senior Power Forward from Rider. So, they have the Cavs addressing adding another big guy first.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Javale McGee (7' C) from Nevada is one of the first underclassmen that might of been in question to enter his name in the draft and hire an agent...

Richard hendrix (6'9'' C) from Bama entered in his name, but did not hire an agent...likely to stay in...

Could McGee be a guy that moves KK down...I don't think so, but most have McGee in the 15-25 range...

Some other with their names in are JJ Hickson (6'8'' PF) from NC state and he will probably stay...Also Leo Lyons (6'8' PF) from Mizzou and he is just testing the waters...

 

[billmac91]

all I know is for every stud that enters the draft, another PG drops to us in the 20's.

I'm still crossing my fingers one of these guys is in a Cavs uni next year:

Ty Lawson
O.J. Mayo
Derrick Rose (no shot but deepens the class)
DJ Augustin
Darren Collison
Tyrone Brazelton (did he show enough to be first round material? I think he did by handling Collison all night on blow-bys and pull ups in the near upset of UCLA)
Jerryd Bayless (I haven't seen much of him this year, but everyone continues to talk him up. Arizona being so mediocre is somewhat concerning to me.)
Eric Gordon deepens the guard position overall.

Plus you have some European PG's in the mix.

If the Cavs go anywhere but PG, I'll be severaly pissed off. Since LeBron has been here, there hasn't been a single player who can consistently beat his defender off the dribble and create. It could really open up LeBrons' game and take some pressure off of him.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

all I know is for every stud that enters the draft, another PG drops to us in the 20's.

I'm still crossing my fingers one of these guys is in a Cavs uni next year:

Ty Lawson
O.J. Mayo
Derrick Rose (no shot but deepens the class)
DJ Augustin
Darren Collison
Tyrone Brazelton (did he show enough to be first round material? I think he did by handling Collison all night on blow-bys and pull ups in the near upset of UCLA)
Jerryd Bayless (I haven't seen much of him this year, but everyone continues to talk him up. Arizona being so mediocre is somewhat concerning to me.)
Eric Gordon deepens the guard position overall.

Plus you have some European PG's in the mix.

If the Cavs go anywhere but PG, I'll be severaly pissed off. Since LeBron has been here, there hasn't been a single player who can consistently beat his defender off the dribble and create. It could really open up LeBrons' game and take some pressure off of him.

I think a guy like Collison, Lawson, or Augustin will be there...

but my thing is that I still feel take the best player available...No matter what position...LBJ can play with a good scorer at any position...He has showed it with Boozer at PF, Z at C, Boobie at the pg/sg etc...

We really good improve at any position...We could use a pg, but we do have West already...We could use a PF, some say we have Wild Thing as the future and maybe true, but that would also allow us to move him over to C, as Z is getting up there, and we could take a C for that reason, and we could also use a SG that can light it up and take the ball off the dribble...

Either way it will be interesting to see guys declare and then move up and down the board....

If there was any way we could swing a trade to get up and get Derrick Rose, which I know there is no chance, even tho I would give up about the whole team, it would be awesome, because he is the type of PG that is going to be a staple in all star games for years to come...

Truly believe that he and Beasley are the only locks at stardom...Lots of potential and talent, but lots of guys that have question marks about their game...

 

[billmac91]

I think a guy like Collison, Lawson, or Augustin will be there...

but my thing is that I still feel take the best player available...No matter what position...LBJ can play with a good scorer at any position...He has showed it with Boozer at PF, Z at C, Boobie at the pg/sg etc...

We really good improve at any position...We could use a pg, but we do have West already...We could use a PF, some say we have Wild Thing as the future and maybe true, but that would also allow us to move him over to C, as Z is getting up there, and we could take a C for that reason, and we could also use a SG that can light it up and take the ball off the dribble...

Either way it will be interesting to see guys declare and then move up and down the board....

If there was any way we could swing a trade to get up and get Derrick Rose, which I know there is no chance, even tho I would give up about the whole team, it would be awesome, because he is the type of PG that is going to be a staple in all star games for years to come...

Truly believe that he and Beasley are the only locks at stardom...Lots of potential and talent, but lots of guys that have question marks about their game...

I hear ya, but I'm set on a PG. I'd really love to see LeBron paired with a deadly shooter (Boobie) and a PG who can create off the dribble. Even at his best, Delonte West is a minor offensive threat. He has a decent mid-range game but that's about it. He doesn't break guys down, he doesn't really get anyone open looks.

I think someone like Augustin, Lawson, even OJ Mayo could make LeBron's life a helluva lot easier. I continue to like Lawson more than Augustin because of his penetrating ability, but I'd take either at the drop of a hat. Lawson's ability to finish at the hoop is extradorinary given his height. He really makes it look easy finishing around 6-9, 6-10 players. Someone who can beat his man and let LeBron slash would be fun to watch. Typically LeBron has to blow-by defenders himself to get easy looks.

Anyways, I'm all for young talent at the PG position.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I hear ya, but I'm set on a PG. I'd really love to see LeBron paired with a deadly shooter (Boobie) and a PG who can create off the dribble. Even at his best, Delonte West is a minor offensive threat. He has a decent mid-range game but that's about it. He doesn't break guys down, he doesn't really get anyone open looks.

I think someone like Augustin, Lawson, even OJ Mayo could make LeBron's life a helluva lot easier. I continue to like Lawson more than Augustin because of his penetrating ability, but I'd take either at the drop of a hat. Lawson's ability to finish at the hoop is extradorinary given his height. He really makes it look easy finishing around 6-9, 6-10 players. Someone who can beat his man and let LeBron slash would be fun to watch. Typically LeBron has to blow-by defenders himself to get easy looks.

Anyways, I'm all for young talent at the PG position.

Your problem is that if you go with Boobie and then a pg like one of these you are looking at the same problem that the Texas problem had today against Memphis...You got two smaller guys that will be defended by taller and bigger guys...

Lawson can't hit the open jumper tho...Not sure if that is something we really want, especially if we continue to play more of a half court game...Lawson excels in the full court...If we are taking one of those two I go with Augustin due to his ability to hit the jumper and being more of a half court guy...

You also have to remember that why you want someone to create, it will always be LBJ as the main creator...late game situations you are going to see LBJ with the ball in his hands, making the play...

I think that we could get by with West and Boobie at the point and go with 2g that can spot up, and also take off the dribble...Someone with length and more athleticism than Sasha...

 

[billmac91]

Your problem is that if you go with Boobie and then a pg like one of these you are looking at the same problem that the Texas problem had today against Memphis...You got two smaller guys that will be defended by taller and bigger guys...

Lawson can't hit the open jumper tho...Not sure if that is something we really want, especially if we continue to play more of a half court game...Lawson excels in the full court...If we are taking one of those two I go with Augustin due to his ability to hit the jumper and being more of a half court guy...

You also have to remember that why you want someone to create, it will always be LBJ as the main creator...late game situations you are going to see LBJ with the ball in his hands, making the play...

I think that we could get by with West and Boobie at the point and go with 2g that can spot up, and also take off the dribble...Someone with length and more athleticism than Sasha...

I think we'll agree to disagree on this one. I respect your opinion, but I just think a true PG takes LeBron to another level. I understand LeBron is the main creator, he's the best player in the league. It's taking the pressure off of him throughout the entire game that is important. As is, LeBron needs to bring his A game almost every night for the Cavs to succeed on the offensive end. Having a PG who can break his guy down and cause help defense would really open a lot of things up.

I just don't see Boobie as a PG. Can he play the position? Yes. Does he do it well? I don't really think so. Boobie should stay at the 2 and continue to drift.

It's a valid concern about the size of our backcourt if we take Augustin or Lawson and pair them with Boobie. I guess I'm willing to risk it.

As far as shooting goes, I don't even consider Augustin that great of a shooter. He's better than Lawson at shooting, but I could really care less about that. Neither are going to be great 3 point shooters in the NBA anyways. It's all about penetration to me, and being able to create better shots for the rest of the team.

One other piece as well....I don't think a PF or C helps us instantly. Besides depth, I just don't think it makes us any better next year.

 

[jlb1705]

I think we'll agree to disagree on this one. I respect your opinion, but I just think a true PG takes LeBron to another level. I understand LeBron is the main creator, he's the best player in the league. It's taking the pressure off of him throughout the entire game that is important. As is, LeBron needs to bring his A game almost every night for the Cavs to succeed on the offensive end. Having a PG who can break his guy down and cause help defense would really open a lot of things up.

I just don't see Boobie as a PG. Can he play the position? Yes. Does he do it well? I don't really think so. Boobie should stay at the 2 and continue to drift.

It's a valid concern about the size of our backcourt if we take Augustin or Lawson and pair them with Boobie. I guess I'm willing to risk it.

As far as shooting goes, I don't even consider Augustin that great of a shooter. He's better than Lawson at shooting, but I could really care less about that. Neither are going to be great 3 point shooters in the NBA anyways. It's all about penetration to me, and being able to create better shots for the rest of the team.

One other piece as well....I don't think a PF or C helps us instantly. Besides depth, I just don't think it makes us any better next year.

First of all, I want to say I agree about the bigs. Nobody that the Cavs will be able to draft at their position will be helpful to the team in the near future, where a guard possibly could have in impact on this team.

I also agree about the role the Cavs need to fill. Right now there are only two players on this team that can create shots. LeBron of course, and in a much more limited sense, Z. None of the guards this team has can penetrate on a consistent basis, and that's something this team could use. I'm not sure it would make LeBron better (can he really get better?) but at least he might not have to work as hard to do it.

 

[billmac91]

I'm not sure it would make LeBron better (can he really get better?) but at least he might not have to work as hard to do it.

Maybe better is the wrong word. He can't really get much better. A good PG makes his life much easier though.

I certainly think a good PG creates wide-open looks for LeBron from the wing/behind the arc. It'd be nice to watch LeBron step into a 3 rather than step-backs.

I also love the idea of defenders being scared to leave LeBron as a PG enters the paint. A good PG just takes the team to another level, IMO.