2023 offseason thread

[dtgold88]

No.

The Pistons made a bad pick on an unknown 7 footer over a known and highly rated prospect in Melo.

This actually helps my narrative.

He just wasn’t going over the generational talent because he wasn’t an elite prospect.

He went ahead of those other 3 and possible others would have taken him at 2. No, it does not make your case as I'm not debating the big guy goes ahead of the smaller one....I'm debating the big guy goes ahead of Lebron.

I mean, what Lebron can do is far more likely to translate to the NBA as a wing player his size. Much bigger risk with Wemby able to do those things in the NBA never mind the injury risk of guys his size.

 

[dtgold88]

I can see both. Lebron was NBA caliber from damn near 8th grade. But Wemby looked like Lebron in a 7'5" body. That would be tough to pass on.

You cannot miss with a number 1 pick and I believe most would have been more confident Lebron would live up to being can't miss. Right or wrong, Bowie and Oden might have given GMs a little pause with Lebron staring them in the face.

But, hell, want to say some (or even most) MIGHT take Wemby? I guess that's possible....thinking this is fact is where I strongly disagree.

 

[tlance]

He went ahead of those other 3 and possible others would have taken him at 2. No, it does not make your case as I'm not debating the big guy goes ahead of the smaller one....I'm debating the big guy goes ahead of Lebron.

I mean, what Lebron can do is far more likely to translate to the NBA as a wing player his size. Much bigger risk with Wemby able to do those things in the NBA never mind the injury risk of guys his size.

You and I have different devotions of elite.

Elite prospects are guys that teams actively tank for.

That is LeBron, Wemby, Zion, Duncan, Durant, Oden

That is not Darko Milicic.

But he still did go ahead of everyone else in one of the best draft classes of all time.

Care to take a guess why?

 

[tlance]

You cannot miss with a number 1 pick and I believe most would have been more confident Lebron would live up to being can't miss. Right or wrong, Bowie and Oden might have given GMs a little pause with Lebron staring them in the face.

But, hell, want to say some (or even most) MIGHT take Wemby? I guess that's possible....thinking this is fact is where I strongly disagree.

Cmon man.

You know I and many others here post in hyperbole.

Of course some GMs would have taken LeBron because he was a damn good prospect.

I believe most (like 2/3 - 3/4) would take Wemby.

So that is where my statement comes from. That doesn’t mean that I think 100% of GMs would take Wemby.

I do think the ones who are being honest would.

At the same time, when we have the value of hindsight and see LeBron’s accomplishments, GMs are actually incentivized to lie if asked that question.

Because you can’t look bad if you answer LeBron.

 

[dtgold88]

You and I have different devotions of elite.

Elite prospects are guys that teams actively tank for.

That is LeBron, Wemby, Zion, Duncan, Durant, Oden

That is not Darko Milicic.

But he still did go ahead of everyone else in one of the best draft classes of all time.

Care to take a guess why?

sure....because he's 7-0.

Care to take a guess why he went ahead of all but Lebron?

as mentioned, while I'd have taken Lebron and think most would have you'll notice I don't say that as fact. I only disagree with your usual opinion as fact comment.

 

[tlance]

sure....because he's 7-0.

Care to take a guess why he went ahead of all but Lebron?

as mentioned, while I'd have taken Lebron and think most would have you'll notice I don't say that as fact. I only disagree with your usual opinion as fact comment.

I told you why.

He wasn’t an elite prospect.

 

[dtgold88]

Cmon man.

You know I and many others here post in hyperbole.

Of course some GMs would have taken LeBron because he was a damn good prospect.

I believe most (like 2/3 - 3/4) would take Wemby.

So that is where my statement comes from. That doesn’t mean that I think 100% of GMs would take Wemby.

I do think the ones who are being honest would.

At the same time, when we have the value of hindsight and see LeBron’s accomplishments, GMs are actually incentivized to lie if asked that question.

Because you can’t look bad if you answer LeBron.

I think most GMs were confident at the time Lebron would be a superstar. What he has become? Maybe not, but an elite star. I think they'd be less confident Wemby's game would translate if they had to choose at the time.

and, yes, I do know you often post opinion as fact.

My opinion is not even 1/4 would have taken Wemby over Lebron....but we'll never know. Either way I hope the kid lives up to the hype.

 

[dtgold88]

I told you why.

He wasn’t an elite prospect.

yet he went ahead of Melo who many would have called an elite college prospect.

 

[tlance]

yet he went ahead of Melo who many would have called an elite college prospect.

Because he was 7 feet.

Not doing this round and round with you over semantics.

LeBron was generational.

Melo was elite.

Dark was neither.

But he went over the elite prospect, just not the generational one.

Wemby is both. Stop comparing Darko freaking Milicic to him.

 

[Mebert]

I think we can all agree that if Wemby was in the same draft as LeBron back in the day that ESPN would still be jerking off to it every draft.

 

[trojanfan12]

You cannot miss with a number 1 pick and I believe most would have been more confident Lebron would live up to being can't miss. Right or wrong, Bowie and Oden might have given GMs a little pause with Lebron staring them in the face.

But, hell, want to say some (or even most) MIGHT take Wemby? I guess that's possible....thinking this is fact is where I strongly disagree.

True. There are too many variables, imo, to definitively say what would happen.

For example, the needs of the team with the top pick can affect that as well.

MJ was the 3rd pick in his draft because the Rockets took Olajuwon #1 and the Blazers took Bowie because they already had Drexler and having a dominant Center was darn near mandatory if you wanted championships.

 

[dtgold88]

Because he was 7 feet.

Not doing this round and round with you over semantics.

LeBron was generational.

Melo was elite.

Dark was neither.

But he went over the elite prospect, just not the generational one.

Wemby is both. Stop comparing Darko freaking Milicic to him.

Uh...hello? Oden and Bowie were not generational and you tried to use them to prove your point.

No need to go round and round but make up your rules and stick to them please.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I think we can all agree that if Wemby was in the same draft as LeBron back in the day that ESPN would still be jerking off to it every draft.

I’m sure they would be bc that was 20 years ago and the league has changed a ton since that time. Mainly bc of Giannis and his skillset, size, etc. Now we have seen that along with others. If Wemby was in Lebron’s class they would both be generational but Lebron’s was better at virtually every facet of the game and did it while dominating other top players considered to be All-Star players before entering into the league-like Melo.

People would be in awe of Wemby bc of his size and athleticism but his athleticism would still be below Lebron’s considerably. I’m sure some GM’s would question who would go #1, just like in any draft. If the Cavs had the same pick with Wemby in the draft, they still take Lebron.

I mean Melo led his team to a NCAA title and was considered the best prospect at one point in his high school career but Lebron’s was easily considered the #1 pick.

 

[dtgold88]

True. There are too many variables, imo, to definitively say what would happen.

For example, the needs of the team with the top pick can affect that as well.

MJ was the 3rd pick in his draft because the Rockets took Olajuwon #1 and the Blazers took Bowie because they already had Drexler and having a dominant Center was darn near mandatory if you wanted championships.

also very true......the Cavs picking now with Mobley and Allen (and no SF) I'm certain take Lebron again. stud SF and a dearth of big men? OK...they might go another way.

I'm also confident we take him then, too, and not just because of the home town aspect. we needed everything then and would think a safer bet.

 

[tlance]

Uh...hello? Oden and Bowie were not generational and you tried to use them to prove your point.

No need to go round and round but make up your rules and stick to them please.

I did not use Bowie.

And you are forgetting how big a prospect Greg Oden was.

Not sure if Oden and KD were generational, but they were both definitely elite. KD goes 1 in most drafts. Not over LeBron or Duncan or guys like that

Oden and KD were In the same range.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Just ate dinner.....so good.

Pot roast, taters and carrots.

 

[trojanfan12]

@Mecca

I know nothing about this site (Game 7) and the actual article does not exactly say what the headline implies.

But interesting since Wood was a topic of convo today.

Article says Kidd had some kind of weird hate for Wood.

MSN

www.msn.com

 

[trojanfan12]

Just ate dinner.....so good.

Pot roast, taters and carrots.

Gonna be roasting a duck in about a half hour.

My son decided he wanted to try it and bought one. lol

 

[fightinfunbags]

I can see both. Lebron was NBA caliber from damn near 8th grade. But Wemby looked like Lebron in a 7'5" body. That would be tough to pass on.

This. Head to head LeBron and Wemby in same class I probably too lean LeBron. I think Wemby will absolutely gain pounds but it’s not a given that he will be able to fill out to fit his ridiculously large frame. I saw Shawn Bradley fail to do that with that frame. I saw Manute Bol fail to do that with his frame. I take the guaranteed NBA body at 17-18 years old.

 

[trojanfan12]

This. Head to head LeBron and Wemby in same class I probably too lean LeBron. I think Wemby will absolutely gain pounds but it’s not a given that he will be able to fill out to fit his ridiculously large frame. I saw Shawn Bradley fail to do that with that frame. I saw Manute Bol fail to do that with his frame. I take the guaranteed NBA body at 17-18 years old.

And I think that would be the difference for those who would choose Lebron.

Lebron entered the league with a grown man, NBA ready body. Wemby's gonna need a whole lotta cheeseburgers and some weight training.