HB

Those are legit flaws though. People said similar about Noah last year. Oh he is a great basketball player, oh his court vision is amazing and such and such. He should be a lottery pick etc But his flaws as pointed out by some last year, have caught up with him. I dont see how Love is going to suddenly improve on his poor athleticism. How is he going to keep up with guys like Horford and Bosh just to name a few? The 4 spot in the league is probably the most talented and stacked position in the game.

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luther

But Noah also proved himself to be a legitimate NBA player even as an early-entrant rookie. And he's obviously going to get better. Love is much different in that Noah's upside is in large part his athleticism, whereas Love's upside is his basketball skill-set. And while he won't turn into a young Shawn Kemp, a person can do wonders. Just look at Carlos Boozer and Corliss Williamson for two examples. Boozer, it should be noted, was often criticized in exactly the same way as Love, and he has transformed his body and become a great NBA player. And Love has a more complete skill-set than Boozer. If he (Love) can make 75% the physical transform Boozer did, he'd be an All-Star.

HB

But will his high IQ be able to make up for the physical limitations. Brad Miller is a good comparison but he is also 6'11. I still think Love is going to measure out as 6'9.

By the way I really dislike that Boozer-Love comparison. Boozer on the Cavs was a pretty athletic player. In Utah he refined his game, and with an improved jumper do you really blame him for not outjumping people. Still he is one of THE worst defensive players in the game.

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luther

But I'm not referring to Boozer in Cleveland. Boozer at Duke was considered strong, bullish, but not tall or athletic enough to be an NBA 4. That's what I'm referring to. And in the following years, he transformed himself. Corliss did the same and carved out a nice career. So why can't Love?

HB

Well I do think he can have a successful career in the league, but when people say he will be an all star caliber player, the best big in this draft, I think they are going a bit far.

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luther

Well, we'll see. I think he has a decent chance to be just that. Lopez doesn't strike me as an inspiring choice; Jordan has no basketball skills; Koufos can score but lacks most else at the moment ... as is usually the case, you don't have to be Wilt to be the best big in a draft class.

HB

Earl Clark and Donte Green are also bigs in this draft class.

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luther

Neither of those qualifies as a big based on position. To me, calling either a big is like calling someone like DerMarr Johnson a big. Yes, they're both pretty tall, but Clark played a G/F role all year, and Greene was a pretty pure 3 in terms of his game. I'd have allowed Beasley if you'd said him, maybe, although I wouldn't even consider him a real big, projecting as a 4/3 in the NBA. I'm talking 5s and 5/4s.

HB

Do you consider Durant a big?

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luther

Considering he was his team's starting shooting guard? Absolutely not. I'm talking about the role a guy will play, or plays, on the court. Specific to this thread, centers and PF/Cs. Kevin Durant was a shooting guard this season.