Presenting the Bourbon Street Shots Writer’s Big Board for the New Orleans Pelicans
Names in red indicate a Tier 1 Prospect. Names in blue are a Tier 2 Prospect, and Tier 3 are in green. The Tiers mean the writers don’t see a tremendous difference between the guys in a tier, and that they would always, always take a guy in a higher tier no matter what need a prospect in a lower tier might meet.
| Pick | McNamara | Schwan | Gerrity | Pellissier | Grayson | Ginsberg | Madison |
| 1st | Oladipo | Porter | Noel | Noel | Oladipo | Noel | McLemore |
| 2nd | McCollum | Oladipo | Porter | McLemore | McLemore | McLemore | Oladipo | 3rd | Noel | McLemore | Oladipo | Oladipo | Noel | Oladipo | Noel | 4th | McLemore | Noel | Len | Porter | Porter | Porter | Porter | 5th | Porter | McCollum | McCollum | Len | Burke | Burke | Len | 6th | Len | Burke | McLemore | McCollum | Zeller | Len | Burke | 7th | Zeller | Zeller | Burke | Burke | McCollum | MCW | MCW | 8th | Burke | Len | Bennett | Bennett | KCP | McCollum | McCollum | 9th | KCP | KCP | MCW | Zeller | MCW | KCP | Bennett | 10th | MCW | Bennett | KCP | MCW | Len | Bennett | KCP |
Draft Questions!
1. Which player(s) projected to go in the Pelicans range would you be furious if we took on draft night?
Michael McNamara: Anthony Bennett and Shabazz Muhammad. I have Bennett 19th on my board because of his defensive effort and his injury history. I think he is super talented offensively, but he gives you nothing on the other end. Even if he somehow fixes that, it won’t matter because he will always be in a suit on the bench as opposed to a uniform. Shabazz, on the other hand, gives you all out effort but he brings nothing to the table outside of a marginally effective ability to score. Please Dell, just stay away from these two and I will be content, at the very least, on draft night.
Ryan Schwan: Anthony Bennett. There is nothing he brings to the table that this team doesn’t already have – and in general, do better. I’d be pretty down as well if we took Len or Michael Carter-Williams, but I could talk myself into them.
Joe Gerrity: There’s nobody who would infuriate me. In most cases I defer on draft decisions to the paid experts. Those guys are spending all day and night thinking about this stuff with analytics and personal information that still trump what we have easy access to. While the line between expert scout and expert blogger has been blurred a bit more in recent years due to information being more readily available for outside analysis, I’ll reserve any draft day fury until at least Summer League.
Michael Pellissier: The only two players that would infuriate me are Steven Adams and Shabazz Muhammad, but I don’t see us taking either.
James Grayson: Steven Adams. I just don’t see why people are so enamoured with him outside of his size. Also I think Alex Len is severely overrated. Any time a seven-foot big man has some offensive skills combined with shot-blocking abilities people get excited. He’s not athletic, can’t stay healthy and has overrated offensive ability. I wouldn’t be infuriated, I just wouldn’t be overly happy.
Mason Ginsberg: Shabazz Muhammad. I absolutely hate Bennett’s total disregard for the defensive end of the court, but if the Pelicans take him, it means that Monty and Dell think that his defensive effort is something that can be fixed, so I’ll trust them. Shabazz, however, is simply too one-dimensional to draft in the top-10, and he hasn’t even proven that he’ll be able to consistently do that one thing (score) at an NBA level.
Jake Madison: Shabazz. He’s just too one-dimensional to really add as a key piece. I’m also not entire sold he can score consistently in the NBA.
2. List a few guys that you would target if we traded down or acquired another first rounder in this draft
MM: If we move down I really like Jamaal Franklin, Giannis Adetokoubo, Allen Crabbe, Sergey Karasev, Jeff Withey, and Mike Muscala. Franklin is similar to Tony Allen while Crabbe and Karasev can be lethal spot up shooters. Withey is a fantastic fourth big; basically a better shot blocking version of Jeff Foster. Muscala is a high IQ, productive big that the Spurs will probably somehow wind up with, and Adetokoubo has a high ceiling and I think Monty might be able to work with him the same way he worked with Nic Batum.
RS: Erick Green, Mike Muscala, Jeff Withey, Seth Curry, and Sergey Karasev. Erick Green is very similar to CJ McCollum as an explosive spark plug scorer, Muscala was a monster rebounder and solid player, and Withey will challenge for the title of Elite Fourth Big. Curry and Karasev are all shooting specialists that could definitely find spots in a rotation.
Joe: Glen Rice Jr. fills a current position of need, and appears to be able to score on the next level given his offensive success in the iso-heavy D-League and his proven ability to hit the NBA-length three at a nice clip (38%). I’d be happy to give him a shot to prove himself if we wind up acquiring a late first round pick. Franklin would be worth grabbing as well.
MP: Giannis Adetokunbo would make me the happiest. He has a long way to develop, but if we can draft/stash him, he has a very high ceiling. He has enormous hands, which help considerably in ball-handling and passing. If he has the right attitude and work ethic, he could be special one day. I am also a Reggie Bullock fan and would love to have him as a role player.
JG: There are two guys on my (expanded) board that I would love to pick up if we traded down. Sergey Karasev and Dennis Schroeder are two guys that I am fixated on. Karasev is a deadly shooter and reminds me of a Steve-Novak type. Dennis Schroeder is a quick and agile point-guard with excellent passing skills. He has adept knowledge of the pick-and-roll. What concerns most people about Schroeder is his shooting and his size. He has a decent pull-up midrange game, but he can work on his outside shot a bit more. His athleticism and passing abilities can be elite which means you could learn to work with his weaknesses.
MG: Tony Mitchell, Allen Crabbe, Giannis Adetokoubo, & Sergey Karasev. I really love Mitchell as a potential super-athletic 3 & D small forward, especially if he can learn to knock down the corner 3. Crabbe has the size and skill set to be a two-way menace. Refer to Pellissier for Adetokoubo’s potential. Karasev can be a really solid floor spacer who is also a pretty decent passer.
JM: Sergey Karasev and Giannis Adetokoubo. Karasev is a deadeye shooter who can space the floor–which is vital to the Pelican’s offense. Adetokoubo just oozes tons of potential. He looks like he can be a defensive monster with his 7-foot-3 wing span. Glen Rice Jr. is another guy I think can be a steal late in the first round.
3. Without knowing who will still be left on the board, give me a few realistic young vets that you would be willing to package this pick for today
MM: Eric Bledsoe, Thaddeus Young, Jimmy Butler, MKG, Enes Kanter, Iman Shumpert.
RS: Eric Bledsoe, Omer Asik, Patrick Patterson, Kemba Walker, Goran Dragic
Joe: Rondo, Eric Bledsoe, MKG, Avery Bradley
MP: I don’t know what kind of packages would be needed, but Rondo, MKG, Tobias Harris, and Eric Bledsoe are some young veterans that I really like. I am a huge fan of Jonas Valanciunas and I would put together a realllly nice trade package to grab him.
JG: I think Rondo (because of Celtics rebuild), Bledsoe, Derrick Williams, Jonas Valanciunas
MG: Rondo, Thaddeus Young, Boogie Cousins (can’t resist the upside), Bledsoe
JM: The key to this question is realistic. I think that Bledsoe and Rondo are out of the Pelican’s reach so I’m not listing them. I’d be happy with Omer Asik, Patrick Patterson and Thaddeus Young.
4. Two days away. What is your prediction?
MM: With the 6th pick, the New Orleans Pelicans select: Otto Porter. I only think there are two or three guys Dell would love to see there at #6. Of those guys, Porter is the only one I think has a chance to make it to #6. Since the ping pong balls came up, Porter has been linked to Washingon, but I still think they pass. When they do, he will fall right into our laps.
RS: I seriously believe the pick will be traded, but if the Pelicans make the selection, they take Alex Len.
Joe: Smoke and mirrors! I’m blind!
MP: I predict that I will be wrong. Last year, Waiters went several spots ahead of where he was on the board, and this draft is even more of a crapshoot. With that in mind, I try to think about which guys GMs will fall in love with, and Oladipo, Noel, and McLemore are exceptional athletes, so I think they are less likely to fall than someone like Porter. If Porter drops, it’s hard to believe that we pass on him. Again, there are so many assumptions in play here, and considering how fluid mock drafts have been, it is easy to believe that we will all feel bamboozled on draft night. So for my pick? Let’s say Porter.
JG: The New Orleans Pelicans select: Ben McLemore SG, Kansas. I think this is on the proviso that the Pelicans move Eric Gordon. I think McLemore falls in the draft and New Orleans wraps him up. The reason I think he falls is the draft plays out like this: Cleveland – Nerlens Noel, Orlando – Victor Oladipo, Washington – Otto Porter, Charlotte – Alex Len, Phoenix – CJ McCollum (They saw what happened with Damian Lillard, try to replicate).
MG: With the 6th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans select Trey Burke. There’s a rumor floating around that the Magic have committed to Burke, but I just can’t see the justification for picking him before both McLemore and Oladipo, both of whom have considerably higher ceilings. That being said, put Burke in the right situation and he has the skills to shine. New Orleans is the right situation for him.
JM: The New Orleans Pelicans select Trey Burke. The top two picks will basically decide how the lottery plays out. But I don’t see any other names jumping into the top 5 which would push someone like Porter or Len down to
5. I would trade Anthony Davis for the top __ picks in this year’s draft.
RS: Nothing. Stop being stupid.
Joe: 7. That’s the difference between this year and last.
MP: I would trade you for asking this question.
JG: A first-overall this year, top-five this year and a first-overall in 2014 and a second-overall in 2014. (Really didn’t want to answer this).
MG: Andrew Wiggins. Oh, he’s not in this year’s draft? Then forget about it.
JM: LeBron James. That’s about it.
40 responses to “The Bourbon Street Shots NBA Draft Big Board”
My Big Board?
Tier 1: Porter, Oladipo (Have no questions about these two kids. Either one ends here and I’m happy).
Tier 2: McCollum, Burke, Noel, McLemore (There’s some questions here, but great value at #6).
Tier 3: Zeller, Len, KCP, MCW (Not bad, but I would feel slightly disappointed if this was best we could get).
My big board:
1. Victor Oladipo
2. Ben McLemore
3. Otto Porter Jr.
4. CJ McCollum
5. Trey Burke
6. Nerlens Noel
7. Alex Len
8. Anthony Bennett
9. Cody Zeller
10. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Tier 1: Oladipo, McLemore, Porter Tier 2: CJ, Burke, Noel, Len Tier 3: Bennett, Zeller, KCP.
I have Noel lower because I’m not as impressed with his defense as some scouts are, he’s going to have to spend a key developmental time of his career rehabbing, his offensive game is really raw, and he has a pretty low floor.
PelicanFever Yours is exactly what I’m thinking.
Oladipo goes from off your boards entirely to an average positon of 2 in a couple days. Glad to see you guys had your coffee this morning.
Houpgarou who had Oladipo off of their boards?
MasonGinsberg Houpgarou He’s talking about our view of Pelicans’ Big Board in the Pelicans Beat.
Wasn’t a reflection of what we thought about Oladipo. Reflected something we had heard.
MasonGinsbergHoupgarou
http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/2013/06/21/pelicans-beat-5-on-5-on-the-nba-draft/
Houpgarou MasonGinsberg Right. Read the question again in that article you just posted. Very different than what we are discussing here.
Michael McNamara Houpgarou MasonGinsberg
the question says who are the top 6 players on the pels big board?
I think it was suprising to everyone that you guys seemed to unanimously have some info that excluded oladipo from the pels plans / board. since he is many readers’ fave prospect including possibly mind (can’t make up my mind), glad you all changed that for whatever reason
Houpgarou Michael McNamara MasonGinsberg GM’s do their due diligence. We had just heard that Dell isn’t as high as others on Oladipo.
Take what we’re saying or don’t, we don’t mind. But that question and the one today are two completely separate one’s so everyone should treat them as such.
Thanks for the response, I understand, just find it hard to believe…….then again, dell does love smoke screens and shrouds of mystery
Plim, Plim, Plim, Plim-iiiiiiiimmmmm…
WITH THE 6TH PICK, THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS SELECT…
ALEX LEN!
OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH…
I see oladipo and noel as the two who will definitely not drop to us. think that if he doesnt go top 3 len will go to either bobcats who have no post offense, or phoenix who are shopping the only big they have. I really think washington grabs bennett, which leaves us with a possibility of porter or mclemore.
I agree with the the writers who predict a solid chance we get porter, though i’m kind of hoping its mclemore
Aside from Porter dropping to us, which was my pick in the draft pick contest, the key is Bennett going above us. If that happens we could get a shot at Oladipo or McLemore, assuming we don’t get Porter. (Len may also be a possibility. I just don’t like drafting him because of his lack of productivity, especially in ACC games and especially as the season wore on.) Either way it is highly likely we get our choice of PGs if we want it.
504ever If Burke goes #2 to ORL and Bennett jumps into the Top 5, we’re guaranteed to at least get a shot to 2 out of Porter, Oladipo or McLemore. I think Len and Noel will go in Top 4.
nolafredoo
Burke going at 2 to Orlando is more than I could hope for, but fantastic if it happens.
My 2013 NBA Draft Big Board
Tier 1:
1. Victor Oladipo
Tier 2:
2. Alex Len
3. Otto Porter
Tier 3:
4. C.J. McCollum
5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
6. Nerlens Noel
7. Trey Burke
Tier 4:
8. Sergey Karasev
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo
10. Ben McLemore
Draft Questions:
1. Which player(s) projected to go in the Pelicans range would you be furious if we took on draft night?Steven Adams, Shabazz Muhammad
2. List a few guys that you would target if we traded down or acquired another first rounder in this draft. Schroeder, Larkin, Franklin, Mitchell, Bullock, Canaan, Snell, Gobert, Abrines, Jackson, Wolters, Green
3. Without knowing who will still be left on the board, give me a few realistic young vets that you would be willing to package this pick for today Al Horford, Omer Asik
4. Two days away. What is your prediction? 1. Noel 2. Oladipo 3. Porter 4. Len 5. McCollum 6. McLemore5. I would trade Anthony Davis for the top __ picks in this year’s draft. I wouldn’t trade Anthony Davis at all.
If we want one of the “big 5” (Len, porter, oladipo, Noel, mclemore), how should we be rooting for the draft to fall? Obviously we would like Bennett to go 3 or 4 or McCollum 5, but who would we like to see go 1-2?
BowToTheBill23 Dont rule out MCW going number 5. I really think that could happen
Someone before us will pick up McCollum. Portland got lucky last year. (one of the few times)
Magic are working out Cody Zeller. Is this the move that will land us one of our top prospects?
https://twitter.com/JoshuaBRobbins
Caffeinedisaster Ford said he was a darkhorse for them at number 2.
Also, could be looking at him in case they trade down, like say to number 6 #WishfulThinking
Does anyone think draft day jitters about Noel’s injury will drop him out of the top 5. And if so, should the Pels ake him?
New City No, because his talent is just too good to pass up on. Teams in the top-5 aren’t winning a championship tomorrow, so they can afford to take their time with a prospect.
From all indications Noel’s injury appears to be fine.
jsgrayson New City I’ve thought about this as well. Brow/Nawlins in the front court. And Monty goes insane!
How the Draft Will Play Out:
I have seen 2 scenarios that could play out as the draft nears.
Cleveland has decided that it is between Noel and Len. http://tracking.si.com/2013/06/25/ne…valiers-draft/
Orlando is locked in on Noel if Len is taken 1st. http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/b…44&src=desktop
Washington is locked in on Bennett. http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2013/06…t-otto-porter/
Charlotte is determined to move MKG and draft Porter (see previous link).
No one really knows what Phoenix is doing yet.
Scenario A
1. Noel
2. Oladipo
3. Bennett
4. Porter
5. Len/McLemore
6. Len/McLemore
Scenario B
1. Len
2. Noel
3. Bennett
4. Porter
5. Oladipo/McLemore
6. Oladipo/McLemore
In conclusion, I think we will walk out of the draft pretty happy about the direction in which this team is going.
jsl05 All of your links lead to errors.
Thanks, sorry. I copied and pasted from Pelicans Report. I guess just a formatting error.
Big Board:
1) Oladipo
2) McCollum
3) Porter
4) Mclemore
5) Zeller
6) Len
7) Noel
8) MCW
9) Burke
10) KCP
I don’t want Steven Adams, Noel, Shabazz, or Bennett.
Len will be a complete bust. We’ve seen this movie before – big, white, non-athletic centers just don’t pan out in this league. Besides we already have one.
I thought he would be gone before Pelicans pick but I’m not sure now. I think teams are getting smart and Len will drop. I’m afraid Dell may pull the trigger. Don’t do it!
Larry Lemoine I agree that Len is going to be overhyped (I have him 10th on my board), but I disagree that all big, white centers don’t pan out in the league. I don’t think Len is quite “nonathletic” but I think if you compare him with Zeller he really is (Cody beat every center in every category at the combine).
I don’t think Len falls and my reasoning is that the top-5 teams all need help on the front-line. Charlotte would not pass him up if Noel is off the board.
jsgrayson Larry Lemoine
You have a point – RoLo’s brother is pretty good. Marc Gasol had a great year. Spencer Hawes has his moments but overall the record is not good. Hope you are right on Charlotte but I think they take a chance on Bennett. If Oladipo is available for the Pelicans (not sure he will be) then we hit the jackpot with 6th pick.
Larry Lemoine jsgrayson Rolo is 1/2 white. The other half can play center, lol.
Pellissier’s response to that last question had me laughing. Regarding guys who have been seen as people with a legitimate chance in the top 6, I would be furious to see this team take Anthony Bennett. I think based on the culture it seems that Monty and company want to create he would not be an option, but boy, having him gone before our pick would really put me at ease.
I am also scared of taking MCW. I am just not buying into him as much as some others. Same goes for Alex Len. I could sell myself on Len but he is another guy I want off the board before this team is on the clock. Crazy to think McLemore could actually fall to the sixth pick. I’m hoping for him or Porter, then would still be happy with Burke. Anyone else, outside of those listed above I can live with.
My perfect scenario though would be a few draft night trades Thursday. I would actually love to jump on these MKG trade rumors and send #6 and something else (Lopez?) for him. I assume he and Davis would be MORE than happy to be reunited and I could see them both being long term pieces here together. Then, to be honest, I would also like to take advantage of the Dallas situation and take #13 and Marion for a 2nd rounder. At #13 I’d love MCW if he fell, or Karasev otherwise.
I know that this night would include three players coming to New Orleans that would be Small Forwards on NBA 2K14 (if it would be Karasev) but I’m 100% with Michael that true positions are not as potent as they once were. I really don’t think the biggest free agents will be coming to the Pelicans this year, so hosting Marion and his 9.3M contract for a year is okay with me. Draft night of MKG, Karasev (MCW if he fell), and Marion is a dream for me. Can’t wait for Thursday night!
my dream scenario…. i hope noel falls to 6th…then hopefully dell can make a trade with the bobcats for MKG….willing to give the 2014 1st rd pick and rolo if that will make it happen…and buy a pick in the 1st round….
mojart I hope our 2014 1st rounder STAYS PUT.
I’d send them Rolo and maybe even Roberts for MKG. Reunite the Brow and the Motor.
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Lol
Tier 1 – Oladipo Noel Porter
Tier 2 – Burke Len McLemore Zeller
Tier 3 – McCollum Bennett MCW
Q1 Bennett, international player
Q2 Mid 1st Schroeder; Late 1st Rice Jr, Crabbe, Snell; 2nd Curry, Kybango
Q3 Not many. Long rookie deals are too valuable. MKG is my 1st choice.
Q4 Burke
Q5 Your mom (but only if she is the manly version of britney griner.)
I woulld be sooooooooo freakin pumped if we got MKG