Farewell Tyler White Diamonds Zeller

[Lumthemad]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

I like the pick here with Zeller. I understand some folks will still yelp and moan and kick things because he isn't X, Y, Z but the bottom line is this kid can play and be a solid player. A huge upside? Probably not but he'll hold his own and become a solid player who can start in the league.

I think we all are in home-run mode with the draft and when it happens we are sort of let down. I still for the life of me though don't understand why folks do not think Tristan Thompson can improve and become more than what he showed his rookie campaign. I mean, we were willing to give Kidd-Gilcrest the benefit of the doubt but not another hard working player? I think TT will be more than fine when it comes down to it. He doesn't need to be Karl Malone good but he can still be 16 and 10 good.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

I like him.

I think he can team well with Thompson. I think Thompson and Zeller can be a championship quality starters.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

Nobody said they couldnt be role players. I dont think they are "core players" in the sense of a championship caliber teams best players. Could they be the 4th, 5th or 6th best guys? Sure. It has less to do with fit that how good these guys will be.

Essentially, the Cavaliers are going to need another big time player and that's if Waiters pans out a high level.

I won't argue about TT last year at 4, but was there anyone we passed on at 17 that you feel could be a core player? Zeller seems like a safe bet and a pretty big upgrade on our woeful centers.

 

[Triumph36]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

I like him.

I think he can team well with Thompson. I think Thompson and Zeller can be a championship quality starters.

is this supposed to be that affirmation mumbo-jumbo or are you being serious?

 

[MRMsix6]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

Could not agree more. This is exactly what I think.

The NBA is built on star power.



They aren't going to be stars. Please. Sometimes, we know these things about players even after limited amounts of games, or even when they are still college prospects. If you are putting money down on TT or Zeller being a consistent All Star, you are going to win a shit load of money if one of them does in fact become one.

Like they said on WKNR last night, after this draft the team still has .... one player I'm really stoked about going forward. We got him last year.

We used 24, 33, 34 on Zeller, who the Cavs (and many experts) had ranked around #10. How is it reasonable to hope for a star with those assets? We got a skilled, legit 7 footer who produced at a high level for several years at a top tier program. Zeller is also a great fit next to TT.

As for TT, I don't see any bonafide all-star potential from guys picked near him either.

 

[RchfldCavRaised]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

I like Tyler Zeller,

But I know he is destined to be a career backup. He was spoon fed more than he should have been for my Heels. He frustrated the shit out of me with how weak he would be in the post sometimes. Offense and Defense. He had alot dictated to him.

His signature shot is a fall back turning baseline. Its as reliable as his FT almost. He's a softy though. Even his older brother who I watched play in the DLeague a little last year looks tougher. If this were Cody I would be doing backflips right now.

He doesnt stretch the floor as well as Im reading some of you assume he does.

He runs the floor well, but he isnt confident in facing up 15 feet out like Z. Hopefully that is something Z can help him with, but he wont ever look like Z did once trailing a break and pulling up effortlessly for 15 footers.

Now that I have covered the positives, let me say this...

I wouldnt trade the chance to draft a combination of guys like PJ3, Quincy Miller, Lamb, Kevin Murphy, Moultrie, Ezeli all to nab our backup C.
We traded up like Zeller was a blue chip kind of guy, and he's not that. He is a big who would have been a backup for the Wear twins had they stayed past their freshman years. He was projected to do that for Carolina. He was a reckless hustle guy who kept getting hurt his underclassmen years, but I appreciated him sticking his nose in there becuase he was so skinny and was often knocked on his ass. He was spoon fed kinda like Hansbrough was in Roy Williams offense. But that is how Roy's offense works. His teams strengths are transition, and then in the halfcourt, he demands that his bigs get established with feeds consistently.

Zeller played the same role that Nick Collison, Raef Lafrentz, Eric Chenowith played on Roys Kansas teams. But Tyler is a little bit softer than all those guys.

 

[Phills14]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

Nobody said they couldnt be role players. I dont think they are "core players" in the sense of a championship caliber teams best players. Could they be the 4th, 5th or 6th best guys? Sure. It has less to do with fit that how good these guys will be.

Essentially, the Cavaliers are going to need another big time player and that's if Waiters pans out a high level.

I don't necessarily disagree with you I don't think anyone thinks Zeller is a 2nd or 3rd banana on championship. You are probably right he's more like a 4-6 guy. Thompson was picked 4th in last years draft but I would classify last years draft as void of superstars like you are talking about. Thompson IMO probably is in the same mold as Zeller in terms of value to a championship team. But given last years draft I think we did a solid if not spectacular job with the Thompson pick but at the same time I don't think there were any of the players you are talking about available at 4.

We need more pieces, I don't think anyone would argue with you. And we probably need the true superstar to really make a significant difference

 

[Rondo]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

He's better than Ryan Hollins and Semih Erden. Nice pick.

 

[Lumthemad]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

We DO need more pieces or in our case the right piece, whatever that might be. In the meanwhile, Zeller can take some minutes from scrubs who shouldn't be on the court and play hard.

Another trip to the lottery wouldn't hurt this team and unless Tristan is VASTLY improved this season, that is precisely where we will be. Someone (Draft express?) said Zellers big upside would be Pau Gasol. Lord, i'd love if that happened!

 

[Noonan]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

I like Tyler Zeller,

But I know he is destined to be a career backup. He was spoon fed more than he should have been for my Heels.

Let's be honest. You don't know what he's destined for. He was ACC player of the year for a reason.

He runs the floor well, but he isnt confident in facing up 15 feet out like Z. Hopefully that is something Z can help him with, but he wont ever look like Z did once trailing a break and pulling up effortlessly for 15 footers.

Draft Express says there is every reason to believe you are wrong:

---
He connected on half of those attempts, albeit in a very limited sample size, and looks like he should become a reliable shooter out to about eighteen feet or so in time. He shot an excellent 81% from the free throw line this season, has solid mechanics, and a quick release, which all bode well for his potential to space the floor and pick-and-pop as he gets more comfortable with his jumper.

 

[TitleTown]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

He's better than Ryan Hollins and Semih Erden. Nice pick.

So that's how you justify trading 3 picks in the deepest draft in recent memory?

We took Zeller instead of being able to have all 3 of these guys:

PJIII
Draymond Green
Quincy Miller

I'd much rather have those three players than a white guy that will NEVER be a starting 5 on a contending team.

The worst part is now Grant is going to spend money in free agency, when we could've saved money by just simply using our picks.

 

[sammyvine]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

So that's how you justify trading 3 picks in the deepest draft in recent memory?

We took Zeller instead of being able to have all 3 of these guys:

PJIII
Draymond Green
Quincy Miller

I'd much rather have those three players than a white guy that will NEVER be a starting 5 on a contending team.

The worst part is now Grant is going to spend money in free agency, when we could've saved money by just simply using our picks.

I think the gms messed up big time.

pj3 and quincy miller combined is better than zelller

 

[Baseline Runner]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

I still for the life of me though don't understand why folks do not think Tristan Thompson can improve and become more than what he showed his rookie campaign. I mean, we were willing to give Kidd-Gilcrest the benefit of the doubt but not another hard working player? I think TT will be more than fine when it comes down to it. He doesn't need to be Karl Malone good but he can still be 16 and 10 good.

I agree completely. Some of the things Tristan did in his rookie season were phenomenal and he has all of the athletic tools to be a DPOY type big. Val has been anointed some kind of God without even playing an NBA game (I'm sure he'll be pretty decent, but I don't see anything he does that is so great that will lead him to being a great impact player) so until that hype comes down to earth, Tristan will have a lot to prove to people.

 

[I.K.W.T]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

So that's how you justify trading 3 picks in the deepest draft in recent memory?

We took Zeller instead of being able to have all 3 of these guys:

PJIII
Draymond Green
Quincy Miller

I'd much rather have those three players than a white guy that will NEVER be a starting 5 on a contending team.

The worst part is now Grant is going to spend money in free agency, when we could've saved money by just simply using our picks.

Did you REALLY just go there? Race plays NO factor in basketball skill set.

 

[chrisrich91]

Re: 17th Pick - Tyler Zeller

So now that we didn't draft hgh ceiling players, it's more about drafting players that fit?

Talent wins in the NBA, not fit. Talent precedes fit.

Why does it all have to be mutually exclusive? And I swear, if prospects don't have something they really suck at, they are deemed as not having high upside.

Zeller is one thing, but you're making a general statement about both guys we got. Dion Waiters has great athleticism, good shooting ability, very good handles, good bball IQ, great slashing and finishing ability, and is a great pick and roll player. Just because he has a well rounded game and he fits nicely, he has a low ceiling and we drafted for fit??

Jerry West and some other scouts/GMs gave him and Davis the best shots at being superstars from this draft. That sounds like a high ceiling to me.

Anyway, back to Zeller. I just didn't approve of that blanket statement.