Victor Oladipo Crush-a-lot

[I'mWithDan]

Regardless of fit, I would take him in a second.

He has the potential to be an elite level perimeter defender, finishes really well in traffic, rebounds like a forward and has a bit of an edge to him.

Oladipo is plug and play in Scott's system. He can jump start fast breaks with his perimeter defense and also his defensive rebounding. He doesn't need the ball to score and is the ideal off guard for someone like Kyrie. He's an improving shooter and an elite finisher at the basket, keeping defenses honest when helping (i.e. Kyrie can just throw him a lob if his defender loses him for a second).

I'm not arguing he's the best need based fit, just think he's the one guy you throw out the book on. The NBA is trending smaller, so as long as he has decent size (in the 6'5" ish rang), I think he can play the 3 without a ton of trouble.....certainly for the first 6 or 7 years of his career, when his elite athleticism will mitigate height disadvantages.

My thinking on guys like Oladipo and Noel also skews towards their defensive nature. At some point the Cavs need a culture change as it pertains to that end of the floor. If you can infuse the roster with an elite defender, it is going to make everyone be more accountable....something I think several of our young players need.

 

[EdMonix11]

Regardless of fit, I would take him in a second.

He has the potential to be an elite level perimeter defender, finishes really well in traffic, rebounds like a forward and has a bit of an edge to him.

Oladipo is plug and play in Scott's system. He can jump start fast breaks with his perimeter defense and also his defensive rebounding. He doesn't need the ball to score and is the ideal off guard for someone like Kyrie. He's an improving shooter and an elite finisher at the basket, keeping defenses honest when helping (i.e. Kyrie can just throw him a lob if his defender loses him for a second).

I'm not arguing he's the best need based fit, just think he's the one guy you throw out the book on. The NBA is trending smaller, so as long as he has decent size (in the 6'5" ish rang), I think he can play the 3 without a ton of trouble.....certainly for the first 6 or 7 years of his career, when his elite athleticism will mitigate height disadvantages.

Square-peg, meet round-hole.

Cavs have already underwent their culture change.....

 

[I'mWithDan]

Square-peg, meet round-hole.

I think that is merely a shortsighted response.

I don't understand why so many people are saying the selection has to be a SF or C. While that is a need, it would be incredibly Browns like to ignore the BPA and select a less talented player. That's all I'm pointing out. On a team that sucks, I want the better player, not the better fit. Better fit is merely a poor rationalization for passing on someone you shouldn't.

There's obviously a limit to such a strategy...i.e. I wouldn't do it if he measures in at 6'3" but if he's 6'5" ish without his shoes, I would be really disappointed if the Cavs passed on him.

I like Porter but his stock is boosted by an absolutely mediocre small forward class. Beyond Muhammed, I'm not even sure there's another SF in this class that is an odds on favorite to be a long term pro, let alone a starter.

I would certainly take him if guys like Noel and Oladipo are gone but the Cavs would be carting out a lineup that featured 3 perimeter players who couldn't guard their own shadow. That can be entertaining but trying to win a title with guys who only play offense has yet to work. Porter is a decent help defender but he looks like someone who will get eaten alive in man to man situations at the next level.

 

[rosebowl89]

I think that is merely a shortsighted response.

I don't understand why so many people are saying the selection has to be a SF or C. While that is a need, it would be incredibly Browns like to ignore the BPA and select a less talented player. That's all I'm pointing out. On a team that sucks, I want the better player, not the better fit. Better fit is merely a poor rationalization for passing on someone you shouldn't.

There's obviously a limit to such a strategy...i.e. I wouldn't do it if he measures in at 6'3" but if he's 6'5" ish without his shoes, I would be really disappointed if the Cavs passed on him.

I like Porter but his stock is boosted by an absolutely mediocre small forward class. Beyond Muhammed, I'm not even sure there's another SF in this class that is an odds on favorite to be a long term pro, let alone a starter.

I would certainly take him if guys like Noel and Oladipo are gone but the Cavs would be carting out a lineup that featured 3 perimeter players who couldn't guard their own shadow. That can be entertaining but trying to win a title with guys who only play offense has yet to work. Porter is a decent help defender but he looks like someone who will get eaten alive in man to man situations at the next level.

In my mind, unless we plan on tanking again next year which probably wouldn't work so well, we absolutely have to come out of this draft with a long term solution at SF. At least at center we have Varejao, but I am freaking tired of watching Alonzo Gee attempt to play basketball. We are trying to build through the draft because we cant rely on free agency, and you absolutely cannot do that by taking bad fits and multiple guys at the same position. Oladipo, even if he is BPA (which I don't agree with) would only have a small impact on our team because we already have an all-rookie SG, while any decent SF would be replacing Gee and have a tremendous impact on the team. Not to mention you would be tying up a decent chunk of salary with 2 top 5 picks at the same position. You could argue, well trade one of them, but that's not something we can really control as it takes 2 teams to tango and is always much easier to speculate than for it to actually happen.

I also highly disagree that Porter's stock is bolstered by a poor sf class. He is likely the first SF off the board in every single draft since the 2008 draft with Michael Beasley.

 

[jpow6636]

Regardless of fit, I would take him in a second.

He has the potential to be an elite level perimeter defender, finishes really well in traffic, rebounds like a forward and has a bit of an edge to him.

Oladipo is plug and play in Scott's system. He can jump start fast breaks with his perimeter defense and also his defensive rebounding. He doesn't need the ball to score and is the ideal off guard for someone like Kyrie. He's an improving shooter and an elite finisher at the basket, keeping defenses honest when helping (i.e. Kyrie can just throw him a lob if his defender loses him for a second).

I'm not arguing he's the best need based fit, just think he's the one guy you throw out the book on. The NBA is trending smaller, so as long as he has decent size (in the 6'5" ish rang), I think he can play the 3 without a ton of trouble.....certainly for the first 6 or 7 years of his career, when his elite athleticism will mitigate height disadvantages.

My thinking on guys like Oladipo and Noel also skews towards their defensive nature. At some point the Cavs need a culture change as it pertains to that end of the floor. If you can infuse the roster with an elite defender, it is going to make everyone be more accountable....something I think several of our young players need.

I agree completely with the culture change that is needed. We have our scorers now with having varajao back we still need that player that can shut down opposing players so that we don't always have to focus on outscoring our opponents. Look at the teams to win recently and they are all strong defensive minded teams.

Also in regards to tanking next year too, this is it for tanking! We start winning next year or things will start to fall apart and no one will want to stay here.

 

[Steve_424]

I know it's a mock, but NBA Draft Express currently has us grabbing Oladipo and CJ McCollum in the 1st round.

C-Varejao/Zeller
PF-Thompson/Speights
SF-Oladipo/Gee
SG-Waiters/Miles or Ellington
PG-Irving/McCollum

Playoff team?

 

[wuck]

I know it's a mock, but NBA Draft Express currently has us grabbing Oladipo and CJ McCollum in the 1st round.

Their mock draft doesn't take into account team needs at this point. Just slots players from top to bottom and matches those players with current teams rankings. They change it later in the process to a real mock draft.

But it does give a general sense of the range/talent of players slotted to go in the neighborhood of Cavs picks.

 

[Derek]

Never mind

 

[oasis05]

Oladipo continues to look like a super role player. Not a volume scorer to consider him a number one option, and continues to look most impressive defensively.

 

[EdMonix11]

I know it's a mock, but NBA Draft Express currently has us grabbing Oladipo and CJ McCollum in the 1st round.

C-Varejao/Zeller
PF-Thompson/Speights
SF-Oladipo/Gee
SG-Waiters/Miles or Ellington
PG-Irving/McCollum

Playoff team?

Oladipo cannot guard SF's consistently. What happens when teams start to post-up the 6'4 SF in a SGs body?

He's just not a fit.

 

[EdMonix11]

Oladipo continues to look like a super role player. Not a volume scorer to consider him a number one option, and continues to look most impressive defensively.

Still doesn't have a single offensive skill. He's Tony Allen. Great defensive player without a lick of offense outside of fastbreak points.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Still doesn't have a single offensive skill. He's Tony Allen. Great defensive player without a lick of offense outside of fastbreak points.

You do realize he has the best true shooting percentages in the NCAA, shoots pull up jumpers as well as set shots, and jumps out of the gym on dunks... you know all that right?

People can mention the Cavs are not in need of a guard, or that he benefits from the attention Zeller draws... but a claim like this one just doesn't add up.

 

[EdMonix11]

You do realize he has the best true shooting percentages in the NCAA, shoots pull up jumpers as well as set shots, and jumps out of the gym on dunks... you know all that right?

People can mention the Cavs are not in need of a guard, or that he benefits from the attention Zeller draws... but a claim like this one just doesn't add up.

His true shooting percentages has everything to do with Cody Zeller being doubleteamed and Oladipo getting open looks. Now that teams have paid attention to him over the last month, Oladipo has shot like shit. He is not a good shooter; nor does he have a variety of offensive skills. I can hit an open shot too. I can also dribble with both hands, a skill Oladipo doesn't have....

 

[oasis05]

Tony Allen is a pretty valuable player. I think that is oladipo's floor.

 

[Scholar]

His true shooting percentages has everything to do with Cody Zeller being doubleteamed and Oladipo getting open looks. Now that team have paid attention to him over the last month, Oladipo has shot like shit. He is not a good shooter. I can hit an open shot too. I can also dribble with both hands, a skill Oladipo doesn't have....

Actually, no you can't. If you could, and do it consistently, you could find work in professional sports. No one has been saying he can CREATE his shot. But, being able to hit the open shot is a talent that not every NBA or NCAA player has. You act like it is just a common trait. But, it isn't. I wish to hell that Gee could hit his open shots. He gets a ton of those looks. But, he doesn't do it consistently. Not even close. I also find your comment about his dribbling rather fascinating (channeling my inner Spock) considering there was an article about him working on it. Dribbling basketballs in both hands up and down the court without watching the dribble in either hand. Running this practice himself long after the other members of the team had finished practicing. I think you just have a hatred for Victor. You've been on his case the whole time.

Olapido isn't the player I really want out of this draft. I want Len. But, I wouldn't be upset if we ended up with him. I think he'll be a valuable asset to whatever team ends up with him.