Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
While most mock drafts still have Nerlens Noel in the top spot, it appears that his injury may have allowed Kansas freshman Ben McLemore to make up some late ground. The USA Today’s Eric Prisbell discussed the shuffling at the top with draft guru Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, who confirmed that McLemore is jumping up a lot of teams’ big boards– so much so that some now have him in the top spot. However, he also disagreed with that assessment of the Jayhawk guard, basically saying that he projects to be a good, but not great, player. Here’s Givony on McLemore:
“I just don’t know if he has the mentality of a guy who can be the best player on his NBA team. He is better suited to be the second, third or fourth option on a team where he can run off screens, make open shots, score in transition. I don’t think he has the skill set or mentality to carry a team.
…Being the No. 1 pick comes with a lot of pressure from the fans, from the media, and a lot of expectations. If he just winds up being what he is, which is a very good player, not like an outstanding player, people might label him like a bust or a disappointment … He knows what he is and is comfortable with that. The question is whether everyone else will be comfortable with that.”
So, who does Givony think should be the number one pick? The one and only Nerlens Noel, of course. He made it clear that teams shouldn’t allow themselves to be scared off by his injury, saying: “health-wise, I don’t see how missing the first month or two of his rookie season is that big a deal.”
Head on over HERE to read more about what Givony has to say about the increasingly unpredictable 2013 NBA Draft.
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March 3rd, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Not hating on you bro but I am a little confused….
The title reads: Jonathan Givony says Ben McLemore, not Nerlens, might be top pick. However, the ending reads: who does Givony think should be the number one pick? The one and only Nerlens Noel, of course…
get my confusion?
March 3rd, 2013 at 8:51 pm
Considering his team will be going to the final 4, and ours to the NIT it makes sense.
March 3rd, 2013 at 8:57 pm
1) I do get your confusion. Givony is saying that a lot of teams like McLemore, and there is good chance that he’ll be the top pick. But given the choice, he would personally pick Nerlens. That help?
March 3rd, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Notice he said “might be top pick”.
March 3rd, 2013 at 9:09 pm
I have to agree with #1. Besides, you can tell it’s really slow in UK sports right now…… scraping for a story of any kind.
March 3rd, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Teague playing well for the Bulls on espn tonight.
March 3rd, 2013 at 9:11 pm
I’m a UK fan, and there’s no way I would pick Nerlens at #1!! NO WAY!!! Before the injury… maybe 3rd or forth pick. But now?? I say he’s lucky if he even goes in the top ten! Just keeping it real!
March 3rd, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Sitting here watching the bulls game and got to thinking. I know you can always play the what if game but, think about if just teague came back. Even if everything still unfoulds with nerlens getting hurt at fl, he would easily be the best player in the nation this year with it being a down year. And would most likely be the first overal pick. Now that being said he made off pretty good with going to a good team.
March 3rd, 2013 at 9:14 pm
@7 honestly his offense may never catch up to where it needs to be to be a star in the nba. But i do believe that he will be one of those players who is always gonna be on winning teams and be a major contribution because he will be one of the top defenders.
March 3rd, 2013 at 9:21 pm
No NBA GM is going to take Noel #1 now; yes, ACL injuries are less risky, but enough risk to not make Noel #1 especially not knowing how he will recover. Lord forbid, Tom Brady was suppose to have an easy ACL surgery, and ended up having 11 additional surgeries because of complications. This year draft is going to be like this entire season & I’m guessing this year tournament, messed up. Maybe the best year for a #16 to beat a #1.
If UL players hope to get a decent spot in a draft, they all better jump in this year easy draft.
March 3rd, 2013 at 10:29 pm
If Nernel’s Noel is not a #1 in this year’s NBA draft, then he just need to come back and be a part of a special season at Kentucky. He really can use a year to finesse his offensive skills and with many other lotto to help him next season could soar him to TOP draft pick. Just a thought–
March 3rd, 2013 at 10:34 pm
@11 really a top pick over wiggens or even a 2 spot behing parker. And maybe even randle and andrew harrison in the top 5.
March 3rd, 2013 at 10:35 pm
wiggins*
March 3rd, 2013 at 10:51 pm
8)Really? If Teague came back this year he would be the best player in the nation? Did you just say that?
March 3rd, 2013 at 10:54 pm
14 ya i did who would be better he has proven he can play in the nba as a role player on a good team, and by the end of the year last year was one of the and if not the best point guard in the nation. Tell me who would be better.
March 4th, 2013 at 4:44 am
This draft class is so bad he would have been a lottery pick