Sixers Take Tristan Thompson in SB Nation NBA Mock Draft
by Michael Levin on Jun 21, 2011 10:19 AM PDT
in 2011 NBA Draft
Email
Print
If you haven't been following along with the SB Nation storystream for their own 2011 NBA Mock Draft, you're missing out. Some great stuff right here at your fingertips. After a few surprising choices at the top of the draft (Biyombo to the Wizards at 6 would now be considered a reach), it came time for the Sixers to make their selection. And Tom Ziller of SBNation.com and Sactown Royalty turned to the Liberty Ballers four to make the pick. With Jordan Hamilton, Alec Burks, and Chris Singleton all gone, our hand was forced to pick a big and Texas Longhorns' Tristan Thompson came out on top.
Here's what I said:
While Tristan Thompson isn't the polished, low-post scorer and defensive rebounder the Sixers need in the short term, he can develop into a possible cornerstone of the franchise with the right teaching. He'd fill the void left by Thaddeus Young (if he leaves) on the offensive glass, because Tristan was one of the nation's best at cleaning up after his teammates. With Elton Brand's contract on the downside of tradeable, he could slip into the starting lineup midseason or next year if Elton gets moved. While he's got the length, I don't think he and Brand would work well as a starting front court, so it's likely that Spencer Hawes would retain the center position for this season.
The hope is that the Sixers will package Andre Iguodala to move up to either the Timberwolves spot at No. 2 or the Cavs' No. 4 pick. Then they could look wing at 16 to replace him, with either Jordan Hamilton, Chris Singleton or Klay Thompson, depending on who's still around. While Markieff Morris, Kenneth Faried, and Nikola Vucevic represent safer options for the Sixers at 16, Tristan has the highest upside and the chance to gel with Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday to continue building the young core of this team.
Agree? Disagree? There were plenty of other bigs around but we opted for upside here.
14 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I’m not sold on Thompson. I’d have gone with Markieff. I certainly understand going with upside over reliability though.
"Miami can’t beat Chicago, why? Because Chicago has everything Miami has and more.... I’ll grant you Wade/James stealing a game, or maybe two. But we’re seeing an OKC/CHI finals, and that’s a finals everyone will tune in for." - LeQuan Glover
I’m not in love with Tristan, but he’s decent value at 16, and I think he has more defensive potential than Markieff.
Most of my criticism with Tristan is when he was viewed as a lottery pick. At 16 he’s worth a risk.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || DraftExpress
@derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jun 21, 2011 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
For the record, Derek and I went Thompson, Tanner went Vucevic, and I assumed Mike wanted Tristan.
However; after doing some serious reading, video-watching, etc. on Saturday I would’ve changed my pick. Y’all will find out in our big board tomorrow.
In that spot I’d probably go Thompson and tried to move him, but he’s ranked behind a number of other bigs on my board.
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / Twitter
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jun 21, 2011 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
He is one of the several guys I wouldn’t have a problem with. Like Mike said in a previous post, At 16, there’s likely to be a number of guys of comparable talent/pedigree that would fit in with the Sixers well enough.
I suppose we all have guys we like better, but Thompson is one of the guys I wouldn’t be upset to hear his name called.
Follow Bleeding Green Nation on Twitter & Facebook
Voooooooo-se-vich!!!
Would not complain if we went with Tristan, montiejunas or Morris though. I can see vucevich as a 17-10 c in the NBA sooner rather than later.
Peace
It’s Vucevic and Motiejunas, not Vucevich and Montiejunas.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || DraftExpress
@derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jun 21, 2011 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha
Just spelling phonetically out of draft excitement, but thank you.
Peace
I'm all for Markieff Morris at #16....
but Tristan Thompson performed well at Texas in just his freshman year, being a key player at a top tier program and contributing immediately has to count for something
I think have a gut feeling the Sixers prefer Tristan first. Than Biyombo (if not for Dally hands, he’d be first- IMO). I feel that Hamilton and Markief are the most likely picks. Hamilton is insurance for trading Iggy and/or Thad walking, even though Thad plays at PF. He would also give 3-point aspect we need if Turner starts at SG at some pint this season. I think Donatas is 3rd most likely to be drafted by us.
Tristan gives the best combination of position value (PF over SF), upside, defense, and (vs. Biyombo) hands and scoring.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Liberty Ballers
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
