2013 NBA Draft: Detroit Pistons Big Board
Ben McLemore should be at the top of the Pistons draft board. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
As the days begin to dwindle down as we get closer and closer to the 2013 NBA Draft, NBA teams around the country are getting their big board together of the highest rank prospects. The Pistons will undoubtedly have a big board set when the draft begins, and we will try to break down their big board in this post.
Keep in mind, this is not a mock draft, rather it is an order of prospects from highest value to lowest value in the Pistons eyes.
Detroit Pistons Draft Big Board:
1) Ben McLemore – Kansas: SG/SF
– The Pistons were one of a few teams that, prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, ESPN Draft Insider Chad Ford had selecting Ben McLemore with the number one overall selection if they were lucky enough to receive it. McLemore is a freakish athlete who draws comparisons to one of the best shooters in NBA history, Ray Allen, because of his sweet stroke, and soft touch around the basket. Even though it is unlikely that the Detroit Pistons trade up to draft him, he is someone that has had the Pistons brass contemplating such a move. If the Pistons stay at 8, there is a very slim chance he falls to them.
2) Otto Porter – Georgetown University: SF
– Porter is the next up on the Pistons draft board because of his lanky frame and NBA range. Porter has been considered a “lock” by most NBA Scouts to go in the top 3 of this year’s draft. Porter has a knack for taking big shots, and does not shy away from the moment, a very rare quality in an NBA Prospect. Even though Porter will most likely be gone when the Pistons make their selection, he is somebody that would make a great fit in Detroit.
3.) Nerlens Noel – University of Kentucky: C
– Noel, like McLemore, has also been sliding on draft boards because of the emergence of Maryland center Alex Len, and his lack of being able to workout because of his torn Achilles he suffered this year. Noel is an elite shot blocker that has impeccable timing. He has drawn comparisons to last year’s number one overall pick Anthony Davis because of their ability to affect shots around the basket and their knack of getting in the right spot for a rebound. Noel would create a trio in the frontcourt with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe. This would also give the Pistons an option if they would rather keep Greg Monroe and sign him to a near max deal next summer or use him as trade bait to help fill out the roster.
4) Victor Oladipo – Indiana: SG
– Next up on the Pistons big board is 6’5″ Indiana guard Victor Oladipo. Oladipo, like McLemore, is a freakish athlete that lives off of making the hustle plays and out running his opponents. Oladipo loves to finish around the basket, and can step outside and hit the occasional jumper. Victor is also praised for his determination and intensity on the defensive end. He has drawn comparisons as far out there as Michael Jordan and as realistically as Memphis shooting guard and defensive specialist Tony Allen. There is a slight chance that Oladipo may slide out of the top 7, and the Pistons would undoubtedly select him if he is there when the Pistons voice their selection.
5) Alex Len – Maryland University: C
– Len is ranked lower that Noel on the Pistons draft board because of a few reasons. One being the fit that Noel would have with the Pistons current frontcourt duo. And secondly, because Len is still trying to make the transition from the Ukraine to life in the United States. Alex Len is more of an offensively sound player in the post, rather than a defensive presence down low like Noel. Len is still high up on the Pistons draft board, and would be a no brainer if he is somehow still on the board at number eight.
6) Anthony Bennett – UNLV: PF/SF
– Bennett is more of a tweener forward that doesn’t have a true position at the professional level. He played the power forward position college but, with his 6’7″ height, he would be way too small to play the position. He has drawn comparisons to NBA legend Larry Johnson and Utah Jazz forward Paul Milsap. Bennett is still a top prospect for Detroit and would be heavily considered with the eighth selection.
7) Michael Carter-Williams – Syracuse: PG
– Now is where things start to get interesting. A lot of people would love to see the Pistons to select fan favorite Trey Burke if they had the chance, but I feel that Carter-Williams would be a better fit for Detroit with his size for position and his playmaking abilities. Carter-Williams is 6’6″ and can see well over his defenders for a player cutting to the basket for an easy score. But there are some down sides to selecting him, he is a poor outside shooter and needs to work on his decision making. He tried too much last year to go for the “home-run” plays rather than the simple pass or shot. Carter-Williams has his risks, but may be the most logical decision for the Pistons if any of the top 6 on their draft board are gone.
8.) Shabazz Muhammad – UCLA: SG/SF
– Early on during the draft process, the Pistons seemed as a logical destination for the UCLA swingman but, with the recent news about his true age (21, and 22 when the NBA season begins) and he only measured at 6’6″ with shoes at the NBA Draft Combine. Even with these new findings throughout the draft process, Muhammad is still one of the few players in this draft with “all-star” potential and the ability to get his own shot. Muhammad should be one of the top 3 players that Joe Dumars and his staff have to decide from on Thursday.
Just Missed the Cut:
9) Trey Burke – University of Michigan: PG
– Trey Burke took the Michigan Wolverines to their first NCAA Championship game since the “Fab 5,” he was the Player of the Year in college basketball, yet I still don’t think Burke is a good fit for Detroit. He is listed at 6’0″ and would shift Piston guard Brandon Knight to the shooting guard position. Like I’ve said in past articles, this backcourt of Burke-Knight would be a defensive liability. Both guards are also natural scorers. Even though Burke at times will set up the offense, he loves to score off of the pick and roll. I just do not see a fit in Detroit for Trey Burke, even though it would put fans in the seats.
10) Cody Zeller – Indiana: C/PF
– Zeller has been rumored to be in the mix for Detroit when they make their selection later this week. Zeller just misses the cut of players on the Pistons big board because of the lack of need for another center. The Pistons are looking to address the guard positions, and with an abundance of options to choose from, I do not think the Pistons will select Zeller with their current first round selection, but may target him later in the Lottery if they try to acquire a second Lottery selection.