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.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard