8th ave wrote:I don't see why Sac would pick up Drummond when you already have Cousins. I think the only obstacle between the Warriors and Drummond is Portland. If they pick Lillard with the 6th pick I'm definitely going to be jumping up and down.

Draft is in about a week. JUICED!

BayAreaHoopz wrote:

8th ave wrote:I don't see why Sac would pick up Drummond when you already have Cousins. I think the only obstacle between the Warriors and Drummond is Portland. If they pick Lillard with the 6th pick I'm definitely going to be jumping up and down.

Draft is in about a week. JUICED!

If Drummond is there at #5, I don't see how Sac would pass him up as he would more than likely be the BPA assuming guys like MKG, Barnes, Robinson and Davis are all off the board. They've been playing a 6'6 Chuck Hayes at center or PF alongside Cousins. I think Drummond could go either PF/C as with Cousins. They'd be a nice front court tandem.

D4rk 0ne wrote:

32 wrote:Drummond will be gone in the top 5. If Cleveland doesn't take him, Sacramento FOR SURE will. Ditto for Portland.

Well then that leaves us with either Beal or MKG. I don't see Robinson dropping below 4. It seems Barnes is pretty much guaranteed top 5 as well, especially after the combine. I would be shocked if MKG dropped below 5 as well though. I think Drummond is more likely to fall than MKG for sure, and probably more likely than Beal as well.

By MARCUS THOMPSON II — Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors fans probably would love Meyers Leonard, should the Warriors draft the 7-foot-1, 250-pound center out of Illinois. Humble. Mature. Appreciative.

But whether his game is as mature and as likable as his personality is the question Golden State will have to determine heading into Thursday's NBA draft. Some in the Warriors' contingent, including co-owner Joe Lacob, figure since the Warriors probably can't get one of their coveted players or fill a need, they might as well go big.

While Connecticut's Andre Drummond might have the higher ceiling, Leonard - who worked out for the Warriors on Saturday - seems to be the better fit because he's definitely a center and figures the be less of a risk. North Carolina's Tyler Zeller might be more ready to contribute and better in the post, but Leonard is younger and noticeably more athletic.

He's been compared to Robin Lopez and Tiago Splitter, dubbed a poor man's Tyson Chandler and called Chris Andersen without all the tattoos. Just about any combination of those would be perfect off the Warriors bench. It would be reasonable to expect Leonard to rebound, block shots, knock down an occasional jumper and finish as a rookie.

But Leonard's value is in his upside. Physically, Leonard rates pretty highly. He's a legit 7-footer with 7-3 wingspan and a frame begging for more bulk. He runs the floor well and has some hops. He has some foundational elements to his game on which to build.

"People say I'm raw," Leonard said. "I wouldn't necessarily characterize it as raw. I think I have a little more of a skill set than some people think I do. The ability to step out and shoot it, get up and down the court, use my athleticism, those are things I can do. I know that at the same time, coming into the gym every day, working on my footwork, back-to-the-basket (game), face-up (game), is very important."

Still, the Warriors might have a tough time pulling the trigger on Leonard. While Leonard has potential, Golden State general manager Bob Myers said he'll take the best player available. Is Leonard - who averaged 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 31.8 minutes in 2011-12 - really the seventh-best player in the draft?

Myers said he would be willing to trade down for a player, but he had to be certain that player would be available. He also said he wouldn't have a problem drafting a player he were sure about even if No.7 were considered high for that player.

Leonard has a few intangibles working for him. He's only 20, and he's shown serious growth potential based on the jump he made in production from his freshman to his sophomore year.

Plus, Leonard - no stranger to poverty and struggle - has some edge to him. Toughened by the death of his father as a kid, and with a brother who just finished his second tour in Afghanistan, Leonard doesn't come off as the type to back down. Plus, he is hungry to provide for his family, especially his mother, who has suffered for years with debilitating back pain with no insurance to treat it.

But does he have enough to be the guy? Enough potential, enough readiness, enough intangibles to warrant the Warriors passing up some other, higher-valued talents?

"I feel like this is a place I could fit in," Leonard said, "but we'll see."

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/06/23/408 ... rylink=cpy