I think Butler's far more likely to make an immediate impact, which is what we need after 3 years out of the playoffs.
If Wilcox were a C, then it's no question you draft Wilcox. But, he's a PF, something we have a large glut of. Butler is a SF who could start for us next year. Moreover, Butler would be our best defensive player from Day 1.
Well, its a little different being an athletic mid-size player than it is being an athletic big man. People like to use the word "freak" a lot in sports these days. And as far as physical attributes and athleticism go, Wilcox is the biggest <i>freak</i> of anyone I've seen in college basketball this season.
I would agree with you, except I think Wilcox could play center for us. What does a little less height matter when you can outjump your opponent by at least half a foot? And as far as his bulk, that's what the weight room is for. I'm not saying Wilcox is going to step in and start right away, but I think he would be a great player to come in and play when Cato is on the bench, which is about half of the game. If nothing else, it at least prevent the Rockets from having to play Mo Taylor of all people at the center position.
Butler. Fills several needs, potential dominant scorer, solidifies the SF position for years, strong defender and rebounder. Of the 2, Butler is the more NBA-ready. Wilcox is a great prospect, but he needs to refine his game, big-time. Just beginning big, strong, and athletic isn't going to cut it in the NBA, especially at the power positions. Just ask Kwame Brown.
Wilcox doesn't do a good job of denying inside position. That is my main beef. I don't care if he's 6-10 or weighs 220 or whatever. Fact is that he lets his man establish inside position. Also, I think he will block some shots, but he won't be an inside presence who will punish guards who drive to the lane.
I take Wilcox. I think he'll be able to play center for anybody. There's no way that Wilcox is only 220. That must have been the weight that was listed in the media guide when he was a freshman and they never changed it or weighed him again. I'd say right now that he's about 240 at least, and he has the kind of body frame to where I think he could get up to 265 and be a monster in a couple of years. He should be a better, more physical rebounder than he is, but that can be worked on, and it's a hell of a lot easier to teach him that than to teach somebody else to jump out of the gym. I just think Wilcox's ceiling is a lot higher than Caron's. Caron will be a good player--I think he will be a more complete version of Bonzi Wells, but Wilcox's prospects are scary.
Butler. Absolutely positively definitely. Take it from someone who followed Emeka Okafor and consequently got to see a lot of UConn games. I've seen Maryland 6 or 7 times too, and Wilcox is nowhere near as consitant, pure, and fundementally sound as Caron. Butler makes it look smooth and easy. He'll be a wonderful pro.
I just hope we get to pick among Wilcox and Bulter, I would not be disappointed with either player. I am also a fan of Gooden. I love the 1 on 1 defense and all-around game he plays. He does needs to learn to be more aggressive and getting better offensive position--but NBA spacing and Rudy would work great for him. Gooden is certainly a more developed player than Wilcox (he is only 1 year older than Wilcox right?) and is a fine athlete himself though not the total phenom "freak" Wilcox is. When I see Gooden, I see Juwan Howard with more athleticsm and defense. He could be a Sheed with the focused brain of a higher primate. Wilcox could be a Theo Ratliff and McDyess or perhaps better, but has a lot more work to do on fundamentals than Gooden. The tale of the tape will be important for both guys (both legit 6'10"?) as well as Butler (legit 6'7"?).
If we get the Toronto pick, and have it pretty solid than Melvin Ely will be there, I take Butler no question. Wilcox is a PF. Baxter, who's shorter plays center for Maryland. I see Wilcox as a near duplicate to McDyess-he's not a center. Butler is a great fit for us. This guy is kind of a cross between Ron Artest and Paul Pierce. Coming in, his shot is infinitely better than Artest, and he plays tenacious defense. The thing I like most, is he brings leadership qualities-2nd in the draft behind Williams IMO. He can put a team on his back, or spot up, and play a backup role. He brings rebounding, passing, and scoring, and is very flexible.
I ran the lotto generator 50 times and we ended up with the 6th pick 18 times and the 7th pick 17 times. Do you think either Wilcox or Butler will be there at those picks? I'm pulling for Wagner and Gooden to leave school because in my opinion they'll get picked before Butler would, making it that much more likely that Butler will be available. But do yall think Butler would still be around if we end up at 6 or 7?
I say take Wilcox with a pick this high in the draft, take the best available talent Wilcox has the most potential. If Houston ends up with Buttler it wouldn't hurt my feelings either, b/c I think he too will be a fine NBA player and be able to contribute sooner than Wilcox. I also think ppl who are freaking about not being in the playoffs for 3 years need to chill. Even if houston starts making the playoffs, they won't be contenders until our backcourt gains more experience.
The top 5 is pretty set, though the order is TBD. Ming, Williams, Gooden, Wagner, and Woods are thought to be virtual locks for the top 5. The next crop is where there'll be a lot of movement. Some players that we assume will declare may not (see Loren Woods 2 years ago), and some guys may sneak up, like Rodney White. In this group you have, in no particular order: Butler, Wilcox, Jeffries, Dunleavy, Borchardt, Stoudemire, This is where the Rockets will focus there scouting, provided they don't land top 3. Then maybe a cut below are Haislip, Ely, Marcus, Rush. I think that's about the strong depth of the draft-15 players, maybe with a surprise International Prospect pulling a Gasol, or such. That's a very solid draft, IMO. After that, there are some goodplayers, Gadzuric, Boozer, several PGs, Prince, Yarbrough, Boozer etc. but not nearly as hot commodities as the top 15. Overall, I think this may be a deeper draft than last year's great draft in terms of the ability to find a player in the 2nd round that has favorable odds of making your team, but not as strong up top. Anyhow, if Butler and Wilcox are the 2 top candidates (hard to say for sure yet), it comes down to the fact we have a PF that has scored 18 ppg, another that has averaged 14-7, and a 20 year old that we spent 3 picks on, and has shown superstar potential, all who primarily play PF. Add that 2 are signed through the next FOUR years, and one is signed cheap for next year. I see a greater ability in Stoudemire than Wilcox to play center. I'm very sure that Wilcox is a 4, and attempting to make him an undersized 5 is dangerous-Webber struggled early in his career like that, before settling at the 4. If Butler, who is talented himself, is close enough there's a good argument who's better, and fills a position of need, take him. Same for J-Will vs. Ming. If Ming is the real deal, take him.
