John Calipari thinks Cleveland would be a great fit for Nerlens Noel, and vice versa, but any coach would love to see one of their players go #1 in the NBA Draft.
Noel would be the 3rd #1 pick for John Calipari, joining John Wall and Anthony Davis.
Calipari spoke with the Cleveland Plain-Dealer about the possibility of Noel being drafted by the Cavaliers and says their GM has watched his 6’11” big man more than anyone and also elaborates on their past draft picks.
“They haven’t made mistakes,” Calipari said in a telephone interview on Wednesday, one day after the Cavs won the lottery to earn the No. 1 pick for the second time in three years. “If they pick him, in all likelihood, history tells you something: It’s not a mistake, which means it’s good for my kid.
“Chris Grant has been in our building more than any other GM. That’s no disrespect to any other GM. That’s just a fact. He and his staff are very thorough in what they’ve done. That’s why I say I hope he gets drafted by them.”
Calipari also gave a comparison of Noel to Davis.
Asked to compare Noel and Davis, Calipari said, ”They’re just different. Anthony had more guard skills than Nerlens would have. Their shot blocking is about the same. Nerlens is more of a four/five, where Anthony could play some three. Nerlens could guard a three, but he’s not going to play that position. Anthony, if he had to, could play the three.”
I believe whichever team, Cleveland could possibly trade the pick, that big men are at such a premium that Nerlens Noel will be the top pick.
Do you think he will be the top pick?
