Latest mock draft from cbs sports.....BP has moved into the lottery.

[k.c.hawg]

They have him going #11 to the Pacers.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/mock-draft/expert/sam-vecenie

[Paul]

Wow!  He's probably gotta go

[PorkSoda]

lottery? wow, didn't realize he was projected that high.

[k.c.hawg]

He could still fall in that 15-20 range.....was projected 17th in the earlier version of this mock draft about a month ago. But if there are some whispers that he "could" go as high as 11th and the floor is around 20th, that would be damn hard to say no to. Last years 11th got $4.6 m guaranteed and if the 2 option years are picked up it will run around $10.5 m.

[Hawg Red]

Wow!  He's probably gotta go

Because some writer for CBS has him in the lottery?

The reality is that it's way too early to truly know where someone like Portis will go because we don't know who is in or out of the draft, and he hasn't done any workouts. The guys at the top of the draft won't have to really work out. Portis will. He'll have to sell himself. Portis has probably been told he's a mid-to-late first round pick with a chance to move into the lottery with great workouts. That's a wide range.

[Biggus Piggus]

Because some writer for CBS has him in the lottery?

The reality is that it's way too early to truly know where someone like Portis will go because we don't know who is in or out of the draft, and he hasn't done any workouts. The guys at the top of the draft won't have to really work out. Portis will. He'll have to sell himself. Portis has probably been told he's a mid-to-late first round pick with a chance to move into the lottery with great workouts. That's a wide range.

No, probably hasn't been told anything like that. More like late lottery to mid-first. That is much closer to consensus. And sorry, but Portis does not get to wait to make up his mind.

[popcornhog]

They have him going #11 to the Pacers.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/mock-draft/expert/sam-vecenie

Next year the Pacers will be contenders, too.

That would be the best possible outcome for Portis -- lottery plus contending for a title. Damn.

[Hawg Red]

No, probably hasn't been told anything like that. More like late lottery to mid-first. That is much closer to consensus. And sorry, but Portis does not get to wait to make up his mind.

Did I say he needed to wait?

And the consensus is that he is not a lottery pick. Mid (teens outside lottery) to late (20s) first round is the consensus. This is the only person I've seen of late projecting Bobby as a lottery pick. This guy's co-worker (Zach Harper) at CBS Sports has Portis at #23. That's a 12-spot difference. Again, wide range. I said he could be a lottery pick with great workouts, and that's what I'd think it would take.

[Arkansas WR]

This has him going before Frank Kaminsky. Also the next best PF after Towns.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

Because some writer for CBS has him in the lottery?

The reality is that it's way too early to truly know where someone like Portis will go because we don't know who is in or out of the draft, and he hasn't done any workouts. The guys at the top of the draft won't have to really work out. Portis will. He'll have to sell himself. Portis has probably been told he's a mid-to-late first round pick with a chance to move into the lottery with great workouts. That's a wide range.

Don't want be a jerk but I would rather play basketball in a big city like Denver or Philadelphia than play in Fayetteville. And this is coming from a Razorback fan

[WizardofhOgZ]

Don't want be a jerk but I would rather play basketball in a big city like Denver or Philadelphia than play in Fayetteville. And this is coming from a Razorback fan

Have you ever been to Philly?

LOL!

[TheRazorbackGuy]

Have you ever been to Philly?

LOL!

No but getting millions would make it more interesting.
I live in Denver and it's 50x better than Fayetteville and I'm an Arkansas alum

[GatorHog]

Go look up the LinkedIn Profile of Sam Vecenie.  Wanna trust that?

[Hawg Red]

Don't want be a jerk but I would rather play basketball in a big city like Denver or Philadelphia than play in Fayetteville. And this is coming from a Razorback fan

Okay? Why are you telling me this?

[Mike Irwin]

No but getting millions would make it more interesting.
I live in Denver and it's 50x better than Fayetteville and I'm an Arkansas alum

I live in Fayetteville and I wouldn't live in Denver for triple the salary I'm getting right now. What does any of this have to do with Portis and his decision? I'm not him and neither are you.

[TejasPete]

For $4 million I'd live in Baltimore's Blue Light District.

[Breems]

Okay? Why are you telling me this?

Because he rambles incoherently, frequently about stuff completely irrelevant to the conversation at hand.

[Biggus Piggus]

Go look up the LinkedIn Profile of Sam Vecenie.  Wanna trust that?

Wow. He has almost no relevant experience.

[Athog]

Because some writer for CBS has him in the lottery?

The reality is that it's way too early to truly know where someone like Portis will go because we don't know who is in or out of the draft, and he hasn't done any workouts. The guys at the top of the draft won't have to really work out. Portis will. He'll have to sell himself. Portis has probably been told he's a mid-to-late first round pick with a chance to move into the lottery with great workouts. That's a wide range.

Well let's not make it seem he should not take the jump. It is a lot of money and maybe the best move for him. I hope he returns but that is his decision.

[Hawg Red]

In no way did I suggest he shouldn't make the jump. You don't have to be a lottery pick for it to be a good decision to go pro. But there was a poster that said Bobby's "probably gotta go" because some writer had him as a lottery pick, when, in reality, that guy's opinion is maybe slightly more informed than your average tuned-in fan.

[Paul]

In no way did I suggest he shouldn't make the jump. You don't have to be a lottery pick for it to be a good decision to go pro. But there was a poster that said Bobby's "probably gotta go" because some writer had him as a lottery pick, when, in reality, that guy's opinion is maybe slightly more informed than your average tuned-in fan.

. More informed than your opinion I'd bet

[(notOM)Rebel123]

No but getting millions would make it more interesting.
I live in Denver and it's 50x better than Fayetteville and I'm an Arkansas alum

Millions? Maybe 2. Take out taxes & agents fees and it gets whittled down pretty fast. Been to Denver multiple times. It's lovely. But nowhere near 50x better than NWA.

[Hawg Red]

. More informed than your opinion I'd bet

Maybe. Maybe not. But that's also not setting the bar too high, is it? Because, like I said, he's opinion is probably slightly more informed than the average tuned-in fan. I'd say I'm a tuned-in fan having seen every single one of Portis' games in college and being a follower of the NBA, particularly the NBA draft.

I think Bobby goes closer to the 20th pick. We'll see who's right, I guess. I'm only saying this guy having him #11 in a mock draft almost 3 months before the draft doesn't mean he needs gotta go. There are plenty of other reason that would suggest he had to go, though. This just isn't one of them.

[dhornjr1]

NBA Draft Express still has Portis going 18th overall. But now with the shakeup in the Western Conference standings, New Orleans has the 18th pick, which would go to Houston.

Portis would be in a great position in Houston with Harden, Howard and Beverley. And with a big man like Kevin McHale as his coach?

Fuhgeddaboudit...

[Hawg Red]

I'm all for Portis going to my Rockets. And they've been known to go for Razorbacks. Fortson, Beverley, BJ Young..

[TheRazorbackGuy]

I'm all for Portis going to my Rockets. And they've been known to go for Razorbacks. Fortson, Beverley, BJ Young..

If Portis is ready he needs to leave. You go to college to get a career and if that career comes early then you take that opportunity.

[Randy Johnson]

Don't want be a jerk but I would rather play basketball in a big city like Denver or Philadelphia than play in Fayetteville. And this is coming from a Razorback fan

This comment would make you a fan of somebody but not the hogs.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

This comment would make you a fan of somebody but not the hogs.

Im not a fan bcuz I think a kid should persue his dream and play against the best players on the planet and make millions?   Your just being a blind homer. 1s t round picks generally make over a million a year and play in large cities. Why risk your career to play for free? Those insurance policies on players don't give you as much as you think if you get injured.

[Biggus Piggus]

I would hate playing in Denver - altitude. And Philly, close to the last place on earth I would go.

[Adam Stokes]

I would hate playing in Denver - altitude. And Philly, close to the last place on earth I would go.

But once you get accustomed to the altitude it becomes your best friend, at home and away. 

[TheRazorbackGuy]

But once you get accustomed to the altitude it becomes your best friend, at home and away. 

The altitude isn't that big of a deal. I walk 4 to 5 miles around downtown Denver everyday . the climate is also more dry where 35 here isn't as cold as 35 in Fayetteville. That being said BP must do what's best for him. I wouldn't turned down millions, but that's me

[TrueBlue]

No but getting millions would make it more interesting.
I live in Denver and it's 50x better than Fayetteville and I'm an Arkansas alum

Slamming Fayetteville? Not cool. Alum or not. Saying crap like that does nothing to help the program.

I defend Fayetteville just like I do all parts of Arkansas.

Take your fandom elsewhere. Here is a team for you.

http://www.du.edu/

[Biggus Piggus]

So some "expert" that just started following BP a few months ago projects him to be a lottery pick, then when it comes time for the real draft to happen he doesn't get picked until further down in the draft.  I swear I've seen the play out over and over again in the past.  I wish BP the very best in whatever he decides, but I really don't see him being a lottery pick unless he really impresses when he works out for the teams (and that's a big IF in my opinion).  I saw BP look very lackluster against better competition (later rounds of SECT and the NCAAT) and I'm sure NBA decision makers noticed the same.  I believe he needs to get stronger playing near the basket (both on OFF and DEF) to translate well to the NBA game.

Actually, there's a lot more contact in the college game. Portis needs to get away from the pounding he takes in college, because his game is better suited for the pros. Wish they called it differently, but teams are rewarded for throwing bodies at a skilled player like Portis.

[Veritas Arkansas]

Slamming Fayetteville? Not cool. Alum or not. Saying crap like that does nothing to help the program.

I defend Fayetteville just like I do all parts of Arkansas.

Take your fandom elsewhere. Here is a team for you.

http://www.du.edu/

Saying that a place is better than Fayetteville is not in any way slamming Fayetteville.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

Saying that a place is better than Fayetteville is not in any way slamming Fayetteville.

+1000
I love Fayetteville but I love Denver more. I lived in both cities(Denver currently). I'm not trashing Fayetteville just saying Its a much bigger world outside the state of Arkansas.

[k.c.hawg]

So some "expert" that just started following BP a few months ago projects him to be a lottery pick, then when it comes time for the real draft to happen he doesn't get picked until further down in the draft.  I swear I've seen the play out over and over again in the past.  I wish BP the very best in whatever he decides, but I really don't see him being a lottery pick unless he really impresses when he works out for the teams (and that's a big IF in my opinion).  I saw BP look very lackluster against better competition (later rounds of SECT and the NCAAT) and I'm sure NBA decision makers noticed the same.  I believe he needs to get stronger playing near the basket (both on OFF and DEF) to translate well to the NBA game.

Obviously a young man as intelligent as Bobby is not going to make a life changing decision based on a basketball writers mock draft. The purpose of posting the link is to give people that are emotionally invested in Bobby's decision a point of view from someone that evaluates players with no emotional ties to the player, the school or their fandom. There are plenty of mock drafts that project BP in the low to mid 20's. Their are no guarantees for draft position unless you are a lock for the #1 pick. The writer in question is a west coast guy that has posted video work ups of BP's game and strengths, which made me pay attention.  His observations were very astute, so I appreciate the fact that a guy based in California has taken the time to study BP's game while acknowledging that mock drafts are a crap shoot at best.

[Biggus Piggus]

Portis was second-team All-America and SEC POY. It's a serious reach to expect him to return to college for another season.

[TrueBlue]

+1000
I love Fayetteville but I love Denver more. I lived in both cities(Denver currently). I'm not trashing Fayetteville just saying Its a much bigger world outside the state of Arkansas.

Saying 50x better is slamming dude - don't spin it

[Veritas Arkansas]

Saying 50x better is slamming dude - don't spin it

How in the world is it slamming???

[Atlhogfan1]

Portis was second-team All-America and SEC POY. It's a serious reach to expect him to return to college for another season.

That is like telling some here there is no Santa Claus. 

[Bacon_Bitz]

Saying 50x better is slamming dude - don't spin it

Not if you give out +1000's instead of +1's

[HawgnCorona]

That is like telling some here there is no Santa Claus. 

His decision will come soon enough...

[PorkSoda]

That is like telling some here there is no Santa Claus. 

I got a note in an easter egg that said Portis was coming back

[Atlhogfan1]

I got a note in an easter egg that said Portis was coming back

Sounds reasonable.  Can I use you as a source? 

[1highhog]

Don't want be a jerk but I would rather play basketball in a big city like Denver or Philadelphia than play in Fayetteville. And this is coming from a Razorback fan

Well, that's just your opinion, and that's what Hogville is here for.  I've been to Philly, it sucks.  And as far as Denver, it's a hell hole as well.  I've spent more than just a week or two in each place and getting snow of nearly 4' deep in Denver was enough to tell me that's not the place for me.  And since when has either team been a serious contender in the NBA?

[Pig in the Pokey]

I got a note in an easter egg that said Portis was coming back

thats funny cause i got one that says he'd be here TWO more years.

[jcarney12747]

His back to the basket game needs improvement. I'll understand whatever he decides.

[WorfHog]

Sounds reasonable.  Can I use you as a source?

Obviously the Easter Bunny.

[Theolesnort]

No but getting millions would make it more interesting.
I live in Denver and it's 50x better than Fayetteville and I'm an Arkansas alum

Come on RBG Denver has smog some of the time and is filthy and dirty...Compared to Colorado Springs.

[OS2 (SW) Razor Back]

They have him going #11 to the Pacers.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/mock-draft/expert/sam-vecenie

@ k.c #CBS..Opinions are like buttholes ect.......