<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Trying to predict much about the NBA draft a month out is nearly as difficult as trying to pick the winner of the Kentucky Derby when the race has 20 horses. There is simply too much that could change between now and June 28. Two Big 5 players with a year of eligibility remaining have thrown their hats into what has become a three-ring circus. Both La Salle's Steven Smith and Saint Joseph's Dwayne Jones have graduated, but either could come back to play one final college season. They have until June 21 to decide if they want to remain in the draft or withdraw to preserve that final season of eligibility. A total of 73 college underclassmen and high school players as well as 35 international players have applied for early entry into the draft. Many eventually will withdraw as a game of chicken ensues. Smith and Jones both have been invited to the NBA's predraft camp in Chicago (June 7-10), and will play. At this point, according to La Salle coach John Giannini, Smith does not plan to travel for any individual workouts with teams. According to his father, also Dwayne, Jones leaves for Memphis, Tenn., today for a workout with the Grizzlies tomorrow. Jones also has workouts scheduled in Denver and Utah next week. "We've been in contact with various NBA teams," Giannini said. "We're going to try to get teams to come to Philly to conduct workouts." Teams will pay to have players come to their cities for visits. But the catch is that, if that player decides to return to school, he has to reimburse the teams, according to NCAA rules. "My job is to give him the best options possible," the elder Jones said. "We will have everything documented for the NCAA if [Jones comes back to St. Joe's]."</div> Source
Both are good enough to go pro but no one will take them, dj is making a mistake working out for teams.
I'd gladly take Jones who has more real game then several guys hyped as early rd 1. Look up the stats folks...start with rebounds. Go see how many Jones got,then check the numbers foe Petro or Vasquez. Check the shotblocks and go compare that to Taft. Smith is 6-9,athletic and scored about 20 per game...about 6 better than Villanueva,8 better than Marvin Williams. Some NBA teams need guys who ARE players,not guys who someone says might become players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd gladly take Jones who has more real game then several guys hyped as early rd 1. Look up the stats folks...start with rebounds. Go see how many Jones got,then check the numbers foe Petro or Vasquez. Check the shotblocks and go compare that to Taft. Smith is 6-9,athletic and scored about 20 per game...about 6 better than Villanueva,8 better than Marvin Williams. Some NBA teams need guys who ARE players,not guys who someone says might become players.</div>Teams don't care about that anymore. Players that have potential are what they look for. They want to find someone who may not be able to contribute now, but could be a star down the line. That's why Williams, Taft, and Villanueva are projected so high. Their upside is tremendous. Beyond that, they're all already good and can only get better. That's why people like them. Not because of what they'll do now, but what they'll do 2 or 3 years down the road.
"already good and can only get better" sounds like Olowokandi to me,or one of MANY reaches where a team ASSUMED a guy would want to eventually play D,or a Big bruiser would want to grab a rebound or a real speedster would have a clue on D,eventually. Marvin and Taft get talked about as top 10-and it's mainly a beauty contest. Taft LOOKS like power in the paint...but his game skills are minimal and his lack of progress has to be a red flag. Marvin appears to have the package but his effort on D is poor and his rebound philosophy is to just hope the ball comes his way. A power body means little if you have no desire and skills in traffic. The Euros are even more questionable. I heard people ASSUME Martynas A or Petro would come in and dominate. Based on what? WHAT? Martynas' has far less ability than MANY big men who will be lucky to be drafted. Just being tall ain't enough...check out Shawn Bradley. Vargas? Had he got his mediocre stats at DUKE,he would be on nobody's mock..and he's 22,not HS age,so what says he gets better? What if Taft,like Diop,does not seem to learn well,or put out effort? He may stick a few years as a sub and then join others who got picked high despite poor production. Villanueva has improved,at least puts effort into all parts of the game,though he is inconsistant still. A guy like D Jones who ranked in the top 5 in shotblocks and rebounds,and is 6-11 has a foundation of 2 valuable skills that are already NBA level. Rebounding over the decades,has been an indicator of willingness to work,to battle,to develop a skill that lacks the flash of a circus slam....but is essential to winning. The main point of a big is to be a shotblock threat and a rebounder,so the POTENTIAL is that he IS able and can build on that. The project part is to improve his offense,and maybe you get a Ben Wallace with a low pick.
