VITALS: 6-7, 210, North Carolina State OVERVIEW: The 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, Hodge was just a third-team All-ACC selection this season. The senior averaged 17 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists, shooting 49 percent from the floor but just 26 percent from the arc. Hodge finished his NC State career third all-time in scoring (2,040), fourth in assists (454) and 12th in rebounds (773). LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Late first round or very early second round. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Trenton Hassell COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: George McCloud ROLE PROJECTION: Backup at both guard spots. POSITIVES: Hodge has played primarily at point guard in his college career, and as such has an excellent understanding of running an offense, how to get players in their spots, monitoring the shot clock, etc. He has the ability to take his man off the dribble and get to the basket but also is a threat to rise up and shoot the mid-range jump shot. Hodge has always been a high effort player. SHORTCOMINGS: Hodge is not a true NBA point guard. He has a little trouble keeping the small, quick point guards out of the lane and probably is better suited to the 2-guard spot defensively. However, Hodge is very thin and can be bodied around by more physical shooting guards. Hodge is one of those players who creates mismatches both ways: he's tough to guard, but it's tough for him to guard others.
You gave it to my boy Hodge hard, Hassel? heh, one of my favorite players in the draft, who will probably fall to a winning team and preform very well (like Josh Howard) I'd be happy if Knicks got Hodge at 30th, hopefully develop a 6th man role right away
The Chicago camp helped Hodge a LOT. He had more wingspan than Martynas A by several inches,had as many bench press reps as Taft,was among the fastest in the sprint. Very clutch player with great intensity. He's either a very fine player or NC State was the luckiest team in the NCAA,because they hung in there with everybody. Because his skill level is high,and he has played 3 positions he should be a standout 6th man,eventually a starter. His mix of skills,desire,athletic tools is typical of a player who keeps adding to his game. It was an injusice that mocks had him in round 2
I like Hodge's versatility...I'm more concerned about his work ethic and jump shot more than anything else...
What's he talking bout, Work ethic, have you seen Taft's work ethic? Guess not, Hodge is a player that is going to be like Josh Howard that helps a playoff contender a lot.
Hodge has a lot of work ethic,enough to learn skill sets for 3 positions,and be in shape to blow some minds in the tests at Chicago. His short-mid range J is quite good,his 3 isn't but in time might be. Bill Laimbeer became a good 3pt shooter after several years in the NBA,had no range as a college player. Hodge at least doesn't gun up a lot of 3's,unlike some NBA players who shoot 30% but think they can hit one any time. Even at #20,Hodge will prove to be a bargain.
Hodge deftiniteley is a sleeper pick. He can only get better and better espeically when Basketball becomes a full-time job for him in the NBA. Coaches like Larry Brown will love his old school style game. When Hodge becomes a veteran, he will have a good assist-to-turnover ratio.
Trenton Hassell and George McCloud?! For starters, McCloud has achieved more in the pros than Hassell has. Secondly, Hassell is a defensive specialist with a nice midrange jumper. Hodge is a tall ball handler who thrives with the ball in his hands to create, and his weaknesses are his defense and his jumpshot. Horrible comparisons.
