<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drunkballer:</div><div class="quote_post">I was just gonna say that I feel Farmar is helped a lot playing under coach Howland at UCLA. Ben Howland has a great track record with getting PG's to play "smart or flawless" basketball he really get the most out of his gaurds. I especially think of Brandin Knight in Pittsburgh as an example of a player who maximized his ability under Howland. I just worry that Farmar might not be able to translate his success to an NBA level. I just wonder if HOWLAND will become college basketball's version of Jeff tedford's college studs to NFL duds at QB'S. Anyway Im not sold on Farmar thats all, at least not as a lottery pick - too small and too streaky a shooter, also i see him being a liability defending.</div> One player means a track record? How about the point guard who preceeded Brandin Knight? If I remember correctly, they had Jeremy Holmes, one of the top point guards in the JuCo ranks, playing the point in Ben Howland's first season or two at Pitt, and he definitely didn't have a "smart or flawless" game. Besides, Brandin Knight struggled offensively at Pittsburgh to the point where he was shooting around 35% (and 50% from the line), so he was a liability in ways that Farmar is not. He also measured in under six foot at draft camps, and Farmar's every bit of 6-2 (so I don't know how you think he's too small to play the point in the NBA). I can see you making a case for Howland's style of play exaggerating Knight's abilities, because his lack of offensive abilities and his defensive shortcomings were hidden, but Knight was a "late bloomer." He wasn't highly recruited out of high school, and it took him four years to develop in college. Farmar, on the other hand, has been scouted since junior high, was named a McDonald's All-American, and was widely considered high school basketball's #1 point guard on the west coast. To add to that, Farmar's declaring for this draft as a sophomore, so it's really arguable how much influence Howland has had on his style of play to this point.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drunkballer:</div><div class="quote_post">Seems to me that there are a lot of PG’s declared for the draft who might receive a first round grade. I was just thinking since PG is one of our needs it might be worth ranking them just based on who you would like to see the raptors add to there roster: 1. Marcus Williams (loved his tourny, great playmaker) 2. Kyle Lowry (Best upside in my oppinion) 3. Randy Foye (mos mock drafts have him #1 for pg's) 4. Dee Brown (This is high for him) 5. Rajon Rondo (love his D, and speed...he can't shoot tho) 6. Daniel Gibson (good upside, question his decision making) 7. Jordan Farmar (This is low for him, i just think he is overated) NA Quincy Doby NA Guillermo Diaz I was just checking NBAdraft.net and I noticed they have this Quincy Doby pg from Rutgers going in the first r.d but to be honest I have never seen any video or really heard his name before so I left him out of my rankings. And Diaz just cause he is a shooting guard.</div> You seem to be an individual of superior intelligence! I agree based on the candidates listed, but some people feel that Darius Washington is a poor man's Baron Davis. That is simply retarded. The guy had more turnovers than assists. He needs to take his ass back to the yard and complete his college career and go to the league a winner with some major accomplishments other than saying he was a McDonalds All-American, good freshman in a now depleted Conference USA... holla back! <font color=""Red"">Please don't post in all CAPS. - Voodoo Child</font>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slpnsld23:</div><div class="quote_post">I guarantee you in 10 years Daniel Gibson will be the best of the bunch.</div> I don't know about that just yet. He did an adequate job at point guard his freshman season, but took a HUGE step back his sophomore year. It got so bad that his coach moved him over to 2-guard mid-way through the season and he never seemed to get comfortable there, either. But I think if he goes back to college and works on the skills you need to play the point guard position, then he could very well be one of the best point guard's out of this class, because he definitely has all the physical tools to develop into an all-star calibur type player.
Sophmore slump im assuming, but in his freshman year he was absolutely phenomonal. It will probably take him a couple years to develop, but eventually this guy is going to be a star
I remember at the start of the season seeing Gibson close to the top of all the mock drafts, like 4th or 5th pick. Now hes a mid 2nd rounder.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slpnsld23:</div><div class="quote_post">Sophmore slump im assuming, but in his freshman year he was absolutely phenomonal. It will probably take him a couple years to develop, but eventually this guy is going to be a star</div> I completely disagree. I can't stand Gibson's game. He's just not a point guard at all. He's a 6'0" shooting guard, and an average one at that. I'm not just hoping on the bandwagon either. Like Dunkzilla said, back in August most mocks had him as a top five pick, and I made posts on this site about how I wouldn't take him in the early second. The reason for this is his lack of any point guard abilities. He's horrible at running an offense. He can't set up his teammates worth a damn, and he looks to shoot first almost everytime down the floor; just horrible vision. His ball handling is great, which makes him a great point guard in transition play, but unless he goes to a team like the Phoenix Suns, that's pretty much a mood point. He was also exploited for his inability to defend in a zone or a press. So, basically, if you draft Gibson, you better be prepared to have a backup plan.
