Lakers Workout Leon Powe

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Cal sophomore Leon Powe, who made himself available for the NBA draft last month but did not hire an agent, has an individual workout scheduled Friday with the Los Angeles Lakers. Powe also will work out for the Warriors on May 23.

Powe's unofficial guardian, Bernard Ward, said he has heard from several other teams and expects Powe to schedule more workouts. Since Powe has not hired an agent, he can decide to return to Cal if he withdraws his name from the draft by the June 18 deadline. The draft is on June 28.</div>

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One of my favorite players, he'd fit right in to the Lakers style of halfcourt basketball.

 

I'd love to see Powe here. He'd be an instant hit with the fans and he could fill the void that George would leave, and more. He can give Kobe or Lamar some rest off of the bench. If he's available at our pick, look for us to take him I think.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting philip2136:</div><div class="quote_post">can anyone post up a pic and some stats of him?</div>



20.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, .6 bpg, 49.6% FG%, 71.9 FG%

Hes a pure post scorer. Good rebounder at the college level, fair athleticism because injuries have worn on him already. Hes about 6-7 with a 7-2 wingspan, undersized at PF but he probably cant play SF because hes too slow and has a poor jumpshot.

 

I think it's quite possible that we move up a couple of spots to get him. This guy, to me, just seems to have Lakers written all over him. He could be a perfect 6th man for us. Undersized at PF? Sure, but so is Elton Brand. I'm not comparing the two, either.

NBADRAFT.NET's profile:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[imgl]http://nbadraft.net/profiles/headshots/leon-powe-hd.jpg[/imgl]NBA Comparison: Larry Johnson

Strengths: Very talented offensive player with the ability to play back to the basket or face up ... Explosive leaping ability despite the knee injuries ... Has great quickness, and crafty at getting around defenders to the basket ... Has a nose for the basket ... Very competitive and talented player, a real difference maker on the college level ... Ball handling is very good for a big forward ... Shooting ability out to 18 feet is good ... Has great upper body strength ... Super long arms and big hands make him like a magnet grabbing loose balls ... Great motor, competes hard ...

Weaknesses: Injuries to his knees have required two major reconstructive surgeries. The fear of another knee injury is there, so proving he can remain healthy through his Junior year would help his chances of getting drafted in the first round ... He's undersized to play power forward in the NBA, but has good athleticism and long arms ... Has good speed, but looks very awkward running the court, his back is always upright, he never leans forward, and his legs don't extend fully ... Lacks the passing ability and perimeter skills to play small forward ...

Notes: Led the Pac-Ten in rebounding as a freshman, two years ago. Came into Cal rated as one of the top 5 prospects in the country.</div>

The risk for injury is there, yes, but what player isn't at risk for injury? They can happen to anybody.

 

Another player the Lakers are intrigued by is Marcus Williams out of UConn. They would have to trade up to draft him, but their scouts like his game.

Leon Powe's draft status is really up in the air. It's going to come down to how team physicians view his knees. If they are confident his knees can hold up, he could be in the lottery, if not he could go undrafted.

He also hasn't signed with an agent, so there's a chance he goes back to Cal.

If the Lakers have to trade up to get him, then who do we give up? Does it become a blockbuster trade or do we give up our pick and Mihm?

If it's the latter, I'm not sure it's the best deal to make because Mihm is a legit 7 foot center and has a very attractive contract.

A lot of different scenarios to consider.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">my question is, will he still be there at #26? </div>
I'd be surprised if hes gone by then. Hes expected to go late 1st early second so it wouldn't be a reach but most mocks have him in the 30s. He'd probably be a late lotto or mid first rounder but his past of bad injuries as well as his size have dropped his stock alot. He used to be very athletic but hes only about average right now because of all the leg problems. Right now I'd compare him to Al Harrington (less athletic and jumpshot isnt there yet) though its possible that he could be as good as SAR, its hard to predict though because he could add more strength or stay the same and use his quicks. He needs to improve his jumpshot and handle, even if he does I don't think he can convert to a SF because he runs like his shoelaces are tied together but his footwork in the post is great and hes got a good combination of quickness and power.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd be surprised if hes gone by then. Hes expected to go late 1st early second so it wouldn't be a reach but most mocks have him in the 30s. He'd probably be a late lotto or mid first rounder but his past of bad injuries as well as his size have dropped his stock alot. He used to be very athletic but hes only about average right now because of all the leg problems. Right now I'd compare him to Al Harrington (less athletic and jumpshot isnt there yet) though its possible that he could be as good as SAR, its hard to predict though because he could add more strength or stay the same and use his quicks. He needs to improve his jumpshot and handle, even if he does I don't think he can convert to a SF because he runs like his shoelaces are tied together but his footwork in the post is great and hes got a good combination of quickness and power.</div>

Al Harrington is an interesting comparison. I think Powe's handle is good enough for the NBA already, he doesn't panic in traffic and can push the ball up on a fastbreak.

I don't understand the criticism he's received for not having a jump shot (not directed at you Run BJM), because in the post is where Powe should be on offense. He's an absolute beast inside and has an NBA ready body to bang right away.

Adding a jumpshot is something Powe can develop as he gets on in his career, just like Karl Malone developed that sweet 8 footer, then extended his range to 16 feet.

What I've noticed is a lot of players develop a jumpshot and then get allergic to scoring in the post. This is why I don't understand why scouts always insist a player needs a jumpshot to make it at the next level. A jumpshot is easy enough to learn with work ethic and repetition.

Right now the big question mark are his knees, and his height (which I also don't understand).

 

Yeah, the jumpshot is overrated but its undeniably something he needs to work on. Very few undersized PFs don't have one because then its so much easier to defend them when you don't have to leave the paint. Its just something that is desired in a PF, especially an undersized one. Theres no question that he'll develop a better jumpshot its just that you'd like him to have one already, especially if so many people think he should be a SF. His handle is good for a PF but could improve (though a handle and jumpshot go hand in hand). Once he gets the mid-range jumper and a good handle he can face up, post up, drive more, get to the line more, etc. Right now all he really has is a back to the basket game which is nice but theres more to be desired. If he were more complete and didn't have so many injuries he could be a lotto pick.