There are something like 17 teenagers --aged 18 or 19 on Draft Night-- likely to be taken in the first round. Maybe five of them have NBA-ready bodies. So here you have a pool of physically and most likely emotionally immature players. How can there not be five disasters in that group. Here's a way to tell who is going to be a bust: --fast rising big men who did nothing in college or overseas, yet are "blessed with tremendous upside". --"the next Dirk Nowitzki", big foreign white guys who can shoot a little. --anyone referred to as "Baby Shaq", particularly if they're African. --undersized combo guards who say they can really "play a little point" if they have to. --skinny slashers without reliable jump shots..."all they need is better mechanics".
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NetIncome @ Jun 15 2008, 05:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>There are something like 17 teenagers --aged 18 or 19 on Draft Night-- likely to be taken in the first round. Maybe five of them have NBA-ready bodies. So here you have a pool of physically and most likely emotionally immature players. How can there not be five disasters in that group. Here's a way to tell who is going to be a bust: --fast rising big men who did nothing in college or overseas, yet are "blessed with tremendous upside". --"the next Dirk Nowitzki", big foreign white guys who can shoot a little. --anyone referred to as "Baby Shaq", particularly if they're African. --undersized combo guards who say they can really "play a little point" if they have to. --skinny slashers without reliable jump shots..."all they need is better mechanics".</div> Those are generally good rules to live by, but the climate of basketball really changes every year. Nothing has shown me that more than following the draft on an intense level since 2000'ish (before then I was just an NCAA/NBA fan that never tried to connect the dots). I've noticed a lot of things come into and go out of fashion based on how the league's top teams are winning ball games, how other players in draft molds have done in the past years, etc. One interesting that I've been talking about for a while, that Chad Ford recently wrote an article on, is how it evolved from being an advantage to be a foreign player to being a dissadvantage. Not only are fans skeptical because of the Milicic's and Tskitishvili's of the world, but they're also worried that players won't sign with their teams even if they are drafted, thanks to the growing global market for basketball. So based on that, I'd take the whole "the next Dirk Nowitzki" part out of your post, because that's not really a factor anymore, and if anything, it'll hurt a guy. The whole combo guard thing has been sort of dissproved with guys like Dwyane Wade, Gilbert Arenas, and Ben Gordon too. Even though the league seems to be getting taller and taller out on the wing with 6'9" players like LeBron playing the two guard, it's also strangely enough become easier for the tweener combo guards to have success on the next level, which is why I'm not writing off Eric Gordon. With that said, outside of Jordan, Speights, and McGee, I don't have any significant problems with any of the current draft prospects being projected where they are. I'd say that this year's draft has more accurate projections of talent than any in recent memory.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NetIncome @ Jun 15 2008, 06:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Here's a way to tell who is going to be a bust: --fast rising big men who did nothing in college or overseas, yet are "blessed with tremendous upside".</div> These are better than the big men that have been high on the mock drafts because they are "blessed with tremendous upside"?
I know there is talk about that this is a deep draft but i'm not really sure about that. I think that notion is based off of teams making numerous bad picks where other teams get a nice selection of leftovers instead of being 1.5 rounds deep worth of actual talent. I know we're picking at 10 but I really don't see how any player available are that much, if any, better than guys like Granger, Sean, Boone, etc we've had our choice of/picked later in other drafts. We need kids with hustle, heart, smarts, and defense. I know we're going BPA but I think everyone is such a crap shoot that we can take the BPA and watch his value plummet just as easily as watch him succeed. To me, this is one of those drafts where you find a kid you like and you pick him and not worry about what other guys do on other teams or who the mocks say you should take. I don't think the talent disparity is all that great that doing that would be a crippling move.
Joe Alexander - I'm just weary on a guy who started as a 3, then wowed everyone at the 4, and will have to go back to the 3 in the pros. WOW he has great athleticism. That means jacksh*t if you can't play ball. Deandre Jordan - I don't think anyone likes this guy or wants their team to take him. Marreese Speights - Big man who has the body, but looks like he doesn't care and would rather take jumpshots outside the paint. I want no part of that. Kosta Koufos - SO UGLY. Chase Budinger - White wing player. Bad Defense. 'Nuff said. Brook Lopez - His soft post game is not gonna be able to carry him in the pros, and he seems like a big nerd.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (reganomics813 @ Jun 15 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>To me, this is one of those drafts where you find a kid you like and you pick him and not worry about what other guys do on other teams or who the mocks say you should take. I don't think the talent disparity is all that great that doing that would be a crippling move.</div> I totally agree with this statement. I think the players projected to go 9 through around 27 are not that far apart on talent and some of the guys predicted to go 28 through about 35 could be rotation guys. The thing to worry about is overvaluing potential and size over actual talent.
Deandre Jordan - He isn't that good. Being taken based on potential and his measurements. He's buttcrack. Anthony Randolph - pwned by Donte Greene. Not that good. Overrated. Joe Alexander - He's one of those guys who's a prospect based on pure athleticism, and not much else. If I wanted that, wouldn't I just go out and sign James White? Yeah, screw em. Kevin Love - Fat white kid. Bleh. Reminds me of Donte Greene in the fact that he didn't use college as a learning experience, and didn't really take it seriously that much at all. Could've lost weight, but opted to be fat. Could've learned how to play some damn defense, but opted to be fat. Brook Lopez - supposedly a top big man prospect, but can't even shoot near 50% IN COLLEGE. Pass. Kosta Koufos - Softer than a twinkie. Although, I like twinkies. People I think are underrated: DJ White, DJ Augustin, CDR, Hibbert, Chalmers
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate @ Jun 15 2008, 01:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Chase Budinger - White wing player. Bad Defense. 'Nuff said.</div> ...Danilo Gallinari?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Jun 15 2008, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kevin Love - Fat white kid. Bleh. Reminds me of Donte Greene in the fact that he didn't use college as a learning experience, and didn't really take it seriously that much at all. Could've lost weight, but opted to be fat. Could've learned how to play some damn defense, but opted to be fat. People I think are underrated: Hibbert</div> If Love being "fat" is such a problem, then why did he have a better vertical leap (both standing and running) and lane agility than a point guard, your boy D.J. Augustin? Why did he have better athleticism measurements than all the other big men in the draft, including Anthony Randolph, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, and Darrell Arthur? And how is Hibbert underrated? The guy's got two left feet, is 'fatter' than Love, is a hell of a lot slower, and sure as hell lacks the same drive. Hibbert will be servicable, but it will be in the same way that Jake Tsakalidis is servicable.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ Jun 15 2008, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Jun 15 2008, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kevin Love - Fat white kid. Bleh. Reminds me of Donte Greene in the fact that he didn't use college as a learning experience, and didn't really take it seriously that much at all. Could've lost weight, but opted to be fat. Could've learned how to play some damn defense, but opted to be fat. People I think are underrated: Hibbert</div> If Love being "fat" is such a problem, then why did he have a better vertical leap (both standing and running) and lane agility than a point guard, your boy D.J. Augustin? Why did he have better athleticism measurements than all the other big men in the draft, including Anthony Randolph, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, and Darrell Arthur? And how is Hibbert underrated? The guy's got two left feet, is 'fatter' than Love, is a hell of a lot slower, and sure as hell lacks the same drive. Hibbert will be servicable, but it will be in the same way that Jake Tsakalidis is servicable. </div> opinions opinions
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ Jun 15 2008, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Jun 15 2008, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kevin Love - Fat white kid. Bleh. Reminds me of Donte Greene in the fact that he didn't use college as a learning experience, and didn't really take it seriously that much at all. Could've lost weight, but opted to be fat. Could've learned how to play some damn defense, but opted to be fat. People I think are underrated: Hibbert</div> If Love being "fat" is such a problem, then why did he have a better vertical leap (both standing and running) and lane agility than a point guard, your boy D.J. Augustin? Why did he have better athleticism measurements than all the other big men in the draft, including Anthony Randolph, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, and Darrell Arthur? And how is Hibbert underrated? The guy's got two left feet, is 'fatter' than Love, is a hell of a lot slower, and sure as hell lacks the same drive. Hibbert will be servicable, but it will be in the same way that Jake Tsakalidis is servicable. </div> Lazy, fat, same difference. Of course he's gonna drop the weight before the draft, that would just be a dumb move if he didn't...he's tryin to make some $$. He had better athletic measurements because he's more athletically gifted than them - but that means nothing if he doesn't put them to good use, and if those are overshadowed by his fatness (aka laziness). Hibbert is a good offensive big man, and a good banger down low. He can hit shots. What he did at Georgetown? That isn't even the half of it. They didn't use him properly at all, or as much as they should have...otherwise, a lesser Syracuse team definitely wouldn't have beaten them. Plus, his defense ain't too shabby. He is one of the better big men at both ends of the court in the draft.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Jun 16 2008, 01:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ Jun 15 2008, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Jun 15 2008, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kevin Love - Fat white kid. Bleh. Reminds me of Donte Greene in the fact that he didn't use college as a learning experience, and didn't really take it seriously that much at all. Could've lost weight, but opted to be fat. Could've learned how to play some damn defense, but opted to be fat. People I think are underrated: Hibbert</div> If Love being "fat" is such a problem, then why did he have a better vertical leap (both standing and running) and lane agility than a point guard, your boy D.J. Augustin? Why did he have better athleticism measurements than all the other big men in the draft, including Anthony Randolph, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, and Darrell Arthur? And how is Hibbert underrated? The guy's got two left feet, is 'fatter' than Love, is a hell of a lot slower, and sure as hell lacks the same drive. Hibbert will be servicable, but it will be in the same way that Jake Tsakalidis is servicable. </div> Lazy, fat, same difference. Of course he's gonna drop the weight before the draft, that would just be a dumb move if he didn't...he's tryin to make some $$. He had better athletic measurements because he's more athletically gifted than them - but that means nothing if he doesn't put them to good use, and if those are overshadowed by his fatness (aka laziness). Hibbert is a good offensive big man, and a good banger down low. He can hit shots. What he did at Georgetown? That isn't even the half of it. They didn't use him properly at all, or as much as they should have...otherwise, a lesser Syracuse team definitely wouldn't have beaten them. Plus, his defense ain't too shabby. He is one of the better big men at both ends of the court in the draft. </div> My understanding is that Hibbert's role changed this year at G-Town, but I don't remember how or why.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Jun 16 2008, 08:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>My understanding is that Hibbert's role changed this year at G-Town, but I don't remember how or why.</div> No clue either. But either way, they never used Hibbert to his full potential. He never got the ball enough, despite being a very talented offensive player in the post.
I vaguely remember reading something along the lines of that G-Town was no longer using Hibbert in the post, because of some new offensive scheme or to take advantage of the skills and weaknesses of the other players, something like that--but that Hibbert never complained and did his best to learn how to perform in his new role.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Jun 14 2008, 09:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think Brook Lopez is a role player at best. I wouldn't even be surprised if his brother has a better career due to the ridiculous expectations people have of Brook. I saw this guy play more than any other player in this draft (thanks to FOX Sports and the wonders of 10:30 starts), and I didn't see much evidence he will be worth a lottery pick in the NBA.</div> Both those players are nothing to get excited about.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Jun 16 2008, 09:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Jun 16 2008, 08:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>My understanding is that Hibbert's role changed this year at G-Town, but I don't remember how or why.</div> No clue either. But either way, they never used Hibbert to his full potential. He never got the ball enough, despite being a very talented offensive player in the post. </div> I think Jeff Green sucks, and playing with Hibbert helped make him the #5 pick in the draft.
