the benefits of losing your colonies....most of the best players in their best players are from the former colonies or have a parent that was naturalized.
I know, but I'd already heard about Blair's wingspan being pretty big. All I had really heard about Adrien was that he was undersized.
I just noticed Webster has the reach that's on par with some of the PF's in this draft. Psycho-T: 8'10" Webster: 8'10" Griffin: 8'9" Blair: 8'10.5"
Yeah was surprised about Adrien's wingspan too. I think he should at least get drafted, He seemed to work hard at UConn and he is very athletic.
I didn't see this posted anywhere else, and didn't know if it deserved it's own thread. It's nbadraft.net's comments on players from day one of the combine (Thursday?). http://www.nbadraft.net/node/6101 Also, positional rankings from last Sunday. http://www.nbadraft.net/node/5969 Yeah, it's just one site, but I thought there was some interesting info there. Sorry if it's already been posted.
I liked this quote from your 2nd link... DeJuan Blair Pittsburgh -- Appears to have concentrated on his diet and conditioning since the season ended probably dropping close to 15-20 pounds. Looked very good in the post drills hitting shots and moving well. dude came in at 6'5.25, 277 pounds STOMP
If the Blazers did draft Hansbrough, it would be as a back-up 4. He wouldn't have to guard the best 4s in the league. That would be Aldridge's job. Hansbrough would be an engery guy off the bench to back-up Aldridge for 12 minutes a game. He'd bring a lot of energy, grab some boards, score a few points. When it comes to guarding other back-up 4s he can't possibly be any worse than Channing Frye or Travis Outlaw. Altough I'd prefer a cheap, veteran back-up 4 (and there will be a lot of those avilable this summer), Hansbrough would definitely be an upgrade at the back-up 4 spot over anyone we currently have on the roster. BNM
I agree on the veteran thing (McDyess, etc.) And while I think Hansbrough will be able to provide a little bit of hustle and some energy I just don't think he has the athleticism or body to be truly effective in the NBA -- for every Paul Milsap or David Lee that beats the trend and succeeds there's probably twenty or more undersized 4s who never pan out. I honestly think Freeland would make a better 3rd string power forward than Hansbrough after the year he had in the ACB. And finally, I'll be completely honest I just don't want the guy on the team because of this.
Awesome post PtldPlatypus, I thought that was cool. I also want Blair!!! I think he is a perfect backup for LMA.
I still don't get why people consider Hansbrough undersized for a back-up NBA power forward. He's a quarter inch shorter than Blake Griffin with a wider wing span and a 1" taller standing reach. So, why aren't we hearing anyone calling Blake Griffin undersized? And while Hansbrough may not be the most athletic guy in the draft, he's not Adam Morrison bad. And, unlike Morrison, he'll be guarding back up power forwards (not exactly the thoroughbreds of the NBA), not lighning fast 2 guards. From nba.com "Tyler Hansbrough is clearly a man on a mission. Every time he touches the ball, the entire gym knows, as he takes out all of his frustrations on the rim. He's in great shape, jumping better than many of his counterparts, and also measuring out taller than most people expect him to, coming up with almost identical figures to that of Blake Griffin. You can sense that executives in the gym are starting to warm up to him more and more." Again, we're talking about a guy to bring some energy and hustle off the bench for maybe 10 - 12 MPG (eventually). We're not talking about a starter, or even a guy who will get 20+ MPG off the bench. Again, right now, the Blazers would be better off with a cheap vet power forward signing this summer. But, unless there is someone clearly better than Hansbrough available at 24, I have no problem with the Blazers taking him. There seems to be a lot of Hansbrough haters around, and I'm not sure why. Usually fans of the game appreciate guys who play hard every second they are on the floor. This is a guy who would bring more energy to the court in his first five minutes than Channing Frye has brought over the past two seasons. Besides, I want to see Hansbrough and Bayless in a staring contest. It could go on for hours as neither one would be willing to admit weakness and blink. I think the Blazers could use some more energy and intensity off the bench - especially at the back-up 4 spot. I've had enough of Channing Frye and Travis Outlaw launching jumpers from just inside the 3-point line. I want my back-up 4 mixing it up inside, not playing soft on the perimeter. There are other guys I'd rather have (Blair, McDyess, Millsap, etc.), but those guys may, or may nor be available, and the asking price may be a whole lot higher. As much as I want an upgrade at the back-up 4, it's 3rd on my list of priorities behind a better starting PG and a SF that's a reliable scoring option. If we can get someone like McDyess cheap, great, but if not I'd rather use our other assets on the PG and SF needs and address the back-up 4 role through the draft. BNM
To be honest I'm not really impressed with any of these kids in this year's draft. Griffin should be pretty good, but he's somewhat undersized at the 4. I think he'll have trouble at the defensive end of the floor. The only player that I think is "can't miss" is Thabeet and I doubt he'll be better than an average center.
I have no idea how TH will translate to the NBA - but the arguments seem to be a whole lot in the same vain as what was said about K-Love last year - and Love most certainly works in the NBA...
I was also in favor of trading up to grab Love in last year's draft. Love has a wider body and more range on his jump shot, but yes the undersized, unathletic arguments were the same as those against Hansbrough. My biggest worry with Love was that he'd eventually (if not immediately) want traded as his ego (or more accurately, his dad's ego) wouldn't allow him to be a back-up. I don't have this concern about Hansbrough. BNM
Because Hansbrough is a full 15 pounds lighter than him. He doesn't have a typical NBA PF frame. He's not strong enough to be able to bang down low with NBA 4's. I have a feeling he'll be mostly a jumpshooter in the NBA and we already have that in Frye. I'd much rather get Gani Lawal who will be in our range. If both Blair and Lawal are off the board then I have no qualms with taking Hansbrough.
Love was a lot more skilled coming into the NBA than Hansbrough. He also had an NBA frame with is wide body.
