Mike Schmitz @Mike_Schmitz I really like Meyers Leonard the more I watch him. Yes he's raw but his combination of length and athleticism at that position is ridiculous
You wonder what kind of numbers he may have put up on any other team if he was the centerpiece. He was on loaded Kentucky squads both years where they spread looks around a lot. The dude is huge, but what I am most impressed by with him is the strength that he can jump with. He's doesn't wow you all that much as far as getting way above the rim but he makes it look easy dunking the ball from a standstill under the rim through contact. Crazy power. Here's some blurbs from a local beat writer about the TJ vs PJIII workout: Full article: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawaka...-iii-the-big-warriors-workout-and-interviews/ PJIII also confirmed he airballed a few shots and didn't shoot well. As for the comment from an above poster saying his agent is screwing him by having him tell people he wants to be an SF, it was very apparent all year that he doesn't like playing inside. From what I saw of him, I would never draft him thinking that one day he stops being soft as baby shit and decides to start mixing it up on the inside.
If he's going to be a stretch/soft/whateveryouwannacallit PF, he won't be a star doing it. He'll either start at PF for a shitty team or come off the bench at PF for a good team. I think he'll only develop into a star if he plays SF most of the time. I think he is a huge risk.
Agreed. I think without a doubt PJIII is going to be the most successful at the NBA level as a 2/3. Admittedly he is going to be HUGE for the position, but he just doesn't have (a) the will to be a post player and (b) anywhere near the body. If he can concentrate on continuing to improve his jumper and address those motor issues, I think he will definitely end up being a steal if picked between 8-12. A big IF though, but my gut feeling is he will. In fact, I actually think POR would be a great spot for him, as LA could really be a great role model/mentor for him and would be just the veteran PJIII would need to be around to reach his potential. A Batum/PJIII/Aldridge 2/3/4 combo would be absolutely GIANT.
Yeah, like Jeremy Lamb! [video=youtube;hh3YzzHw9P4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh3YzzHw9P4[/video]
The thing is, if he lacks the will to dominate college PFs, who he is so physically superior to, then how can you ever be confident of him being a star at any position in the NBA? Stars are tough. The playoffs are tough. If you're 6'11 235 lbs you WILL have to play PF for stretches, guaranteed. Durant, Melo, Beasley all played in the post and got double digit rebounds in college, not to mention dominated every facet of the game. You can't say that they played soft or didn't give it their all even though they had to play inside in college. Watching these combine videos, I absolutely can not fathom how a guy with that physical package averaged 0.6 blocks a game playing PF this past season. As a sophomore. I mean, it was plain to see he never gave much effort on defense, but you'd think he'd like to get on sportscenter every now and then and decide to send some 6'1 future accountant's layup into the 3rd row. Maybe someone can flick the switch on him. I personally have a hard time getting behind him.
Outside of Davis and Robinson, is there anybody in this draft who could be decribed as a "sure thing"? It seems like the only other guys who *might* be something special also come with a big risk factor. The guys some people see as "low risk" (eg Barnes and Sullinger) just don't light my fire. I have gone from eager anticipation of this draft - to a kind of dread. I'm begining to understand why some people want the Blazers to dump the picks for some "bandaid" player...even though I know that is foolish.
Mike and Mike's mock drafts are terrible! #6: Lillard -- Mike Rice wants to deal this pick for a quick-fix PG or a big. #6: Lillard -- Mike Barrett picked him over Drummond.
Buzz out of the GS workout is that neither of the Joneses stood out that much. Zeller dominated Ezeli. http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/201...y-have-proved-no-7-to-blee-too-high-for-them/ Definite potential to be a smokescreen.
huh. Guess that Nets working out MKG thing was false. ' http://www.netsdaily.com/2012/6/9/3074442/insider-no-nets-workout-for-mkg
No kiddin, the "shovel" needs to be used constantly this time of yr to wade thru all the mounds of Pure BS
Lillard could end up being Derek Rose light. Drummond could end up as Kwame Brown. I think the two are very close and could only choose after a very close inspection of both. I still like Drummond if he is around, but it is a close call.
Is this Lillard-Rose thing coming straight from the measurements? Because Dame is not even close to being as explosive as DRose. The difference is similar to Roy v Wade, where even if their numbers are similar, Wade is a much more explosive athlete. In case people have forgotten about Rose: [video=youtube;H3cUl4iO5d0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3cUl4iO5d0[/video]
From what you see on Youtube I'd compare his athletic ability to Jerryd Bayless -- Explosive but not Derrick Rose explosive.
My boy Brandon had what we call "sneaky" hops![video=youtube;xdkMuKd4GhA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdkMuKd4GhA[/video]
