Haven't watched much arizona this year, and tbh, this is only my 3rd time seeing him this year. How does he project as an NBA prospect? It's a good year for him to come out this year, really weak draft class.
I don't really believe all of the talk about a weak draft. It seems like it's a weak draft every year around the trade deadline when teams are trying to explain why it's not a big deal that they shipped their number one pick for a veteran who isn't a long term solution. I do buy into the statements that it's a weak year for shooting guards though, which is certainly bad for the Bulls. I saw someone on RealGM float that the Bulls are interested in Bogdanovic, who we saw play alongside Asik on team Turkey this past summer. I like his game, even if he's more of a swing man. As far as Williams, he dominated all facets of the game and carried Arizona in the first half. His teammates stepped up in the second half but he was the guy manning the boards. I like everything about him -- although I have only watched this game and only this game from him -- and he looks just about as NBA ready as one could possibly have hoped. He's a fluid, natural athlete with enough bulk to bang in the paint. I have seen some people call him a tweener who may play the three or four. I would say yes to both. He's creative in the post, and has the shooting range of a small forward (56% from three on the season.) I'm not thrilled by his handling ability in the open court, but in the half court he has the ability to break his man down off the dribble. Can't really say enough. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes first and is an impact rookie . . . but then again, I am not following college basketball this year like I should.
Is this draft really top-heavy? Is there really a can't-miss prospect, say, on the level Carmelo or John Wall (I didn't say Lebron just because I think we'll have to wait another 20 years--maybe never--for a chance to see someone like him)? Because I can see some of these guys being good, but i'm not sure I see one player with a ridiculous ceiling. Kyrie Irving has a shot to play like Chris Paul, but i'm still not sold on him. Maybe a tier below.
I disagree. - 2007 had Oden, Durant and to a lower extent, Al Horford which everyone predicted to be an all star. - 2008 had Rose. After seeing him at the memphis home-opener, I knew right away his combination of quickness, speed, and explosiveness were a one-in-a-million situation. - 2010 was the John Wall sweepstakes. I'm not sure I see a single-possible all star in this year's class.
The last time I heard this much chatter about a bad NBA draft was in 2002 where everyone was convinced, outside of the top 2 picks (Yao Ming & Jay Williams) the rest of the field sucked. But when you look back at that year, you see reasonably deep talent after the first 8 picks. 9. Phoenix Amare Stoudemire 6-10 240 PF HSSr. 10. Miami Caron Butler 6-7 235 SF UConn So. 20. *Toronto (via Sea, NY) Kareem Rush 6-6 214 SG Missouri Jr. *pick traded to LA Lakers 23. Detroit Tayshaun Prince 6-9 215 SF Kentucky Sr. 26. San Antonio John Salmons 6-7 200 PG/SF Miami Sr. *pick traded to Philadelphia 31. Chicago Roger Mason 6-5 201 PG/SG Virginia Jr. 35. Cleveland Carlos Boozer 6-9 258 PF Duke Jr. 42. Milwaukee Ronald Murray 6-4 190 PG/SG Shaw Sr. 46. Memphis (Orl) Matt Barnes 6-7 230 SF UCLA Sr. *pick traded to Cleveland 56. San Antonio Luis Scola 6-9 230 PF (Argentina) 1980 The talent in the low first round and early second round defined the draft, not the top two picks. As to this year, I view Derrick Williams as a can't miss prospect.
Really? He's a 6-8 PF who isn't quick enough to move to the 3. He projects to be a slightly less athletic Michael Beasley. Not sure I would call him a can't-miss.
I only saw a bit of his game but he looked like he could cover a lot of 3's to me. Lebron, Deng, Pierce, etc.
Yeah I don't think Beasley is a good comparison. Williams is much quicker even if he doesn't have an ideal handle for a three. I also think the two players differ because Beasley was gorgeously polished at facets of his game that did not translate well to the NBA; whereas Williams is less polished but has more facets that are amenable to the NBA game. Does that make sense?
Perfect sense. However, he's nowhere near quick to guard the Lebrons of this league, if you think so, you're sorely mistaken. Many suggest that he'll be a tweener at the 3/4, but I could see him settling in at the 3 if he ever develops a mid-range game. He's definitely not quick enough. A great comparison i've heard for him is a slightly more athletic Antawn Jamison (who was a tweener himself before staying at the 4). I'm still unsure of the guy. I'm not arguing won't be a decent NBA player but I just don't believe he's the transcendent talent we've seen every year from one player like John Wall, Derrick Rose, or Kevin Durant.
