<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK ? Though he committed a key foul late in his team's loss in the Jordan Classic at Madison Square Garden last night, Martell Webster likely did more than enough to increase his stock in the eyes of NBA scouts and executives. Webster, the 6-foot-7 forward from Seattle Prep who is contemplating making the jump to the NBA, scored 22 points in the White team's 127-126 loss to the Gray team. Micah Downs of Juanita High School scored 11 points for the White team and Jon Brockman of Snohomish scored four. The fact that Webster committed a bad foul that helped the Gray team erase a three-point deficit in the final 14 seconds did not diminish his performance. "We came up a little short," Webster said as he stood outside the visiting-team locker room at the Garden, "but it's still a memory, still an experience." Being drafted by an NBA team would be the ultimate experience for Webster, who has committed to Washington along with Brockman. Webster said he's still "on that balance beam" between college and the NBA, but some believe the decision might be pretty easy for him. High-school talent evaluator Tom Konchalski thinks Webster has plenty of tools to be drafted. "He's so strong and he can really shoot," Konchalski said. "But most importantly, he has a mature understanding of the game." Since it is hard to determine where a player might be selected, Webster is relying on his uncle, Henry Morton, to help him gauge exactly where he might go before he makes his decision. He has until May 14 to declare. </div> Source
He scored 22 points, which proves he can shoot, but as far as the mature understanding of the game, well that's not as well proven. If he does declare, I'm sure he'll get drafted and get an adequate contract, but from the looks of it, he's far off in terms of readiness to play in the NBA.
The few times I've seen him play he's really impressed me. He's got an NBA body, that's for sure, and that isn't something you can often say about these high school kids. He needs to develop his shot some more, his range. But I think he'll be one heck of a player in the NBA. Plus, he's a wing, which means that he would prolly be able to play pretty quickly in the NBA, instead of rotting on the pine like so many prep kids do.
I definitely agree that his body is ready, as he's got a thick build, much like LeBron did when he declared and won't have a problem there. I didn't think his shot was too bad actually, at least when he was open, it was pretty quick and though it could use more consistency, it was certainly mechnically sound. But, I'm not sure if he can really be a good guard, because he lacks the ability to control the ball well enough, and I'd be wary of him driving to the hole against an NBA caliber defender. He might be able to get away with it because he doesn't need to get to the hole everytime as he's got great skill making pull up jumpers, but he'll have trouble once again against taller opposition. From what I saw, he makes his living outside, and it could be because he can't drive well enough despite being a good finisher. He'd be one of the top guards of the draft if he can show those guard qualities before the draft, but right now he's more suited to a SF spot, and there are small forwards that I'd take ahead of him. Maybe I'm just being too picky, and if he can get some guaranteed money, it would be in his personal best interest to declare now rather than take the risk of going undrafted later on. If he stayed in school, he could at least work on his handle and passing skills and get some good playtime to ensure he'd learn some of those fundamentals. I'd compare him right now to a poor man's Quentin Richardson.
Probably defense has to be the biggest concern of his. I agree with Zhone, he sounds like Qrich based on what we've seen and the scouting reports of his earlier games.
Aside from Green,likely the HS guy most apt to go first round. Several interesting HS guys have not be talked about as expected to enter,and someone is sure to surprise everyone,enter,and get picked. With questions about an age limit,some HS guys may jump even though they have no round 1 hopes
How is Martell Webster's defense? I haven't been able to get ahold of any of his team games or see him in a non "all-star situation". Are there any concerns there?
It's tough in a high school situation where defense is incredibly different than the pro game. There are videos of him on pay websites, but they won't reveal much about his defense other than he has a lot to work on guarding perimeter players. All scouts have to go on is his potential - will he be an ok defender? If he's going to be on the perimeter mostly, how he rates will be based on basketball IQ, lateral quickness, and good hands. Martell probably has ok physical tools for guarding inside, but he still waits too much for the drives and isn't a stopper.
From everything I've seen of and heard from scouts on this kid, a QRICH comparison is as real as it gets, except on one level. Rebounding. Richardson, if you remember, was a beast on the boards in both HS and at DePaul (10/game) until he got to the NBA. His rebounds per game were'nt too bad either when in LA, but since coming to Phoenix, he has so stopped getting to the pain it's scary. He used to drive hard, finish, rebound and get nasty, and now he has abandoned that part of his game, although, not many boards to nab on that team, not too many missed shots! but Webster is a physical specimen. His body is very LeBron and Q like. His shot is very very accurate and his future ability to shoot the ball in the NBA is amazing. He can be tought to drive more, create fouls and get to the line, his defense on the other hand has SERIOUS questions!
Guys get noticed so much more for their offense,they often learn they can focus their energy on scoring,and let the nobodies play D. When guys spend a few years in a major college program,the coach gets on them to learn and play D,but rarely does D get them the scolarship,or the chance to jump to the pros. There are thousands of players at various levels who DO bust butt on D,and quite a few are very effective. Not everyone can regularly sing a long J,go the length for a slam,but quite a few players can be good defensively by giving it maximum effort. A guy like Webster,or for that matter,quite a few guys apt to get drafted,are surely able,if willing. The big question is who will pay his dues,do all it takes to excell at all areas of the game. Those who have yet to prove such a commitment are a challenge to scouts who generally deal with measurables and stats,not abstracts and variables.
I think Webster could have a solid career. If he winds up on a team like the Bobcats he might be able to get resonable PT as he can provide instant offense for us. They can always help him improve his defense throughout the season which could benefit in the long run. Most other teams, I doubt he'll get alot of minutes his first couple years because other teams won't have as much patience as the Bobcats would.
