So far I agree. [Insert disclaimer that I don't follow NCAA.] Though there are still a few names I haven't taken the time to read anything about.
I would not use Leonard to get him. I would want them both. I think Leonard will end up working well with LMA as well. Especially at the high post. He has a decent mid range jumper (enough to keep the D honest) and he is a pretty good passer. They both would need to get better, but you need at least two centers anyway. Use the Greek to move up.
That's what I'm talking about! I wish they had more of his rejections. A friend told me that follows NCAA a lot said he is very intimidating!
Yeah, after reading a bit and then seeing this I got pretty high on Len. He plays like a man. (Though maybe it's because he's not playing against men?) I know that those video highlights should be taken with a grain of salt, but it looks like he has coordination, skills, and strength around the hoop that I always find lacking in LMA. I wonder if LMA could learn to pass from the high post? Because IF he could hit a moving player, then he MIGHT be worth keeping if we had a real man playing around the hoop.
Not to dwell too much on his passing, but can he? It would be nice to know if he had a feel for that part of the game.
The intrigue around Len begins with his outstanding physical profile. Standing 7-1, with a huge wingspan, big shoulders, and a frame that will surely fill out nicely over the next few years, Len clearly has terrific tools to work with. He's also a very good athlete for his size, as he runs the floor well, elevates off the ground quickly, and is capable of playing above the rim with ease. * * * Len did not play a very big role in Maryland's offense last season, as he sported just the fifth highest usage rate on the team, despite being their most efficient scorer. With undersized shooting guard Terrell Stoglin, who led the ACC in field goal attempts per-minute by a huge margin, being booted off the team, there will now likely be a much larger emphasis on incorporating him into the offense. Len should be able to shoulder additional playing time and a bigger role as a sophomore after a full offseason in the weight room and more practice time to develop chemistry with his teammates. With his impressive foot speed and ability to effortlessly elevate around the basket, Len was much more effective as a finisher last season than he was as a post-presence. Showing soft hands and excellent touch, he's capable of scoring with either hand inside the paint. He shows a nice basketball IQ moving the ball within the flow of the offense, sometimes with a nifty bounce pass to a cutter diving to the rim. He also has nice shooting mechanics, making a couple of mid-range jumpers last season. With that said, Len is still figuring out how to effectively use his talent on a consistent basis. His frame is simply too thin to allow him to establish and hold deep post position, and when he does catch the ball inside the paint, he doesn't always have the footwork, balance and coordination to get a good shot off, particularly in traffic. Continuing to get bigger, tougher and stronger are huge keys for his future, as will simply gaining experience on the basketball court, something he clearly sorely lacks at the moment. He turned the ball over on 25% of his possessions last year, and made just 59% of his free throw attempts, two areas scouts will want to see improvement in this season. On the other end of the floor, Len's terrific size, length and mobility give him tremendous potential on defense. He led the ACC in blocked shots per-40 minutes last season, over the likes of NBA draft picks John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Bernard James and Miles Plumlee, and averaged a solid 10 rebounds per-40p. Len has quick feet and good timing stepping out and hedging screens on the perimeter, something you usually don't see 7-1 centers do too often. His main virtue lies as a rim protector, though. He's so tall and long he often doesn't even have to leave his feet to block a shot, and he has a tremendous knack for using his wingspan to alter and reject shots around the rim. With that said, Len had his fair share of issues in many ACC contests last season, averaging nearly five fouls per-40 minutes versus in-conference competition. He didn't always have the strength, experience or toughness to deny opposing big men deep post position, not fighting hard enough early in possessions to prevent them from catching the ball with two feet in the paint. As he gets older, smarter and more physically mature, scouts will want to see him do a better job in this area. http://www.draftexpress.com
Looking at his frame - with a couple of years in an NBA training regime, adding 15-20 pounds - this guy would be an absolute beast.
We aren't going to get Alex Len. No way he drops to 10. And if we are trading up to a take a center, SMH. Would rather just get a proven one.
What "proven" one would that be? Of those that have been discussed ad nauseum, I'll just say: Not. Swayed. Taking a chance on Len or someone else in the draft would seem to be cheaper and not eat up cap space.
Walton, Bowie, and Oden are all big men who came in with injury problems and didn't have full careers. Can someone remind me what type of foot injury he has, how long he's had it, and if it is likely to plague him throughout his career??
Honest question here: What does Len have on Gorgui Dieng (besides being 3 years younger)? Here is a comparison of both players (per 40 adjusted). Dieng - 2pt 53.4%, FTpt 65.2%, Reb 11.8, A 2.5, S 1.7, B 3.2, TO 2.2, WS/40 14.0 Len - 2pt 54.4%, FTpt 68.6%, Reb 11.5, A 1.4, S 0.3, B 3.0, TO 2.3, WS/40 12.1 They are basically mirror images of each other statistically. Len shoots a little more & Dieng appears to pass a little better. I have seen Dieng play, but have not seen Len play. Based on the above stats - I would personally lean toward Dieng with a pick in the 20's over Len with a top 5 pick.
I think the thought process is because the "proven ones" that are any good are either not available or would take a lot more assets to obtain. (or money) Who besides DMC did you have your sights on?
