Book it: Syracuse's Demetris Nichols will be the 58th player taken in the '07 NBA Draft.
Who are the best pro prospects for the June NBA Draft?
Hard to pin much down in December, seven months before the picks are made, but Apt404 wants it known that there are eight young men that seem worth separating from the rest of eligible players.
---------------------------------------
I
-- Greg Oden -- Little question he is the best center prospect in years, so we're gonna work hard to find something to question about the amazing young man from Indy. First; is he really a seven footer? Not that it makes much difference, but it looks at though he may be closer to 6-10 than 7-1, though he has fairly long arms. Another; since Oden's body is so advanced for a freshman, how much bigger and stronger can he get? He is a cinch number one pick, but the kid is playing for history. Will he be a Pat Ewing type (HOF, no titles), or a Kareem. No one knows that for sure, but we can't wait to find out.
---------------------------------------
II
-- Spencer Hawes -- More skill at 18 than any seven footer we've ever seen. But heard the dread words "past knee surgery" last night regarding Hawes. Surely it was a minor scope preseason, but those 15 letters better give anyone the heebyjeebies. Other than health, this youngster certainly must get stronger, though not bigger. He is playing at a perfect weight right now, but just needs to put more muscle on his lengthy frame. Has more ways to score than any seven footer on the planet right now. *** (Did we just write that? Yes,) But becoming a big time pro is as much mental as physical when you've got the skill that Oden and Hawes possess. And it seems as these two have what it takes. Oden's maturity and sereneness, and Hawes bloodline and passion will take them a long way.
-- Darren Collison -- Watching his Bruins take down WState at Pauley, it occurred to us that this kid is the best pg in college right now. Who's better? Dominic James is more of an "Isiah" type to Collison's "John Stockton with jets". The 6-2 Collison is a blur with large hands, a great basketball body, long arms, good jumper that he can get off against pressure, and most of all, he plays with his head up 100% of the time. That's what point guards do; look to the other 4 guys. Collison is going to be scary good. The question is when.
-----------------------------------------
III
-- Kevin Durant -- Pretty funny comment we saw online about this 6-10 freshman recently: the next KG. Just because a kid is tall, black, and damn good, they always get compared to the all time great. Durant right now is a shooter. A shooter with a nice frame and no muscle. KG was dominating at the HS all star games with his passing and running at the same age. We have yet to see Durant do anything similar. Very talented, but let's not get carried away. The roadside is littered with tall, talented young men who could shoot over college kids. DerMarr Johnson, for example. Though Durant is still lottery bound.
-- Brandan Wright -- We actually like him better than Durant, but there's a lot of work to be done. Great frame and some muscle to go with it. Can shoot up to 18 feet consistently, though a slow release. Attacks the rim with or without the ball. Quiet by nature, it looks, though. How bad is he gonna want it? Very early in the season, but Wright is real talented. Could be good. Or not.
-- Dominic James -- As mentioned, this 5-11 rock is more "Isiah" than anything. We think that's good to a point, but it's not a positive sign for a young point to think of himself first. James can carry Marquette right now, but up in the league, he can't do the same. All the skills needed for a point guard. Jump shot from miles away, speed, strength, but, as opposed to Collison, seems to play with his head down, as though he has his mind up two seconds beforehand what he's going to do. Worlds of ability, a la a young Tim Hardaway. Lottery.
---------------------------------------------
IV
-- Al Horford -- Our favorite player on the Gators. Just wants to destroy folks. Nasty disposition on the court. Not a great shotblocker or floor runner like Noah, but does everything else better. We'd take him over Noah.
-- Joakim Noah -- Simply cannot shoot the damn basketball. That means he will never ever be a bigtime scorer. Think a more explosive PJ Brown or lankier, quicker Antonio Davis. Will be very very good with the right team, but just can't shoot. Great energy and supposed to be a real fun, charismatic type. Bet he'll be a blast on West Coast trips.
---------------------------------------------
Those are our favorite eight players likely to declare. Others worth mentioning...
-- Tyler Hansborough -- Love to watch this monster play, but no way he gets away with his game at the next level. Could be a decent to solid pro power forward, but he reminds us of another hyped Carolina big, Eric Montross, who couldn't get it done offensively in the NBA. So much fun to watch, and we will tune in anytime he plays on the tube. This is the high point of his playing career, as much as that hurts to type.
-- Chase Budinger -- Tom Chambers? Sorry, he's more Danny Vranes. That's still a complement. But Chambers was huge and killed people all over the floor. Budinger seems a glider type with terrific skill and athletic ability. Can he pass? Can he create off the dribble? Remains to be seen, but he shouldn't be taken higher than mid lottery.
-- Julian Wright -- Only seen him a bit and love his energy, but the dude is short. Not a 4. Too small to be a bigtime power forward.
-- Darrell Arther -- The best prospect on Kansas team. Can do everything a 6-10 player should. By the end of the season, folks should have a good idea how good he's going to be. Could be lottery bound by Madness time.
-- Josh McRoberts -- The hype over him drives us nuts. Makes three awesome plays a night, but disappears for long stretches. Intensity is what separates the stars from the rest in The League. He doesn't have that desire to play all out all the time. Whoever takes him better be prepared for heartache.
-- Thaddeus Young -- More Duane Ferrell or Michael Wright than anything. Heavily muscled: will be get any better than he is right now? Only about 6-7, and not great quickness. Wouldn't take him too early.
-- Brandon Rush -- More athletic than Kareem and shoots better than JaRon, but not someone we see being a great small forward. Seems to play a bit mechanically, not smoothly. Could be a miss.
-- Glen Davis -- Only about 6-8. Good, not great athlete. Simply overpowers people now. A backup in the NBA. But what a young man.
-- Aaron Gray -- Wouldn't touch this kid with a first rounder for anything. Attitude of entitlement to go along with absolutely no explosion. No shot, just beats up college kids. No way, no how. Second rounder, future backup center.
-- Paul Harris -- Just throwing his name out there, because no way is he close to as good as he can be. What an athlete, quiet leader, plays so damn hard. But is he a 1, 2 or even a 3? Rooting hard for Paul Harris.
===========================
*** Ok, so you caught us. We screwed up. Kevin Garnett can score any way any how. We were on deadline.
Hard to pin much down in December, seven months before the picks are made, but Apt404 wants it known that there are eight young men that seem worth separating from the rest of eligible players.
---------------------------------------
I
-- Greg Oden -- Little question he is the best center prospect in years, so we're gonna work hard to find something to question about the amazing young man from Indy. First; is he really a seven footer? Not that it makes much difference, but it looks at though he may be closer to 6-10 than 7-1, though he has fairly long arms. Another; since Oden's body is so advanced for a freshman, how much bigger and stronger can he get? He is a cinch number one pick, but the kid is playing for history. Will he be a Pat Ewing type (HOF, no titles), or a Kareem. No one knows that for sure, but we can't wait to find out.
---------------------------------------
II
-- Spencer Hawes -- More skill at 18 than any seven footer we've ever seen. But heard the dread words "past knee surgery" last night regarding Hawes. Surely it was a minor scope preseason, but those 15 letters better give anyone the heebyjeebies. Other than health, this youngster certainly must get stronger, though not bigger. He is playing at a perfect weight right now, but just needs to put more muscle on his lengthy frame. Has more ways to score than any seven footer on the planet right now. *** (Did we just write that? Yes,) But becoming a big time pro is as much mental as physical when you've got the skill that Oden and Hawes possess. And it seems as these two have what it takes. Oden's maturity and sereneness, and Hawes bloodline and passion will take them a long way.
-- Darren Collison -- Watching his Bruins take down WState at Pauley, it occurred to us that this kid is the best pg in college right now. Who's better? Dominic James is more of an "Isiah" type to Collison's "John Stockton with jets". The 6-2 Collison is a blur with large hands, a great basketball body, long arms, good jumper that he can get off against pressure, and most of all, he plays with his head up 100% of the time. That's what point guards do; look to the other 4 guys. Collison is going to be scary good. The question is when.
-----------------------------------------
III
-- Kevin Durant -- Pretty funny comment we saw online about this 6-10 freshman recently: the next KG. Just because a kid is tall, black, and damn good, they always get compared to the all time great. Durant right now is a shooter. A shooter with a nice frame and no muscle. KG was dominating at the HS all star games with his passing and running at the same age. We have yet to see Durant do anything similar. Very talented, but let's not get carried away. The roadside is littered with tall, talented young men who could shoot over college kids. DerMarr Johnson, for example. Though Durant is still lottery bound.
-- Brandan Wright -- We actually like him better than Durant, but there's a lot of work to be done. Great frame and some muscle to go with it. Can shoot up to 18 feet consistently, though a slow release. Attacks the rim with or without the ball. Quiet by nature, it looks, though. How bad is he gonna want it? Very early in the season, but Wright is real talented. Could be good. Or not.
-- Dominic James -- As mentioned, this 5-11 rock is more "Isiah" than anything. We think that's good to a point, but it's not a positive sign for a young point to think of himself first. James can carry Marquette right now, but up in the league, he can't do the same. All the skills needed for a point guard. Jump shot from miles away, speed, strength, but, as opposed to Collison, seems to play with his head down, as though he has his mind up two seconds beforehand what he's going to do. Worlds of ability, a la a young Tim Hardaway. Lottery.
---------------------------------------------
IV
-- Al Horford -- Our favorite player on the Gators. Just wants to destroy folks. Nasty disposition on the court. Not a great shotblocker or floor runner like Noah, but does everything else better. We'd take him over Noah.
-- Joakim Noah -- Simply cannot shoot the damn basketball. That means he will never ever be a bigtime scorer. Think a more explosive PJ Brown or lankier, quicker Antonio Davis. Will be very very good with the right team, but just can't shoot. Great energy and supposed to be a real fun, charismatic type. Bet he'll be a blast on West Coast trips.
---------------------------------------------
Those are our favorite eight players likely to declare. Others worth mentioning...
-- Tyler Hansborough -- Love to watch this monster play, but no way he gets away with his game at the next level. Could be a decent to solid pro power forward, but he reminds us of another hyped Carolina big, Eric Montross, who couldn't get it done offensively in the NBA. So much fun to watch, and we will tune in anytime he plays on the tube. This is the high point of his playing career, as much as that hurts to type.
-- Chase Budinger -- Tom Chambers? Sorry, he's more Danny Vranes. That's still a complement. But Chambers was huge and killed people all over the floor. Budinger seems a glider type with terrific skill and athletic ability. Can he pass? Can he create off the dribble? Remains to be seen, but he shouldn't be taken higher than mid lottery.
-- Julian Wright -- Only seen him a bit and love his energy, but the dude is short. Not a 4. Too small to be a bigtime power forward.
-- Darrell Arther -- The best prospect on Kansas team. Can do everything a 6-10 player should. By the end of the season, folks should have a good idea how good he's going to be. Could be lottery bound by Madness time.
-- Josh McRoberts -- The hype over him drives us nuts. Makes three awesome plays a night, but disappears for long stretches. Intensity is what separates the stars from the rest in The League. He doesn't have that desire to play all out all the time. Whoever takes him better be prepared for heartache.
-- Thaddeus Young -- More Duane Ferrell or Michael Wright than anything. Heavily muscled: will be get any better than he is right now? Only about 6-7, and not great quickness. Wouldn't take him too early.
-- Brandon Rush -- More athletic than Kareem and shoots better than JaRon, but not someone we see being a great small forward. Seems to play a bit mechanically, not smoothly. Could be a miss.
-- Glen Davis -- Only about 6-8. Good, not great athlete. Simply overpowers people now. A backup in the NBA. But what a young man.
-- Aaron Gray -- Wouldn't touch this kid with a first rounder for anything. Attitude of entitlement to go along with absolutely no explosion. No shot, just beats up college kids. No way, no how. Second rounder, future backup center.
-- Paul Harris -- Just throwing his name out there, because no way is he close to as good as he can be. What an athlete, quiet leader, plays so damn hard. But is he a 1, 2 or even a 3? Rooting hard for Paul Harris.
===========================
*** Ok, so you caught us. We screwed up. Kevin Garnett can score any way any how. We were on deadline.
posted by joe sweeney at 6:18 AM
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