With the NBA draft looming, it's time to discuss some of the more talented prospects of this year's crop. There are a few guys that can help some of these NBA teams immediately. But, I must say this year's draft is one of the weaker drafts in my memory. Not an overabundance of talent here this year and many teams may be looking to make some trades to prepare for drafts in the future. With that said here we go.
Blake Griffin
First of all, you have to be a stud to have a picture like this. You dunk backwards, hang on the rim and point? Probably the most hip picture of the year. The Kid has the entire package. He has a decent face up, he can post up and handle the ball off the dribble. He is an outstanding athlete with great hands and incredible footwork. The kid has a work ethic that is unmatched and I feel as most he will be a star from Day 1 as he averaged 28.5 point per game this past year. The only issue is......he's going to the Clippers. The Clippers are the graveyard of the NBA. It's so easy to become a nobody when being drafted by the Clippers. They are not only the worst franchise in NBA history, but maybe the worst franchise in sports history. This is the only thing that worries me about Griffin. The most difficult thing he may encounter in his NBA career is trying to get past the bouncer at the front door of any club in Los Angeles. Once they find out he's a Clipper, he might as well turn around and go home.
HASHEEM THABEET
Defensively he will impact the NBA the day he arrives. His is an eraser, a deleter, a shot blocking machine. He averaged 4.2 blocked shots per game finishing 2nd in the country. He has improved with his ability to catch and finish with authority in the paint. He has improved his footwork. But Thabeet, who only begin playing basketball at 15 years old, has a long way to go on the offensive end. He is mechanical with the basketball and may not be an offensive threat in the post immediately. He also disappeared in a few Big East Conference games this year when I covered him. But, the kid is a 7ft. 4 inches tall and all the deficiencies in the world can't outweigh that. The Memphis Grizzlies may be looking to take him with the 2nd pick even though he cancelled a workout with them citing a shoulder injury.
Ricky Rubio
The dude's basketball IQ is off the charts. He has already played professional ball in Europe and understands how to play the team game. He is probably the best passer in the draft and has played in the Olympics so he wouldn't be in awe of NBA competition. Was a defensive force in those same Olympics picking the pockets of a few NBA stars. There is still a possibility he may be the #2 pick, but it is slim chance as Rubio has voiced that he doesn't want to play in Memphis. Hell, who does Ricky? All joke's aside, Rubio's ability to run a team and adjust to his teammates are positives for him. But he does has a few negatives. His strength, for one must improve. This is not the Euroleague and guys are much bigger and faster here in the States. Those touch fouls on the perimeter will not be called here. The second negative is that Rubio has had problems getting out of his contract with his Spanish team DKV Jovenaut and that may scare some NBA teams away. Rubio may decide to stay in Spain and finish his contract out as coming to the NBA he may lose lots of money. The final negative are the moves that his management team have made. Rubio refused to work out for Memphis and didn't work out for Sacramento, who has #4 pick, last week because of illness they say. This may cause him to slip in the draft. Sources say that Rubio did work out yesterday for Sacramento but was alone, which didn't allow him to be seen in competition with other fellow draft prospects.
Stephen Curry
If you're looking for a weakness on offense, save yourself the trouble because the kid has none. He is a tremendous shooter just like his dad was. His dad had the purest form I ever saw. His son is not far off. He is elusive off the dribble and his ability to move without the ball and use screens is the most refreshing thing I have seen in basketball in a long time. Never seems to get rattled on the court and showed us that he is a very underrated passer. On defense however, is where he can get murdered. His is very frail and may get abused down on the block. Obviously he has to get stronger but he has a tremendous upside. Don't be surprised if the kid goes as high as #3 in the draft to Oklahoma City. But likely will land at #6 to the Timberwolves. Again, on offense Curry is complete. The only other thing that he may need to add to his game is a mustache.
James Harden
I don't know a lot about Harden as he plays in the PAC-10 and I am a east coast guy. But I do know he was the Conference Player of The Year and is one of the most complete players in the draft. Harden is not flashy at all, but can do just about everything. He is respected for his efficiency and his ability to score the basketball. He can shoot it, create his own shot and already has an NBA body at 6-5, 220 lbs. He is a really safe pick in this NBA draft. You know what you are getting. Look for him to be gone in the first five picks. No way he slips past the 7th or 8th pick.
Tyreke Evans
The dude's handle is sick. He's from Chester, Pennsylvania, one of the lesser known hoods in America, and is tough. Not trying to be a hater, but for some reason I've never liked his game. He can get to the basket with the best of them. Very strong and physical guard at 6-5, 22o pounds. Can really be a problem for smaller guards. Rumor has it he assassinated Stephen Curry and Johnny Flynn in one-on-one drills at a Sacramento Kings workout. But Evans loves to keep the ball in his hands and seems to over-dribble sometimes. Not a great shooter yet and would need to improve that to become a good NBA point guard. But the physical tools are there. Sacramento is in real need of a point guard and being that Rubio didn't make the workout, they may take Evans at #4. Strong possibility.
Johnny Flynn
Hands down my favorite player in this year's NBA draft and the one I am most familiar with. Has probably helped himself more than any player in the NBA draft during his workouts for different teams. Flynn is a born leader and very charismatic. Always seems to enjoy playing and competes with the best of them. Very athletic and explosive and if you don't believe me then watch this clip here. Flynn has deep range from beyond the arc and is very explosive off the dribble. Can also play a lot of minutes as he averaged 37.3 mpg for Syracuse last year while playing 67 minutes in the classic six overtime game vs. UCONN that I saw in person while calling on the radio. The only drawback for Flynn may be his size at 6-foot which may be generous. But his heart and his athletic ability may make up for his lack of extra inches. The Kings really like Flynn and may draft him as high as #4 if they don't take Evans. Flynn is working out today for the NJ Nets and could go there at #11 pick as well or maybe even #10 to the Bucks who also need a point guard.
Brandon Jennings
First and foremost I have the utmost respect for any young player that respects the past and goes with the old school high top fade! The kid must have heart to pull that one off. He's also a trailblazer becoming the first kid to leave high school and go over to play professionally in Europe. His season was by far not a success. But none of that matters as being a former Euroleague player I understand how crazy it can be for an American player across the waters. Jennings may have the most foot speed of any player in the NBA draft. Coast to coast he is a blur and is phenomenal in the open court with the basketball. With that said, his decision making and outside shooting is questionable as well as his defense. Out of all the point guards he may have the most natural talents and abilities, but in the NBA that is only one side of the coin. A very difficult prospect to decipher. The Knicks like him, and the Bucks could use him, but with Curry, Flynn, Rubio, Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague all in the draft I wouldn't be surprised if he slipped out of the lottery. And yet, I would be surprised if he went in the top 5 picks. That is how much of an enigma he is.
Gerald Henderson, Earl Clark and Terrence Williams
It's weird but these three guys are all the same player but in some areas very different. Henderson is probably the best shooter out of the bunch. Clark, has the most upside as he is 6-10 and can do a little bit of everything. Williams, I would say is the most NBA ready, most well rounded and the toughest out of the bunch. I've seen Williams affect a lot of Big East basketball games without even scoring the basketball. I think he would be the most mentally ready to go in and contribute right away. Clark I feel may end up the best player out of these three. Reminds me of Lamar Odom with more speed off the dribble, but Clark can sometimes get punked into shooting jump shots and disappear for long stretches. Henderson, for some reason reminds me of a poor man's Kobe Bryant. He can hit acrobatic shots, fadeaways and has a nice mid-range pull up game. Not sure about how much "dog" he has in him though. Williams and Henderson, rumor has it, are fighting to be picked at the 12th slot by Charlotte. Right now Williams is in the lead.
Dejuan Blair
The biggest beast in the draft. This guy is a straight bully. One of the best offensive rebounders I've ever seen. They say he's undersized, they wonder if he can score in the NBA. Let me tell you this, Blair will get it done. Outside of Johnny Flynn I don't know if there is anyone else in the draft that can match his passion when playing. If you don't think he can score against bigger guys you want want to check out this box score which shows what he did to Hasheem Thabeet the best shot blocker in the draft. Don't forget to check out what Thabeet did not do that game. Blair is only 6-7 but has the wing span of a 7-2 player. Think of a better, nastier, more athletic Glen Big Baby Davis who plays for the Celtics. Also, Blair has lost about 15 lbs since the season, which makes him even more scary. He could be the lowest drafted rookie of the year ever.
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN THE DRAFT
Sam Young. He's what you call an athletic freak. I have him here because I have seen him abuse people for two years in the Big East Conference, the best conference in college basketball. Night in and night out this guy showed up and scored the basketball. He is physical and has an NBA ready body. I really feel he can show up, play right away and be a factor on any team in the NBA. Don't be surprised if this dude is the surprise player of the draft. By the way, he has the most deceiving pump fake I ever seen in basketball. Young has the look of a grown man. I haven't seen anyone, outside of Greg Oden, look like a 40 year old man playing college ball.
MOST OVERRATED PLAYER IN THE DRAFT
Jrue Holiday. Not really impressive to me. Not truly a point guard. Not really a two guard. More of a tweener, the worst label you can get in the NBA. Hasn't performed well in many workouts with NBA teams and lacks confidence sometimes. A lack of confidence is not something you don't want to carry with you to the NBA. The sharks will be in the water waiting to feed on you.
BEST SHOOTER IN DRAFT
Stephen Curry. Dad's name is Del Curry. Enough said.
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER IN DRAFT
Terrence Williams. He could guard p0sitions 1 through 4 in college. In the NBA I think he can guard the point, shooting guard and small forward positions. If you're in a bind you can put him in and let him attempt to guard the power forward, that's how much heart this kid has. Brings intensity every night. He is afraid of nothing. Outside of Hasheem Thabeet, no player will be more valuable on the defensive end.
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