2011 Draft Prospect Thread

[doc.end]

I kind of promised to post some info about Euros. Well I don't really follow european basketball but being Czech I'm gonna be able to provide some info about Veselý at least. I thought I would post once another article about him appears in czech newspapers but there hasn't any since. I guess prior to draft there would be something to post at least. So pretty much nothing to update, just some footage to get a glimpse of what kind of players he is. Right now he wouldn't make much sense for Bobcats fitting in wise, if we start sort of a rebuilding that might be another story. He is a 6-11 240 Forward, more of a SF.

- mix from NT games (this one is on nbadraft.net, so some ofyou might have already seen it)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zlB5w08_Es[/youtube]
- mix (NT, Adriatic Legue, Euroleague, frienldy against Suns etc.)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KxIxIsL2rE[/youtube]
- another mix footage
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwrpamtFJTQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/youtube]
- this is just footage from one Euroleague game against Barcelona, might be more handy then all those highlight mixes
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbFCA3lb09s&feature=related[/youtube]
- this is a kind of highlights summary from Partizan - Olympiakos 2010 Final Four game, this is not aclip about him, but here he is shown doing other things than dunks and hustle plays, mainly court vison and passing ability (notice he is often the one inbounding the ball)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxrYD2NugnU[/youtube]
- mix (pretty much the same footage as in those above, but many times from different angles (and with better music .) )
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xMky_RSRNM&feature=related[/youtube]
- another one footage, Adriatic league; fine example of transition game and his quickness
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru525wpe9sY&feature=related[/youtube]
- his "official" TOP5 Euroleague plays last year, pretty much posted this for 04 - inbounding play alleyoop assist
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNV9Syn9yS4&feature=fvw[/youtube]
- more of a rarity than useful footage - 3 on 3 crunch time play - cause all other players were send off after major brawl (if you want to see the brawl, it is there on youtube as a response to this video - he is trying to be a peacemaker (No.24) with a result of lsoing two teeth)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4KirUIObgs[/youtube]

[penquin11]

Euro prospects give me the willies, I just cannot get a read on them normally. I would like the Cats to avoid drafting Euros until they are better....

[BigSlam]

Looking forward to watching some more Sullinger Vs the Game Cocks.

I'd LOVE to see Sullinger shot some jump shots (because I haven't seen him take a single one yet) and also gets some points off the pick and roll today.

[BigSlam]

Sullinger is so very legit.

[doc.end]

Well, in case of Veselý I can only try not to be biased (so I am more than willing to hear your opinions). He is probably not a safe pick as he doesn't have a clear NBA position, on the other hand he has tremendous potantial and can create mismatches. A bit of a hit or miss.

What I forget is that he is under contract till 2013. So that means he would prtobably stay in Europe another year (well, in case of blackout that's unimportatnt), not sure about 2012/2013, Partizan, his team is economically a Cinderella of european teams, maybe buyout would not be out of question.
The beauty of letting him play in Europe till 2013 in case Bobcats would choose him could be being able to continue to suck even more in case of rebuilding thus avoiding sending that pick to Bulls (moreover if there is no 2012 draft which may happen). But I still think they he and Tyrus may be a little bit too similar to work as a forward duo.

I guess I am better to be prepared to become a fan of another team in addition to Bobcats:) Till the T-Will trade I thought he could fit the Rockets. He is projected somewhat lower than last year - both him and his team started slowly, they lost several players and their legendary coach and it shows.

[penquin11]

Just my Type
Penquin11's Scouting Reports:

Derrick Williams: I have said it many times and will say it again, this kid is gold, wait no better he is platinum... He has unique abilities on both sides of the ball that make him an elite player in college ball, furthermore he has shown a high basketball IQ in changing up his strategies and improving his play over time. He is efficient, deadly, and a leader.....


Jared Sullinger: Entering this college season many thought of him as a great defensive player who would struggle on offense.... They couldnt have been more mistaken about his offensive abilities, as he has repetitively come through on offense. However his defense and rebounding skills are what push him over the top of other prospects, as he already has an elite knack for rebounding and a great mindset for defending both the perimeter and in the paint. While his leadership qualities can at times be questioned or even lead to awkward situations, it is mainly because of his lack of experience and young age. Jared has tremendous upside and should contribute to whatever NBA team he lands on from the get-go.

Aaric Murriac: After a intriguing month or so of play I have recently found myself down on AM, as he is very inconsistent on offense and has struggled in many of his teams big games. This has lead me to the conclusion that he is a sleeper, but does have a relatively large amount of potential. He will be a wonderful 2nd round pick for any team needing a defensively solid Center who needs time to develop.

Kemba Walker: AI was doubted when he was drafted, Walker will be too. While Walker will probably not have the same impact as AI did in his first year, Walker does have the potential to do so down the stretch. In order for walker to be a sucessful player in the NBA he must learn to distribute the ball when a good shot is not available, as with increased D in the NBA he will no longer be able to get away with some of the more risky shots he now takes.. Overall Walker has alot of upside and downside, once again it is hard to read a player like Walker due to their type of play, however if somehow he does fullfill the promises that his college performaces have brough, then AI will no longer be one of the only scoring PG's to have sucess in the NBA....

Terrence Jones: Could it get any better? A SF who can score, pass, rebound, and defend? How about adding on Jones's young age and raw talent. This kid has the makings of a GREAT player, one who will shadow Durant, except with better shot selection early on in his career. Jones has the ability to score 20 ppg and 7 rpg in his rookie season.... Needless to say he has incredible upside.

Kyrie Irving: He is not a pure PG, not a scoring PG, nor is he a first step or defensive PG. Rather Irving has shown a that he is a jack of all trades, he can score on you inside with sweet layup skills, can shoot from outside like a sniper, can defend with Rondo like perseverance, and can lead with an almost un-equaled sense responsibility.... This man is a lock for the first pick of the NBA draft regardless if he is injured or not..... He also posses incredible Upside and has the ability to score 18ppg and 8 apg right out of the gates...

[penquin11]

Another Note

Josh Selby scored 21 points in his first game.

[BigSlam]

Getting my first look at Derrick Williams as the Wildcats take on the Wolfpack.

[penquin11]

DWill killed it on D, held CJ Leslie to 2pts on 14 shots XD, DWill had 2 blks, 1stl, 5reb, 22pts....

[BigSlam]

He sort of reminded me of LMA when LMA was at Texas.

Williams, like LMA, runs the court SO well and SO hard but he really isn't rewarded by his point guard by getting the ball to him. The one time he did he put down a pretty sick alley oop - which was more Williams than anything because the pass was late and horrible yet Williams still went up, got it and threw it down.

Based on yesterday's game it's easy to see why his FG% is so high - he pretty much got all of his points (other than getting to the line - which he did very well) by roaming the baseline, getting drop off passes and throwing down dunks!

I like Sullinger more. A LOT more, but there are some likeable things about Williams and I can see why you are high on him.

[penquin11]

He sort of reminded me of LMA when LMA was at Texas.

Williams, like LMA, runs the court SO well and SO hard but he really isn't rewarded by his point guard by getting the ball to him. The one time he did he put down a pretty sick alley oop - which was more Williams than anything because the pass was late and horrible yet Williams still went up, got it and threw it down.

Based on yesterday's game it's easy to see why his FG% is so high - he pretty much got all of his points (other than getting to the line - which he did very well) by roaming the baseline, getting drop off passes and throwing down dunks!

I like Sullinger more. A LOT more, but there are some likeable things about Williams and I can see why you are high on him.

Im high on him because when he has to make a difficult shot he can and does, he is playing with a team that without him is sub-par at best. Also last night he stuck to the baseline like glue because he could, NC State couldnt guard him at all, and oddly enough DWills worst game this season came against a team that is much beter at guarding the perimeter than the inside, I believe that if D Will was put on a team with a better PG then he would get more opportunities to shine... The one game that showed evidence of this was the Kansas game. Either way I have watched both Sullinger and Williams and have come to the conclusion that they are two very different players in two very different situations. Even without sullinger Ohio State is a top 10 or top 15 team, meanwhile at Zona without Williams they wouldnt even be on the radar. While DWill needs to improve his perimeter offense, his mid range game is surprisingly good (despite not being showcased often) and his inside game is ridiculously good, either way I believe both Sullinger and DWill will end up being great players, however after watching williams do what he can do in the best situation I prefer him. I will wait to see Sullinger in a clutch matchup, one in which his team is the worse of the two in the matchup. DWill passed this test (several times) especially against Kansas in which up until the moment he was pulled from the game he had kept Zona within 2 points of Kansas...... We shall see...

[BigSlam]

I didn't see him make any difficult shots yesterday. In fact, I didn't really see him create any offense for himself at all - short of making cuts.

He doesn't strike me as a very good rebounder - at least not a positional rebounder. He relies on his length and athletic ability which leaves him a little short changed in the rebound cat because he isn't really taking up space.

No doubt the playing styles of Sullinger and Williams are different - in fact you probably couldn't find two guys more different. Agreed they are both good though. It's a pity you couldn't mash the two guys together to make one. Then you'd have a pretty special player on your hands!!

I actually wonder if Willimas might end up playing some SF in the NBA? His long, rangy, athletic ability reminds me a little of Thad Young.

One thing is for sure, the top 10 or so in this upcoming draft is looking stronger and stronger.

[penquin11]

I didn't see him make any difficult shots yesterday. In fact, I didn't really see him create any offense for himself at all - short of making cuts.

He doesn't strike me as a very good rebounder - at least not a positional rebounder. He relies on his length and athletic ability which leaves him a little short changed in the rebound cat because he isn't really taking up space.

No doubt the playing styles of Sullinger and Williams are different - in fact you probably couldn't find two guys more different. Agreed they are both good though. It's a pity you couldn't mash the two guys together to make one. Then you'd have a pretty special player on your hands!!

I actually wonder if Willimas might end up playing some SF in the NBA? His long, rangy, athletic ability reminds me a little of Thad Young.

One thing is for sure, the top 10 or so in this upcoming draft is looking stronger and stronger.

I was pretty sure that Williams would play SF, his skills are MUCH more suited for that position. Sullinger is a much better rebounder then Williams, both guard well, and both can score well. Oddly enough after watching film from the NC State Game I know what you mean in saying that he didnt create offense, it sort of reminds me of watching a Larry Brown system in which the PG simply dumps off the ball, not spectacularly, to a player and the said player shoots. The majority of his points yesterday came at the free throw line, meaning that his talent really wasnt on display. On his rebounding skills he is hit and miss, one game he will have 11 then next 5, this is an area that he will have to improve on, his defensive abilities on the other hand are superb, especially his perimeter defense abilities. His hieght and guarding skills lead me to question why he is being played primarily at the 4, he could easily double up and play the 2 or 3 positions and provide a larger advantage for his team. However in the glimpses of talent that you do see out of him he just goes insane, doing things that are almost un-natural. His largest area of concern is that of the 3pt shot, he is super effiecient in that area becuase he doesnt really shoot 3's at all, he will play the mid game if he needs too, and can dominate from the mid range at any given time. At times I get the feeling that DWill is being put into a system player role rather then a star player role, the difference being that DWill is largely held back by his coach in several areas. In the majority of the games he has played he has lit it up while taking a minimal number of shots, including in the BYU game, in which he only managed some odd 9 shots, I can only imagine what DWills numbers would look like if he were allowed to shoot up say 15-25 shots or more a game.
Notes: I like DWill at SF where he will have a size and strength advantage over others, he has good speed and a surplus of athletism to cover nba SF's, in sticking him into a PF role he is essentially being demoted, both offensively (where he would be covered by those taller ) and defensively (mainly would have to D in the paint, whereas he is an excellent perimeter guard). DWill would suceed the most on a team like that of the Magic, a team that has good 3pt shooters and a good inside presence, where DWill could help the most. Another team that is made for him is that of the Blazers, their half court designs are literally made for a player such as DWill. Currently DWill would NOT fit the bobcats, as while he is a strong leader and a good player LB runs the game too slow (similar to Zona) and would ultimately sabotage Williams development. The good thing about DWill is that he seems to learn very quickly, and improve quickly. Also when given the chance to shine he will, even to extrodinary standards. Right now he is a Diamond in the rough, but one that will be HUGE if all goes well. He is at the same station of development in skill as a player such as Demar Derozan, where while he is extemely athletic, he is just learning how to use his body to his advantage.
Conclusion: Player Comparison DWill is similar to Demar Derozan offensively and similar to Danny Granger Defensively.

[debo23]

I kind of promised to post some info about Euros. Well I don't really follow european basketball but being Czech I'm gonna be able to provide some info about Veselý at least. I thought I would post once another article about him appears in czech newspapers but there hasn't any since. I guess prior to draft there would be something to post at least. So pretty much nothing to update, just some footage to get a glimpse of what kind of players he is. Right now he wouldn't make much sense for Bobcats fitting in wise, if we start sort of a rebuilding that might be another story. He is a 6-11 240 Forward, more of a SF.

This guy is the adam morrison of euroleague...

[penquin11]

Draft Predictions

1st Pick: Perry Jones (if Kyrie Irving doesn't join the draft)

Bobcats Pick Number: 7 or 10

Bobcats Pick: Kemba Walker or Alec Burks

Rookie of the Year: either Jared Sullinger or Terrence Jones

The Guy Everyone Should have grabbed: Alec Burks

The Guy who immediately becomes a good sixth man: Jujuan Johnshon

Most Potential: Terrence Jones, Perry Jones, or Alec Burks....

Roughest Rookie Year: Harrison Barnes

Team WIth Best Late Round Pick: Mavericks with Aaric Murray

The Highlight-Reel man: Josh Shelby or Derrick Williams
___________________________________________________________________________________________
A Guy Im now huge on is Alec Burks, and boy does he deserve it! He has good size at 6-6 for a SG, and is a GREAT athlete, as well as a offensive excellence......

[BigSlam]

Dude - what's with the massive letters???????

[ohara]

Sullinger is so fun to watch. Really a good young player with tremendous upside.

[BigSlam]

Sullinger is so fun to watch. Really a good young player with tremendous upside.

Agreed ohara. His style of play is fun and I really like his demeanor as well. His demeanor reminds me of Chris Bosh - which is a good thing.

I keep reading that Sullinger has a jump shot, but I have yet to see him take a single jump shot all season, and I have seen him play 6 games now. He REALLY has to show he has a 15 footer IMO.

[ohara]

What is really eating at me is the dilemma we may face if we stay Lottery bound. Sullinger is 6'9 and 260 lbs. Tremendous young PF who as a FR is scoring 17.5 pts and grabbing 10.1 reb per game. Seems to play with a great intensity and also a respectable BBIQ. But that is the one position we are set at right now with Diaw and TT. If we dont make any trades, then I cannot see spending a Lottery pick on a position already 2 deep. But if he is there and we have the pick, how do you let him pass by? This would all be moot if we end up trading Diaw over the next few weeks. Because no matter how much money we are paying TT, I would still draft Sullinger as long as either Diaw or TT were gone.

[penquin11]

What is really eating at me is the dilemma we may face if we stay Lottery bound. Sullinger is 6'9 and 260 lbs. Tremendous young PF who as a FR is scoring 17.5 pts and grabbing 10.1 reb per game. Seems to play with a great intensity and also a respectable BBIQ. But that is the one position we are set at right now with Diaw and TT. If we dont make any trades, then I cannot see spending a Lottery pick on a position already 2 deep. But if he is there and we have the pick, how do you let him pass by? This would all be moot if we end up trading Diaw over the next few weeks. Because no matter how much money we are paying TT, I would still draft Sullinger as long as either Diaw or TT were gone.

Well to be honest that is why we need to draft either a SG, and trade away Jax to get a C and a PG (such as the Mayo-Thabeet Deal) and pick up Alec Burks, he is a monster and could one day lead the league in points. Look into this guy, he was the 2009 Gatorade Player of the Year, he was lastone of last highest scoring freshmen, he has made Colorado a competitive team, and he can play well on all 3 levels of offense (long, med, close). He is 6'6 so he is tall enough to defend, and he plays the game of basketball with good efficiency. He would be a good grab for us.... A great grab at 10 actually, and yet he should be available there because he plays for a less known team. Even if we were to have the first pick of the draft he would still be in the discussion..... He sort of reminds me of TWill..... Great player, outstanding prospect....