The OFFICIAL Rookie impressions thread pt. II

[Han Solo]

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-trian ... tons-bench

[Han Solo]

David Thorpe: Andre Drummond ‘should have gone second in this draft’

David Thorpe of ESPN assigned superlatives to the rookie class, and Andre Drummond cleaned up:


Best shot-blocker(s): Davis and Drummond

To share this award with Davis says a lot about Drummond, considering what a special shot-blocker Davis is and will be for a decade-plus. Davis is more calculating, in part because he needs to play big minutes for his team, so risking fouls is something he has to be mindful of.

Drummond blocks more shots per minute, but he is less concerned about fouls, so he goes after more shots. Having Greg Monroe next to him helps him. It is fair to think that one day these two rooks will both be in the top four in this category in the entire league.


Best rebounder: Andre Drummond, Pistons

Some rebounders are tall and long, so they can get their hands on a lot of balls. Others have great hands, so the ball sticks when they touch it. Undersized players need a motor, along with good hands, to get to the ball and rebound. Then we have Drummond, who has combined all three components to become dominant on the glass. He has also added some craft to his art, deftly tipping the ball away from opponents to spots he can get to first. Drummond has the potential to one day lead this league in rebounding.


Biggest surprise: Drummond

Questions about his desire to play hovered around Drummond last June, as did concerns about his offensive game and feel. But it’s clear that Drummond should have gone second in this draft, which easily makes him the biggest surprise. Players like Drummond — glass-eating, shot-blocking, paint-finishing, lob-catching, quick-in-transition beasts — are exceedingly rare. He looks to be a franchise big man with very strong All-Star potential.

In a re-done draft, Anthony Davis, Drummond and Damian Lillard are definitely the first three picks. The order would probably vary based on the selector, but I’d take Davis, Drummond, Lillard in that order – and Drummond is closer to Davis than Lillard.
http://www.pistonpowered.com/2013/01/da ... his-draft/

[NO-KG-AI]

I agree with the draft order. That was actually my top 2, and Lillard would have been my number 4.

[ComboGuardCity]

My draft list back in June was as follows:

1. Davis
2. Drummond
3. MKG
4. Beal
5. Lamb
6. Barnes
7. Lillard
8. Harkless
9. Perry Jones
10. Terrance Ross

Wasn't a fan of Robinson, Waiters, or Rivers. Lillard has really surprised me the most.

[Goldtop]

found the vid of the first steal
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiX-Afe3Uug[/youtube]


the second steal on Wade was on the very next play and at the same spot.

Wade then tried to take it hard to the basket and dunk on Drummond a few plays later and Dre blocked it, and Wade hurt his hand in the process. From then on, Wade had had enough of Drummond and whenever he got the ball with Dre guarding him, he passed it off to a team almost immediately.

If Frank can start putting Drummond on guards and small forwards effectively, when we need to a stopper, thats really going to be a huge asset. I remember Big Ben was able to get out on the perimeter on guards too.

[NO-KG-AI]

Lol rivers. Whenever im come home and a game is already on, like in the second quarter, I put it on, and check the box scorr and he's almost always 0-3.

Honestly, he doesn't look like an ultra negative when I'm watching, but numbers don't lie. That's why I never trust purely the eyeball test. Rivers by eyeball looks like a young player who is struggling, but in reality, he's beyond terrible.

[Mikez1919]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVDtx1NtwvY[/youtube]

[sir G Wallace]

^^^^That is amazing. Dude is going to be a defensive monster at the very least.

[orangeparka]

Yep, wa pretty impressive. Anything he learns to do on offense will be gravy.

[sp6r=underrated]

Rivers does need to improve his FT's though. Would really put him on another level than he's at now.

What level is Austin Rivers right now?

[deepeeenn]

Incredible. Dude is special.

[GhostsOfGil]

[Side beard]

^ Lakers should watch that gazillion times.

[9abovetherim]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd3oWmofSbQ[/youtube]

[boogie-reke]

Oh my..

wow.

[Floater]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd3oWmofSbQ[/youtube]

Is it me or does it sound like, around the 14 or 15 sec mark, the announcer says, "You know what his n***** name is?"

[Dupp]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd3oWmofSbQ[/youtube]

Is it me or does it sound like, around the 14 or 15 sec mark, the announcer says, "You know what his n***** name is?"

He says "nick name"

[RebelWithACause]

How about Tony Wroten lately?

He is now the backup of Conley and getting minutes now!

Last 2 games: 10/4.5/2.0 with good defense and flashy passes and a great dunk against the Lakers!

[boogie-reke]

T-Rob with another double-double in 22 minutes, 10 pts/10 rebs.

Kid gets his shot blocked so much though lol.

[Big Jaffa]

T-Rob with another double-double in 22 minutes, 10 pts/10 rebs.

Kid gets his shot blocked so much though lol.

He's much shorter than his listed height, wouldn't be surprised if he was 6'7"