OT: How Many Future NBA Players on Your Fave College Team?
Posted: Wed Jan 9, 2008 7:17 pm
I'm tired obsessing about the Bulls, so I thought I'd try and happier topic. How many future NBAers do you see on your current favorite college team?
By future NBAers, I mean guys who will actually stick in the league for a few years -- not guys who might get a 10-day contract or some other brief cup of coffee. I know I'm very biased about my school, but I'm going to try and be objective (I might fail, but I'll try). I hope you'll be the same with your fave.
Anyway, as you all know, my favorite team is my alma mater: KANSAS
Future NBA Players - Locks
Brandon Rush - Has played very cautiously since returning from knee surgery (Bill Self yelled at him last night to be more aggressive and to actually shoot the ball more!) and his explosiveness has not yet fully returned, although there have been flashes of his old self. Unlike his brothers, is not a gunner -- in fact, may be TOO unselfish. Can finish at the basket and hit the outside shot and is a pretty good rebounder and defender. Is a streaky shooter to say the least.
Darrell Arthur - Very athletic big man who has a nice array of post moves and can hit the midrange jumper as well. Doesn't always work hard as a rebounder or defender. Has the ability to be a good passer, but is still a bit of a black hole when he gets the ball in the post. Runs the floor very well and has shown ability to take over a game for stretches, if not yet on a consistent enough basis
Future NBA Players - Good Chance
Mario Chalmers - Like Robinson is one of the best backcourt defenders in the nation. Is on pace to shatter his own school record for steals in a season. Yet rarely gambles, so is hardly ever out of position defensively, although can be taken off the dribble by the real quick guards. Has improved his shooting immeasurably -- is at 55% for the season, and over 48% from behind the 3-point arc. Has decent size, but is really a combo guard, not a true PG, and lacks great playmaking skills, although he has improved on his ballhandling this season. Could definitely be a 3rd or 4th guard on a NBA team
Future NBA Players - Decent Chance
Darnell Jackson - Easily the most improved player on the Jayhawks this season. Big man with a terrifi motor, especially on offense and as a rebounder. Hits the boards very hard and shows good technique in blocking out opponents. Has improved his jumper and now will shot from FT line extended with regularity. Also finishes around the basket well. Is effective in high/low game, but not a great passer. Struggles defensively with effort and lack of great lateral quickness. A little undersized for a PF.
Russell Robinson - Probably one of the best backcourt defensive players in the country (he's made Big 12 All-Defensive team each of last 2 years and always guards the opponent's best perimeter player), his chances are hurt by his size (6'1") and the fact that he isn't neither a true PG nor a good enough shooter to be a primary scoring threat. But his work ethic and defensive skills might land him a shot to make a NBA team as a 4th guard type
Sherron Collins - His size (5'11", maybe) and the fact that he isn't a true point guard work against him. Very quick with the ball in his hands and strong. Good, if streaky, perimeter shooter who also excels in the open court. Not on the level of Robinson and Chalmers as a defender, but still above average. Needs to work on his decision making and playmaking skills
Sasha Kaun - Senior big man has never quite developed as hoped. Runs the court very well but struggles to finish in the post unless he is dunking the ball (shows better than decent hops on alley oops). Good passer in high/low game, but hands are questionable when he's the one receiving the pass. Not a good enough rebounder for someone his size.
Cole Aldrich - Freshman big man doesn't get much PT right now. But he was the 3-time Defensive Player of the year in Minnesota in high school and already shows strong shot blocking and rebounding instincts. Has a very good motor and has some post moves. Doesn't appear to be overly athletic or quick.
Future NBA Players - Longshot, but Not Out of Question
Tyrell Reed - This skinny freshman, a 6'3" white boy who's a coach's son from a small town has been compared to Kirk Hinrich. He isn't anywhere near as good of a defender as Kirk, but he may be a better shooter (Kirk was a very good shooter on the college level, but as we know that hasn't translated that well to the NBA). He's buried on the bench so doesn't play enough for me to tell what kind of playmaker he is. He might not play a lot until his junior season, so it's way too soon to tell if he can become a NBA prospect. Of course, no one thought Hinrich was a probable future NBA player until his junior season...
By future NBAers, I mean guys who will actually stick in the league for a few years -- not guys who might get a 10-day contract or some other brief cup of coffee. I know I'm very biased about my school, but I'm going to try and be objective (I might fail, but I'll try). I hope you'll be the same with your fave.
Anyway, as you all know, my favorite team is my alma mater: KANSAS
Future NBA Players - Locks
Brandon Rush - Has played very cautiously since returning from knee surgery (Bill Self yelled at him last night to be more aggressive and to actually shoot the ball more!) and his explosiveness has not yet fully returned, although there have been flashes of his old self. Unlike his brothers, is not a gunner -- in fact, may be TOO unselfish. Can finish at the basket and hit the outside shot and is a pretty good rebounder and defender. Is a streaky shooter to say the least.
Darrell Arthur - Very athletic big man who has a nice array of post moves and can hit the midrange jumper as well. Doesn't always work hard as a rebounder or defender. Has the ability to be a good passer, but is still a bit of a black hole when he gets the ball in the post. Runs the floor very well and has shown ability to take over a game for stretches, if not yet on a consistent enough basis
Future NBA Players - Good Chance
Mario Chalmers - Like Robinson is one of the best backcourt defenders in the nation. Is on pace to shatter his own school record for steals in a season. Yet rarely gambles, so is hardly ever out of position defensively, although can be taken off the dribble by the real quick guards. Has improved his shooting immeasurably -- is at 55% for the season, and over 48% from behind the 3-point arc. Has decent size, but is really a combo guard, not a true PG, and lacks great playmaking skills, although he has improved on his ballhandling this season. Could definitely be a 3rd or 4th guard on a NBA team
Future NBA Players - Decent Chance
Darnell Jackson - Easily the most improved player on the Jayhawks this season. Big man with a terrifi motor, especially on offense and as a rebounder. Hits the boards very hard and shows good technique in blocking out opponents. Has improved his jumper and now will shot from FT line extended with regularity. Also finishes around the basket well. Is effective in high/low game, but not a great passer. Struggles defensively with effort and lack of great lateral quickness. A little undersized for a PF.
Russell Robinson - Probably one of the best backcourt defensive players in the country (he's made Big 12 All-Defensive team each of last 2 years and always guards the opponent's best perimeter player), his chances are hurt by his size (6'1") and the fact that he isn't neither a true PG nor a good enough shooter to be a primary scoring threat. But his work ethic and defensive skills might land him a shot to make a NBA team as a 4th guard type
Sherron Collins - His size (5'11", maybe) and the fact that he isn't a true point guard work against him. Very quick with the ball in his hands and strong. Good, if streaky, perimeter shooter who also excels in the open court. Not on the level of Robinson and Chalmers as a defender, but still above average. Needs to work on his decision making and playmaking skills
Sasha Kaun - Senior big man has never quite developed as hoped. Runs the court very well but struggles to finish in the post unless he is dunking the ball (shows better than decent hops on alley oops). Good passer in high/low game, but hands are questionable when he's the one receiving the pass. Not a good enough rebounder for someone his size.
Cole Aldrich - Freshman big man doesn't get much PT right now. But he was the 3-time Defensive Player of the year in Minnesota in high school and already shows strong shot blocking and rebounding instincts. Has a very good motor and has some post moves. Doesn't appear to be overly athletic or quick.
Future NBA Players - Longshot, but Not Out of Question
Tyrell Reed - This skinny freshman, a 6'3" white boy who's a coach's son from a small town has been compared to Kirk Hinrich. He isn't anywhere near as good of a defender as Kirk, but he may be a better shooter (Kirk was a very good shooter on the college level, but as we know that hasn't translated that well to the NBA). He's buried on the bench so doesn't play enough for me to tell what kind of playmaker he is. He might not play a lot until his junior season, so it's way too soon to tell if he can become a NBA prospect. Of course, no one thought Hinrich was a probable future NBA player until his junior season...