Operation Beast: Prospect Thread II

[Klomp]

I disagree. On offense he's going to look quite lost on the perimeter in the triangle.

Flynn looked lost at times too. Doesn't mean hes a tweener.

[Krapinsky]

I disagree. On offense he's going to look quite lost on the perimeter in the triangle.

Flynn looked lost at times too. Doesn't mean hes a tweener.

Not sure how Flynn looking lost is relevant at all. That's a little different than not having the skill set to fit the position, i.e. dribbling, shooting.

Some DX highligths, if you will:

Weaknesses:

"Stuck between 3 and 4"
"Advanced ball handling skills"
"Left hand"
"3 Point Range"
"Ability to shoot of the dribble"

Player comparisons:

Best: Josh Smith (better suited as a 4)
Worst: Thad Young (also, better suited as a 4)

From Jon G's February 25th write up:

"As a shooter, Aminu doesn’t appear to have made great strides since last season, at least in terms of the results we’re seeing thus far. He’s made just 23% of the 79 total jump-shots he’s taken on the season according to Synergy Sports Technology (down from 27% last year), converting 29% of his 3-point attempts. His shooting off the dribble (1/19) has been abysmal, as he’s struggled badly to make pull-up jumpers from mid-range all season long. The fact that his free throw shooting has improved slightly (67% to 71%) is a good sign, but the poor touch he shows on his jumper and the way he tends to just fling the ball at the basket hoping for the best surely isn’t. Aminu will most likely have to find other ways to produce in the NBA, at least early on in his career. "

"Mostly asked to operate last year a raw and awkward looking small forward, likely due to assurances that were made on the recruiting trail, Aminu has looked far more comfortable as a face-up power forward this season. This appears to be his likely position in today’s hyper-athletic and increasingly small-ball oriented NBA as well, playing a similar role to that of Josh Smith, Thaddeus Young, Gerald Wallace, Jeff Green and many many other combo forwards."

"Offensively, it’s still difficult to describe Aminu as being an overly skilled player. Although capable of beating his defender off the dribble and getting to the basket in a straight line thanks to his quick first step and tremendously long strides, his ball-skills are still fairly rudimentary. He often loses the ball or is called for traveling immediately upon making his initial move, and really struggles to change directions or pull-up off the dribble if a defender rotates into the lane. His turnover rate (3.7 per-40p) is, as you would expect, extremely high in turn, and his 2-point percentage (50%) is a bit lower than you might expect. "

[PeeDee]

Yeah, but..

[allweneedisLOVE]

E.T phone home...

[cpfsf]

E.T phone home...

Sorry t-wolves fans!

ET uses twitter now. Spielberg will change ET to reflect that fact. He will also replace the guns with walkie talkies.

[Esohny]

E.T phone home...

Sorry t-wolves fans!

ET uses twitter now. Spielberg will change ET to reflect that fact. He will also replace the guns with walkie talkies.

Sad but true.

[horaceworthy]

Just going by multiple scouting reports.

Most of the scouting reports that mention Cousins as a lazy, no account perimeter drifter were written when he was in high school. When he came to Kentucky, Calipari said he wanted to be a 6'11" SG. For whatever reason, he stayed in the post and was extremely aggressive this past year.

[shangrila]

Just going by multiple scouting reports.

Most of the scouting reports that mention Cousins as a lazy, no account perimeter drifter were written when he was in high school. When he came to Kentucky, Calipari said he wanted to be a 6'11" SG. For whatever reason, he stayed in the post and was extremely aggressive this past year.

Yeah I think his off court issues are wildly overblown, but what do you expect? Anything that could create drama is latched on to and twisted by media sources until it does create it. I'd actually be excited to add him, unlike what seems like most people on this board.

But I had a question. I've heard Ford and a few others refer to George as a SG. Does anyone agree or is he a pure 3?

[younggunsmn]

Yeah AFA is a TERRIBLE offensive fit on this team. 23% on jumpers is just abysmal. I like Johnson's athleticism better, and defense is hard to judge because of the 'cuse zone. Stay away from AFA, even if we land a second top 10 pick.
I'd rather have george, anderson, or henry at 16, they are much better shooters.

Cousins' measurements are going to be a huge factor. He had a 7'6 wingspan at the LBJ skills academy as a HS Senior, which is awesome (Thabeet is 7'6.25). With him being a bit of a widebody, I expect his reach to be a little less than you'd expect for that wingspan. If he can hit 9'4 or so that would be good for a center. (Thabeet 9'5, Lopez 9'5, Al 9'2 and Love 8'10 for reference).

I still much prefer to play Cousins and Darko together if we draft Cousins, for defensive purposes.
They'd be our Bynum and Gasol, two really big guys interchangeable at the 4 and 5, which Darko playing more the Bynum role. Trade Pekovic for a future 1st, and one of Al/Love for Johnson, keep the other.
Cousins only played 23.5 mins per game at KY last year. I think It'd be wise to sign Darko, start him with Al or Love, and bring Cousins off the bench for 27-28 mins per game his rookie year. Ease him into things and let him beat the crap out of the second unit. Sign Darko to a one year deal. If Cousins defense sucks as a rookie, we have Darko on board to compensate. If not, we have a dynamic starting frontcourt, and possibly Darko long term if he wants 25+ mins as a backup 3rd big.

[PeeDee]

But I had a question. I've heard Ford and a few others refer to George as a SG. Does anyone agree or is he a pure 3?

If he has good enough handles, passing and can guard multiple wings spots, I don't think it matters in this offense.

[younggunsmn]

I read somewhere George sees himself as more of a 2. The 2 and 3 are offensively interchangeable here. Defensively, I think he can play the 3 if he measures out as expected because he has pretty good athleticism. He's not a thick player, but he's no Brewer either.

[Krapinsky]

I read somewhere George sees himself as more of a 2. The 2 and 3 are offensively interchangeable here. Defensively, I think he can play the 3 if he measures out as expected because he has pretty good athleticism. He's not a thick player, but he's no Brewer either.

Not sure if it's changed, but his listed height/weight are exactly the same as Brewer's current listed height/weight. That tells me he'll get backed down until he can add weight.

[younggunsmn]

I read somewhere George sees himself as more of a 2. The 2 and 3 are offensively interchangeable here. Defensively, I think he can play the 3 if he measures out as expected because he has pretty good athleticism. He's not a thick player, but he's no Brewer either.

Not sure if it's changed, but his listed height/weight are exactly the same as Brewer's current listed height/weight. That tells me he'll get backed down until he can add weight.

Didn't see that. Brewer is 6'8 though I believe. He looks thicker on film than brewer though.
Maybe his weight is one reason he's still at 23 in the DX mock.

[Krapinsky]

I read somewhere George sees himself as more of a 2. The 2 and 3 are offensively interchangeable here. Defensively, I think he can play the 3 if he measures out as expected because he has pretty good athleticism. He's not a thick player, but he's no Brewer either.

Not sure if it's changed, but his listed height/weight are exactly the same as Brewer's current listed height/weight. That tells me he'll get backed down until he can add weight.

Didn't see that. Brewer is 6'8 though I believe. He looks thicker on film than brewer though.
Maybe his weight is one reason he's still at 23 in the DX mock.

Yeah, as with alll measurements it depends where you look. ESPN has George at 6'8", Brewer at 6'9" now. Weight/strength may be an issue if he is a SF. Handles if he is a SG. We'll see. He's still my favorite.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Brewer is 6'7.75" w/ shoes, doubt he's grown since the draft

[Klomp]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xXty-iN-ck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRN7cCsP3MQ

[Krapinsky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xXty-iN-ck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRN7cCsP3MQ

So he's crafty (Rasheed style), and if you go after his ball, he'll try to kill you (Artest style). I think these are both good things.

[Krapinsky]

Also --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giSpA4HS-SM&NR=1

This clip shows Cousins got a knee to the head before throwing the elbow

I think Dwight Howard or KG probably would have had a similar instantaneous reaction

[Klomp]

Also --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giSpA4HS-SM&NR=1

This clip shows Cousins got a knee to the head before throwing the elbow

I think Dwight Howard or KG probably would have had a similar instantaneous reaction

Dwight would've whined to the refs for 5 minutes about not getting a call while his man ran down to the other end of the floor for an easy basket.............but thats besides the point.

[Krapinsky]

Also --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giSpA4HS-SM&NR=1

This clip shows Cousins got a knee to the head before throwing the elbow

I think Dwight Howard or KG probably would have had a similar instantaneous reaction

Dwight would've whined to the refs for 5 minutes about not getting a call while his man ran down to the other end of the floor for an easy basket.............but thats besides the point.

Haha true, but after he threw an elbow.