Too early to start thinking about next year's draft?
Posted: Thu Nov 3, 2011 5:22 pm
With College hoops starting up, and no Kings games to hold my attention, my scouting of next year's potential draft class has started early this year. I think we are all keenly aware of where this team stands:
Strengths: Scoring, Rebounding, Outside Shooting (Thornton, Jimmer, Salmons)
Weaknesses: Defense, Ball Movement, Efficiency, Experience, Leadership
Areas of focus: SF is priority #1. After that I think we focus on bigs (either PF or C) who can come in and contribute without much of a learning curve. Weakside shot-blocking would help.
The Big Board:
1. Harrison Barnes - Let's be honest, this guy is custom made for this team. Mature, great defender, solid outside shooter, clutch scorer, doesn't demand the ball on every posetion, leader. We already have our go-to guys in Tyreke and DMC, so the other top prospects would have to do a lot to impress me to move into the #1 spot.
2. Jared Sullinger - PF Ohio State - Not ideal fit with DMC, but he has proven he will produce.
3. Anthony Davis - PF Kentucky - Needs to add weight and get used to his newly tall body.
4. Andre Drummond - C UConn - He needs to show a desire to dominate and commitment to defense.
5. Quincy Miller - SF Baylor - Athletic defender that is allegedly a good perimeter shooter.
6. Michael Gilchrist - SF Kentucky - Good defender, alleged outside shooter, I want to see production.
7. Patrick Young - C Florida - Great defender, athletic, but raw. More athletic Ben Wallace.
8. Thomas Robinson - PF Kansas - Athlete, defender, excellent rebounder. Used to being a roll player.
9. Perry Jones - F Baylor - All the athleticism in the world, but describing him as inefficient would be kind.
10. Trade Pick for Wes Johnson - SG Minnesota Timberwolves. Yes, I know he's already in the NBA, but I think he is being used poorly in Minnesota as a SG because half of their roster is composed of combo forwards. The guy is clearly not a SG. I still think he has a lot of potential if he could land in the right situation. Athletic, good defender, good outside shooter, good weakside shot blocker, great attitude. I have hopes that he would become the type of player we envisioned Donte Greene becoming.
Strengths: Scoring, Rebounding, Outside Shooting (Thornton, Jimmer, Salmons)
Weaknesses: Defense, Ball Movement, Efficiency, Experience, Leadership
Areas of focus: SF is priority #1. After that I think we focus on bigs (either PF or C) who can come in and contribute without much of a learning curve. Weakside shot-blocking would help.
The Big Board:
1. Harrison Barnes - Let's be honest, this guy is custom made for this team. Mature, great defender, solid outside shooter, clutch scorer, doesn't demand the ball on every posetion, leader. We already have our go-to guys in Tyreke and DMC, so the other top prospects would have to do a lot to impress me to move into the #1 spot.
2. Jared Sullinger - PF Ohio State - Not ideal fit with DMC, but he has proven he will produce.
3. Anthony Davis - PF Kentucky - Needs to add weight and get used to his newly tall body.
4. Andre Drummond - C UConn - He needs to show a desire to dominate and commitment to defense.
5. Quincy Miller - SF Baylor - Athletic defender that is allegedly a good perimeter shooter.
6. Michael Gilchrist - SF Kentucky - Good defender, alleged outside shooter, I want to see production.
7. Patrick Young - C Florida - Great defender, athletic, but raw. More athletic Ben Wallace.
8. Thomas Robinson - PF Kansas - Athlete, defender, excellent rebounder. Used to being a roll player.
9. Perry Jones - F Baylor - All the athleticism in the world, but describing him as inefficient would be kind.
10. Trade Pick for Wes Johnson - SG Minnesota Timberwolves. Yes, I know he's already in the NBA, but I think he is being used poorly in Minnesota as a SG because half of their roster is composed of combo forwards. The guy is clearly not a SG. I still think he has a lot of potential if he could land in the right situation. Athletic, good defender, good outside shooter, good weakside shot blocker, great attitude. I have hopes that he would become the type of player we envisioned Donte Greene becoming.