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Typically players gain a lot of strength in mocks by producing well in march (see Carmelo Anthony, Florida trio, Oden, etc.) UCLA is a favorite to reach the final four. UCLA is a talented squad, so they will produce well. But individual players always step up on the big stage.

However, my primary concern is his size. I like his style and skillset, but if he's only 6'9" I have some concerns drafting him as a franchise-type big. For me, the NBA combine measurements may make more of a difference than his actual production on the college level, which I have been pleased with thus far.

While posting consider Roy Hibbert, who made the Final Four last year. He is around the same position as Love in many mocks. But he is coming out as a senior with much superior size. In his freshman season, Hibbert only made the NIT quarterfinals in Georgetown.

It wouldn't matter if he measured out at 6'9 but had the athleticism to compensate; see Beasley, Michael.

I'm a little worried about size only b/c he looked quite a bit smaller thrn the Lopez twins to me; in the end he can play though. The good/or bad thing for him is that three of the more highly touted big men are in his bracket and he would centainly go up against Plaisted or Jordan in the second round and potentially UConn and Thabeet after that.

UGA Hayes wrote:I'm a little worried about size only b/c he looked quite a bit smaller thrn the Lopez twins to me; in the end he can play though. The good/or bad thing for him is that three of the more highly touted big men are in his bracket and he would centainly go up against Plaisted or Jordan in the second round and potentially UConn and Thabeet after that.

and then Adrien and Thabeet in the following rd.....this will be a huge test for Love.....but good thing he gave himself the back spasms as a built in excuse (very smart move)

A good tourny couldn't hurt. But his average size and athleticism is going to hurt his chances of being a top 10 pick regardless of when he declares.

He has a lot of good players. Westbrook, Collison, and Love could all be picked in the first round this year.

So I would have to say that he needs to perform better when it is just him and the scouts, but if he plays great ball for the rest of this Month, thats defnitly won't hurt.

A great tournament can't hurt obviously. I think some will depend on who UCLA meets in the tournament for the NBA scouts to make a decision on whether or not to recommend to their respective teams on taking a chance with Love in the lottery (especially top 10). There's no doubt about his skills, feel for the game, toughness and enthusiasm. And while he's no greyhound I think him just knowing where to be and how to play will make him seem faster than he is to opposing players and defenses. Part of what makes it hard to judge Love is that there really hasn't been someone in recent memory that you can compare him to (and no, the Chris Webber without the athleticism is not really a good comparison at all).

This could happen for any player who has a strong showing in the tournament. Or even any player that performs well in combine can improve their stock a little. Any player eligible for the draft can move up on teams draft boards from strong showings in these areas.

Everyone knows he can play and is a very smart basketball player and a strong showing in the final four wont change or improve that.

What he needs is to refine his body, give it some shape and take a leaf out of Carlos Boozers book.

Drop the puppy fat and don't huff and puff so much when you go up and down the court and people will take much more notice.

I think it could certainly help him if UCLA goes deep in the tourney.


He's a lottery pick either way.


Will he be a top 10 pick? That will hinge on how he looks in terms of length/athleticism at the next level because that's what separates an Al Horford from a Shelden Williams.

I think this tourtament could raise Westbrooks stock moreso then Loves. People know Loves game, and they know his weaknesses. He isn't tall enough to play C and doesn't make up for it with his athleticism. He will still be a pretty good pro though IMO. This tourtament could basically put Westbrooke into a top 6-7 player IMO. If he really shows up and has a real big tourtament like Tyrus Thomas did a few years back, scouts and fans will jump on his bandwagon. He obviously has all the athleticism, but if they see his real basketball skills on the biggest stage his stock could jump up considerably IMO.

He would get the Sean May treatment.