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What do you think of him? Do you think he will be just an average NBA player - like Nick Collison?

Will his game translate to the pros? I see him having a long career. I love his game and think he will be somewhat of a role player, but in the right system could thrive. Psycho T should be an NBA main stay.

Where do you think he'll get drafted? Late 1st round? Early second round?

By the way,

I know he's not coming out in this draft. LOL. Sorry if I confused anyone.

IMO he won't even reach Collison's level......early-mid 2nd

kind of a pointless topic given, as you mentioned, that he is going back to UNC (big mistake IMO)

It's not pointless. He's still a future NBA player unlike a lot of the project players discussed on this board who will never make it onto an NBA court.

I rate Hansbrough a lot. I think he'll sneak into the 1st round next year.

He's one of those "low-upside" players who will slip much lower than he should.

He's definitely an NBA player, physical limitations aside.

He doesn't have to sneak into the first... some NBA team will fall in love with his work ethic and his production in college and take him ~20. Going back to school has no impact on this, he's been at that spot since his freshman year, and will be after another year dominating the NCAA.

There are a lot of guys who are undersized and can't jump that make it in the NBA, mostly off of strength and some skill. If Hansbrough continues to develop the jumper, then he'll be fine at the next level; Collison is a solid comparison.

Two words: Christian Laettner

Christian Laettner may not have been a superstar, but he was still a very good player. If Hansbrough can have an NBA career like Leattner's, then he'd be an absolute steal if he goes in the late 1st round.

Christian Laettner was never a "very good" player. He had some decent statistical seasons early in his career though on a horrendous team. I just said Christian Laettner because these are both "great white hope" players that disappoint.

Edit: Also, the fact that he was on the dream team made me really really angry for years. Remember the other rookies they could have chosen? There were a couple of guys named Shaq and Mourning in that draft.

To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever claimed Tyler Hansbrough is the "great white hope". He's not being pegged as a high lottery pick, unlike Christian Laettner.

But anyway, using Laettner as a comparison, if Hansbrough can average over 14ppg in each of his first six seasons in the league and make the All-Star Game, well, I'm sure most people would agree that'd be a huge success for a player that some see going in the 2nd round. Wouldn't you agree?

I'm trying to tell you, I'm comparing him to Laettner as a disappointment not as a statistic. And nobody called Laettner a "great white hope" either since nobody would ever say that, so don't be intentionally dense.

Hansbrough is a college player period. Also, he won't go second round, he'll be much higher.

PS. Laettner was also a strictly college player but had the benefit of being the only option on an expansion team for years and therefore had inflated numbers.

...you just called them both "great white hope" disappointments. WillC said that it's not fair to lump Hansbrough in, because nobody expects much of him on the NBA level. Laettner WAS expected to be good at the NBA level, hence going #3 overall.

So what does it mean for them both to be disappointments? Apparently you don't mean having the same career, Hansbrough won't be worth a late first?

^^He'll be more than a late first, he'll be more like JJ Redick than Laettner maybe, I just tried to choose someone with a similar style.

BBen wrote:I'm trying to tell you, I'm comparing him to Laettner as a disappointment not as a statistic. And nobody called Laettner a "great white hope" either since nobody would ever say that, so don't be intentionally dense.

Hang on, nobody would call Laettner a "great white hope"? Well isn't that exactly what you just did one post earlier: "I just said Christian Laettner because these are both "great white hope" players that disappoint".

Einstein!

I seriously see a lot of Mark Madsen in him. I don't see how he scores consistently against bigger or faster guys. Still a late first round pick.

Umm...because he's been scoring 20ppg against bigger guys for 3 years. I won't say they are stronger, because Hansbrough is not exactly a soft, weak player. I am guessing he will still be able to muscle his way around in the NBA. At least more than some give him credit for. Not to mention that killer hook shot of his that just seems to go in from anywhere when you don't even see it coming. Trust me. This kid is going to find ways to score in the NBA. Defense on the other hand, he will lack.

He put up 17 and 9 against the best defensive frontcourt in college Bball(besides maybe Memphis), in one of his worst personal games.

He put up 26 and 11 against Hibbert, a future NBA player who is much bigger and more athletic, etc.

Hell, his freshman year he tore through the ACC which is full of more athletic, bigger guys than himself, scoring 20 or more points in 10 out of 19 games. As a freshman.