Is Hassan Whiteside a similar prospect to Thabeet?

[Sid the Squid]

.

It'd be best for him to not declare this year though.

He's going to declare. How can you turn down all those millions to play another year at Marshall? 100% lock to declare if he's given a top10 promise.

19-17 with 4 blocks tonight

[Piston Pete]

Against a pretty terrible Rice team.

[Ruzious]

It is impressive that he's already broken the single season conference record for most blocks - by 3, so far.

[longfellow44]

He's reciving some crazy level Hype right now. And it may turn out to be justified but as of right now I would err on the side of caution with a guy like him who has such high boom bust potential.

[-G-]

Triple double today in double overtime, 13 blocks. I'm amazed how little attention he receives nationally. Don't think I've seen a Marshall highlight, I hope they somehow win the C-USA tournament.

[jman3134]

Whiteside has all the tools to have an extremely successful NBA career. I look at him and see that his offensive game is developing and his shot blocking is already so advanced. Whiteside has more of the tools to be successful coming in than Thabeet did. (the latter was considered a specialist) He has a pretty, developing stroke and a pretty finesse game. And to top that off, he is an elite athlete.

Thabeet never displayed offensive tools in college that were likely to translate. He relies on sheer height to execute. And sure, he can still do this in the NBA. But, everyone knew he was limited. For Whiteside, this is surely not the case.

[Jazzfan12]

Wow, impressive game against UTEP; the #21 team in the nation. 20 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks.

[gswhoops]

Everything I've heard about Whiteside reminds me of a young Marcus Camby - a little on the thin side but a good athlete, excellent (potentially elite) rebounder and shot blocker, good jump shot.

That should be enough for a top 10 pick.

[IAmTheTruth]

I really, really hope the T-Wolves can swing a trade to grab this guy on draft night. Turner or Wall and Whiteside would be my dream scenario.

[Piston Pete]

LOL, I'm in the same boat for the Pistons (who need frontcourt help more than just about anyone...)

If we could luck out and get #3 (Cousins), then I'd also like to trade just about anyone on our roster to get another top-10 pick for Whiteside as well...

[Village Idiot]

It'd be best for him to not declare this year though. definitely needs get bigger and has a lot of polishing to do in his game.

I agree that he needs more seasoning but I think the right situation in the NBA could be a lot more beneficial than another year at Marshall which simply doesn't have the coaching resources to develop him.

As a Portland fan I'd love to see him at the end of our bench and being mentored by Camby, Howard and Przybilla. Going against those guys, Aldridge and Oden at practice would be a lot better than dominating lesser players at the college level.

[dbodner]

I've seen bits from a few games of Whiteside, and these are my initial impressions. I'm hoping to see quite a bit more before draft time to have a more informed opinion, but this was my initial reaction.

Concerns: a vast majority of his offense comes off put backs and cuts. He doesn't create a whole lot for himself. HIs post moves are a methodical, and his footwork needs refining. When doubled in the post, he's very turnover prone, both off the dribble and making bad passes. His jump shot's fairly effective, but the form on it could use some work. His elbows tends to flail, and I find him a bit inconsistent as a result. He has a tendency to bring the ball lower than he should off of offensive rebounds and entry passes. Could stand to add some lower body strength and weight.

Positives: His jump shot is much more effective than you would expect, and unlike Thabeet he's very good laterally. Decent touch around the rim, with a workable hook that he can finish with either hand. When he does get his post moves off, he's a decent finisher, and converts at a solid clip. Obviously, his weak side shot blocker's superb, his rebounding overall is very good and his offensive rebounding is great.

What I'd like to see more of:
With the surprising success he has on face up jump shots, and his athleticism, I'd like to see him do more pick and pops/pick and rolls. I'd like to see him improve his passing, in all phases (kick outs when getting offensive rebounds and not having anything there, outlet passes, passes from double teams). I'd also like to see him go up against really great post-scorers some more. From what i've seen, his blocks are primarily weakside help defense. When going up against similarly sized big men, I'd like to see how he affects their shots.

[nolimit0820]

Thabeet? Naw..I think a better comparison is someone like Javal Mcgee from the Wizards. Mcgee has a very similar game and I was very intrigued about this time last year. Look at Mcgee, he is really showing signs of being a true interior presence, both offensively and defensively.

I look at Whiteside as the same sort of risk. He could potentially provide a team an interior defensive presence and with great finishing ability. At the NBA level, as most will agree he would need to bulk up to take advantage of his ability to finish around the rim and also alter shots, while still being able to hold ground in the low post....As i read, if he is projected to be the #1 pick in the 2011 draft, I very well could see him waiting one more year..

[IAmTheTruth]

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. If Whiteside believes he can go top 5, he will come out.

[ponder276]

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. If Whiteside believes he can go top 5, he will come out.

Indeed, anyone projected to go top 5 should pretty much declare no matter what, especially raw players like Whiteside who are expected to improve every year. If Whiteside goes back to school and doesn't improve his stock will drop considerably. IMO he should declare as long he's projected to be a lotto pick.

[yehyeh82]

Add on the uncertainty of what the new cba will bring (and how long the lockout will be), and I think more players will declare this year than maybe would have just to guarantee the money they know they will get.

[Jazzfan12]

Draftexpress tweeting about Hassan Whiteside today:


"They did a feature on Hassan Whiteside at halftime. Shot-blocking highlight reel was amazing. Wish they would have sub-titled the interview."

"Hassan Whiteside's wingspan is 7-6. Started playing basketball as a HS junior, 3 years ago. Grew 6 inches after that. Father played in NFL."

"Teammate, head coach very delicately talking in interview about his lack of intensity, maturity. There are some major red flags apparently."

"Yes. Way deeper than that. RT @derekbodner: About Whiteside ? Teammate, head coach very delicately talking about lack of intensity, maturity"

"Was very impressed by the way Marshall coach Donnie Jones talked about Whiteside's talent, draft prospects. Seems like a very genuine guy."


http://twitter.com/DraftExpress


Fairly interesting.

[old rem]

No. He's much more athletic and is/will be a better offensive player.

Thabeet got a LOT more visibility, packs an extra 30 lb and 3 inches. Thabeet also has a rather slow learning curve and oven-mitt hands. I'd have to see Whiteside.....not sure I can,so he's still sort of a mystery,like Sene. The competition isn't that major, few saw him.....

In that sort of thing,you just hope the scouts get it right. We fans don't have quite enough data to make the call. I've avoided taking a stand on the less exposed Euros.

Thabeet could be a Mutumbo,but what's INSIDE does matter.

[old rem]

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. If Whiteside believes he can go top 5, he will come out.

Indeed, anyone projected to go top 5 should pretty much declare no matter what, especially raw players like Whiteside who are expected to improve every year. If Whiteside goes back to school and doesn't improve his stock will drop considerably. IMO he should declare as long he's projected to be a lotto pick.

Yeah, aside from some rather academic players,most jump for a lotto spot and the money that goes with it. You can pay tuition for summer school.

[Jazzfan12]

Apparently, he got destroyed by Jerome Jordan last night. People watching the game said Whiteside make Jordan look like Shaq. Not a good way to end a season.