Mining the bottom of the draft for talent

[jman3134]

This is the year that we should look overseas and to undrafted free agents for potential steals. I would liken this rebuilding process to the one that the Magic endured when they brought in Chucky Adkins, Darrel Armstrong etc back in the day. I think that the best course we can take is to sign some bench guys from overseas to see how they fair against NBA competition. (to complete our bench) We should unload overblown contracts such as Brian Cardinal's etc.

Finally, I think the following two players will be available as undrafted free agents. Yet, I think they could make an impact in the NBA.

First, I think I should mention Reggie Williams. This guy is a big time scorer from a small school in VMI. He has led the country in scoring for a couple of seasons now and the guy has a pretty complete game offensively. VMI played a very odd defensive set, so it is difficult to see whether or not he will be able to stay with some bigger guards, but you will receive guaranteed scoring with this guy. He can shoot from the outside or take it to the hole with reckless abandon.

Secondly, I think we should sign 7 footer Chris Daniels. How often are legitamite 7 footers available with the ability to shoot from beyond the college three point line. Daniels extended his range this season and now has a pretty complete game. He does seem to revert to finesse moves somewhat often and doesn't always use his size to full advantage, but he has some serious skills in the post. I think he would be a steal who could come off the bench as a backup center and provide some very good minutes.

Please listen to me Grizzlies!

[dark-child]

You may be on to something in the approach, as far as filling the roster with players with basketball experience overseas. Although we have tried this recently with mixed results.

Casey Jacobsen failed miserably.

Juan Carlos Navarro mixed results. Pretty good offensively but like 80% of the roster defensively.

Andre Brown was pretty much as advertised and may be back next season because he is not expensive, and has a decent attitude.

Look for Chris Wallace to make the full court press to sign Marc Gasol and
resign Juan Carlos Navarro (if he decides to return). Juan Carlos may also be up for a sign and trade as we still owe the Washington Wizards a protected #1 so we want some value for him.

The major characteristic that players who are not originally drafted by the NBA have is they do not own a complete game and most of them are one dimensional. The Grizz really can't afford to miss so when you bring a guy in as a sharp shooter he has to be able to shoot and not just in practice like Casey Jacobson.

[jman3134]

How your comments apply to the guys I have suggested:

Well, I'll start with Reggie Williams. In terms of being a multidimensional player, the guy is dynamite on the offensive end of the floor. Scouts say that his long range shot is a bit inconsistent, but whenever I see him play he seems to be able to score anywhere on the floor. He's talented at this. So, I'd say he's a multidimensional scorer. On defense, it's tough to tell how he will fair. He seems to have fairly long arms, but he played in a college system where they had an odd scheme. (not really man to man oriented) It's hard to tell in that respect, but he is probably going to get an invite to Orlando, where scouts can develop more of an opinion of him in that respect.

As for my man Chris Daniels, he is somewhat multidimensional and has worked on his game so that he possesses this ability. When you look up his stats and notice a decline from the previous year where he led his team to almost upset Wisconsin in the NCAA tournament, you are not getting the entire story. This year, his team went through a complete rebuilding process. (I think it was something like 10 newcomers) These guys did not know how to feed the post. Sure, Chris is 7 feet tall and he is going to score off put backs, but after such a tremendous season the year before there is a noticeable change. Also, he showed a greater shooting touch and made these three pointers at a higher rate. Daniels is 7 feet tall and has some length. He has a nice array of back to the basket moves including a deadly hook. As for weaknessess, he has a tendency to not use his body up to its full ability. I've seen him revert to turnarounds that were very close to the basket and hooks when they were not necessary. However, this seemingly changed in the NCAA tournament last year, where he was dominant on all fronts. He is a position defender who does have some length to contest shots. Daniels is 7 feet tall and comes at a low price. I think we should sign him to a two year deal like Dwyane Jones and then see how he fairs coming off the bench. If he's going to score, he should receive some touches, but he can contribute other than scoring. He may or may not be a great fit for the up tempo offense. He has gotten in shape, but I'm not sure if he will get down the floor with the likes of Rudy Gay. Well, I know for sure that he won't. Honestly, I think this guy is going to be a solid NBA backup center. With very few 7 foot centers out there with decent ability, Daniels has a tremendous work ethic and is constantly improving loose ends in his game. I hope the Grizz listen to me and get a steal off the undrafted board.

As for free agents overseas with some proven experience, I could mention a few if you want. These guys are just the must have steals imo. If only I could do Grizzlies scouting....

[bgassassin]

Kinsey was undrafted and I still believe could have filled a needed bench role.

[jman3134]

You may be on to something in the approach, as far as filling the roster with players with basketball experience overseas. Although we have tried this recently with mixed results.

Casey Jacobsen failed miserably.

Juan Carlos Navarro mixed results. Pretty good offensively but like 80% of the roster defensively.

Andre Brown was pretty much as advertised and may be back next season because he is not expensive, and has a decent attitude.

Look for Chris Wallace to make the full court press to sign Marc Gasol and
resign Juan Carlos Navarro (if he decides to return). Juan Carlos may also be up for a sign and trade as we still owe the Washington Wizards a protected #1 so we want some value for him.

The major characteristic that players who are not originally drafted by the NBA have is they do not own a complete game and most of them are one dimensional. The Grizz really can't afford to miss so when you bring a guy in as a sharp shooter he has to be able to shoot and not just in practice like Casey Jacobson.

It is not inherent that undrafted players are one dimensional. There are some guys who simply do not receive that much exposure- then they fair pretty well at draft camps, but not enough to really catch the focus of scouts. These are the guys who slip under the cracks. I think the Grizzlies have a prime opportunity next year to sign some of these guys. How do we have a lot to lose? We need to get rid of these ridiculous contracts as we are doing with McKie. Next on the chopping block is Brian Cardinal. Then, release Jason Collins because he is deadweight. Plus, our roster stands at 13 at this point. We have a top pick and can afford to sign two more guys afterwards.

Kwame Brown needs to be traded.

JCN was drafted in the second round by the Wizards. (I'm almost certain) His rights were just stashed away overseas.

[Cubboo]

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It is not inherent that undrafted players are one dimensional. There are some guys who simply do not receive that much exposure- then they fair pretty well at draft camps, but not enough to really catch the focus of scouts. These are the guys who slip under the cracks. I think the Grizzlies have a prime opportunity next year to sign some of these guys. How do we have a lot to lose? We need to get rid of these ridiculous contracts as we are doing with McKie. Next on the chopping block is Brian Cardinal. Then, release Jason Collins because he is deadweight. Plus, our roster stands at 13 at this point. We have a top pick and can afford to sign two more guys afterwards.

Kwame Brown needs to be traded.

JCN was drafted in the second round by the Wizards. (I'm almost certain) His rights were just stashed away overseas.

Wasn't this the last year for Kwame?

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

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Wasn't this the last year for Kwame?

Absolutely. Kwame's outta here, with the vacuum of his cap space being his only legacy.

[jman3134]

My mistake. Yes, I did know that about his contract- an obvious slip up.

But, what are we going to do to fill the hole at center?

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

My mistake. Yes, I did know that about his contract- an obvious slip up.

But, what are we going to do to fill the hole at center?

Either a mix of Darko, Collins and Marc Gasol or a mix of Darko, Collins and Brook Lopez.

I much prefer the first group.

[Downtown]

When talking about mining the bottom of the draft I can pretty much use the same names as I do on the Sonics forum.

You don't need a pointguard, but Ty Lawson or Lester Hudson are two good ones.

Although I think Brandon Rush will be gone, it's not a stretch to believe that Courtney Lee might still be around when you use the Lakers pick. Argueably the most versaitle player in the draft he is compared to Anthony Parker. He showed what he's made of in leading his unheralded Western Kentucky team to the sweet sixteen. A shooter, defender, and leader. Can't go wrong with him. Also a senior who could make a quicker adjustment to the NBA. Kyle Weaver is another versatile player who can play three positions and is a lockdown defender. If the Grizzlies want a specialty player then there might not be another defensive player better than him in the draft.

Richard Hendrix is a big, solid power forward who could be a good fit with the Grizzlies. If you want a physical inside presence on both ends of the floor he may be the one. Not only is he one of the top rebounders, at 6'9" he is alos a pretty good shotblocker. If you're after more of a defensive specialist then Joey Dorsey might be worth looking at. Kevin Love is considered a strong, polished player who will be drafted in the lotto but he was no match against the powerful Dorsey, who shut him down in the tournament. Don't look for any offense from him but if you did end up with a scoring center like Brokk Lopez then a defensive specialist beside him might be a fit.

It might be worth drafting Nikola Pekovic, probably the best center in Europe(along with Gasol and Splitter). He has been said to be leaning towards staying overseas and has no aspirations at this time to play in the NBA, so he could fall in the draft. But things change and if you're looking for a player to stash away for a while he is perfect.

[jman3134]

^ some of those guys that you mentioned will not be available at the bottom of the draft. For example, Lawson could work his way into the first round and Lee is a probable first round pick.

As for a defensive player at that part of the draft, Antonio Anderson may be on a similar level to Weaver. However, his offensive game is not nearly as polished.

I don't want Joey Dorsey on this team- he is too much of a headcase. Great defensive player, but could hurt the team more than he helps it simply due to his attitude.

Pekovic would be a good pick to store overseas- you are right about that.

As for Lester Hudson: I haven't seen enough of him to be a judge, but he is a bit older and we'll see if he can fully adjust to the point in the NBA.

[jman3134]

Just as an update: DX is reporting that Williams has displayed some nice defense. So any concern in this regard may be disregarded.

[Double Dribble]

Kinsey was undrafted and I still believe could have filled a needed bench role.

I think gravity is filling that role just fine on its own.

[SD2042]

Kinsey was undrafted and I still believe could have filled a needed bench role.

The Grizzlies simply shot themselves in the head when they waived him from the team.

[jman3134]

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The Grizzlies simply shot themselves in the head when they waived him from the team.

Don't get me wrong, Kinsey was talented. But, it doesn't look like he's making much of an impact elsewhere.

[Double Dribble]

It's ok to say that he isn't NBA talent. Accept it.

[jman3134]

It's ok to say that he isn't NBA talent. Accept it.

I feel like within our offense he was. But, then again, a lot of our talent has gone on to Europe after not making it in other parts of the NBA. See Dahntay Jones, Troy Bell, Willie Soloman, Antonio Burks etc.