DeAndre Jordan

[drummerrob26]

Just looking to get peoples opinions on this kid from Texas A&M, he seems to me to be a guy we should be looking at for next years draft. I have heard a lot of positives in terms of his potential but some negatives seem to be his work ethic unfortunately. On espn they talk about him if he is able to continue improving by draft time he could be listed as the #1 player in the draft. So far he is averaging 10 pts. and 7 rebs with only 20 mins a game. I think a true center is something that could really help Al out since that is really not where he belongs. Also a quality center is something we havent seen around here pretty much ever. Just wanted to get peoples thoughts on this kid.

[theGreatRC]

We need a Center badly, and if he proves he is worthy of a #1 pick, then we take him, but we aren't guaranteed a #1 pick, but I would take him if we had the #4 or #3 pick, but #1 and 2 are reserved for Rose + Beasley IMO.

[revprodeji]

We have an 80+ page thread on the draft, but we can talk Jordan here (btw RC, still not convinced Beasley is a 3 nor Rose is better than Mayo)

Jordan is a player we should keep our eyes on. His potential and his hype are very good, but also the fact that he fits a need on this team, and a match-up need (that oden guy is supposed to be decent)

From what I have seen he has very good hands, he has a great sense of when to jump for rebounds and for blocking shots. I am not sure if he will be anything ever on the offensive end, but his athletic ability, size and defensive potential are huge (pun) things to consider.

Ironically there is a good chance he does not even come out this year. Some people see him waiting til next year.

[theGreatRC]

When I read comparisons of Beasley to Melo, it has become more clearer each time I see Beasley play. He is strong, doesn't have a good 3PT shot, but a killer mid-range jumper. Beasley can power it inside and has the ability to grab double-digit rebounds night in and night out. I'm slowly believing Beasley can play the 3, he is a very fast forward, and has great court vision. Oh, and he doesn't force shots like Mayo tends to do.

[drummerrob26]

Looking at those 2 players I agree they are great. I feel like if Telfair pans out and we are able to resign him and same with Gomes plus we have brewer and maybe Green can pan out a Big man is the way to go. I think that Rose is my favorite guy in the draft but maybe at a position where we are not necessarily looking with Foye and Telfair possibly set on those positions for next year. The same can be said with Beasley who really is a great talent. Thats why I took a look at Jordan as a possible fit.

[JBoog35]

I think you guys are a little too ahead of yourself. Beasley isn't even the best player on the court every night. Walker splits that honor. Rose certainly isn't every night and neither is Mayo. Jordan no. The first 3 picks of this draft will be on potential. So the real question is, which of Jordan, Beasley, Mayo, Rose has the potential to be a dominant player.

On Jordan. He's an athletic 7 footer...so was Kwame Brown. If we have a top 3 pick, I'd look for a big man a little lower in the draft. Maybe a junior or senior where we know what we're getting. I just think Jordan has the most ?'s out of the bunch. I don't want a repeat of Kwame.

[theGreatRC]

^
If you're looking for a senior in the mids, DeVon Hardin is our guy.

[revprodeji]

When I read comparisons of Beasley to Melo, it has become more clearer each time I see Beasley play. He is strong, doesn't have a good 3PT shot, but a killer mid-range jumper. Beasley can power it inside and has the ability to grab double-digit rebounds night in and night out. I'm slowly believing Beasley can play the 3, he is a very fast forward, and has great court vision. Oh, and he doesn't force shots like Mayo tends to do.

I am more worried about his ball handling/passing as a 3 and his defense. He is not even considered an average defender at his natural 4 spot.

[Xand1]

The thing that seems to be overlooked frequently about Rose is that he doesn't NEED to be the best player on his team. People would just accuse him of padding his stats if he went out looking for his own shot in blowouts like his past few games. Instead, he does his thing and his team wins games.

Sure, it'd be great if everyone was in the same situation as Beasley so we could judge them on equal footing, but that's what makes the draft risky. Do you give as much value to Rose guiding his team to wins or Jordan doing exactly what his team needs him to do (even if it isn't flashy) as you do to Beasley putting up gaudy numbers as the #1 on a not-so-great team? I just don't think it's a good idea to crown one guy the instant #1, as many are doing, without looking deeper.

All of these guys are talented. I think it's important to look for the little things: work ethic, attitude, desire to improve, willingness to defend etc.

That said, I hope we hear more about Jordan than is out there now. I don't like the floating questions about his work ethic. Floyd and others were quick to point out how Mayo works hard and is a good teammate, but we haven't heard anything on the Jordan front now that he's had a while to play. Unless he substantially improves by draft time, I'm not comfortable using a top 2 pick, but I've always been in favor of taking a hard look at him if we drop to 3 or 4.

[NO-KG-AI]

I think you guys are a little too ahead of yourself. Beasley isn't even the best player on the court every night. Walker splits that honor. Rose certainly isn't every night and neither is Mayo. Jordan no. The first 3 picks of this draft will be on potential. So the real question is, which of Jordan, Beasley, Mayo, Rose has the potential to be a dominant player.

On Jordan. He's an athletic 7 footer...so was Kwame Brown. If we have a top 3 pick, I'd look for a big man a little lower in the draft. Maybe a junior or senior where we know what we're getting. I just think Jordan has the most ?'s out of the bunch. I don't want a repeat of Kwame.

Kwame was 6'10 with only a 7'1 wingspan, and a 9' standing reach, so even though he's a tremendous athlete, he's got very very average length for a C, which explains why he isn't a dominant shot blocker, for reference, Kevin Durant has a 9'2 standing reach, Carlos Boozer has a 9'1.5 standing reach.

Jordan's Wingspan is much better than Kwame's and he's taller, he will be a good rebounder and shotblocker at the least.

[NO-KG-AI]

The thing that seems to be overlooked frequently about Rose is that he doesn't NEED to be the best player on his team. People would just accuse him of padding his stats if he went out looking for his own shot in blowouts like his past few games. Instead, he does his thing and his team wins games.

Sure, it'd be great if everyone was in the same situation as Beasley so we could judge them on equal footing, but that's what makes the draft risky. Do you give as much value to Rose guiding his team to wins or Jordan doing exactly what his team needs him to do (even if it isn't flashy) as you do to Beasley putting up gaudy numbers as the #1 on a not-so-great team? I just don't think it's a good idea to crown one guy the instant #1, as many are doing, without looking deeper.

All of these guys are talented. I think it's important to look for the little things: work ethic, attitude, desire to improve, willingness to defend etc.

That said, I hope we hear more about Jordan than is out there now. I don't like the floating questions about his work ethic. Floyd and others were quick to point out how Mayo works hard and is a good teammate, but we haven't heard anything on the Jordan front now that he's had a while to play. Unless he substantially improves by draft time, I'm not comfortable using a top 2 pick, but I've always been in favor of taking a hard look at him if we drop to 3 or 4.

I agree with this assessment.

And rev, as for Beasley's defense, I'd say he would be better at the 3 IMO, he's incredibly strong and athletic, and he's got great size for the 3. At the 4, he is still more athletic than most of the competition, but he's not going to be the biggest or strongest there, ya know? That's just my take, as far as defensive potential goes.

[Worm Guts]

I think you guys are a little too ahead of yourself. Beasley isn't even the best player on the court every night. Walker splits that honor.

Beasley is averaging 24.2 and 13.5. He's been the best player in the country and clearly superior to Bill Walker.

[4ho5ive]

Well he could end up being a Dwight Howard like clone, he could also end up like an Emeka Okafor, or Kwame/Bowie/Kandi/Tskitishvili. I think he is a solid college player, but i wouldnt bank on him transitioning to the NBA level. I dont really like any of the top prospects in all honesty. If Beasley shows he can be a valuable 3/4 prospect ala Gomes I would be inclined to take him. Mayo/Gordon are of no interest to me and neither is Rose really.

If we get Miami's pick I LOVE DeVon Hardin for this team. He is the solid shotblocker/rebounder/enforcer that we would need to pair with Big Al.

[revprodeji]

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And rev, as for Beasley's defense, I'd say he would be better at the 3 IMO, he's incredibly strong and athletic, and he's got great size for the 3. At the 4, he is still more athletic than most of the competition, but he's not going to be the biggest or strongest there, ya know? That's just my take, as far as defensive potential goes.

Beasley has all the athletic skill in the world, nobody is debating that. The issue is he does not seem to care about defense. He is a below average defender on effort alone. This is not just my opinion, but the opinion of many. I was hoping Huggins would still be the coach in order to teach him some defensive love, but that did not work out.

[NO-KG-AI]

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Beasley has all the athletic skill in the world, nobody is debating that. The issue is he does not seem to care about defense. He is a below average defender on effort alone. This is not just my opinion, but the opinion of many. I was hoping Huggins would still be the coach in order to teach him some defensive love, but that did not work out.

That's kinda my point though, if he lacks intensity at the 3 on D, he's going to lack it at the 4 also.....

[Krapinsky]

If we get Miami's pick I LOVE DeVon Hardin for this team. He is the solid shotblocker/rebounder/enforcer that we would need to pair with Big Al.

Do people honestly still think we have a shot at getting Miami's pick? They would have to go 33-15 the rest of the way just reach .500 at this point. I would say there's a better chance that they will be picking before us ratherthan us getting their pick. A Rose-Wade back court seems like a definate possibility.

[revprodeji]

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That's kinda my point though, if he lacks intensity at the 3 on D, he's going to lack it at the 4 also.....

Which is what I call a red flag

[4ho5ive]

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Do people honestly still think we have a shot at getting Miami's pick? They would have to go 33-15 the rest of the way just reach .500 at this point. I would say there's a better chance that they will be picking before us ratherthan us getting their pick. A Rose-Wade back court seems like a definate possibility.

Thats why i threw in that "IF" in there before i said anything else. Plus, you never know, if they make some huge deal for like Mike Redd or something its possible.

[prefuse73]

I like Jordan, but are we willing to wait and see if he develops. It would be best to take Devon Hardin who is a senior with maybe not as much upside but can come in and start right away and begin to develop a chemistry with Al. Hardin is the better center right now and a much harder worker (by most accounts). I hope miami makes a deal and squeaks into the playoffs

Rose should be our first option so we can make Randy our starting 2 and back up point.

Hardin - Richard
Jefferson - Smith
Brewer - Gomes
Foye - McCants
Rose - Foye

[SactownHrtBrks8]

He is shooting 77%