Ban Howard Mass: The new draft thread

[C.lupus]

"if he reaches his potential"

famous last words...

I do not see Jordan as near the athletic prospect of Tyson Chandler even. Kid does not seem to have the drive or the strength to use his frame. "If" the kid puts it all together he could be good, but I just do not see that he wants to yet.

That's my biggest concern with him, too. Like I said, he's definitely high risk but he could end up being the best player out of the draft a few years from now.

[revprodeji]

yea, but how many players "without the drive" go on to be the best player? Maybe Bynum, but I cannot think of anyone else. Everyone knew Howard wanted to be the best. We knew KG wanted it. If you take a kid on potential make sure he wants to be better. We know Mayo wants it, we know Beasley wants it. We know Rose wants it. We cannot say that about Jordan.

[funkatron101]

It honestly seems like most of these guys could benefit from one more year in college.

[deeney0]

It honestly seems like most of these guys could benefit from one more year in college.

Yes, but that's a luxury that won't be afforded. Gotta make the most of the situation that's presented.

[Worm Guts]

-= original quote snipped =-



To be honest, I haven't seen enough of Lopez to form an educated opinion. Reading comments like "he has a poor shot selection" and "he struggles against NBA-quality big men" make me question how good he will be at the next level, though. He does have good size and sounds like he has some good offensive ability...idk.

How does his offensive game compare to Al's? It sounds like they may be redundant.

Jonathan Watters, who works for Draft Express, seems to love him and has sold me on him. If we want a center, Lopez should be our guy.

[revprodeji]

I have read Jon's comments, but I have yet to see him write something that lets me think he could play the 5 next to Al.

[Worm Guts]

I have read Jon's comments, but I have yet to see him write something that lets me think he could play the 5 next to Al.

He's a tough interior defender and he's a legitimate offensive threat. How does that not fit next to Al?

[revprodeji]

I am concerned with his ability to defend the 5. I am sure he can defend the 4, but what about the big guys that we would rather not have Al defend. Can Lopez be physical with a Dally/Haywood/diop/yao/

Is he really a PJ Brown defender?

The thing I am concerned with is that at the beginning of the year he was understood as a finese 4 with a decent defensive ability. Now he is understood as a strong 5 prospect hybrid of Brad Daughtry and PJ Brown. I have no issue with a 7ft dominate roll player, as long as he can play goalie.

I bounce back and forth on Lopez. Sometimes I see him as 3rd maybe second on our draft board, sometimes he slips to 7th for me. It is all about physical play. Sometimes he plays physical and gets good position and other times mid-level pac-10 bigs give him trouble. I like his hustle, I like his desire to defend and his offensive abilities from the high post.

[revprodeji]

Something of interest...

Jonathan Givony (draft express) writes a quick comparison thing on hoopshype that was updated two weeks ago.

Beasley===N/A
Rose=====N/A
Bayless====Monta Ellis
Brook Lopez=PJ Brown
Gordon====Gordon
Deandre Jordan===Amir Johnson
Mayo==Billups
Hibbert===Z

http://hoopshype.com/draft.htm

[Worm Guts]

My favorite
Danilo Galinari = Dejan Bodiroga

How could we pass up the next Dejan Bodiroga?

[revprodeji]

I laugh at that alot also.

btw, good read on lopez

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/NCA ... -Part-Two/

but should be read remembering it is earlier then this

Brook Lopez- Had another tough shooting game from the field, hitting 4-13 shots after going 8-22 from the field against UCLA. He continues to have a tough time recognizing double teams, and is forcing up bad shots continuously with multiple defenders swarming around him. It

[theGreatRC]

Why does every 2 who has good handles and a jumpshot always get compared to Billups?

[karch34]

My favorite
Danilo Galinari = Dejan Bodiroga

How could we pass up the next Dejan Bodiroga?

That's priceless. nbadraft.net had some really bad ones last year, this year not so much, but I remember comparisons to Benoit Benjamin and Yinka Dare and thinking that can't be good.

[revprodeji]

At least we know who Vinka Dare and Benoit Benjamin are

nbadraft.net compares Galinari to Detlef Schrempf. The funny with with JonG's Dejan Bodiroga comparison is no one knows who that is because he is considered the best player to never play in the nBA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dejan_Bodiroga

RC, I agree with you. I dont see the Billups comparison at all. I see a stronger Larry Hughes with a better jumper and composure.

[C.lupus]

As long as we are questioning the comparisons - what's up with Glen Davis and Amir Johnson? Shouldn't a player have some semblance of an NBA career before being compared to?

[theGreatRC]

Larry Hughes would be a good comparison to Mayo in his first few years. Good defender that racks up steals, and can get hot and score points in bunches. If he lives up to his potential, could be compared to a better, but smaller Joe Johnson?

I don't know, the confidence between the two and the shooting percentages(Mayo shoots better from the 3 though) drew me to the comparison.

[dunkonu21]

The Timberwolves are the perfect team for Jordan, because we will bring him up slowly.

Rashad McCants rookie year he avg 17.2 mpg
Randy Foye avg 22.9 mpg
Thus far Corey Brewer avg 22.7 mpg

We have been keeping our rookies on a short leash for the last 3 years and I don't see why that wouldn't continue. We could play Jordan 15-17 mpg and not have him lose confidence, bring him along slowly like he needs and we will still lose games for a top 5 draft pick next year to complete the rebuild. Then we can go into 2009's draft with more questions answered. Like is McCants a starting 2 or a 6th man? Can Foye play PG full time? Is Brewer going to be the next Tay Prince or is he better suited at the 2? Has Gomes and Craig Smith already reached their ceiling? ect ect...

[theGreatRC]

For me to like Jordan as a pick, someone needs to slap him in the face and give him a good work ethic. Being tall and athletic will get you an NBA roster spot, but it won't keep you around for long.

Kwame sort of contradicts my point though, but that's because he is a top 10 post defender in the L.

[dunkonu21]

Seems like everyone on the T-Wolves has a good work ethic especially Foye, McCants and Al...I think it'd rub off on him. We have some good people around this org it'd be tough for one guy to mess that up and Jordan is so young he is easily moldable.

[CB4MiamiHeat]

Thabeet plays goalie, in the NBA where you cannot wait under the basket every time on defense Thabeet will get in trouble. Also his frame is smaller and his hands are bad. He will be draftd on potential, but I doubt he does much more than Steven Hunter.

Its interesting, i was looking at the top shotblockers and Thabeet averages more blocks than guys like Camby, Kaman, Okafor, Duncan and all of the best current shotblockers averaged in college.

Only Alonzo Mourning averaged more blocks..

I think he will end up like prime Theo Ratliff in Philly, but im not sure if that is worth a top 5 pick.