Predict the biggest Steal in the 2008 NBA draft

[BigBurd]

Marreese Speights, especially given his place in most mocks... how can a big man who can play and still has potential to develop be sitting at #23?

[ReasonablySober]

Speights.

[Bernman]

J.J. Hickson
Chris Douglas-Roberts
Alexis Ajinca
Kevin Love (depending on where he ends up)
Tywon Lawson
Brandon Rush
D.J. White
Joey Dorsey
Jamont Gordon
Marreese Speights
Sonny Weems
Jonte Flowers (as UDFA)

I'm a little disappointed that Hickson, Gordon, and White didn't agree to be measured at the pre-draft camp though. It makes me suspicious that their heights are embellished.

[Bernman]

I don't see how Mayo is a steal considering he goes no lower than 6. With that said my sleepers are: Kyle Weaver, JJ Hickson and JR Giddens.

If Michael Jordan was selected at #6, would a team have stolen him?

Note: Not to imply anything about my personal opinion on Mayo.

[jumanji]

Hibbert
Koufos
Budinger

[Dexmor]

Westbrook and Love if they are choosen 8th or later.

[S0yb3anB0y]

Westbrook and Love if they are choosen 8th or later.

I smell a BRUIN fan.

[Wade2k6]

I like Weaver as a 2nd round steal.

[Smills91]

Marreese Speights, especially given his place in most mocks... how can a big man who can play and still has potential to develop be sitting at #23?

He's going #12 IMO. Is he still a steal then?

[BigBurd]

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He's going #12 IMO. Is he still a steal then?

Nope. That's about right.

Here's a big man from a good program, physically has no barriers to transitioning to the NBA and has expanded on his game despite the legit concerns about his work ethic, focus, mental ability etc....

He could go higher then 12, in a situation similar to Charlie Villanueva in the 2005 draft; it will take a coach who believes he as a rapport with him. Despite that he might always be one of those guys who dogs it at times for forgets plays, has potential to play terrible defense and miss rotations at the NBA level.

Ford said "Speights does a lot of the same things that Brand does; he just doesn

[jman3134]

I seriously doubt that Speights is selected that high. Sure, he is an athletic specimen, but he has never really stepped up to the plate during in-game situations. I cannot conceive of a team that would select him in the lottery to be honest. He may have talent, but he is a bit behind the curve compared to some of these other prospects at the same age imo.

[jack_mack50]

Oh my first post - Being from Australia loyalty would say Nathan Jawai but I think he could only be a solid backup at best. I'll say Brandon Rush.

[Morris_Shatford]

Oh my first post - Being from Australia loyalty would say Nathan Jawai but I think he could only be a solid backup at best.

Jawai based on his highly aggressive play coupled with the fact that the aggressive play does not seem to lead to fouls makes him a very interesting player to say the least.

He did have that Stamina issue early in the season, do you know how his conditioning has come along?

[BigBurd]

I seriously doubt that Speights is selected that high. Sure, he is an athletic specimen, but he has never really stepped up to the plate during in-game situations. I cannot conceive of a team that would select him in the lottery to be honest. He may have talent, but he is a bit behind the curve compared to some of these other prospects at the same age imo.

Stepping up as a offensive closer may be overrated once you project players into their NBA roles and the stats suggest he's done pretty well. His per-40 production is outstanding (23.9 pts, 12.8 reb, 2.8 blk). He ranks 6th overall in EFF/40. Even using traditional stats he has a sick 62.4% Field Goal Percentage while putting up 14.5 & 8 consistently and 16 pts and 18 rebounds in his final game... while I haven't watch that many of his games I think 18 boards is stepping up for a big man.

Are you sure the other big men prospects are really further ahead if they couldn't produce better in college? I see holes in their games a well:
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compar ... dre-jordan

[i<3basketball]

-= original quote snipped =-
Are you sure the other big men prospects are really further ahead if they couldn't produce better in college? I see holes in their games a well:
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compar ... ell-arthur

Great Website! Thanks I'll definately use that site. Speights really impresses me when comparing those categories. Lopez is still the best IMO, but the gap between he and Speights is much smaller than many think.

[WashWiz54]

Richard Roby.

Some mocks don't even have this guy drafted which amazes me. He has the jump shot, the athleticism, and basketball knowledge to become an elite SG. He will be the one guy every team looks back on and says "we could of had him!?!?!?"

[0nlyWonCanWin]

1.Nico Batum 6'8" 215 20 yo France

In 28 min scored 23 with 4 rebs and 4 stls 1 ast and 4 to on 9-13 shooting (3-5 on 3's) at the Nike Hoops Summit versus the majority of this years lotto class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akr4jxCA ... re=related

International flavor, cites SCOTTIE PIPPEN as his fav. player, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEzNa7ms ... re=related

If he's really got the handle to play 2 guard maybe the best of this class considering the shortcomings of eric gordon, mayo, bayless,westbrook, etc...


2.Kyle Waever 6'5" 201 21 yo

Played in a 4 guard system at Washington an still posted over 4 assists a game, All Pac 10 1st team, Pac-10 all defensive team, Defenensive All American (league featured Westbrook, Collison, Mayo, Bayless, buddinger, James Harding,etc... all nba bound) All American Hon. Mention nearly 1.6:1 assist to to ratio

first player in Pac-10 history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 175 steals and 75 blocked shots in a career
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo6_R6Ek ... re=related

Made it to the Sweet 16 this year, Sports Mng. degree, Wisconsin product
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHC5LHGJCNI

Glue player, seems like a spurs type selection, could guard 1-3 and play at least 1-2 at the next level which should give him instant value a class full of combo gaurds w. questionable point skills and d

forgive the longwinded post...

[jman3134]

-= original quote snipped =-



Stepping up as a offensive closer may be overrated once you project players into their NBA roles and the stats suggest he's done pretty well. His per-40 production is outstanding (23.9 pts, 12.8 reb, 2.8 blk). He ranks 6th overall in EFF/40. Even using traditional stats he has a sick 62.4% Field Goal Percentage while putting up 14.5 & 8 consistently and 16 pts and 18 rebounds in his final game... while I haven't watch that many of his games I think 18 boards is stepping up for a big man.

Are you sure the other big men prospects are really further ahead if they couldn't produce better in college? I see holes in their games a well:
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compar ... dre-jordan

I certainly do not take a statistical approach to this when analyzing Speights. I recognize that his PER has always been outstanding and he has been able to fill his role even on the championship Florida team. And, that is why he was projected before the season started as a candidate to emerge as an NBA prospect. However, despite his physical gifts and per minute production, you cannot simply look at the college stats. Also, you have to consider the Florida offense and the teammates he played next to in the frontcourt. Speights was relied upon as the beast inside and was the focal point of a lot of their post plays. So while this PER must be considered, it does not tell the entire story in regards to his role in the Florida offense.

He always has been an energizer for Florida's team and he has consistently put up nice rebounding and scoring averages. However, he is not on the level of an Arthur or Brook Lopez imo. I've eliminated Jordan from the picture because I would agree that Speights may edge him out at this point. Arthur played in a guard oriented system where he did not receive as many touches- I would attribute this to his lack of consistency throughout the season; namely his inability to receive constant post feeds to get into a rhythm. Thereby, it's very difficult to predict how he will fair at the next level. When given the opportunity, he was able to finish with remarkable consistency. The Kansas offense was much more shared, and I believe that Arthur got more transition touches. This would account for the anamoly expressed where he shot more field goals than Speights. Essentially I believe that Arthur's points were more varied. Speights possesses the edge in rebounding, but I beleive that Arthur has a bit more untapped potential that he was unable to demonstrate in the Kansas offense. I think he possesses a more consistent shot and is a better face up player. Speights can clean up plays and muscle his way in to the paint, but I believe that I would say that Arthur is more of a transition player whose speed and length allow him to flourish in the open court. I think they represent different styles- Arthur a transition big man to the tune of a lesser Amare, and Speights more of a back to the basket big man who can play in the open court, but does not possess the handle to drive to the hole. Also, I believe that Arthur creates a bit more havoc on the defensive end.

All in all, it's somewhat close, but I would give Arthur the slight edge.

[SactownHrtBrks8]

Brandon Rush any where picked past 15