#19 - Hickson

[LeQuitterNotMVP]

Gotta be Koufos. Local kid, possible replacement for Z.

*Hickson is the pick. Hmm...*

[LeQuitterNotMVP]

Well I guess it's Hickson. Not sure what to make of this pick.

[gflem]

I am glad they didnt take koufos. I just dont think he is physical enough. I wasnt impressed by him at OSU. I didnt see hickson play though, I hope he is a low post presence on both ends.

[TheOUTLAW]

No post game although he's strong and mobile. Could use another year in college. No jump shot.

I don't get the pick. Sure he's strong but to what end?

[LeQuitterNotMVP]

NBA Comparison: Chris Wilcox
Strengths: Very strong and mobile big man ... In addition to great upper and lower body strength, he has a very long wingspan, making his package that much more promising ... He has a nice first step that he utilizes effectively from the high-post, where he faces up and takes the ball to the hoop ... Shows nice patience and understanding of how to get open in the post, working from block to block to receive a pass in the best possible scoring position ... His repertoire in the post is decent and has shown some nice development; he can throw a variety of hook-shots, spin moves and up & unders at his defender from the block ... He has a fadeaway that is very difficult to defend because he gets it off with a mix of shoulder fakes ... Can be a difficult match up for bigger post players, because he has the body to mix it up inside, but also the speed and willingness to run the floor effectively ... Uses his length to block a number of shots and alter many others around the basket ... His broad shoulders allow him to clear space in the paint giving him a big advantage when it comes to rebounding ...

Weaknesses: Is still not ready for the next level, could use an extra year or so of college to mature further and develop his game ... Does not have the great leaping ability that so many other young 4 men in the league possess ... Although he shows a strong preference towards operating from the high post, his almost non-existent jump shot and subpar ballhandling will initially restrict him to the low blocks ... The limited range on his jumpshot can be attributed primarily to his flawed mechanics, as he does not square up to the basket and his elbow goes out too far on the release ... His touch around the hoop is very unrefined and he struggles to catch passes while on the move, which raises some questions about his hands ... He was able to get away with a lot offensively in college because he could always overpower the defender with his strength, but until he develops a dependable and consistent post up game he will struggle against the more athletic/aggressive players in the league ... Although he has been able to limit his fouls, his defensive game has shown minimal growth ... He is very undisciplined, leaving his feet to try and block every shot that is put up, he also gets out of position frequently, allowing his man to score with ease ...
Borko Popic - 5/26/2008

[TheOUTLAW]

I'm actually pretty disgusted by this pick.

[The Genius]

No post game although he's strong and mobile. Could use another year in college. No jump shot.

I don't get the pick. Sure he's strong but to what end?

"no post game?" really? that's not what i've read on places like draft express. in fact, draft express said "Hickson has a great feel for scoring in the post, showing a nice combination of quickness, footwork, strength, and a few very solid moves."

FWIW, i trust draft express with their evaluations over the years.

this is a much better pick than koufos, IMO. we need young athleticism ala maxiell from detroit. and for the people poo-pooing this pick, why don't you remind us where maxiel was drafted the year he came out? we need a kid who can run and dunk and play D. this kid seems like he can do that.

[LeQuitterNotMVP]

Wally, Varejao, Hickson for Redd, Villanueva

I think we could add in Gadz for Snow if the Bucks wanted that also.

This would make a lot of sense for both sides - we get our scorer, the Bucks get 2 PFs to help replace Yi (Alexander is a SF).

[TheOUTLAW]

As much as I like Maxiell (I'm a UC alum myself) I think you overrate him. The Cavs front line normally does a good job of dominating him unless he gets some junk points. I agree that the Cavs need someone that can score on the interior, but I think that Arthur was just a flat out more talented player and there are no questions regarding his motor or work ethic.

Strengths:

• Physical tools (minus height)
• Wingspan
• Athleticism
• Frame
• Coordination
• Explosiveness
• Second bounce
• Ability to score w/back to basket
• Strength for age
• Hands
• Finishing ability (through contact)
• Tenacity
• Hunger for scoring
• Wants to dunk everything
• Ability to get to FT line
• Footwork/Spin moves
• Rebounding
• Potential

Weaknesses:

• Undersized
• Offensive versatility
• Will post game translate?
• Ability to face the basket
• Shooting range
• Ball-handling skills
• Left hand
• Decision making
• Ability/Willingness to pass out of post
• Poor assist/turnover ratio
• Fundamentals/Feel for game
• Defensive awareness
• Defensive intensity
• Gets lost on rotations
• Lacks focus at times
• Played for underachieving team w/bad chemistry
• 2-3 years away from contributing

I can only hope that the Cavs somehow get another pick.

[JDaWg1000]

well i dont know much about him, but all mock drafts recently except for todays had him going to the cavs. right now im going to stay posoitive on him, and say that ferry must have seen something in him.

i personally think he will be fine, i think his defensive problems can be fixed by mike brown. and besides hes going to be playing with Lebron, and you know Lebron is going to do everything he can to teach this kid as are the other vetern big men we have (Z, Big Ben, Joe Smith).

but id also like to add a quick question, would you all have liked Darrel Arthur instead.

[gflem]

I thought thats who we were going to take, I was a little surprised we took Hickson. I saw several mocks that had the Cavs taking him though so I wasnt shocked. It would make me feel better if I had seen him play some in college, but I didnt so I will trust that Ferry and co. know what they are doing.

[TheOUTLAW]

I have no idea why we keep getting players that we somehow need LeBron doe magically make better. Why can't we get someone that just makes LeBrons job easier? To be honest his negatives look alot like those of Zach Randolph.

[The Genius]

well i dont know much about him, but all mock drafts recently except for todays had him going to the cavs. right now im going to stay posoitive on him, and say that ferry must have seen something in him.

i personally think he will be fine, i think his defensive problems can be fixed by mike brown. and besides hes going to be playing with Lebron, and you know Lebron is going to do everything he can to teach this kid as are the other vetern big men we have (Z, Big Ben, Joe Smith).

but id also like to add a quick question, would you all have liked Darrel Arthur instead.

yes, i probably would've but there's some rumors floating around that he has injury issues, hence his precipitous drop tonight in the draft.

[TheOUTLAW]

Well there is one thing that I've read about him that I like. They say "he wants to dunk everything". That's exactly the kind of guy that we need.

[The Genius]

I have no idea why we keep getting players that we somehow need LeBron doe magically make better. Why can't we get someone that just makes LeBrons job easier? To be honest his negatives look alot like those of Zach Randolph.

i'm not sure i understand your complaint here. what exactly did you expect to get with the 19th pick? someone to "make LBJ's job easier?" if so, you were going to be disappointed no matter who was picked. the 19th pick was never going to be a instant starter or anything. i just wanted someone big and athletic, again ala maxiel from det., and it looks like we got that. the kid's Win number (google it if you're not familiar) projection is quite good and and much better that players drafted ahead of him.

[TheOUTLAW]

Actually, I still believe that Batum would have made LeBrons job easier. But, a guy that'll get the team some easy inside basket will help as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGYl8yBmBKs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trnCca0a2lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW5oU8HbSqA

[rjgraca]

I am O.K. with them taking Hickson.

I read somewhere that they CAVs had him in twice and since he's only 19 with a decent scouting report.

I am not sure what some people were thinking the CAVs would get at the 19th pick. Even RealGM's recent mock draft had Hickson going to the CAVs. Yes, he wasn't a high profile name -- but their is no reason to panic or depressed since he didn't have the press clippings that some prospects had. The big name falling is the PF (Arthur) who has medical red flag associated with him due his back and kidney condition -- the CAVs took about the only big with upside that was left on the board at the point. Since the CAVs are going to trade Varejao and Gooden is gone -- Hickson shouldn't be that much of surprise considering that the CAVs like their Front Court guys to by physical ('Z' tries -- but he's a hold over from another era and FO style) and Hickson does have an NBA body right now.

It will be interesting to see if the CAVs draft the other guy they had in twice - Jamont Gordon.

[TheOUTLAW]

My issue is that I think that the Cavs have once again lost ground to more aggressive teams. To me, Hickson seems to complement Varejao way more than he'd be a replacement for him. Varejao is still the Cavs only backup to Z (please don't say that Wallace can hold down the fort).

[TheOUTLAW]

It'd be nice if the Cavs could get back in and get Chris Douglas Roberts. I didn't think he'd make it through the first round and you know how the Cavs tend to do better with their second rounders.

[rjgraca]

The off season is just beginning.

The other teams had more ammunition than the CAVs had. Varejao and Pavs BYC tags don't come off until after July 1st. The CAVs biggest assets are their expiring which will only gain value as we get closer to the trading deadline. Snow's expiring would probably be worth more due to his injury settlement that is in progress for him to retire.

Wallace is a lot better back-up for 'Z' than the CAVs had before Varejao. Wallace is still a solid backup for center.

The CAVs have Tractor Traylor on their Summer league team and reports are that he is in better shape and played well in Europe last year. The CAVs have Wayne Semein (spelling) - former Miami 1st round pick who is 6'9" 250 lbs on their summer league team too to see if he's fought throught the injuries that dogged him in his first two NBA seasons. I just don't consider the CAVs situation that bad at this point considering that the trading season is just starting with free agency just around the corner.