Hollinger Suggests SAC pickswap

[Devilzsidewalk]

Eric Gordon proved a good player can end his career w/ a thud

[GopherIt!]

I'm kind of gravitating towards Harden being the clear 3rd best prospect in the draft, maybe even a thought at #2. Harden is freshman age, he's a few weeks younger than Derozan even. Could you imagine if instead of being a High school senior, that Derozan was in the NCAA last year and put up 18/5/2 steals, 53% shooting, 41% 3 pt shooting? People would be going bonkers, but thats what Harden put up at Derozan's high school senior age. This year he took on more of a defensive focus from the opposition and his percentages went down a little, but he dealt with it well upping his assists and free throw attempts.

He's not an explosive athlete and I think that's letting him slide under the radar, but he knows where he's going on the court and where his teammates are at all times and the guy is productive in almost every facet.

I wasn't all that impressed with Harden when he played against USC but I'd definitely
take him over D'Chosen Bust.

[cpfsf]

Before we needed to see the picks before deciding, now I wanna watch the workouts because I have no idea.

[Zeitgeister]

Eric Gordon proved a good player can end his career w/ a thud

True, but didn't Eric Gordon have a broken wrist in his shooting hand? Also, considering the coaching turnover and all the scandal that was wrapped up in that franchise, I think that affected his production. Also, Eric Gordon has damn near elite physical tools, aside from being 3 inches too short. He has a big wingspan to make up for it, and he's big too.

[Krapinsky]

I have this sense that Harden struggles against quicker, more athletic defenders. Am i dreaming that up?

I just have this feeling he's going to have a tough time creating his own shot.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Eric Gordon proved a good player can end his career w/ a thud

True, but didn't Eric Gordon have a broken wrist in his shooting hand? Also, considering the coaching turnover and all the scandal that was wrapped up in that franchise, I think that affected his production. Also, Eric Gordon has damn near elite physical tools, aside from being 3 inches too short. He has a big wingspan to make up for it, and he's big too.

he supposedly had a broken bone in his left hand, non shooting hand, but that was late january when that happened and he had plenty of big games since then so it didn't seem to be a factor. What happened was that teams were crowding the paint and forcing him to shoot jumpers since Indiana was basically one great guard, a 2nd round PF, and nothing more. Just like AZ st except worse because Pendergraph shoots jumpers, whereas DJ White has more of a power game. Teams started making a wall on Harden, he did what he could dishing the ball off and trying to impact the game other ways, but there was no help. Some games your shot is going to go cold and if you're cold on your long jumpers and there's no driving lanes available, then you're going to be screwed. Gordon is athletic, but we'll just have to wait to see Harden's measurements to see what he's got, seems like he might be decent sized

[invno1]

Agreed, there are nights your shot is not falling. But there plenty to do to be helpfull.

[Worm Guts]

I have this sense that Harden struggles against quicker, more athletic defenders. Am i dreaming that up?

I just have this feeling he's going to have a tough time creating his own shot.

I sort of agree. Harden can shoot and pass, which probably means he'll be a good NBA player, but I'm worried his ability to get the line is inflated by being left-handed. I'm not sure I have a very good basis for this, but I've always had the idea that being left-handed is a bigger advantage in college than in the pros when comes to getting to the line or creating your own shot.

[john2jer]

I don't really think of Paul Pierce being all that quick, either though. PP hhas like 2-3 inches on him, but the wingspan makes up for a little of that, plus being left handed helps a little.

I'm still Evans #1 and Harden #2, but I wouldn't be disappointed if we got Harden.

[Worm Guts]

I don't really think of Paul Pierce being all that quick, either though. PP hhas like 2-3 inches on him, but the wingspan makes up for a little of that, plus being left handed helps a little.

I'm still Evans #1 and Harden #2, but I wouldn't be disappointed if we got Harden.

It isn't so much Harden's lack of quickness that worries me, it was watching him against Taj Gibson at the end of the USC game. I know it's only 2 plays or whatever, but when I've only watched him play 3 times it really stands out.
I think I like Derozan the best just because he's the one I have the best feel for as far as how his game will translate to the NBA.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Taj Gibson is 5 years older and the reigning DPOY, not that big of an upset for him to make some awesome defensive stops on Harden

[john2jer]

My worry on DeRozan is that his game requires someone else to set him up, it seems. He's a flier that can freak the oop, but he needs someone to toss the alley. Does he have a one on one game? Can he set others up? Is he just a Rodney Carney? DeRozan again seems like the kind of player who can succeed on certain teams, but bust on others. I like Harden and Evans because they can create for themselves and others. Now if we had two picks early and got Evans and DeRozan, sure, I'd love that, but at #6, not with this team.

[Worm Guts]

Taj Gibson is 5 years older and the reigning DPOY, not that big of an upset for him to make some awesome defensive stops on Harden

Taj Gibson is not a unique defender, there's guys like him all over the place in the NBA.

[Worm Guts]

My worry on DeRozan is that his game requires someone else to set him up, it seems. He's a flier that can freak the oop, but he needs someone to toss the alley. Does he have a one on one game? Can he set others up? Is he just a Rodney Carney? DeRozan again seems like the kind of player who can succeed on certain teams, but bust on others. I like Harden and Evans because they can create for themselves and others. Now if we had two picks early and got Evans and DeRozan, sure, I'd love that, but at #6, not with this team.

With Derozan, even if he doesn't develop into a star he can slide into a role player that we need. If Harden can't get to the line or doesn't excel at creating his own shot, he'll still be a good player but not one that necessarily fits our team. With Evans, I'm not sure, it seems like if he's not a dominant scorer he won't be very good the NBA. Role players need to be able to shoot and play off the ball.
With Derozan I think you're drafting a guy with a high upside, but also with a high floor. Although you can definitely argue that the other two guys are more likely to reach their ceiling.

[john2jer]

Agreed, but I think we need a ball dominant perimeter player. Right now we have a bunch of role players surrounding Jefferson. I hate to bring it up, but looking at San Antonio, they have Duncan, and then two very good ball handling wing players than can get their own shot, or set-up others, in Parker and Ginobili. Evans and Harden have different games, but I think they fill that role better. I take Evans because I know he's an athlete, and he's shown he can get to the cup. Evans seems to be the halfway point between Harden and DeRozan, but with better point skills. Good athlete who can d-up, but also run the offense, set-up others, and get his own game going.

I think the Larry Hughes comparisons are actually a knock on him, even though Hughes is a decent player. Evans has the ability to be so much better than that. Maybe not quite Dwayne Wade, but I'm thinking close. More athletic Brandon Roy?