Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts

Post #1 » by **mizzoupacers** » Tue May 31, 2011 4:31 pm

I think we need a thread on who the Pacers work out. They almost always end up drafting one of the guys they've brought in for a look.

Today's workout group: Jimmer Fredette, Tobias Harris, Vernon Macklin, Marcus Morris, Nolan Smith, Jeremy Tyler.

link

Last week it was Corey Fisher, Justin Harper, JaJuan Johnson, Darius Morris, Josh Selby, and Chris Wright.

My take on today's group:

I'm leery of Fredette.
Harris seems like no more than a mildly interesting developmental project.
Macklin might be worth a look in the second round.
Morris is a lock to go somewhere in the first round, who knows, maybe at #15.
Nolan Smith seems like a long shot.
Jeremy Tyler looks like a complete disaster.

Post #2 » by **mizzoupacers** » Tue May 31, 2011 4:54 pm

By the way, for any Purdue fans on here, I'd appreciate a scouting report for JaJuan Johnson. His stat numbers at Purdue last year were good and he tested pretty well in the NBA pre-draft camp measurements for size and athleticism...yet no one talks about him as a first-round pick. What gives?

Wizop · Post #3 » by **Wizop** » Tue May 31, 2011 5:02 pm

I like this group. I won't boo if Fredette is the pick because I don't think he will be unless he shows he can outplay guys like Nolan Smith and he'll have that chance today. conversely, if Nolan kills him, he'll move up my list. I'm a little down on Morris and his twin off what I saw in March but again they'll see how he does today.

I'm not sure why you see Tyler as a disaster. he's supposed to be at the top of the numbers charts. sure he had trouble as a high school senior playing against men in Israel but he did better last year in Asia. Brandon Jennings showed that playing in Europe instead of going to college can work and this kid is trying to show that going pro a year earlier can work too. I frankly hope it does because I think the college game would be a lot better off without guys who lack the academic resume to really belong in college.

Pacerlive · Post #4 » by **Pacerlive** » Tue May 31, 2011 5:28 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:By the way, for any Purdue fans on here, I'd appreciate a scouting report for JaJuan Johnson. His stat numbers at Purdue last year were good and he tested pretty well in the NBA pre-draft camp measurements for size and athleticism...yet no one talks about him as a first-round pick. What gives?

He is a senior thats what gives. He took a while to develop so all the scouts aren't as high on him as they are with younger players. He is one of the best shooting pf in this draft and I wouldn't be mad at all if the Pacers took him at 15 or bought Minny's pick at 20 to take him. He will be a solid pf in the league.

Post #5 » by **mizzoupacers** » Tue May 31, 2011 6:01 pm

Wizop wrote:I'm not sure why you see Tyler as a disaster.

He quit the team he was on in Israel and went home, and his coach among others was scathing in his criticism, saying he was really immature and lazy. Then he played a second year overseas in Japan, which sounded like it went better, but how good is that league? As good as the NCAA? It had to disband in midseason...at the very least it was a league completely off the radar.

Who knows, maybe he has grown up. I guess that's why you bring him in for a workout. But his track record is not good.

Pacerlive · Post #6 » by **Pacerlive** » Tue May 31, 2011 6:06 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:
Wizop wrote:I'm not sure why you see Tyler as a disaster.

He quit the team he was on in Israel and went home, and his coach among others was scathing in his criticism, saying he was really immature and lazy. Then he played a second year overseas in Japan, which sounded like it went better, but how good is that league? It had to disband in midseason...at the very least it was a league completely off the radar.

Who knows, maybe he has grown up. I guess that's why you bring him in for a workout. But his track record is not good.

I thought it was disbanded because of the earthquake/nuclear power plant diseaster. Actually the leauge is supposedly pretty good. A lot of division 1 players that didn't make it to the NBA play there including former IU players.

Wizop · Post #7 » by **Wizop** » Tue May 31, 2011 6:18 pm

Bob Hill the old Pacer coach coached that team in Japan. I'd trust Bob's opinion. and if the kid fell to us in the second, I'd be very interested. I figure his upside is way above Rolle's and we were sure high on him for a while last summer. in any event, I'm hoping pacers.com will post a post workout interview. that'll give us a read on his maturity.

Post #8 » by **mizzoupacers** » Tue May 31, 2011 6:54 pm

Since I think the Pacers should be searching high and low for a big, athletic power forward, I can't really complain about them working out Jeremy Tyler. But it would take one spectacular post-workout interview for Tyler to erase two years of essentially stamping "I don't have a clue" on his forehead. Even if Bob Hill tells him what to say.

Pacerlive · Post #9 » by **Pacerlive** » Tue May 31, 2011 7:12 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:Since I think the Pacers should be searching high and low for a big, athletic power forward, I can't really complain about them working out Jeremy Tyler. But it would take one spectacular post-workout interview for Tyler to erase two years of essentially stamping "I don't have a clue" on his forehead. Even if Bob Hill tells him what to say.

If you want more info on him then click on the link.
The 5/12/2011 update is pretty informative.
http://www.asiabasketballupdate.com/jeremy-tyler.html

Post #10 » by **Miller4ever** » Tue May 31, 2011 7:27 pm

He's saying the right stuff, but I still still have doubts about him having the right stuff.

Boneman2 · Post #11 » by **Boneman2** » Tue May 31, 2011 7:31 pm

If Jeremy outplays Morris, who knows. At 6'10" 255, he is definitely worth a look. Probably not at 15, but maybe we acquire a late 1st and take him because I think he'll be gone by round 2. I wouln't oppose the possible development of a hybrid C/PF.

Wizop · Post #12 » by **Wizop** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:45 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:But it would take one spectacular post-workout interview for Tyler to erase two years of essentially stamping "I don't have a clue" on his forehead. Even if Bob Hill tells him what to say.

those two years were the equivalent of his senior year of high school and the first year of college. so he was what 17 and 18? 18 and 19? I can give a kid his age a pass on stupid stuff done over the last two years if he evidences maturity now.

Post #13 » by **mizzoupacers** » Tue May 31, 2011 9:33 pm

How likely do you think it is that he will suddenly "evidence maturity"?

8305 · Post #14 » by **8305** » Tue May 31, 2011 9:44 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:By the way, for any Purdue fans on here, I'd appreciate a scouting report for JaJuan Johnson. His stat numbers at Purdue last year were good and he tested pretty well in the NBA pre-draft camp measurements for size and athleticism...yet no one talks about him as a first-round pick. What gives?

I think there are parts of JuJuan's offensive game that will translate to the NBA well. His mid range jump shot and his ability to run the floor and finish in transition should be effective. I'll be surprised if he becomes a true stretch 4 who is a legit three point shooting threat. Don't know how effective his post up game will be. He won't be scoring 20 a game in the NBA but, I could see where he could give you 10 to 12 with starter minutes.

I saw someone compare him to Hakim Warrick. JuJuan is a little bigger but they appear to be the same kind of athlete. Don't know that I would want to spend pick 15 on a guy whose top end is Warrick. Defense is what will make or break JuJuan. If he can become the kind of defender that can switch onto multiple players and block shots you would really have something. Warrick has nver done that. In fact he's a bad tweener who can't really guard either the 3 or the 4. If JuJuan can become a versitle defender like Jarred Jefferies and bring some of the offensive game he showed on college at pick 15 he could be a steal.

Kuq_e_Zi91 · Post #15 » by **Kuq_e_Zi91** » Tue May 31, 2011 9:45 pm

From reading tweets today, it looks like Jimmer dominated Nolan. There was also a video of him nailing about 18/22 threes after the workout. He hit his first like 15 straight, then got a little tired at the end.

I wouldn't be opposed to drafting him at #15. There's always a place for shooters in this league, and you could do a lot worse in this draft. Plus, I'm pretty sure that would give us the greatest college team in NBA history.

Post #16 » by **mizzoupacers** » Tue May 31, 2011 10:01 pm

I just don't know about The Jimmer. Great college career, but he doesn't pass my "eye test." I'm not sure he has an NBA position or that his game will transfer to the pros. Of course, I could be wrong.

Post #17 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue May 31, 2011 10:14 pm

Wizop wrote:I like this group. I won't boo if Fredette is the pick because I don't think he will be unless he shows he can outplay guys like Nolan Smith and he'll have that chance today. conversely, if Nolan kills him, he'll move up my list. I'm a little down on Morris and his twin off what I saw in March but again they'll see how he does today.

I'm not sure why you see Tyler as a disaster. he's supposed to be at the top of the numbers charts. sure he had trouble as a high school senior playing against men in Israel but he did better last year in Asia. Brandon Jennings showed that playing in Europe instead of going to college can work and this kid is trying to show that going pro a year earlier can work too. I frankly hope it does because I think the college game would be a lot better off without guys who lack the academic resume to really belong in college.

Asia is by no means a preparation method for the NBA. That's like going out and playing at the Cleveland YMCA. Sure, there's some athletes, but no one really plays defense, there's not really any coaching going on, and it's just basic talent.

I'm ok with Tyler in the 2nd round if he falls as a developmental guy who has to earn to make the team, but there's no way I consider him in the 1st with a guaranteed contract.

I do like Selby a bit, though.

Post #18 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue May 31, 2011 10:23 pm

Wizop wrote:Bob Hill the old Pacer coach coached that team in Japan. I'd trust Bob's opinion.

I'm not so sure I'm completely trustworthy of Bob's opinions.

Wizop · Post #19 » by **Wizop** » Wed Jun 1, 2011 1:30 pm

I found the videos posted on pacers.com yesterday very interesting. Jimmer shooting was top drawer while Smith shot himself in the foot. Tyler was very well spoken. I was prepared to hear a kid that talked like a high school drop out and he did not.

Scoot, I like Selby a bit too.

Mizzou, I thought Tyler's interview showed some maturity and growth. I just don't get the notion that taking an unconventional path is immature or that finding it difficult and having to learn to work harder is a bad thing. I'd think a year in Israel and a year in Japan would offer a lot more lessons than say going to KY for one year but ignoring all your spring classes because you know you're headed for the draft. obviously the more he drops the more you'd want to look at him, but if we were to take him at 15, I wouldn't be throwing things at my TV set. I'd trust our talent evaluators. same for Jimmer.

Post #20 » by **mizzoupacers** » Wed Jun 1, 2011 2:26 pm

I won't question the Pacers talent scouts either until I see what our draftees can do for the team. They know a lot more than I do. If they like Jimmer, hey, I have no problems with that. And I'd keep an open mind about Tyler as well, although I might pass out if they actually take him at #15. All I know for certain about him at this point is that he has virtually no track record of actual basketball performance and some serious question marks regarding maturity, commitment, and decision-making. But maybe he looks like the second coming of Kevin Garnett in workouts.

Another group in for workouts today. My take:

Jimmy Butler, Marquette--could be a solid second round pick for someone, but I'm not sure why the Pacers would need him when they already have Granger, George, and Dahntay.

Jon Diebler, Ohio State--good shooter in college. Could be a second-round pick for somebody.

Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA--possible first-round pick, but why would the Pacers be interested in him?

Joffrey Lauvergne--he's 6'10" and French. That's all I know about him.

Jamine Peterson--averaged 19.6 and 10 for Providence as a sophomore, which would interest me more if he was not a 6'6" forward who got kicked off the team. Played in D-League last year and did OK.

Kyle Singler--destined to be one of those tall wing players who stands in the corner and shoots threes. Meh.