Keith Benson was a Very Good Pick, No Lie

[Superiorblogman]

Keith Benson is skinny and got pushed around by some tougher guys when he played better than mid major competition, true, sure, but I really think he is one of the best developmental projects in this draft and will look better at the end of the bench than Hilton or Etan. Nothing world changing here but that's the way I see it

[theatlfan]

If he's better than Magnum Rolle, then he's an OK pick. If he actually contributes, then he's a good pick...

[parson]

I've been screaming for a Center we could develop, so, yeah, I'm happy. A skinny body means he has growth potential. Being a late bloomer means he has growth potential.

Big hands, long arms, great wingspan, great vertical reach, good standing reach, very good vertical leap for a big...

... this is what the 2nd round is for.

[draycon530]

Now the only problems comes with whether or not we will actually try to develop him, or if we'll just sit him at the end of the bench for the next few years. That's what would have happened to Teague had Hinrich not gotten injured.

[FCNATL85]

Let's hope that he can turn in a better offensively equipped Mc Gee a few years from now...

[HoopsGuru25]

Let's hope that he can turn in a better offensively equipped Mc Gee a few years from now...

Javale Mcgee has one of the highest standing reaches in NBA history. If Benson is just good enough to stay in the NBA after his rookie contract(which some of Sund's draft picks have not)then it's an OK pick in the mid 2nd round.

[parson]

On the other hand, Benson's max vertical reach is only 1.5" less than McGee's. His standing reach is 5" less but his vertical leap is 3.5" better. Benson's a quicker and better leaper, too, being 4.5" better on the no-step vertical.

Seems to me, it's all a matter of work in the weight room for Benson. If he realizes that this is a job and he needs to work 8 hrs/day on his body, he can be a starter in the NBA. Put it this way: if Zaza had Benson's length and vertical, he'd be a top-10 starting Center. Well, Zaza will never be as long or jump as well, but Benson could become as strong as Zaza.

Now, I know 48th overall in the 2nd has less than a 25% chance of making it, so don't think I'm deluded.


I'm just dreaming a little.

[buckeye12]

I was hoping that Jeremy Tyler, Charles Jenkins, or Andrew Goudelock would fall to the Hawks (in that order), unfortunately, none of them did.

I don't think Benson will be a good player, but i don't think it is a bad pick, because Tyler, Jenkins, and Goudelock were already off the board.

if i was making the pick, i would have taken E'Twaun Moore. I think he had the gaudy numbers that translates well into the NBA, but at that point, Benson would have been #2 on my list of guys still available.

i think Benson will be a Solomon Jones (Othello Hunter) clone. i don't think Benson has the frame or body type to add anymore weight or muscle (remeber he is not a kid, he is already 23yr), but hopefully i'm wrong and Josh Smith can grab a hold of this guys and show him how to hit the weight room

i think the Hawks should have the same approach that the Wizards took on Andray Blatche when they drafted him and play him at SF for his rookie year, then when he adds more weight, slowly move him to PF and Center.

again, i'm still disappointed that Tyler, or Jenkins didn't fall to the Hawks, but the Hawks made the best of the situation and took a player that might fill a need, so all in all, i give the Hawks a "B+"

[HoopsGuru25]

On the other hand, Benson's max vertical reach is only 1.5" less than McGee's. His standing reach is 5" less but his vertical leap is 3.5" better. Benson's a quicker and better leaper, too, being 4.5" better on the no-step vertical.

I don't really see the point of comparing vertical leaps to be honest....especially for big men who will probably never get a full ahead of steam under them when contesting a shot or going up for a rebound. If they wanted the chance to be able to develop a potential McGee type prospect then they should have kept the 31st pick last year and drafted Whiteside IMO.

I mean you had people acting like DeAndre Jordan was some kind of stiff when he only posted a 30 inch vertical. Vertical numbers can be very deceiving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p51gvnVSFKc

[NWO4Life]

I give the Hawks a C+. Considering Benson the obv. choice the "+" was the Hawks didn't fail to take who the needed. The Hawks shouldnt have given 2 first rounders up for Hinrich. Giving credit that he had an injury is why I couldnt give them a D.

As for Benson there is hope. I too was hoping Tyler would fall to the Hawks god knows they could have moved up to grab him easily in this draft. I think he will make the club bout doubt the amount of impact he will have off the bench. He could have a long career but it will be a few years for this big to mature to a solid role-playing Center.

[parson]

I don't really see the point of comparing vertical leaps to be honest....especially for big men who will probably never get a full ahead of steam under them when contesting a shot or going up for a rebound.

Not even a no-step vertical? Seems to me that most shot-blockers jump when they block a shot.

[Ruhiel]

On the other hand, Benson's max vertical reach is only 1.5" less than McGee's. His standing reach is 5" less but his vertical leap is 3.5" better. Benson's a quicker and better leaper, too, being 4.5" better on the no-step vertical.

I don't really see the point of comparing vertical leaps to be honest....especially for big men who will probably never get a full ahead of steam under them when contesting a shot or going up for a rebound. If they wanted the chance to be able to develop a potential McGee type prospect then they should have kept the 31st pick last year and drafted Whiteside IMO.

I mean you had people acting like DeAndre Jordan was some kind of stiff when he only posted a 30 inch vertical. Vertical numbers can be very deceiving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p51gvnVSFKc

Exactly its all about holding position. which McGee cant do. Hawks probably thought "Can he defend Joakim"? Boozer?

Thats how Atlanta thinks. where will the points come from?

Best case = Mikki Moore. Chris Andersen with a jumper? who knows. dont have offense imo.

[parson]

A slug - no matter how strong - will never get longer.
A weakling CAN get stronger.

All in all, this is a very good 2nd round gamble. Look at the measurables: if Benson doesn't make it, he's Hilton Armstrong. If he does, he's Joakim Noah. As I said earlier, it'll all be a matter of how hard he works on his body.

[evildallas]

Give the kid time to develop and get stronger. If he can from the 2nd round he's a steal. If he can't well then he's par for the course for our second round picks. Also did anyone expect whomever our 2nd rounder was that he'd see much run under Larry Drew?

[dms269]

He was the 48th pick in a draft that many experts were saying is not very deep. If anyone thinks it is a horrible pick then they are joking themselves. If he can stay on the rosters then it is solid. He looks to be a solid player, just needs to bulk up some.

[Ruhiel]

He was the 48th pick in a draft that many experts were saying is not very deep. If anyone thinks it is a horrible pick then they are joking themselves. If he can stay on the rosters then it is solid. He looks to be a solid player, just needs to bulk up some.

Keith Benson is 23 years old and 217. Joe Johnson is 30 years old and declined last year.
Hawks are in panic mode and will make a panic move.

Atlanta gets Antoine Walker
Dallas gets Jason Terry, Alan Henderson and a first round pick.

Atlanta gets Kirk Hinrich
WAS gets Bibby, 2nd rounder (JordCrawford who's a tweener but has trade value/potential, and pick)
for Hinrich.
Hinrich gets injured. Lose in 2nd round. Jason Collins is your starting center DNP 30 games 33yo and plays 1 quarter per game.

Head in the Sand. Hawks are rebuilding non-contenders.

[Bucked19]

He was the 48th pick in a draft that many experts were saying is not very deep. If anyone thinks it is a horrible pick then they are joking themselves. If he can stay on the rosters then it is solid. He looks to be a solid player, just needs to bulk up some.

Keith Benson is 23 years old and 217. Joe Johnson is 30 years old and declined last year.
Hawks are in panic mode and will make a panic move.

Atlanta gets Antoine Walker
Dallas gets Jason Terry, Alan Henderson and a first round pick.

Atlanta gets Kirk Hinrich
WAS gets Bibby, 2nd rounder (JordCrawford who's a tweener but has trade value/potential, and pick)
for Hinrich.
Hinrich gets injured. Lose in 2nd round. Jason Collins is your starting center DNP 30 games 33yo and plays 1 quarter per game.

Head in the Sand. Hawks are rebuilding non-contenders.

Im pretty sure his injuries had something to do with his decline.

[dms269]

What does the Hinrich trade have to do with Keith Benson? I'm unsure how JJ has to do with him as well.

How are the Hawks in panic mode? Is it because they took a lanky player with the 48th overall pick? It isn't like the 48th pick is ripe for talent. There is only one Marc Gasol.

We all know how much you loved Donatas and Leslie. Would you have rather we did not beat Orlando and drafted Donatas? Without Hinrich, we do not defeat Orlando..plain and simple. Nelson would go off being guarded by Crawford and we would have ended up losing the series.

I'm not sold on Donatas. He isn't a traditional big man who struggles with rebounding and defense. Is that really what we need? Also not a fan of Leslie. He can dunk and play defense, wow. Damien Wilkins can play defense. In the nba now you have to be able to hit the outside shot if needed. Make Leslie shoot that outside shot and you are effectively shutting him down.

If the Hawks were in panic mode they would have traded Smith to Orlando for Bass and Nelson. They would be shipping off Horford for trash. You are not in panic mode when you trade picks for solid, contribution players. Hinrich played great for us. Yes Crawford averaged 16 ppg for the Wizards last year...on 39% shooting and 24% from 3. Volume scorers do not carry a ton of value around the league. Jamal Crawford got traded for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton. He also got traded for Al Harrington. He is another volume scorer.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Give the guy 2 years to build some muscle. It is never to late to add muscle. Especially if you are willing to add it. I honestly think he has more low post game than guys like Solomon, Hollis, and even Horford. The guy average 17 ppg , 10 rot for 2 straight years and 3 bpg during that period. Decent mid range and a few good post moves is better than most of what we got. 20 pounds of muscle and he will be a solid starter. Marc Gasol was supposedly never going to get into shape. I think he turned out pretty good..

[Ruhiel]

2 years Josh expires and we have Marvin's contract.
Marc Gasol was an MVP of his league and w/ a HOF older brother. Parents are doctors.

He can't fail. Benson has already 'made it'. Wait and see but Josh is gone imo and we are rebuilding/reshuffling around Al (bad move)

just imo.