Pre Conference:NBA Draft Outlook:Hawks Edition: Center

[Superiorblogman]

Pre Conference NBA Prospect Outlook

Center

Andre Drummond- Drummond posts numbers similar to DeAndre Jordan at similar ages. Drummond rebounds at a rate of 1 rebound for every 3.79 minutes played, 1 block per every 7.8 minutes played, 1 pt for every 2.5 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 6.9 minutes played. Drummond needs to increase his rebounding rate but he seems to be a good prospect in comparison at this stage.

Tyler Zeller- As a freshman Zeller posted numbers not too far off from those of Drummond’s and Jordan’s except he is not a shot blocker. He rebounded at a rate of 1 rebound for every 3.9 minutes, 1 pt for every 2.51 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 7.09 minutes played. Zeller is currently enjoying his best year which is bumping his career averages. Currently on his career he is averaging 1 rebound per every 3.62 minutes played, 1 pt for every 1.87 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 5.46 minutes played. Safe to say Zeller has improved over his time at UNC and was never bad, but one must wonder how much of that improvement is simply due to him maturing and benefiting from playing against less mature players. That’s the stigma that upper class players must battle.

Reggie Johnson- As a first year player Reggie Johnson posted numbers superior to De-Andre Jordan and Drummond’s. He rebounded at a rate of 1 rebound per every 2.95 minutes played, 1 point for every 2.125 minutes played, and 1 FT per every 4.12 minutes played. He is not a shot blocker though his numbers were superior to those of Zeller’s. Currently for his career he is averaging 1 rebound per every 3.25 minutes and 1 point per every 2.27 minutes played, plus, 1 FT per every 4.32 minute played. There are problems here with this guy though and the biggest is how old is he?

Gorgui Dieng- As a first year player Dieng posted some unheralded but good numbers. His rebounded rate was 1 rebound per every 3.54 minutes played, 1 block per every 8.2 minutes played, 1 point per every 2.73 minutes played, and 1 FT per every 8.6 minutes played. For his career he is currently giving 1 rebound per every 3.24 minutes played, 1 block per every 9.52 minutes played, 1 pt for every 2.8 minutes played, and 1 FT for every 8.3 minutes played. This guy is displaying some good qualities and is kind of going under the radar.

Joshua Smith- As a first year player Smith posted some impressive numbers of 1 rebound per every 3.4 minutes played, 1 pt per every 1.99 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 4.6 minutes played. For his career he is currently averaging 1 rebound per every 3.3 minutes played, 1 pt per every 1.93 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 4.27 minutes played. On the other hand, it will be hard to take Joshua seriously until he proves that he can play more than 21.7 minutes per game, his minutes have actually decreased from last year.

Honorable Mention:

Meyers Leonard- He was basically worthless in his freshman year but has been better his sophomore and is showing hope during a season in which he will be 19-20. He is averaging 1 rebound per every 3.57 minutes played, 1 block per every 11.125 minutes played, 1 point per every 2.09 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 7.34 minutes played. His career numbers are currently 1 rebound per every 4.01 minutes played, 1 block per every 12.89 minutes played, 1 point per every 2.34 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 8.39 minutes played. He is currently having a good year and it is needed just to get that nasty taste out of most mouths, but I still don’t know about this guy he looked too worthless in year 1. I kind of need to see it again to believe it.

Festus Ezeli- Festus was never as useless as Meyers was in his freshman season but he does leave a lot to be desired. His best year so-far his junior year was when he rebounded at a rate of 1 rebound per 3.73 minutes played, 1 block per every 9 minutes played, 1 point per every 1.80 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 3.67 minutes played. For his career Ezeli is currently rebounding at a rate of 1 rebound per every 4.09 minutes played, 1 block per every 11 minutes played, 1 point per every 2.32 minutes played, and 1 free throw per every 4.64 minutes played. As I said Festus does have some good stuff to his game but he also leaves a lot to be desired.

P.S. DeAndre Jordan's production was used as a comparison chart of sorts because he was a 1 and done 18-19 year old kid. I feel that it is more effective to compare guys to successful one and done guys to see how far they have progressed. I am sure you could argue there are better ways.

All opinions are welcome.

[Ruhiel]

How are we going to get lottery picks?

[Superiorblogman]

Who said we need a lottery pick? Drummond probably a lottery pick and the others probably not

[ATL Boy]

I like Ezeli, I've seen him play and wouldn't be mad at all if the Hawks drafted him.

[evildallas]

I concur on Ezeli. He'll likely be a late first or early 2nd given current projections. Depending on where the Hawks pick he might be the best investment on the board for them. He's improved a lot during his time at Vandy and was a defensive force last year.

[Superiorblogman]

Zeller and Reggie Johnson battled tonite.

Reggie Johnson 12 pts and 9 rebs in 30 minutes. That's 1 PT per every 2.5 minutes and 1 Rebound per every 3.3 minutes on the floor.

Zeller 16 pts and 10 rebs in 25 minutes. Zeller gave 1 PT per every 1.56 minutes on the floor and 1 rebound per every 2.5 minutes on the floor.

[parson]

Considering the teams that need help at Center, I could see someone reaching for Ezeli, maybe even into the teens of the 1st round. Defensive bigs are always attractive.

I agree the Hawks would like him, even if he ended up only being a backup.

[Superiorblogman]

Ezeli statistically is stinking it up this year big time recently atleast