Must Draft Alex Len!

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Register Log in
magnifier661

magnifier661

B-A-N-A-N-A-S!
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
59,328
Likes
5,588
Points
113
Dude is a true NBA center! The guy is 7'1" with a 7' 3.5" wingspan. Averaged 2.34 blocks + 7.8 rebounds in a wing heavy conference. This guy will be a hard hat, tough center that we need!

Read the scouting on his defense.

On the other end of the floor, Len's terrific size, length and mobility give him tremendous potential on defense. He led the ACC in blocked shots per-40 minutes last season, over the likes of NBA draft picks John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Bernard James and Miles Plumlee, and averaged a solid 10 rebounds per-40p.

Len has quick feet and good timing stepping out and hedging screens on the perimeter, something you usually don't see 7-1 centers do too often. His main virtue lies as a rim protector, though. He's so tall and long he often doesn't even have to leave his feet to block a shot, and he has a tremendous knack for using his wingspan to alter and reject shots around the rim.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz2VBA3XI1W
http://www.draftexpress.com
Click to expand...
 
a few drafts have him available at #10, many don't, where does he end up is a tough Q especially with his injury and inability to do workouts.
 
He is the one guy in this draft I think could really help. But, we would have to move up.
 
Shabazz, Len, Oladipo are the only acceptable players in this draft for me. (Without seeing workouts, that is). Anything else is should be traded.
 
OregonHuskerMan said:
Shabazz, Len, Oladipo are the only acceptable players in this draft for me. (Without seeing workouts, that is). Anything else is should be traded.
Click to expand...

I would take McLemore in a heartbeat. Explosive with a Jump shot
 
He hasn't been on my radar because he'll be out of reach, even with this injury.

Top 6 lock.
 
Most of my college knoledge comes from what I read, but Im intrigued by Len also. Doubt he will be available at 10 though. Also I got to wonder how a rookie big will work out with our Lamarcus plan, I figure we have this year and maybe next to show some major progress or we need to think about shopping him, bigs can be a 2-5 year development plan.
 
The interesting backstory to me is... how many lottery GMs will be comfortable drafting players with significant injuries? Are the Blazers one of those teams?
 
Wizard Mentor said:
The interesting backstory to me is... how many lottery GMs will be comfortable drafting players with significant injuries? Are the Blazers one of those teams?
Click to expand...

Probably at #10 but not at #1. If we had the 1st pick would we trade it or take the SG?
 
Thanks for your racism, it adds a lot to the board.
 
donkiez said:
Most of my college knoledge comes from what I read, but Im intrigued by Len also. Doubt he will be available at 10 though. Also I got to wonder how a rookie big will work out with our Lamarcus plan, I figure we have this year and maybe next to show some major progress or we need to think about shopping him, bigs can be a 2-5 year development plan.
Click to expand...

I think if we landed Len that by itself would show progress. I am not sure there are too many other centers currently in the league that we have discussed that are that much better. So moving up to get him would be cheaper than using that same asset to absorb a contract. (Or sign to a offer sheet.)

So I guess they should explore him as well.
 
Pinwheel1 said:
I think if we landed Len that by itself would show progress. I am not sure there are too many other centers currently in the league that we have discussed that are that much better. So moving up to get him would be cheaper than using that same asset to absorb a contract. (Or sign to a offer sheet.)

So I guess they should explore him as well.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking as well.... I would like us to make this move. He seems a better fit to be paired with Aldridge. He is a strong legit 7' center that is known for defense and shot altering. I don't see Leonard being that guy. I would use Leonard and the #10 to pick him up, IMO. Or maybe keep Leonard and use the #10 and a few 2nd rounders to pick him up.
 
So this guy is BETTER than Meyers?
 
If you blended the two of them together you'd have a complete NBA center.
 
OregonHuskerMan said:
Shabazz, Len, Oladipo are the only acceptable players in this draft for me. (Without seeing workouts, that is). Anything else is should be traded.
Click to expand...
So far I agree. [Insert disclaimer that I don't follow NCAA.] Though there are still a few names I haven't taken the time to read anything about.
 
I would not use Leonard to get him. I would want them both. I think Leonard will end up working well with LMA as well. Especially at the high post. He has a decent mid range jumper (enough to keep the D honest) and he is a pretty good passer.

They both would need to get better, but you need at least two centers anyway. Use the Greek to move up.
 
Boise Blazer said:
[video=youtube;Ajwa8j79vd0]
Click to expand...

Yeah, after reading a bit and then seeing this I got pretty high on Len. He plays like a man. (Though maybe it's because he's not playing against men?) I know that those video highlights should be taken with a grain of salt, but it looks like he has coordination, skills, and strength around the hoop that I always find lacking in LMA. I wonder if LMA could learn to pass from the high post? Because IF he could hit a moving player, then he MIGHT be worth keeping if we had a real man playing around the hoop.
 
Not to dwell too much on his passing, but can he? It would be nice to know if he had a feel for that part of the game.
 
The intrigue around Len begins with his outstanding physical profile. Standing 7-1, with a huge wingspan, big shoulders, and a frame that will surely fill out nicely over the next few years, Len clearly has terrific tools to work with. He's also a very good athlete for his size, as he runs the floor well, elevates off the ground quickly, and is capable of playing above the rim with ease.


* * *

Len did not play a very big role in Maryland's offense last season, as he sported just the fifth highest usage rate on the team, despite being their most efficient scorer. With undersized shooting guard Terrell Stoglin, who led the ACC in field goal attempts per-minute by a huge margin, being booted off the team, there will now likely be a much larger emphasis on incorporating him into the offense. Len should be able to shoulder additional playing time and a bigger role as a sophomore after a full offseason in the weight room and more practice time to develop chemistry with his teammates.

With his impressive foot speed and ability to effortlessly elevate around the basket, Len was much more effective as a finisher last season than he was as a post-presence. Showing soft hands and excellent touch, he's capable of scoring with either hand inside the paint. He shows a nice basketball IQ moving the ball within the flow of the offense, sometimes with a nifty bounce pass to a cutter diving to the rim. He also has nice shooting mechanics, making a couple of mid-range jumpers last season.

With that said, Len is still figuring out how to effectively use his talent on a consistent basis. His frame is simply too thin to allow him to establish and hold deep post position, and when he does catch the ball inside the paint, he doesn't always have the footwork, balance and coordination to get a good shot off, particularly in traffic. Continuing to get bigger, tougher and stronger are huge keys for his future, as will simply gaining experience on the basketball court, something he clearly sorely lacks at the moment. He turned the ball over on 25% of his possessions last year, and made just 59% of his free throw attempts, two areas scouts will want to see improvement in this season.

On the other end of the floor, Len's terrific size, length and mobility give him tremendous potential on defense. He led the ACC in blocked shots per-40 minutes last season, over the likes of NBA draft picks John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Bernard James and Miles Plumlee, and averaged a solid 10 rebounds per-40p.

Len has quick feet and good timing stepping out and hedging screens on the perimeter, something you usually don't see 7-1 centers do too often. His main virtue lies as a rim protector, though. He's so tall and long he often doesn't even have to leave his feet to block a shot, and he has a tremendous knack for using his wingspan to alter and reject shots around the rim.

With that said, Len had his fair share of issues in many ACC contests last season, averaging nearly five fouls per-40 minutes versus in-conference competition. He didn't always have the strength, experience or toughness to deny opposing big men deep post position, not fighting hard enough early in possessions to prevent them from catching the ball with two feet in the paint. As he gets older, smarter and more physically mature, scouts will want to see him do a better job in this area.


http://www.draftexpress.com
 
Remember what I told you about highlight vids....... can make Luke Babbitt look like Glen Rice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Fez Hammersticks
09 Draft: Backup PF answer?
Replies
29
Views
2K
Wizard Mentor
Wizard Mentor
TBpup
Draft Prospects: OG Anunoby & Robert Williams
Replies
24
Views
2K
WillG
W
Further
A draft day summary for the Blazers
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
jlprk
jlprk
Natebishop3
Comparing Collins to another former lottery pick by the Blazers
Replies
20
Views
1K
Boob-No-More
Boob-No-More
J
Is it worth it to get Thabeet some extended run?
Replies
29
Views
2K
Natebishop3
Natebishop3

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top