Nets Workout 16 Players

[Shapecity]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">June 7, 2005 -- And now the draft workouts for immediate help begin.
The Nets have scheduled workouts for 16 prospects, many regarded as certain first-round picks, in preparation for selecting 15th in the June 28 draft. The first group that will audition for the Nets' hierarchy Wednesday, June 15, includes 6-8 forwards Hakim Warrick of Syracuse and Ike Diogu of Arizona State. The following day, Pittsburgh's 6-10 forward/center Chris Taft will work out.

Two days later, the Nets will bring in Louisville's 6-7 forward Francisco Garcia and 6-7 forward Joey Graham of Oklahoma State, a player one mock draft site projects as going to the Nets. On Monday, June 20, the Nets will bring in 6-9 forward Wayne Simien of Kansas and 6-11 UConn star Charlie Villanueva. Sean May, North Carolina's 6-9 NCAA Tournament championship MVP, will work out on Wednesday, June 22.

Others who will be brought in from June 15-22 include 6-6 Kentucky guard Kelenna Azubuike, 6-4 Rutgers guard Ricky Shields, 6-4 Louisville guard Larry O'Bannon, 6-5 Manhattan swingman Peter Mulligan, 6-10 Serbian forward Marko Lekic, 6-6 Michigan State guard Alan Anderson, 6-8 Niagara forward Juan Mendez and 7-0 center Robert Rothbart of France. </div>

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[kdub]

Excellent, all the PF names that the Nets should be working out. It's gonna be interesting working out Ike Diogu and Hakim Warrick at the same time. I believe Ike is the better player, but Warrick just might fit better with the Nets. Both have different physicalyand skill attributes. In terms of 1 on 1, howver, i'm sure Ike Diogu is going to take Hakim Warrick to school. Warrick will probably perform better on a 5 on 5 setting with a running PG (like Kidd).

Taft is gone in my mind, I don't want a kid with a bad attitude, no matter how good Kidd's persuasion and motivational skills are. Why pick Sean May when you have a similar, but significantly better in all areas player in Diogu? Wayne Simien is another skilled post player, but I want a player who if not athletic, can still block shots (like Diogu... 6-8 with a 7-4 wingspan, think Elton Brand). Charlie Villaneuva is another headcase... forget him.

Don't know too much of the other names, but looks like the Nets are on the right track.

 

[Henacy]

I dont want Warrick while his athletism fits in extremely well with our concept, I think New Jersey now has to look to blend in a halfcourt game with the running game. And inorder to do that they have to find someone who can score some inside baskets down on the low block, Warrick doesnt have the indiviual post moves or strenght down low to get that done in my opinion.

Chris Taft is a toss up, everything that you hear about his work ethic etc.. tells you to run from the kid come draft night and never look back. But then you cant help but look at the up side. And you start to factor in one that he may get his head on straight playing so close to home being that he is from BK. And if he has a strong surport system around him then the sky is the limits for him. So you start to at least wonder is it worth the risk.

So it is going to be a difficult decision come draft night for Ed & Rod. And I think these upcoming workouts and interviews the team has with these guys could be the difference in my opinion on what direction the Nets intend to go.

Even tho..I know there is very little chance the Nets draft a swingman in the first round...I still like the fact that they are bringing my man Fransico Gracia in to workout, if we can find away to come up on another first round pick, Id love to see him in a Nets uniform on a personal note. He has hell of heart, a surivior. And you never can go wrong with that type of player.

 

[Ma3oxuct]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">Chris Taft is a toss up, everything that you hear about his work ethic etc.. tells you to run from the kid come draft night and never look back. But then you cant help but look at the up side. And you start to factor in one that he may get his head on straight playing so close to home being that he is from BK. And if he has a strong surport system around him then the sky is the limits for him. So you start to at least wonder is it worth the risk.</div>

I do not think that Taft is worth the risk in the first round. If he remains in the second round, then maybe the Nets will have some thought to chew on.

I am starting to kinda lean towards wanting the Nets to sign Diogu. Initially I was thinking that he is undersized and would never stand the chance to be a competative power forward, but seems to be a good rebounder in addition to defender. His long arms cancel out his hieght in a way.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting xpehbamxyu:</div><div class="quote_post">I do not think that Taft is worth the risk in the first round. If he remains in the second round, then maybe the Nets will have some thought to chew on.

I am starting to kinda lean towards wanting the Nets to sign Diogu. Initially I was thinking that he is undersized and would never stand the chance to be a competative power forward, but seems to be a good rebounder in addition to defender. His long arms cancel out his hieght in a way.</div>

Taft's stock is dropping but I dont think it will drop to 2nd round level. And definately not all the way down to us at #43. I can understand why everyone is sour on the kid, the reports on him are all negative. I was just simply observing some of the potential he may have in the future.But nowadays everyone is living off potential, so I can understand your point.

 

[kdub]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont want Warrick while his athletism fits in extremely well with our concept, I think New Jersey now has to look to blend in a halfcourt game with the running game. And inorder to do that they have to find someone who can score some inside baskets down on the low block, Warrick doesnt have the indiviual post moves or strenght down low to get that done in my opinion.</div>

I agree that Warrick is the epitome of tweener category, but reports have him up to 220, which is what Chris Bosh came into the Raptors as (Bosh might have even been 215, I forget). And remember Chris Bosh played center his rookie year, and held his own. I'm not saying Hakim Warrick will be the next Chris Bosh, as they're different types of players. But I'm just trying to say that Warrick's body type can withstand the NBA 4 and 5 spots. I disagree with the knock on his post moves. I think he works very well in the post, as that's his main option throughout his college career. What impresses me most is his footwork, which has always been stellar.

According to reports, and his trainer (Tim Grover, I believe), he'll be up to 235 by the time training came comes along and he is acutally shooting the mid to long range jumper very well.

I still think I would take Diogu over Warrick, though, if both were available by the time 15 comes around.

 

[Next Level Game]

Ike Diogu is the best bet. I have read multiple reports saying that he could be the best power forward in the NBA draft and the second best low post player to Andrew Bogut. I see a lot of Elton Brand in him with a better range. If he falls to 15, I say take him without regret. I just like this kid.

 

[Henacy]

Its good to see that Warrick is working on the range part of his game.But what is he doing to improve his skills with his back to the basket? he added any post moves? because honestly that is our main concern right now, adding someone who can score with their back to the basket in the halfcourt. We already have a bigman that can step out 15 feet and make the mid-range area jumpers with Nenad Krstic, now we need some low post toughest to compliment him.

 

[kdub]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">Its good to see that Warrick is working on the range part of his game.But what is he doing to improve his skills with his back to the basket? he added any post moves? because honestly that is our main concern right now, adding someone who can score with their back to the basket in the halfcourt. We already have a bigman that can step out 15 feet and make the mid-range area jumpers with Nenad Krstic, now we need some low post toughest to compliment him.</div>

I only mentioned his increasingly better shooting skills to show that he will be able to play SF as needed behind RJ and VC. This versatility is important, especially when you have a very weak bench.

As I stated before, Warrick's offense is the post. While he is no Shaq, Bogut, or Diogu, the post game has been his bread and butter. I don't think that's an area to worry about with Warrick.

 

[the_game]

if we're guaranteed to get a good PF in the FA, i myt as well go for Warrick.. for the athleticism alone..

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kdub:</div><div class="quote_post">
As I stated before, Warrick's offense is the post. While he is no Shaq, Bogut, or Diogu, the post game has been his bread and butter. I don't think that's an area to worry about with Warrick.</div>


Yes, it is true that Warrick got most of his points in the paint during his colege. But that still doesnt mean that he has good indiviual post moves...which he really doesnt. He scored alot of his points in the paint in college because of his lenght & athletism not his post skills. But in the pros his lenght(especially on offense) wont be as big of a factor when the league is full of long athletic bigs.