(OT) Scouting the tournament

[illmatic99]

Brandon Knight (#12-- freshman) from Kentucky is impressing me today. Making good reads and hitting jumpers. I didn't really buy into him as a lottery level talent, but he's playing like a top player right now.

 

[RR7]

Last night, a guy I like, Demetri McCamey put up 17-7 for Illinois in an 11 point win over UNLV. Unless they knock off Kansas, or he WOWS in pre-draft, he seems more likely a late first, early second type. Right where we'll be. I know there was discussion of him in another thread earlier in the season, with a mixed bag of thoughts on him, but I'd really like bringing him in.

Another is Nolan Smith. 9 points, 7 assists for Duke. Also likely to be available where we are picking.

 

[illmatic99]

McCamey looked a bit like Deron in that game. Very impressive.

 

[cdub503]

im liking harrelson of kentucky hes got good hands plays good defense from what ive seen. he kinda reminds me of pryzbilla but with way better hands. hes been playing like a beast in this tourny

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=41838

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm looking forward to watching Faried again later on this afternoon. Thursday was the first time I'd seen him in action, and I was very impressed. Gerald-Wallace-level energy, only bigger.

 

[espn_hall_of_famer]

Seems like a lot of late 1st rounders in the Tourney to keep an eye out this year for some reason.
I've been tracking:
Trey Thompkins
Nolan Smith
Chris Singleton
Kenneth Faried
William Buford
JuJuan Johnson
Justin Harper
Keith Benson
Kemba Walker, and
Demetri McCamey

I'd also follow Jimmer, but by now he's probably a 10-12 pick and getting out of Portland's reach.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Seems like a lot of late 1st rounders in the Tourney to keep an eye out this year for some reason.
I've been tracking:
Trey Thompkins
Nolan Smith
Chris Singleton
Kenneth Faried
William Buford
JuJuan Johnson
Justin Harper
Keith Benson
Kemba Walker, and
Demetri McCamey

I'd also follow Jimmer, but by now he's probably a 10-12 pick and getting out of Portland's reach.

I'm intrigued by Benson as well. I'm curious to see how he measures out at the combine.

Also to add another to the list, Wisconsin PG Jordan Taylor. Statistically, he looks like one of the best PGs in the country.

 

[illmatic99]

The Jimmer show vs. Stockton's son. There's a serious conflict going on in Utah right now.

BTW, Jimmer ftw. This dude is a lotto pick.

 

[illmatic99]

This guy takes some ridiculous shots. His game is reminiscent of JJ Redick's.

 

[Pinwheel1]

The Jimmer show vs. Stockton's son. There's a serious conflict going on in Utah right now.

BTW, Jimmer ftw. This dude is a lotto pick.

I just can't make up my mind on that. It is a very weak draft. But I am not sure the guy will make it in the NBA. I really want to see him play against a decent team to see what he can do. Not that there are many good teams in this tournament. The NBA draft rules have killed March Madness for me.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I just can't make up my mind on that. It is a very weak draft. But I am not sure the guy will make it in the NBA. I really want to see him play against a decent team to see what he can do. Not that there are many good teams in this tournament. The NBA draft rules have killed March Madness for me.

How have the draft rules killed March Madness? Do you think the tournament would be better if the top freshmen were in the NBA instead?

 

[Pinwheel1]

How have the draft rules killed March Madness? Do you think the tournament would be better if the top freshmen were in the NBA instead?

No I am talking about the fact that the days of great college teams are a distant memory. The NCAA tournament used to be the most exciting event in all of sports. Now with the best players leaving after their freshman year the quality of play in college basketball is greatly reduced. And the excitement of watching stars in the tournanment are few and far between. NC, Duke, UCLA. Michigan, Aizizona, Georgetown still are in there, but hardly anyone knows the players because the rosters change more quickly. Plus the players in the draft are worse because they are not around long enough to develop.

You can't leagally keep them in college, but as a fan i wish we could.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

No I am talking about the fact that the days of great college teams are a distant memory. The NCAA tournament used to be the most exciting event in all of sports. Now with the best players leaving after their freshman year the quality of play in college basketball is greatly reduced. And the excitement of watching stars in the tournanment are few and far between. NC, Duke, UCLA. Michigan, Aizizona, Georgetown still are in there, but hardly anyone knows the players because the rosters change more quickly. Plus the players in the draft are worse because they are not around long enough to develop.

You can't leagally keep them in college, but as a fan i wish we could.

Oh, so it's not the rules, so much as the lack of rule--like the NFL rule requiring three years out of high school before declaring for the draft (which, if you recall, Maurice Clarett challenged and lost).

Personally, I agree with you completely, and would go a step farther in suggesting that the 1-year rule actually hurt things more, by increasing emphasis on "one-and-done's", making roster turnover even more significant.

What I'd like to see, if there's any way to get the union to agree to it, would be a rule like what MLB has: let them come straight out of high school if they want to, but if they go to college, they need to stay for at least three years. Or perhaps there could be a higher salary structure for draftees with 3+ years college experience, to reduce the incentive for early entry. Or maybe both.

 

[illmatic99]

Derrick Williams pretty much sealed his #1 spot in this upcoming draft tonight. What a game!

Arizona played some terrific ball in that second half. You rarely see that kind of intensity (on both ends of the floor) from a team in the NBA.

 

[MickZagger]

Derrick Williams pretty much sealed his #1 spot in this upcoming draft tonight. What a game!

Arizona played some terrific ball in that second half. You rarely see that kind of intensity (on both ends of the floor) from a team in the NBA.

Williams is a stud and has definitely improved his draft status with his tourney play. But, I still think Irving is coming out and going to be #1.

 

[Rhal]

Williams is a stud and has definitely improved his draft status with his tourney play. But, I still think Irving is coming out and going to be #1.

Unless the wizards get the #1 pick I think its Irving. How do you pass on a bigger CP3?

 

[tlongII]

I think you have to go with Williams over Irving. His game clearly translates to the next level. Can't miss.

 

[RR7]

I think Irving as a standard PG translates a lot better than Williams, who many scouts still don't know if he is a 3/4.

Which usually means he's neither a 3 or a 4.

 

[PapaG]

I like Matt Howard as a 2nd-round/undrafted player. The guy is a banger.

 

[tlongII]

I think Irving as a standard PG translates a lot better than Williams, who many scouts still don't know if he is a 3/4.

Which usually means he's neither a 3 or a 4.

Williams is 6-8 and he shoots 60% from the college 3-pt distance. He's clearly a 3. He's hefty enough that he can play some minutes at the 4, but he's clearly a 3.

 

[RR7]

Clearly a 3 to....you, perhaps. Scouts seem to differ on that, however. So if some see him as a PF, and others as a SF, sounds like he's a little of both, a little of neither. Regardless, we're not in position to get or need him. I'd prefer guy slike him I don't want or need go high,a dn play their way into the top, to push others we might want or need down further.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Jimmer Fredette will almost match Adam Morrison's achievements in the NBA.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Jimmer Fredette will almost match Adam Morrison's achievements in the NBA.

I doubt he'll have half as many DNP-CD's, which is Adam's biggest achievement.

 

[MickZagger]

I think you have to go with Williams over Irving. His game clearly translates to the next level. Can't miss.

You'd be making a big mistake if you did that.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Clearly a 3 to....you, perhaps. Scouts seem to differ on that, however. So if some see him as a PF, and others as a SF, sounds like he's a little of both, a little of neither.

I wonder if the concerns are about his offense - or if this is a case of "who does he guard?"

 

[PapaG]

I doubt he'll have half as many DNP-CD's, which is Adam's biggest achievement.

Fredette, although he didn't show it last night, has an NBA 3-point shot. Once Ammo coudn't generate his own offense, he didn't have a good 3 point shot to rely upon.

Fredette, to me, has the potential to be a Steve Kerr-esque NBA shooter.

 

[PapaG]

You'd be making a big mistake if you did that.

Yeah, Irving hardly played this year, but the 3 games I watched Duke play with him in the NCAAs, he was the best player on the floor.

He's going to be an All-Star level PG. Williams, I just don't see him being a Top 15-20 NBA player, as nice as he looks at UA.

 

[MickZagger]

Fredette, although he didn't show it last night, has an NBA 3-point shot. Once Ammo coudn't generate his own offense, he didn't have a good 3 point shot to rely upon.

Fredette, to me, has the potential to be a Steve Kerr-esque NBA shooter.

I can see that. People also overlook the fact that Fredette can put the ball on the floor as well though, he also is like Steph Curry in that he's great shooting off the dribble. I think he'll have a little more success at the pro level than people think when he's not the main focus of the defense.

 

[illmatic99]

I don't think Wesley is too happy right now. 15-40 halftime score for his Marquette team vs UNC.

But they are making it somewhat reasonable in the second half.