Draft Prospect Tidbits

[George O'Brien]

Most of these came from Probasketball.about.com:

PROSPECT REPORT: Let's cast an eye across The Pond and peruse last weeks EuroLeague notables. Lottery prospect Kosta Perovic will likely miss the rest of the season with a broken hand. For the season, Perovic produced respectable numbers in keeping the starting spot warm for the injured Nenad Krstic (2002 No. 1 pick for the Nets). Perovic averaged 6.8 points and 4 boards - nothing to scoff at from an 18-year old in the world's second-best league. (nbadraft.net has him at #11)

PROSPECT REPORT: Got a chance to see Tiago Splitter this weekend on NBA TV, as Tau battled Pamesa from a few weeks back. Splitter struck me as Brazil's answer to David Lee of Florida: very active and athletic, not 7-feet tall and doesn't play that big either, very unpolished offensive game. Not so sure that equates to a Lottery pick as many have had Splitter for some time, rather, look for Splitter to land just beyond the Lottery to a team like Boston or Milwaukee.

PROSPECT REPORT: Is there a more unique player on any basketball level right now than Arizona's Andre Iguodala? His 19-point, 8-board, 7-assist stat line Thursday in a blowout win over Oregon State has pretty much become standard numbers. For the season, Iguodala is putting up 12.5 points, 8.9 boards and 5.5 assists, demonstrating a sophisticated game that goes beyond just trying to score. At 6-6 with ridiculously long arms, Iguodala projects as a small forward in the pros, and with Ron Artest's offensive development, look for Igoudala to go in the Late Lottery area to a team confident that he'll develop a jumper on the next level as Artest did. Even if he doesn't, you're looking at a Rodney McCray-type talent with a mastery of everything on the floor. (nbadraft.net has him at #12)

PROSPECT REPORT: Yesterday, we pinned Andre Barrett as the next Avery Johnson. Today, we see a whole lot of Tim Hardaway in St. Joseph's Jameer Nelson. We doubt Nelson is even close to his listed 6'0" height, but he's built like a rock at 190 lbs. and he's got the mental makeup to match his football player physique. We don't see Nelson being as productive an offensive player as Hardaway, but we're encouraged by Nelson's recent run of hot shooting from the three-point arc. Even after an 0-for-3 night vs. Villanova, Nelson is hitting at solid 50% clip (35-of-72) from downtown in his last 11 games. Figure him to go in the late Lottery - the Clippers would love to get their hands on him. (nbadraft.net does not list him)

PROSPECT REPORT: We get the obvious characterization of Missouri's Linas Kleiza as the next Ivan Drago, but on a serious note, we think we've hit on the perfect comparison of Kleiza's game: Bill Laimbeer. Watching my beloved Syracuse last night, I was overcome with feelings of hate for the bruiser-with-a-jumper style of Kleiza. He's a guy you hate, but wish you had and NBA front-office personnel have to be salivating at Kleiza's nasty game coming to the pros. He won't ever be a Lottery selection, but if we were a mid-level Playoff team like Houston or Boston, we're jumping on Kleiza. (He is 6'8" 245 - nbadraft.net has him at #45)Probasketball.about.com:

 

[slinslin]

Andre Iguodala had his 3RD triple double of the season today against UCLA

14pts 11reb 10ast 5stl he shot only 2-11 and 1-3 from behind the arc but he went 10 times to the line that is a sign of a great player.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by slinslin
but he went 10 times to the line that is a sign of a great player.

No its not. It is a sign of a player that doesn't shy away from contact, and will take it to the hole.

In NO way does that signify a "great" player



(The tripple double doesnt hurt him though )

 

[slinslin]

Well if Marion would draw fouls when his shot isn't falling he would be great.

We should get some good scouting on Iguodala. Come on he is playing just infront of the Suns door.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by slinslin
Well if Marion would draw fouls when his shot isn't falling he would be great.

That doesn't really make your first statement true....

However, I do agree with you on that point.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by slinslin
Well if Marion would draw fouls when his shot isn't falling he would be great.

We should get some good scouting on Iguodala. Come on he is playing just infront of the Suns door.

I think you're getting a little obsessed with him. He's getting to be all you talk about. If you were in the United States he would probably have to get a restraining order.

I like Iguodala, but RJ is at least 2 in. than him, and he was a better shooter (although still not very good) out of college.

Joe Mama

 

[slinslin]

Maybe Jefferson has 2in on him. But I bet that Iguodala has more than 2in vertical jump on him, quickness and at least 2in wingspan and standing reach.

Those attributes seem to be way more important for perimeter players than simply heigth.

Iguodala is a better defender, passer and athlete than Jefferson.

If the Suns plan on being a fast paced team, a guy like Iguodala would become a star.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by slinslin

If the Suns plan on being a fast paced team, a guy like Iguodala would become a star.

You've got to be kidding. I like Andre just fine, but you are absolutely in love with the guy. How many UofA games do you actually watch anyway? Igoudala a better athlete than Richard Jefferson?? Do you actually watch games? Andre is a great athlete, but Jefferson was a freak of nature.

Andre is a good player, but Miles Simon was also a great player in college, and so was Khalid Reeves (who was one of the greatest players EVER in the Pac-10). And I'll say it again, I like Hassan Adams a little bit more because he plays BIGGER. Andre will be undersized in the NBA.

 

[PhxGametime]

IMO Andre Iguodala and Hassan Adams are top 3 potential SG's I've seen this year. Iguodala won't last to New York pick and is top-10 talent. Luol Deng I really haven't watched too much but with height and skills only SG have rated higher on Draft board. I do like SG's potentially in draft - Antoine Wright, Christian Drejer as well.

Romain Sato could jump up in draft board and when I get to watching - Josh Childress, James White, Ricky Paulding, Julius Hodge, Luke Jackson, Kennedy Winston, Andre Emmett could make a case. Anthony Richardson coming into season could of been a sleeper but I expected more and expect AR to stay in college.

 

[Joe Mama]

Sato is a stud. He is every bit as athletic Iguodala. I was surprised that he is only shooting 40% from the field because he looked like a very good shooter when I watched him earlier this year. He's also a very, very good defender. Would it take him before Iguodala? No, I wouldn't, but he is still a nice prospect.

Slin, I'll give you that Iguodala is a better passer than Jefferson. He is probably as athletic as Jefferson. He's not any better defensively though. Jefferson was a damned good defender coming out of college. I think Jefferson was a much better shooter. It isn't just that shooting isn't one of Iguodala's strong points. He is a poor shooter.

Joe Mama

 

[Joe Mama]

If the Phoenix Suns can get Vujanic over here next season point guard will probably be one of their least concerns. However one college player I've been intrigued by is Blake Stepp. He is a 6'4" point guard from Gonzaga averaging 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. What makes him most intriguing though is his shooting. He is probably the best shooter in college basketball right now. He's averaging 47% from the field and 44% from behind the arc, and he has incredible range on his shot.

Right now NBA draft.net has him as the second pick in the second round. I'll be surprised if he isn't one of the players that moves up on the draft for though. I think he will probably go in the middle of or latter half of the first round.

Joe Mama

 

[PhxGametime]

Well there is no profile on Blake Stepp at NBAdraftnet but I saw a few minutes the other day - and with size and passing ability (wasn't aware of shooting) he could be PG/SG in Tony Delk mode. I wouldn't mind 3 PG's on team at that size (all 6'3+).

I collect game film of as many prospects I can behind Suns games tapes (incase Suns draft that prospect and would like to see firsthand) but I don't have a lot of time to watch everybody and Ronny Turiaf actually was prospect planned to watch.

 

[slinslin]

Iguodala chipped his fronttooth on the rim on a dunk, we all saw what kind of athleticism Jefferson had in last years dunk contest.

www.goazcats.com

Most of those die-hard AZ fans don't compare Iguodala to Jefferson anymore. More like Sean Elliott and are pretty convinced than Iguodala will be the best player out of UofA ever.

 

[PhxGametime]

Add me to Iguodala list - some might remember I wanted Suns to get Dwyane Wade and I feel he has similiar overall game (Wade wasn't shooter in college). I was impressed with Dwight Howard just as much but I have a feeling Suns will win a few games and hopefull Suns end up with 9th pick

 

[sunsfn]

I noticed that NBA draft has dropped Tiago Splitter from the draft. I do not think it is an oversight, it may be that he is not going to be in this years draft.?

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by slinslin
Iguodala chipped his fronttooth on the rim on a dunk, we all saw what kind of athleticism Jefferson had in last years dunk contest.

www.goazcats.com

Most of those die-hard AZ fans don't compare Iguodala to Jefferson anymore. More like Sean Elliott and are pretty convinced than Iguodala will be the best player out of UofA ever.

Now you're comparing Iguodala to Sean Elliott? You love affair is clouding your judgment.

Joe Mama

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
If the Phoenix Suns can get Vujanic over here next season point guard will probably be one of their least concerns. However one college player I've been intrigued by is Blake Stepp. He is a 6'4" point guard from Gonzaga averaging 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. What makes him most intriguing though is his shooting. He is probably the best shooter in college basketball right now.

Joe Mama

Is not Luke Jackson a better shooter (and overall player) in a better team?

 

[slinslin]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Now you're comparing Iguodala to Sean Elliott? You love affair is clouding your judgment.

Joe Mama

Not me. AZ fans that saw almost all Cats games in the past.

 

[F-Dog]

I think Iguodala is more like Sean Elliott than Jefferson as far as his role on the team--he seems like the guy who drives the team's half-court offense (and by default, the go-to player), while Jefferson was more of a catch-and-shoot player at the UA.

This year's Wildcats aren't as good as the '88 vintage, needless to say.


As far as skills go, Iguodala reminds me of a younger version of Joe Johnson. It would be nice to find someone more exotic to compare him to, but there you have it.


I think Iguodala is easily a top-ten talent, but I thought that Richard Jefferson would be better than JRich when they were drafted, so I'm probably biased.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by F-Dog
I think Iguodala is more like Sean Elliott than Jefferson as far as his role on the team--he seems like the guy who drives the team's half-court offense (and by default, the go-to player), while Jefferson was more of a catch-and-shoot player at the UA.

This year's Wildcats aren't as good as the '88 vintage, needless to say.


As far as skills go, Iguodala reminds me of a younger version of Joe Johnson. It would be nice to find someone more exotic to compare him to, but there you have it.


I think Iguodala is easily a top-ten talent, but I thought that Richard Jefferson would be better than JRich when they were drafted, so I'm probably biased.

Oh, I was very high on Richard Jefferson as well. In fact people who were posting on this message board at the time of bad draft might remember that I predicted he would be one of the top three players to come out of that draft. But I thought Jefferson was a better defender than Iguodala is, and he was a better shooter. Jefferson's shooting was not his strong point, but he wasn't a poor shooter. From what I've seen it Iguodala is a borderline poor shooter.

Joe Mama

 

[PhxGametime]

Richard Jefferson shooting #'s =
FG - .479 FT - .655 3PT - .344

Andre Iguodala shooting #'s =
FG - .469 FT - .755 3PT - .300


Being a UofA fan since '88 - dad got me into team as child. He had dislike for Frank Kush (I believe thats his name), anywho. From what I can remember Jefferson didn't make a lot of 3PT either, outside of tournament when he shot well. A strong shooting performance in tournament could help Andre's draft status.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by BbaLL_31
Richard Jefferson shooting #'s =
FG - .479 FT - .655 3PT - .344

Andre Iguodala shooting #'s =
FG - .469 FT - .755 3PT - .300


Being a UofA fan since '88 - dad got me into team as child. He had dislike for Frank Kush (I believe thats his name), anywho. From what I can remember Jefferson didn't make a lot of 3PT either, outside of tournament when he shot well. A strong shooting performance in tournament could help Andre's draft status.

Jefferson didn't need to make a lot of 3-pointers--he had all sorts of other guys to do it for him.

As for Igoudala, saying he'll be the best player to ever come out of UofA is biased homerism at its best. F-Dog was correct in that his ROLE is similar to Elliot, but he certainly isn't the "same kind of player". Even I'll admit he's much closer to Richard than Sean.

IF Andre stays, and I believe he might, then he won't even be the best player on the team at UofA next year. I really think that Hassan Adams will explode and become a Player-of-the-Year candidate next season. Especially if he can play a little more in his traditional position rather than PF.

 

[George O'Brien]

If Igoudala was three inches taller, I'd say he would be a lock for the lottery. At 6'6" (maybe), he is too small for SF and not a good enough shooter to be a lock at the SG position. If he comes out this season, I doubt he goes any earlier than in the late teens depending on who else comes out.

 

[slinslin]

I think next year will be the year of Mustafa Shakur

They will probably still start Hassan Adams at the 4 or something because they have a top recruid in Jawann McClellan coming in at the guard spots and Salim Stoudamire will not enter the draft I guess.

Hassan Adams might be best served to enter the draft this year if someone gives him a first round promise.

Hassan Adams reminds me of Quentin Richardson but quite possibly better.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
I think you're getting a little obsessed with him. He's getting to be all you talk about. If you were in the United States he would probably have to get a restraining order.

I like Iguodala, but RJ is at least 2 in. than him, and he was a better shooter (although still not very good) out of college.

Joe Mama

in college rj had an inch on iguodala. and i agree, rj was more refined. but i don't think rj's jumper was superior to iguodala's (not that either of them has/had a nice "j" during college). however, all that said, i think iguodala has the opportunity to be better than rj at the next level. he just seems to have that sixth sense about the game. they both played/are playing on talented teams, so their ability to score was not that important, but i think we'll see iguodala really blossom at the next level ala arenas. his abilities to rebound, defend, and pass the ball are really impressive, 'specially for a sophomore.