jlove
AZ Born and Bred!!!
This is the article from Dime Mag: http://dimemag.com/2008/06/top-undrafted-players/
The players in Bold are guys I'd like the Suns to consider when filling out their summer rosters.
Reportedly Drew Neitzel has already agreed to play with Denver in the summer league.By Austin Burton
You must be registered for see imagesRichard Roby
Guys looking for free agent deals and summer league tryouts…
Pat Calathes, SF/PF, St. Joe’s — Cut from the Steve Novak/Raef LaFrentz/Matt Bonner cloth, Calathes is a 6-10 shooter who will have to blow somebody away in the summer leagues to get a training camp invite.
Per NBADraft.net
NBA Comparison: Zarko Cabarkapa/Mike Dunleavy
Strengths: A point forward, has excellent ball handling and passing ability for a 6-10 guy. Was a 5-11 PG until a late growth spurt in high school turned him into a forward ... Retains a lot of his point guard instincts and abilities ... Has an excellent court sense and feel for the game ... His skill set is advanced for a college player ... Excellent outside shooter. Shoots 40% from 3. Also an excellent FT shooter: 82% ... His agility and speed is solid for his size ... Has improved his ball protection and decision making in his senior year ... Has stepped into the role as go-to scorer and team leader, carrying the Hawks to the NCAA Tournament ... Sets up teammates well with good vision and is very unselfish ... Has developed his one-on-one skills well, in particular his ability to use the dribble drive to score ... Shoots well off the dribble ... Uses both hands well around the basket ...
Weaknesses: His body is not up to NBA standard in terms of strength, he's extremely skinny in the upper-body, and his narrow shoulders don't give much optimism for adding bulk ... Strictly a perimeter player. Has a hard time doing anything inside despite his length due to his lack of body strength ... Appears as though he'll never be able to put on more weight, and if he does it would slow him down ... If he's unable to create shots for himself on the outside, he is in trouble as he is easily out-muscled and knocked off balance, and he seems to shy away from contact ... Skill set might work better in the European game ... Despite having solid speed and agility, lacks great leaping ability ... Short stride limits his ability to turn the corner and cover a lot of space driving from the perimeter ...
Gary Forbes, SF, UMass — He killed it at the pre-draft camp and seemed like a lock to get taken in the second round. You’ll hear from him this summer.
Per NBADraft.net:
NBA Comparison: Antoine Wright
Strengths: Versatile wing with good combination of length and athleticism ... The Panama native has a good feel for the game and shows strong leadership skills ... His ball handling ability is especially impressive for a wing ... Never over-penetrates, makes good decisions and leads the break well ... Solid athlete with good defensive ability. His positive A/TO ratio is testament to his high basketball IQ ... Athleticism is decent, although not out of this world ... Adept scorer who uses his ball handling ability well to get to the basket. Midrange game is polished ... Has great size to play the SG position at the next level ... A smart, mature, experienced player who should be ready to contribute right away at the next level ... Works hard on his game and has shown marked improvement in his free throw and outside shooting ...
Weaknesses: Very solid in all areas, but doesn't stand out in any one area ... A better scorer than shooter, he could stand to increase his range and consistency ... As a fifth year senior, his untapped potential isn't as great as many other prospects that will be available. He'll be 23 and a half by draft day ... Had a reputation for being inconsistent going into his senior year, but has played at a high level up to midway through January ... His length helps him, but his effort and lateral foot speed are below NBA level. Defense is the area of his game that will require the most work for him to get playing time and succeed at the next level ... Detractors will discredit his excellent senior stats for being in the Atlantic 10 and question why he couldn't "cut it" in the ACC ...
Jamont Gordon, PG/SG, Mississippi State — A big point guard who can score, rebound, handle and pass (plus he’s a lefty), Gordon was probably the best player to not get drafted. Guess he should have gone back to MSU for his senior year.
Per NBADraft.Net
NBA Comparison: Fred Jones/Antonio Daniels
Strengths: Versatile and tremendously strong combo-guard ... Fine athlete, possessing a nice wingspan ... A southpaw ... Stat-sheet filler, able to consistently contribute in 4 categories ... Built like a tank, knows how to use his body to create separation on the perimeter and space in the paint ... In constant attack mode and is willing to go at help defenders aggressively ... Very crafty scorer, utilizes hesitation, crossover and in-and-out dribbles to get his defender off-balance before going by ... Has the stereotypical shooting form of a lefty, even though he slings it a bit, it is still smooth ... Incorporates a nice step-back jumper, to go along with his reliable midrange game ... When he gets hot, he will pull up from anywhere, and his quick release and nice elevation allow him get his shot off against virtually anyone ... His body comes into play on the defensive end as well, where he can use his strength and length to legitimately defend PGs, SGs and SFs ... He has great anticipation allowing him to track down numerous rebounds; we have seen him regularly average around 7 rebounds, which is a nice attribute for a player at his position ...
Weaknesses: While he has a variety of tools at his disposal, he does not have a niche or one thing in particular that he does great ... Lacks the quickness and overall distributing ability for a PG at the next level, and is undersized for a SG, although his frame and length should offset the size deficiency ... While he is fairly unselfish, his questionable decision making and limited court vision hurt his chances of being a floor general/playmaker ... Has epitomized the definition of inconsistency throughout his time in college ... Terrible shooting games, combined with high turnover numbers bring into question his focus and preparation ... The release and follow-through on his shot are inconsistent, resulting in sporadic shooting performances, and also being the main cause to his struggles at the charity stripe ... His ability to create and finish with his right hand is very limited, and he seems to lack confidence in his off-hand when pressured ... Even though he has good leaping ability, his height - or lack thereof - substantially hurts him when finishing around the basket; he rarely gets an easy lane to the hoop, instead he is always forced to attempt an acrobatic move, which he struggles to convert at times ... Can become very lackadaisical on the defensive end, falling asleep on the weakside as well as not showing much determination in chasing over or fighting through screens ...
Davon Jefferson, SF, USC — At one point near the end of the college season, Jefferson was still projected as a first-round pick. The freshman made a big mistake coming out, but making money overseas isn’t the worst thing in the world, especially is USC’s program may face NCAA sanctions.
Per NBADraft.net
NBA Comparison: Cedric Ceballos
Strengths: Has an advanced offensive skill level for a high schooler ... Excellent face up game with an automatic 12-15 foot jump shot, and lethal first step which he uses to attack the rim ... He is great in transition, tip dunks, finishes very well ... Intiguing combination of size and athleticism ... At 6-8 he has inside/outside ability ... Knows how to play in the post and with his back to the basket ... Long arms allow him to play bigger than his size ... Good foot work and body control, really excels around the basket ... Tries to dunk everything ... Well developed muscular frame ... Long arms and extremely quick and agile for a player his size ... Excellent rebounder ... Good fundamentals as he boxes out and knows how to use his body and athleticism to his advantage when rebounding ... Nice shot blocker ... Capable of spectacular plays ...
Weaknesses: Has the size, quickness, and athleticism to be a terror on the defensive end but hasn't quite put it all together yet ... Jump shot can be streaky ... Not a threat from the three-point line ... Can get to the rim when he wants because of his size but will have trouble down the road if his ball handling skills don't improve ... Dominates on the high school level, but he's older than a lot of the competition ...
Chris Lofton, SG/PG, Tennessee — Someone who probably would have been picked had he gone pro earlier. Teams might have been willing to overlook his drop-off in production as a senior due to his cancer complications, but at the end of the day Lofton is still a 6-2 gunner who’s not much of a point guard.
Per NBADraft.net
NBA Comparison: Trajan Langdon
Strengths: Figures to be one of the biggest stars in the college game in his senior season ... A pure shooter, maybe the best on the college level ... Can make shots with just an inch of daylight ... Shows range out to NBA three point ... Lives for big shots and hits them regularly ... Scrappy competitor, who seems to thrive on proving people wrong ... Solid body strength due to his great work ethic and dedication to improving his body ... Very crafty at creating shots for himself despite his physical limitations ... Has shown the ability to step up in big games, he outscored Kevin Durant 35-26 in their match up last season leading Tennessee to victory ... Besides his outside shooting ability shows a solid shot selection and ability to score from midrange ...
Weaknesses: Painfully small and unathletic for the NBA SG position ... It's questionable whether he has the size and quickness to make it in the NBA despite his great shooting ability. He has little to no point guard skills to speak of, and his defense will be a huge liability as he has slow feet and is way undersized at the 2-guard position. His only shot is as an instant offense sparkplug off the bench, however even then it's tough to imagine how he can do enough outside of shooting to justify a roster spot ... Will really stuggle to create shots for himself on the next level with 6-6 athletes covering him night in and night out ... Lack of a quick first step makes getting open looks difficult for him ... A less athletic version of Trajan Langdon. Best suited to play in Europe .
Derrick Low, PG, Washington State — Teammate Kyle Weaver went in the 2nd round to Charlotte, but Low, the leader of the recently successful WSU squads, wasn’t even a thought on draft night.
Per NBADraft.net
NBA Comparison: Brad Davis
Strengths: Throw back type of scrappy point guard who plays with a ton of heart ... His point guard and leadership abilities are strong ... Good decision maker who can put points up quickly from the perimeter ... Very focused. Smart player who has a solid feel for the game ... Always plays under control. Team player who rarely makes bad decisions ... Clutch player, wants the ball in his hands at the end of close games ... Gets the most of his abilities and hustles at all times ... Protects the ball well and finds teammates with solid vision of the floor ... A gym rat. Hard worker who has shown steady improvement each year in college ...
Weaknesses: It's questionable whether Low has the physical attributes to make it in the league ... He's more athletic than he appears, capable of dunking since high school but rarely shows that ability in games ... Regardless, his athletic ability and especially his foot speed are below average for the NBA level ... He has trouble getting by quick opponents into the lane ... His lack of size is also a detriment at 6-1 without much length or quickness ... Struggles defensively to keep up with the quickest guards ... he's played more at the scoring guard position for Washington State as teammate Kyle Weaver is asked to play more at the lead guard position ... His production is limited some by the defensive and half court oriented Washington State attack
Drew Neitzel, PG, Michigan State — The handful of Syracuse fans in the Dime office always liked to ask, “If Gerry McNamara can’t make it in the NBA, why would Neitzel?” Good point.
Richard Roby, SG, Colorado — Two years ago, Roby was a probably first-round pick when he pulled out of the draft at the last minute. What happened? Guarantee he gets a summer league shot with the Nuggets, though. Why? The Denver fans know him, and he’s Kenyon Martin’s half-brother.
Per NBADraft.net
NBA Comparison: Allan Houston
Strengths: One of the top shooters in the college game ... Prototypical 2-guard for the NBA ... Mechanics and release on his shot are tremendous ... Has shown the ability to take over and win games with his shooting and playmaking ability ... Clutch player who steps up and shows no conscience shooting the ball when the game is on the line ... Has great genes for the game as he is K-Mart's half brother and the athleticism did not miss him ... Extremely long and fluid athlete with a smooth offensive game ... Good leaping ability which will only get better as his body matures ... He is adept at creating shots for himself off the dribble ... His mid range game is very advanced ... Extremely long arms give him added length ... Picks up a lot of steals with great speed and anticipation ... Possesses an excellent feel for the game, especially offensively ... Has worked hard on cutting down turnovers as his improved A/TO ratio attests ... Has excellent upside ...
Weaknesses: Must show the passion and hunger to play up to his abilities every time out ... The game comes so easily to him that he can get by on natural ability so staying focused and working hard to improve is key for him ... Still needs to become stronger physically ... Added strength will give him more ability to take the ball inside and finish ... Developed a bit of a soft rap from scouts after starting his sophomore season slow, but has responded well ... Must show the ability to play well against top level teams and players ... Free throw shooting should be better for such a great shooter (roughly 70%), needs to put in work to improve upon it ...
Bryce Taylor, SG, Oregon — Solid player and good shooter with NBA bloodlines, but he’ll have to latch on with someone in training camp to get his shot.
Per NBADraft.net
NBA Comparison: Willie Green
Strengths: 2-guard with the skills and feel of a coaches son: his father Brian Taylor had a 10 year career in the NBA and coached Bryce from a young age ... An excellent athlete with great foot speed and leaping ability ... Has a well rounded offensive game with the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter, pull up off the dribble, and use his excellent ball handling to get by his man to the rim ... Displays good vision and plays unselfishly, a team player ... Smooth wing who does a good job of taking what the defense gives him and has a solid midrange game... Has shown the ability to step up in big games: Shot 11-11 with 7-7 from 3 for 32 points in the Pac-ten championship game against USC ... Shot 42% from 3 in his junior year ... Can fill in at the point guard position when needed with adequate ball protection ... Attacks the rim with aggressiveness and the body strength to finish at the rim ... Quality free throw shooter (82%) ...
Weaknesses: Undersized for the 2-guard position at a shade below 6-5, although his quickness and athleticism helps him to compensate ... Must assume a larger role in his senior year with Oregon's leader from last year Aaron Brooks off to the NBA ... Struggled for much of his first two seasons, but broke out with an excellent junior year ... Lack of size could give him some trouble defensively on the next level, although he shows a disciplined approach to playing that end of the floor ...
Reggie Williams, SF/SG, VMI — One of the most productive scorers on the college level over the past couple of years, Reggie will put up big numbers in the minors or overseas and will get his 10-day eventually.
Per NBADraft.net
Strengths: A smooth and clever lefty, who has become known for his scoring prowess ... He handles the ball well, is an underrated shooter, has great court vision and an uncanny ability to throw passes through traffic ... His length and feel for the ball allow him to grab rebounds (has had 12 double digit rebounding games this season)... His scoring comes from all areas of the floor, he is able to shoot the 3, pull up going both ways, up-and-unders in the lane, floaters, fadeaways and crafty finishes around the hoop off of drives ... He is a difficult match up primarily because he is a lefty, but also because he shoots a variety of off-balance and unorthodox shots that find their way into the hoop ... His shooting mechanics are decent, showing great range, although his release is a bit slow, and the arc is somewhat flat ... He shoots almost standstill without using his legs, but it allows him to utilize his shot fake more efficiently to get by the defender ... His offensive versatility and ability to fill it up in a hurry are definitely something that should make him attractive to NBA teams ...
Weaknesses: He seems to be somewhat of a tweener for the NBA because he is not big enough for the SF spot, and is lacking the quickness of a SG ... The biggest mystery is undoubtedly his defense, because VMI plays a trapping zone the entire game ... He has good length, hands, feet, quickness, decent lateral speed, but at time seems disinterested in playing any D ... He bites easily on shot fakes, and also lunges on closeouts, allowing inferior players to get by him ... The biggest issues for the NBA seems to be the fact that he has played small time college ball, his slight build, questionable defense, and the fact that he doesn't do any specific thing great ...
Notes: Playing with and against better competition will give a better picture of where he exactly fits in. With a good showing at pre-draft camps he can answer many questions and undoubtedly raise his stock. Measured a 6-9.25 wingspan allowing him to play bigger than his 6'4 height.
The players in Bold are guys I'd like the Suns to consider when filling out their summer rosters.
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