joey_hesketh wrote:
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2012 Draft Thursday, June 28th: Raptors select Terence Ross
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Soft Euro wrote: View PostTop 20 all better as this year's top 5 might just be a tiny bit over the top ...
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A good start to the year. I wonder who will be this year's Derrick Williams?
Point Guards:
1. Marquis Teague (Kentucky, Fr.) – 6’2, 165 lbs.
A crafty ball handler taking over one of the highest-profile positions in college basketball. Playing in a point guard’s dream with an incredible set of weapons.
2. Myck Kabongo (Texas, Fr.) – 6’1, 160 lbs.
Exciting playmaker who will have the green light to do as he pleases. May have to score in abundance in order for team to be competitive.
3. Tu Holloway (Xavier, Sr.) – 6’0, 185 lbs.
Coming off of a breakout junior campaign. Should be able to showcase his passing skills more this year with a healthy supporting cast.
4. Kendall Marshall (North Carolina, So.) – 6’3, 170 lbs.
A reliable floor general who knows how to run a team. Above average playmaking skills make up for subpar athleticism.
Ray McCallum (Detroit, So.) – 6’1, 179 lbs.
Underrated, well-rounded guard who plays with a maturity beyond his years. Has to make the most of games against high majors.
Shooting Guards:
1. Jeremy Lamb (UConn, So.) – 6’5, 185 lbs.
Really came into his own down the stretch of last season. Will be the primary option in the backcourt this season.
2. Austin Rivers (Duke, Fr.) – 6’4, 195 lbs.
Dynamic player who can score with anyone. Coach K should really help him improve as a defender and ball handler.
3. Bradley Beal (Florida, Fr.) – 6’4, 177 lbs.
May possess the purest stroke in the country. Will likely defend the opposition’s top backcourt player on a nightly basis.
4. William Buford (Ohio State, Sr.) – 6’5, 185 lbs.
Became more efficient as a junior. Has the opportunity to really showcase himself with the departure of David Lighty and Jon Diebler.
5. John Jenkins (Vanderbilt, Jr.) – 6’4, 215 lbs.
Stellar shooter who helped his stock a great deal as a sophomore. Improvements on all-around game will determine whether or not he continues to rise.
Small Forwards:
1. Harrison Barnes (North Carolina, So.) – 6’8, 210 lbs
Close to living up to the excessive hype received before freshman year. The complete package both on and off the floor.
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky, Fr.) – 6’7, 210 lbs.
An explosive athlete even by NBA standards who makes defense a priority. Lack of a jump shot the only thing keeping him away from being unstoppable.
3. Khris Middleton (Texas A&M, Jr.) – 6’7, 215 lbs.
Prototypical small forward who should thrive in newly-implemented up tempo system. Very tough and gritty on the defensive end.
4. Adonis Thomas (Memphis, Fr.) – 6’6, 210 lbs.
Freakish athlete with ridiculous upside. Transition from being a post player previously still in the early stages.
5. Jeff Taylor (Vanderbilt, Sr.) – 6’6, 200 lbs.
Questionably passed on definitely being a first round pick in the 2011 draft. Could remain one with the development of consistency on his jump shot.
Power Forwards:
1. Anthony Davis (Kentucky, Fr.) – 6’10, 200 lbs.
Viable option to go number one overall. Long, athletic, versatile and imposing on both ends of the floor.
2. Jared Sullinger (Ohio State, So.) – 6’9, 280 lbs.
Physically overwhelming in the paint while also possessing great footwork. Showcasing an improved face up game would help stock.
3. Perry Jones (Baylor, So.) – 6’11, 235 lbs.
Has top-pick potential with the ability to do just about anything on the basketball floor. Questions about effort is only real negative.
4. Terrence Jones (Kentucky, So.) – 6’8, 244 lbs.
A leader for the Wildcats this season. Has to improve on consistency from freshman year.
5. Thomas Robinson (Kansas, Jr.) – 6’8, 220 lbs.
Has patiently made the most of limited minutes, but will now have a prominent role. Expected to really breakout.
Centers:
1. Andre Drummond (UConn, Fr.) – 6’11, 251 lbs.
Amongst the most physically gifted centers that college basketball has seen in recent memory. A dominant force when assertive and aggressive.
2. Tyler Zeller (North Carolina, Sr.) – 6’11, 220 lbs.
Steadily improving with a great feel for the game. Runs the floor as good as any big man in college basketball.
3. Patric Young (Florida, So.) – 6’9, 220 lbs.
Didn’t live up to expectations as a freshmen, but had a strong summer with USA basketball. Quite imposing defensively and on the boards.
4. Festus Ezeli (Vanderbilt, Sr.) – 6’11, 255 lbs.
Took a huge step forward as a junior. Has to stay out of foul trouble and show that he’s still improving.
5. Joshua Smith (UCLA, So.) – 6’9, 280 lbs.
Tons of potential that is probably just a serious weight program away from being realized.
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Top 10 SF's in NCAA: NBAdraft.net
NBADraft.net top 10 SF's in college basketball:
1. James McAdoo (UNC)
2. Harrison Barnes (UNC)
3. Quincy Miller (Baylor)
4. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky)
5. Terrence Jones (Kentucky)
6. Kris Joseph (Syracuse)
7. Andre Roberson (Colorado)
8. LeBryan Nash (Oklahoma State)
9. CJ Leslie (NC State)
10. Adonis Thomas (Memphis)
http://nbadraft.net/2012-nba-draft-p...small-forwards
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If we get 4th or 5th pick next draft, we should aim to get McAdoo, hes a tweener but he plays like old school style NBA, grittier and more defensive-minded.
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The best player available is always the mantra for selecting in the draft. The Raptors could be in a situation where the best player available is a PF:
1. Andre Drummond, UConn
Few players at any level of basketball have Drummond’s combination of size, strength and athleticism.
Drummond is 6’10” and combines every inch of that height with accompanying strength and athleticism. He already makes a living around the rim and can catch anything within the basket area and finish his teammates’ mistakes. He also has a high-level post-game: he knows how to create fouls, and is comfortable backing down defenders. He also has mid-range shooting ability, which is very rare for a player his age, and can drive with authority if defenders move too aggressively to close him out. He also rebounds well on both ends of the floor. He is able to block shots and use his size to intimidate offensive players, though this is an area in which Coach Calhoun should be able to help him improve the most. Most importantly, his basketball IQ is high for a bigman, which has contributed to his elite-level passing and ability to use court angles to position himself properly on almost every play.
So, what exactly are Drummond’s weaknesses? He is a talented player but he lacks consistency and becomes complacent when he's not challenged. However, this is most likely because he is still a teenager and has not yet learned to keep his focus and combine and blend his various skills every single game. Nonetheless, all of these weaknesses are fixable. The bottom line is that Drummond has an extremely bright future if he continues to stay hungry and motivated to realize his talent.
2. Anthony Davis, Kentucky
The crown jewel of Kentucky coach John Calipari’s best recruiting class to date, Davis is a jaw dropping specimen with his length and skill level. He is a new breed PF who reminds some of a young Kevin Garnett. Whether he can develop Garnett's fiery nature and toughness is the question. Davis has elite 6’10” size that is complemented by his off the charts length, leaping ability, and guard skills. He also shows the ability to protect the rim like a center.
Perhaps the best thing about Davis is that he was a guard for much of his high school career. A late growth spurt necessitated a switch to power forward and, while he has done an excellent job with the adjustment, Davis retains many of his 2-guard skills with superb ball-handling ability and vision for a power forward.
His body remains his biggest question mark as he still needs to add significant weight to his frame to handle to rigors of NBA post play. He may always be on the thin side, a la Garnett and Chris Bosh, and adding too much weight could negatively affect his speed and mobility. He also needs to continue to develop his post-game. Another legitimate question is whether the late growth spurt will make him more of an injury risk.
http://www.nbadraft.net/draft-previe...power-forwards
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Mark December 3rd on your calendar:
North Carolina vs. Kentucky noon on CBS
(Barnes, McAdoo, Zeller, Marshall) vs. (Davis, Teague, Jones, Gilchrist-Kidd, Lamb)
http://www.cbssports.com/cbssports/s...legebasketball
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