From Courtside - Basketball

In the Spotlight: Anthony Barber

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Anthony Barber
Position: Point Guard
Ht: 6-2, Wt: 165
Hometown: Hampton, Virginia
College: North Carolina State
Class: Freshman - incoming

Strengths:

Speed in the open court is unmatched… can get end to end with the ball in his hands in a flash
Ability to push the ball with either hand – going North / South

Lefty in and out dribble
Cross over with either hand

Ability to create fast break opportunities with his speed
Does a nice job mixing up his speeds and accelerating past the defense… good burst
Supreme Quickness
Great usage of the pick and roll, finding his teammates at the rim
Sees the floor well, good feel for where his teammates are
Has the tools to become a very good on the ball defender… size, foot speed, active hands at the 1

Weaknesses:

Shooting mechanics need work to develop consistency from the outside. Looks more comfortable pulling up for a mid-range jumper, struggles when pushed outside his comfort zone. Jumper comes out with a low-release, as if he’s pushing the ball
Needs to expand offensive repertoire in the half-court set… relies heavily on the high screen and roll from the top of the key. Needs to have the ball in his hands to be involved
Immaturity questions – read his Twitter feed – needs some schooling on how to represent his brand.
Has to add muscle to his frame to take the pounding he will get as his game advances
Does he have the polish?

Overall:

Barber is someone that will stand out any time you watch him play, because he has a flare (in a good way). He’s play’s an exciting style, with the ability to get anywhere on the court with the ball in his hands. He’s elusive with a tremendous quickness – as quick as any 1’s in the NBA.

Offensively, he really needs to focus on developing a more consistent jump shot from the outside. Right now his mechanics are off – release is low, like a set in volleyball – he’s not much of a threat from the outside. With his current stroke, the opposition will be able to play off him, offsetting his speed advantage to a degree. In a way, it will neutralize his first step. If he can work on improving his consistency and become a threat from the outside, his game will go to another level.

Forcing the defense to start playing up on Barber and fighting over screens, he’d be a very tough player to contain / keep out of the paint. And in the half-courts set, when the ball is not in his hands, he’ll need to be accounted for…. he’d start to be much more active (without the ball).

On the defensive end, Barber has the tools. He has good length for a 1, outstanding foot speed, lateral quickness and active hands. He gets anxious to get into the open court, so he’ll have to learn some discipline, not leaking out too early to start the fast break…. staying focused defensively until securing possession.

But my big focus next season with Anthony Barber will be: Streetball legend vs. Productive NBA point guard. Will he be an NBA level 1?

He has big-time potential, if he works hard and allows his game to develop. He can also become a one and done guy, leaving way before he’s ready… never to be heard from again.

We’ll be watching closely, very optimistically.

In the Spotlight: Julius Randle

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:10:00 +0000

Julius Randle
Position: Power Forward
Ht: 6-9, Wt: 225
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
College: Kentucky
Class: Freshman - incoming
DOB: 11/29/94

Strengths:

Plays with a tenacity… high intensity… very competitive / determined
Extremely versatile on the offensive end
High skill set – Inside / outside ability, which makes him a tough player to match up against.
Tremendous ball handling skills for a 4… Can grab a rebound and take the ball end to end
Good face up game with the ball in his hands – advanced for his size
Shows a nice hesitation dribble, to his left
Great scoring ability – will find a way to put the ball in the basket
Crafty footwork in the paint
Nice shooting form from the outside
Strong player with good body build… As he continues adding muscle, he needs to keep himself toned enough to maintain his quickness / not slow himself down

Weaknesses:

Heavily relies on facing the basket
Can’t be too predictable when facing up

If he’s going left – he’s going to the basket
If he’s going right – he’s pulling up for jump shot

Needs to work on going to his right hand
Overpowers players at this level – won’t work as he gets to the next level
Needs to improve his ability to score over bigger players
Plays with a lower energy level on the defensive end… needs to stay as hungry to lock down as he does score
Average foot speed and later movement. (would love to see him show that he can guard 3’s)

Overall:

Combine his very rare skill set, with his desire to be great and Julius Randle is a very enticing prospect at the NBA level. His ability to attack the opposition off the dribble and play with his face to the basket at 6’9 / 225 lbs, makes him a very tough player to match up against. He’s very versatile with a competitive attitude, and seems like he’s ready to put in the hard work it will take to be a stud.

At this level, Randle can dominate simply by over powering the opposition. He’s a good athlete, not earth shattering, and the game will continue getting tougher as he advances, and wont be able to rely on out-sizing the opposition. But he’s someone that has all the tools to be a big time player, at any level.

It will be interesting to see how Randle’s used on the offensive end during his freshman season at Kentucky, given his propensity to drift outside and desire to play on the perimeter. We’ll be watching closely to see how he adjusts to playing against bigger / longer defenders night in and night out and the improvements he makes with his back to the basket.

As important will be the progress Randle makes on the defensive end, both individually and in the team concept. Some will come from awareness (rotating from the weakside, hedging out defensively on the pick and roll, etc.), but much of the improvement will come from desire.

Randle will likely be one and done and is one of our top 5 prospects heading into next season.

We're Back...

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:09:00 +0000

From Courtside is back... Well, sort of. Over the past few years, rather than posting our scouting reports on the website, we've been working directly with Pro teams.

Times are changing and we're getting back to our roots. Check back continuously, as we start featuring the future NBA stars.

In the Spotlight: Greg Monroe (updated)

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:14:00 +0000

Greg Monroe

Position: Power Forward / Center
Ht: 6-11, Wt: 250
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
College: Georgetown
Class: Sophomore
Age: 06/04/90

Strengths

Plays well within the team concept / flow of offense.
Excels when facing the basket (most comfortable) – Has an advanced skill set from the high post
Great Passer from the high post – sees the floor well for a big.
Understands how to play pick and roll basketball.
Solid Hands
Developing a lefty jump hook - which is his go to (only dependable) move when he gets the ball in the post.
Good defensive rebounder that gets himself in position to secure rbs. off the glass / uses his length effectively… (Currently averaging 10.3 rbs/ gm – up from 6.5 rbs/ gm last season
Good touch / form from the outside, with range that extends to 18 feet.
Mature beyond his years… Appears to be very coachable… Likable personality, not a selfish kid / wants to be part of the team, despite being so highly regarded out of HS.
Exceptional length – uses to create deflections, get in passing lanes, contest shots.
Defensive Presence – great team defender with very good court awareness… Helps out, he’s active, blocks shots.
Defensively, he shows well on the pick and roll… He understands how to hedge out to prevent penetration.

Weaknesses

Unimpressive athletically
Not explosive off his feet – lacking a burst.
Limited quickness and not very fast.
Everything is left – When he puts the ball on the floor, it’s left. Even heavily favors left side of court on offensive possessions when he’s not in the high post.
Weak upper body – needs to get stronger and be able to play more physical.
Not comfortable when he gets the ball with his back to the basket. Has limited offensive moves and he typically looks to pass out the post.
Very methodical, slow developing jumper - good form but needs quicker release.
Can go through stretches in which he’s not involved in the offensive flow… Needs to maintain his intensity.
Defensively, not a very effective on the ball, man-to-man defender… his foot speed / strength are his biggest challenges… much more efficient helping off the ball.

Overall

Greg Monroe entered college a season ago with lofty expectation, as the #1 recruit in the nation. With all of the hype, he could have easily forced shots and tried to prove himself as a top NBA prospect, because everyone else seemed caught up in his future. Instead, he opted to fit in on a young Georgetown team. This accentuates Greg Monroe the basketball player… his style of play is within the team concept.

He’s not someone that is going to demand the ball, put up eye popping scoring numbers or try to dominate the game. Rather, he’s someone that has great size (6’11, 250 lbs) and is most effective playing out of the high post. He makes smart decisions, as he has the complete package in that he can take his man off the dribble (going left), shoot from about 18 feet and in (although slow release), back cut to get in scoring position, and he’s a very good passer for a big. Those are the positives.

The negative is that Monroe’s potential impact on the NBA level is not as limitless as most people initially projected. His primary issue is that he’s limited athletically, lacking the explosiveness, speed, and quickness to be as effective in the NBA. He also isn’t an imposing physical presence, currently lacking the strength to handle the contact his body will absorb in the paint at the next level.

On the defensive side of the ball, I also see Monroe facing a big challenge making the transition. Playing within the team concept, he’s excellent. He knows how to defend the pick and roll (does a great job hedging out to prevent penetration). He also uses his length to get in the passing lanes and contests shots coming over from the weak side.

However, on the ball is where I can see Monroe struggling. His foot speed is slow and with the ability of quicker 4’s to step outside, Monroe will have a hard time keeping his man in front of him. And until he bulks up, defending much stronger 5’s will be a big challenge as well.

My Take:

What I hear and what I see with Monroe are two different things. If expectations were lowered and Monroe was seen for what he is, I would be much more excited about his future. In my eyes, he’ll never be an All-Star caliber NBA player that will put up big scoring numbers.

To me, Monroe is someone that is very adept when facing the basket and has the ability to be a solid contributor on a winning team. He’s a smart player, plays within the flow of the offense, and he understands how to play defensively within the team concept.

Around pick #15 I would start looking closely at Monroe. Because of his limitations athletically, I would have a hard time being excited about selecting Monroe before then.

In the Spotlight: Mike Rosario

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:28:00 +0000

Mike Rosario

Position: Point / 2 Guard
Ht: 6-3, Wt: 180
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
College: Rutgers
Class: Sophomore
DOB: 11/2/90

Strengths:

Natural scorer with the ability to put up big scoring numbers
Quick Release – doesn’t need much room to get his shot off.
Able to hit tough / contested shots
Demonstrates excellent quickness
Does a good job moving without the ball and using screens to get himself free
Exudes toughness; plays with heart
Displays great range on his jumper that extends past the NBA 3
Has foot speed / lateral quickness to defend on the ball at the next level

Weaknesses:

Very underwhelming physically – has a very thin frame
Volume shooter that needs to get up a lot of shots - Shot selection is questionable (Some of which is a product of his teams reliance on him to score)
Relies heavily on taking 3’s – accounts for a high percentage of his field goal attempts.
2-guard that doesn’t possess natural point guard skills, which is the position he will need to play at the next level. (At 6’2 he needs to play the 1)
Needs to improve his ability to break down his man off the dribble and score at the rim, or create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Average ball handling skills
Streak shooter from the outside – Can go through stretches when he dominates, but also when he can’t hit, hence his low field goal %’s.
Defensively, his size and slender frame make it tough to fight through screens.

Overall:

Playing for a Rutgers team that has limited talent, Mike Rosario finds himself in a unique situation. On one hand, he’s given an immense amount of freedom to create scoring opportunities and to play with a green light. On the other hand, he’s relied upon to carry the scoring load and to get up a lot of shots each night.

There’s no question Rosario’s comfortable playing in a scoring role, but considering his size, 6’2, 180 lbs, he needs to demonstrate the ability to run an offense and play as more of a point guard. Right now his size and style of play are real concerns for his transition to the NBA level.

He can also really improve his shot selection and creativity, as he tends to fall in love with taking deep 3’s, rather than breaking down his man off the dribble and getting into the paint.

There’s also plenty to be impressed with about Rosario’s game. He’s a very tough kid, with superb quickness, deep range, and he does a great job moving without the ball and using screens to get free. He can put up big scoring numbers on any given night and he has the ability to get hot in a hurry and carry his team for stretches on the offensive end. (i.e. – FIBA U19 World Championships – scored 54 vs. Puerto Rico this past summer). He also fights hard on a nightly basis, despite being on an undermanned Rutgers team, competing in the Big East.

Rosario’s only a Sophomore, so there’s still time to fill out physically and prove that he can be a play maker, if given the opportunity to run a team.

My Take:

Watching Rosario, I see many similarities in his style of play to Eddie House. Both are built to be point guards, but are much more comfortable playing in a role that requires them to score.

The two scenarios: Select Rosario and then have him transition to a full-time point guard, limiting his greatest strength – ability to score. The other option is to allow Rosario to stay in his more natural scoring guard position (at 6’2), coming off the bench to provide a spark and bring energy. Neither option is one that I see Rosario flourishing in at the next level.

He can certainly improve his draft stock by showing his lead guard skills and demonstrating that he has the ability to run a team. But until I see those point guard instincts, Rosario is not someone that I think is worth drafting.

In the Spotlight: Patrick Patterson

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Patrick Patterson

Position: Power Forward
Ht: 6-8, Wt: 235
Hometown: Huntington, WV
Class: Junior
College: Kentucky
DOB: 3-14-89

Strengths

Works very hard to seal his defender and establish low position on the block… Shoots a high % from the field - Close to the basket, finishing off penetration, or when he’s given room from the outside.
Very strong – impressive physical stature
Tremendous wingspan - 7’2 -– helps to offset his height, which is smaller than a prototype 4.
Very good athlete with great bounce off the floor
Soft hands
Shoots a high percentage from the free throw line for a big – good form.
Plays Hard, Good motor – very aggressive / active on the court
Highly proficient with his right jump hook (his go-to move), which utilizes his soft touch around the rim and quick bounce off his feet.
Quick to the ball – shows good reaction time.
Vastly improving his jump shot – his form is much improved from a year ago – looks much more confident and his range has expanded to the 3 pt line. (he must continue to improve)
Great outlet passer – After securing rebounds does a great job getting the ball up court and starting a transition opportunity.
Physical style on both sides of the ball – willing to give up his body and take contact – Does a lot of the the dirty work in the paint.
Sets solid on the ball screens – Becoming more adept at playing pick and pop.
Sprints up and down the court.
Good timing on the defensive end – blocks / alters quite a few shots
Possess the physical components to defend at the next level (length, athleticism, mobility, strength)...aside from height.

Weaknesses

Undersized 4 for the NBA level
Needs to further develop his offensive repertoire in the post and become more proficient with his back to the basket…He won’t be able to rely so much on establishing very low position, as his game advances to the next level… Right now, he’s very limited with his moves when he gets the ball down low.
Rarely utilizes his Left Hand around the rim – In the post, he’s much more effective when he turns to his left shoulder and shoots right, as he’s not comfortable turning right and finishing with his left hand.
Has a tendency to play behind the defense in the offensive sets, when he wants to get very low position, making it tough to feed him the ball… lets the opposition front him, making for a tough entry pass.
Lacks the versatility to play the 3 – he’s most comfortable in the paint
Needs to do a better job hedging out defensively, to prevent penetration and allow teammates to recover after being screened.
Only true position he can defend is the 4, as he lacks the height to guard the 5 and the foot speed to defend the 3.

Overall

Early in the season, it looks as if Patrick Patterson made a very wise decision returning to college for his Junior year. Offensively, the big question mark that surrounded Patterson coming into this season, was his ability to knock down a mid-range jumper with consistency. Thus far he’s done a great job showing that he’s become a more consistent mid-range shooter, even displaying range that extends out to the 3 point line.

Patterson’s current style of play – relying on establishing extremely low position and using his impressive body to pick up easy buckets, won’t translate at the next level. Especially as an undersized 4, which is why adding a nice shooting touch, to compliment his ability to finish around the rim, makes him a much better prospect for the NBA game.

There’s also a lot to really like about Patterson’s game, but one of the most telling signs of Patterson’s development has been the way he’s blended in with the Kentucky freshman class. Despite the buzz surrounding the freshman, it’s been Patterson who’s done the things that get you W’s (rebounding, taking charges, helping defensively when guards are beat on penetration, shooting a high fg % from the floor, scrapping for loose balls, etc). His maturity and the way he now plays within the flow of the offense are telling indicators about far he’s come as a player.

Patterson will be an undersized 4 at the next level, but his athleticism, strength and aggressive style of play, help to partially offset some of this deficiency.

One area I’d like to see Patterson continue to improve is his defensive awareness. There were times when he failed to hedge out on pick and rolls, and also lost his man in the paint. He’s done a good job helping to protect the rim, I’d just like to see him become more complete defensively.

My Take

Patrick Patterson has the ability to be productive at the next level. His style of play will fit in very nicely, as a compliment to playmakers in the NBA. Someone willing to do the dirty work, use his body to set solid on the ball screens, play physical / be aggressive, and also possess the athleticism to finish around the rim.

Patterson will never be a guy the offense runs through at the next level, so hitting a jumper with consistency, will force defenses to account for him. He’s displayed a much improved shooting stroke this season and thus his confidence has soared, but he’ll have to demonstrate he can get the job done in this area throughout the season.

With that said, Patterson might not have the ceiling of other players in the upcoming 2010 draft – doesn’t have all-star potential / won’t be a 1st or 2nd option offensively – but his style of play has winning potential at the next level. For that reason, I would look start to look closely at Patterson, with picks #12 - #15.

*Resembles Udonis Haslem, with more athleticism.

In the Spotlight: DeMarcus Cousins

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:45:00 +0000

DeMarcus Cousins
Position: Center
Ht: 6-11, Wt: 260
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Class: Freshman
College: Kentucky
DOB: 8-13-89

Strengths

Great size and length – Wide, strong, well built – NBA ready body
Extremely advanced skill set for a 6’11 Center – impressive
Great hands
Able to use his body / wide frame to establish low position. Gets his defender sealed down low, which makes him very difficult to stop.
Has the ability to step outside and shoot, and can even extend out to the 3 point line (on rare occasions)
Handles the ball very well for his size - after securing rebounds, he can comfortably take a few dribbles to get in better position, or even start to lead the break.
Impressive dexterity / agility
Possesses all of the components to be an effective rebounder
Does a very good job blocking shots - using his length and displaying great timing
Upside – Size / Skill package that is very rare – has the potential.

Weaknesses

Needs to better utilize his physical gifts and not avoid contact. He plays too finesse for someone with his physical tools.
Effort Level on a nightly basis is not where it needs to be.
Has a lackadaisical attitude – His head doesn’t always stay into the game and I question if he’s willing to put in the hard work necessary to reach his potential.
Conditioning – Tires quickly and will often times be seen gasping for air. Getting in better shape, which would allow him to play hard for longer stretches, is huge for his development.
Has a tendency to rely on his perimeter skills, rather than mixing it up inside.
Coach Cal seems to have a very short fuse with Cousins and gets down on him quickly, which raises question marks
Defensively, he needs to get more committed and do a better job moving his feet. He tends to struggle against smaller, quicker bigs.
Foul Prone – needs to do a better job avoiding picking up stupid fouls. Most fouls he commits are with his body, which he follows up with a look of disbelief, when it’s clear he committed the foul.

Overall:

Let me start by saying that I think Cousins made the wrong decision on which college to attend, based on what I’ve seen thus far this season. First, Kentucky’s style of play is not conducive to allowing Cousins strengths to shine. Kentucky likes to play an up and down transition game and Cousins doesn’t run the floor very well, in the current shape he’s in. Additionally, Kentucky likes to spread the court and go one and one, rather than running any sets that focus on getting the ball into the post. They also don’t do a great job spacing the court, so that when Cousins does get the ball, he’s not given enough room to operate.

Secondly, John Calipari is a coach who doesn’t allow you to play through mistakes. Therefore, the moment Cousins makes a mistake, Calipari pulls him immediately. Instantly, Cousins loses focus, begins to pout and his body language becomes sluggish. He can even be seen arguing on the sidelines with Calipari – anything but staying focused in the game. Cousins appears to be very sensitive and someone that needs nurturing to help build his confidence which is clearly not Calipari’s style.

I’m not suggesting that Kentucky’s offense needs to transform (given the backcourt they have – they should push the pace), or Calipari isn’t making the right decisions, I’m just saying that there’s some contrast in style / personalities between Calipari and Cousins.

With all of that being said, Cousins is still extremely inconsistent. Depending on what night you watch him play, DeMarcus Cousins can either leave you very impressed, or wondering if he’ll be another player unable to tap into his potential.

The positive is that Cousins has a rare package of a phenomenal skill set, combined with his tremendous physical gifts. He is extremely talented, possesses outstanding hands, very agile and even has perimeter skills which are rarely seen in someone 6’11. His upside is huge.

On the flip side, Cousins is not in very good shape and thus his play appears lethargic. He isn’t making quick moves, he’s picking up stupid fouls, and he’s not dominating big men that he should have no problem manhandling. Getting in better shape to play hard for 30+ minutes a night, should be Cousins primary goal.

Additionally, he has a tendency to shy away from contact when he’s in the paint. He’s plays a very finesse style and sometimes falls in love with his perimeter skills. He needs to show toughness and prove that he can handle the physical demands of the NBA.

My Take:

Based on purely talent and upside, Cousins is one of the best players in the upcoming draft (should he choose to enter). Unfortunately, his inability to stay focused and his inconsistent play have also stood out. I don’t question Cousins desire because I truly think that he wants to be great, I’m just not sold on him putting in the work necessary. I also can’t comprehend how he’s not in better shape at this point in the season, having been at Kentucky for at least 5 months already.

However, Cousins is someone that I think is worth the risk/reward, because of his rare skill set / physical package combination. At this point, in the middle portion of the first round, I would highly consider Cousins. He has the ability to move higher on my draft board (TOP FIVE), but he needs to prove it with improved play on a consistent basis, before I would move him up.

Update: 2 /22:
In the two months since completing our scouting report on DeMarcus Cousins, his game has skyrocketed. There hasn’t been a player in college basketball that has had success guarding Cousins and he’s been a central figure in Kentucky’s 24 - 1 record. Equally impressive is that he seems to have improved his on-court relationship with Coach Calipari which has led to Cousins playing for longer stretches without having to look over his shoulder when he makes a mistake.

Cousins emergence has been primarily because he’s been playing to his strengths. Rather than hanging out on the perimeter, Cousins has been camped in the paint, using his size, frame and power to solidify low position. He’s done a great job sealing his defenders, which has led to his 55% field goal percentage. His skill level was never an issue and now that he’s developing a better understanding of how to utilize his physical gifts, he’s emerged as the best big man in college basketball.

There’s no question he still shows signs of immaturity and he raises a lot of red flags for his overall demeanor, but he’s also proved that he’s a Top 3 talent, when he enters this year’s NBA draft.

In the Spotlight: Lance Stephenson

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Lance Stephenson

Position: Shooting Guard
Ht: 6-5, Wt: 220
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Class: Freshman
College: Cincinnati
DOB: 9/5/90

Strengths

At 6’5, 220lbs, Lance is physically advanced with an NBA ready body (it’s actually too much muscle).
Scorer - Has the ability to completely dominate on the offensive end.
Great one-on-one skills, with an array of moves to take his man off the dribble… Exceptional cross-over (both left to right and right to left), hesitation move, and right in-and-out dribble.
Extremely versatile on the offensive end. Lance possesses the handle which allows him to play the point, the shooting touch to play the wing, and the strength to finish inside.
Fierce Competitor with a drive to be the best.
When Lance gets into the paint, he's very adept at using his body to fend off his defender.
Sees the floor well – displays solid court vision and is getting more comfortable setting up his teammates, as his trust level increases
Very confident player – Has a real swagger to his game.
Relishes big games / moments - he’s played with pressure since a young age, so the spotlight is nothing new for Lance. Seems to flourish when playing against other elite players and never shies away from guarding the opposition’s best player.

Weaknesses

Body language and maturity are real concerns - When things aren’t going well his immaturity shows as he pouts and point’s fingers… show’s disgust.
Added muscle mass / bulk inhibits his agility and mobility on the court. This is a concern as Lance now lacks the foot speed necessary for the next level, on both ends of the court. Would benefit losing a few lbs which would help his explosiveness.
Has a tendency to over dribble and get caught up in a one-on-one battle… Needs to stay within the offensive flow, and when he’s attacking the basket just make a move and explode.
Moving Without the Ball - Must improve playing without the ball in his hands and remain effective.
Lance has to work on getting himself into position so that he can knock down the jumper on a catch and shoot. He’s much more comfortable shooting off the dribble, than spotting up. He needs to work on reading the defense and using screens to get free.
Has to improve his foot speed defensively. His lateral mobility isn’t where it needs to be, to guard much quicker 1’s and 2’s.
Needs to become more active on the defensive end – rotate from the weak side, helping out off the ball, creating deflections, etc. He tends to leak out to half-court looking to start the break.
Defensively, he’s always looking to switch and rarely is able to fight thru screens.
Transition Defense – Needs to get back on defense after he misses a shot, or turns the ball over. He has a tendency to compound a missed shot, by taking a few swipes for the ball to try and regain possession, rather than sprinting back.
Lance is not an extremely high flier.
Lance isn’t the most well spoken, polished kid off the court.

Overall

Lance is an extremely talented ball player and watching him play you can see how gifted an offensive player he is. At times, he can completely dominate the game, with his ability to create his own offense and score. He can take you off the dribble, shoot from deep, slash to the hoop, get out in transition, etc. It doesn’t take much for Lance to get going and he’s capable of putting up big scoring numbers on any given night.

One challenge for Lance is that over the past few years, Lance has not gotten any taller, but he’s continued to get stronger. Typically, filling out would be ok, as his body would be more ready for the contact of the Big East and ultimately the NBA – but for Lance it’s a problem. This added weight that Lance has put on, is limiting his quickness and explosiveness on the court. It makes Lance look much less athletic and someone lacking the burst to explode to the hoop. It’s great to have an NBA body, but not at such a high cost. Finding the right balance is crucial to his development.

Secondly, the thing about Lance that’s been well publicized is his immaturity. He has a tendency to let his frustration show with his terrible body language when a teammate fails to catch a pass, convert on an easy assist opportunity, when a call doesn’t go his way, or just mixing it up with an opposing player – there always seems to be something. Lance seems to be handling himself much better at the college level and he’s showing a willingness to be part of a team, which is very encouraging.

The emotion that Lance shows on the court, should also be looked at as a positive. If he’s able to channel this “fire” in the right way, you have as competitive a player as you’ll find. His drive, desire, and hunger to be the best are evident – it just needs to be applied appropriately.

My Take: It’s a wait and see approach with Lance, because at this point he does not have the lateral quickness to defend at the next level, or the explosiveness to be as effective in the NBA. If he’s able to find a comfortable playing weight that helps him get back some of the burst he once displayed, he would significantly improve his ability to produce at the next level. He has the offensive tools, but he needs to show improved elusiveness and better on the ball defensive skills before I would give Lance consideration in the top 25 picks of the 1st round.

Lance is someone worth closely monitoring throughout the season – both his body language and his progress…Because of his talent and his ability to score, he has the opportunity to greatly improve his draft status, which for me right now is as a 2nd round selection.

* Lance reminds me a lot of Tyreke Evans in that neither player is ultra quick, or super athletic, but both know how to get to the basket and score. Lance is also a flexible guard that can play multiple positions, similar to the way Tyreke started his college career as a 2 guard and later transitioned to the point.

In the Spotlight: Wesley Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Wesley Johnson
Position: Small Forward
Ht: 6-7, Wt: 205
Hometown: Corsicana, TX
College: Syracuse
Class: Junior
DOB: 7/11/87

Strengths:

Extremely long arms which he uses effectively on both ends of the court
Very athletic / terrific hop / quick bounce off his feet
A natural scorer that has the potential to put up big scoring outbursts on any given night.
Plays well in transition, does a great job getting out and filling the wing and uses his athleticism to finish.
Good shooter with deep range – more comfortable on a catch and shoot… Doesn’t need much room, as he’s able to hit while being contested. (Needs to continue improving from the outside, as he’s done - primarily off the bounce.)
Crashes the glass on both ends – despite his skinny stature, he’s able to use his length and hops to secure rebounds.
Defensively, his length causes problems as he does a great job closing out on shooters, creates deflections, and blocks a lot shots - showing great timing.

Weaknesses:

Very thin frame
Not very physical – tends to avoid contact
Must improve his ability to breakdown the defense off the dribble – doesn’t look to penetrate to the basket
Ball handling has to improve (struggles going left) – which will allow him to penetrate with more consistency.
Needs to stay active and keep running off screens / slashing to the basket – at times, he finds a spot and waits for the ball to rotate over
When establishing position in the post, he needs to fight harder and do a better job sealing his defender.
Court Vision - Doesn’t create many scoring opportunities for others – he’s a scorer that looks for his own offense.

Overall:

Having sat out last season, transferring from Iowa State (22 yr old, Jr.), Wesley Johnson is making up for lost time in his first few games with the Orangemen.

Despite his slender build, Johnson has an enormous wingspan which he takes full advantage of. Combined with his super athleticism and Johnson creates a tough match-up for anyone at the college level. Offensively, he’s able to just elevate and shoot over the defense, or come off a screen and hit on a catch and shoot. In transition, Johnson looks as if he’s gliding at times and he’s a solid finisher on the break.

However, when isolated one-on-one, Johnson hasn’t shown the ability to break down the defense and get to the rim, or the propensity to create offense for others. Adding this component would make Johnson much less predictable and really help him create more space, by forcing the defense to play off him a bit.

Additionally, adding another 15 – 20lbs of muscle mass would also help play a huge role in Johnson’s development. He’s naturally lean and will always have a thin stature, but putting on more weight will give Johnson confidence to mix it up inside… mainly finishing after contact, fighting for rebounds, solidifying position on the block and sealing his defender, etc…

Overall, Johnson has a lot of upside and there’s something to be said of a tremendous athlete that can stroke the ball from deep. As he continues to improve his consistency from the outside, he’ll only get tougher to guard. He’s definitely a 1st round talent and with a big year, should move higher up the draft boards.

In the Spotlight: Ty Lawson

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:34:00 +0000

Ty Lawson
Position: Point Guard
Ht: 5-11, Wt: 195
Hometown: Clinton, Md.
College: UNC
Class: Junior
DOB: 11/3/87

Strengths:

Great Floor General – Pass first point guard that shows good leadership skills.
Winner… He’s consistently won in both HS and College (Granted he’s had superb talent around him.)
Unselfish, keeps everyone involved in the offense.
Pushes the tempo… Excels in transition playing a fast paced, open court game.
Good court vision – sees the floor well
With his combination of speed and ball-handling, he makes it very tough for opposing teams to apply full-court pressure.
Extremely fast end to end
Solid upper body strength
Pesky on the ball defender that does a good job pressuring the opposing point guard the full length of the court.
Quick hands that enable him to create turnovers – averaging 2.3 SPG

Weaknesses:

Size - Listed at 5’11, his lack of height and wingspan will create a challenge for Lawson at the next level.
Doesn’t have a true mid-range game -- Relies heavily on getting to the basket in transition, or taking 3’s.
Lawson gets limited elevation on his jump shot.
Not a great shooter (although much improved) – he lacks consistency from the perimeter to keep the defense honest. For his size, Lawson needs to be a terrific shooter and he isn’t.
Needs to become more effective playing in the half-court set.
Defensively, he struggles fighting over screens and he has a tendency to just go under picks, giving the opposition too much separation.
Lawson needs to increase his level of effort defensively.
Gambles too much on the defensive end.

Overall:
Ty Lawson is a great college point guard on a great college team. Not to take away from Lawson’s abilities, but it’s much easier to look good when you’re surrounded by tremendous talent and you’re blowing out your opponents. With that said, you have to like that he’s consistently produced winning results throughout his entire career.

Lawson’s speed in the open court and his ability to create transition opportunities for his team are outstanding. He sees the floor well, plays an unselfish style and he gets his teammates the ball in position to score.

Lawson is a pretty good athlete that’s capable of elevating, but he shoots more of a set shot and doesn’t take advantage of his ability to get up. At 5’11 and with a low release point, Lawson is going to face challenges getting his shot off at the next level.

With that said, I’m not as worried about Lawson’s mechanics as I am with his consistency. He’s shown terrific improvement over the past 2 seasons, which his %’s clearly reflect, but he’s still not at the level he needs to be, as a shooter. Until he becomes a more potent outside shooter, defenses in the NBA will be able to sag back and go under screens, which will take away Lawson’s effectiveness.

Defensively, Lawson is at a disadvantage with his height and length, right off the bat. He needs to exert more energy on the defensive end and do a better job of shutting down penetration. In addition, learning to fight over screens will be crucial to his development, because if he allows the opposition to get that much space in the NBA, opposing guards will destroy him from the outside.
At the next level, Lawson has the ability to become a serviceable backup point guard and a guy that brings energy off the bench.

In the Spotlight: Cole Aldrich

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:15:00 +0000

Cole Aldrich
Position: Center

Ht: 6-11, Wt: 245

Hometown: Bloomington, MN

College: Kansas
Class: Sophomore

DOB: 10/31/88

Strengths:

Exerts tremendous effort
Has really improved his footwork in the low post.
He’s begun to develop a low post game, especially a turn around jump hook, which is his go-to move.
Well Schooled Player – Understands where he needs to be, in order to be effective on both ends of the court.
Tremendous shot blocker – Comes over from the weak side to contest – shows great timing.
Great rebounder – Consistently boxes his man out and uses his long arms to extend for the ball.
After securing rebounds, Aldrich demonstrates good footwork pivoting and throwing crisp outlet pass.
Runs hard on both ends of the floor.

Weaknesses:

Physically weak; lacks toughness – He’s pushed around too easily in the paint.
Must become more assertive on the floor… Aldrich needs to fight harder to establish position in the low post and develop an ‘attack’ mentality.
Offensively, his game isn’t fluid – his low post moves need to become 2nd nature.
Very unconventional, slow developing shot… His release point is above the back side of his head …He has to work on refining his form and becoming a more consistent mid-range shooter.
Not very explosive off the floor
Very limited lateral quickness – He has a tough time guarding quicker players that can take him off the dribble.
Slow foot speed which makes it very difficult to come out to contest shots away from the basket. He’s going to really struggle guarding 4 and 5’s that can hit the mid range jump shot.

Overall:

Cole Aldrich is not a player that is going to get anyone out of their seats with his ferocious style of play or explosiveness off the ground. Rather he’s a productive player that has shown a great propensity to improve in all aspects of his game and will play hard on both ends of the floor.

Right now, Aldrich’s two greatest strengths are his rebounding prowess and excellent timing blocking shots. He has a great understanding of how to rebound, as he gets his body in position to use his tremendous length to extend for the ball.

Offensively, he’s really improved his footwork on the block and his ability to score around the basket. He will never become a focal point at the next level, but he definitely needs to be accounted for.

Defensively is where I see Aldrich encountering his biggest challenge in the NBA. With limited foot speed and lateral quickness, defending much more athletic 4’s is going to be very difficult. Aldrich also struggles to contest jump shots, when he’s forced to come out of his comfort zone, which is within 10 feet of the basket.

The other big hurdle that Aldrich will have to overcome is his physical toughness. Adding more muscle has definitely helped in this area, but it’s more his mentality that’s the problem. His natural demeanor is way too timid on the court.

The bottom line is that Aldrich’s limited athleticism and toughness will present a major problem, as he transitions to the next level. For that reason, if he enters this year’s draft, I would wait until the 15th pick of the 1st round before I consider selecting Cole Aldrich.

In the Spotlight: Scottie Reynolds

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:14:00 +0000

Scottie Reynolds
Position: Point Guard
Ht: 6’2 Wt: 190
Hometown: Herndon, Va.
College: Villanova
Class: Junior
DOB: 10/10/1987

Strengths

Capable of putting up big scoring numbers.
Demonstrates range on his jump shot that extends out to the NBA 3 point line.
Understands how to read the defense and use screens to get separation… He comes tight off screens with his body in position to shoot.
Crafty offensive player that utilizes his body effectively in the paint and finds ways to get his shot off.
Does a good job pushing the ball and leading the break
Great free throw shooter
Battle tested in college – He’s gotten it done since his freshman year, logging big minutes and putting up solid numbers.

Weaknesses

Naturally looks for his own offense, rather than creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Doesn’t possess NBA level quickness or speed
Not a gifted athlete… Doesn’t have the explosiveness or leaping ability to finish at the rim.
Doesn’t see the floor particularly well for a point guard
Has limited elevation on his jumper…Shoots more of a set shot
Lateral quickness, foot speed is in issue when defending on the ball.

Overall

Scottie Reynolds is a very good college point guard. He’s consistently produced since his freshman season, putting up big numbers in an offense that’s built for him to score. He can shoot from deep, he’s crafty at finding ways to get his shots off and he’s able to go off for big scoring outbursts on any given night.

Now although he’s been able to get it done in college, it’s a much different scenario at the next level. As a point guard, with a scoring mentality and without real court vision, the challenge becomes even greater.

Reynolds doesn’t have the athleticism, explosiveness off his feet, speed in the open court, and leaping ability around the rim or on his jump shot. He also lacks the quickness and foot speed to play man-to-man defense against NBA 1’s.

The bottom line is that Reynolds doesn’t have the physical tools or natural skills necessary to transition to become an NBA point guard. Whether he enters the draft this year, or next, I wouldn’t select Reynolds.

In the Spotlight: Gerald Henderson

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:14:00 +0000

Gerald Henderson
Position: Shooting Guard
Ht: 6-4, Wt: 215
Hometown: Merion, Pa
College: Duke
Class: Junior

DOB: 12/9/87

Strengths

Superb athlete with exceptional leaping ability.
Moves well off the ball – slashes hard to the basket and he’s able to pick up buckets cutting to the hoop.
Very aggressive... he gets after it on both ends of the floor.
Shows toughness and a competitive spirit.
Plays well in an up-tempo environment – gets out in transition, fills the lane and can finish on the break.
Good rebounder for a guard– primarily because of his athleticism, but he’s willing to mix it up and use his strength to bang with the bigs.
Great defensive instincts – he reacts quickly, anticipates passes, and generates turnovers by getting his hands in the passing lanes.
Terrific on the ball defender… With quickness, lateral mobility, and strength.
Good help defender who has a knack for blocking shots, created from coming over from the weakside.
Hustles back on D in transition and often times will be seen using his speed to track someone down.

Weaknesses

Really has to work on improving his ball handling… especially his left.
Doesn’t excel at creating his own offense… his 1-on-1 moves can use improving
Shooting - Has shown great improvement as a spot up shooter – but still has a long way to go.
Not as comfortable when shooting off the dribble…it’s going to require a lot of hardwork to get were he needs to be.
At 6’4 his size for an NBA 2 guard is a concern…but it’s somewhat neutralized by his strength and athleticism.

Overall

There are some things that can’t be taught and freakish athleticism is one of those things. Henderson has that athletic ability and he’s naturally gifted in many areas… He’s strong, fast in the open court, explosive around the rim and he can absolutely jump out of the gym.

With that said, Henderson has to really work on his offensive game because he isn’t a natural scorer. Henderson’s jumper is much improved this season, but it’s still not where it needs to be, especially off the dribble. He needs to continue improving his consistency from the outside, including a quicker release in a more fluid motion.

The other aspect of his game that Henderson needs to get better is his ball handling, primarily his left. If he’s able to develop his handle and begin to create his own offense, he’ll be a much tougher player to defend and it will allow him to use his athleticism more effectively.

Defensively, Henderson has a very complete skill set. His on the ball defense is very strong (excellent lateral quickness), he’s able to get in the passing lanes with great anticipation / instincts, and he is a terrific weak side defender who gets up to contest / block shots. He also hustles back in transition to prevent fast break opportunities.

Overall, Henderson is a good kid that shows tremendous effort and plays hard on both ends of the floor. He’s only a Junior, but if he decides to enter the upcoming draft, he deserves consideration towards the end of the lottery, middle of the first round.

In the Spotlight: Dante Cunningham

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Dante Cunningham
Position: Power Forward
Ht: 6-8, Wt: 230
Hometown: Silver Springs, MD
College: Villanova
Class: Senior
Age: 04/22/87

Strengths

Very muscular physical stature – no body fat.
Fundamentally sound, well schooled player.
Great rebounder – Always boxes his man out, seals off his opponent and gets himself in position to secure the rebound… Relentless attitude on the glass.
Cuts hard to the basket
Sets solid on the ball screens
Plays pick and pop basketball - Adept at getting himself in open position.
Well conditioned – runs hard on both ends of the floor and rarely shows fatigue
Demonstrates range on his jump shot that extends out to 15 feet
Terrific help defender – Understands how to defend within the team concept / Very physical, gets his body in position to stop penetration / take the contact (draw charge)

Weaknesses

Listed at 6’8 (very generous) which is a huge concern – He would be an undersized 4 at the next level.
Although he has a well defined physique, he needs to fill out and put on 10 - 15 more lbs.
Very robotic – Not a lot of fluidity to his game
Lacks efficiency when he’s forced to create his own offense … Doesn’t have a true low post or face up game. Lacks the back to the basket skills or the ability to take his man off the dribble.
Needs to become more consistent with his mid-range jump shot… (He has to become a great shooter)

Overall

Dante Cunningham is a player that maximizes his talent. He gets the most out of his skills and thus he’s evolved into a very productive college player.

In watching Cunningham, he comes from the same mold of a player like Charles Oakley. He understands his role on the team, he’s a relentless rebounder, plays with a lot of toughness, and he excels on the defensive side of the ball. The offense will never run through him, but he can get scrappy buckets around the rim.

It’s critical that Cunningham continues to improve his consistency from the outside. Right now, he’s a good shooter, but he needs to be lights out. If he can manage to develop a more consistent mid range jumper, the way Oakley did over his career that would greatly improve his chances of finding a home in the NBA.

The other thing that scares me about Cunningham is his size. He’s listed at 6’8, but when watching him on the court, he appears shorter than that. He also needs to continue filling out his frame, with more muscle mass, so that he can fight to prevent opposing 4’s from establishing position on the block. He’s going to need all the height and power he can get – otherwise his strength (defending) will be negated at the next level.

Overall, Cunningham is going to have a tough time sticking on an NBA roster. However, he’s worth a look late in the 2nd round, with the slim chance of earning a spot on an offensive oriented team that could use his defensive toughness and rebounding prowess.

In the Spotlight: Earl Clark

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:25:00 +0000

Earl Clark
Position: Small Forward

Ht: 6-9, Wt: 220

Hometown: Plainfield, N.J.

College: Louisville

Class: Junior

Age: 1/17/88

Strengths

NBA ready body with tremendous length… muscular 6’9, 220lbs
Match-up nightmare for opposing teams… Inside / Outside player - Very versatile with the ability to step out past the three point line, or post up smaller defenders.
Gifted athlete – good vertical, long strides when he runs, gets out in transition.
Solid rebounder - With a combination of knowing how to establish position, size, athleticism, and length.
He’s able to play a point forward role in the half-court set– Using his size and length to see over the defense and set the offense at the top of the key.
Capable ball handler that’s able to grab a rebound and start the break.
Demonstrates great body control when he penetrates to the basket.
Very fundamental passer - throws crisp passes.
Soft hands
Uses his incredible length to block shots, create deflections

Weaknesses

Too reliant on his shot – Rather than settling from the outside, he needs to post up, or take the ball to the basket with more regularity.
Has to develop more consistency with his jump shot… A minor mechanical adjustment might be required, as his release point is slightly to the right side with too much of his left hand, creating sidespin.
Needs to improve his ability to shoot off the dribble… Being able to create off the bounce and knock down a jump shot will make Clark a much tougher player to defend.
At times he has a very nonchalant demeanor… He needs to show the killer instinct and play with greater intensity.
Inconsistency – Clark has stretches, even games, in which he’s not very involved offensively.
Lacks Physical Toughness - Despite having a very muscular build, Clark gets pushed around too much. He needs to get tougher and utilize his body more effectively.
Needs to learn to play to his strengths
Defensively he has a tendency to defend standing straight up and not get in stance… He needs to keep his feet moving and stay focused, if he’s going to defend the 3 at the next level. He has room to improve his foot speed as well.

Overall

Earl Clark is extremely talented and posses a wide array of skills. He has an NBA ready body, with unbelievable length and versatility. He’s a match-up terror for opposing teams with his ability to post up, step outside, or penetrate to the basket. He can rebound the ball and he has extremely long strides when he gets out in transition filling the break.

The major issue that I have with Clark is his desire to be the best. There are some players that have the killer instinct, and with Clark I’m just not sure that he does. Similar to Tim Thomas, there isn’t much Clark can’t do on the court, but if you don’t have the toughness and aspiration to be the best, you won’t come close to tapping into your potential (like Thomas). Clark’s so gifted and if he’s able to develop the desire to match his skill set, it can propel him to great things.

Clark also needs to work on not only improving his consistency from the outside, but not relying so much on his jump shot. As he continues to improve his footwork on the block and develop low post moves, I think we’ll see him posting up with more frequency.

Overall, Clark has the skill set of a lottery selection, but he doesn’t produce like one. This season, with higher expectations and a much larger role, Clark hasn’t stepped up and shown the ability to rise to the occasion. If he elects to enter the draft this year, which seems extremely likely, I’d be very hesitant to select Clark with a lottery pick…to me he’s a good pick between (#15 - #24)

In the Spotlight: Hasheem Thabeet

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:02:00 +0000

Hasheem Thabeet
Position: Center

Ht: 7-3, Wt: 263

Hometown: Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

College: UConn

Class: Junior

Age: 02/16/87

Strengths

Incredible size and presence on the court – A rare package of coordination and athleticism for a 7’3 frame.
Tremendous shot blocker… Does a great job rotating off his man, protecting the basket and contesting shots.
Has shown unbelievable improvement in all facets of his game since entering college.
Offensive skills are evolving… Has started to demonstrate a jump hook which he uses effectively against shorter defenders.
Good form at the free throw line
Sufficient hands
Explosive leaper – quick off his feet

Weaknesses

Still very raw / unpolished – learning the game… He’s only been playing basketball for the past few years
Needs to add some low post moves to his offensive arsenal… He’s developing a jump hook, but right now, he gets his baskets through dunks thanks to guard penetration and offensive rebound putbacks.
Must improve his ability to establish position on the block – Thabeet needs to work on sealing his defender on his back and holding position…creating easier entry pass opportunities.
His feet drag while running up court.
Needs to improve his upper body strength which will help him fend off contact when attacking the basket… He must take the ball up stronger.
Has to improve passing out of the post, especially when he sees double teams.
Struggles moving his feet defensively and guarding on the perimeter… Thabeet is exploited when guarding players that play facing the basket, as he lacks the lateral mobility to keep his man in front of him. It’s also an issue when defending the pick and roll.
Defensively, Thabeet has a tendency to rely too much on his incredible athleticism… He has to fight defensively to prevent the man he’s guarding from establishing low position.

Overall

It’s very rare to find a player with Hasheem Thabeet’s physical stature and athleticism. He’s improved his skill set immensely, both offensively and defensively, since entering UConn 3 years ago and he has a lot of growth left in his game.

Defensively, Thabeet is a game changer who’s shown the ability to contest anything around the hoop. He has an enormous wingspan, rotates off his man and demonstrates great timing when he elevates. His aptitude to defend within the team concept is tremendous, but he still must improve his on the ball defense.

Offensively, his skills are way behind his abilities defensively, as he needs to improve his footwork and add moves to his offensive arsenal. It’s a work in progress, as he’s started to develop a jump hook around the basket and become more adept at finishing with his left hand. At this point, Thabeet is able to get his buckets by finishing off of penetration, and put backs on offense rebounds.

Thabeet still relies heavily on his athleticism, which for his size is incredible, but there are things that work in college that wont work in the NBA. For example, allowing the player he’s guarding to establish low position, because he’s confident that he’ll block their shot. Or not sealing his man and boxing out, knowing that he’ll grab the rebound because of his length and vertical leap. These are habits that will need to be broken.

Overall, Thabeet is a top 7 pick. As his skills continue to evolve, Thabeet can become a player that can control the paint defensively and be an option on the offensive end (not the focal point) at the next level.

In the Spotlight: Jonny Flynn

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:44:00 +0000

Jonny Flynn
Position: Point Guard
Ht: 6’0 Wt: 180
Hometown: Niagara Falls, NY
College: Syracuse
Class: Sophomore
Age: 10/28/89

Strengths

Great combination of speed and bounce
Terrific with the ball in his hands… Once he gets the outlet pass, he’s off... Excels leading the break.
Extremely fast end to end – Does a great job changing speeds and turning it into high gear.
Composed floor general - Very poised demeanor
Good court vision; sees the floor well.
Despite being small in stature, he has good strength to fend off contact and finish in traffic
Has a toughness and swagger to his game… He really believes in himself
Above average 3-point shooter… Great elevation on his jump shot.
Plays major minutes and rarely appears tired throughout (*Syracuse plays zone D)
Active hands defensively

Weaknesses

Relies heavily on taking 3’s and really favors straightaway… Needs to develop a mid-range game and expand his shot selection.
Listed at 6’0 – probably closer to 5’10
In some situations, he’d be better off passing the ball upcourt to create a transition opportunity…At times, he overdribbles, which prevents a fast break chance.
Can become more effective in the pick and roll by attacking the basket with greater consistency – as opposed to using the screen and settling for a jump shot.
Takes some tough, contested, low-percentage shots.

Overall

Jonny Flynn is a confident point guard that does a great job changing speeds and getting into the open court. He knows how to control the tempo of the game and he has NBA range on his jump shot. He’s also the leader of the Syracuse team, as you see his teammates rely on him to set the offense, as a true point guard should.

Now although he’s shown the ability to break down the defense, he relies too much on the deep 3 (straightaway). He’s also listed at 6’0 (translation 5’10), which will present challenges at the next level shooting over taller defenders and finishing around the rim. Luckily for Flynn, he can jump out of the gym, which helps to offset his small stature.

Defensively, Syracuse primarily plays in a zone, so it’s tough to gauge his on the ball defensive abilities. Flynn is very active in the zone and does a good job keeping his feet / hands moving and creating turnovers. He also has the foot speed and quickness to make you believe he can become an NBA level defensive player, but it’s still to be determined.

Overall, Flynn is an intriguing prospect with a lot of upside. He’s a tremendous athlete that should be able to step in and give a team productive minutes right away. At this point, I’d look real close at Flynn in the middle of the 1st round. With his much improved play thus far this season, he has a great opportunity to move up the draft boards.

In the Spotlight: Paul Harris

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:22:00 +0000

Paul Harris
Position: Small Forward

Ht: 6-5, Wt: 230

Hometown: Niagara Falls, NY

College: Syracuse

Class: Junior

Age: 10/15/86

Strengths

Strong build… Well defined, very muscular physique
Impressive athlete with good combination of power, length and explosion.
Great rebounder for his size – attacks the glass. Paul doesn’t wait for the ball to come down, he goes and gets it. He gets himself in good position and explodes to the highest point.
Tenacious man to man defender. He plays very physical, in your face, on the ball defense. He has good lateral quickness and moves his feet well.
Superb team defender – Rotates well and gets his body in position to help stop penetration. He gives up his body and will take the contact.
Plays with high energy – A competitor who wants to win and gives maximum effort every night.
Very active on both ends of the court. Offensively, he’s a slasher that will get scrappy buckets – (put backs off glass, cuts in offense)… Moves well off the ball. Defensively, he’s always moving, talking, banging.
Plays well when he gets out in transition, filling the wing and finishing on the break.

Weaknesses

Offensively, Paul’s game is 12 feet and in.
Needs to improve his jump shot. He has a high release point, doesn’t get enough ark and the bottom line is that he can’t consistently hit a jump shot.
He’s 6’5 but his skills are of someone 6’9, which will limit him at the next level.
Struggles creating off the dribble – Needs to expand his game to include beating his man off the dribble and creating scoring opportunities for himself and teammates.

Overall

If there’s a loose ball and 10 guys go after it and Paul Harris is one of those 10, he’s coming out with the ball. That epitomizes his game. He’s tenacious, he’s aggressive, he’s a competitor, and he’s willing to give himself up to get the ‘W’.

His greatest strength is his ability to defend. Although Syracuse primarily plays zone, when they do go man, Harris takes on the challenge of guarding the opposing team’s best player. He’s able to use his quickness, length and strength to keep his man in front of him. He also has great defensive instincts and understands how to play team defense. He has all the physical attributes to play defense at the NBA level.

Offensively, is where Harris is limited. At 6’5, he plays like a power forward, and lacks the skills of a shooting guard / small forward, which he’ll need at the NBA level. The primary issue is his inability to shoot with consistency. His jumper has been a work in progress since Paul entered college 3 years ago and it still is nowhere near an NBA level.

Overall, Paul does so many things on the court that make him valuable and make him a winner. The problem is that at 6’5 he is going to need to play the 2 in the NBA and with some major holes in his offensive repertoire, he’s not going to be able to stick on a roster. He’s worth a look in the late 2nd round, with hope that he could develop into a lock down defender (ala Bruce Bowen), but unless he can hit the jumper, there wont be an NBA future for him.

In the Spotlight: Tyreke Evans (updated)

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:44:00 +0000

Tyreke Evans

Position: Point Guard / 2 Guard

Ht: 6-4, Wt: 195

Hometown: Aston, PA

College: Memphis
Class: Freshman

Age: 10/19/89

Strengths

Possesses incredible ball handling skills… Great cross over dribble which he’s equally comfortable going left or right with.
Has the ability to freeze his defender with a hard dribble, that he uses to get space for a pull up jumper (if the D sags back) or blow past the defense (if they tighten up).
Demonstrates good body control when he gets into the lane.
Plays with an attacking style, consistently penetrating to the basket and putting pressure on the opposition.
Has a scorer’s mentality, always looking to keep pouring it on. He’s capable of going off for big scoring numbers.
Excels when he’s in transition, primarily leading the break, but he’s effective filling the wing as well.
Very long arms, active hands defensively.

Weaknesses

Lacks the athletic ability to get above the rim, or elevate on his jump shot. Tyreke does not have the leaping ability which he’ll need as his game looks to advance to higher levels.
Needs to repair his shooting form. It’s ugly, inconsistent and he has a slow release. Tyreke also tends to drift back rather than rising straight up on his jumper.
Has to improve playing off the ball. Tyreke is at his best when he is isolated one-on-one, but he really struggles moving without the ball and finding other ways to score / be effective.
Laid back demeanor – not the assertive type: i.e. get after the loose balls, give your buddy up to take the charge, etc.
Has a tendency to over-dribble when he wants to get to the basket.
Needs to get better defensively. He has to get more committed on the defensive side of the ball and improve his foot speed. His on the ball defense is sub par right now.
Shot selection is questionable – as he continues to mature he’ll improve the balance between when to create for others vs. when to look for his own shot.

Overall

Tyreke is blessed with a ton of skills. He is very advanced with the ball in his hands, he has a wide array of moves, tremendous penetration ability and he knows how to get to the bucket. He’s a natural scorer with a mentality to keep pouring it on, with the capability to go off for big scoring numbers.

With all of his talent and skills, I’d like to see Tyreke be more active on the court… crashing the glass, locking up his defender, pursuing loose balls etc.

Tyreke is also not extremely athletic. He can get to the basket, but he doesn’t elevate at an NBA level. He can use his long arms to get in the passing lanes, but he lacks the lateral quickness to keep his man in front of him. He can get past his defender with his dribbling abilities / moves, but he won’t be blazing past any defenders with his speed.

In the Spotlight: Robert Vaden

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:22:00 +0000

Robert Vaden
Position: 2-Guard / Small Forward
Ht: 6-5, Wt: 210
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
College: UAB
Class: Senior
Age: 3/3/85

Strengths:

Very complete, poised player who does a little bit of everything.
Heady player who can fill many roles on the offensive end – play 1, 2, 3
Great range on his jump shot
Does a great job using screens to get free… can knock it down on a catch-and-shoot, or off the bounce.
Crafty player with good court vision… Has the ability to get into the paint and find the open man.
Strong build – can hold his own physically
Understands how to play team defense - Not the best on the ball defender, but does a great job rotating from the weakside to help out defensively

Weaknesses:

Settles for 3’s way too much rather than taking the ball to the bucket.
Not very athletic… Lacks NBA level leaping ability / explosiveness
Limited quickness – going to struggle taking his man off the dribble at the next level
More of a streak shooter, that could improve his consistency from 3 point range… Robert would benefit from taking some mid-range jumpers to keep the defense honest.
Heavily favors dribbling with his right hand… needs to improve his ball handling with his left.
Doesn’t have the hang-time to finish consistently in traffic.
He’s already 23, so there isn’t going to be much growth in his game (sat out 1 yr to transfer).

Overall:

Robert is a very complete player, who does everything well, but nothing spectacular. He won’t blow you away with his speed, quickness, or athletic ability, but he has a ton of skills that make him a very efficient player. He has good range, court vision, he hits the glass inside and he has the ability to get hot in a hurry.

On the defensive side of the ball, because Robert has limited lateral quickness, he’s not a terrific on the ball defender. He does however, do a nice job rotating over from the weakside, to play solid team defense.

Robert’s really at his best with the ball in his hands, playing a point forward role, which allows him to make the decisions and control the offensive flow. He’s used to being the best player on whatever team he’s played, which clearly won’t be the case as his game matures to the next level.

In order for Robert to find a niche in the NBA, I’d like to see him become a more consistent jump shooter (right now he’s more of a streak shooter), improve his penetration abilities (work on his left hand dribble), and even improve his on the ball defense.

Right now, Robert’s worth a look in the mid 2nd round, but I think he’ll have trouble sticking, unless a team lacks depth at the 2/3 position.

In the Spotlight: Stephen Curry

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:05:00 +0000

Stephen Curry
Position: Point Guard / 2 Guard
Ht: 6-2, Wt: 190
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
College: Davidson
Class: Junior
Age: 3/14/88

Strengths:

Pure shooter. Quick release, great range and great form.
Moves well without the ball… he comes tight off screens, cuts hard and find ways to get free from the defense.
Despite having to do all the heavy lifting against major D-1 teams, he’s in great shape and rarely appears tired throughout.
Deceptive ball handling skills with a much improved left to right cross over, behind the back dribble, and lefty in and out move. He’s developed into an elite ball handler.
Polished step back move which he uses to create space to get off his jump shot up.
Automatic from the foul line.
Above average Court Vision
Quick hands – pesky defender that creates turnovers (steals)
Clutch - seems to relish the big moments and taking the big shots
Natural – Has a good feel for the game… has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Weaknesses:

Needs to get stronger and add more muscle
Naturally a 2-guard, who will need to continue improving his point guard skills and playmaking for others.
Can improve his ability to breakdown the defense, get into the paint and finish at the rim.
Limited athletically – Lacks NBA level explosiveness.
Doesn’t have experience playing on a team in which he’s not relied on to do everything.

Overall:

Stephen Curry is a pure shooter. He has a quick release, he moves well without the ball, and he has a knack for finding creases in the defense to free himself. He’s also demonstrated the ability to carry a team, showing up in big games and hitting big shots.

With all of the success Curry has had in college, it’s a much different situation when you’re “the man” on the team, with the offense built for you and your teammates relying on you to carry the load… as opposed to being part of the offense, which will be the case at the next level. It’s a major adjustment, but because of Curry’s natural feel for the game, it’s one he’ll be able to tackle.

As Curry transitions from college to the pro level, he will need to continue to improve at the point guard position. At 6’2, Curry is a natural 2-guard, who’s at his best when he’s looking to get himself going, but because of his size he’ll need to be able to play the point in the pro’s. Curry’s made a drastic improvement from his sophomore to his junior year taking his opponents off the dribble and getting his teammates easy buckets, but it’s still an area that he can really improve.

Curry can hold his own athletically, but he is not a superb athlete, which will present a challenge in the NBA. He’s found ways to compensate, but his limited explosiveness make it tough at the NBA level when you are competing against elite level point guards every night.

He also needs to get stronger which will help in many areas, primarily fighting over screens on the defensive end.

Overall, Curry’s a gifted basketball player, with a ton of potential. In the right system, that takes advantage of his natural abilities, Curry can become a key piece of a winning team down the line. I’d look real close at Curry around the 7th – 12th selection of the 1st round.

Elite 24: 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:36:00 +0000

I ventured up to Harlem last week to check out the Elite 24. The Elite 24 takes place at Rucker Park and it's the only high school game that features the top 24 ball players, regardless of class. As is the case with every All-Star game, there isn't much defense being played and the ball doesn't exactly move on the offensive end.

With that being said, alot of talent made it's way to Harlem and I kept my eye on a a few guys that are expecting to make it to the NBA in a few years... Lance Stephenson (updated) and John Wall - Spotlights below:

In the Spotlight: Lance Stephenson (updated)

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:21:00 +0000

Lance Stephenson
Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
Ht: 6-6
Wt: 220

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Class: Senior
College Options: Memphis, Texas, Kansas, USC, St. John’s
Age: 9/05/90

Strengths

At 6’6, 220lbs, Lance is physically advanced with a very muscular build.
Extremely versatile on both ends of the court. Lance posses the handle which allows him to play the point, the shooting touch to play the wing, and the strength to finish inside. Defensively, he has the flexibility to guard the 1 – 3 depending on match ups.
Scorer - Has the ability to completely dominate on the offensive end.
Great one-on-one skills, with an array of moves to take his man off the dribble… Exceptional cross-over (both left to right and right to left), hesitation move, and right in-and-out dribble.
Lance really knows how to finish around the rim, as he's able to use both his left and right hand to finish.
Fierce Competitor with a drive to be the best. Lance really flourishes when he's playing against other elite players. He always rises to the challenge and never shies away from guarding the opposition’s best player.
When Lance gets into the paint, he has a tendency to spin, as he's very adept at using his body to fend off his defender.
Very Pure Shooter with great form – He has the range to hit from deep 3, but also the mid range game to hit from foul line and in.
Further along in his development when shooting off the bounce.
Sees the floor well – As he begins to play with players closer to his skill level, his passing abilities will hopefully be showcased with more frequency.
Very confident player – Has a real swagger to his game. Lance can hold his own athletically, with the power to compliment.

Weaknesses

Body language and maturity are real concerns - When things aren’t going well his immaturity shows as he pouts and point’s fingers… show’s disgust.
Needs to be careful that as he adds more muscle mass, it doesn’t inhibit his agility or mobility on the court.
Has a tendency to over dribble when he wants to break down his man, play to the crowd and make a statement… Needs to make a move and explode.
Lance has to work on getting himself into position so that he can knock down the jumper off the pass. He’s more comfortable shooting off the dribble, than spotting up.
He has to work on getting back on defense after he misses a shot, or turns the ball over. He has a tendency to compound a missed shot, by taking a few swipes for the ball to try and regain possession, rather than sprinting back.
Needs to get more committed on the defensive end. Lance tends to leak out to half-court looking to start the break. He also has to work on keeping his feet moving defensively and not just focus on the man he’s guarding, but also helping out on the weak side.
Lance can get up, but he’s not an extremely high riser.
Lance isn’t the most well spoken, polished kid off the court.

Overall

Lance is an extremely talented ball player and watching him play you can see how easily the game comes to him. Offensively, he has the ability to completely dominate the game, with his ability to score. He can take you off the dribble, shoot from deep, slash to the hoop, get out in transition, etc. Defensively, he needs to get better, but much of the improvement is about commitment and understanding, which will be demanded of him at the college level.

In the past year, Lance has bulked up and already has an NBA body. One thing he needs to be cautious of is that as he adds more muscle to his frame, it doesn’t affect his quickness, or explosiveness on the court. Finding the right balance will be crucial to his development.

The thing about Lance that’s been well publicized is his immaturity. He needs to become a player that teammates want to play with. He’s so much more advanced than his teammates at the HS level that he tends to show them up, when they fail to catch a pass, or convert on an easy assist opportunity. He needs to grow up on and off the court and act mature enough to handle becoming a future star.

This emotion that Lance plays with isn’t entirely a bad thing. If he’s able to channel this ‘fire’ the right way, it can be converted into a positive. With the right coaching, mentoring, and direction, Lance has a chance to be special. But it will depend on his willingness to be coached and his ability to change, that will determine his fate. Lance has to stay focused, keep practicing and not get complacent beating up on inferior competition.

The great thing about Lance is that he wants it. He has the drive, desire, and hunger to be the best.

In terms of NBA potential, there is no question it’s there. Plan to keep a close eye on Lance at the college level, where he should make a major impact.

In the Spotlight: John Wall

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:57:00 +0000

John Wall

Position: Point Guard

Ht: 6-3

Wt: 175

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Class: Senior
College Options: Baylor, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, NC State, etc

Strengths

Extremely fast with the ball in his hands… Gets up and down the court in a hurry, leading the fast break.
Does a great job changing directions, keeping his defender off balance and on his heels.
ATHLETE – He can flat out fly and he finishes well with both hands around the rim. He can really elevate and flush it down.
Has a real knack for getting into the paint and penetrating past his defender.
Great cross over dribble (both left to right and right to left)
Shows a real burst when he accelerates; he’s able to turn it into another gear and leave his defender behind.
Very solid left hesitation move that he uses to freeze his defender before he explodes left.
At his best in the open court, but showed signs that he’s able to orchestrate and run the half-court offense as well
Great court vision.
Super quick with nimble feet
Long Arms

Weaknesses

Very flat jump shot that needs improving - His form needs some work… He has to be able to hit the mid range jumper and step out passed the three point line…Neither of which, John can do with consistency right now.
Needs to be more assertive and go to the ball, not wait for his teammates to bring it to him.
Played zero defense and didn’t work hard on the defensive end of the court. (it was an all-star game)
John will definitely benefit from a year in college because he needs to add muscle. His natural build is of a thin frame; however John needs to add muscle to his upper body.

Player Comparison: Reminds me of Jamal Crawford…both his handle and frame; however John is a much more natural point guard.

Overall

There isn’t a doubt in my mind that John Wall has what it takes to be a solid NBA player. He can fly up the court with the ball in his hands and he’s phenomenal leading the break. He has great court vision and he doesn’t mind giving up the rock, or he can emphatically throw it down with either hand. His speed and quickness are evident, and he does a great job changing speeds and getting to the bucket.

It is imperative that John becomes a more consistent outside shooter. He needs to be able to knock down the jumper off the bounce and off the pass, which he’s unable to do right now. He also needs to improve his range, which will force the defense to play up on him, not sag back, making it easier for him to penetrate to the bucket. John also needs to commit himself to the defensive end and take pride in shutting down the opposition. He has great foot speed, but there were plenty of times that his feet were glued to the ground and thus he was beaten off the dribble.

The bottom line is that John has all the physical tools, talent and athleticism that will translate as his game progresses to the collegiate level and ultimately the pros. Look for him to be a one-and-done college player before entering the draft.

*Based off seeing John play at Elite 24 -8/22

Tyreke Evans to Memphis

noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Brett) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:35:00 +0000

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone given Tyreke Evans close ties to William “Worldwide” Wesley and Wes’s close relationship with Memphis Coach John Calipari. People have been speculating about this decision for months and now it’s official. Evans a three-time Pennsylvania AP player of the year and MVP of the McDonald All-American game has selected the Memphis Tigers, to play his collegiate ball.

Evans averaged 29 pts, 8 rebs and 6 assists this past season as a Sr. guard at American Christian in Pennsylvania. Tyreke was also mulling offers from Villanova and Texas before selecting the Tigers. "It wasn't an easy decision," Evans said. "It's time for me to be a man. I need a little time away from my family and I wanted to get away. I like Memphis' system. I like what Coach Call does and I think he will help me get to the next level."

Make no mistake about it… Tyreke is not going to Memphis to further his education. His goal is to be one and done. But for anyone that is expecting the next coming of Derrick Rose, understand now that Tyreke is not even close to the athlete or point guard of the electric D. Rose. In fact, if it wasn’t for this year’s Senior class being a down year, Tyreke wouldn’t have garnered all the accolades that came his way. He is a tremendous scorer and a superb talent, but Tyreke has a long way to go before he can even contemplate a jump to the pro-level.

His brother Reggie, has somewhat of a different view as to the type of player Memphis is getting, "CDR and Derrick put together a hell of a tandem, but I think 'Reke is both of them in one," Reggie Evans said. "He's Derrick handling the ball, and he's CDR with his scoring ability. All he needs is a little help around him. They could make another run at it."

Not quite, but we’ll see…

For more on Tyreke Evans