Every year since I've been a member here, we've had this thread, I've started it the last few seasons and will continue to do so. Each year we talk about what players we are hoping to see do well in college, overseas, the D-League even and see if those players materialize into a potential pick. Past players mentioned early and were actually drafted high were Jason Maxiell, a little known collegiate beast in the paint, by X-Factor and myself in 2005. Same draft, X-Factor and JoeJam pegged Danny Granger a lil known SF who played at New Mexico State, Danny is the center piece of the Indiana Pacers now and Jason Maxiell has been here, in Detroit since being drafted by the Pistons in that '05 draft!

So lets do it up big again this year, this thread should run till draft night at least and then we look back and see if anyone was close, dead on or waaaay off!

So who ya got?

3 players I'm keeping an eye on, Sr. Conner Atchley a 6-11 235 C. A Sheed like shooter from Texas. Kid plays hard does the dirty work down low and can stretch the D out by hitting in the high 40% range from beyond the arch!

Sr. Josh Heytvelt, a 6-11, 220 PF, kid was benched indef. a few years back right after he gained real solid player status, he was suspended for gettin busted with Shrooms. Kid is a stud though, a roll player for sure, but can get it done down low. Plays out west in a decent but not real strong division, so we;ll see if his game can translate!


Last but certainly not least, Ron Steele, a solid porn name if nothing else. He was a real 1st round radar type PG from Bama a few years ago, tweaked his knee and really came up short toward the end of the '06 Season. Then last year he was red-shirted because he blew out his ACL. So this is basically his last shot at showing NBA GMs what they could have if they draft him, so I can't wait to see what the dude's got!

SIDE NOTE: If Damion James is available when we select, the Pistons ned to look hard at drafting him, STUD SF from Texas!

I also talked about Deron Washington too before the Pistons selected him in the last draft.

I like Earl Clark a lot, the versatile small forward from Louisville. nbadraft actually has his compared to Danny Granger, so it's no surprise why I like him. The guy plays more power forward in college but definitely has the perimeter skills and versatility to play out on the wing at the next level. He's pegged as a lottery prospect now, but we all know how things can change depending how his season goes. Hopefully, he worked on his jumper for this season.

Eric Maynor got a little fame a couple seasons ago when he had a game to remember and a game-winning shot for VCU to sink Duke in the first round of the tournament. Last season, he averaged 18 points and almost 6 assists a game. Shooting numbers are all solid but not spectacular. He's not the athlete other point guards are, but he's a gamer. I like him as a possible late first round pick for the Pistons to back up Stuckey.

Gonzaga's Austin Daye really looked like the real deal last year. He had a pretty serious bone bruise on his knee that they initially thought was a torn ACL over the summer. He did not have surgery, but we'll have to wait to see how he returns. The kid is something like 6'11" and 185 pounds. Kid is skinny as heck. Hopefully, he put on some muscle mass. But, like I said, he's the real deal. He's like a 7-foot shooting guard. If he bulks up, he might have a similar game to say a Chris Bosh.

That's it for now. There aren't really many intriguing big men out there after Blake Griffin and Hasheem Thabeet. Maybe some will emerge.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Joe Jam,

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Jam:
I also talked about Deron Williams too before the Pistons selected him in the last draft.

I'm sure, JJ, that you meant Washington right?!? Cause ha we drafted Deron Williams I believe we'd have a slightly differnet team, just a tad...

I heard alot about Earl Clark, there was achance he'd come out and could have been a very high pick, but it looks like he held out one more year, same with Chase Budinger. Not really sure Chase will be worth a dam in the NBA, but who knows. Earl Clark should be a productive swing man!

As I've said every year for 3 seasons now, Big Tyler Hansbrough fan here, kid is a work horse, he's just a basketball player, we could use one of those down low! Watch and see if Larry Brown doesn't go after him in the draft! Kid has "LB prospect" written alllll over him!

Yes dammit. Washington. And I talked about Deron Washington over a year and a half before last year's draft. I have hopes that he can make the team next year or the year after.

Oh, there is one big guy I am going to keep my eye on this year. Jordan Hill from Arizona. The guy is 6'10" but if you watched Arizona last year, he plays like he's 7'5". Really long arms, very athletic, and has crazy energy. He has some skill, but definitely needs polish and refinement. And, as with most college players, he needs to gain probably another 15-20 pounds of muscle. He might be a solid second round pick. But, this draft class looks pretty weak, so he might be first round material this year.

I hope Deron WASHINGTON makes the team next season as a defensive specialist with AA and Bynum!

quote:

Originally posted by Feldie:
I hope Deron WASHINGTON makes the team next season as a defensive specialist with AA and Bynum!

I love all 3 of those players but we would really have to work at making teams respect the jumper if they are out at the same time. But Bynum could still prolly get what he wants inside.

Patrick Patterson if he comes out will be a studly manbeast.

Not as athletic as ben, but just as hard a worker, closer to 6'8" than 6'9", but has long arms to counter that, and isn't as deficient in the height departmant as Max is.

Can rebound, good position defender, not a great shotblocker but can push guys out of the paint with his strength and size to where he doesn't have to.

If I had a pick, and was needing a big man, I'd definately get him.

However, scouting Kentucky I think that their most under the radar player is Perry Stevenson. Dude has freakish length, is a GREAT shotblocker, is aggressive as hell when around the basket, can hit the faceup jumper, and his handle is improved.

Not so much that he can quit playing PF, but its already better than it was during any point last year.

The problem with Perry is that even though he's 6'9" with the over 7' wingspan and good leaping ability, he's also about 210 lbs. He will NEVER be the guy that beefs himself up to 240.

But his natural athleticism is so great he'll find a spot in the nba. Probably not THIS year, but next year he'll be an under the radar player that somebody picks up, develops, and you hear surprise talk about how good he is.

Reminds me of the kid that came out of LSU in this years draft. Except he'll come out much more disciplined.

Also Jodie Meeks. You cannot give this guy daylight. At all. He's now healthy and has improved his shot from his freshman year. He can also drive, and has a decent handle. He's pretty athletic, but even though lots of other people think he'll finish the season as THE sexy choice off this years team, he still has to show me more than just being a scorer. He's not selfish, but he doesn't always look for his teammates. He defends but not always in position (more of a gambler at this point), and his rebounding is average for somebody with his athleticism. To me, he's azubuike light. (but probably a better shooter-think Chris Lofton at 6'4" with a 38" vertical)

There are other draft prospects, but they won't be out until next years draft.

Watch out for Ramon Harris in the second round of next years draft. He's a jemmario moon type of defender who can guard every position in the college game. (i'd say the 2 through 4 spots in the nba).

We could possibly have some one and dones on this years team, but who knows BEFORE the season. Gotta have some body of work to judge.

I'll go ahead and say this right now. Crawford will become the next Kelenna Azubuike. A guy to many people slept on but will return to the league as a huge scorer. Plus he's a better defender. A year, maybe two and he'll be back.

Of course I won't really know about the rest of the SEC until they start playing. But I'd keep an eye on Oglivy from Vandy. He's exactly like Bogut.

Some might sniff at the bogut comparison because Bogut isn't a great pro center. But there aren't that many great pro center and he's more than adequate at that spot.

Kimahri, how did I not know you would talk about Kentucky? Lol.

PLEASE NO, Let Patterson stay next year and the following year. Having a potential frontline of Patterson, Stevenson, Harrellson, Pilgram (who will play next year), and the 5-star Center Orton ( who I hope is ready next year since he got knee surgery), looks like dynamite. Along with the guards like Meeks, Miller, and new comer Jon Hood, with other players Billy G. I know will grab..UK looks scary for next year. Doesn't this sound familar? If that stands to be, look at what Billy G. has done in his 3rd season. Look at what Pitino did in his 3rd.

Sorry for going off, just had to do it.

quote:

Originally posted by Feldie:
Same draft, X-Factor and JoeJam pegged Danny Granger a lil known SF who played at New Mexico State, Danny is the center piece of the Indiana Pacers now.

Granger is my best pick by far, I wish the Pistons could have gotten him as much as I like Jason Maxiell Granger is awesome.

So, X, who you peggin now???? Just curious!

Update on a couple guys I mentioned earlier:

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Jam:
I like Earl Clark a lot, the versatile small forward from Louisville. nbadraft actually has his compared to Danny Granger, so it's no surprise why I like him. The guy plays more power forward in college but definitely has the perimeter skills and versatility to play out on the wing at the next level.

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Jam:
Oh, there is one big guy I am going to keep my eye on this year. Jordan Hill from Arizona. The guy is 6'10" but if you watched Arizona last year, he plays like he's 7'5". Really long arms, very athletic, and has crazy energy. He has some skill, but definitely needs polish and refinement.

Both have started off to really good college seasons.

Earl Clark is averaging 14 ppg, 9 rpg, and 3 apg.

Jordan Hill is putting up 19 and 12.

Both are currently top 7 prospects on both nbadraft.net and draftexpress.

I was actually hoping both wouldn't be this good this season, so they could be available towards the end of the draft. But, looks like their stock is climbing. Still a long season though, so we'll see if it stays around the same come March.

quote:

Originally posted by Feldie:
So, X, who you peggin now???? Just curious!

Wow I have no idea, between my mom passing away, trying to clean and sell her house, getting interviewed several times by a company trying to steal me away from my current job (I stayed at my current job and they matched the money, I felt like I was stealing, in his current economy where people are losing their jobs I got a ten grand raise) I haven't watched more then a couple colleage games or read or tracked any players. Me and Joe Jam are usually close so who ever he says would be my guess. I like big guards. big forwards and big centers. I have always liked size. It is hard to guess what college player will be great in the NBA. It always seems if you are super great in college you will go well or if you are a soild role player you will do well sometimes but the mid range stars seem not to always do well on the next level. I liked Stuckey and Maxiell on the way they played. Granger always looked smooth.

I will look and get back to you but I usually have a couple picks by now.

Right now, nbadraft.net has us at pick #20, and if Hansbrough falls that far, then I think Joe would be crazy to pass on a sure thing inside rebounder and the most tremendous bigman motor in college basketball. Besides, I think were going big and now. So I think Joe is done with "future" and "potential"players and is looking for a cat that can play now. I think Tyler is that dude, even if he comes into camp behind, AJ and Maxiell and maybe a re-signed Sheed and or Dice, I think he could easily be the back-up PF of this team, a dependable big that rebounds, backs down from NO ONE, and is a commodity not ever NBA team has, we have Maxiell, having two of those type guys on the floor could be really exciting, factor in Stuckey, Tay and AA all having that "forces in constant motion" facet could be extreamly efficiant with the proper players around them.

I like the kid, I think he's a stud ball player and I'd love him in a Piston's jersey...

Kentucky has no one and dones this year.

Miller's confidenceis hurt and Liggins is too turnover happy. Though Liggins will be oustanding down the line.

The best two pro prospects for this year on the team are still Meeks and Patterson.

And Patterson is the only one that I'd chose as a gm. Meeks shot is deadly, but his defense is worse now that he and patt are the only two legit scoring options, and he's a turnover waiting to happen.

He can definately shoot. Against anyone, and with any of the great college scorers in today's game. But either way, he needs another year to work out his issues, be it another year of college, or a throwaway year working out and practicing against a pro team.

I've also heard rumors that since Patt is ahead on his degree for a sophmore already, he might be a lock to stay his junior year and graduate early. And then come out.

UK gets Pilgrim next year, a true pg (who will help more than anything), and the number two rated prospect center.

It sounds like a good reason for him to comeback and get a shot at the title, since graduation IS a big issue for his family.

We will see. Money talks.

I wish they would have red shirted Meeks last year so he could have a 5th year of elgiblity. Also, I heard that Pilgram left UK. He's not on the Cats roster and should be.??

How do you guys think Curry will be in the Pros? Another JJ Redick?

Curry does have more game than Redick. He can create his own shot and drive where Redick was just a guy coming off picks and shooting threes. Who knows.

He's a more athletic version of chris lofton.

Better handles, better point guard instincts, quicker than Chris Lofton. I think Curry can draw some similarities to Jason Terry actually.