Draft Hype
- Thread starter SacKingFan_23
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I think this draft can really solidify our backcourt. The frontcourt is a mess and I'm not expecting an impact big man to be around but I think there will be a future star still on the board so trading the pick away would be a mistake. If Petrie can't make a move this summer to address the shotblocking and rebounding needs, then we're going to need pieces for a future deal. I don't see a problem with having a backcourt that goes 5-6 deep and doesn't have enough minutes to go around for a season. I'd rather have that than the same group of perimeter players, while that other guy we could've had is getting shine on another team.
I also would be very, very happy if the Kings somehow found a way into the top 5 to draft LaMarcus Aldridge. I'm a big fan of Aldridge's -- he's as athletic as Channing Frye and can shoot from the outside as well as Channing Frye, only he also has a deadly post game. He tested out very high on the athleticism tests -- higher vertical and faster than Hilton Armstrong and Patrick O'Bryant. If he had teammates who would have gotten him the ball down low more often he would be even more heralded. I'd trade anyone on the team except for Ron Artest to get him.
And to a slightly lesser extent Tyrus Thomas. I love his motor and athleticism, but he only measured out at 6'8" in shoes and I think that's going to limit what he can do in the post. He can be a Shawn Marion type, but not necessarily a Ben Wallace paint controller.
And to a slightly lesser extent Tyrus Thomas. I love his motor and athleticism, but he only measured out at 6'8" in shoes and I think that's going to limit what he can do in the post. He can be a Shawn Marion type, but not necessarily a Ben Wallace paint controller.
Aldridge didn't do that well on the athletic tests. He wasn't bad, but he wasn't "very high" either. Aldridge tested 28th out of 33 PF's, not that great. Him and Armstrong were neck and neck. In fact, Shelden Williams tested higher than both of them. Aldridge for anyone on the team other than Artest? He's a good player but I'd have to say no thanks to that....
The difference is that Aldridge is 6'11" and a lot of the other "power forwards" are smaller and are bound to have better verticals and quickness scores. Compare Aldridge to Saer Sene, a guy that people are touting almost solely on his athleticism, and you'll see that Aldridge is the better athlete.
PS: Also, Aldridge has a higher max vertical and he's faster down the court than Shelden Williams -- Williams benefitted in the overall rankings from being able to bench 25 times. And there's also the issue that Aldridge destroyed Williams when they played each other...
PS: Also, Aldridge has a higher max vertical and he's faster down the court than Shelden Williams -- Williams benefitted in the overall rankings from being able to bench 25 times. And there's also the issue that Aldridge destroyed Williams when they played each other...
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That is true about him being 6'11", but him being so skinny should help him a little as well. Shelden weighs a lot more, but he had a better no step vertical and jumped only 3/4 of an inch lower than did Aldridge in the max vertical. Shelden Williams also had a better lane agility score despite being 25 lbs. heavier. Throw in the fact that Shelden more than tripled the number of bench press reps that Aldridge had and it pretty much seals the deal that Shelden Williams had better test results. That said, I'd rather have Aldridge because he's a little taller and has a much better jumper with better range, but by no means would I give up Mike Bibby to get him.
Also, I am assuming that when you say "Aldridge destroyed Williams when they played each other," you are referring to Duke's absolute beatdown of Texas when they won by 30 points. Let's take a look at their stat lines.
Williams- 35 min., 7-12 shooting, 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks
Aldridge- 40 min., 8-13 shooting, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 0 assists, and 0 blocks
So let's see, Williams had more points, the same amount of rebounds, 4 more assists, and 5 more blocks in less minutes than Aldridge. And Williams' team won by 30 points. Are you sure Aldridge destroyed him?
Also, I am assuming that when you say "Aldridge destroyed Williams when they played each other," you are referring to Duke's absolute beatdown of Texas when they won by 30 points. Let's take a look at their stat lines.
Williams- 35 min., 7-12 shooting, 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks
Aldridge- 40 min., 8-13 shooting, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 0 assists, and 0 blocks
So let's see, Williams had more points, the same amount of rebounds, 4 more assists, and 5 more blocks in less minutes than Aldridge. And Williams' team won by 30 points. Are you sure Aldridge destroyed him?
Dark horse Pick- ALEXANDER JOHNSON
Remember this name... Alexander Johnson of Florida State... 6'10", 230 lbs... he is athletic, long and a good rebounder... he is supposed to be the second most athletic big man next to Tyrus Thomas... he is a classic late bloomer, but he impressed a lot of GMs during the pre draft camp...
We all know how Petrie rarely ever picks the popular choice, so I doubt that Hilton Armstrong will be the pick... I expect him to pick someone we are not expecting... someone like, Alexander Johnson who can develop into a beast in the low post... he is a wide body and very athletic, but not much of a shot blocker....
Another dark horse pick is Justin Williams, who was second in the nation with 5.4 blocks per game... he is 6'9" 225lbs... he may develop into a theo ratliff type shot blocker...
Remember this name... Alexander Johnson of Florida State... 6'10", 230 lbs... he is athletic, long and a good rebounder... he is supposed to be the second most athletic big man next to Tyrus Thomas... he is a classic late bloomer, but he impressed a lot of GMs during the pre draft camp...
We all know how Petrie rarely ever picks the popular choice, so I doubt that Hilton Armstrong will be the pick... I expect him to pick someone we are not expecting... someone like, Alexander Johnson who can develop into a beast in the low post... he is a wide body and very athletic, but not much of a shot blocker....
Another dark horse pick is Justin Williams, who was second in the nation with 5.4 blocks per game... he is 6'9" 225lbs... he may develop into a theo ratliff type shot blocker...
That is true about him being 6'11", but him being so skinny should help him a little as well. Shelden weighs a lot more, but he had a better no step vertical and jumped only 3/4 of an inch lower than did Aldridge in the max vertical. Shelden Williams also had a better lane agility score despite being 25 lbs. heavier. Throw in the fact that Shelden more than tripled the number of bench press reps that Aldridge had and it pretty much seals the deal that Shelden Williams had better test results. That said, I'd rather have Aldridge because he's a little taller and has a much better jumper with better range, but by no means would I give up Mike Bibby to get him.
Also, I am assuming that when you say "Aldridge destroyed Williams when they played each other," you are referring to Duke's absolute beatdown of Texas when they won by 30 points. Let's take a look at their stat lines.
Williams- 35 min., 7-12 shooting, 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks
Aldridge- 40 min., 8-13 shooting, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 0 assists, and 0 blocks
So let's see, Williams had more points, the same amount of rebounds, 4 more assists, and 5 more blocks in less minutes than Aldridge. And Williams' team won by 30 points. Are you sure Aldridge destroyed him?
Also, I am assuming that when you say "Aldridge destroyed Williams when they played each other," you are referring to Duke's absolute beatdown of Texas when they won by 30 points. Let's take a look at their stat lines.
Williams- 35 min., 7-12 shooting, 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks
Aldridge- 40 min., 8-13 shooting, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 0 assists, and 0 blocks
So let's see, Williams had more points, the same amount of rebounds, 4 more assists, and 5 more blocks in less minutes than Aldridge. And Williams' team won by 30 points. Are you sure Aldridge destroyed him?
Um, actually these are all good points.
They're not kidding when they say Alexander Johnson is one of the most athletic big men in the draft:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QU_nRALn_no&search=alexander johnson
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QU_nRALn_no&search=alexander johnson
That probably wasn't the only dunk he had all season, just the only one that someone put on youtube.com.
How can you not be impressed with how high he got up and how quick his feet were to get him from the three point line into the paint for the catch and takeoff? If this kind of play doesn't impress you, then it must've been torture for you to watch Shareef and Kenny last season.
How can you not be impressed with how high he got up and how quick his feet were to get him from the three point line into the paint for the catch and takeoff? If this kind of play doesn't impress you, then it must've been torture for you to watch Shareef and Kenny last season.
I understand that, but trying to get folks excited over some guy in the draft by having a video of one dunk just doesn't get me too excited about him.
I bet we've seen Martin and Evans get up higher for blocked shots. Yes, he can run quickly, jump and dunk. So can half the guys in the league.
Sorry, nothing personal and not specifically referencing this guy/instance, but it seems some folks get pretty excited about a possible draft pick on the scantiest of real info or scouting.
At least SAR and KT have shown some skills and shown they can play in the NBA. Maybe nothing as pretty as that dunk (although I seem to recall a really nice KT dunk in the regular season when he had that great game - Lakers, maybe?) but they can play. This guy - who knows?
I bet we've seen Martin and Evans get up higher for blocked shots. Yes, he can run quickly, jump and dunk. So can half the guys in the league.
Sorry, nothing personal and not specifically referencing this guy/instance, but it seems some folks get pretty excited about a possible draft pick on the scantiest of real info or scouting.
At least SAR and KT have shown some skills and shown they can play in the NBA. Maybe nothing as pretty as that dunk (although I seem to recall a really nice KT dunk in the regular season when he had that great game - Lakers, maybe?) but they can play. This guy - who knows?
I haven't seen Alexander Johnson play and so I don't know what kind of skills he has, but this kind of reminds me of when the Celtics drafted Kedrick Brown pretty much on the basis of his highlight tape. I remember watching the draft and seeing the highlights and being completely blown away. I mean, he just looked unreal. But he didn't turn out so well.