Draft Sleepers

[nbrans]

Assuming the Kings get another first or second round pick, I thought it would be cool to have a thread on everyone's favorite draft sleepers. Here are mine:

Thaddeus Young - Super athletic 6'8" guy who can shoot from 3 (over 40%) and can play above the rim. The knock on him is that has a shaky handle right now and he didn't quite live up to the hype he had coming into Georgia Tech, but he had a solid frosh season. Also a very solid character guy who has done very well in school.
http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/thaddeusyoung.html

Jason Smith - Seven foot jump shooter... sound familiar? Only the differnce is that Smith is athletic -- his favorite player is Dirk Nowitzki and he can put the ball on the floor. But he's not a soft jump shooter, he can bang and rebound. The question marks are that he played against inferior competition, and he could use some more strength.
http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/jasonsmith.html

Kyrylo Fesenko - Geoff went to the Ukraine for a reason, right? Chances are it was to check out this seven footer, who, according to Chad Ford, is a "Long, athletic big man with good agility and quickness." Question marks are that he's raw offensively and apparently he has some off-court issues.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19003&draftyear=2007

Avis Wyatt - This guy has one of the greatest YouTube highlight reels on the internet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qvDANEkcUM He's a freakish athlete at 6'10" and can also really shoot the ball. He played for a DII school although he excelled when they had exhibitions agsinst D-I schools. Oh yeah, and he's working out with David Thorpe, Kevin Martin's trainer.
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/aviswyatt.html

Stanko - I know nothing about this guy, I just think it's awesome that his name is Stanko Barac. Stanko is a 7'1" center from Bosnia.
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/stankobarac.html

 

[fnordius]

I've thought about Wyatt before, along with Arron Affalo, Alando Tucker, Stephane Lasme, and a few others. But Petrie will probably have to get back the second round pick he traded away for any of those guys to matter. One of them might fall through the cracks and go undrafted, but I don't really dare hope for two Justin sort of luck-outs in a row.

 

[LA King Fan II]

Nick Young. He can make his own offense. NBA body.

Gabe Pruitt.

The USC team was dang good, and simply ran out of gas against North Carolina. Both of these players IMO are smart to go pro early.

 

[nbrans]

^I like the USC guys too, and also Taurean Green, who I think people seriously underrate because the rest of his team was so good.

 

[Bricklayer]

Here are the draftexpress write ups on Stanko and Fesenko. Strictly 2nd round type of gambles I think:

Fesenko:
http://draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1065

Stanko:
http://draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=249


Coudl be Geoff's next Jerome James experiment.

 

[BMiller52]

^I like the USC guys too, and also Taurean Green, who I think people seriously underrate because the rest of his team was so good.

Taurean Green reminds me of Damon Stoudamire.

 

[Kingster]

Assuming the Kings get another first or second round pick, I thought it would be cool to have a thread on everyone's favorite draft sleepers. Here are mine:

Thaddeus Young - Super athletic 6'8" guy who can shoot from 3 (over 40%) and can play above the rim. The knock on him is that has a shaky handle right now and he didn't quite live up to the hype he had coming into Georgia Tech, but he had a solid frosh season. Also a very solid character guy who has done very well in school.
http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/thaddeusyoung.html

Jason Smith - Seven foot jump shooter... sound familiar? Only the differnce is that Smith is athletic -- his favorite player is Dirk Nowitzki and he can put the ball on the floor. But he's not a soft jump shooter, he can bang and rebound. The question marks are that he played against inferior competition, and he could use some more strength.
http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/jasonsmith.html

Kyrylo Fesenko - Geoff went to the Ukraine for a reason, right? Chances are it was to check out this seven footer, who, according to Chad Ford, is a "Long, athletic big man with good agility and quickness." Question marks are that he's raw offensively and apparently he has some off-court issues.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19003&draftyear=2007

Avis Wyatt - This guy has one of the greatest YouTube highlight reels on the internet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qvDANEkcUM He's a freakish athlete at 6'10" and can also really shoot the ball. He played for a DII school although he excelled when they had exhibitions agsinst D-I schools. Oh yeah, and he's working out with David Thorpe, Kevin Martin's trainer.
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/aviswyatt.html

Stanko - I know nothing about this guy, I just think it's awesome that his name is Stanko Barac. Stanko is a 7'1" center from Bosnia.
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/stankobarac.html

Thank you very much for the info. At the least, it is another reason why we need another #1 pick.

 

[Smills91]

Jason Smith will be a scrub in the NBA.

 

[nbrans]

Jason Smith will be a scrub in the NBA.

Yeah -- because no one needs an athletic seven footer who can shoot from outside and rebound.

 

[Bricklayer]

Yeah -- because no one needs an athletic seven footer who can shoot from outside and rebound.

The question will be whether he is just another softie or not. Could end up being a poor man's Channing Frye. Think wiht hsi size and skill he'll be kicking around the league for a while though, even if he doesn't break through.

As an aside, watch out for this guy as a Petrie sleeper:

Rodney Stuckey
http://draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1015

Yes, a guard, but a "versatile" one who might be able to play the PG and give us size there. Another small school sleeper too. Adn of course a big college scorer, which I think is sure to have Geoff's nose atwitching.

 

[Smills91]

Yeah -- because no one needs an athletic seven footer who can shoot from outside and rebound.

True you can't teach 7 feet, but the guy just doesn't have what it takes...I've seen the guy play live against much inferior talent and I was very underwhelmed. The guy is going to be a career back-up C scrub his entire NBA career, a la Stromile Swift but with LESS athleticism.

 

[fnordius]

Yeah, I could see Petrie doing that (Stuckey), he's a kind of a rich man's Ronnie Price, small school and all.

But only if we trade for a late 1st rounder.

 

[Vlade4GM]

If none of the good bigs slip to our pick I'd be open to Thad, he would definitely be a project though. Maybe play in the NBDL.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Yeah -- because no one needs an athletic seven footer who can shoot from outside and rebound.

I would say his upside is David Lee with range, which is pretty good. I would describe him as high risk high reward. Great guy to take with a second first.

 

[Vlade4GM]

The question will be whether he is just another softie or not. Could end up being a poor man's Channing Frye. Think wiht hsi size and skill he'll be kicking around the league for a while though, even if he doesn't break through.

As an aside, watch out for this guy as a Petrie sleeper:

Rodney Stuckey
http://draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1015

Yes, a guard, but a "versatile" one who might be able to play the PG and give us size there. Another small school sleeper too. Adn of course a big college scorer, which I think is sure to have Geoff's nose atwitching.

Ugh..No thank you, we already have Douby.

 

[Vlade4GM]

^I like the USC guys too, and also Taurean Green, who I think people seriously underrate because the rest of his team was so good.

He's definitely a solid guy to have, but I don't think he'll be a good enough distributor to stick as a starting PG. I like him a lot though. Steal in the second round.

 

[Bricklayer]

Ugh..No thank you, we already have Douby.

Much different type of player as I understand it. Douby is just too damn small/weak and was pretty much just a scorer in college. This guy is closer to Wade/Kidd-sized (6'4" 200+lbs) and more than just a scorer. A physical do it all type.

And no, I'm not interested in another guard particularly. But if something were to happen with Bibby, it would be a thought by trading for a later pick (a thought keyed to Geoff's proclivities). Key is could he play the point? A 6'4" PG is a big bonus and give syou an inherent size/physicality advantage. A 6'4" OG is pretty much tweenerville/garbage unless they are VERY special.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Much different type of player as I understand it. Douby is just too damn small/weak and was pretty much just a scorer in college. This guy is closer to Wade/Kidd-sized (6'4" 200+lbs) and more than just a scorer. A physical do it all type.

And no, not interested in another guard particularly. But if something were to happen with Bibby, it would be a thought. Key is could he play the point? A 6'4" PG is a big bonus and give syou an inherent size/physicality advantage. A 6'4" OG is pretty much tweenerville/garbage unless they are VERY special.

He's just another recipient of the Arenas effect IMO. They're basically the same idea of players because they're both combo guards who were big scorers at small schools.

 

[Entity]

Avis Wyatts write up is awesome. says he has great shooting range and can handle the ball taking men off the dribble and has shot blocking ability and good defender "could be defensive stopper" Hell the only weakness in the write up was upper body strength then it goes on to tell you how that has improved and how with his frame will improve even more.

Geez were to i sign then i just watched the highlight reel. He averaged 30 and 7 against Div. 1 schools.

I'd say he would be worth the gamble over some of the 6'8 tweener PF's that are slated to be coming to us. Maybe we can work up a trade to take him in the second round.

Whats your take on him Brick?

 

[SacTownKid]

Much different type of player as I understand it. Douby is just too damn small/weak and was pretty much just a scorer in college. This guy is closer to Wade/Kidd-sized (6'4" 200+lbs) and more than just a scorer. A physical do it all type.

And no, I'm not interested in another guard particularly. But if something were to happen with Bibby, it would be a thought by trading for a later pick (a thought keyed to Geoff's proclivities). Key is could he play the point? A 6'4" PG is a big bonus and give syou an inherent size/physicality advantage. A 6'4" OG is pretty much tweenerville/garbage unless they are VERY special.

I am noticing a trend here.

 

[ParniValjak]

Avis Wyatts write up is awesome. says he has great shooting range and can handle the ball taking men off the dribble and has shot blocking ability and good defender "could be defensive stopper" Hell the only weakness in the write up was upper body strength then it goes on to tell you how that has improved and how with his frame will improve even more.

Geez were to i sign then i just watched the highlight reel. He averaged 30 and 7 against Div. 1 schools.

I'd say he would be worth the gamble over some of the 6'8 tweener PF's that are slated to be coming to us. Maybe we can work up a trade to take him in the second round.

Whats your take on him Brick?

I think it was Draft Express that I read about him being better than some of the players that went in the first round last year.

He is certainly someone you would take a gamble on but not with 10. It would have to be a really late 1st round of an early second round.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

how about marco belinelli? he reminds me of manu ginobili

 

[Bricklayer]

Whats your take on him Brick?

Never seen him play.

But of course based on that nbadraft.net profile -- 6'10" hyper-athetic shotblocker, rebounder, with a mean streak...sign me up!

That mix was impresive too: let's see, you have the 6;10" guy dunking, draining three pointers, banking shots off the galss ala Tim Duncan, squaring bigs up onthe perimeter and dropping crossovers on them ala another PF we used to have in these parts, and on one occasion even breaking the press by going between his legs and jsut dribbling right through it.

Here would be the flipside, the questions though:
http://draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1259

Those guys always have more in depth stuff (not always correct mind you). But raising some questions. Mayeb not quite 6'10", maybe not such a great rebounder -- gets the ones outside his area, but not the ones near him amybe ala Duance Causewell because he parachutes after every block. Lacking strength maybe. Etc.

Still, like a guy like Justin Williams, he's the sort of risk that can really bear fruit as a second rounder, and maybe exactly the type of guy Geoff was thinking about when he suggested he might make a move for a pick to snag a guy he liked if they were still on the board. I'd definitely be intrigued if we got him. Maybe a young, non-pot smoking Keon?

 

[fnordius]

As much as I like Avis Wyatt, I would be hard-pressed to explain his touted 30/7 average against Div I schools. Here is the list of Virginia State's opponents for the year, I can't say that any of them impress me as big names.

Chowan
Columbus State
Georgia Southwestern State
Cheyney
Claflin
Alderson-Broaddus
Livingstone
St. Augustine's
Saint Paul's
North Carolina Central
Johnson C. Smith
Virginia Union
Fayetteville State
Shaw
Bowie State
Elizabeth City State

I'm not saying that it doesn't make him a fine player, just that I think the competition is what has kept him some ways out of the first round.

 

[nbrans]

As much as I like Avis Wyatt, I would be hard-pressed to explain his touted 30/7 average against Div I schools. Here is the list of Virginia State's opponents for the year, I can't say that any of them impress me as big names.

Chowan
Columbus State
Georgia Southwestern State
Cheyney
Claflin
Alderson-Broaddus
Livingstone
St. Augustine's
Saint Paul's
North Carolina Central
Johnson C. Smith
Virginia Union
Fayetteville State
Shaw
Bowie State
Elizabeth City State

That's one of the reasons he's such a question mark. The D1 schools where he averaged 30/7 were VCU and Old Dominion (both NCAA tournament teams), although against the D2 competition he only averaged 17/7. So who knows with him, it would just be great to take a flyer on him with a second round pick.

 

[Kingster]

If none of the good bigs slip to our pick I'd be open to Thad, he would definitely be a project though. Maybe play in the NBDL.

Have you seen him play? From the scouting description he sounds like he's as athletic as anybody in this draft. I can see a guy like this moving up the charts because of his draft day work-outs. We need another #1 pick.

 

[Vlade4GM]

My sleepers are: Brandon Rush, Gabe Pruitt, Jason Smith, Dominic McGuire, Taurean Green, Glen Davis, and Ron Lewis

 

[Gary]

If we got a second round pick, you know who I would want!!!

NIIIIIICK FAZEKAS!

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/nickfazekas.html

This guy was off the wall for Nevada. He was a good player playing for a good team, and he has the size to be a PF for the Kings. I think he is someone we should take a look at definitely..

So if any Kings' brass checking our thread here, DRAFT NICK!

I can see him being a double digit rebounder.

 

[Kingster]

As much as I like Avis Wyatt, I would be hard-pressed to explain his touted 30/7 average against Div I schools. Here is the list of Virginia State's opponents for the year, I can't say that any of them impress me as big names.

Chowan
Columbus State
Georgia Southwestern State
Cheyney
Claflin
Alderson-Broaddus
Livingstone
St. Augustine's
Saint Paul's
North Carolina Central
Johnson C. Smith
Virginia Union
Fayetteville State
Shaw
Bowie State
Elizabeth City State

I'm not saying that it doesn't make him a fine player, just that I think the competition is what has kept him some ways out of the first round.

And that's exactly a situation that is perfect for Petrie. He's not afraid to take a guy from a small school if he sees the talent there. Kevin Martin is a perfect example. That's why I'm not convinced to Petrie will confine himself to the conventional 10 or 11 that is constantly talked about. It's also why I sure wish he could get another #1.

 

[nbrans]

Here's an interesting tidbit on Kryrolo Fesenko from Henry Abbott's blog:

Ukrainian Kyrlo Fesenko. I watched a DVD of one of his recent games. He's enormously tall and long -- his reported seven feet is believable -- but he looks and moves like an athlete, unlike a lot of players that tall. And he absolutely dominated play at both ends in a league that I'm told is pretty solid. I left the game with no idea if he could shoot from the outside, because he got layups, dunks, rebounds, and blocks all night and never had to venture beyond the paint. He's slated to work with David Thorpe before the draft, so I'll hit David up for more details when he has seen Fesenko up close.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-24-116/Friday-Bullets.html