We've all heard that Leonard has big hands. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2011/06/16/when-kawhi-met-holly/
http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2011/06/16/when-kawhi-met-holly/
Prospect watch 2011
- Thread starter asakkings
- Start date
Here's a video with Fredette explaining how to shoot a jumpshot properly.
http://youtu.be/K_FdUdj_zKk
http://youtu.be/K_FdUdj_zKk
Here's a longer version of Motiejunas most recent workout. It's on for over 6 minutes and is pretty good. I really like him, he's very skilled and is a better athlete than advertised. His shirt looks soaked in this, you have to wonder if he's already had long workouts or if his stamina just isn't great. Perhaps that's where the questions about his motor come from.
Anyway, I like the guy and think he could end up one of the better players from the draft if he lands in the right situation.
Anyway, I like the guy and think he could end up one of the better players from the draft if he lands in the right situation.
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I will never be able to understand what is so impressive about watching 6'8 and above guys catching balls, making one dribble or spin move and then dunking the ball with no defender, or how that even shows any sort of skill. Even athleticism isn't really displayed unless the guys finish it real strong. It's like watching Usain Bolt walk two steps.
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Yup I appreciate the posts. I'm just saying that I don't understand why these workouts are done in the first place. You don't even need to be a basketball player to dunk if you're 6'8, as long as you're not obese or really unfit. Like the Motiejunas workout ... What is the point of having him "post up" and then just dribble and dunk the ball????
I understand if you're working out Irving and you're making him do dunk drills. But a big man???
I understand if you're working out Irving and you're making him do dunk drills. But a big man???
Well the point of posting up the big guys isn't that they dunk, it's to show quickness, footwork and touch around the basket. Of course, showing off athleticism, if you have it, also helps. It is limited in what it tells you, but believe it or not, many big guys have little to no post moves or footwork, and these workouts can often expose that.
Here's a nice article on Kawhi Leonard from Sam Amick:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/06/18/kawhi.leonard/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/06/18/kawhi.leonard/index.html
Of note, Klay Thompson and Chris Singleton also invited to green room.
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/feed/2011-03/2011-nba-draft/story/klay-thompson-chris-singleton-invited-to-nba-draft-green-room
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/feed/2011-03/2011-nba-draft/story/klay-thompson-chris-singleton-invited-to-nba-draft-green-room
Just listened to a podcast with Jerry Reynolds. Of course I was trying to read between the lines. Jerry was a little more revealing than normal. That either means he was caught in a relaxed mood, or he was using the old misdirection play. The most revealing part was his downplaying of Brandon Knight. He didn't say he was a bad player, but he said that Fredette and Walker were far ahead of him in development. He mentioned that working out a player against no one, as Knight did, was worthless in judging a players value. He said that too much is being made of Fredette's weaknesses, and not enough attention was being paid to how he was asked to play on his team. Something that I've mentioned.
While he didn't exactly rave about Leonard, he stated that he had a lot of NBA qualities that your looking for, and that he certainly deserved to be a high pick. He didn't mention Walker much, other than he was at this time a better player than Knight, but that both Fredette and Walker should be, because of having more college experience. I came away, with my opinion that the Kings have targeted Leonard and Fredette, unchanged.
He said a trade is always possible, and that Petrie is open to doing anything to improve the team. He said that it highly unlikely that the Kings would trade up in the draft, and that trading down or trading out of the draft is possible. As far as what position they might draft, he stated, and I paraphrase, the Kings won 24 games last season, so adding talent, regardless of the positon is the goal.
While he didn't exactly rave about Leonard, he stated that he had a lot of NBA qualities that your looking for, and that he certainly deserved to be a high pick. He didn't mention Walker much, other than he was at this time a better player than Knight, but that both Fredette and Walker should be, because of having more college experience. I came away, with my opinion that the Kings have targeted Leonard and Fredette, unchanged.
He said a trade is always possible, and that Petrie is open to doing anything to improve the team. He said that it highly unlikely that the Kings would trade up in the draft, and that trading down or trading out of the draft is possible. As far as what position they might draft, he stated, and I paraphrase, the Kings won 24 games last season, so adding talent, regardless of the positon is the goal.
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I don't recall if he said that exactly, but he did say it was doubtful that the Kings would trade down. He didn't say impossible though. I sort of got the impression that the Kings were fine staying right where they are, but would certainly listen to any deals that were offered. I know the Knicks have been trying to move up in order to get Fredette. Problem is, they don't have much to offer in return.
Just read a tweet that said a deal for a buyout of Valanciuonas contract is almost done. However, he won't be able to play in the NBA next season. If thats true, he's going to drop out of the top ten and possibly into the mid to bottom teens. Its reported that he probably wouldn't get past Houston, who desperately needs a center. Even if they have to wait a year for him.
Interestingly enough I was just looking over the list of players the Kings had in for workouts. Knowing that Petrie has so much as said that he doesn't draft guys he hasn't worked out, it's the clearest indication of who is on their draft board. Two guys that figure to be picked lower than seven that were in Sacramento for workouts were Tristan Thompson and Tobias Harris. I think both are being undervalued on mock drafts but I'm not sure either is a great fit for the Kings.
And yes, this will be a wacky draft. I can't think of any year (even when the Kings were picking in the 20's) where I had a less clear idea of who they might draft when their pick came up. This draft is like the Mississippi river - very shallow in terms of star power but very wide in terms of the number of guys that can ultimately be solid NBA contributors. And since it is so fluid in terms of talent and how much teams like particular guys I'd expect even more trades than usual. We'll see.
And yes, this will be a wacky draft. I can't think of any year (even when the Kings were picking in the 20's) where I had a less clear idea of who they might draft when their pick came up. This draft is like the Mississippi river - very shallow in terms of star power but very wide in terms of the number of guys that can ultimately be solid NBA contributors. And since it is so fluid in terms of talent and how much teams like particular guys I'd expect even more trades than usual. We'll see.
Personally I would do that, but I don't believe Petrie will be interested in adding too many more young players to the mix. Still, if we were to do it, we could probably come out with Fredette and Hamilton. Although, I don't think we worked him out. It's interesting, but Petrie has never been one for aquiring more picks.