Cole Aldrich if we dont get 1-4

[bajaden]

If it were as simple as you stated, I would agree. I think they are MUCH closer as prospects than you however.

Aldrich isn't a lumbering center, he is quite mobile himself. He is not quite as explosive a leaper, but is still pretty agile. Udoh is indeed a very good shot blocker, but don't forget that it was Aldrich that averaged more blocks on the year while also hauling in significantly more rebounds.

To my eye Aldrich was also the superior man defender between the two because he has a stronger base that makes him more difficult to back down in the post, something that is important and needed on this team. I am not saying Udoh was bad mind you, but he is going to have to add a good bit of strength to his lower body because I saw him get overpowered much more than Aldrich.

On offense obviously Udoh has the superior potential, I don't think anyone would really argue that. However one thing that gets overlooked about Aldrich on offense is that he sets fantastic screens and can work the pick and roll (as well as defend it). Overall Aldrich did take a half-step back on offense this season, but looking at the guys surrounding him I think a big part of it was that they didn't do as good a job getting him involved in the offense.

I see more of what I want to see on the Kings team in Aldrich than I do in Udoh, with the fact that he is younger being a nice little plus. I can respect those that see otherwise, but I think a lot of people sell Aldrich short because he isn't a guy that wows fans as much.

I happen to like both these guys. To me it comes down to whether you desire a center or a PF. Aldrich obviously being the center. But there are distinct differences between them other than position and the fact that neither was the focus of their teams offense.

First off lets set the record straight. Aldrich averaged 3.5 blocks per game, which is a nice average. Udoh averaged 3.7 blocks a game. Aldrich averaged 9.8 rebounds a game and Udoh averaged 9.8 rebounds a game. Aldrich aveaged 11.3 points per game and Udoh averaged 13.9 points per game. And please don't come back with per 40 stats. I think thats the most worthless stat in college basketball where there are so many variables it makes your head spin. Just ask Derrick Favors.

So to my mind, if your determined to pick a center, then Aldrich is the best one available right now after Cousins. Now its possible that Alabi or Whiteside etc. may be better in the future, but if your looking for someone thats able to step in and play right now, Aldrich is your choice. And I feel confident he'll certainly help on the defensive side.

But if the team decides that JT's best position is Center, and I don't think there's any doubt that he's played better at that position since he's filled in for Hawes. Well then maybe you look for a PF thats a defensive player. And to my mind, Udoh is the next best defensive PF after Favors. His age doesn't bother me that much. Ask yourself how long any player usually stays with any one team on average. 5 or 6 years maybe? The exceptions are the Kobe's and Wade's of the world. But even if Udoh were to be with the team ten years, he still would only be 33 years old. To say that a 22 year old player has no upside because of his age would be saying that Karl Malone, John Stockton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon etc. had no upside because they were 21 or 22 years old. Wilt Chamberlin was 23 years old when he came into the league.

Now if you set position aside, and want the best future all around player of the two. Then it would only take one game of watching both players for you to quickly decide that Udoh has the biggest upside on offense. Watching Aldrich shoot his jumper, or his foul shots is almost painful. Noah's freethrow shot looks like a thing of beauty by comparison. Unless Aldrich completely revamps his shot, I can't see him ever being a force on offense. He is what he is. A very good defensive center who can get you 10 or 12 points a game by accident. His post game is better, but there absolutely no fluidity to it. Sometimes he looks as though he just throwing the ball in the direction of the basket.

Udoh is the exact opposite of Aldrich. You watch him play and you know that with more practice and work, he could become a good offensive player. He's a better ballhandler and passer than Aldrich. And while I think Aldrich is a pretty good athlete for a big man, I don't think there's even a contest over whose the better athlete.

So once again. Its just a matter of picking your poison. Do we want a center, or do we want a PF. Not being able to read Petrie's mind, I have no idea which way he would go if it comes down to Aldrich or Udoh.

By the way, I like Wesley Johnson a lot. And yes he could play some SG. But bear in mind that he's not Evan Turner. He doesn't have Turners ballhandling or passing skills, and I think thats a prerequisite for whomever they put at that position for the future. But Johnson would be a hell of a SF. The problem is, what do you do with Greene, Nocioni, and Casspi. Doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe you trade down a couple of spots is someone makes you a good offer..

 

[Kingster]

That is why I think getting a top 5 pick is the goal. IMO, either Cousins or Favors drops to five, either because teams are scared of Cousins'attitude(which I'm not), or because Johnson goes ahead of one of them. I could easily see Johnson going as high as #3, after Wall and Turner, to the right team. I would put Minn in that group to. Just because they have the 2nd worst record deson't mean they won't be picking 3-5. With Big Al, Love, and now Darko playing well, I could see them passing on both Cousins and Favors. With Flynn and Rubio coming in a year, I could easily see them going after Johnson as their future small forward.

Good point about Minn. How many big relatively unathletic guys can you tolerate in your lineup? Cousins, Love and Big Al? No way. Throw out the third guy. Then you have (1) Cousins and Love (again, no way), or (2) Cousins and Big Al (nope). At the very least, if they picked Cousins it would significantly compicate their lineup and put pressure on them to make a trade, and making a trade when everybody knows you have to make a trade doesn't tend to work out too well.

Golden State is the opposite of Minn. They have a plethora of skinny quick guys. If they add a beefy relatively unathletic big, it would complement their lineup.

 

[kidult]

I don't think it would be a stretch to see him average 10+ boards, 1-2 blocks, and maybe 10 points a game along with good defense. I'd gladly take that right now out of our starting C.

10-10-2 .. that smells like marcus camby to me ... sweet but not for a 5th .... I'll take wesley johnson @ 5th and try to sign some big guys from the FA pool.

 

[Kingster]

I happen to like both these guys. To me it comes down to whether you desire a center or a PF. Aldrich obviously being the center. But there are distinct differences between them other than position and the fact that neither was the focus of their teams offense.

No, the question is not which position do you want - power forward or center. The question is: Who has the best potential to be a star? Period. So I ask you, who has the best potential to be a star? Aldrich or Udoh? What's the chance Aldrich becomes a star? Five percent? Ten percent? Would you or wouldn't you assign a higher probability to Udoh to becoming a star? THAT is the question.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Aldrich averaged 3.5 blocks per game, which is a nice average. Udoh averaged 3.7 blocks a game. Aldrich averaged 9.8 rebounds a game and Udoh averaged 9.8 rebounds a game. Aldrich aveaged 11.3 points per game and Udoh averaged 13.9 points per game. And please don't come back with per 40 stats. I think thats the most worthless stat in college basketball where there are so many variables it makes your head spin.

So many variables...like playing time? I'm not arguing for Aldrich over Udoh or vice versa, but I don't quite understand how you can dismiss per-40 stats. If you're looking at somebody with very low playing time, that's one thing - their stats won't necessarily extrapolate out if they play full minutes. But both Aldrich (26.8) and Udoh (35.1) played full minutes. In 8 fewer minutes, Aldrich grabbed the same number of boards and blocked the same number of shots. In the same league. To my mind, that should suggest that Aldrich is probably a little bit better at those things.

I just don't see how you can treat the raw numbers in this case as some reasonable measure of reality but dismiss the per-40 numbers as worthless. I don't get it.

 

[hammystyle]

I happen to like both these guys. To me it comes down to whether you desire a center or a PF. Aldrich obviously being the center. But there are distinct differences between them other than position and the fact that neither was the focus of their teams offense.

First off lets set the record straight. Aldrich averaged 3.5 blocks per game, which is a nice average. Udoh averaged 3.7 blocks a game. Aldrich averaged 9.8 rebounds a game and Udoh averaged 9.8 rebounds a game. Aldrich aveaged 11.3 points per game and Udoh averaged 13.9 points per game. And please don't come back with per 40 stats. I think thats the most worthless stat in college basketball where there are so many variables it makes your head spin. Just ask Derrick Favors.

So to my mind, if your determined to pick a center, then Aldrich is the best one available right now after Cousins. Now its possible that Alabi or Whiteside etc. may be better in the future, but if your looking for someone thats able to step in and play right now, Aldrich is your choice. And I feel confident he'll certainly help on the defensive side.

But if the team decides that JT's best position is Center, and I don't think there's any doubt that he's played better at that position since he's filled in for Hawes. Well then maybe you look for a PF thats a defensive player. And to my mind, Udoh is the next best defensive PF after Favors. His age doesn't bother me that much. Ask yourself how long any player usually stays with any one team on average. 5 or 6 years maybe? The exceptions are the Kobe's and Wade's of the world. But even if Udoh were to be with the team ten years, he still would only be 33 years old. To say that a 22 year old player has no upside because of his age would be saying that Karl Malone, John Stockton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon etc. had no upside because they were 21 or 22 years old. Wilt Chamberlin was 23 years old when he came into the league.

Now if you set position aside, and want the best future all around player of the two. Then it would only take one game of watching both players for you to quickly decide that Udoh has the biggest upside on offense. Watching Aldrich shoot his jumper, or his foul shots is almost painful. Noah's freethrow shot looks like a thing of beauty by comparison. Unless Aldrich completely revamps his shot, I can't see him ever being a force on offense. He is what he is. A very good defensive center who can get you 10 or 12 points a game by accident. His post game is better, but there absolutely no fluidity to it. Sometimes he looks as though he just throwing the ball in the direction of the basket.

Udoh is the exact opposite of Aldrich. You watch him play and you know that with more practice and work, he could become a good offensive player. He's a better ballhandler and passer than Aldrich. And while I think Aldrich is a pretty good athlete for a big man, I don't think there's even a contest over whose the better athlete.

So once again. Its just a matter of picking your poison. Do we want a center, or do we want a PF. Not being able to read Petrie's mind, I have no idea which way he would go if it comes down to Aldrich or Udoh.

By the way, I like Wesley Johnson a lot. And yes he could play some SG. But bear in mind that he's not Evan Turner. He doesn't have Turners ballhandling or passing skills, and I think thats a prerequisite for whomever they put at that position for the future. But Johnson would be a hell of a SF. The problem is, what do you do with Greene, Nocioni, and Casspi. Doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe you trade down a couple of spots is someone makes you a good offer..

A couple quick notes on analysis preferences.

A) Why not look at per 40? That's the first and simplest equalizer among stats. Its a gimme. Then you can factor in how the team plays pace-wise and scheme-wise. Derrick Favors would prefer you look at the per 40 because his numbers match up much better, and then when you factor in the scheme he comes out like a rose.
B) I agree that the upside at 22, 23 thing is overblown. Of course they have upside. Sometimes a great deal of upside because the pro game fits their games better than college. But age has to be a filter in comparison. A 22 year old in college (Udoh) should be better than a 21 year old (Aldrich) who should be better than 19 year old (Monroe). It can't be a flat comparison of who they are this year.

Anwho - I feel good about Monroe, Aldrich, Davis, and Udoh in about that order, but with very little separating them. That could change a pretty fair amount through measurements and workouts. Whiteside I know very little about other than the scouting reports and stats, but he's a potential swing for the fence pick.

 

[Spike]

10-10-2 .. that smells like marcus camby to me ... sweet but not for a 5th .... I'll take wesley johnson @ 5th and try to sign some big guys from the FA pool.

I have to disagree. Outside of Wall/Turner, this is the draft to go big. There are so many intriguing prospects here, and the Kings desperately need a big body. That, and if you have the chance and patience (which the Kings have now) to draft a big and let them develop, you do it. The Kings aren't fighting for the playoffs; now's the time for youth.

Of course, this can change if somehow the Kings convince Bosh to come over, but not by much.

 

[Chupacabra]

There are other factors to look at as well when comparing Aldrich's stats to Udoh's stats. A big variable is the teammates that were around Aldrich and Udoh. I believe Aldrich was the only formidable low post presence on his team, he's the only guy there to block shots and grab rebounds. Udoh had two other players that he shared those duties with in Acey and the big white guy with the hair. Also, Baylor primarily plays defense in a 2-3 zone which often pulls Udoh out of the paint as he is a versatile defender. All of these variables are exactly why the best way to judge talent is by actually WATCHING them play. Aldrich leaves alot to be desired. Udoh makes you say "Wow".

I think if youre the Kings and youre making a selection outside of the 4th pick you go for the guy who addresses the teams needs the best that has the most star potential. The selection should have NOTHING TO DO WITH whether Jason Thompson will be a center or a powerforward. It should have NOTHING TO DO WITH where Carl Landry fits into the rotation. The Kings need a shotblocker, rebounder, star player. Pick whoever you think fits that mold.

 

[dbfish]

I have to go with Aldrich at #5.

He is what he is and he is what the Kings need. A rebounding shot blocker who doesn't have to score a lot. He's a decent passer and he can hold his position in the post. No superstars or let me say no potential superstars after #1-#4. I like Udoh but I think Aldrich fits a need better than Udoh does.

 

[bajaden]

No, the question is not which position do you want - power forward or center. The question is: Who has the best potential to be a star? Period. So I ask you, who has the best potential to be a star? Aldrich or Udoh? What's the chance Aldrich becomes a star? Five percent? Ten percent? Would you or wouldn't you assign a higher probability to Udoh to becoming a star? THAT is the question.

Well sorry I left that equation out. I was trying to respond to the debate from a technical point of view. But if you aske me who I think has the best chance of becoming a star, then I would pick Udoh. He has a more rounded game and can actually impact both ends of the floor. I don't think Aldrich can do that. But hey, miracles do happen..

 

[Chupacabra]

As much as I prefer Udoh over Aldrich, I still prefer Aldrich over Wesley Johnson. Im going to have to slap somebody if the Kings use their first pick on a wing player in this draft.

 

[hammystyle]

There are other factors to look at as well when comparing Aldrich's stats to Udoh's stats. A big variable is the teammates that were around Aldrich and Udoh. I believe Aldrich was the only formidable low post presence on his team, he's the only guy there to block shots and grab rebounds. Udoh had two other players that he shared those duties with in Acey and the big white guy with the hair. Also, Baylor primarily plays defense in a 2-3 zone which often pulls Udoh out of the paint as he is a versatile defender. All of these variables are exactly why the best way to judge talent is by actually WATCHING them play. Aldrich leaves alot to be desired. Udoh makes you say "Wow".

I think if youre the Kings and youre making a selection outside of the 4th pick you go for the guy who addresses the teams needs the best that has the most star potential. The selection should have NOTHING TO DO WITH whether Jason Thompson will be a center or a powerforward. It should have NOTHING TO DO WITH where Carl Landry fits into the rotation. The Kings need a shotblocker, rebounder, star player. Pick whoever you think fits that mold.

The Morris twins both play PF are better rebounders/post scorers than Acey or Lomers. So if anything Aldrich's stats should be more depressed than Udoh's.

Udoh's not a wow player either IMO. I saw him make a lot of nice seal offs, switch offs, and just all around smart basketball, but I didn't see a dominant physical force in the games (just 2) I saw.

I do agree that landry, JT or Hawes should have little to no bearing on who the Kings pick.

 

[bajaden]

So many variables...like playing time? I'm not arguing for Aldrich over Udoh or vice versa, but I don't quite understand how you can dismiss per-40 stats. If you're looking at somebody with very low playing time, that's one thing - their stats won't necessarily extrapolate out if they play full minutes. But both Aldrich (26.8) and Udoh (35.1) played full minutes. In 8 fewer minutes, Aldrich grabbed the same number of boards and blocked the same number of shots. In the same league. To my mind, that should suggest that Aldrich is probably a little bit better at those things.

I just don't see how you can treat the raw numbers in this case as some reasonable measure of reality but dismiss the per-40 numbers as worthless. I don't get it.

I think the best way to use per 40 stats is to evaluate your own progress in college from one year to the next. I would say that the NBA is more level playing field. They all play against the same teams and the level of competition is similar. In college one team in the SEC might play a very difficult out of conference schedule and another might not. Some players play in stronger conferences than others. There's more irregularity in the refereeing of the games. Some players play on a team with good or even great guards, and some teams don't have anyone resembling a guard. How different would Favors stats have looked if he played on Kentucky.

I understand that people like yourself who love stats are going to look more fondly on per 40, than I do. I just don't see players as robots and assume that just because they get more minutes, their level of play will continue at the same rate. Some players will, and some won't. Players like Kobe and LeBron seem almost stronger at the end of games. While others like Kevin Martin seem to lose their legs at the end of games..

Aldrich played almost exclusively under the basket. Udoh played away from the basket on offense quite a bit. They used him to start the offense at times from the top of the key. Logic would tell you that the player right under the basket probably has a better chance at a rebound than the player 15 to 18 feet away from the basket. Logic would also tell you that the player that took most of his shots from within 5 feet of the basket will probably have a better field goal percentage than a player that takes maybe 35% of his shots from 15 to 18 feet from the basket. All I'm saying is that its not an exact science by any means because of all the variables.

So it distrubs me somewhat when I'm having a discussion with someone (not you), and I've taken the time to watch both of these guys play 20 times or more, and someone trys to tell me that Aldrich is a better offensive player than Udoh, because his field goal percentage is better. Why the hell should I even waste my time watching these guys play if all I need to do is just look up their stats and make my decision. Sorry if I got a little long winded..

 

[bajaden]

A couple quick notes on analysis preferences.

A) Why not look at per 40? That's the first and simplest equalizer among stats. Its a gimme. Then you can factor in how the team plays pace-wise and scheme-wise. Derrick Favors would prefer you look at the per 40 because his numbers match up much better, and then when you factor in the scheme he comes out like a rose.
B) I agree that the upside at 22, 23 thing is overblown. Of course they have upside. Sometimes a great deal of upside because the pro game fits their games better than college. But age has to be a filter in comparison. A 22 year old in college (Udoh) should be better than a 21 year old (Aldrich) who should be better than 19 year old (Monroe). It can't be a flat comparison of who they are this year.

Anwho - I feel good about Monroe, Aldrich, Davis, and Udoh in about that order, but with very little separating them. That could change a pretty fair amount through measurements and workouts. Whiteside I know very little about other than the scouting reports and stats, but he's a potential swing for the fence pick.

I don't disagree with much of what you posted. To be clear. I'm not against looking at per 40 stats. I just against using them as the be all end all, because I don't think anything can replace actually watching them play. When you look at Aldrich, Monroe, Davis and Udoh, as much as they're the same, they're equally different. If one steps back and takes in the age factor, and looks at their overall games, you could make an argument that Davis might be the best player of the four. At the same time Monroe is probably the most skilled of the four. Particularly on offense. But I think the other three are much better defenders than he is.

Its hard to say which of the four is the best athlete. Davis at times seems like a terrific athlete, and then at other times he seems to lack the fluidity that great athlete's have. If not Davis then it would have to be Udoh. While Aldrich is a very good shotblocker, I think Udoh is just a natural shotblocker. And he's not just a weakside shotblocker. But on the other hand, Aldrich has the size and strength to be a better position defender.

They all bring something to the table and I think all of them will be somewhere between competent and very good NBA players. Who is which is anybodys guess. I try to look for what I call the wow factor when I watch these games. I didn't see any wow's while watching Aldrich. None that really stand out while I was watching Davis, and I must admit, that I saw him the least of the four. Several times Monroe wowed me. Mostly with his passing but a couple of times in the post. Ditto for Udoh. One play that I can still remember about Udoh was on an inbounds play by the other team. Udoh was standing about 5 to 8 feet off the left baseline where the ball was being inbounded. The player inbounding the ball decided to throw the ball over everyones head across the midcourt to his teammate. As the ball left his hand Udoh took off like a sprinter and leaped into the air just before the ball reached its target and tipped over the other player. He kept going, picked up the dribble and dunked the ball at the other end of the court. It was a wow moment.

I'm not saying thats a reason to draft Udoh. But I do take those things into consideration. I ask myself, could Aldrich or Monroe have made that play. Probably not. Maybe Davis could have. My point is, that those are the kind of things that don't show up on stat sheets.

But I think for the most part were in agreement. You really have to look at everything you can get your hands or eyes on as references

 

[bajaden]

I have to disagree. Outside of Wall/Turner, this is the draft to go big. There are so many intriguing prospects here, and the Kings desperately need a big body. That, and if you have the chance and patience (which the Kings have now) to draft a big and let them develop, you do it. The Kings aren't fighting for the playoffs; now's the time for youth.

Of course, this can change if somehow the Kings convince Bosh to come over, but not by much.

I know you probably don't want to hear this as an option, but there will be several big men that should be available in the second round that would be good developmental material. Jerome Jordan or Parakhouski would both be good choices at the point. There's a kid from Oakland named Keith Benson who I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on. Hell, even Samhan will be there in the second round.

So all I'm saying is that for some reason we don't take a big in the first round, there will still be players available in the second round that could turnout to be pretty good players

 

[bajaden]

There are other factors to look at as well when comparing Aldrich's stats to Udoh's stats. A big variable is the teammates that were around Aldrich and Udoh. I believe Aldrich was the only formidable low post presence on his team, he's the only guy there to block shots and grab rebounds. Udoh had two other players that he shared those duties with in Acey and the big white guy with the hair. Also, Baylor primarily plays defense in a 2-3 zone which often pulls Udoh out of the paint as he is a versatile defender. All of these variables are exactly why the best way to judge talent is by actually WATCHING them play. Aldrich leaves alot to be desired. Udoh makes you say "Wow".

I think if youre the Kings and youre making a selection outside of the 4th pick you go for the guy who addresses the teams needs the best that has the most star potential. The selection should have NOTHING TO DO WITH whether Jason Thompson will be a center or a powerforward. It should have NOTHING TO DO WITH where Carl Landry fits into the rotation. The Kings need a shotblocker, rebounder, star player. Pick whoever you think fits that mold.

Ha ha, I think the big white big guy your thinking of is the 7 footer Josh Lomers. By the way Quincy Acy came off the bench for Baylor. The other starting big was Anthony Jones. Another 6'10" guy. And your right about Baylor playing a 2/3 zone, which usually put Udoh out on the right wing, sometimes defending quicker players.

By the way, I want to give kudo's to Josh Lomers. I don't recall anyone that size, do so much, with so little talent. He can't jump. He's as slow as a turtle. In general a very poor athlete. But he was so fundamentally sound he more than held his own on a regular basis. He blocked shots by Aldrich and Pittman when he faced them. Baylor beat Texas three times and in all three meetings, and I'm sad to say this, but Lomers outplayed Pittman for the most part. Thats when I started to drop Pittman down my draft board.

 

[roasthawg]

As far as the op goes yeah I definitely think Aldrich will be high on our radar if we don't land a top 4. He's my favorite prospect for our team in that range.

 

[SacTownKid]

As much as I like Johnson at 5, I'm almost to the point where I would consider trading down to select Aldrich. He's the real deal, just simply a terrific all around defender. He has a ton of potential as both a post and weak side defender and players like that are really, really rare. You usually get one or the other. Whiteside for instance is a tremendous shotblocker but gets pushed around, I've never seen Aldrich get pushed around. He's far from a "sexy" pick but I guarantee this team makes a significant jump if he's on this team next year.

 

[FakeInjury]

So, we are at the crossroads with Aldrich. The question is, who will fit in with the rest of the players. With Hawes and Brockman our only two centers, Aldrich would be a no brainer pick if we want what we already have. If we take a risk, it sure isn't going to be even as sexy as drafting Cole, but if we really want to gamble, we go with Xavier Henry at the 5th spot. Drafting Cole is good news, but that still leaves us locked up with BENO and EVANS, and as much as Beno is playing like a stud, he isn't going to be leading anyone to the WCF ever. We should straighten up the backcourt, and let our current frontcourt players fall into place. Then again, Monroe is a classic Petrie type player, almost webber like in his determination to pass at every given opportunity.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

if we really want to gamble, we go with Xavier Henry.

I like Xavier Henry, do kinda remind me of Jim Jackson, one of my all time favorite Kings. if we like him we should trade down, he isn't a top 5.

 

[bajaden]

I like Xavier Henry, do kinda remind me of Jim Jackson, one of my all time favorite Kings. if we like him we should trade down, he isn't a top 5.

This is a draft that is deep and heavy in big men. All the way into the second round. last year it was a draft deep in point guards. To me, when you have a draft where talented big men are available throughout, it makes absolutely no sense to take a SG/SF unless they have star written all over them. Such as Wall or Turner do. Maybe Johnson as well. But after those three you have to take a big man, especially when you have a need there.

Last year Jason Hill went #8 in the draft. And while I liked Hill as a long term project, I think I can safely say that Aldrich, Udoh, Davis and Monroe are all better than he was. Hansbrough went 13 and Earl Clark went 14. So far Clark looks like a total bust and Hansbrough has had one injury after another. You've got Alabi sitting in the bottom half of the first round, and I would take him before Hill, Clark, and Hansbrough.

Shooting guards, unless they're very special, are a dime a dozen. Just about every draft is loaded with them. If you were to visit the rosters of every college team, you would find that there's an abundance of players between 6'3" and 6'7". I've never bothered to do the research, but I would guess at least 70% of all college players fall in that height range. This is another guess on my part, but I bet the majority of players picked in the second round that become stars, fall in that height range as well. With so many available on a regular basis, some are bound to fall through the cracks.

If your going to pick a big man, this is the year. Its a good year to pick a couple of them if you've got the picks. But to use a high pick on a 6'6" player not named Evan Turner is pure lunacy..

 

[FakeInjury]

If your going to pick a big man, this is the year. Its a good year to pick a couple of them if you've got the picks. But to use a high pick on a 6'6" player not named Evan Turner is pure lunacy..

Dam. I hate it when I know im not right. Sure sure, go for a 6-10 guy because that is what the book says to do. If we don't get the 4th pick, Cole would definitely be looked at. He reminds me of Kevin Love except with a more conventional style of play for a big. If i had to pick between Cole and the other lottery players.....SNAFU....I have to pick Patterson. Patterson is going to put some people on the IL and you can't have enough of those guys. Cole is going to be on the IL more than he is going to put people there. I just see Patterson as the best player at his position

 

[=LarryLegend=]

Dam. I hate it when I know im not right. Sure sure, go for a 6-10 guy because that is what the book says to do. If we don't get the 4th pick, Cole would definitely be looked at. He reminds me of Kevin Love except with a more conventional style of play for a big. If i had to pick between Cole and the other lottery players.....SNAFU....I have to pick Patterson. Patterson is going to put some people on the IL and you can't have enough of those guys. Cole is going to be on the IL more than he is going to put people there. I just see Patterson as the best player at his position

Patterson and Brockness on the same team would give me nightmares.

 

[Kingster]

Well sorry I left that equation out. I was trying to respond to the debate from a technical point of view. But if you aske me who I think has the best chance of becoming a star, then I would pick Udoh. He has a more rounded game and can actually impact both ends of the floor. I don't think Aldrich can do that. But hey, miracles do happen..

Great. We agree. Wheeeeww....

 

[Kingster]

all of these variables are exactly why the best way to judge talent is by actually watching them play. Aldrich leaves alot to be desired. Udoh makes you say "wow".

bingo!

 

[matthew76]

Last year Jason Hill went #8 in the draft. And while I liked Hill as a long term project, I think I can safely say that Aldrich, Udoh, Davis and Monroe are all better than he was. Hansbrough went 13 and Earl Clark went 14. So far Clark looks like a total bust and Hansbrough has had one injury after another. You've got Alabi sitting in the bottom half of the first round, and I would take him before Hill, Clark, and Hansbrough.

You mean Jordan Hill?

 

[Merdiesel]

Meh, I trust Petrie's judgement.

 

[FakeInjury]

did someone say Patterson and BROCKNESS together on the floor? I don't see how they could loose when every rebound is gathered by the team in purple. Scrappy, scary, talented. I don't see wall as the best player in this draft, he is projected to be in the NBA for a long time and have a great chance of being a superstar, but Patterson just reminds me too much of Barkley to not consider him with whatever pick we get. Remember Patterson IS better than Cousins, and arguably better than wall. Wall is a pg is a smallforwards body, so that kind of stuff tends to make GM's salivate. But Pat PAT is the most NBA ready and will crack any teams rotation no matter how talented. There is something to be said for that kind of raw aggression, and you can't learn it.

 

[dbfish]

Am I the only one who thinks Brockman won't be a King next season?

 

[Bricklayer]

Am I the only one who thinks Brockman won't be a King next season?

Its entirely possible, as it is with all one year contract 2nd round picks. But Brock appears to have significant rapport with both the fans and the team, not to mention the coaches. And he'll come cheap. So would not be at all surprised to see him back. You can do a lot worse for an 11th-12th man type than a guy popular with fans, good for chemistry, who is going to bang and give you maximum effort, and who isn't going to complain about his role.