Earl Clark ..sleeper pick at #4?

[Jaylee209]

I don't know much about him aside from reading his bio on different draft sites and watching a couple highlights. But don't be surprised if Geoff picks him with our 4th pick. He's big, tall, versatile, can pass, rebound, play D, athletic, can shoot and slash into the paint. Everything Geoff loves.

What do you guys think?

Last year I had a feeling about the unknown Jason Thompson and I was right when we picked him.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Taking Clark at 4 would be a massive reach. I think he will (or maybe can would be a better word) be a good player, but I don't want him at 4.

 

[Vlade4GM]

He can shoot? That's news to me.

 

[Dime Dropper]

He can shoot? That's news to me.

To be fair, he is streaky. Not that that's a good thing, but I've seen him shoot well at times. Certainly not known for his shooting, though.

 

[nbrans]

To be fair, he is streaky. Not that that's a good thing, but I've seen him shoot well at times. Certainly not known for his shooting, though.

Streaky is an understatement. There's no way someone his size taking so many inside shots should only shoot 45% from the floor.

 

[FakeInjury]

I would be satisfied. But....knowing Petrie, we will get the worst player available.

 

[bajaden]

He can shoot? That's news to me.

Yes! He can shoot. He just can't hit the basket.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Streaky is an understatement. There's no way someone his size taking so many inside shots should only shoot 45% from the floor.

Yep, that's true. He also takes too many outside shots for a big guy. He has talent but I'm not sure if I want the Kings to be the team to find out whether he's legit or not.

 

[bajaden]

Streaky is an understatement. There's no way someone his size taking so many inside shots should only shoot 45% from the floor.

Actually, I think most of his shooting problems were from taking too many outside shots. He is a talented guy and has a pretty good skill level to go along with being a pretty good athlete. He's one of those guys that if he really dedicates himself and works hard could end up being a star in the league. My problem with him is that at times he seemed to be somewhere else mentally other than the basketball court. He's one of those scary picks. Tremendous upside, but could be just as big a bust. Intriguing talent though.

 

[hrdboild]

I've liked Earl Clark for a long time. I think he could be a terrific SF in the NBA. But I wouldn't want to use the #4 pick on him. And actually, I think I'd rather have Sam Young at the 23rd pick. He's less of a risk and could fill much of the same role.

 

[nbrans]

Actually, I think most of his shooting problems were from taking too many outside shots. He is a talented guy and has a pretty good skill level to go along with being a pretty good athlete. He's one of those guys that if he really dedicates himself and works hard could end up being a star in the league. My problem with him is that at times he seemed to be somewhere else mentally other than the basketball court. He's one of those scary picks. Tremendous upside, but could be just as big a bust. Intriguing talent though.

The thing is, he's not even that accurate around the basket. He's reasonably coordinated and has a pretty good handle for his size, I really think he just lacks the gene that makes you a good shooter.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

A wing player needs to be able to shoot from 3, I like Earl Clark. but he cant.

 

[bajaden]

The thing is, he's not even that accurate around the basket. He's reasonably coordinated and has a pretty good handle for his size, I really think he just lacks the gene that makes you a good shooter.

Thats not the one that comes in the bottle is it? The one that looks a lot like Shaq..

 

[Kingster]

I'd think about Clark at #23 (or even better, our 2nd round pick) because that's really where I think he belongs. Yes, he has talent, but everything I've seen of the guy on the floor, and then all the smoke signals coming from his college coach, indicate to me that he is a floater. Loves to cruise outside, doesn't battle consistently. I don't trust his competitiveness on the floor. It's very interesting to me that Blair is moving up the board and Clark is moving down. As it should be.

 

[Dustinlikestodance]

Actually, I think most of his shooting problems were from taking too many outside shots. He is a talented guy and has a pretty good skill level to go along with being a pretty good athlete. He's one of those guys that if he really dedicates himself and works hard could end up being a star in the league. My problem with him is that at times he seemed to be somewhere else mentally other than the basketball court. He's one of those scary picks. Tremendous upside, but could be just as big a bust. Intriguing talent though.

Hm.... sounds like someone I know. Maybe Donte Greene? I've tried everything and their descriptions about match. Though Donte was a wing in college.

 

[bajaden]

Hm.... sounds like someone I know. Maybe Donte Greene? I've tried everything and their descriptions about match. Though Donte was a wing in college.

And Clark is a wing and a prayer....

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

His stock is dropping and in no way should he be picked at 4th--almost seems to get by with his talent level and coasts too much for my liking, his jumper's not good enough and he just lacks a certain toughness to him. But in terms of skills, there's a ton of potential as an X-factor sort of guy--he creates matchup problems with his ballhandling ability and versatility, and physically he's explosive, long and gifted with a very good SF body--that combination of skill and physical abilities is what makes him a lottery pick. Again, shooting is the easiest thing to learn, and his attributes are shared by few and are valued heavily in the NBA; personally I think he's a solid pick as a Boris Diaw/Julian Wright type player, but I don't think he'll reach his full potential because of his softness and coasting ability. But even if he reaches 3/4ths of his potential he's still a pretty nice player, but that might take a while (he's still a little raw and needs to shift down one position to SF) so he's not really worth the 4th pick. I think he also needs to find the right team and not be given a short leash in order to for his career to trend upwards. Anyway, if we somehow want him as our SF (which by the way is not a position we really should be drafting, but if we do it probably spells the near-end for Francisco Garcia) we can easily get him as a 10th-16th pick instead. Again, I like him, but for our team...not the best option.

 

[bajaden]

His stock is dropping and in no way should he be picked at 4th--almost seems to get by with his talent level and coasts too much for my liking, his jumper's not good enough and he just lacks a certain toughness to him. But in terms of skills, there's a ton of potential as an X-factor sort of guy--he creates matchup problems with his ballhandling ability and versatility, and physically he's explosive, long and gifted with a very good SF body--that combination of skill and physical abilities is what makes him a lottery pick. Again, shooting is the easiest thing to learn, and his attributes are shared by few and are valued heavily in the NBA; personally I think he's a solid pick as a Boris Diaw/Julian Wright type player, but I don't think he'll reach his full potential because of his softness and coasting ability. But even if he reaches 3/4ths of his potential he's still a pretty nice player, but that might take a while (he's still a little raw and needs to shift down one position to SF) so he's not really worth the 4th pick. I think he also needs to find the right team and not be given a short leash in order to for his career to trend upwards. Anyway, if we somehow want him as our SF (which by the way is not a position we really should be drafting, but if we do it probably spells the near-end for Francisco Garcia) we can easily get him as a 10th-16th pick instead. Again, I like him, but for our team...not the best option.

Once again. My problem with him isn't his talent. Its whats between his ears, and sometimes that can't be fixed.

 

[FakeInjury]

I'd think about Clark at #23 (or even better, our 2nd round pick) because that's really where I think he belongs. Yes, he has talent, but everything I've seen of the guy on the floor, and then all the smoke signals coming from his college coach, indicate to me that he is a floater. Loves to cruise outside, doesn't battle consistently. I don't trust his competitiveness on the floor. It's very interesting to me that Blair is moving up the board and Clark is moving down. As it should be.

If your assessment is accurate, then yes. I think you did a very good job judging him, but the second round is a little harsh. he is most likely at Spencers #10 spot.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

Once again. My problem with him isn't his talent. Its whats between his ears, and sometimes that can't be fixed.

I'm not disagreeing at all--mentality is probably his biggest weakness, because between his soft rep, desire to take too many jumpers and continual coasting through games that's probably his impediment to make the two primary jumps to relevancy: from end of bench player to rotation player, and from rotation player to legitimate starter. I've said in my earlier post that I don't think he's going to become a real star because there's just too many red flags/habits to break out of, but if he can improve his mentality his skills are highly valued in the league and the transitioning would therefore be a lot easier. It's actually a case similar to Julian Wright (who incidentally I wanted in the draft a while back)--Wright showed great flashes in his rookie year but was on a short leash and didn't get to play much, but now due to team personnel he's not playing much. I think Clark will actually follow the same trajectory, but a lot will depend on the team that drafts him and how much of a chance he's given--it's especially important for him to work through his mistakes and develop his inner toughness, and not go the Donte Greene route with him. But he'll be given many chances, and I think when all is said and done he'll make the first jump to rotation player within a couple years as he gets acclimated to the more NBA-friendly up-and-down style that's conducive to his game.

 

[bajaden]

I'm not disagreeing at all--mentality is probably his biggest weakness, because between his soft rep, desire to take too many jumpers and continual coasting through games that's probably his impediment to make the two primary jumps to relevancy: from end of bench player to rotation player, and from rotation player to legitimate starter. I've said in my earlier post that I don't think he's going to become a real star because there's just too many red flags/habits to break out of, but if he can improve his mentality his skills are highly valued in the league and the transitioning would therefore be a lot easier. It's actually a case similar to Julian Wright (who incidentally I wanted in the draft a while back)--Wright showed great flashes in his rookie year but was on a short leash and didn't get to play much, but now due to team personnel he's not playing much. I think Clark will actually follow the same trajectory, but a lot will depend on the team that drafts him and how much of a chance he's given--it's especially important for him to work through his mistakes and develop his inner toughness, and not go the Donte Greene route with him. But he'll be given many chances, and I think when all is said and done he'll make the first jump to rotation player within a couple years as he gets acclimated to the more NBA-friendly up-and-down style that's conducive to his game.

You could be right. I'll tell you who he reminds me of, but hasn't proven in college to be as good, is Billy Owens. Owens had tremendous talent, but just never seemed to be there mentally. Things came easy for him, especially at the college level. I just don't think he had the desire to play the game. He just happened to be good at it and he could make money at it. You look at Lebron and you can tell he loves the competition. He loves to play the game. You look at Lamar Odom and you just don't see that same desire. He's still a good player, but will always have the label of a player that unacheived. I could see Clark falling into that same catagory.