Prospect watch 2011
- Thread starter asakkings
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I watched the game. He had a rough night. Minnesota is a good team and will be a ranked team fairly soon. They play tough defense and it took just about every player on the Tarheels out of their game. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on this game for Barnes. Some of the shots he missed were wide open point blank shots. It was a good learning experience for him..
Since no one has mentioned this kid, and its someone I really like, I thought that since the NCAA has finally ruled, in its infinite wisdom that he can play after a 9 game suspension, I'd talk about him a little bit. I'm referring to Josh Selby of Kansas. I really, really like this kid. He's a terrific athlete and a very talented player. He's a 6'3" PG. However I see him as more of a combo guard, because he can really score the basketball. He's lightning quick and can score from the outside or the inside. But add to that, he's a great creative passer and a terrific ballhandler. And guess what, he's so far proven to be a very good defender. I've included a video of him that gives a hint of what he's possible of.
I'll grant you that he hasn't played a second in college yet, and won't until december. But I guarantee he'll start rising up the draft boards once he does. As an aside, in one of the highschool all star games there was a pre-game moment where Kyrie Irving and Josh Selby were standing next to one another with Selby's arm around Irvings shoulder and Selby has to be 3 to 4 inches taller than Irving. Somebodys lying about their height.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEEGg_qIFvY
I'll grant you that he hasn't played a second in college yet, and won't until december. But I guarantee he'll start rising up the draft boards once he does. As an aside, in one of the highschool all star games there was a pre-game moment where Kyrie Irving and Josh Selby were standing next to one another with Selby's arm around Irvings shoulder and Selby has to be 3 to 4 inches taller than Irving. Somebodys lying about their height.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEEGg_qIFvY
I just posted my impressions on my college basketball thread in the NBA fourm. But to sum it up. I really like him. He was playing in front of his hometown friends for the first time in his college career, as he's from Portland. So I sort of expected a less than good game from him. Players typically try to do too much in those games and end up playing badly. I see no Earl Clark in him at all. But then I never liked Clark in college, and so far he's proven nothing in the NBA. One thing Jones has, that Clark doesn't have, and at times seems to excape Odom, is intensity. This is one competitive kid. He's rough around the edges offensively, but he has all the tools there. They just need to be polished.
Defensively, I think he has the potential to be a lock down defender in the future. He has great hops, and so far appears to have very good lateral movement. The few times I saw him handle the ball I would say those skills are more than adequate for a SF in college. But he still needs work in that area for the future. The passing I've seen from him has been solid. Ive seen a few nice outlet passes and nice passes out of the double team. I don't think he recogonizes the double soon enough, but then he is just a freshman.
At the moment he's one of those on my wish list. I'm anxious to see Kentucky's first game against top competition.
Defensively, I think he has the potential to be a lock down defender in the future. He has great hops, and so far appears to have very good lateral movement. The few times I saw him handle the ball I would say those skills are more than adequate for a SF in college. But he still needs work in that area for the future. The passing I've seen from him has been solid. Ive seen a few nice outlet passes and nice passes out of the double team. I don't think he recogonizes the double soon enough, but then he is just a freshman.
At the moment he's one of those on my wish list. I'm anxious to see Kentucky's first game against top competition.
I think it may be his jumper that reminds me of Earl Clark the most. Very ugly.
He definitely looked intense out there. I love the expression on his face, it's so serious and he never changes it. A little creepy actually
He definitely looked intense out there. I love the expression on his face, it's so serious and he never changes it. A little creepy actually
I know its early, but I think we should take a look at Wesley Witherspoon from Memphis. The kid is 6'10 can handle the ball, hit threes, and plays solid defense. He looks like a steal in the 2nd round of the draft if we can snatch him up.
P.S. It would also be cool to have someone I knew and went to Highschool with join the Kings
P.S. It would also be cool to have someone I knew and went to Highschool with join the Kings
Kemba Walker (Connecticut) is getting my attention. He's always been extremely quick and many on this board have noted (including me) that he has potential. Now he's added a major shooting arsenal to his game. Still haven't seen a whole lot of him, but thinking about the shooting deprived, quickness deprived Kings, I think you could put Kemba in our starting lineup today and the Kings would be better.
He certainly had a great game yesterday. I don't know if he can repeat that every game, but his game yesterday was very impressive. He played good defense and shot lights out. Not sure he's actually the 6'1" he's listed at, but if he keeps this up I won't care. He ended up with 31 pts one 8 of 16 shooting to go along with 2 assists and 3 steals. He's more of a scoring guard than he is a true pt guard. Someone to keep our eye on.
By the way, Terrence Jones was just terrific yesterday. I'm doing a game recap later in my college thread, but look at his line. 29 pts on 12 of 17 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 3 assists, and 2 steals. His only flaw is that doesn't have a good jumpshot at the moment. If he had a good jumpshot, I think he would be the number one pick in the draft by seasons end. This kid is a terrific competitor who never stops on the defensive end. He has a solid build, and has great hops. More importantly, he really understands the game of basketball. He has tremendous basketball IQ. So far, and its very early, but he's been the most impressive freshman I've seen.
For those interested in seeing him play, he's on again today at 6:30 PST on ESPN. Should be a good test. Kentucky is playing Washington. Both are ranked teams
Looks like Kemba has had three great games in a row. He was a major figure in beating #2 Michigan St yesterday. This is with an unranked cast of characters around him. The announcer even had the temerity to say he thought Kemba was the best pg in the country. I've seen him hit huge shots at the end of two games so far, which were pivotal in Conn's winning. He also plays D. And he moves without the ball and can hit an outside shot off the pass. He passes off the pick and roll well. He seems to have a nice all-around game.
My knee-jerk on Jones is that yes, he does have a lot of physical talent, but not having a good outside shot is a big factor to overcome if you're in the Kings' draft room. The Kings really need somebody that can be a threat from the outside, whereas Jones looks a superior version of a Donte Greene. It could take him years to get that outside shot down. I can see him in the Kings uni making that paint area even more clogged than it is now. If we were starting from scratch on this team, I'd be a lot more inclined to draft Jones, but to me, need starts to be a bigger factor with this team now.
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First off, kudo's to Walker. I watched the Mich. St. game and he was terrific. He looked a little gassed at the end of the game, but thats understandable. Lets make no mistake though. Walker is not a PG in the strict sense of the word. He looks for his own shot more than anything else. He's never going to be an assist machine. And thats fine, as long as you realize what your getting with him. He's certainly capable of breaking down the defense, and getting his own shot.
As far as Terrence Jones goes, I wouldn't be too short sighted with him. I've seen him play four times now, and this is one talented kid. There's no doubt that he really needs to work on his shot. But every other aspect of his game is pretty special. He's everywhere on the floor, and he seldom makes a bad pass. He rebounds like a 7 footer, and blocks shots like a 7 footer. He runs the floor like a deer and has outstanding leaping ability. You don't find players like him with so much going for them very often. He made one play last night where the other team made an outlet pass and Jones who still on his offensive side of the court managed to run down the court and leap into the air and intercept the pass. I doubt there's one player on the Kings that could have made that play. His physical conditioning, something your a stickler for, is excellent since he never appears to get tired.
Look, I'm not saying I'm willing to commit to him just yet. But he's certainly someone thats going on my top ten list at the moment. There's still a long way to go before the end of the college season and next draft. lets wait and see how he develops.
As far as Terrence Jones goes, I wouldn't be too short sighted with him. I've seen him play four times now, and this is one talented kid. There's no doubt that he really needs to work on his shot. But every other aspect of his game is pretty special. He's everywhere on the floor, and he seldom makes a bad pass. He rebounds like a 7 footer, and blocks shots like a 7 footer. He runs the floor like a deer and has outstanding leaping ability. You don't find players like him with so much going for them very often. He made one play last night where the other team made an outlet pass and Jones who still on his offensive side of the court managed to run down the court and leap into the air and intercept the pass. I doubt there's one player on the Kings that could have made that play. His physical conditioning, something your a stickler for, is excellent since he never appears to get tired.
Look, I'm not saying I'm willing to commit to him just yet. But he's certainly someone thats going on my top ten list at the moment. There's still a long way to go before the end of the college season and next draft. lets wait and see how he develops.
I listened to Westphal's interview on the radio yesterday. When asked about Tyreke's trouble this year, first thing that came out of his mouth was the fact that the centers they have clog the middle more than last year and it doesn't give Tyreke the space to operate. (Yeah, that's for you, Brick!). Just confirms my observation on the matter. I can't for the life of me figure out how Jones, Cousins and Tyreke could work on the floor together unless Tyreke and/or Jones miraculously transform their outside shooting or Cousins becomes a 265 lb three point shooting center. Doesn't mean they couldn't draft Jones, but to me it would be a stop-gap until they traded him for a piece that was more complementary to Tyreke or Cousins.
). Just confirms my observation on the matter. I can't for the life of me figure out how Jones, Cousins and Tyreke could work on the floor together unless Tyreke and/or Jones miraculously transform their outside shooting or Cousins becomes a 265 lb three point shooting center. Doesn't mean they couldn't draft Jones, but to me it would be a stop-gap until they traded him for a piece that was more complementary to Tyreke or Cousins.
I listened to Westphal's interview on the radio yesterday. When asked about Tyreke's trouble this year, first thing that came out of his mouth was the fact that the centers they have clog the middle more than last year and it doesn't give Tyreke the space to operate. (Yeah, that's for you, Brick!). Just confirms my observation on the matter. I can't for the life of me figure out how Jones, Cousins and Tyreke could work on the floor together unless Tyreke and/or Jones miraculously transform their outside shooting or Cousins becomes a 265 lb three point shooting center. Doesn't mean they couldn't draft Jones, but to me it would be a stop-gap until they traded him for a piece that was more complementary to Tyreke or Cousins.
). Just confirms my observation on the matter. I can't for the life of me figure out how Jones, Cousins and Tyreke could work on the floor together unless Tyreke and/or Jones miraculously transform their outside shooting or Cousins becomes a 265 lb three point shooting center. Doesn't mean they couldn't draft Jones, but to me it would be a stop-gap until they traded him for a piece that was more complementary to Tyreke or Cousins.
The problem with Tyreke not being able to get to the basket isn't so much out players clogging it up, and personally I throw my dart at Landry before I go after either Dalembert or Cousins, but the other teams are clogging up the post with the intention of keeping Tyreke out. The other teams are more than willing to let Tyreke shoot the ball from the outside, so they're taking the inside away. And if Westphal can't see that, then he needs to be fired. One problem he does have, is that even when Dalembert clears out, his man doesn't follow him because they know he's a lousey shot. So his man tends to hang out near the post.
The problem lies with Tyeke and will continue to lay with him until he's able to hit the outside jumper with consistency. His shot is better to some extent, but I'm not a big fan of his left leg kicking out the way it does. I didn't see him doing that when it showed him working on his shot. But thats the way he used to shoot it in highschool. It may feel comfortable to him, but I don't think he'll ever be a great shooter doing it.
No, Westphal is a moron. He's an idiot. Can't coach. His All-Star status was a con. And his coaching success was an illusion. Yeah, he doesn't know where the center goes.....right.
I guess you better inform him that's where centers play... And you can show him how it all works, maybe after Westphal and his assistants (all those guys must be morons too, right? Westphal hired them, after all) have pored hours over film looking at these games. He was asked a question why Tyreke was having more trouble this year. He gave the answer. He wasn't complaining. He wasn't whining. He was being factual and honest. Now you're saying he was surprised that low post centers play in the low post. How much sense does that make? Are you serious?
I think a much more sensible interpretation is that Westphal and Petrie made the decision to get Dalembert and Cousins, two low post centers, despite the fact that it would hinder Tyreke's game in the near term. They believe eventually the pluses will outweigh the minuses, when Tyreke does develop that outside shot and the Kings do have deadly outside shooters at the wings.
Kemba Walker continues to look great. Not good. Great. If there are five players in the upcoming draft better than him, then this is one helluva draft.
Jones has a better outside shot than I thought. Definitely a top player in the draft, but I wouldn't put him ahead of Kemba right now.
Unranked Connecticut beat #2 Michigan St. and kicked #9 Kentucky's rear. I wonder where the experts will rank Connecticut now.
Jones has a better outside shot than I thought. Definitely a top player in the draft, but I wouldn't put him ahead of Kemba right now.
Unranked Connecticut beat #2 Michigan St. and kicked #9 Kentucky's rear. I wonder where the experts will rank Connecticut now.
No, Westphal is a moron. He's an idiot. Can't coach. His All-Star status was a con. And his coaching success was an illusion. Yeah, he doesn't know where the center goes.....right. I guess you better inform him that's where centers play... And you can show him how it all works, maybe after Westphal and his assistants (all those guys must be morons too, right? Westphal hired them, after all) have pored hours over film looking at these games.
He was asked a question why Tyreke was having more trouble this year. He gave the answer. He wasn't complaining. He wasn't whining. He was being factual and honest. Now you're saying he was surprised that low post centers play in the low post. How much sense does that make? Are you serious?
I think a much more sensible interpretation is that Westphal and Petrie made the decision to get Dalembert and Cousins, two low post centers, despite the fact that it would hinder Tyreke's game in the near term. They believe eventually the pluses will outweigh the minuses, when Tyreke does develop that outside shot and the Kings do have deadly outside shooters at the wings.
I guess you better inform him that's where centers play... And you can show him how it all works, maybe after Westphal and his assistants (all those guys must be morons too, right? Westphal hired them, after all) have pored hours over film looking at these games. He was asked a question why Tyreke was having more trouble this year. He gave the answer. He wasn't complaining. He wasn't whining. He was being factual and honest. Now you're saying he was surprised that low post centers play in the low post. How much sense does that make? Are you serious?
I think a much more sensible interpretation is that Westphal and Petrie made the decision to get Dalembert and Cousins, two low post centers, despite the fact that it would hinder Tyreke's game in the near term. They believe eventually the pluses will outweigh the minuses, when Tyreke does develop that outside shot and the Kings do have deadly outside shooters at the wings.
So no!! I don't think Westphal is an idiot. That was exactly my point. That I didn't understand why he would say what he said, when it was obvious from the get go that he would have to deal with that problem. But not hearing the actual interview I couldn't know the context in which he said it. Thus my response. Sorry if you took it the wrong way. But as I said, none of it was directed at you. Frankly, I'm starting to tire of all this. I've been seriously thinking of leaving the fourm. There's a lot of hatred and sarcasm on the fourm right now. People say things to people on this fourm that they would never say in person.
The last thing I want to do in my life is turn into someone that I have no respect for. And at times I feel myself slipping into that abyss. So I may just go quietly off into the night from whence I came.