Whatever happened to Aminu?

[Anthony1]

Seemed like Aminu was very much in the mix when we first discovered our draft position, but now it seems that I haven't heard any mention of Aminu in a long time. This might be exactly what Petrie likes, because he usually tries to keep his real intentions a total secret until the last second. I'd still rather have:

1. Cousins
2. Johnson
3. Trade down to around 9,10 or 11
4. Aminu

I definitely want no part of Monroe or Aldrich, at least not at No.5 overall.

 

[Nighthawk1]

In order for Aminu to be in the mix he will have to come workout for us which he hasn't yet... I'm waiting until I see and hear about all the workouts until I rank players..

 

[funkykingston]

In order for Aminu to be in the mix he will have to come workout for us which he hasn't yet... I'm waiting until I see and hear about all the workouts until I rank players..

I don't want to see Aminu on the Kings. To me he has very high bust potential. A SF who doesn't create for himself or have a good jump shot is very limited. And he didn't test out as well as I expected. Aminu has the kind of "potential" that allures during drafts and rarely seems to pan out in the long run.

But most importantly I don't see him as a good fit for the Kings. He insists he's a SF and nothing makes me view him as a huge upgrade over Greene/Casspi. With a player that dominates the ball and drives to the hoop the way Evans does I think you need wings that can spot up and make defenses pay for collapsing on him.

What I see as the Kings big needs are a backcourt mate for Evans, a scorer off the bench, outside shooting, post scoring, interior defense and rebounding.

The only one of those that Aminu brings is rebounding from the SF position but again, I don't see him being a huge upgrade from what the Kings have.

Again, I'm much more in favor of grabbing whichever is there at #5 between Johnson and Cousins. Better players now and better fits for the Kings as well.

 

[hammystyle]

I don't want to see Aminu on the Kings. To me he has very high bust potential. A SF who doesn't create for himself or have a good jump shot is very limited. And he didn't test out as well as I expected. Aminu has the kind of "potential" that allures during drafts and rarely seems to pan out in the long run.

But most importantly I don't see him as a good fit for the Kings. He insists he's a SF and nothing makes me view him as a huge upgrade over Greene/Casspi. With a player that dominates the ball and drives to the hoop the way Evans does I think you need wings that can spot up and make defenses pay for collapsing on him.

What I see as the Kings big needs are a backcourt mate for Evans, a scorer off the bench, outside shooting, post scoring, interior defense and rebounding.

The only one of those that Aminu brings is rebounding from the SF position but again, I don't see him being a huge upgrade from what the Kings have.

Again, I'm much more in favor of grabbing whichever is there at #5 between Johnson and Cousins. Better players now and better fits for the Kings as well.

I don't think people think of Aminu the right way. He's a very raw offensive player who doesn't really have a position on O, but I think his huge upside lies in his defensive ability. He's not a Josh Smith type to me because he'll never block that many shots or get that many rebounds, but he has the potential to be one of the great one on one stoppers in the league. Like an Artest level on one defender who can be a stopper on 2's-4's. Which if you minus the crazy, and add in rebounding makes him very valuable.

So I think his bust potential is actually pretty low, because at the least he'll be a really good defender and maybe great. If he can make himself a solid offensive player than he could be a star, but I don't know how hopeful I am about that. He is extremely young for a sophomore (younger than Cousins).

Doesn't mean he's anywhere near the top of my list for our pick. But if we did, that's the storyline I think you'd hear spread about why we did take him.

 

[Spike]

Aminu doesn't currently fill a need. His potential upside doesn't fit the #5 positon. Combine that with him likely playing the 3 spot, and you'll have your reason as to why he's not in the mix. He'll fall to a team that can take a gamble on him.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I don't know why they'd take Aminu over Johnson, it would make absolutely no sense. Aminu is a 3 defensively, and he doesn't have a position offensively.

 

[Sparky6string]

Aminu is an odd player to quantify and project, and I bet if you asked every scout out there about him you'd get a different projection.

He's just so darn productive despite being so raw. In today's NBA where big men drift out to shoot threes he could be a valuable tough inside presence. He WILL rebound big at the next level, and he will block shots as well. Physically he is very gifted with those long arms and he's very strong. He's going to be a player in the NBA, but how quickly he'll fit in remains to be seen.

 

[bajaden]

I don't think people think of Aminu the right way. He's a very raw offensive player who doesn't really have a position on O, but I think his huge upside lies in his defensive ability. He's not a Josh Smith type to me because he'll never block that many shots or get that many rebounds, but he has the potential to be one of the great one on one stoppers in the league. Like an Artest level on one defender who can be a stopper on 2's-4's. Which if you minus the crazy, and add in rebounding makes him very valuable.

So I think his bust potential is actually pretty low, because at the least he'll be a really good defender and maybe great. If he can make himself a solid offensive player than he could be a star, but I don't know how hopeful I am about that. He is extremely young for a sophomore (younger than Cousins).

Doesn't mean he's anywhere near the top of my list for our pick. But if we did, that's the storyline I think you'd hear spread about why we did take him.

If I were picking 12th or 13th, I might consider picking Aminu. But not at 5. He's a player without a true position. He's sort of a shorter, maybe less athletic version of Tyrus Thomas. I question Aminu's motor. At times he seems disinterested. He reminds me a lot of Jerome Jordan when he plays. I just don't see the fire or heart in him. He says that its just his natural demeanor. Maybe so, but it would scare me. One thing that I liked about Favors was that toward the end of the season you could see the frustration on his face at times. You could see the fire in him. I just don't see that in Aminu..

 

[bajaden]

Aminu is an odd player to quantify and project, and I bet if you asked every scout out there about him you'd get a different projection.

He's just so darn productive despite being so raw. In today's NBA where big men drift out to shoot threes he could be a valuable tough inside presence. He WILL rebound big at the next level, and he will block shots as well. Physically he is very gifted with those long arms and he's very strong. He's going to be a player in the NBA, but how quickly he'll fit in remains to be seen.

The problem is that he's undersized for the PF position. Not that there aren't a lot of other undersized PF's out there. But most of the undersized one's aren't particularly good rebounders. There's always some tall dude that takes it away from them. Damm! He's needs to improve his post game if he's going to play PF in the NBA. Personally I don't think he's cut out to be a PF. We'll see..

 

[matthew76]

Quick question: Is Aminu in any way similar to Beasley?

 

[hrdboild]

It's a difference in style of play more than it's a direct upgrade over Casspi and Greene. Casspi is very active defensively but he's not going to physically dominate anyone. Similarly, Greene is a smooth athlete and he moves his feet well but he's not particularly strong for a player his size. He would have trouble guarding PFs or physical post-up small forwards. Aminu is a guy who could guard three different positions and have a physical advantage at all of them most nights.

And for all the talk of his weaknesses on offense, he still averaged almost 16 points per game last year. You can question how much of his scoring came close to the basket and whether he can sustain that against taller defenders. He's not anywhere close to an outside threat right now, but he's already working on his jumpshot. He won't be a prototypical SF but Josh Smith is a pretty effective player offensively since he stopped shooting all those threes last year so the range isn't a must. Especially if you're a little creative about how you manage your rotations.

So, like hammystyle said, Aminu's value right now lies primarily in his defense and rebounding but I don't think he'll be a black hole on offense either. He's a step down in talent from Derrick Favors, but has a similar type of potential. And remember that despite being a sophmore, he's in the same age range as John Wall and Demarcus Cousins -- younger than Wall by a couple weeks even.

I still think Cousins has to be the pick if he's there, but between Johnson and Aminu -- they both offer different skillsets. Wesley Johnson looks like a very good compliment to Tyreke offensively and at least a capable defender. And he's a lot closer to reaching his potential than Aminu is right now so he's far far less risky. Aminu looks like a very good compliment to Tyreke defensively and at least capable on offense, with the caveat that it's going to take some time and some dedicated effort to get him there. Personally I don't think it's a no brainer choice between the two, but it seems like Petrie tends to go with "sure thing" over "raw potential" most of the time.

 

[Kingster]

If I were picking 12th or 13th, I might consider picking Aminu. But not at 5. He's a player without a true position. He's sort of a shorter, maybe less athletic version of Tyrus Thomas. I question Aminu's motor. At times he seems disinterested. He reminds me a lot of Jerome Jordan when he plays. I just don't see the fire or heart in him. He says that its just his natural demeanor. Maybe so, but it would scare me. One thing that I liked about Favors was that toward the end of the season you could see the frustration on his face at times. You could see the fire in him. I just don't see that in Aminu..

What do you think the true position of Johnson is? Frankly, I'm betwitxt and between with him. (Maybe he is a tweener then) Some think he can handle the ball handling of a two, others don't. If I had to say right now, I'd say I'm doubtful of him having the ball handling of a good NBA two-guard.

 

[Sparky6string]

The problem is that he's undersized for the PF position. Not that there aren't a lot of other undersized PF's out there. But most of the undersized one's aren't particularly good rebounders. There's always some tall dude that takes it away from them. Damm! He's needs to improve his post game if he's going to play PF in the NBA. Personally I don't think he's cut out to be a PF. We'll see..

Exactly- you're speaking too generically about a position that changes night to night. I mean both Al Jefferson and Dirk are PFs- totally different games. I believe he could both score and defend the PF position in time- he just has the nose for it, and he can handle the SF spot now in the right situation.

He's positionless. He's just a guy you throw out there and try to match him to the correct guy on the opposing team. His value drops considerably I think when we attempt to shoehorn him into established definitions of positions. The league is changing and has been for a while. I think there is a place for Aminu in it.

 

[hrdboild]

Quick question: Is Aminu in any way similar to Beasley?

Beasley's problem isn't talent, it's mental -- and in that respect it looks like they couldn't be more different. Beasley was an outspoken jokester and class clown long before he got to the NBA. Aminu is so soft-spoken and withdrawn you can barely hear him in his interviews. He doesn't seem like the type of personality who would clash with coaches.

 

[funkykingston]

Aminu has insisted in interviews that he is a SF. Sounds like he's pigeonholing himself. I actually think he has more value as a quick and athletic four than a three since he lacks the ability to shoot or even create a shot for himself.

But again, my biggest problem with Aminu is that I don't see him as a compliment to Tyreke's game. And while the adage is that when picking in the top 5 you take the best player regardless of fit or position I don't agree with that if you are a team that has hitched their wagon to a young star as the Kings have ostensibly done with Tyreke.

The Kings need their wings to spread the floor to give Evans the room he needs to operate. Aminu is a guy who really only scores near the basket which isn't what Sacramento needs from their SF.

 

[bajaden]

It's a difference in style of play more than it's a direct upgrade over Casspi and Greene. Casspi is very active defensively but he's not going to physically dominate anyone. Similarly, Greene is a smooth athlete and he moves his feet well but he's not particularly strong for a player his size. He would have trouble guarding PFs or physical post-up small forwards. Aminu is a guy who could guard three different positions and have a physical advantage at all of them most nights.

And for all the talk of his weaknesses on offense, he still averaged almost 16 points per game last year. You can question how much of his scoring came close to the basket and whether he can sustain that against taller defenders. He's not anywhere close to an outside threat right now, but he's already working on his jumpshot. He won't be a prototypical SF but Josh Smith is a pretty effective player offensively since he stopped shooting all those threes last year so the range isn't a must. Especially if you're a little creative about how you manage your rotations.

So, like hammystyle said, Aminu's value right now lies primarily in his defense and rebounding but I don't think he'll be a black hole on offense either. He's a step down in talent from Derrick Favors, but has a similar type of potential. And remember that despite being a sophmore, he's in the same age range as John Wall and Demarcus Cousins -- younger than Wall by a couple weeks even.

I still think Cousins has to be the pick if he's there, but between Johnson and Aminu -- they both offer different skillsets. Wesley Johnson looks like a very good compliment to Tyreke offensively and at least a capable defender. And he's a lot closer to reaching his potential than Aminu is right now so he's far far less risky. Aminu looks like a very good compliment to Tyreke defensively and at least capable on offense, with the caveat that it's going to take some time and some dedicated effort to get him there. Personally I don't think it's a no brainer choice between the two, but it seems like Petrie tends to go with "sure thing" over "raw potential" most of the time.

Well if Johnson is more skilled right now, and one can argue that Johnson is actually the better athlete and therefore has more upside, why then would you take Aminu over Johnson. I wouldn't. To me it is a no brainer between the two of them. What the Kings don't need is another undersized PF or a SF that can't shoot the ball and with questionable all around skills. I'm sorry, I watched him play a lot and he just doesn't excite me. Does he have potential? Yes. But so does Casspi and Greene, and I have no reason to believe that Aminu will be better than either of them.

 

[Sparky6string]

Well if Johnson is more skilled right now, and one can argue that Johnson is actually the better athlete and therefore has more upside, why then would you take Aminu over Johnson. I wouldn't. To me it is a no brainer between the two of them. What the Kings don't need is another undersized PF or a SF that can't shoot the ball and with questionable all around skills. I'm sorry, I watched him play a lot and he just doesn't excite me. Does he have potential? Yes. But so does Casspi and Greene, and I have no reason to believe that Aminu will be better than either of them.

I'll agree that we should take Johnson over Aminu but I disagree that Aminu will not be better than Greene and Casspi. Aminu is much more productive, tougher, stronger and more aggressive than those two.

 

[bajaden]

What do you think the true position of Johnson is? Frankly, I'm betwitxt and between with him. (Maybe he is a tweener then) Some think he can handle the ball handling of a two, others don't. If I had to say right now, I'd say I'm doubtful of him having the ball handling of a good NBA two-guard.

I think the perfect position for Johnson right now based on his current skill level would be SF. He doesn't have the ball handling skills of Turner, but I think his skill set is good enough to play the SG position. He's a pretty good passer. One has to remember that sometimes players have better skills than they might have shown, simply because they weren't allowed to in college. He's a very good and graceful athlete, so there's no reason to think he couldn't get better at handling the ball. It would certainly give us good size at the position.

 

[bajaden]

Beasley's problem isn't talent, it's mental -- and in that respect it looks like they couldn't be more different. Beasley was an outspoken jokester and class clown long before he got to the NBA. Aminu is so soft-spoken and withdrawn you can barely hear him in his interviews. He doesn't seem like the type of personality who would clash with coaches.

Don't forget that its those quiet, soft -spoken types that end up being serial killers...

 

[hrdboild]

Aminu has insisted in interviews that he is a SF. Sounds like he's pigeonholing himself. I actually think he has more value as a quick and athletic four than a three since he lacks the ability to shoot or even create a shot for himself.

But again, my biggest problem with Aminu is that I don't see him as a compliment to Tyreke's game. And while the adage is that when picking in the top 5 you take the best player regardless of fit or position I don't agree with that if you are a team that has hitched their wagon to a young star as the Kings have ostensibly done with Tyreke.

The Kings need their wings to spread the floor to give Evans the room he needs to operate. Aminu is a guy who really only scores near the basket which isn't what Sacramento needs from their SF.

I overlooked Evans last year when I was looking at the draft because I was convinced he was going to be a SG in the NBA and we already had a SG -- actually it was about the only thing we did have. In retrospect, if I'd ignored the whole position problem and just looked at overall basketball talent I might have been hoping for Evans instead of Jennings. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss any player now just because of what position they seem to fit. If Aminu is the most talented player available at #5, would you pass on him because you think someone else is a better fit?

The way I look at it right now, Tyreke and Casspi are the young studs to pencil into the future lineup. Tyreke is going to be the starting PG, though he'll split minutes there with someone off the bench most likely. Casspi could be equally effective as a starter or off the bench. His most productive minutes last year were as a spot-up shooter with an uncanny knack for making big hustle plays on defense. That sounds like the definition of a perfect sixth man to me so I still think we're looking for a starting SF.

Whoever we find to fill out our starting lineup is going to determine the character of this team. Is it going to be a tough defensive team, a fast break team, a deliberate halfcourt offense, etc. We will need shooters to space the floor for Tyreke, but having another guy who's going to mix it up inside isn't a bad thing. We need that too. Sure we have Landry now, but will he be here much longer? We don't know. Thompson, Hawes, and Greene are all young and talented but they're all question marks too. We still have a lot of flexibility in what we're going to fit around Tyreke. Aminu is one guy in this draft that has some qualities that can help this team. I don't think it's fair to dismiss him for one reason "not a shooter, next".

 

[hrdboild]

Don't forget that its those quiet, soft -spoken types that end up being serial killers...

Shhh.. don't tell anyone. I'm trying to stay under the radar here.

 

[funkykingston]

I overlooked Evans last year when I was looking at the draft because I was convinced he was going to be a SG in the NBA and we already had a SG -- actually it was about the only thing we did have. In retrospect, if I'd ignored the whole position problem and just looked at overall basketball talent I might have been hoping for Evans instead of Jennings. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss any player now just because of what position they seem to fit. If Aminu is the most talented player available at #5, would you pass on him because you think someone else is a better fit?

I understand your point. But at the same time, I'm not saying you don't draft a guy because you have a capable/good player at their position or that you should always try to fit your draft pick in with your current team. You don't draft a guy to fit in with a TEAM that lost enough games to warrant a top 5 pick.

What I'm saying is that only in the case that you have a virtually untouchable building block player do you consider fit. And to me, that the category Tyreke is in. He IS the man for the Kings.

I always liked Kevin Martin. But even his most ardent admirers would tell you that he wasn't a franchise player. Likewise with every player currently on the Kings not named Tyreke.

But if this team is being built around Evans (and it certainly looks like it is) then that HAS to skew your perception of possible draft picks.

All that said, it's a bit of a moot point anyway. In addition to being a better fit alongside Tyreke I flat out think Johnson is a better player. He certainly is now, and I truly think he will be in the future as well. Aminu does have some interesting qualities but he's never jumped out at me as a great prospect.

What I most want to see the Kings do is trade up and get the top player on their board not named John Wall. Not Wall because I don't see an Evans/Wall backcourt being a great match but more importantly because I don't think the Kings have the ammo to do it.

Barring that move, I'm firmly in favor of them staying at #5 and drafting whichever of the top 5 players falls to them - likely Johnson or Cousins. And if for some reason Petrie isn't enamored of one or both of them, there are at least three other players that I would take before Aminu.

 

[hrdboild]

Well if Johnson is more skilled right now, and one can argue that Johnson is actually the better athlete and therefore has more upside, why then would you take Aminu over Johnson. I wouldn't. To me it is a no brainer between the two of them. What the Kings don't need is another undersized PF or a SF that can't shoot the ball and with questionable all around skills. I'm sorry, I watched him play a lot and he just doesn't excite me. Does he have potential? Yes. But so does Casspi and Greene, and I have no reason to believe that Aminu will be better than either of them.

I don't think upside is all about athleticism. Some of it is age. Aminu is currently 19 and Johnson is currently 22. Where was Wesley Johnson on the draft radar before this year? Certainly not in the lottery. He worked hard on his game, and proved that he belongs there. Good for him. I'm not dismissing Wesley Johnson at all. I think he's a terrific player and I'd be thrilled to have him on the Kings. And if you asked me right now, I would still take Johnson over Aminu. Even if it might be obvious that Johnson is a better risk/reward balance as a draft pick I still don't think it's a no brainer that Johnson will be the better player in the long run. With three years of dedicated effort with an NBA training staff will Aminu be a more skilled player than Johnson is now? That's the upside question mark.

And some of it is skillset. I don't think Aminu will ever be the shooter that Johnson is, but I also don't think that Johnson will ever make the same defensive impact that Aminu is capable of even as a 19 year old. With work Aminu can become a consistent threat as a shooter, though probably not from 3 point range. But similarly, Johnson will never be as big of a post threat as Aminu. Some of the decision making there is which type of player would be better for this team. Aminu is clearly a SF/PF combo forward. Johnson is a SG/SF wing player. And I think the defensive impact should be given equal consideration with offense. I've been reading for years in all of these mock drafts that defense is just effort and athleticism, but that's bunk. Defense is a skill. And defense matters.

 

[Kingster]

I think the perfect position for Johnson right now based on his current skill level would be SF. He doesn't have the ball handling skills of Turner, but I think his skill set is good enough to play the SG position. He's a pretty good passer. One has to remember that sometimes players have better skills than they might have shown, simply because they weren't allowed to in college. He's a very good and graceful athlete, so there's no reason to think he couldn't get better at handling the ball. It would certainly give us good size at the position.

I'm trying to think of players that significantly improved their ball handling once they got into the NBA. I can't think of anyone of the top of my head. Unfortunately, everytime I think about the topic, I think of Martin, who really I don't think ever did improve his ball handling. Any examples that you can think of?

 

[hrdboild]

I'm trying to think of players that significantly improved their ball handling once they got into the NBA. I can't think of anyone of the top of my head. Unfortunately, everytime I think about the topic, I think of Martin, who really I don't think ever did improve his ball handling. Any examples that you can think of?

Tracy McGrady? Kobe Bryant?

 

[Kingster]

Tracy McGrady? Kobe Bryant?

It's hard to remember that far back. Bryant was 17 when he came in the league. Maybe if Bajaden has some tapes he can pull out on those guys we'll get the definitive opinion...

 

[Sparky6string]

I don't think upside is all about athleticism. Some of it is age. Aminu is currently 19 and Johnson is currently 22. Where was Wesley Johnson on the draft radar before this year? Certainly not in the lottery. He worked hard on his game, and proved that he belongs there. Good for him. I'm not dismissing Wesley Johnson at all. I think he's a terrific player and I'd be thrilled to have him on the Kings. And if you asked me right now, I would still take Johnson over Aminu. Even if it might be obvious that Johnson is a better risk/reward balance as a draft pick I still don't think it's a no brainer that Johnson will be the better player in the long run. With three years of dedicated effort with an NBA training staff will Aminu be a more skilled player than Johnson is now? That's the upside question mark.

And some of it is skillset. I don't think Aminu will ever be the shooter that Johnson is, but I also don't think that Johnson will ever make the same defensive impact that Aminu is capable of even as a 19 year old. With work Aminu can become a consistent threat as a shooter, though probably not from 3 point range. But similarly, Johnson will never be as big of a post threat as Aminu. Some of the decision making there is which type of player would be better for this team. Aminu is clearly a SF/PF combo forward. Johnson is a SG/SF wing player. And I think the defensive impact should be given equal consideration with offense. I've been reading for years in all of these mock drafts that defense is just effort and athleticism, but that's bunk. Defense is a skill. And defense matters.

IMO Johnson is a better bet for getting out of there with a quality usable player, but Aminu has the possibility of being one of the best players in the NBA eventually. If the discussion is this close though you're right position should be considered, and I think Johnson is a better fit.

I'll be very interested to watch Aminu develop for another team though.

 

[Sparky6string]

I'm trying to think of players that significantly improved their ball handling once they got into the NBA. I can't think of anyone of the top of my head. Unfortunately, everytime I think about the topic, I think of Martin, who really I don't think ever did improve his ball handling. Any examples that you can think of?

To what end? Statistically? like fewer TO per? Or visibly having a better handle?

 

[hrdboild]

I understand your point. But at the same time, I'm not saying you don't draft a guy because you have a capable/good player at their position or that you should always try to fit your draft pick in with your current team. You don't draft a guy to fit in with a TEAM that lost enough games to warrant a top 5 pick.

What I'm saying is that only in the case that you have a virtually untouchable building block player do you consider fit. And to me, that the category Tyreke is in. He IS the man for the Kings.

I always liked Kevin Martin. But even his most ardent admirers would tell you that he wasn't a franchise player. Likewise with every player currently on the Kings not named Tyreke.

But if this team is being built around Evans (and it certainly looks like it is) then that HAS to skew your perception of possible draft picks.

You make a lot of good points, and I think it's a fair discussion to have. I don't disagree with your sentiment that we are building around Tyreke now, not just throwing a bunch of pieces together, and should draft accordingly. But I think you're being a little myopic to say that Tyreke won't be successful unless he's got a SF who can shoot three pointers.

There are a lot of ways to build a winning team. We could surround Tyreke with a bunch of shooters, that's one approach. What if we instead surround him with defensive stoppers and challenge the other team to try and outscore us? Maybe that's not a bad strategy if you've got an unstoppable scoring force on your end. But it doesn't have to be one or the other. What if we have a dominant defender at SF, maybe Aminu, and a deadeye shooter at SF, maybe Casspi, and you could rotate them in and out as needed? And what if, furthermore, you could slide one of them to PF or SG for certain matchups? That's what I'm envisioning when I consider Aminu as the #5 pick. Will he ever be a defensive stopper? Well that's a talent scouting judgement. But if he is that player, I don't think you should dismiss him just because he can't shoot threes.

If you want to create a winner, you shouldn't be focusing on one style of play. You should be trying to build a multi-headed, multi-limbed hydra of basketball excellence. So when the other team cuts off one of those heads two more grow in it's place. Heck, just look at Ray Allen's last two games. Even the best shooters go 0 for 13 some games. But two ten ton gorillas barreling into the lane would be hard to stop even if the shots aren't always dropping. So have I confused you enough or should I come up with another outlandish analogy?

 

[bajaden]

I'm trying to think of players that significantly improved their ball handling once they got into the NBA. I can't think of anyone of the top of my head. Unfortunately, everytime I think about the topic, I think of Martin, who really I don't think ever did improve his ball handling. Any examples that you can think of?

Well there have been a few. But if your asking me has there ever been anyone that came into the league that was a bad ballhandler and became a great ballhandler, no one springs to mind. But a lot of players have improved their ballhandling. Hell even our own Cisco has improved his ballhandling since he's been here.

Bear in mind that Johnson is not a bad ballhandler. On average, I'd say he's a little above average. Maybe even better. The problem is that he played PF and SF at Syracuse, so he didn't really have a chance to handle the ball the same way a Turner did. He certainly handled the ball well enough to create his own shot. One area where he's much better than Martin, is in passing the ball. Sometimes I think we tend to overthink these things.

Let me put it this way. We all seem to accept that Cisco is capable of bringing the ball up the court and playing a little point guard. That he can switch and play the 2 or the 3. Well in my opinion, Johnson is more skilled than Cisco was when he came out of college, and certainly a better athlete. So take that for what its worth.

Hopefully its a moot point and we draft a big man at 5.