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Jason Kidd adds to rare list of players who jumped immediately to head coaching gigs

SB Nation NBA News — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:49:51 -0000

Relating to players is one of the biggest resume-builders in becoming an NBA head coach these days, and the news Wednesday of the Brooklyn Nets' hiring former-player Jason Kidd is another sign that the old-school head coach is disappearing.

Kidd will immediately bring credibility and a voice of leadership to his former co-workers, and the hire was rare among NBA coaches: Though many are former players acting as NBA head coaches, few take the fast track to head jobs like Kidd did this week; most spend several seasons as an assistant coach before getting their own team to run. None have done so within only a few weeks after their announced retirement, and Kidd is the only one who didn't find himself in a broadcasting career in between his two basketball gigs.

MORE: What do we really know about Kidd? Why Kidd?

Let's take a look at other coaches who were able to skip rungs on the coaching ladder thanks to their longevity and leadership as players.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics

The least-heralded player of this group, Rivers certainly has the most clout in his second basketball career by owning an NBA championship. The Celtics head coach played from 1983 to 1996 and worked a couple of years with TNT before jumping into the coaching world with the Orlando Magic in 1999. Rivers never had a losing season with the Magic, but was fired just 11 games into his final year with Orlando after a 1-10 start in 2004.

His unemployment didn't last long, as he was hired the next year by the Celtics. Boston went to the NBA Finals twice and won a championship in 2008 under Rivers.

According to NBA.com, his success as a player, turned broadcaster, turned head coach gave an idea to the employers of the next player-turned-coach on the list, Mark Jackson. Former Warriors owner Joe Lacob said Rivers' background was influential.

"I saw what Doc did, his background," Lacob told David Aldridge. "I saw you could come out of the broadcast booth if you had the NBA playing career, and be very successful. And I saw that the most important thing that Doc Rivers provided was leadership, and the guys were willing to follow him ... if you can't lead people, whether you're the CEO or the basketball coach, the Xs and Os and all the other stuff is important. But if you can't lead them, they're not going to follow you, anyway."

Like Kidd, the ability to speak and the ability to lead had a lot of weight in teams taking a risk on him despite his bench experience.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Jackson, Golden State Warriors

Current Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson is the most recent example of a successful coaching hire that had little bench experience. In his second season as a coach, Jackson turned a team from a 34.8 winning percentage to a more-than-legitimate playoff contender.

Like Kidd, Jackson had a lengthy NBA career and will end up in the Hall of Fame. He's third on the all-time assists list and just behind Kidd. He played from 1987 to 2004. Jackson worked in broadcasting with the YES Network in New York and for ABC before the Warriors hired him in 2011.

Ironically, Jackson's named surfaced in 2008 during a coaching search by his former team, the New York Knicks, but the team instead hired another player-turned-coach who happens to be a point guard -- current Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni.

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mike D'Antoni, Los Angeles Lakers

D'Antoni may not have been a household name in the NBA, but he shares the same attributes of Kidd. As a successful point guard, D'Antoni had longevity. He played professionally in the United States and overseas from 1973 to 1990.

He was a talented leader who began his career with the Kansas City Kings, but he made a name for himself in Italy. He became Olimpia Milano's star point guard for 13 seasons, leading the club to two Euroleague titles.

Upon retiring in 1990, D'Antoni immediately became a head coach in the Italian league, where he'd remain for the next eight years. He spent the 1997-98 season as the Denver Nuggets' director of player personnel and also did work for TNT during that season. D'Antoni was a surprise hire by the Denver Nuggets in 1998, and though his first head-coaching gig in the NBA was short -- 50 games to be exact -- he would later prove his value with several successful seasons with the Phoenix Suns.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin McHale, Houston Rockets

While McHale didn't jump immediately into the head-coaching fray a la Kidd, he fitss the same mold as a Hall of Fame authority roaming the sidelines. McHale -- similarly to Jackson, Rivers and D'Antoni -- did broadcasting work for the Minnesota Timberwolves all while assuming a front office position.

Eventually, McHale took an interim stab as head coach in 2005 before relinquishing the position after the season. But again in 2008-09, he took an interim position after another firing.

McHale's last two seasons with the Houston Rockets were his first as a permanent head coach, and the improvements the Rockets have made help to reflect the value in a Hall-of-Fame hire.

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Avery Johnson, Dallas Mavericks

The Nets are hoping that Kidd can make an immediate splash like former coach Johnson did with the Mavs. Following a 16-year NBA career that included a title with the San Antonio Spurs, Johnson jumped right into the coaching game as an assistant under Don Nelson. Johnson was elevated to head coach just five months later when Nelson resigned.

Dallas closed Johnson's first season with the team on a 16-2 run, helping him win the April 2005 NBA Coach of the Month. Johnson also won the Coach of the Month Award in November 2005, making him the first NBA coach to win the award in his first two months as head coach.

Over the next few seasons, Johnson enjoyed quite a bit of success in Dallas, becoming the fastest coach to win 150 games and taking the Mavs to the NBA Finals in 2006. Johnson was ultimately fired due to consecutive first-round playoff losses, and while he did not fare well with the Nets, he has shown the ability to be a successful coach.

USA TODAY Sports

Larry Bird, Indiana Pacers

After his retirement in 1992, Bird joined the Celtics' front office as a special assistant before becoming the head coach of the Indiana Pacers in 1997.

Bird said upon his hiring that he would coach no more than three years, and he held true to his word despite enjoying great success. In his first season in Indiana, Bird helped lead the Pacers to a then-franchise best 58-24 record and pushed Michael Jordan's Bulls to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Bird was named NBA Coach of the Year that season, becoming the only person ever to win that award as well as an MVP award.

In Bird's next and last two seasons, the Pacers won consecutive Central Division titles and made it to the NBA Finals before losing to the Lakers. Bird resigned after the loss, but he became president of basketball operations in 2003 and stayed in that position until 2012.

USA TODAY Sports

Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

Johnson's NBA coaching career was very brief and quite unique. Johnson became the Lakers' head coach in the middle of the 1993-94 season, signing a contract with no compensation due to the fact that he still had a guaranteed player contract of $14.6 million for the 1994-95 season.

Johnson won five of his first six games as coach, but after a five-game losing streak, he announced that he would resign at the end of the season. The Lakers finished the year on a 10-game losing streak, bringing Johnson's record to 5-11. Following the season, he bought a share of the team before returning as a player in 1996.

Danny Ainge, Phoenix Suns

Ainge has had an extremely strange career path the whole way through: an MLB player with the Toronto Blue Jays while playing basketball for BYU, he made his name as a scrappy, strong shooting guard with the Celtics, winning two championships and even earning an All-Star nod. He finished his career with three years with the Phoenix Suns, retiring after the 1994-1995 season at the age of 35 after averaging 7.7 points, his lowest total in over a decade.

After just a year of retirement, he became the franchise's head coach, and was actually pretty good. His teams -- coincidentally led by Jason Kidd -- were above .500 every season, making the playoffs three times. But just 20 games into his fourth season, he suddenly quit, citing a desire to be with his family, and giving fellow former player Scott Skiles his first coaching job just a few years after he had retired. Ainge left coaching with a .602 record, but would of course resurface in the front office another former team: the Celtics, where he's been ever since. He assembled the team that won the 2008 championship.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Dunleavy, Lakers/Bucks/Blazers/Clippers

Weird scenario here with Dunleavy, who technically became a coach in the NBA the year after his final season in the NBA, but it's different: after a 10-year NBA career, Dunleavy retired in 1985 due to back pain at just 30 years old. He became an assistant with the Bucks in 1986, but when the team became short on players in the 1988-89 season, they activated him, and he appeared in two games. The next year, appeared in five games, but in 1990, the Lakers hired him to replace Pat Riley, and his player-coaching days were over. He spent most of the next 20 years as a head coach

-List compiled by Kevin Zimmerman, Rodger Sherman and Jason Patt.

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• Deron Williams: "It's a risk"

• Flannery: All eyes on LeBron James

• Chris Bosh tired of trade rumors, wants to retire in Miami

• Spurs role players reign | The Kawhi Leonard lesson

• NBA mock draft: Best-case scenarios | Scouting reports | Big Board

NBA Draft 2013: Top prospect workout tracker

SB Nation NBA News — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 20:16:50 -0000

Across the league, teams are beginning to work out prospects in anticipation of the draft later this month. With dozens of players taking the court every day, we'll be providing the latest reports on who's working out where through this post.

1. Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky (INJURED) | SCOUTING REPORT

June 2, Orlando Magic (link)
June 20, Cleveland Cavaliers (link)

2. Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas | SCOUTING REPORT

May 16: Orlando Magic (link)
June 5, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 20, Cleveland Cavaliers (link)

3. Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana | SCOUTING REPORT

June 5, Phoenix Suns (link)
No date announced, Cleveland Cavaliers (link)

4. Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV (INJURED) | SCOUTING REPORT

June 8, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 12, Washington Wizards (link)

5. Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown | SCOUTING REPORT

June 14, Washington Wizards (link)

6. Trey Burke, PG, Michigan | SCOUTING REPORT

June 6, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 7, Sacramento Kings (link)
June 14, New Orleans Pelicans (link)
No date announced, Orlando Magic (link)

7. Cody Zeller, C, Indiana | SCOUTING REPORT

June 3, Utah Jazz (link)
June 5, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 7, Portland Trail Blazers (link)
June 12, Minnesota Timberwolves (link)

8. Alex Len, C, Maryland (INJURED) | SCOUTING REPORT

June 5, Phoenix Suns (link)

9. Shabazz Muhammad, SG/SF, UCLA | SCOUTING REPORT

June 5, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 7: Philadelphia 76ers (link)
June 10, Sacramento Kings (link)
June 13, Minnesota Timberwolves (link)

10. C.J. McCollum, PG, Lehigh | SCOUTING REPORT

June 6, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 8, Sacramento Kings (link)
June 10, Portland Trail Blazers (link)
June 18, Minnesota Timberwolves (link)

11. Rudy Gobert, PF/C, France | SCOUTING REPORT

May 30: Dallas Mavericks (link)
June 3, Sacramento Kings (link)
June 5, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 12, Minnesota Timberwolves (link)

12. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse | SCOUTING REPORT

June 6, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 8, Sacramento Kings (link)

13. Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke | SCOUTING REPORT

June 5, Boston Celtics (link)
June 6, Philadelphia 76ers (link)
June 10, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 14, Washington Wizards (link)
June 19, Portland Trail Blazers (link)
June 21, Detroit Pistons (link)

14. Kelly Olynyk, PF, Gonzaga | SCOUTING REPORT

June 6, Philadelphia 76ers (link)
June 11, Portland Trail Blazers (link)
June 17, Minnesota Timberwolves (link)

15. Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany | SCOUTING REPORT

May 19 and June 26, Houston Rockets (link)
No date announced: Boston Celtics (link)
May 31, Milwaukee Bucks (link)
June 4: Dallas Mavericks (link)
June 7: Utah Jazz (link)

16. Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas | SCOUTING REPORT

June 3, Denver Nuggets (link)
June 5, Utah Jazz (link)
June 7, New York Knicks (link)
June 10, Phoenix Suns (link)
June 14, New York Knicks (link)

17. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia | SCOUTING REPORT

May 30: Minnesota Timberwolves (link)
June 3, Portland Trail Blazers (link)
June 11, Milwaukee Bucks (link)
June 13, Boston Celtics (link)

18. Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State | SCOUTING REPORT

June 3, Dallas Mavericks (link)

19. Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh | SCOUTING REPORT

May 25, Boston Celtics (link)
June 3, Oklahoma City Thunder (link)
June 12, Minnesota Timberwolves (link)
June 10, Cleveland Cavaliers (link)

20. Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia | SCOUTING REPORT

None scheduled besides the adidas Eurocamp.

NBA Draft 2013: Anthony Bennett scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 04:53:18 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about UNLV forward Anthony Bennett.

NAME: Anthony Bennett.

SCHOOL: UNLV.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 20 years, three months.

POSITION: Combo forward.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'8'', 240 pounds. (Did not get measured at the 2013 NBA Draft combine).

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Anthony Bennett	35	27.1	5.8	10.8	53.3	1.0	2.7	37.5	3.5	5.1	70.1	2.5	5.7	8.1	1.0	1.9	0.7	1.2	2.3	16.1

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 21.8% defensive rebounding percentage this season. As long as Bennett can hold his own on the defensive glass, he can play as a power forward.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 1.

NBA CEILING: Larry Johnson.

NBA FLOOR: Michael Beasley.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Anthony Bennett, the most talented player at UNLV in a generation, wasn't quite able to bring back the magic of the Runnin' Rebels as a freshman. However, that had more to do with the players around him.

Their Mountain West Conference semifinal game against Colorado State sums up their season. Bennett had 11 points in one two-minute stretch, yet he finished with only eight shots compared to 23 for Bryce DeSean-Jones and Katin Reinhardt, two of the most shameless gunners you'll ever see.

This season, Bennett averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and one assist on 53 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 70 percent from the free-throw line.

These are impressive numbers, but they don't totally reveal how explosive he is offensively. At 6'8, 240 pounds with a 7'2 wingspan, he's a combo forward with the game and athleticism of a high-level wing scorer.

He has range out to the three-point line, the ability to beat his man off the dribble and the explosiveness to play above the rim. When he's hitting from deep, he's essentially impossible to defend. If you put Bennett in a 1-on-1 tournament against the rest of this class, he would win pretty handily.

Of course, basketball isn't a 1-on-1 game, which is where the questions come. Given how rarely the ball moved in the UNLV offense, it's no surprise he was looking to shoot every time he touched it. However, if he's going to be a primary offensive option at the next level, he'll need to facilitate for his teammates more than he did in college.

Like most dominant scorers, Bennett's defense left much to be desired as a freshman. Early in his NBA career, he will give up as many points as he allows. However, the tools are there to become an effective player on that side of the ball.

Down the road, Bennett could give his team the best of both worlds as a small-ball 4. He has the size to match up with bigger 4's on defense and the skill level to play on the perimeter on offense.

As a 20-year-old coming off shoulder surgery, he's far from a finished product, but he has the highest ceiling in this year's draft.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

Mountain West Connection, SB Nation's MWC blog:

If your team is in need of a post player who can score with the dunk or tip-in, you want a guy like Bennett. If your team is in need of a perimeter guy who can drain threes, you want a guy like Bennett. If your team is in need of a physical presence that can block shots with his length and grab his share of defensive rebounds, you want a guy like Bennett.

Bullets Forever:

Bennett is an explosive two-foot jumper with an array of perimeter and post skills that should make scouts drool. His broad, wide shoulders allow him to power through contact, and his soft hands allow him to catch and finish almost any pass around the rim. Watching him, it's immediately clear why he evoked comparisons to [Larry Johnson] from UNLV faithful.

[...]

It's hard to avoid hyperbole here: Bennett might be the single most unaware defensive prospect I've ever seen. There is nothing he does well on this end, and those shortcomings are due entirely to his effort.

Bullets Forever (different author):

Bennett averaged 22 points per pace-adjusted 40 minutes last year while maintaining a high level of efficiency. He scored more frequently than Shabazz Muhammad, Luol Deng, Derrick Williams or Blake Griffin did as freshmen and, again, he did it without any highly-skilled guards to get him the ball in a position to score. While he's not a once-in-a-generation type of scorer, his ability to create shots is being overlooked quite a bit by scouts and commentators. He could very well lead all rookies in scoring and might even be a candidate for Rookie of the Year if he's immediately given about 30 minutes a night.

Rufus on Fire:

Anthony Bennett, UNLV's freshman power forward, is an explosive scorer who plays both inside and out utilizing his above-average ball-handling skills and smooth stroke from outside with great mastery. He's an ambidextrous scorer with a great dribble-drive game and a superb touch around the rim. He uses his athleticism to bang down low, grabbing offensive rebounds and drawing free throws at a high rate. The 6'7" forward may appear to be undersized for his position, but his 7'1" wingspan begs to differ. Regardless, Bennett still struggles mightily on the defensive end, due to both a lack of effort and awareness. He reminds me of a less athletic version of Blake Griffin with a consistent jumper.

Canis Hoopus:

Bennett scores well on the models and draws some intriguing comparisons, but I subjectively dock him more points than any other player. Bennett has an abysmal defensive reputation and looks like a poor man's version of the Beasley, Derrick Williams, "Big Dog" ... class of players who have historically done really well in my models but not in the NBA. I would have a tough time passing on him after the 10th pick or so, but I really worry about his bust potential in the top 5.

Liberty Ballers:

I like his upside, but I also think he has more bust potential than anyone in the top 5, and it's not close. I see the draft comparisons and think not of Carmelo Anthony or Zach Randolph but of Derrick Williams. I'm not sure Williams is a true bust yet, but his career resembles Evan Turner's to date.

I could easily be wrong. Bennett is very athletic and can shoot, and if those skills translate well from the Mountain West to the NBA, a team can have a potential all-star.

Detroit Bad Boys:

He's a nice piece and the Pistons have a spot for his talents. However, he is clearly a second-tier talent. He isn't top five among potential draft picks in any one category. I think he'll be a pretty competent player, but I can't get excited over him.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Alex Len scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 05:31:52 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Maryland center Alex Len.

NAME: Alex Len.

SCHOOL: Maryland.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: He turns 20 in mid-June.

POSITION: Center.

MEASUREMENTS: 7'1, 255 pounds. Did not get measured at the 2013 NBA Draft combine.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Alex Len	38	26.4	4.6	8.5	53.4	0.0	0.2	12.5	2.8	4.0	68.6	2.9	5.0	7.8	1.0	1.6	0.2	2.1	2.7	11.9

RELEVANT "ADVANCED" STATS: 68.6% free-throw shooting percentage this season. If Len can be a consistent threat in the pick-and-pop game, the sky is the limit offensively.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 3.

NBA CEILING: Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

NBA FLOOR: Kosta Koufos.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

No player in the country made a bigger leap between his freshman and sophomore season than Alex Len. Unfortunately, his improvement was overshadowed by some less-than-stellar teammates. This season, the Ukrainian native averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks on 53-percent shooting. At the next level, with guards who can shoot the ball and control the tempo of the game, he could become a substantially better player.

Len has a rare combination of size, athleticism and skill. There aren't many 7'1, 255-pound centers with a 7'3 wingspan in the NBA. There are even fewer who have the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball.

After adding over 25 pounds of muscle in this offseason, he came back to school with the size to finish over the top of anyone in college. He had his best games against high-level competition, with 23 points and 12 rebounds against Nerlens Noel and Kentucky and 19 points and nine rebounds against Mason Plumlee and Duke.

Teams with below-average centers rarely bothered to play Len straight up, not when they could pack the paint against a Maryland team that shot only 34 percent from three-point range. With no true point guard on their team, the Terrapins' halfcourt offense was an experiment in controlled chaos.

If he's playing with a good point guard next season, Len's finishing ability will make him an immediate threat on the pick-and-roll. He's even flashed the ability to step out and hit a mid-range jumper, a huge weapon for a player with his size and release point.

Len is no slouch on the defensive end either. While he doesn't have the high-level athleticism of Noel, he's capable of anchoring a defense and playing above the rim. He was named to the All-ACC defensive team, for whatever that's worth.

The big question is his surgically-repaired ankle, as he is currently out 4-6 months while recuperating from the procedure. Foot injuries for a player his size are a massive, massive red flag.

But if team doctors clear him medically, he'll be tempting to any team with the chance to draft him. 20-year old centers with a great frame and a lot of skill don't come around often. That's why I rate Len above Noel as a prospect.

DRAFT EXPRESS' SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

Bullets Forever:

Questions abounded whether Len's inconsistency was due to a general lack of toughness and killer drive, or the guards he was playing with at Maryland, who seemed incapable of feeding him the ball down low despite his ability to establish decent position. It didn't help Len's cause when news broke last week that he had been diagnosed immediately after the season with a partial stress fracture in his ankle, and that he had undergone surgery that would keep him out 4-6 months, meaning he'll miss pre-draft workouts, summer league and preseason games, and maybe even the first part of the regular season. In addition to the health concerns that come with leg injuries to any young big man, the universal expectation was that Len would have shined in individual workouts with teams running up to the draft, perhaps putting to rest some of the remaining concerns scouts have with his game. On the other hand, it was reported during the second half of the Terps' season that Len was playing with a sprained ankle; if he was in fact playing with the stress fracture, that might go a long way to explaining why he was so inconsistent down the stretch.

Testudo Times, SB Nation's Maryland blog:

He will need at least a year before he can play in the NBA. If the team selecting him is smart, that will be in the D-League, but we've seen early picks thrust too early into the big leagues before.

The potential is undoubtedly there, and with it, it's easy to understand why teams want him. He's tall, has great length, is a plus shooter, and his defensive awareness is growing steadily. His biggest problem remains on the offensive side of the ball - he has NO idea what to do with himself in the post - but that can be taught (and weight can be put on). The comparisons to Nowitzki and Gasol will likely be endless, but that's pretty lazy. Instead, in a perfect world, I see him closer to Amare Stoudemire, with less inside explosiveness. Len is incredibly athletic, and can dunk with the best of them, and has that great outside shot to back him up. All he needs to work on is his game in the post - once he's got that, the rest is golden.

Canis Hoopus:

I really wonder how much of the glow about Len's "athletic potential" is failing to look past his impressive frame to the more basic dexterity, coordination, and awareness that separates successful project bigs from your annual second-round 7' stiff.

Statistically speaking, Len ranks sort of in the middle among college centers in just about every category. I struggle to understand how a massive man who fails to dominate when pitted against players 4 inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter will suddenly excel against his physical peers, but that seems to be the hope.

Rufus on Fire:

Alex Len is this season's feast-or-famine pick. The seven-footer has all the potential tools: he's a great athlete for his size, has impressive foot speed, a great touch around the rim -- with both hands -- and a high basketball IQ. On the defensive end, he's already a good pick and roll defender with potential as an elite rim-protector. Essentially, Alex Len have it all. However, there are concerns about whether those tools will come together in the NBA. Len is too thin to hold his own in the post and many scouts have questioned his toughness. Of course, that could just be scout-speak for "we don't know what to make of foreign players sometimes." Len's a high-potential player who probably won't develop into a full product for a few years. Luckily, most teams in the lottery aren't in "win-now" mode.

Sactown Royalty:

Alex Len is another big man with potential who will likely go in the lottery. He really improved from his freshman year at Maryland, improving his post scoring and his defense. Len isn't the best defensive rebounder, but he's a very good offensive rebounder, and there's some belief he was held back by Maryland's guards.

Bright Side of the Sun:

Alex Len is this year's Meyers Leonard in my opinion ... a physically-enticing big man who hasn't shown dominance at the college level, but one who many scouts believe could progress into a cornerstone at the low post for the right NBA team. Alex Len has great size and length, and a sturdy build. Still, he needs to add more strength at the next level as he has already had trouble being out-muscled at times by smaller opponents in college. Len's draft stock took a hit recently with an ankle surgery to correct a stress fracture that will now keep him out for the next four to six months. Prior to that he was a likely top 5-10 pick, but he may slide a bit now due to his injury.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Ben McLemore scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 05:08:51 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore.

NAME: Ben McLemore.

SCHOOL: Kansas.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 20 years, four months.

POSITION: Shooting guard.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'4, 182 pounds, 6'8 wingspan, 8'3 standing reach

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Ben McLemore	37	32.2	5.4	10.8	49.5	2.0	4.7	42.0	3.2	3.7	87.0	1.3	3.9	5.2	2.0	2.1	1.0	0.7	1.9	15.9

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 63.3% true-shooting percentage this season. That's preposterous efficiency from a shooting guard.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 2.

NBA CEILING: Ray Allen.

NBA FLOOR: Jason Richardson (the current version).

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

As a high schooler in St. Louis, Ben McLemore played in the shadow of AAU teammate and current Washington Wizard Bradley Beal. Academics forced him to sit out his first year at Kansas, and he quickly became out of sight, out of mind.

He put that time to good use, though. As a redshirt freshman, he was the best player on a loaded Jayhawks team, averaging 16 points and five rebounds a game on 49 percent shooting from the field, 42 percent from three-point range and 87 percent from the free-throw line.

McLemore is essentially the prototypical shooting guard. He has size (6'4, 180 pounds with a 6'8 wingspan), elite athleticism and an effortless-looking three-point shot. Not many guys can conceivably compete in the dunk contest and the three-point shootout.

However, for all his talent, he wasn't asked to do too much at Kansas. He got most of his points within the flow of the offense, either running of screens or getting out in transition. As an unselfish player without great ball-handling ability, McLemore has the tendency to disappear when the offense stagnates.

He's the Bizarro JR Smith: efficiency is the most intriguing part of his game. He scored 33 points on 13 shots against Iowa State and 30 points on 13 shots against Kansas State. If he gets an open look, he won't miss very often.

When it comes to his transition to the NBA, the question is whether he will be able to create those looks for himself. In the NBA, elite shooting guards can get into the lane, draw fouls and create shots for their teammates, all things McLemore struggled with at Kansas. To become an All-Star, McLemore will need to improve as a shot-creator and a playmaker.

Nevertheless, his floor -- a two-way shooting guard who can be a hyper-efficient release valve on offense -- is still pretty high.

Here are more thoughts on McLemore from earlier in the season.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SCOUTING REPORTS

Ridiculous Upside:

McLemore is the ideal shooting guard type that can help fix a struggling roster at the bottom of the NBA. Should he fall to the Bobcats, he could come in and start immediately on their roster. McLemore has a combination of perimeter offense, elite athleticism, and quickness that stand to make him a starter and even a potential NBA all-star after the likes of Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, etc, finally retire.

Orlando Pinstriped Post:

Critics really wanted McLemore to dominate every game, which he didn't. I don't think it's because he was disinterested, more so because he's an unselfish guard who doesn't look to force things. He played within the system and showed good shot selection which explains why his True Shooting percentage was so high (63.3).

What McLemore is going to need in the NBA -- much like Beal needed -- is a point guard who can create open looks for him. McLemore can space the floor and murder teams in transition. In time, I think he can become an excellent 3-and-D type player that general managers covet.

Canis Hoopus:

McLemore's projected wins rate him as a definite top 10 pick. I do not really see any argument for him as the No. 1 or No. 2 pick as most mocks have him, but I wouldn't be surprised if McLemore makes some team happy wherever he goes. He hit threes as a freshman and the fact that he also knocked down free throws at an 87-percent clip lends further credibility to his shooting ability. He doesn't get to the rim as often as I would like, but he takes more rim attempts than mid-range jumpers and that keeps him out of red-flag territory in my opinion. McLemore does little to excite me as a prospect, but the only real knock I can find is his pedestrian steal rate. For whatever reason steals seem to go a long way towards predicting future success and McLemore is at a concerning level, however the relationship between college steals and NBA wins is captured in the model and McLemore still does well so clearly he is making up for it elsewhere.

Bullets Forever:

Ben McLemore is the safest bet in the draft. His worst case scenario is still good for a rotational "3 and D" player, a valuable commodity for any team. There are concerns over his lack of an isolation game, but rookies typically aren't thrown into the fire like that right away. At only 20 years old, we sometimes forget he hasn't been exposed to these highly sophisticated offenses in the past, a training regimen or even a proper diet. The more exposure he gets, the more comfortable he'll be under the spotlight and the more confidence he'll emit as a primary option. The sky is truly the limit for the young guard out of St. Louis.

Bright Side of the Sun:

Ben McLemore was one of the more exciting players to watch this year. He was the best player on a very good Jayhawks team that stepped up on multiple occasions, especially in the fourth quarter, to pull out some hard fought victories. McLemore has elite athleticism, second only to Oladipo among the wings, and he has the smoothest jumpshot in college. He also has nice length and the lateral agility to be a very good defender. McLemore has all of the tools to be a star at the next level ... but will he fulfill his potential? Despite his athleticism, McLemore rarely creates his own shot, and doesn't attack the rim nearly enough. He can be so much more than a catch-and-shoot player, but we didn't see him do much more than that this year. Probably the highest boom/bust ratio of any wing in the draft, but Phoenix could be in the market for just such a player, as long as his rewards outweigh his risks ... and I believe they do.

Detroit Bad Boys:

Dude shot nearly 50 percent while taking 400 shots on the season. And his coach and teammates thought he was too tentative. In a lot of ways I feel like he is one of the more underrated No. 2 overall picks in recent years only because I think he is going to improve by leaps and bounds as he matures and gets more confident in his game.

Rufus on Fire:

The main offensive flaw with him would probably be his lack of ability to create his own shot as a ball-handler. That alone is a huge turn-off because Charlotte doesn't have a great pick-and-pop threat, so defenses will probably focus in on McLemore when he tries to work in a pick and roll. His perimeter game and quickness are intriguing but the uncertainty remains concerning how well he'd work in a system that lacks any real offensive threats that could take the pressure away from McLemore.

Rufus on Fire (different author):

At 20 years old, Ben McLemore has already been compared to Ray Allen. The 6'4" shooting guard out of Kansas has amazing range, shooting 39.5 percent from behind the college three-point line this season. McLemore sees the majority of his baskets from beyond the arc and in transition, where his elite quickness and explosiveness allow him to thrive. As a shooter, McLemore is already adept at creating separation off screens, getting his feet set and spotting up. However, his shoddy ball-handling caps his potential on the offensive end as McLemore doesn't score on isolation plays. On the defensive end, McLemore has solid length, strength and quickness. His potential has yet to line in with his consistency but the freshman shows a ton of promise on both ends. I would liken him to a more athletic version of Arron Afflalo.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Michael Carter-Williams scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 06:44:13 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams.

NAME: Michael Carter-Williams.

SCHOOL: Syracuse.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 21 years, eight months.

POSITION: Point guard.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'6, 185 pounds, 6'7 wingspan, 8'4 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Michael Carter-Williams	40	35.2	3.9	9.9	39.3	0.9	3.0	29.2	3.2	4.7	69.4	1.3	3.6	4.9	7.3	3.4	2.8	0.5	2.3	11.9

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 49 true-shooting percentage this season. I'm willing to look past it, but that's why he isn't as high on most boards.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 4.

NBA CEILING: Rajon Rondo.

NBA FLOOR: Shaun Livingston (post-injury).

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

After biding his time behind Dion Waiters and Scoop Jardine as a freshman, Michael Carter-Williams exploded onto the national scene this year. The best Syracuse player since Carmelo Anthony, he led the Orange to their first Final Four in a decade, averaging 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals on 39 percent shooting from the field, 29 percent from three-point range and 64 percent at the free-throw line.

A lightning-quick 6'6, 185-pound point guard with a 6'7 wingspan, he has the most eye-popping physical dimensions in this year's draft. As a rookie, he'll be one of the quickest and longest point guards in the NBA.

While Carter-Williams can struggle with his decision-making at times, he makes up for it with the ability to see over the top of the defense and make every pass in the book. He has the quickness, ball-handling and passing skills to create a shot, either for himself or his teammates, at will.

If he could consistently knock down the shots he creates, he would be in the running for the No. 1 pick. Unfortunately, he can't. While that may improve with time, he couldn't punish defenses for sagging off him this season.

However, that isn't necessarily a death sentence in the NBA. Rajon Rondo and Ricky Rubio have succeeded without a consistent jumper. Carter-Williams can, too. He can single-handedly change the tempo of the game, either by forcing turnovers and clearing the defensive glass. Most of Jim Boeheim's players struggle with the transition to man-to-man defense, but Carter-Williams has the tools to be a dynamic player on that side of the ball.

His size allows him to share a backcourt with any type of guard. As a point guard who can defend shooting guards and even smaller small forwards, he will give the team that drafts him a tremendous amount of roster flexibility.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

SBNation.com, January, 2013:

The team that drafts Carter-Williams has to give him the keys to their offense. He can't play with another PG or with a low-post scorer who needs floor spacing on the perimeter. He doesn't make sense on 90 percent of the teams in the NBA, which is why his draft stock will be so interesting to watch. Ideally, he would wind up on an NBA team built like Syracuse, with athletic big men who can run the floor and dead-eye shooters who can space it.

Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician, SB Nation's Syracuse blog:

The best-case comparison is Rajon Rondo with a young Jason Kidd's size. Both Rondo and Kidd came into the League with spotty jump shots and both ended up being NBA champions and NBA All-Stars. I'm not sure if those type of accolades are in the cards for Carter-Williams, but there's precedent for successful leads guards with shaky jumpers. More likely MCW ends up in the mold of Shaun Livingston (hopefully without the horrific knee injury).

Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician (different author), via SLC Dunk:

I think that, like so many guys who enter the NBA Draft early, he's a guy with a whole lot of potential but who has a lot of work to do. First and foremost, he's got to put some meat on those bones. That kind of lanky build works fine in college, but he'll get pushed around in the pros. Basketball-wise, he's got work to do on his shot and his consistency. He's got great fundamentals (defense, passing) but he can't be a one-trick pony in the NBA. MC-Dubz, as we like to call him, plays smart (mostly) and he's capable of beating you with points, assists or defense, and sometimes all three at the same time.

Celtics Blog:

Standing at 6'6, Michael Carter-Williams will remind some people of Shaun Livingston. However, unlike Livingston, Carter-Williams is an excellent defensive player. He was sixth in the nation in steals, averaging 2.74 per game. Carter-Williams' length allows him to pick off and tip passes with ease. He clogs the passing lanes and has amazing instincts. Despite playing in a zone at Syracuse, he has shown the ability to be a strong man-to-man defender.

Canis Hoopus:

Carter-Williams' career at Syracuse has shown him to be an excellent passer, top-tier ball-thief, and atrocious shooter who's best scoring option is getting fouled. I really like the Nate McMillan comparison above; however, my favorite optimistic comp is probably Ricky Rubio. Very similar physical profiles, strengths, weaknesses, and approaches to the game. I should note that both Rubio and McMillan probably have/had a more positive impact on their team than is captured in their Win Shares. The dish'n'defend game seems to look better in on/off and play-by-play measures than box-scores can capture. If this is true, MCW's prospects may be a bit more optimistic than the above predictions.

Sactown Royalty:

Michael Carter-Williams is the best playmaker next to Pierre Jackson, but Carter-Williams has the added bonus of being much taller than most other point guards at 6'6. He's also probably one of the worst shooters in the draft. He makes up for his lack of offense by setting up those who can score, as well as poking lose the ball. His steal rate of 4.7 percent is top among all guards, and that was while playing Syracuse's vaunted zone defense. In the NBA he should be able to make use of his excellent size and athleticism to become a formidable individual defender. He will need to be paired with really good scorers, though.

Pounding the Rock:

Carter-Williams is an excellent prospect. He claims to have modeled his game after "Jason Kidd in his prime," and it shows. He's dynamic in transition, and leads this draft class in both steals and assists. He's an awful shooter, but shooting can be developed.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Nerlens Noel scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 06:47:35 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel.

NAME: Nerlens Noel

SCHOOL: Kentucky.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 19 years, two months.

POSITION: Center

MEASUREMENTS: 6'11, 206 pounds (at NBA Draft combine), 7'3.75 wingspan, 9'2 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Nerlens Noel	24	31.9	4.1	6.9	59.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.3	4.3	52.9	2.7	6.8	9.5	1.6	1.9	2.1	4.4	2.6	10.5

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 13.2 block percentage and 3.9 steal percentage this season. Those are silly defensive numbers for a center.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 5.

NBA CEILING: Larry Sanders.

NBA FLOOR: Chris "Birdman" Andersen.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

The consensus No. 1 player on most draft boards, Nerlens Noel is one of the best shot-blocking prospects to come into the NBA in recent years. He put up monstrous defensive numbers at Kentucky this season, averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds and 4.4 blocks on 59 percent shooting from the field.

However, even if he wasn't currently recuperating from a torn ACL, his transition to the NBA wouldn't have been easy. As an undersized defensive-minded big man without much offensive game, he's got a long way to go to before he will be a starting center at the next level.

He measured at 6'11 and 206 with a 7'4 wingspan at the NBA Draft combine, which is essentially Brandan Wright's frame. A 19-year-old will certainly be able to put on some weight, but his narrow shoulders and wiry frame mean he'll always be giving up size to some of the NBA's bigger centers.

That would be less of an issue if he could drag them out of the paint and use his lateral quickness to his advantage, but he can't. Any comparison to Anthony Davis, his predecessor at Kentucky, is a non-starter. Noel doesn't have nearly the offensive skill, touch or feel for the game of the Unibrow, who played mostly as a power forward as a rookie for the New Orleans ~~Hornets~~ Pelicans.

At the next level, Noel's relatively high center of gravity will make establishing deep post position difficult. When he's pushed too far from the basket, he's close to useless offensively, although he did do a decent job as a passer out of the high post this season.

Best-case scenario, if Noel adds a lot of weight to his frame and develops a consistent mid-range jumper, he'll be an above-average NBA center who can impact the game on both sides of the ball with his length and athleticism. However, his lack of bulk and shot-creating ability make stardom a stretch.

Defensive-minded centers, like Tyson Chandler and Larry Sanders, don't usually come into their own until their mid-20's. At the very top of the draft, if you're going to wait that long for a player, he might as well have a higher ceiling than Noel.

DRAFT EXPRESS' SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

A Sea of Blue, SB Nation's Kentucky blog:

There is very little in the coverage that is wrong. Everyone who has seen Noel play understands that he is a raw player of remarkable athleticism. Everyone knows that his offensive game is practically nonexistent, and that he's a great shot blocker, and that he suffered an ACL tear.

There are three things that get almost no attention, but should. Noel's good hands are known, but his hands are also incredibly quick. Noel led the Wildcats in steals last year, and had an unheard-of combination of blocks and steals. Very few big men steal the ball well, but Noel steals the ball well for any player in any position. If a big man exposes the ball in the post, Noel is quick enough to poke it lose without fouling. His ability to create loose balls and quickness when it comes free is more than just rare.

Fear the Sword:

Nerlens Noel was touted as the best prospect in the past recruiting class and started receiving comparisons to Anthony Davis before he even stepped on the Kentucky campus. When you get compared to one of the best college basketball players in recent memory, virtually anything you do is going to look like a disappointment. Couple that with the fact that Kentucky as a team has failed to live up to expectations and the general opinion of Nerlens has been that he's had an underwhelming freshman season. But all you have to do is watch him and you should be able to see that that's far from the case.

Noel leads the country with 4.6 blocks per game and is in the top 25 with 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. But those numbers don't really begin to capture the total impact of his defensive presence on any given game. Teams simply refuse to attack the rim with Noel on the floor. The mere idea of Noel darting back and forth across the paint deters teams from attempting layups. His quickness allows him to jump from player to player and put constant pressure on multiple opponents. And although he doesn't have any jump shot or any real post moves, Noel's athleticism alone allows him to score more than 10 points per game on dunks and layups.

Canis Hoopus:

Noel was billed as a top-tier defensive specialist coming into the season, and his college production did nothing but build on that hype. As an 18-year-old freshman playing in a major conference, Noel recorded 2.5 steals and 5.4 blocks every 40 minutes. This combination of defensive statistics is special. Here is the complete list of collegiate seasons where a player averaged 2+ steals and 5+ blocks per 40: Hakeem Olajuwon '83 (2 and 7.5), David Robinson '86 (2 and 7), Nerlens Noel '13 (2.5 and 5.4), David Robinson '87 (2.4 and 5.2), Hakeem Olajuwon '82 (2 and 5.4). That is two of the greatest centers in NBA history and Nerlens Noel. Not bad company.

Don't let your imagination run too far with those comparisons, though. Nerlens collected several fewer rebounds and scored half as many points per 40 as Robinson and Olajuwon did in those seasons. Noel has a long way to go before his game warrants comparison to hall of famers. Still . . . Noel is the first pick in this draft. His injury makes things awkward, but you don't pass on a player with Noel's combination of length, athleticism and evidence of putting them to use (even if only on one end of the court).

Bullets Forever:

Noel has the makings of a true defensive anchor at the next level with the ability to dominate the game in ways other than scoring. Players such as Joakim Noah, Tyson Chandler and even a modern day Kevin Garnett are irreplaceable commodities to playoff teams. They not only emerge as leaders on the court due to their smarts and hustle, but can completely change the outlook of a game based on their presence alone in the paint.

Of course, the Noel deliberation begins and ends with the ACL tear he suffered back in February. Questions about his athleticism post-injury are, of course, the hotbed of discussion, as well as taking a gamble on a 6'10 18-year-old that has dealt with two knee injuries in the span of four years. While it's foolish to compare Noel to the likes of Adrian Peterson, it's hard to ignore the advancements in medicine, along with improvements in the rehab process for ACL tears. He has only begun to scratch the surface, and for the sake of discussion, it's not hyperbolic to assume he makes up for any lost athleticism with a more refined game or a better understanding of defenses.

SBNation.com:

"225 is where I was about," said Noel on Friday at the combine. "That's where I got to in the offseason while I was at Kentucky. I'm definitely looking to get back up there and I know it won't be hard. I put on weight pretty fast."

Ridiculous Upside:

Even though Noel is lacking many pieces offensively, his defensive skills, athleticism, and wingspan (not to mention, his willingness to learn his position) make him a vital piece to any team lacking players in the frontcourt. The only glaring issues with Noel is his lack of a jumper and his continuing recovery from his ACL tear.

At the end of the day, he can be a vital asset to any team whether on the floor or coming off the bench and playing good minutes within a squad's rotation.

Orlando Pinstriped Post:

I think Noel could become much like the player Joakim Noah has become in the NBA. He's not nearly as strong as Noah and he doesn't finish through contact like Noah, but with added strength these are things that could be developed in time. Lucky for Noel, he's only 19 years old. He has plenty of time to add weight. He has plenty of time to develop offensively. He'll most likely never become a dangerous low-post threat, but if he can add a high-post game at the NBA level with his already dominant defense, then he'll be an excellent overall player for years to come.

Rufus on Fire:

Despite suffering a torn ACL injury this February, Nerlens Noel is the No. 1 pick on most draft boards. At worst, he'll be selected with the second pick, which means the Bobcats have a decent shot at landing him. Noel's 4.4 blocks per game have given way to Larry Sanders comparisons, but I prefer to call him mini-Dwight. He's not nearly as athletically overpowering as Howard was upon entering the draft, but he's darn near close. The 6'10 freshman out of Kentucky has an otherworldly 7'4 wingspan, allowing him to physically dominate his opponents on both ends of the floor. However, he's going to have add a great deal of strength if he wants to be able to bang with bigs in the NBA. And like Dwight Howard in his early years, Noel struggles to score from the low post. In the high post, though, Noel is more than adept at taking his man off the dribble and finishing explosively.

Sactown Royalty:

There isn't really a consensus No. 1 pick in this year's draft, but perhaps the closest is Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel. Noel had his season cut short after suffering a torn ACL about two-thirds the way through. Still, Noel showed enough goods and potential to warrant a top pick. Noel was one of the best shot blockers in the NCAA, nearly as good as last year's No. 1 pick, Anthony Davis. Noel reminds me a little bit of Davis, as both have a similar frame and weight. Unlike Davis, Noel's offensive game needs a lot more polish. Noel doesn't have much of a jumper at all, and his Free Throw Percentage is barely above 50 percent. Still, there is a lot to like here.

Brew Hoop:

A little hiccup in common perception is that length, not girth, might be the most valuable physical tool in a defender's arsenal, be he an interior or perimeter stopper. That's good news for Noel, whose expansive measurements are just a bit smaller than [Larry] Sanders despite being about an inch taller. Perhaps even more encouraging is that Noel averaged 1.2 fewer fouls per 40 minutes than Sanders during each's pre-draft seasons. Noel may already be more refined on defense than Sanders was coming into the league, despite his age. That he played for a very good coach at the NBA Production Facility of Kentucky can't hurt either.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Trey Burke scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 07:17:27 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Michigan point guard Trey Burke.

NAME: Trey Burke

SCHOOL: Michigan

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 20 years, seven months

POSITION: Point guard

MEASUREMENTS: 6'1, 187 pounds, 6'5.5 wingspan, 8'1.5 standing reach

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Trey Burke	39	35.3	6.6	14.4	46.3	1.9	5.1	38.4	3.4	4.3	80.1	0.5	2.6	3.2	6.7	2.2	1.6	0.5	1.9	18.6

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 56.9-percent true shooting percentage this season. Will Burke be able to sustain that at the next level?

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 6

NBA CEILING: Chris Paul

NBA FLOOR: Raymond Felton

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Trey Burke is coming off a season for the ages at Michigan. As a sophomore, he was the engine of a team that reached the NCAA championship game. He won the Wooden Award as college basketball's Player of the Year, averaging 19 points, seven assists and three rebounds a game on 46-percent shooting from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.

He might be the most complete offensive player in the draft. He can shoot from deep, get into the lane and score off the bounce, control the tempo of the game and create shots for his teammates off the drive and the pick-and-roll. There's little question that will be a good point guard in the NBA.

But can a player with his size and speed be a great one? At 6'1 in shoes and just under 190 pounds with a 6'5 wingspan, Burke is a slightly above-average athlete at the next level who will be at a size disadvantage against most starting point guards. For the most part, unless a small point guard has quickness like Tony Parker, he's unlikely to be an All-Star. Players that size have a tough time getting into the lane against longer and more athletic defenders and they have an even tougher time holding their own defensively.

One thing Burke has in common with Chris Paul, the exception that proves the rule in terms of smaller point guards, is an uncommonly long reach. That helps on both sides both of the ball, since long arms give a player a higher release point on offense and an easier time contesting shots on defense.

The key for Burke to succeed will be getting into the lane and not settling for the pull-up jumper. There aren't many players who can remain efficient while taking the least efficient shot in the game. Settling for difficult shots was a problem for Burke at Michigan, especially in Big Ten play, where he was baited into a number of sub-40-percent shooting nights. Like most small guards, he will need to figure out a way to score through the trees in the paint without taking too much of a pounding physically.

Regardless of how high his ceiling is, the team that drafts Burke should have a stable presence at the point guard position for the next decade.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

SBNation.com, Dec. 2012:

Aside from height, Burke has everything you would want in a prospect. He has long arms, quick feet and excellent end-to-end speed. He's one of the fastest players in the country and it's nearly impossible to stay in front of him in transition. At the same time, his 6'5'' wingspan allows him to play bigger than his size on both ends of the floor.

Maize N' Brew, SB Nation's Michigan blog:

The thing anyone that watches Burke loves is his drive and competitiveness. He is a gamer that doesn't back down from challenges, and will find ways to get his shot off while opening things up for the other team while doing the other little things like a well timed steal or rebound.

Of course, he also has a tendency to play hero-ball, and his isolation game might not be as effective in the NBA when he is checked by bigger, more capable defenders.

Fear the Sword:

Burke is really the only guy other than Noel that I could see going first overall. He was clearly the best player in college basketball this past season and had better than expected measurements at the combine. Some people thought he wouldn't even be 6 foot. He measured at about 6'1.5 and had a wingspan of over 6'5. That's big enough for him to be considered first overall. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Orlando Magic if they have a chance.

Canis Hoopus:

I have more reservations with Burke than I would with most players who score this highly in my models. He has a bad defensive reputation, something that is difficult to capture in the box score, is a bit too dependent on pull-up jumpers, and is smallish even for a point.

Even with that bit of negativity, Burke is clearly my favorite point guard prospect in this draft and I expect him to become a good and possibly even great NBA player. He has the quick first step and handles that, in combination with modern NBA rules, makes elite guards nearly unstoppable. He has a really nice mid-range game. He led a young team through the college tourney. He is a good prospect.

Rufus on Fire:

Trey Burke is like Kemba Walker with a better grip on passing in the pick-and-roll. In a lot of ways, he's reminiscent of this year's Rookie of the Year, Damian Lillard. He's a solid floor general with an affinity for finding open teammates. The 2013 National Player of the Year is also a great shooter and defender. He's only 6 feet tall, but his 6'5 wingspan gives him an edge on offense when he's finishing at the rim while allowing him to be a pest on defense. Burke has solid athleticism and body control, but his lack of size may hinder his effectiveness around the rim.

Ridiculous Upside:

Burke's skill set proves he could turn out to be best player to come out of this draft. He shows flashes that resemble a young Chris Paul and he shows poor choices that could have him turn into a veteran D.J. Augustin. Everything considered, Burke is still the best point guard in the draft.

He brings a complete package to the table offensively. Burke is semi-athletic, intelligent, and can score and distribute at a high volume. If he remains healthy, he's an NBA starter for the foreseeable future.

Orlando Pinstriped Post:

Burke is a smart guard who has the ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor and create for teammates with a low turnover rate. Isn't that what you want from your starting point guard? His defensive woes are there, but Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard aren't good (or even decent) defenders yet either. I imagine that, despite what his critics say, he will find a starting spot in the NBA for years to come.

Bullets Forever:

When evaluating point guards, it's essential to brood over one's ability to control the tempo, run the pick-and-roll effectively, change speeds, and shoot threes when defenders go under screens. The latter may not be as important, but it's an invaluable attribute to any offense. Point guards should not disappear in games and should be the rock of your team. Trey Burke has all of that. He has no glaring weakness and is smart enough to adjust to the professional ranks.

Sactown Royalty:

Trey Burke on the other hand, spends most of the time with the ball in his hands, and saw most of his success because of it. Burke was named Player of the Year after leading Michigan all the way to the Final Four. He was Michigan's primary scoring threat, but he was also a willing passer, as evidenced by his 37.3-persent assist rate. More impressive for how much time he had the ball in his hands is that his turnover rate is surprisingly low at just 11.9 percent. Burke actually reminds me a little bit of current Kings starting point guard Isaiah Thomas because he can score from anywhere, is devastating in the pick-and-roll, and is proven as a leader.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Cody Zeller scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 07:22:38 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Indiana big man Cody Zeller.

NAME: Cody Zeller.

SCHOOL: Indiana.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 21 years, eight months.

POSITION: Power forward.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'10.75, 230 pounds, 6'10.75 wingspan, 8'10 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Cody Zeller	36	29.5	5.5	9.8	56.4	0.0	0.1	0.0	5.4	7.2	75.7	2.8	5.2	8.0	1.3	2.3	1.0	1.3	2.2	16.5

RELEVANT "ADVANCED" STATS: 75.7% free-throw shooting percentage this season. To excel at the next level, Zeller will have to be a knock-down shooter from 15-20 feet.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 7.

NBA CEILING: David Lee.

NBA FLOOR: Tyler Zeller.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

When the season began, Cody Zeller was in the running to be the No. 1 overall pick. Instead, as often happens when highly-touted players return to school, scouts started to pick apart his weaknesses.

His last game at Indiana, where he was pushed around by the more athletic Syracuse front line in the Sweet 16 of the 2013 NCAA Tournament, didn't help. Zeller ended his college career by scoring 10 points on 3-11 shooting. He just didn't have a counter to the Orange's length and athleticism at the front of the rim.

At 7'0, 230 pounds in shoes with a 6'10.75 wingspan, Zeller doesn't have the size or length to be a starting center at the next level. The good news is that he may not have to be, though. While he played primarily on the block for the Hoosiers, he showed flashes of the skill and athleticism necessary to transition to power forward.

The key will be his mid-range jumper. He didn't take the shot very often, but his 75.7 percent free throw shooting percentage suggests he can make it. If defenses have to respect him on the perimeter, Zeller is the rare near-seven footer who can attack a close-out.

As a power forward, he would give his team a tremendous amount of size and athleticism. With another big man protecting him, his weakness on defense and the glass wouldn't be as pronounced, while his athleticism and ball-handling ability would be a major bonus.

The question is how much can you value his potential to be a face-up 4 if you never saw him do it in college. Zeller will have to significantly adjust his game to be succeed in the NBA, but a 20-year old seven-footer with his athleticism and skill should be able to figure it out.

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Crimson Quarry, SB Nation's Indiana blog:

Zeller's biggest knock is playing small despite being 7ft tall. A lot of his issues are fixable and he could actually thrive better at the pro level than college. Zeller has always been more of a face up player than back to the basket. If he can wind up with a team that has a true post and allows Zeller to play the 4 he could flourish. We didn't see a lot of it in college but Zeller can shoot. Getting into a position where he can showcase those skills doubles his potential for being a big time player.

Teams looking to draft Zeller have to ignore all the talk of him being too weak or playing too small. Will he ever compete with Dwight Howard on the baseline? Not consistently. But, he can be your Pau Gasol work 5-8 feet from the basket while contributing a couple nice post moves on a nightly basis. Zeller has the ability to compete at the next level and I think a lot of the knocks on his toughness are taken from a small sample size of one game against a physical Syracuse team.

SBNation.com, from January of 2012:

The Hoosiers' best NBA prospect, averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals on 64.3 percent shooting as a freshman. Needs to gain muscle to better hold position against 240-250 lb. centers at the next level as well as improve mid-range J. Would be a first-round pick this year, but given family history, hard to see him going pro with so much room for growth in college.

Canis Hoopus:

Zeller moves like a freakish athlete on the court, and he recently backed up this impression in the draft combine. He posted the highest no-step vertical of all participants (the highest ever recorded for a big) and outperformed anyone within 5" and 30 pounds of him in both the quickness and speed drills. Zeller also has great handles to compliment this athleticism, making him an impossible cover for most similarly-sized players. These features come through in his ability to get to the rim and the free-throw line. Zeller's freshman and sophomore seasons rank as the second- and third-highest rates of rim attempts in the past three seasons (behind only Kelly Olynyk ‘13), and he made more free throws than any other NCAA big last season. Zeller also increased his efficiency away from the rim in 2013, doubling his rate of converted mid-range shots. Developing a shooting threat will be important to Zeller's NBA success, especially at the four. There aren't many NBA bigs who will be able to keep Zeller from penetrating unless they can ignore the threat of a shot.

Fear the Sword:

Zeller is one of those guys that really benefited from the combine. He tested extremely well athletically and measured quite well too. Sam was working on placing him 5-7 spots lower than this before we found out about those numbers. It might be an overreaction on our part, but we basically determined that those numbers mean he has a great deal of untapped potential. As you know, a lot of the NBA Draft is about potential. Zeller is very skilled, apparently a lot more athletic than we thought, and still quite young. That makes him a pretty nice prospect.

Detroit Bad Boys:

When you watch Zeller, you don't see the appeal. You see him go for long stretches making no impact in any aspect of the game and when he does realize that he needs to assert himself, he does something awkward that results in him being blocked or falling weirdly. You shake your head. But you watch IU go on to win, and you check the box score and see that Zeller has 16 points on 10 shots, 8 boards, and a couple blocks, steals, and assists. Where did that come from?

Zeller's being underrated as a prospect. Indiana's record went to 10-21 and 12-20 before Zeller to 27-9 and 29-7 with him. He's not an exciting player, but he's effective.

Rufus on Fire:

Indiana's Cody Zeller is a solid offensive player with a diverse low-post repertoire. His footwork, agility and height give him more than enough tools for that to carry over to the NBA. Zeller's high motor, mobility and basketball IQ allows him to capitalize on a few easy baskets per game. His potential as a jump shooter in the NBA is solid, too. On the defensive end, Zeller is a solid pick and roll defender, using his quickness to hedge and recover on time and also generate steals. However, his lack of athleticism will likely prohibit him from ever being a true enforcer on that end.

Sactown Royalty:

Cody Zeller really helped his cause with a good combine where he measured very well athletically. He's got good size and he took advantage of all his physical gifts in college. He's perhaps the most skilled big man scorer in the draft and kind of reminds me of a shorter Brook Lopez, right down to the mediocre rebounding.

Fear The Sword (different author):

Personally, I'm not nearly as high on Zeller as many people. I'm not sure that I would feel comfortable taking him in the top ten. The athleticism problem, the strength problem, and the length problem give me pause despite his incredible production in college. I don't expect him to fall out of the top ten, but I would not want to be the general manager that selects him there. He's at least third on my list of centers after Nerlens Noel and Alex Len.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Otto Porter scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:21:33 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Georgetown forward Otto Porter.

NAME: Otto Porter

SCHOOL: Georgetown

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: Porter turned 20 on June 3.

POSITION: Small forward

MEASUREMENTS: 6'9, 198 pounds, 7'1.5 wingspan, 8'9.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Otto Porter	31	35.4	5.4	11.3	48.0	1.4	3.3	42.2	3.9	5.1	77.7	1.8	5.7	7.5	2.7	1.5	1.8	0.9	2.0	16.2

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 1.79 assist-to-turnover ratio this season. One of the many facets where Porter's feel for the game shines through.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 8

NBA CEILING: Andrei Kirilenko

NBA FLOOR: Josh Childress

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Otto Porter, one of the most versatile players in the draft, is coming off an excellent all-around season at Georgetown. As a sophomore, he lead the Hoyas in points (16.2), rebounds (7.5) and steals (1.8). He also was third in assists (2.7) and second in blocks (.9). A 6'9, 200-pound forward with a 7'2 wingspan, Porter has the ideal combination of length and athleticism for the small forward position.

But while Porter's feel for the game and high basketball IQ will allow him to be a contributor right away, there are some concerns about his ceiling, especially if he's taken in the Top 5. In college, most of his points came off post-ups and moving without the ball. He doesn't have the elite first step to beat his man off the dribble, and lacks the strength and explosiveness to finish through contact in the lane. As a result, if his jumper isn't falling, he will be relatively easy to defend.

The key for him at the next level will be putting on some weight, which will allow him to play out of the post and match up with bigger small forwards. In certain situations, Porter's length might even allow him to play as a small-ball 4.

Down the road, Porter should be extremely valuable as a versatile defender and secondary shot-creator. He may never be a star, if he's your third- or fourth-best player, you will have a really good team.

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Casual Hoya, SB Nation's Georgetown blog:

Porter's ascent from intriguing unknown to budding star was remarkable, but it may have been gradual compared to the trajectory of the past few months. With Whittington sidelined for academic reasons, the Hoyas were short-handed, offensively anemic, and thin on the wing. Porter filled all of those holes, somehow contributing more while doing so more efficiently. Otto turned in one sterling performance after another during an 11-game Georgetown winning streak that resulted in the Hoyas being crowned Big East regular season champions. That streak included typically Porterian clinics on maximizing opportunity (19 points on 10 shots in a must-win game at Notre Dame to begin the streak; 20 on 9 in a trouncing of Seton Hall). He also put on a two-way show of excellence, dominating the defensive end and the boards while scoring in the clutch in two wins over the hapless (and, as later revealed, ball-dodging) Rutgers.

Otto's masterpiece was reserved for Georgetown's arch-rival, Syracuse. In the Hoyas' last visit to the Carrier Dome, Porter poured in 33 of Georgetown's 57 points in a thrilling, record-crowd-silencing win for the visiting Hoyas. With that unforgettable performance, Porter wrote his name in the book of an already historic rivalry. Suddenly, Otto was no longer the small-town wonder, or the selfless and seamless contributor, but the limitless star. An impeccable defender, surprisingly effective rebounder, and rapidly improving shooter, Otto proved that he also could bear the weight of an entire team on his narrow frame. Four nights after his signature game at Syracuse, Otto's last-second, game-winning lay-in at Connecticut further cemented his national reputation. At season's end, Porter racked up a series of deserved accolades: Big East Player of the Year, All-American, and surefire lottery pick. The last made his departure from the Hilltop a near certainty, and Otto announced his professional intentions in mid-April.

Bullets Forever:

Otto proved his worth as a jack of all trades player, using his well-rounded game to dominate in areas other than scoring. He can be your secondary facilitator in halfcourt sets, he'll keep his motor running at all times, and he'll play sound defense. But despite the elasticity in his game, detractors still fear his lack of an elite skill and limited athleticism will hurt him in the long run.

Personally, that reeks of an absurd narrative that's constantly brought up during this time. The draft paradigm is far too complex for one to be helplessly allocating prospects into specific molds.

The league is constantly evolving, and stylistically speaking, there isn't a more compelling talent than Otto Porter. The mismatches he creates along the perimeter and high post would mobilize a world of opportunity for head coaches, and his defensive impact would do the same. His understanding of the game and physical gifts allows him to play in multiple systems, which gives him a leg up over most inferior forwards he's oft placed in proximity to.

Canis Hoopus:

He can shoot, pass, rebound, and defend. He has great size for a small forward with 7'1.5" arms. He carried a team that was supposed to have a down year to a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. He put on numerous dominating performances including a 33, 8, and 5 (stls) game against Syracuse, a 28, 8 and 4 (stls) game against Rutgers, a 4X5 against UCLA (only two steals away from a 5X5), and 5 additional double-doubles all in 2013. Porter's sophomore campaign was dominating enough to leave no question that he is a top-3 pick.

As much as I like Porter, there are some causes for concern. Most future stars hit the ground running, but Porter looked pedestrian throughout his freshman season. Even after Porter took the reins in his sophomore year, he still did not post the usage and related scoring volume you expect of a future star against college competition. This is likely a function of his poor penetration ability. He only got to the rim 2.6 times every 40 minutes and usually got there with the help of an assist. This did not really hurt his efficiency in college but it could be a problem in the NBA. This means that Porter's shot needs to continue to fall at the next level in order to contribute offensively.

Bright Side of the Sun:

Porter is one of the most productive and less risky picks in this years draft. H's a very good shooter/rebounder and an excellent perimeter defender who can utilize his length to disrupt the offense. He is also a very good and willing passer and he can create his own shot off the dribble. However, with less risk comes less reward. I see Porter as a quality starter at best or a productive role player at worst...but I don't see him turning into an all-star caliber player at the next level. He doesn't possess elite athleticism or seem to have a killer instinct that often separates the cream from the crop.

Rufus on Fire:

Otto Porter, who is 6'8" with a 7'1" wingspan, has more than enough size to step into the small forward position in the NBA. Porter has solid athleticism, a knack for scoring around the rim and shooting range that has improved to outside the arc. The Georgetown sophomore plays within himself, moving well without the ball while proving to be a very willing passer. On defense, Porter's length gives him a heady advantage over his opponents but he's going to have to add some muscle on that 200 pound frame if he wants that to carry over into the NBA. Porter may not carry the gifts of other-worldly athleticism, but his physical tools and work ethic should earn him a good career.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Victor Oladipo scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:24:49 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Indiana shooting guard Victor Oladipo.

NAME: Victor Oladipo

SCHOOL: Indiana

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 21 years, one month

POSITION: Shooting guard

MEASUREMENTS: 6'4, 213 pounds, 6'9.25 wingspan, 8'4.5 standing reach

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Victor Oladipo	36	28.4	5.1	8.4	59.9	0.8	1.9	44.1	2.7	3.6	74.6	2.6	3.7	6.3	2.1	2.3	2.2	0.8	2.5	13.6

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: With a 2.8 block percentage, Oladipo has the highest block percentage of any guard in this draft.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 9

NBA CEILING: Andre Iguodala

NBA FLOOR: Avery Bradley

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Victor Oladipo is the poster child for how much a player can develop in college. If he had declared for the draft last season, he would have been a fringe first-round prospect. As a junior, he transformed his game, adding an outside shot and assuming a far bigger role in the Indiana offense. This season, he averaged 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals a game on 60 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range and 75 percent from the free throw line.

At 6'4 and 215 pounds with a 6'9 wingspan, he has the length and athleticism to match up with both backcourt positions. The rare young perimeter player who takes pride in his defense, Oladipo could be an All-Defensive team selection relatively early in his career.

His upside will depend on his offensive game. While he has made tremendous strides on that side of the ball, he's still fairly unrefined as a playmaker off the dribble. His jumper has become more effective, but he still only took 1.9 3-pointers a game this season.

Given how much he improved in the last season, it's hard to put a ceiling for how good he can become, although few guards develop into a first option once they get to the NBA. Oladipo's ability to impact every facet of the game will make him a valuable piece for any team. As an elite athlete with a high motor who plays with a ton of polish, he is one of the safest picks in the lottery.

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Canis Hoopus:

The way Oladipo scores makes him a particularly exciting prospect. He gets to the rim eight times every 40 minutes. Tony Wroten is the only guard with a higher rate in the past three years. He isn't dependent on others to get there either as he is only assisted on 38 percent of his makes.

The biggest question mark with Oladipo is his shooting. It seems weird to worry about the shooting of a guy who just posted 43 percent from three, but as I noted above, shooting can be very noisy and Dipo has two previous years of miserable shooting casting their shadow on his 2013 success. Across his freshman and sophomore seasons, Oladipo shot 24 percent from three and 24 percent on mid-range jumpers. The narrative is that he worked hard to improve his shot during the offseason and the diligence paid off ... but that is always the narrative. Oladipo deserves early lottery consideration regardless of how real his recent sniping is, but if scouts can say he really has figured out how to shoot he should be a lock for the top three.

Fear the Sword:

Defending is where Oladipo is strongest right now. He uses his superior gifts and hellacious motor to deflect and defend anything that comes his way. In a game against Green Bay this season, Oladipo had 22 deflections, which the most that Tom Crean has observed since Dwyane Wade suited up for his Marquette teams. This lines up with his Big Ten leading 2.2 steals per game, along with nearly a block per game. He has quick feet to go along with his hands, making him a tough matchup for any opponent. Nearly impossible to get by, Oladipo is a defensive dynamo that truly has potential to be the among the best wing perimeter defenders in the NBA.

Bright Side of the Sun:

Victor Oladipo is as close to the total package as a shooting guard as I have seen in many years. He's explosive, ultra-athletic, a lock-down perimeter defender, and a very good rebounder. He also has the highest motor of any prospect, and is the clutchest as well. In fact, the only things I can legitimately list as weaknesses are his passing, which still isn't bad, and his jump shooting, which he improved considerably this season and turned into one of his strengths in my opinion. The only player I would strongly consider taking over Oladipo is Noel, and even then, I can't say I'm 100 percent on board with that decision. V.O. has been shooting up the mocks lately, and deservedly so. My fear is that he may already be gone by the time the Suns pick if Phoenix doesn't end up drafting in the top three.

Orlando Pinstriped Post:

As far as comparisons go, some analysts, including ESPN's Chad Ford, say that Oladipo has a little Dwyane Wade in him. I don't really see that comparison, as Wade's range of scoring when he was at Marquette far exceeds Oladipo's. Oladipo reminds me more of Tony Allen. Both are active defensive stoppers who thrive on the offensive glass. However, Oladipo's 44.1-percent shooting from downtown is much better than Allen ever had at Oklahoma State.

Oladipo isn't going to be a star in the league but he has the potential to become one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders. And his continuing progress on the offensive end has to excite whatever team decides to select him. He's a hard-working player with explosive athleticism and a willingness to improve his game.

Detroit Bad Boys:

What made Oladipo a good player wasn't his offense. It was his energy and ability to shut guys down. He has the potential to be the best perimeter in the league. His offense, I don't know. I don't think he'll be able to hit the NBA three ball his first few years in the league. But if he can, or if he can learn to, he'll be fantastic.

Rufus on Fire:

If not for Nerlens Noel, Oladipo would be the most exciting player in this year's draft. He's an explosive and creative finisher around the rim, making him deadly in transition and off-ball cuts. However, his ball-handling is rather weak, making him both ineffective and turnover-prone when he takes it to the rim in half-court sets. Oladipo, whose jumper was nothing if not completely broken in his sophomore year (20.8-percent shooting from beyond the arc), has markedly improved his shooting from beyond the arc shooting 44 percent this year. The defensive end is where Oladipo will find his place in the NBA, though. The 6'5 shooting guard has 215-pound frame and terrorizes his opponents with a style that is reminiscent of Tony Allen's.

Bullets Forever:

Whichever team drafts Oladipo can be certain it is getting at minimum a lock-down perimeter defender than can contribute immediately off the bench. That may seem like a low bar for a high lottery pick, but Oladipo's floor is actually relatively high in an era when lottery picks routinely bust (a fact Wizards fans are all too aware).

Oladipo also has a pretty high ceiling, though it's doubtful he'll ever be a "franchise" type player. At his best, Oladipo will be an All-NBA defender who wreaks havoc out on the break, cutting to the basket, and spotting up for corner threes. He will probably never be a go-to scorer or a player who initiates offense, but he could end up as a shorter version of Shawn Marion.

At the Hive:

Victor Oladipo, winner of the Sporting News Player of the Year and the NABC Defensive Player of the Year, is one of the top talents in the upcoming NBA draft. However, there remain several concerns that demonstrate, offensively, he isn't nearly as polished as say Otto Porter or Trey Burke.

First, many wonder whether his efficient production is sustainable. It's already been mentioned above the dramatic improvement he displayed from his sophomore to junior season. However, few fail to take into account a decline in many of his numbers through the course of his breakout season, when the schedule usually strengthens:

Rufus on Fire (different author):

He's also notorious for being a gym rat. That's a common tag attached to many prospects and in turn it's difficult to determine who the hardest workers actually are. Well, Oladipo is among the hardest workers in this year's NBA Draft. After barely missing what seemed like an impossible alley-oop, Oladipo told reporters that he needed to do more squats. He wasn't joking.

And that's the thing about Oladipo. He works hard and the results of his hard work are apparent, but his improvement almost seems too good to be true. He shot just 20.8 percent from behind the 3-point line during his sophomore year. His 3-point field goal percentage shot up over 20 percentage points in one season. He did average 1.9 attempts per game, however, and it's no secret that Oladipo worked on his shot. But a 20 percent increase in one season? Seems fishy to me.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Tony Mitchell scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:34:25 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about North Texas forward Tony Mitchell.

NAME: Tony Mitchell.

SCHOOL: North Texas.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 21 years, two months.

POSITION: Power forward.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'9, 236 pounds, 7'2.5 wingspan, 8'10.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Tony Mitchell	32	32.4	4.4	9.9	44.0	0.9	3.1	30.0	3.3	4.9	67.5	2.4	6.1	8.5	0.8	2.4	1.0	2.7	2.9	13.0

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 8.5% block percentage this season. That's better than most centers.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 10.

NBA CEILING: Kawhi Leonard.

NBA FLOOR: Luc Richard Mbah A Moute.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Tony Mitchell, a Top 15 recruit in the Class of 2010, wound up at North Texas due to academic issues. After taking a redshirt season, he emerged as one of the best players in the country in 2011-12, leading the Mean Green to the Sun Belt Conference championship game.

He returned as a redshirt sophomore, but injuries and a coaching change sank UNT's season. Mitchell's numbers were down across the board, as he averaged 13 points, 8.5 rebounds and three blocks on just 44-percent shooting.

At 6'9 and 235 pounds with a 7'2 wingspan and a 38' max vertical, Mitchell is one of the biggest and most athletic players in the draft.

Mitchell has the size of a power forward and the athleticism of a shooting guard, making him an interesting prospect. Every NBA team needs size, skill and athleticism upfront, and Mitchell has those qualities in spades. At the very least, he's an extremely intriguing defensive prospect who should thrive alongside a high-level point guard.

Mitchell has as much pure talent as anyone in this draft. The challenge for NBA teams will be figuring out how much of that talent was obscured by his situation in college and whether it can be unleashed in the right system at the next level.

More than anyone else, Mitchell could be the Paul George of this year's draft class.

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Celtics Blog:

He was easily the best power forward at the combine, performing well in both the basketball and athletic drills. He ran the floor extremely well and finished with power at the rim. At one point, he put down a windmill dunk running end-to-end while his counterparts were barely getting the ball over the rim on their finishes. Like Thomas, he's a little bit of a tweener, but plays like a power forward. However, he measured at only 6'7.5 without shoes. In all of the other testing though, Mitchell wowed. His wingspan to height ratio was one of the highest at the combine, just behind Schroeder's. He also led all frontcourt players with a 38-inch max vertical.

Posting and Toasting:

Mitchell is an imposing presence on offense who is a true inside/outside threat. He can score with jumpers in the face-up game, or he could power his way by you off the bounce. Mitchell isn't a real back-to-the-basket threat, but he is an excellent finisher around the rim. It's tough to gauge exactly how much of this you can attribute to the weaker competition he went up against (North Texas didn't really play anybody: Virginia? Creighton? Saint Louis?) and even against weaker teams in conference, Mitchell disappeared at times.

But there is no denying the guy can score inside and outside. He averaged 14.7 points as a freshman on an absurd 56% shooting from the field (including 43.9% from three). He opted to stay in school for his sophomore year, and he regressed across the board. Scoring was down (13), shooting percentages down (44%/30%/67%), his assist numbers were cut in half. He was taking more shots, but he only averaged one more shot a game on the season. He has put the decline on a lack of effort playing for a bad team, so you wonder if a change of environment is what the kid means.

Blog a Bull:

His combination of physique, athleticism and physical impact is reminiscent of Derrick Favors, Kenneth Faried, Josh Smith or Amar'e Stoudemire, which makes him one of the more enticing players in the entire draft.

Several problems. The first is that Mitchell simply fell apart this year. Scouts noted that he failed to exert any effort during many of his games, something he himself has corroborated in draft/combine interviews. The putative reason for this collapse was a disastrous coaching change, a theory which gains credence from the fact that the entire team appears to have fallen apart right along with Mitchell. Even if you accept that as a plausible excuse, I don't think it is out of line to wonder about the mental toughness, professionalism and commitment of someone who lets himself be taken down by such circumstances. Pro athletes need to be focused, solid, unwavering, which is why David Foster Wallace once said they are like modern monks, albeit less sexually active.

The other problem with Mitchell is poor quality of competition. I count only four decent teams he faced during his two years in college (Creighton, Lehigh, UVA, Saint Louis). The good news is he did really, really well against these teams. And what is even more interesting is all of these games took place this year, when Mitchell otherwise imploded statistically.

Bullets Forever:

Mitchell is as athletic as they come and warrants serious consideration with any pick outside of the top 15. That said, there's a difference between considering someone and actually pulling the trigger on draft day.

Small-ball power forwards are all the rage these days and Mitchell has the physical tools to guard almost every single one of them. Unfortunately, Mitchell appears to be more concerned with making plays in the paint than he is with preventing them from developing.

Orlando Pinstriped Post:

The fundamentals aren't there yet. And neither is the consistent effort needed to be a defensive player in the NBA. I got a chance to watch him live a couple of times in his collegiate career and it was always disappointing to see how he could have dominated the Sun Belt but didn't. He was obviously the most talented, most physically dominant player in the conference but never asserted himself with the type of effort that one would like to see.

It is concerning for scouts how badly Mitchell's numbers dropped off in his sophomore season. He dropped in points, rebounds, blocks, and assists while becoming drastically less efficient. The Mean Green as a whole disappointed this past season by finishing 12-20 overall after making the conference championship in the previous year. The program went through a coaching change and that could be one of the reasons for Mitchell's head-scratching decline in his sophomore season.

After his freshman year, he was touted as a lottery pick with top-10 potential and that potential is still there. But with how bad his sophomore season ended, he could theoretically drop to the Magic at No. 51, though that'd probably be a far decline. Mitchell needs coaching. He needs motivation. If a coach could tap into that potential, he could be one of the gems in the draft.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Giannis Adetokoubo scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:54:12 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Giannis Adetokoubo, a Greek citizen whose parents left Nigeria when they were younger.

NAME: Giannis Adetokoubo

PRO TEAM: Zaragoza (Spain)

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 18 years, six months

POSITION: Power forward

MEASUREMENTS: 6'9, 196 pounds, 7'3 wingspan

STATS (for Filathlitikos AO, a second-division Greek team): 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 46.4 percent from the field, 31 percent from three-point range

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 11

NBA CEILING: Scottie Pippen (Please take this with a grain of salt. There's no way to know right now.)

NBA FLOOR: Thabo Sefolosha

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Giannis Adetokoubo is an 18-year old from Greece (his family is originally from Nigeria) on a second-division team. He hasn't competed for his national team and he didn't go to the Hoop Summit or the Combine.

There isn't all that much to evaluate him on, which may be part of the plan. All signs point to a team trying to sneak him through the draft, and he has reportedly received at least one first-round promise.

The son of Nigerian refugees who never became Greek citizens, Adetokoubo was discovered when a club team coach spotted him at a local park.

An athletic 6'9, 200-pound forward with a 7'3 wingspan, he will be one of the longest perimeter players in the NBA. He will need to add some weight, but given his youth and relatively undeveloped frame, that shouldn't be much of an issue.

Adetokoubo is a wing, but he moonlights as a point guard on the club's U-18 team. While the level of competition isn't great, his ability to pass the bass and control the tempo of the game is stunning. There aren't many players with a 7'3 wingspan who can have offense run through them.

He is more of a role player on the senior team, but the playmaking is still there. He is third on the team in assists and he has shooting percentages of 62 from two-point range, 31 from three-point range and 72 from the free-throw line, impressive considering the age gap.

Realistically, he's at least two years away from coming over. He will play in Spain next season. If Greece is A or AA ball, Spain is AAA. At that point, when he is a 20- or 21-year old with years of competition against high-level talent under his best, gauging his ceiling will be easier.

He may top out as a secondary ball-handler and an extremely long 3+D wing, but that's still worth a high pick for a team that can wait.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS:

SBNation.com:

Adetokoubo likes to finish around the rim and hasn't quite settled into a solid outside shot. He was just 31-for-99 from the three-point line this past season, but still shot 62.1 percent for two-point field-goals. He is one of the more raw international prospects in the draft but has his fundamentals firmly in place for the NBA. Scouts are impressed by his speed and his ability to seemingly play every position on the floor. Whether or not Adetokoubo is able to still perform like that against the top talent in the world is the big question in taking a gamble on him.

Nets Daily:

Adetokoubo plays small forward for the fourth division in Greece, so the talent level doesn't translate to the pros, but as stated before, the tools are there. Adetokoubo is capable of playing any position on the floor; with his big hands he can bring up the ball, or take it down to the post and let his long arms get past his defender. Adetokoubo has grown a little more than three inches after recently turning 18, per DraftExpress.com, so he may continue to grow. With youth and potential, Adetokoubo could be a part of the Nets future, with his skillset, but is he worth the risk when roles need to be filled now? That is the burning question with him.

Sactown Royalty:

Adetokoubo is all about the "what if." His physical measurements are off the charts, with monster hands and great size. Adetokoubo recently grew several inches to his current height, so he's spent most of his time playing as a guard. He's got good ballhandling and passing skills, and a high basketball IQ. He's not an explosive leaper, but he's got good body control and finishes around the basket at a high rate. His outside shot is a work in progress.

Adetokoubo has a lot of potential on the defensive side of the ball. He isn't a shut-down defender yet, but he has the tools to one day be, and good instincts on that end. He's also an excellent rebounder.

Editor's Note: An original version of this profile said Adetokoubo was originally from Nigeria. His parents were Nigerian and left before he was born. We regret the error.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Dennis Schroeder scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 22:47:29 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about German point guard Dennis Schroeder.

NAME: Dennis Schroeder.

PRO TEAM: New Yorker Phantoms (Germany).

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 19 years, nine months.

POSITION: Point guard.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'2, 165 pounds, 6'7.75 wingspan, 8'2 standing reach.

RELEVANT STAT: 40.2% from three this season. Very few guards with Schroeder's athletic ability are also knockdown shooters.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 12.

NBA CEILING: Jrue Holiday.

NBA FLOOR: Rodrigue Beaubois.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Dennis Schroeder was on the bubble as to whether he would stay in the draft, but a standout showing at the Nike Hoop Summit made the decision for him. Schroeder had 18 points and six assists, leading the World Team to a 112-98 win.

He played in Germany this season, averaging 12 points, three assists and two rebounds on 43 percent shooting. Those are good numbers for a 19-year old playing against grown men, although the German League isn't the highest level of competition in Europe.

An extremely athletic 6'2, 170-pound guard with a 6'7 wingspan, Schroeder has as much physical upside as any point guard in this draft. His combination of size and speed was too much for the American guards in Portland.

The jump shot is the most encouraging thing in his statistical profile. He shot 40 percent from three-point range on three attempts a game this season. Few guards with his ability to get into the lane have that much range on their jumper, especially early in their careers.

The question with Schroeder is whether he will be able to step in right away and run an NBA offense. He's still growing into a playmaking role, as he averaged less than one assist a game two seasons ago. Given his age and experience, he may need a few years before getting to the next level.

In a best-case scenario, a team with the patience to develop him could wind up with an All-Star caliber point guard by the end of his rookie deal, when he will be only 23.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

SBNation.com:

Playing time is hardly guaranteed for even the most promising young players in Europe, but Schroeder's talent quickly proved too dynamic to keep him tied to the bench. In his first season with the New Yorker Phantoms, Schroeder averaged just eight minutes per game, posting 2.3 points, 0.7 assists and 0.8 rebounds per contest. This past season is when he really started to spread his wings.

Schroeder's playing time jumped to 25 minutes per game this season, and results followed. Schroeder averaged 12.0 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game, which included three 20-point efforts. He posted a 36-point game against Oldenburg playing for B-league team SU Medien in late November that included 5-of-11 shooting from three-point range.

Just don't confuse his willingness to compare himself to Rajon Rondo with an inability to shoot. He shot 40.2 percent on three-pointers this season and hit 84 percent of his free throws. Still, much like many of the prospects at the combine, Schroeder was quick to point out one of the biggest challenges he'll face at the next level is the NBA's extended three-point line.

Schroeder says he has been shooting 150-200 extra jumpers at the end of every practice and is focused on extending his range. He's starting from mid-range and working his way out.

Sactown Royalty:

Dennis Schröder is one of the most intriguing prospects, not just internationally, but in the whole draft. Schröder is a prototypical pass first Point Guard with very good athleticism to boot. While his assist numbers don't look overly impressive, keep in mind that assists are awarded far less often in Europe. For example Ricky Rubio only averaged 3.6 assists per game in his last season abroad. Now I'm not saying Schröder is as good of a passer as Rubio (he's not), but he's still quite good in that area, especially out of the Pick and Roll.

Schröder has also shown a lot of improvement on his outside shot as the year progressed.DraftExpress notes in their scouting report that as of April 23rd, he was shooting a ridiculous 53% of his catch and shoot jumpers. He does most of his offensive damage with his jumpers, as he struggles to finish around the rim, something that will need to improve considering how easily he can get to the rim with his quickness and ball-handling.

Along with his basketball skill, Schröder is blessed with excellent athleticism and a solid frame. At 6'2 he's not the tallest Point Guard, but he's got a 6'7 wingspan which helps with pressuring opposing guards.

Schröder is not without his weaknesses. He's a bit turnover prone, and as mentioned earlier struggles around the basket. He'll also need to bulk up a little bit to handle the rigors of the NBA.

Ridiculous Upside:

From a scouting standpoint, the tools are there even if unpolished at times (his 2.3 turnovers per game are the red flag at this stage of his development). Schroeder's quickness in the open floor has already been noted, and his overall athletic ability is highlighted on drives to the hoop and handling the ball even in pressure situations. He's also worked diligently in getting his jump shot off after penetrating and knocking down open looks from beyond the arc.

Fearless; Schroeder may be small in stature but he is big on confidence in taking the ball into the paint and attacking. He also possesses a finesse game and is mastering avoiding falls with a long-step to the rim for layups. Yet what makes Schroeder such a find is the knack for knowing when to switch speeds and utilizing his explosiveness. Yes, Schroeder's decision making needs to get better and should be a focus going forward. Because at 19-years old, you can imagine it can be difficult trying to get a ultra-talented kid to tone down the need for highlight reel passes and drives. At times, passes can be forced. Others, teammates may not be able to handle the bullet pass. But the more experience Schroeder gains, the more he will learn how to control and master that part of his game. It will take time.

On the defensive end, there are both positives and negatives. The bad: upper body strength just isn't there yet. Bigger opponents can be hard to handle, particularly off of the ball. The good: he will not let up with his on the ball defense. Schroeder's quickness and wingspan at times make it easier to overlook the weaker parts of his defensive game.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Gorgui Dieng scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:55:05 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Louisville big man Gorgui Dieng.

NAME: Gorgui Dieng.

SCHOOL: Louisville.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 23 years, five months.

POSITION: Center.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'11, 230 pounds, 7'3.5 wingspan, 9'3.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Gorgui Dieng	33	31.1	3.8	7.1	53.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.2	3.4	65.2	3.4	6.0	9.4	2.0	1.8	1.3	2.5	2.6	9.8

RELEVANT ADVANCED STAT: 22.1 defensive-rebounding percentage. Dieng is one of the only centers in this draft with the frame to hold his own on the defensive glass as a rookie.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 13.

NBA CEILING: Emeka Okafor.

NBA FLOOR: Nazr Mohammed.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

There are a lot of raw 6'10+ African centers in college basketball who don't know how to play. Gorgui Dieng is the player their coaches are hoping they become. A native of Senegal who came to the U.S. as a 16-year-old, Dieng was a two-star recruit in high school. He leaves college as the defensive anchor of a national championship team, averaging ten points, nine rebounds and 2.5 blocks on 53 percent shooting.

At 6'11 and 230 pounds with a 7'4 wingspan, Dieng has the length and athleticism to make up for being slightly undersized for a center. He's not an elite athlete, but he is an above-the-rim presence who will alter and block shots at the next level.

His offensive game is what makes him intriguing. While he will never be a post presence at the next level, he is a consistent mid-range shooter who had to be defended out to 15 feet and beyond. He has also become an excellent passer, with two assists a game. In the Big East championship game, he racked up eight assists against Syracuse's vaunted 2-3 zone.

Better yet, big men with that type of feel for the game are rarely as good defensively as Dieng. Every team in the NBA can use a two-way center with the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball.

Here are more thoughts on Dieng from earlier in the season.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS:

Card Chronicle, SB Nation's Louisville blog:

The above would be the undisputed way of the sports world were it not for athletes like Gorgui Dieng. I only say that I've met and spoken with him multiple times in order to put weight behind these words: He is the genuine article. The quotes you hear, the comments you read, the actions you see, that's him.

Cardinal fans have celebrated the Senior Days of former players with tremendous talent, work ethic, intelligence, character and humility, but I'm not sure they've ever bid farewell to one with this type of combination of all those traits.

Louisville's most interesting man will be celebrated, and eventually missed, more than any of us could have envisioned three autumns ago.

Canis Hoopus:

Dieng posted two seasons of great D-ASPM and has the reputation to go with it. He may have a future as a defensive focused +/- favorite similar to Ekpe Udoh. He also may not be very good.

Blog a Bull:

Dieng is at least okay at pretty much everything. Most people are familiar with his strong reputation as a passer, but he is also surprisingly good at creating shots for himself at the rim, albeit at low volume. In this draft only Mike Muscala needed less help getting to the rim (51% of Dieng's points at the rim were assisted-- average for a center is 59%).

It is a point which has already been made by many others, but Dieng's age and well rounded statistical profile remind me of Ekpe Udoh.

Some will regard this comparison as a criticism since Udoh's conventional numbers as a pro have not been impressive. But he is a solid bench big and has been something of a plus-minus All-Star. There is some evidence that Dieng too brought more to the table in college than his boxscore numbers would suggest: while Dieng was only 135th in the NCAA in PER in 2013, he was 9th in statistical plus-minus.

Fear the Sword:

I'm very high on Dieng and think that he's a rotation player in the NBA right now. While he doesn't have the agility or hops of a Nerlens Noel, he does have the same high-level instincts that elite defensive players do. If he can just get a little bit stronger, he could be an excellent NBA defender for a decade in the NBA. I'd happily take him at the end of the lottery and take at worst a solid defender off the bench. With his high post offense and solid all-around defensive game, he has potential to become a Marc Gasol -lite type of player. I think he ends up turning into a solid, top-15-20 center in the NBA.

Celtics Blog:

At 23 years old, some feel that Dieng is nearing his peak, but there is no reason to believe that's the case. Dieng has made significant progress in his game since arriving he arrived at Louisville and he has proven that he is willing to improve the weak facets of his game. He has a solid five years before he reaches his prime at age 28 or 29, giving him an amplitude of time to maximize his untapped potential.

Dieng might forever be destined to be a role player in the NBA, but that is not to say he won't be a difference maker on a team. He has the upside to be a lockdown defender and can do what you need him to do offensively, either as the 3rd or 4th option on the floor. Gorgui Dieng is a high character individual that has proven he is willing to learn and take his game to the next level.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Allen Crabbe scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 02:00:56 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about California shooting guard Allen Crabbe.

NAME: Allen Crabbe

SCHOOL: California

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 21 years, 2 months

POSITION: Shooting guard

MEASUREMENTS: 6'6, 197 pounds, 6'11.25 wingspan, 8'7.5 standing reach

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Allen Crabbe	33	36.2	6.5	14.2	45.9	1.9	5.6	34.8	3.4	4.2	81.3	1.0	5.1	6.1	2.6	2.5	1.1	0.7	2.1	18.4

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 56.8 percent true shooting percentage this season. Could Crabbe be a more efficient shooter at the next level when he's no longer the focus of opposing defenses?

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 14.

NBA CEILING: Rip Hamilton

NBA FLOOR: Marco Belinelli

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

When he went to college, Allen Crabbe was merely a pure shooter. Over the last three seasons, he has gradually expanded his game to become a fairly complete player. Cal's first option almost by default, he rarely got open looks at the basket. Instead, he had to learn how to use the threat of his jumper to open up the game for himself and his teammates.

This season, Crabbe was the Pac-12 Player of the Year, averaging 18.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game on 45-percent shooting from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range and 81 percent from the free throw line. Without another legitimate NBA prospect on his team, he carried the Bears to a Round of 32 appearance in the NCAA tournament.

At 6'6 and 200 pounds with a 6'11 wingspan, Crabbe has exceptional length for a guard. With a release point of nearly 7'0, he can shoot over the top of almost anyone defending him. That length will make him at least passable defensively while also letting him slide down to the three on occasion.

Where he really separates himself from other shooting guard prospects is his ability to play off the ball. Most of Cal's offense came from the defensive attention Crabbe demanded coming off screens. He knows how to curl off picks and attack the basket, and he can find the open man when he draws help.

At the next level, when Crabbe will no longer be the focus of defenses, he could be an even more efficient player. He's not a guard you isolate at the top of the key and expect to draw a double team, but he would be an excellent backcourt partner for a ball-dominant point guard.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS:

Cal Golden Blogs, SB Nation's California blog:

Allen Crabbe will and should go pro. Unfortunately, I don't see him developing much with one more year in college, so I think he should go and get credit for his "potential." I do think he will be a solid NBA rotation player for a few years, as he provides good shooting and rebounding, along with average (at worst) defense. Things holding him back for the next level: ball-handling, post-up game, and passing. He's a pure 2 guard so I'm not expecting him to handle the ball full time, but it would be great to see him attack off the dribble more. In addition, he could have compensated for his lack of ball handling by posting up more, using his length/height. Shame he didn't develop that part of his game.

Bullets Forever:

Crabbe has the elusive "elite skill" that so many people harp on with draft prospects. Clearly, his increased role as the primary option at Cal got the better of him on a number of occasions, but as his role abridges in the NBA, we'll begin to see Crabbe carve out a niche on a playoff team within the next two or three years. There will be a learning curve immediately and he may not see much playing time as a rookie due to his defensive frailties, so it's important to stay patient with him as he gets acclimated.

Blog a Bull:

Maybe Crabbe becomes a "poor man's" Klay Thompson? I really dislike that kind of analysis. First, there's the obvious point that there is no player in the NBA named "Poor Man's Klay Thompson," so instead of doing the hard work and telling me what a player is this instead tells me what a player isn't (namely, Klay Thompson). Secondly, I am not entirely sure what a poor man's version of a 12.7 PER player looks like, but that is not exactly a ringing endorsement. Maybe Chase Budinger is the better comparison. Their junior year numbers are very similar, though Budinger's are a little better almost across the board. That's a solid player.

A final note about scoring styles. Crabbe is notable for being a Rip Hamilton style of shooter, someone who attacks defenses by running around screens all day. Something I realized this year: you have to be amazing at that style of scoring to make it worthwhile. Otherwise it just chews up way too much time and energy every possession trying to get the guy open for what is often one of the least efficient shots in the game (mid-range jumper).

Cal Golden Blogs (different author):

I've heard chatter that some scouts are downgrading Crabbe for his body language. I think that's overblown. Yes, he does get down on himself when things aren't going well. And, he will lose focus defensively at times. But that doesn't make him a bad teammate or a player who isn't trying to help his team win. There's also a knock on him for being too passive or letting other teams take him out of the game. I see it more that he's an unselfish player who generally plays within himself. He's not good at taking people off the dribble or trying to create his own shot. Being "aggressive" and forcing up bad shots just to shoot it isn't his game. I can respect that he doesn't chase numbers by trying to play hero ball.

Liberty Ballers:

Crabbe is primarily a catch and shoot jump shooter, and a very good one at that, but he has worked this year to develop more off the dribble, and even getting to the line with some regularity now. He's not particularly great creating off the dribble, but he's improved just enough that he's able to make defenders pay with overaggressive close-outs. With solid length, strength, and defense, he's somebody to potentially target early in the second round.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 22:46:02 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Georgia swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

NAME: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

SCHOOL: Georgia.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 20 years, four months.

POSITION: Shooting guard.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'5, 204 pounds, 6'8 wingspan, 8'4.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope	32	33.9	5.8	13.4	43.3	2.6	7.0	37.3	4.2	5.3	79.9	1.2	5.9	7.1	1.8	2.0	2.0	0.5	2.2	18.5

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 19.7 defensive rebounding percentage. Not many shooting guards have the size and athleticism to be such a factor on the glass.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 15.

NBA CEILING: Arron Afflalo.

NBA FLOOR: Shannon Brown.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a McDonald's All-American who was a Top-15 recruit in the class of 2011, so he has been on NBA radars since high school. However, after not making the postseason in two years at Georgia, he is one of the most anonymous prospects in this year's draft.

He had an inconsistent freshman season, but returned as one of the best players in the SEC as a sophomore. Despite being the only consistent threat on the Bulldogs roster, Caldwell-Pope averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals while shooting 44 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free-throw line.

At 6'5 and 205 pounds with a 6'8 wingspan, Caldwell-Pope has prototypical size for a shooting guard. His max vertical of 34.5 inches was a little underwhelming at the 2013 NBA Draft Combine, but he was consistently one of the best athletes on the court in college, delivering more than his fair share of above-the-rim highlights.

Given the lack of talent around him in college, his offensive potential at the next level is a little unclear. He fell in love with his jumper at times, but there weren't many driving lanes to the rim, especially since defenses could mark him all over the court.

The good news is that he'll be more prepared defensively than most prospects, since Georgia couldn't afford to play lax on that end this season. When they were winning games, they were grinding out 55-50 rock fights.

Either way, his combination of size, athleticism and shooting ability makes him one of the safer picks in this year's draft. At worst, Caldwell-Pope should have a long career as a two-way shooting guard and secondary playmaker in a backcourt.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

Celtics Blog:

Like Paul George in the 2010 combine, Caldwell-Pope just looked like a prototypical shooting guard. On the surface, he fits the mold really well and when you look at his skills, it's transparent why. At Georgia, he was asked to do a lot and might have been stretched a little thin. But he is a good scorer and his one special skill that will translate well to the next level is his shooting. In the shooting drills, the ball came out of his hands quick and smooth, even after extending his range to the NBA 3-point line. It's hard to think he won't make an impact in the league.

Canis Hoopus:

I like KCP a lot but his shot distribution makes me a little uncomfortable. He fails to get to the rim and settles for jumpers far too often. In this sense he is the opposite prospect of [Victor] Oladipo and not in a flattering way. KCP can still be useful without being a major threat to attack the paint, but I think it puts a cap on his potential and may make him more dependent on pairing with a complimentary point guard.

The biggest issue that stands out to me with KCP is how weird his lack of media hype is. He is a high usage guard who averaged 18.5 points per game as a sophomore and was similarly prolific (though in fewer minutes) through the first half of his freshman season. His numbers and highlights tell the story of a physically dominant athlete who slams home dunks and makes impressive plays. In short... he is the type of player ESPN et al. usually drool over. What did the poor guy do to miss out on all of the media attention? I started asking this question earlier last season when KCP was performing better than the much more popular freshman shooting guards [Austin] Rivers, [Bradley] Beal and [Dion] Waiters, but he started missing shots and I shut up. This season KCP held strong throughout the entire season and still got minimal love. That may be changing as I see him slide up the mock drafts weekly, but I am still left baffled by his omission from the spotlight.

Bullets Forever:

Prospects who are great athletes and good shooters off the dribble will always have a home in the NBA, and teams are constantly hankering for one in the first round. His combination of shooting and athleticism is rivaled by only two others at his position in this draft, which will surely do wonders for his draft stock up until draft night. Certainly there will be a team willing to take a flier on him for the sole purpose of finding out how much untapped potential really made it out of that train wreck of a situation down in Georgia.

I'm generally weary of players with low basketball IQ's that have a penchant for putting up shots without much deliberation, but Caldwell-Pope's situation is incredibly hard to read.

Brew Hoop:

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, better known to me as KCP, is one of the best shooters in the draft with deep range and a quick, tight shooting stroke. He's also athletic enough to get to the rim and finish, and grades out as a good defender by statistics or scouting. He doesn't have a great handle for a 2-guard and can't hurt defenses off the dribble as well as he can in catch-and-shoot situations.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Jamaal Franklin scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:20:12 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about San Diego State swingman Jamaal Franklin.

NAME: Jamaal Franklin.

SCHOOL: San Diego State.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 21 years, 11 months.

POSITION: Shooting guard.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'5, 191 pounds, 6'11.25 wingspan, 8'7.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Jamaal Franklin	32	33.1	5.2	12.5	41.1	1.3	4.6	27.2	5.3	6.8	78.1	1.8	7.8	9.5	3.3	3.4	1.6	0.8	2.6	16.9

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 21.6 assist percentage this season. Franklin is as good a playmaker as you will find from the wing position in the draft.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 16.

NBA CEILING: Andre Iguodala.

NBA FLOOR: Marquis Daniels.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

In his freshman season, Jamaal Franklin was an understudy to Kawhi Leonard, averaging eight minutes a game on a 34-win team that made the Sweet 16. That team graduated three seniors and lost Leonard to the NBA, but the Aztecs haven't missed a beat over the last two years, thanks mainly to Franklin's development.

As a sophomore, Franklin was the Mountain West Player of the Year. As a junior, he lead San Diego State in points (17.5), rebounds (9.5), assists (3.3) and steals (1.4). His shooting percentages (41 percent from the field, 22 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the free-throw line) were the only black marks on an otherwise eye-popping statistical profile.

In that respect, he's similar to Leonard, who fell in 2011 due to concerns about his outside shooting. While Franklin isn't as big as his former teammate, he has the chance to be as dynamic a player from the wings as Leonard is from the forward positions.

At 6'5 and 190 pounds with a 6'11 wingspan, he has incredible length for a shooting guard. That length, in combination with the ability to do things like this, allows him to play much bigger than his size, crashing the boards and wreaking havoc as a help-side defender.

Franklin has a nose for the basketball and a good feel for the game. San Diego State ran a lot of offense through him this season. He's the rare wing player with the ability to create good looks for his teammates.

Were it not for his shaky jumper, Franklin would likely be a lottery pick. His inability to space the floor will be a tricky fit on many rosters, but on the right team, his ability to impact the game as a scorer, passer, rebounder and defensive player could make him one of the steals of the draft.

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Mountain West Connection, SB Nation's MWC blog:

Franklin is aggressive. To say the least. Here's a small forward who had no problem driving the lane, taking the shot from afar and putting on some showmanship while in the process of leading the Aztecs in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals; becoming the only player in the nation to do so at the time. He started every game this past season, and averaged 33.1 minutes a game. So it's tough to argue against his endurance and energy.

Are there worries about Franklin in the NBA? Sure, everyone has their flaws. Franklin turned the ball over plenty, usually trying to make some ridiculous play. When it worked it was pretty, when it didn't, well it could look awful at times.
Ball defense has been a tad questionable (a career turnover stat of 2.5 times per game looms large), so one can probably expect this part of his game to be worked on most.

If improvements on the defensive side translate to fewer opportunities to shoot the ball, so be it. But in his defense, Franklin found himself all over the court at times, providing blocks and defensive rebounds from whichever position he was asked to play. That kind of versatility will go far and can only be improved upon with relentless practicing.

Canis Hoopus:

The argument in favor of Jamaal Franklin is based around my above discussion of stats that correlate well between NCAA and NBA and those that don't. Franklin's combination of 11.3 rebounds and 4 assists per 40 is freakish, while his field goal percentage is embarrassing. Thankfully for Jamaal, the rebounding and passing will almost certainly follow him into the pros, but the poor shooting may not. Add to this that Franklin has hit 80% of his free throws the past two seasons and thus his shot isn't necessarily broken, and you have a really intriguing late-lottery prospect.

Fear the Sword:

Franklin is one of my favorite prospects in this draft not only because he wears long sleeves on the court, but also because of how hard he plays and his versatility. Unfortunately, that doesn't necessarily mean great things for his potential draft stock. The inability to improve upon his long-range shooting really leaves doubts in my mind as to whether or not he can play shooting guard in the NBA. But if he learns that shot, then he has potential to be a Paul George -lite type of player who tenaciously D's up and can shoot from distance. His best-case scenario is probably that or a Tony Allen -type player who uses his athleticism, basketball IQ and crazy motor to become a defensive dynamo on the perimeter. But because he still can't shoot, he could easily turn out to be an Alonzo Gee-type player that is a slightly above-average defender who can't shoot and scores inefficiently. Pretty big range of possibilities for Franklin.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Erick Green scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 04:17:09 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Virginia Tech point guard Erick Green.

NAME: Erick Green.

SCHOOL: Virginia Tech.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 22 years, one month.

POSITION: Point guard.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'3, 178 pounds, 6'5.75 wingspan, 8'2 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Erick Green	32	36.4	8.2	17.2	47.5	1.9	4.9	38.9	6.8	8.3	81.6	0.5	3.5	4.0	3.8	2.2	1.3	0.2	1.4	25.0

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 27 percent assist percentage this season. Not bad considering how few other options Green had at Virginia Tech.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 17.

NBA CEILING: Lou Williams.

NBA FLOOR: Mario Chalmers.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Through no fault of his own, Erick Green saw the Virginia Tech program collapse around him. Seth Greenberg, the coach who recruited him, was fired following the 2011-2012 season after too many years of falling on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. This past season, Green's senior year, things bottomed out under new head coach James Johnson. Green led the nation in scoring, but few noticed on a team that went 13-19, including 4-14 in ACC play.

However, despite his team's poor record, Green was still the ACC Player of the Year. He was the Hokies' primary scorer and playmaker, averaging 25 points, four rebounds and four assists on 48 percent shooting from the field, 39 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free throw line.

Green, unlike most players who lead the NCAA in scoring, wasn't a volume shooter. He was a dominant player who beat the defense in a number of ways. The problem was that too many of his teammates just weren't ACC-caliber players.

At 6'3 and 178 pounds with a 6'5.75 wingspan, he has the size and speed to be a starting point guard. He has the tools to hold his own on the defensive end, although his wiry frame will pose problems against stronger guards.

He came into college as a combo guard with an inconsistent jumper, but he transformed himself into a lights-out shooter with the ability to run point. While he's still more scorer than playmaker, he did an excellent job this season of running the offense and picking spots when to attack.

Green can create space for himself off the dribble and shoot out to 25 feet, so he will be able to score at the next level. The question will be how his efficiency numbers hold up against the longer and quicker defenders. His best role may be as a high-level sixth man, but he could start as a scoring point guard for the right team.

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Gobbler Country, SB Nation's Virginia Tech blog:

A year ago, nobody saw Green as anything more than a fringe-pro prospect, nor should they have. But Green's continual evolution that saw him be among the most improved players in college basketball each year over his four-year career has altered the perceptions of a lot of those doubters, and subsequently, caused him to steadily rise up the draft boards. Many feel that not only is Green a lock to be drafted, but that he is also quite likely to be a first-round pick.

Burnt Orange Nation:

Green is a fabulous basketball player. As a senior, the 6-3 guard basically was the Virginia Tech offense, or at least all of the good parts of it. Green can shoot and he almost never turns the ball over. While on the floor, he took a third of the Hokies shots, and he buried them. Over his last two seasons, he averaged 38 percent shooting from three point range. ACC defenses were able to key on him completely, and he still scored without trouble.

Posting and Toasting:

Scoring an efficient 25 PPG last season for the Hokies, Erick Green firmly established himself as the most prolific scorer in college basketball. He has a diverse offensive game and can put points on the board from anywhere on the floor. He shoots the ball extremely well off the dribble, scoring on over 40% of his jumpers in that situation. Green does a fantastic job creating space, using both a tight handle on the ball and great scoring instincts. He reads the defense well and simply takes what he wants. Green has a well-developed step-back jumper and does a great job squaring his shoulders to the rim when shooting, allowing him to convert extremely difficult shots with regularity. He also gets great elevation on every jump shot, making it hard for defenders to contest after he raises up.

In addition to his ability to shoot off the bounce, Green looks extremely comfortable spotting up and knocking down shots (shooting 44.7% in catch-and-shoot situations). Green has clear NBA range, and his 38.9% from three last season belies his ability as a shooter as he dealt with constant defensive pressure. He can shoot the ball running off of screens, scoring a very efficient 1.32 PPP when coming off of screens. It is difficult for defenders to keep up with Green as he races around screens to lift up for shots. He elevates quickly off of the catch gives the defense very little opportunity to contest. It would be no exaggeration to say that Green was among the most versatile perimeters scorers in college basketball last season.

Complementing his ability to shoot the ball, Green utilizes an advanced set of dribble moves to get wherever he wants on the court. As the #1 (and often #s 2 and 3) option on offense for VA Tech, Green has seen his fair share of double-teams during his career and does a great job of splitting the double to put the defense at a massive disadvantage. While Green is not the best finisher you'll find in the draft, he has an NBA-ready floater that will serve him well against the increased length and athleticism of pro basketball. The lanky guard compensates for his mediocre finishing ability around the basket (49%) by embracing contact and attempted a fantastic 9.1 free throws per 40 minutes (leads all guard and wing prospects in DraftExpress' top 100). Erick Green's ability to produce points from the charity stripe in addition to the 3-point line help make him a fascinating prospect at the next level.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Sergey Karasev scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 03:51:15 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Russian wing Sergey Karasev.

NAME: Sergey Karasev.

CLUB TEAM: Triumph Moscow.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 19 years, eight months.

POSITION: Small forward.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'7, 197 pounds, 6'9.25 wingspan.

RELEVANT STATS: 59 percent true shooting percentage this season. Karasev is one of the premier floor-spacers in this draft.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 18.

NBA CEILING: Carlos Delfino.

NBA FLOOR: Sasha Pavlovic.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Even for a European player, Sergey Karasev is an uncommonly experienced 19-year-old. He's been a standout player for Russia's youth teams and he even played in the London Olympics.

He plays for his dad, a star player in the 90s, on one of the top teams in Russia. This season, he averaged 16 points, three rebounds and 2.5 assists a game on 44 percent shooting from the field, 49 percent from three-point range and 83 percent from the free-throw line.

At 6'7 and 200 pounds with a 6'9 wingspan, he is somewhat of a tweener physically. He doesn't have the speed to be a starting shooting guard and he'll need to add some weight to be a starting small forward. However, given his age, he should have no problem adding weight to his frame. Either way, he has the savvy to survive defensively, especially on a second unit early in his career.

Karasev's game is built around his shooting ability. This season, he shot 49 percent from three on 4.6 attempts a game. He can't be given space even 25 feet from the basket. While he doesn't have an elite first step, the threat of his jumper gives him lanes to the basket.

For a wing player, he's also an excellent passer with a good feel for the game. As a result, he's the rare elite shooter who can have offense run through him.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT (from 2012)

INTERVIEW FROM THE NIKE HOOPS SUMMIT.

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Sactown Royalty:

Sergey Karasev reminds me a little bit of another Euro drafted by the Sacramento Kings: Hedo Turkoglu. Like Turkoglu, Karasev possesses both an excellent shooting touch and good court vision and playmaking ability for a forward.

Karasev is most deadly in catch-and-shoot scenarios, although he's got a good pull-up jumper, and while he's not the best at creating shots for himself, he's good at finding his teammates when the defense concentrates on him. At just 19 years old, Karasev is already one of the top scorers in Europe. It's his defense that's more of an unknown. He plays with effort on that end, but is a little smaller than most NBA SFs, and needs to add weight.

Karasev is probably the most NBA ready of the international prospects in the draft, as his skills will allow him to contribute immediately, even if it's in a much smaller role than he was used to in Europe, at least until he develops more.

Nets Daily:

He might be able to play right away, though. Karasev averaged 16.5 ppg in the three leagues Triumph played in. He shot 37.5 percent from deep, 46 percent from two-point range and 85 percent from the line. He also went to the line a little less than six times a game. Still, it's his three-point shooting that makes him a prospect. His release is quick and he's not afraid to fire them up. A quarter of his shots are from three.

His defense? No surprise it's not there yet. The same goes with his physicality. He needs some strength and conditioning. But he has great BBIQ for someone who won't be 20 until just before opening night and is unselfish for such a gunner.

Fear the Sword:

If the Cavaliers take [Alex] Len or [Nerlens] Noel with their first draft pick, Karasev is at the top of my wish list. The first thing I like about him is that he is from Russia; I had a Russian concentration in college. Karasev is incredibly young but has already led Russia's top pro league in scoring. Draft Express reports that at the Nike Hoop Summit, he was the most mature player there, and boasts a high basketball IQ. While he is a gifted scorer, he has good court vision and is unselfish. It is easy to see him fitting in with a talent like Kyrie Irving. Again, he is only 19 years old. A lot of his scoring comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities; the Cavaliers desperately need someone that Kyrie and Dion can set up on the wing for catch-and-shoot opportunities. In Eurocup competition, which is a small sample size of only 11 games, he averaged over 16 points a game, and shot 49 percent from three-point range. For the regular season in Russia, he shot 38 percent from distance, impressive, as he was the player opposing teams were most anxious to stop. He isn't very strong or the quickest guy, but he will shoot lights out. He is young enough to become a solid team defender and can bulk up. Chad Ford has him going 22nd in his mock draft. I would love it if the Cavaliers took him off the board a couple picks before that. It sounds as though he is available to come to the NBA immediately.

Nets Daily (different author):

At the age of 19, Sergey Karasev has one of the highest ceilings of any prospects in this group. Karasev lead the Russian league in scoring this past season, averaging over 16 points per game. Karasev is a dangerous threat beyond the arc, draining 38 percent his threes this season, but is a mediocre finisher around the rim. With a frame of only 197 pounds, Karasev gets banged around in the paint, but he does find a way to create for his teammates.

Kerasev reminds you of a smaller Tony Kukoc. Lefty slight build smooth with ball. Mbakwa playing Big 10 ball - bodies flying.
— Flip Saunders (@Flip_Saunders) June 1, 2013

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: C.J. McCollum scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:44:39 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Lehigh point guard C.J. McCollum.

NAME: C.J. McCollum.

SCHOOL: Lehigh.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 21 years, nine months.

POSITION: Combo guard.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'3, 197 pounds, 6'6.25 wingspan, 8'0.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - CJ McCollum	12	31.0	8.0	16.2	49.5	2.8	5.3	51.6	5.2	6.1	84.9	1.0	4.0	5.0	2.9	2.7	1.4	0.3	1.8	23.9

RELEVANT "ADVANCED" STATS: 51.6 percent from the three-point line this season. Even in a small sample size, that's unreasonable.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 19.

NBA CEILING: Mo Williams

NBA FLOOR: Jannero Pargo

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

C.J. McCollum burst onto the scene in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, leading Lehigh to an improbable No. 15-over-No. 2 upset of Duke in the first round. He was the best player on the floor, dominating future lottery pick Austin Rivers to the tune of 30 points, six assists and six rebounds in a 75-70 victory.

He came back even stronger as a senior, averaging 24 points, five rebounds and three assists on 50 percent shooting from the field, 52 percent from three-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line. However, those astronomical numbers came in only 12 games against mostly substandard competition, as a broken foot caused him to miss the last two months of the season.

At 6'3 and 200 pounds with a 6'6 wingspan, McCollum has only average size and speed for a combo guard. Like many shoot-first college guards without the ability to defend NBA shooting guards, he will need to become a more pass-first player to start at the next level.

McCollum alternated ball-handling duties with Mackey McKnight at Lehigh, who ran point for the last three seasons. While that division of labor made sense for their team, it makes evaluating him as a passer and decision-maker tricky. He has much less experience running a team than either Damian Lillard or Stephen Curry, two other low-major guards who he's been compared to due to his elite shooting ability.

The question will be whether a team believes in McCollum enough to build their offense around him, because he has a hard time impacting the game without the ball in his hands.

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Orlando Pinstriped Post:

McCollum is the most complete scorer in the draft. He's a deadly shooter with deep range: as a senior, before injuring his left foot, he was shooting 51.6 percent from three-point range on 5.3 attempts a game. With the ball in his hands, McCollum can break down defenders and get to the basket or pull up in a defender's face. His step-back jumper is deadly and he's extremely comfortable shooting around high ball screens. He understands the pace of the game and he's explosive enough to quickly change that pace with the ball in hands.

Off the ball, McCollum is money. He's patient when coming off screens and understands the spacing and how to utilize screens to evade defenders to get his shot off.

Bright Side of the Sun:

You know that player from the small school that hardly anyone talks about before the draft, that suddenly shoots up the mocks and ends up being one of the top picks? Well, McCollum could be that guy this year. Stifled by a season-ending left foot injury last January, McCollum kind of dropped off the radar for a while. However, he is back practicing at full speed and appears ready to pick up where he left off as one of the top scorers this year in college basketball. As a senior, McCollum has proven that he can consistently be a potent scorer, and has even improved his points-per-game average every year (19.1, 21.8, 21.9, 23.9). McCollum is very quick and loves attacking the basket. He also has a solid jump-shot and loves to get steals and score in transition. His biggest drawback is of course his size, but if the Suns are looking for some lightning in a bottle in the form of an elite scorer, CJ McCollum may be the perfect fit.

Bullets Forever:

All in all, I think McCollum's a very good prospect, though perhaps not as good as Lillard. He will immediately be able to score in the pick and roll and he seems capable of playing with other ball-handlers.

To become a great prospect, he needs to improve his passing reads. Lillard is not a heavy-assist passer, but he at least understands all his reads, making him a more dangerous threat. As of now, I worry teams will pressure McCollum and he will struggle to manage those traps.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Mason Plumlee scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 30 May 2013 04:34:47 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Duke's Mason Plumlee.

NAME: Mason Plumlee.

SCHOOL: Duke.

AGE ON DRAFT DAY: 23 years, three months.

POSITION: Center.

MEASUREMENTS: 7'0, 238 pounds, 6'11 wingspan, 9'0 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Mason Plumlee	36	34.7	6.1	10.3	59.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	4.8	7.1	68.1	2.8	7.2	10.0	1.9	2.9	1.0	1.4	2.6	17.1

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 11.5% assist percentage. Bad things won't necessarily happen when Plumlee has the ball in his hands.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 20.

NBA CEILING: Tiago Splitter.

NBA FLOOR: Andris Biedrins.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

The middle of the fighting Plumlees at Duke, Mason is the best NBA prospect in the family. Unlike his older brother Miles, a first-round pick of the Indiana Pacers last year, Mason is more than just an athlete.

As a freshman, Plumlee was a rotation player on Duke's 2009 national title team, but he didn't fully come into his own until his senior year. A Wooden Award candidate this season, he averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, 1.5 blocks and one steal a game on 60-percent shooting.

Playing as the only big man in Duke's four-out offense, he controlled the paint on both sides of the ball. He finished over the top of smaller defenders and punished double teams by finding the open man. He even improved his free-throw shooting percentage to 68 percent.

The question is whether Plumlee can be as effective in a similar role at the next level. At 7'0 and 240 pounds with a 6'11 wingspan, he lacks the length to be a high-level rim protector, and his high center of gravity will allow him to be pushed out of the paint by stronger centers.

At the age of 23 and with a relatively narrow frame, he probably can't add more weight. Unfortunately, while he has the athleticism to play on the perimeter, he doesn't have much range on his jumper and he's far more comfortable playing closer to the basket.

Where he will excel is in the pick-and-roll game on both sides of the ball. His quick feet allow him to cover ground quickly and his explosive leaping ability will make him an easy target for alley-oops.

Due to his lack of size and shot-creating ability, Plumlee is a somewhat limited player, but he's also smart enough to play within his role. He's a relatively safe pick who should have a long career as a useful NBA big man.

Click here for more thoughts on Plumlee from January.

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Fear the Sword:

I don't think Mason Plumlee is an NBA starting center. Having said that, I do think he has a lot of value as a defensive, energetic rebounder off the bench. He reminds me a lot of Meyers Leonard, who was drafted in the lottery by Portland last year. The reason Leonard probably still goes over him is because of the ability to possibly develop a jump shot (therefore becoming much more viable offensively), but Plumlee might actually be a little bit more athletic. I think his best-case scenario is probably a good Kendrick Perkins-type player who can rebound and play tough interior defense, and his worst case is a more athletic Cole Aldrich, someone can barely get off of the bench.

Celtics Blog:

The problem with Mason Plumlee is the fact that he spent four years at a premier basketball school in Duke and we still don't have any idea on how he'll pan out at the next level. Plumlee has nice athleticism and has improved his fundamentals, yet other attributes of his game are completely underwhelming. Could Plumlee become one of the better scorers in the league when playing on the post, if he makes some subtle improvements to his game? Maybe. But could he be destined to be your fourth or fifth big off a team's bench too? Well, yes, that's the problem. Plumlee has a relatively high ceiling but a low floor too.

It makes most sense to just look at Plumlee and ask yourself this question, "what has he shown so far at Duke?" He's proven that he can be an efficient player. Sometimes he will perform at a high level, other times he will struggle. Plumlee is what he is, nothing more, nothing less. Perhaps Plumlee will be a role player in the NBA and that's it. But what's wrong with that? The NBA needs role players and he has proven that, at the least, he can be that.

Bright Side of the Sun:

Mason Plumlee is one of the less talked-about big men in the coming draft, and I'm not sure why. He's had a very good college career at Duke, and has shown great ability as a finisher and a rebounder. He is one of the more athletic big men in the draft, and his agility and quickness makes him a good candidate to play the four as well as the five at the next level, though he will have to improve his jumpshot in order to do so. He has improved every year as a Blue Devil, posting his best stats now as a senior with 17 points and 11 rebounds per game, though his ability was always apparent.

Welcome to Loud City:

Plumlee is a 6'11 center from Duke that is extremely experienced. The upside for Plumlee probably isn't near what it is for someone like Cody Zeller or Alex Len, but he is someone that is going to be able to contribute quickly. If you are looking for a solid defender and a finisher and rebounder Plumlee is your man. Plumlee isn't an outstanding offensive player, but he can do many other things well.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Reggie Bullock scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:11:51 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about North Carolina swingman Reggie Bullock.

NAME: Reggie Bullock.

SCHOOL: North Carolina.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 22 years, three months.

POSITION: Small forward.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'6, 190 pounds, 6'8.5 wingspan.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Reggie Bullock	35	31.4	4.9	10.2	48.3	2.5	5.8	43.6	1.6	2.1	76.7	2.0	4.4	6.5	2.9	1.2	1.3	0.3	1.4	13.9

RELEVANT "ADVANCED" STATS: 43.6 percent from three this season. A guard with Bullock's size and athleticism who has that kind of shooting stroke will find a place in the NBA.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 21.

NBA CEILING: Brandon Rush.

NBA FLOOR: DeShawn Stevenson.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

After playing as a reserve in his first two seasons at UNC, Reggie Bullock was thrust into a starring role when the Tar Heels lost four players to the first round in 2012. He averaged 14 points, 6.5 rebounds and three assists on 48 percent shooting from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 77 percent from the free-throw line, but he never appeared comfortable as a primary option. He got most off his points running off screens and scoring within the flow of the offense.

His real value comes on the defensive end of the floor. Roy Williams turned North Carolina's season around by moving Bullock to the power forward position, using him to open up the floor for the Tar Heels' other perimeter players.

An athletic 6'6, 205-pound swingman with a 6'9 wingspan, Bullock has prototypical size for an NBA wing. While he will need to add some weight to defend bigger 3's in the NBA, he has the physical tools to be an elite defender.

At worst, Bullock is a player who can space the floor and guard multiple positions. That's a combination any team can use.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

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Tar Heel Blog, SB Nation's UNC site:

The most oft-used projection for Bullock at the next level is the aforementioned Danny Green who is now a starter with the San Antonio Spurs. In fact, Green's explosion on the scene as a solid starter who can hit threes and play defense only bolsters the possibilities for Bullock. Both players came from the same system and coaching with similar skills they can contribute. Bullock is a 6-7 perimeter player with an accurate three-point shot and reputation as a solid defender. He also rebounds the ball well at his position and most importantly understands his role.

Bullock doesn't have the skill set to be a team's primary scoring option nor is it likely he would ever be an All-Star. His handle is average and his athleticism likewise is only slightly above par. That means he is going to have trouble creating his own shot or driving to the basket against NBA defenses. Like Green, Bullock has a specific set of skills that should be very useful should he land on the right team. If anything, NBA scouts saw a preview of this in 2012 when Bullock was a perfect fit on a team loaded with offensive options. Bullock was there to play defense, hit threes, clean-up rebounds and generally be a glue guy.

Canis Hoopus:

Three point specialist who should be able to do enough other things to stay on the court. A lot of supposed shooting prospects do not satisfy that latter condition and that makes Bullock a little bit special. The numbers would look better if he wasn't 22 years old, but he still looks like a solid pick in the late first where he is slotted.

Denver Stiffs:

"Reggie's a terrific, terrific player," said [Nuggets scout Mike] Bratz. "Good shooter, great size for a two-man, played in an outstanding program and he has been well coached, and a good athlete. He's one of the guys, we have some of those types of guys on the team right now, but you always want to look to improve yourself and take another look at a guy like Reggie. He's one of the best shooters in the draft."

Posting and Toasting:

Reggie Bullock is my favorite prospect projected to be available when the Knicks pick at #24. Ideally, he fills a glaring need on the roster for a starting wing. The Knicks were at their best when Ronnie Brewer was a legitimate threat as a corner shooter and Bullock can provide an imitation or upgrade on what Brewer brought. Bullock is a capable defender and doesn't gamble on defense, which could provide a nice wing tandem next to Iman Shumpert. Bullock is skilled at running off of screens for open jumpshots, which could be valuable if the coaching staff draws up more offense for roleplayers. It's fairly easy to see how Bullock could help on offense. He shoots a high percentage, feeds teammates, and doesn't turn the ball over. Hand, meet glove.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Shabazz Muhammad scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:30:50 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad.

NAME: Shabazz Muhammad.

SCHOOL: UCLA.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 20 years, seven months

POSITION: Small forward.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'6, 222 pounds, 6'11 wingspan, 8'8.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Shabazz Muhammad	32	30.8	6.3	14.3	44.3	1.3	3.3	37.7	4.0	5.6	71.1	2.7	2.5	5.2	0.8	1.6	0.7	0.1	1.7	17.9

RELEVANT ADVANCED STAT: 0.53 assist to turnover ratio this season. That's not in any way deceptive. He didn't pass the ball much.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 22.

NBA CEILING: Prime Corey Maggette.

NBA FLOOR: Reggie Williams.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

No prospect has had a harsher spotlight on them than Shabazz Muhammad, who has gone from a potential No. 1 pick to possibly sliding out of the lottery. No matter what you make of the circus surrounding him off the court, there are legitimate concerns about how his game will translate to the next level.

Muhammad is coming off a solid freshman season at UCLA, where he averaged 18 points, five rebounds and one assist on 44 percent shooting from the field, 37 percent from the three-point line and 71 percent from the free-throw stripe. In looking at his statistical profile, the concern is his lack of secondary skills. If Muhammad isn't scoring at a high average, he isn't helping a team much.

At 6'6 and 220 pounds with a 6'11 wingspan, he's an undersized small forward who's an average to below-average athlete for his position in the NBA. A player with his physical profile and one-dimensional game has little chance of being a star at the next level.

Muhammad is a pure scorer who is most effective near his paint, where he uses his physicality to create looks at the basket. The question is how effective he can be at the next level if he has to score over the top of bigger and better athletes at the small forward position.

If he's not a primary option offensively, it will be hard to keep him in the starting lineup. At this point in his career, he's a decent outside shooter, an average rebounder, poor defender and a below-average passer.

If he can improve his passing and approach to the game, he has the chance to develop into a useful secondary playmaker. Regardless of the problems with the system at UCLA, there's no reason for a scorer as gifted as Shabazz to be averaging 0.7 assists a game.

At least initially, he's probably best used as a sixth man who can take advantage of second-unit defenders. The key will be controlling the expectations surrounding him.

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Bruins Nation, SB Nation's UCLA blog:

In what may come as a shock to most UCLA fans, in some ways Shabazz exceed expectations and justified what UCLA and Howland has done for him. Until a slump to close out the season of going 3-23 on three pointers (including 0 for his last 10), Shabazz was showing some very impressive range from three, hitting 45 percent until that point. All that extra time in Pauley was paying off. Howland or UCLA helped improve Shabazz's range and if I was an NBA scout I would not be worried about his range.

In other ways Shabazz met expectations. Despite always being the No. 1 option, Shabazz found ways to score. Shabazz Muhammad was the seventh-best offense rebounder in the conference and the only guy in the top 10 that was not a power forward or center. Since he is really only 6'4, he proved the non-stop motor part and then some on offense.

Of course there are the problems beginning with the way he played, or did not play, defense. The scouts were very wrong on the non-stop motor part on the defensive side of the ball. If reverse was defense, Shabazz was like a formula one car, great going forward but with no reverse gear. Shabazz also averaged less than an assist per game. Put in perspective the much-maligned for not passing enough David Wear had more assists than Shabazz.

Tom Ziller, SBNation.com:

Shabazz Muhammad's stock is careening out of the lottery, according to the whispers out of the 2013 NBA Draft Combine. In what's purported to be a pretty bad draft, that's especially stunning. Sure, he's a year older than he has long claimed, which is bizarre and ... well, it's pretty much just bizarre. But it's almost as if everyone has totally forgotten why he was pegged as a lottery pick -- in fact, a potential No. 1 overall pick -- in the first place!

The same thing could have been said about a similar player last year: Harrison Barnes.

Bullets Forever:

Muhammad projects as a very good scorer in the NBA, but right now there are too many glaring holes in his game, namely his playmaking and defense, to determine if he has what to takes to fulfill the projections of stardom that hung over him a few years ago. I think some casual fans who've heard for years about Muhammad's supposed elite-level athleticism could be shocked when they first see him on an NBA court and realize that he's actually not that great of an athlete for a lottery pick.

Orlando Pinstriped Post:

Muhammad was raised his whole life to be in the NBA. As a collegiate athlete, there can be some speculation as to whether choosing UCLA was the best choice. Coach Ben Howland has earned criticism for under-using and mismanaging his NBA prospects. After the season ended, the Bruins fired Howland. Would Muhammad have been better off going to Kentucky to play under John Calipari? That's a reasonable question.

He has a lot of flaws as a basketball player and the age scandal is one that will haunt his draft stock. But he is a premiere scorer with a desire to be the best. He's going to give you 110 percent on the offensive end of the floor and if you're in need of a scorer, he could be a good fit.

Bright Side of the Sun:

Shabazz Muhammad has to be one of the most debated prospects in this year's draft. Coming into the season he was the top ranked prospect overall, but after going through some troubles with his NCAA eligibility and finally showing up at UCLA a little overweight and out of shape, some of the luster quickly started to wear off. However, once he got into the grove at UCLA he showed exactly why scouts and analysts were so high on him. He is a versatile player who can slash to the rim or score with a jumper. He is a pretty good athlete, a willing defender (if not a very effective one), and he has a very high motor; giving it his all on both ends of the floor. The biggest knocks against Shabazz are that he heavily favors his dominant left hand, he struggles in transition, and he sometimes struggles to create his own shot. However, Shabazz has all of the physical tools to be successful in the NBA, and many of his weaknesses are areas that he can improve upon. If he slides in the draft he could end up being a steal for the team that ends up selecting him.

Detroit Bad Boys:

I was excited about Muhammad before his freshman season, then soured on him as the numbers came in. I don't care about his eligibility issues nor his age, all I care about is what he accomplished on court. Unfortunately, it's easy to look at Muhammad and see a player with a below-average efficiency, one who needs control of the ball to produce. When you add his unimpressive athletic numbers (steals and rebounds), Shabazz seems like an unimpressive player.

However, I do find a bit of intrigue in Shabazz, and he might actually have value for a team like Detroit. For a guy with such a high usage rate, Muhammad barely attempts isolation plays and he barely turns the ball over. Most of his offensive production comes from spot-up attempts, which by nature are shots that are most often assisted. He also only turns the ball over a stunning 1.6 times per game (opposite 14.3 shot attempts). What's more, while these stats suggest low-usage playmaking, he gets to the line 5.6 times per game. This points to a guy who could be successful playing off-the-ball and not wasting shot clock or blowing plays.

Rufus on Fire:

Shabazz Muhammad was the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft before the NCAA season started. His other-worldly size, speed and athleticism give him an undeniable edge over his opponents. He's improved his shooting and ball-handling, making him practically unguardable in isolation situations. The biggest concern with his transition to the NBA is that his natural talents will equalize once he's playing against better competition. This is a legitimate concern, but I'm not sure if Muhammad should have dropped as low as he did.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Kelly Olynyk scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:16:09 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Gonzaga big man Kelly Olynyk.

NAME: Kelly Olynyk

SCHOOL: Gonzaga

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 22 years, two months

POSITION: Power forward/center

MEASUREMENTS: 7'0, 234 pounds, 6'9.75 wingspan, 9'0 standing reach

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Kelly Olynyk	32	26.4	6.7	10.7	62.9	0.3	0.9	30.0	4.1	5.3	77.6	2.4	4.9	7.3	1.7	2.4	0.7	1.1	2.3	17.8

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 67.5-percent true shooting. Olynyk was one of the most efficient scorers in the country this season

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 23.

NBA CEILING: Mehmet Okur

NBA FLOOR: Byron Mullens

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Kelly Olynyk was a spare player in his first two years at Gonzaga. He acted as a big man who hung around the perimeter and struggled to make much of an impact on the game.

However, after taking a redshirt year to reinvent himself, he came back this season as one of the best players in the country. Olynyk averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists on 63-percent shooting from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent from the free throw line. Instead of relying on his jumper, he made a concerted effort to play closer to the basket, attacking the defense off the dribble and in the post.

He lead Gonzaga to a 32-3 record, their best mark during Mark Few's remarkable run in Northwest Washington. While the level of play in the West Coast Conference isn't that high, he was tested by Gonzaga's non-conference schedule, annually one of the best in the country.

At 7'0 and 240 pounds, Olynyk has a rare combination of size and skill for a big man. However, unless he can convince an NBA team to run a substantial amount of their offense through him, he may end up playing off the bench at the next level. With only a 6'9 wingspan, he's a classic tweener on the defensive end. He doesn't have the length or athleticism to protect the paint as a center and he doesn't have the foot-speed to chase players 15-20 feet from the basket as a power forward. As a rookie, the Canadian big man would be more effective on a second unit, where his size and finishing ability would give him an edge against smaller and slower defenders.

Ironically enough, Olynyk has the most upside along the three-point line, a part of his game he mostly abandoned to become a dominant college player. He went 25-75 from beyond the arc in college, displaying the type of form that could eventually make him a stretch 5.

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Canis Hoopus:

Olynyk's 2013 offensive-post dominance was special. Easily the best among prospects in the past three seasons (the time period I have shot-location data for). He scored 16.8 points at the rim per 40. The next best was Cody Zeller in 2012 who scored 13.3. Nobody else was even close. Olynyk's 73-percent efficiency at the rim implies that he could have comfortably increased his volume even more. Olynyk's scoring game does not stop there though. He also took 5.3 mid-range shots per game and hit them at an impressive 53-percent clip. Jeremy Lamb, Mike Scott, Kevin Murphy, and Marcus Morris were the only other players with comparable mid-range success. Olynyk is a gifted scorer in the paint or from the elbow and even hinted at the ability to stretch to the 3-point line. Combine that with his solid passing and he has the potential to be a team's primary offensive threat.

The major concern with Olynyk is his defense. Box scores and scouting reports agree that he doesn't offer the defensive presence teams want at the five. His explosion after a couple completely unremarkable seasons is also concerning, but given the fact that teams routinely draft 7' stiffs in the hopes they might develop, it would seem weird to pass on a 7' stiff who did develop.

Celtics Blog:

As expected, he was one of the most skilled big men at the combine. He looked very comfortable working out of the pick-and-roll and scoring in the low post with his array of crafty moves. He definitely has a knack for scoring, but his lack of explosiveness at a position that's getting smaller, quicker and more athletic is a concern. He also had the unfortunate honor of being the No. 1 player in the Alligator Arm Index, having the worst height-to-wingspan ratio of anyone at the combine.

Bullets Forever:

On the surface, a big man who's averse to banging down low would lead many to oppose Kelly Olynyk. However, given the right role and under a more fast paced system, I think he would prove to be a strong third or fourth big off an NBA bench. He won't turn into Spencer Hawes if his minutes are monitored, and coaches would get a kick out of all the lineups they may flaunt with Olynyk at their disposal. However, defending stockier bigs and finishing inside will serve as road bumps as he makes the transition.

Rufus on Fire:

The seven-foot center out of Gonzaga is a lot like Cody Zeller on the offensive end. He's mobile, he's got a great touch around the rim, he runs the floor well and he has a great post up game. He's also a great shooter for his position, shooting 35.7-percent from beyond the arc this season, with a solid dribble-drive game from above the free throw line. However, some worry that his lack of athleticism will hinder his ability to be a high-impact player in the NBA. On the defensive end, Olynyk is prone to getting bullied in the lane, having issues with both post positioning and rebounding. To further things, he seems to lack the overall awareness to be an acceptable team defender.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Steven Adams scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 00:58:44 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Pittsburgh big man Steven Adams

NAME: Steven Adams.

SCHOOL: Pittsburgh.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 19 years, 11 months.

POSITION: Center.

MEASUREMENTS: 7'0, 255 pounds, 7'4.5 wingspan, 9'1.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Steven Adams	32	23.4	3.1	5.5	57.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	2.2	44.3	2.8	3.5	6.3	0.6	1.1	0.7	2.0	1.6	7.2

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 15.3% offensive rebounding percentage this season. Most college big men found it difficult to box him out.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 24.

NBA CEILING: Brendan Haywood.

NBA FLOOR: Patrick O'Bryant.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

It's been a long road from New Zealand to the NBA for Steven Adams. After his father died when he was 13, he was taken in by several of his 17 older siblings, including a sister who has won two gold medals in the shot-put.

Unfortunately, due to the relatively low level of competition in the islands, Adams is an incredibly raw basketball player. Still only 19, he averaged seven points, six rebounds and two blocks a game on 57 percent shooting for Pittsburgh this season. Were it not for money issues in his family, it's unlikely he would have declared for the draft. As a result, he is a project in every sense of the word.

At 7'0 and 255 pounds with a 7'4 wingspan, Adams is a massive human being who moves his feet well for a player his size. His defensive potential is off-the-charts. He has the strength to hold position on the low block, the length to play above the rim and the speed to hedge on the pick-and-roll. The problems come on the offensive end of the floor, where Adams looked years away from contributing to an NBA team. He doesn't have much of a feel for playing with his back to the basket, unsurprising since he rarely faced players his size in New Zealand.

In the last few weeks, Adams has shot up draft boards, mainly on the strength of the shooting displays he put on in individual workouts. However, considering how little touch he displayed in college, it seems like a stretch to think he'll be a threat from 15+ feet out, at least early in his career. His size could allow him to contribute on the glass right away, but unless he picks up the nuances of NBA defense quickly, he's unlikely to crack a rotation early in his career.

Adams is a classic boom or bust prospect. Whoever drafts him should send him to the D-League with eyes wide open. He might not make it back.

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Cardiac Hill, SB Nation's Pittsburgh blog:

Adams is a very solid defender and rebounds well. And as I mentioned, he should fit in well with a team that likes to get out and run. I see him as a high energy guy once he gets acclimated and if nothing else, he should be able to contribute in those areas fairly soon. The downside is that his offense in a halfcourt set is a ways away. As I mentioned, he'll get some points off of putbacks, but don't expect him to create too many of his own shots just yet. And even while he'll score some on putbacks, he'll also miss his fair share of point blank shots. Adams often was able to pad his rebounding stats a little by missing layups inside and grabbing the misses ... and that will certainly drive fans a little crazy.

Canis Hoopus:

Adams is a nice but boring prospect who looks to be appropriately climbing draft boards. He blocks shots and has found some limited success scoring at the rim. After the combine he measures out close to the other big-stiff prospect (Len) but is younger and produced better across the defensive stats. He may go in the top ten and it is difficult to fault whichever team pulls the trigger.

Fear the Sword:

Go ahead and call us prisoners of the moment, but I'm not sure there was a more impressive player at the combine this week. Adams' measurements confirmed what the naked eye already knew: this kid is huge. He's really young, has great athleticism, and already has an NBA body. He shot the ball a lot better than we expected and has tremendous upside. We're entering a tier that could really get interesting and we think Adams has enough potential to put him right at the top of this next level of players.

Blog a Bull:

Sometimes life is really easy.

NAME

Per40 ORB+STL+BLK

Nerlens Noel

11.30

Anthony Davis

11.20

Steven Adams

10.10

Andre Drummond

9.90

AVERAGE CENTER

8.14

These are the top four centers at physically impacting the game over the last three years. Adams is obviously in elite company. He is also huge, strong, young and athletic. It's pretty simple: he should be a lottery pick. He is currently slated to go 16th according to DX.com. I doubt he makes it to 16 much less 20, but if he does it's a no-brainer.

Celtics Blog:

I'm really not as high on Steven Adams as most people are. Sure, he has the body...but what else? He has absolutely no fundamentals on offense or defense and has a long way to go to be a part of an NBA rotation. Right now he is nothing but potential...yet has he even proven that he has high upside? Offensively, he has stone hands and has hard time catching some passes, making him a liability on that end. That won't change. He has all the physical tools to be a great defensive player yet he lacks any understanding of team defense, is indecisive in the pick-and-roll, and doesn't box out when rebounding. He's just far too undeveloped right now for me to rank him any higher. The only reason he gets this ranking is because he has a true NBA body at only 19 years old.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Rudy Gobert scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 21:16:37 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about French big man Rudy Gobert.

NAME: Rudy Gobert

PROFESSIONAL TEAM: Cholet Basket (France)

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: Gobert turns 21 in June

POSITION: Center

MEASUREMENTS: 7'2, 238 pounds, 7'8.5 wingspan, 9'7 standing reach

RELEVANT STAT: 72-percent true shooting this season. It's hard not to be efficient when all you do is dunk.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 25.

NBA CEILING: Shawn Bradley

NBA FLOOR: Alexis Ajinca

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Rudy Gobert, a 21-year-old center from France, will be one of the longest players in NBA history. His arms look like a practical joke made with the copy function on Photoshop.

This season, he averaged eight points, five rebounds and two blocks on 72-percent shooting in the French League. He may not come over to the NBA right away, but he will have to cover at some point, just so we can see what happens.

At 7'2 and 240 pounds with a 7'9 wingspan, Gobert can essentially dunk the ball standing straight up. That's how he gets most of his points: his teammates throwing lobs anywhere in the vicinity of rim. On defense, his mere presence at the front of rim is valuable. He's not all that athletic, but his heart is in the right place. It's very hard to shoot over the top of earnestly-waived 7'9 arms.

Unfortunately, he also has the physical strength you would expect for someone with his proportions. A not insignificant portion of Gobert's time in the game is spent either being knocked to the ground or getting back up. The lack of strength is the biggest red flag about his ability to transition to the next level. It will be very hard for him to win wrestling matches on the low block and hold position on the defensive glass, two things NBA centers need to do.

Even if he doesn't put on more weight, though, the bizarre ways that his length affects the game could make him a valuable backup center. All I ask is that the basketball gods give us a Gobert/JaVale McGee matchup at some point.

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SBNation.com:

You have never seen anything in your life like Rudy Gobert shooting jump shots. His torso is impossibly long, and when he bends his knees and elbows simultaneously to take a mid-range shot, he most closely resembles a 7-foot praying mantis flinging a ball toward the hoop. His stroke isn't exactly ugly, but it isn't exactly pretty; his shots go in more often than you might expect but still not terribly regularly.

More than anything, watching Gobert shoot while a crowd of famous faces look on gets you to wonder what they're thinking. An old cliché says you can't teach height, and it just might be the most accurate cliché of all. Running on a treadmill won't make you any taller, and this is Gobert's inherent advantage over his competition.

He seems fairly skilled? He seems to be moving pretty well? It's hard to say, really, as with everything at the draft combine when the athletes are facing little resistance to what they're trying to do.

SLC Dunk:

Offensively, he couldn't be more raw. He has trouble shooting it from beyond eight feet. He looks uncomfortable in the post. He would dive to rim and try to create contact on almost every possession he took in the post position. The good thing is he creates contact. He would get to the line. There he would struggle again because the free throw line is beyond eight ft from the rim. He needs work.

There will be a team that goes gaga over him. After all, look at him. He's giant. He's young. He could STILL be growing for all we know. Someone will take the chance on him. The allure of having a 7'2 big man with measureables that in the history of the combine have never been measured will tantalize some GM to select him all because of Rudy Gobert's best NBA talent: Potential.

Celtics Blog:

Gobert is another international player, meaning that any looks we get at him are likely to be our first. He appeared very slender and lanky, which could be a problem if he's used as a center in the league. His length and wingspan could compensate for his build, but he might be better served as a stretch-four going forward. The good news is that he showed a better shooting touch than expected and did well in the mid-range shooting drill. On Friday, he tested at 7'8.5 in wingspan, topping JaVale McGee for the record for the largest mark.

In the wind sprints, however, which all the players went through with their position after the skill drills, Gobert came last in every heat. That could point to him being out of shape or just his lack of speed running the floor, neither of which are a good sign. Not to say wind sprints are a big determinant of a player's future in the NBA, but with the little we and the people actually making the decisions in the draft get to see, everything counts.

Rufus on Fire:

To his credit, Gobert has good hands and can finish at the rim fairly well. He could be a decent pick-and-roll option because of his hands and his size. The margin for error becomes a little bit bigger with his size as a target on the move toward the hoop. Gobert also has the tools that can translate to good offensive rebounding in the NBA. The good things pretty much stop there. He has difficulty when double-teamed and his ball-handling (or lack thereof) leads to turnovers. He lacks a jump shot in his arsenal, but his 70.4-percent free throw shooting makes me wonder if he could develop even a half-consistent jumper. Further, a back to the basket game eludes him and at times his decision making is suspect. Gobert's weight once again causes an issue here as it makes it difficult to maintain position and finish through contact.

Nets Daily:

Gobert is not the athlete one expects a player with his size to be, for he is not particularly quick and he gets pushed around in the post by stronger defenders. At 238 pounds, Gobert has stick-like legs that need to fill out and is a poor defensive rebounder.

For all his weaknesses, Gobert has so much upside to look past. Any team would love to have a prospect like him on the floor, even though he may not be as athletic as he looks.

He is a fine finisher around the basket, but not used often. He is used mostly off of pick-and-rolls and many of his baskets come off of the offensive glass. He did hit 74 percent of his two-point opportunities, which is just incredible. Outside the paint he struggles, though. Gobert isn't very talented with the ball in his hands if he isn't going straight up with it.

Gobert's strength is on the defensive end. Despite being a heavy runner, Gobert is great at hedging on pick-and-roles and has great instinct to block shots, turning away more than three per 40 minutes. Not only is he a great shot blocker, but also his opposition is forced to stay out of his paint when he is in the game, simply due to his presence.

Sactown Royalty:

As you can see from the stats above, Gobert is ridiculously efficient from the field. There's a reason for that, as almost all of his offense comes from dunks and/or put-backs. He doesn't have a low-post game to speak of and isn't strong enough to be a bully in the paint. One bright spot is that he does shoot his free throws at a decent clip for a big man, which could bode well for perhaps adding a short jumper in the future.

Defense is where Gobert's potential really lies. When you have that long of a reach, you can affect the game even if you don't block a bunch of shots. By all accounts he has good instincts on that end, although he doesn't face nearly the same competition in France as he would in the NBA, where the players are much bigger, stronger and talented.

Gobert isn't much of a rebounder despite his length. That's likely from his lack of strength, as he can get pushed around easily. That will only get worse in the NBA. It also doesn't help that aside from his height and wingspan, Gobert measured poorly in other athletic tests.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Lucas Nogueira scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 21:25:48 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Brazilian big man Lucan Nogueira.

NAME: Lucas Nogueira

PRO TEAM: Estudiantes

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 20 years, 11 months

POSITION: Center

MEASUREMENTS: 7'0, 220 pounds, 7'6 wingspan, 9'6 standing reach

RELEVANT STAT: 13.6 minutes per game this season. Nogueira is more potential than production at this point in his career.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 26.

NBA CEILING: Marcus Camby

NBA FLOOR: Ian Mahinmi

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

After putting his name in the draft as an 18-year-old before withdrawing in 2011, Lucas Nogueira made it official in 2013. However, many of the same questions remain from his first time through the pre-draft process.

A Brazilian native whose spent the last four years in Spain, Nogueira is a reserve center in the ACB, probably the second best league in the world. He averaged five points, 3.5 rebounds and one block on 66-percent shooting this season. At 7'0 and 220 pounds with a 7'6 wingspan, he has the length and athleticism to protect the rim in the NBA. That's why he's been on NBA radar screens since he was 17.

As a skinny shot-blocker without much offensive game, he'll need to become either strong enough to bang with thicker centers or skilled enough to drag them out of the paint. At the very least, Noguiera needs to add at least 15 pounds of muscle in order to be a factor on the defensive glass. Right now, his only role on the offensive end is catching alley-oops near the rim. He has to be near the rim to be successful, which is a problem for such a slight player.

Noguiera is a prototypical "draft and stash" big man who can be kept in Europe for the next few seasons.

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Nets Daily:

Nogueira is only 220 pounds, one of the skinniest centers in the draft, and in the league. Even still, he is extremely mobile and quick, much more than fellow post players. He gets out in transition very easily and is a weapon coming down the floor, shooting 84 percent from the floor while running the fast break. The 20-year-old prospect is also a high-energy player. He uses his length to keep possessions alive, grabbing 4.9 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes.

Even though "Bebe" could be used effectively in transition and in pick-and-roll sets, he has no offensive game. The prospect doesn't leave the paint, he took only nine shots outside of it this past season, and can't play a half-court style game. He is not talented enough with the ball to take his defender one-on-one, he needs to have a step on the opposition. His lanky body makes it difficult to gain position in the post, and he an efficient player in traffic.

Nogueira, though, may be much more useful as a defender in the pros. He has a wingspan of 7'6" and has great timing as a shot blocker. The Brazilian blocked 3.3 shots per 40 minutes. He also averages one steal a game per 40 minutes, making him a very versatile player in the post. Nogueira is a fine shot blocker, but once that ball hits the rim, he is doomed. His undeveloped body allows him to get pushed around by his opponents. He must put on weight because a near-7'0 big can't be grabbing three rebounds per game.

Fear the Sword:

6'11 with a 7'5 wingspan, Nogueira has entered the NBA draft for a second time. He entered in 2011 before withdrawing, having never secured a commitment from a team to be selected in the first round. Now its 2013, and the rules state that if you withdraw once, you can't do it again. Nogueira has had his doubters for a while now. While he is long and athletic, his effort level is inconsistent, and he is rail thin. Still, there is talk that he has matured a bit and his offensive game has slowly evolved over the years. He plays in the top league in Spain and has held his own. If the Cavs took him with the 31st or 33rd pick, he could stay over in Spain for a while and the team could monitor his progress. Maybe he puts it all together, maybe he doesn't. But athletic dudes who can protect the rim and rebound don't grow on trees.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Brandon Davies scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:17:46 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about BYU center Brandon Davies.

NAME: Brandon Davies.

SCHOOL: BYU.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 21 years, 11 months.

POSITION: Center

MEASUREMENTS: 6'10, 242 pounds, 7'1.5 wingspan, 9'0.5 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Brandon Davies	35	29.3	6.4	12.2	52.6	0.1	0.4	35.7	4.8	7.0	68.7	2.1	6.0	8.1	2.5	2.5	1.3	1.0	3.1	17.8

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 68 percent from the free-throw line this season. The mid-range shot will be a key weapon for Davies at the next level.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 27.

NBA CEILING: Carl Landry.

NBA FLOOR: Dante Cunningham.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Brandon Davies is still best known for missing the tail portion of his sophomore season, Jimmer Fredette's last in Provo, after he broke BYU's strict abstinence policy for unmarried students. However, in the last two seasons, he has quietly turned himself into an intriguing NBA prospect that's off the radar of many.

Davies picked up the slack without the Jimmer, carrying the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament as a junior and a 24-win season as a senior. This season, he averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, 2.5 assists and one block a game on 52 percent shooting.

A 6'10, 240-pound big man with a 7'1 wingspan, Davies has a good combination of size, skill and athleticism. While he is a bit of a defensive tweener, he has the versatility to swing between both interior positions on a second unit.

As the primary option at BYU, Davies could hurt opponents in a variety of ways. He is capable of playing with his back to the basket, stretching the floor and attacking his man off the dribble.

Davies can do a lot of things at the next level. The question is whether he can do any one of those things well enough to be a rotation player. He isn't a great shooter, rebounder or defensive player and no team is going to allow him to create much offense for himself, at least early in his career.

The key will be his mid-range jumper. If he can consistently knock down an 18-foot shot, it will open up the rest of his game and allow him to have a long career in the NBA.

DRAFT EXPRESS' BRANDON DAVIES INTERVIEW

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

Mid Major Madness:

Davies' leaping ability makes him a capable rebounder and shot blocker. On the offensive end it allows him to play above the rim for tips and dunks.

He has a level quickness not seen in many bigs. This allows him to create from outside the paint, similar to WCC foe Kelly Olynyk. He is also able and willing to get out in transition. Weighing just 235 pounds at an official height of 6-9 no doubt allows Davies to move quickly.

[But] as I just mentioned, he weighs just 235 pounds. Davies was able to mix it up, normally with great success, against college bigs. But he needs to add strength to be capable in the post at the next level. His ability to stretch the floor is what makes Davies such an effective player. If he doesn't add size he will lose his interior presence. Without that he's just a tall, mediocre jump shooter.

Davies will need to hit the weight room to make it as a post player in the NBA. He will also need to work on his face up game if he wants it to be effective against next level defenders.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NBA Draft 2013: Lorenzo Brown scouting report

SB Nation NBA News — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 01:05:16 -0000

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about North Carolina State point guard Lorenzo Brown.

NAME: Lorenzo Brown.

SCHOOL: N.C. State.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 22 years, 10 months.

POSITION: Point guard.

MEASUREMENTS: 6'5, 189 pounds, 6'7 wingspan, 8'4 standing reach.

STATS:

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
2012 - Lorenzo Brown	33	34.2	4.2	10.1	41.9	0.6	2.3	26.3	3.3	4.2	77.1	0.7	3.7	4.3	7.2	3.5	2.0	0.6	2.0	12.4

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 50.9% true shooting percentage this season. If Brown had only one wish, it would be for a jumper.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 28.

NBA CEILING: Ramon Sessions.

NBA FLOOR: Javaris Crittenton.

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

With the majority of a Sweet 16 team coming back and a Top 10 recruiting class coming in, expectations around N.C. State were sky high this season. However, despite having an NBA-caliber player at every position on the floor, they were maddeningly inconsistent on both sides of the ball. Brown and C.J. Leslie, their two best players, were at the center of it. As a result, both have seen their draft stock stumble. For the season, Brown averaged 12 points, seven assists and four rebounds on 42 percent shooting.

At 6'5 190 with a 6'9 wingspan, he has fantastic size and athleticism for a PG. Unlike most combo guards shifted to the position, Brown is a legitimate floor general, capable of running an offense and creating shots for his teammates, especially in transition. The problem comes in the half court, where Brown can be an inconsistent shooter and decision-maker. Too many bad things happened when Brown had the ball at the end of a possession this season.

At the next level, Brown's ability to impact the game as a passer, rebounder and defender from both backcourt positions will make him a valuable bench player. His jump shot is the only thing holding him back from starting.

DRAFT EXPRESS' LORENZO BROWN INTERVIEW

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

Blog a Bull:

I really like watching Lorenzo Brown when he is on. If you are not familiar, please watch the following video:

This is a pretty talented guy. I love how he seems to move through the game in super slow motion. He's big too. Seeing him post up Oladipo around the 3:00 mark, they look to be nearly the same size.

[...]

But Brown has more faults than sterling qualities. It's more than just his shooting (though that is a huge problem). Like Rajon Rondo, he has a knack for making easy plays look hard, and this makes him more turnover-prone than necessary and a worse finisher than he should be given his size and athleticism.

His team underachieved; he sometimes doesn't appear to care on defense; he's overly flashy; his body language is aloof.... There is no chance the Bulls draft a guy like this. And if they did Thibs would almost certainly not play him. So while I would have no problem with this guy in principle (more ball handlers and more talent is good), in practice it would be almost guaranteed to be a doomed relationship. He's also 23. If you're going to matter in the NBA, you can't still be inconsistent in college at age 23.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.

NAME	Per40 ORB+STL+BLK
Nerlens Noel	11.30
Anthony Davis	11.20
Steven Adams	10.10
Andre Drummond	9.90
AVERAGE CENTER	8.14

SBNation.com User Blog: SB Nation NBA News

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