The 2012-2013 NBA Random Thoughts Thread
- Thread starter The War Report
- Start date
russ out there gettin his troll on
aint nuffin like a lil memphis to get us started; sorry it had to be NOLA tho
aint nuffin like a lil memphis to get us started; sorry it had to be NOLA tho
Sam Peel
Banned
G.O.A.T Squad Spokesman
Logic Is Absent Wherever Hate Is Present
Harrison Barnes won the matchup against AK-47
Dragic unchained!!
Padron1926
Pro
Land of the lost
By Chris Broussard
ESPN the Magazine
Last week we brought joy, highlighting five players who have started the season surprisingly well. Now, we must bring the pain. Some guys just haven't lived up to their billing so far. It's early, so hopefully for their teams' sake, they'll turn it around. But for these five players, it has been an ugly first few weeks. To be honest, they look totally lost.
Roy Hibbert | C | Indiana Pacers
Where's the guy who put 19 points, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks on Miami in that close playoff series just over six months ago, the guy who averaged 14.7 points and 13.3 rebounds as Indiana put the eventual world champions in a 2-1 hole?
The last time anyone saw that guy was when he signed his $58 million contract with the Pacers last summer. Since then, all we've seen is the Roy Hibbert who had folks wondering whether he could be a starter in the league. Hibbert, who to his credit has admitted to reporters that he's not getting the job done, is struggling mightily, and that's a big reason Indiana entered Wednesday's game at Milwaukee with a disappointing 3-5 record.
Hibbert, averaging 7 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 36 percent from the field, started slowly and has only gotten worse, hitting only 30 percent of his shots over the past five games. Perhaps his early struggles have gone to his head, because it's not as though he has been going against the league's juggernauts. Four of the Pacers' games have come against arguably the three worst teams in the league -- Toronto (twice), Washington and Charlotte.
In his first NBA game, Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 10 rebounds (big numbers for a center nowadays) against Hibbert, and the Kings' troubled center, DeMarcus Cousins, handed Hibbert 21 points and 13 boards. Hibbert's play has been so uninspiring that it even rejuvenated Emeka Okafor, another guy some would say cashed a check and cashed it in.
Against Hibbert, Okafor had his highest-scoring game (17 points) since February 6. Yikes. If Hibbert doesn't regain the All-Star form he flashed last season, all that talk of a Pacers revival will be just that -- talk.
Rodney Stuckey | PG | Detroit Pistons
Remember when Rodney Stuckey was the next big thing, a mid-first-round draft steal? Well, perhaps that's an overstatement. But at least he was the Pistons' next big thing. He looked so promising that Detroit thought it could thrive without Chauncey Billups, so promising the Pistons benched (and effectively ruined their relationship with) Rip Hamilton. Those days are over, though.
After averaging 15 points over the past three seasons, he has fallen to 9 points a game on abysmal 28 percent shooting. With numbers like that, you'd think he was coming off the bench. But he's starting. And to make matters worse, he's only 26 years old, so it's not as though he has been struck by Father Time.
The strange thing is that several people have told me Stuckey worked his tail off over the summer and that he was prepared to come in and have perhaps his best season. Now that he's struggling, they tell me he's a moody person who lets his moods affect his play
"He hasn't grown up yet so he might get frustrated and just shut it down,'' one person said.
Stuckey also may need (or want) the ball in his hands more. He always has been a combo guard -- not quite a 1 or a 2. But with Brandon Knight feeling more comfortable at the point, he's handling the ball more than he did last season, which has left Stuckey without both the ball and his mojo.
Evan Turner | SF | Philadelphia 76ers
Evan Turner has been OK, but that's not what you want from a No. 2 draft pick whom you traded an All-Star (Andre Iguodala) to make room for in the starting lineup. I say Turner has been OK because his 11.7 points a game is a two-point increase over what he did last year and he leads the Sixers with 8.7 rebounds a game. That's excellent board work for a small forward. But he's making only 38 percent of his shots, which gets to the crux of the matter: Turner just can't shoot.
At this point, Turner looks like a poor man's Iguodala. He can't shoot straight, but he can do everything else on the offensive end well. The difference is that Iguodala is a top defender and Turner is not. So whereas Iguodala could make up for his shooting deficiencies on the other end of the floor, Turner not only fails to regularly torch his opponent but he doesn't shut down anyone either.
Despite not being the quickest guy in the world, Turner is able to penetrate and create because of his great skills. Of course, that's what you've got point guard Jrue Holiday for. So for Turner to really become an impact player, he's got to improve that midrange game. If not, he could remain on this list for some time.
Lamar Odom | PF | Los Angeles Clippers
I can't blame the Clippers for trying. Hey, the one city you figured Odom would be comfortable enough in to return to form had to be Los Angeles. But so far, Odom has been as bad as he was when we last saw him getting booted off the team in Dallas. Sure, I'm told his attitude is better (and I believe it), but at the end of the day, it comes down to production. And as of yet, L.O. hasn't delivered that.
Ten pounds overweight, he has been nothing like the player the Clippers hoped they were getting. The math is horrible: After playing 17 minutes in the season opener, Odom has totaled only 17 minutes in the past two games, 31 in the past four. In six November games, he's shooting 18 percent from the floor.
Fortunately for the Clippers, they are so deep that it hasn't mattered. And when Grant Hill and Chauncey Billups get back it may matter even less. But one major reason the Thunder feared the Clippers more than the Lakers entering this season was because of the impact they knew a focused and productive Odom could have. Thus far, such an Odom has been nowhere to be found and with the West up for grabs, that could eventually be the difference between a trip to the conference finals and the Finals.
Derrick Williams | SF/PF | Minnesota Timberwolves
It's hard to believe some thought this guy might be a better draft pick than Kyrie Irving. While Kyrie has gone on to stardom, Williams has been a weak link on an injury-ravaged Timberwolves team. He has been starting at power forward in the absence of Kevin Love, but when Love returns from a broken hand, Williams could fade into no man's land. Even with Love out, he's only getting 22 minutes a night.
When he came from Arizona two years ago, scouts said he was a tweener at the forward position. It's the same thing they said about Michael Beasley, and neither player (though Beasley's problems are due in part to several off-the-court issues) has come anywhere close to experiencing the type of success they had in college.
Williams is shooting a measly 33 percent from the floor and being outplayed by teammate Dante Cunningham, a second-round pick in 2009 who already has played on four teams. In other words, Cunningham's a journeyman, and if Williams doesn't get it together, he may be one too.
ESPN the Magazine
Last week we brought joy, highlighting five players who have started the season surprisingly well. Now, we must bring the pain. Some guys just haven't lived up to their billing so far. It's early, so hopefully for their teams' sake, they'll turn it around. But for these five players, it has been an ugly first few weeks. To be honest, they look totally lost.
Roy Hibbert | C | Indiana Pacers
Where's the guy who put 19 points, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks on Miami in that close playoff series just over six months ago, the guy who averaged 14.7 points and 13.3 rebounds as Indiana put the eventual world champions in a 2-1 hole?
The last time anyone saw that guy was when he signed his $58 million contract with the Pacers last summer. Since then, all we've seen is the Roy Hibbert who had folks wondering whether he could be a starter in the league. Hibbert, who to his credit has admitted to reporters that he's not getting the job done, is struggling mightily, and that's a big reason Indiana entered Wednesday's game at Milwaukee with a disappointing 3-5 record.
Hibbert, averaging 7 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 36 percent from the field, started slowly and has only gotten worse, hitting only 30 percent of his shots over the past five games. Perhaps his early struggles have gone to his head, because it's not as though he has been going against the league's juggernauts. Four of the Pacers' games have come against arguably the three worst teams in the league -- Toronto (twice), Washington and Charlotte.
In his first NBA game, Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 10 rebounds (big numbers for a center nowadays) against Hibbert, and the Kings' troubled center, DeMarcus Cousins, handed Hibbert 21 points and 13 boards. Hibbert's play has been so uninspiring that it even rejuvenated Emeka Okafor, another guy some would say cashed a check and cashed it in.
Against Hibbert, Okafor had his highest-scoring game (17 points) since February 6. Yikes. If Hibbert doesn't regain the All-Star form he flashed last season, all that talk of a Pacers revival will be just that -- talk.
Rodney Stuckey | PG | Detroit Pistons
Remember when Rodney Stuckey was the next big thing, a mid-first-round draft steal? Well, perhaps that's an overstatement. But at least he was the Pistons' next big thing. He looked so promising that Detroit thought it could thrive without Chauncey Billups, so promising the Pistons benched (and effectively ruined their relationship with) Rip Hamilton. Those days are over, though.
After averaging 15 points over the past three seasons, he has fallen to 9 points a game on abysmal 28 percent shooting. With numbers like that, you'd think he was coming off the bench. But he's starting. And to make matters worse, he's only 26 years old, so it's not as though he has been struck by Father Time.
The strange thing is that several people have told me Stuckey worked his tail off over the summer and that he was prepared to come in and have perhaps his best season. Now that he's struggling, they tell me he's a moody person who lets his moods affect his play
"He hasn't grown up yet so he might get frustrated and just shut it down,'' one person said.
Stuckey also may need (or want) the ball in his hands more. He always has been a combo guard -- not quite a 1 or a 2. But with Brandon Knight feeling more comfortable at the point, he's handling the ball more than he did last season, which has left Stuckey without both the ball and his mojo.
Evan Turner | SF | Philadelphia 76ers
Evan Turner has been OK, but that's not what you want from a No. 2 draft pick whom you traded an All-Star (Andre Iguodala) to make room for in the starting lineup. I say Turner has been OK because his 11.7 points a game is a two-point increase over what he did last year and he leads the Sixers with 8.7 rebounds a game. That's excellent board work for a small forward. But he's making only 38 percent of his shots, which gets to the crux of the matter: Turner just can't shoot.
At this point, Turner looks like a poor man's Iguodala. He can't shoot straight, but he can do everything else on the offensive end well. The difference is that Iguodala is a top defender and Turner is not. So whereas Iguodala could make up for his shooting deficiencies on the other end of the floor, Turner not only fails to regularly torch his opponent but he doesn't shut down anyone either.
Despite not being the quickest guy in the world, Turner is able to penetrate and create because of his great skills. Of course, that's what you've got point guard Jrue Holiday for. So for Turner to really become an impact player, he's got to improve that midrange game. If not, he could remain on this list for some time.
Lamar Odom | PF | Los Angeles Clippers
I can't blame the Clippers for trying. Hey, the one city you figured Odom would be comfortable enough in to return to form had to be Los Angeles. But so far, Odom has been as bad as he was when we last saw him getting booted off the team in Dallas. Sure, I'm told his attitude is better (and I believe it), but at the end of the day, it comes down to production. And as of yet, L.O. hasn't delivered that.
Ten pounds overweight, he has been nothing like the player the Clippers hoped they were getting. The math is horrible: After playing 17 minutes in the season opener, Odom has totaled only 17 minutes in the past two games, 31 in the past four. In six November games, he's shooting 18 percent from the floor.
Fortunately for the Clippers, they are so deep that it hasn't mattered. And when Grant Hill and Chauncey Billups get back it may matter even less. But one major reason the Thunder feared the Clippers more than the Lakers entering this season was because of the impact they knew a focused and productive Odom could have. Thus far, such an Odom has been nowhere to be found and with the West up for grabs, that could eventually be the difference between a trip to the conference finals and the Finals.
Derrick Williams | SF/PF | Minnesota Timberwolves
It's hard to believe some thought this guy might be a better draft pick than Kyrie Irving. While Kyrie has gone on to stardom, Williams has been a weak link on an injury-ravaged Timberwolves team. He has been starting at power forward in the absence of Kevin Love, but when Love returns from a broken hand, Williams could fade into no man's land. Even with Love out, he's only getting 22 minutes a night.
When he came from Arizona two years ago, scouts said he was a tweener at the forward position. It's the same thing they said about Michael Beasley, and neither player (though Beasley's problems are due in part to several off-the-court issues) has come anywhere close to experiencing the type of success they had in college.
Williams is shooting a measly 33 percent from the floor and being outplayed by teammate Dante Cunningham, a second-round pick in 2009 who already has played on four teams. In other words, Cunningham's a journeyman, and if Williams doesn't get it together, he may be one too.
LesterDiamond
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This is the way Beas should always be playing.
Padron1926
Pro
Ranking freshman NBA prospects
Every year, the incoming freshman class has a major impact on the draft. This year won't be any different.
Our 2013 NBA Draft Top 100 has a whopping six freshmen projected as one-and-done lottery picks and another seven potential first-rounders. Freshmen have been the rage for NBA scouts since high school seniors were banned from entering the draft in 2007.
In 2007, a record six freshmen -- Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Mike Conley Jr., Brandan Wright, Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young -- were drafted in the lottery.
In 2008, seven freshmen -- Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Jerryd Bayless and Anthony Randolph -- broke that record.
But since 2008, GMs have cooled a little on the freshman class. In 2009, just two college freshmen -- Tyreke Evans and DeMar DeRozan -- were drafted in the lottery. The 2010 draft had four freshmen going in the lottery: John Wall, Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins and Xavier Henry.
The 2011 class had a ton of elite freshmen, but four of them -- Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones, Jared Sullinger and Terrence Jones -- all decided to return for their sophomore seasons. That left just three freshmen drafted in the lottery -- Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight and Tristan Thompson.
Last season saw a bit of a resurgence. The first three players selected in the draft were freshmen, with Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal going in order. A total of five freshmen went in the lottery, with Moe Harkless falling just one pick short of the lottery.
How many will hear their names in the lottery this year? It's ridiculously early to do a stock watch, but here's an early read on where they might be heading.
The top 12 freshmen
Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 1
Patience, everyone. Noel is often compared with Anthony Davis. Yes, they're both long and athletic and can block shots. But the comparisons really end there. Noel doesn't have the same motor nor does he have the offensive skills of Davis. So why is he ranked No. 1?
For starters, Anthony Davis isn't in this draft class. Right now, there doesn't appear to be a player like Davis who could win multiple MVP awards in his career. This is just a weaker draft. Second, scouts predict Noel could be a dominant shot-blocker in the NBA, regardless of whether his offensive skills ever come around. And the smart money says his offensive skills will improve.
Lastly, people forget that freshmen who turn into great NBA players don't always dominate every game. Derrick Rose got off to a very slow start at Memphis. Blake Griffin was very shaky in his first two high profile matchups his freshman year at Oklahoma. Davis had three points against Penn State in his third game. He scored just six points in a December contest against North Carolina. At the time, my inbox was filled with people saying "Anthony Davis is a poor man's Marcus Camby." "He's too skinny for the NBA." "He has NO offensive game," etc.
To which I say: Remember, we're talking about freshmen.
So when Noel starts the season with just four points and nine rebounds against Maryland we might just want to chill. In his next game, against Duke's Mason Plumlee, a seasoned senior, he had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists and 4 steals. Not too shabby for an 18-year old kid playing in the second college game of his life.
So yes, he's not going to look like the No. 1 pick for a while ... but scouts can afford to be patient. You should be, too.
Shabazz Muhammad, F, UCLA
Top 100 Rank: 3
On Friday, the NCAA ruled that Muhammad was ineligible for the start of UCLA's season. Whether that ban continues all season is anyone's guess. Even if Muhammad doesn't play one game all season, every NBA scout I spoke with still believes he's a top-three pick. He's got a terrific motor, is a great scorer and is versatile.
In fact, if Noel doesn't improve, I wouldn't be shocked to see Muhammad go No. 1. Plenty of scouts have concerns about Cody Zeller's long-term upside in the NBA. They may feel Muhammad has more sizzle. At this point, I'm not sure it behooves Muhammad to play for UCLA. His draft stock may be better off sitting the season out.
Isaiah Austin, F/C, Baylor
Top 100 Rank: 7
Austin got off to a terrific start in his first game for Baylor, dropping 22 points on Lehigh in just 17 minutes. That's giving scouts hope that Austin won't be the sort of positionless, passive player that both Perry Jones and Quincy Miller were during their freshman seasons at Baylor. One scout I trust says that Austin has a lot of Jonathan Bender in him. If he plays with this aggressiveness all season, he too could have a shot at the No. 1 pick.
Alex Poythress, F, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 8
Poythress is a tweener right now, but he's such a special athlete and has so many positives that scouts are willing to overlook his flaws.
If you watched Kentucky's first two games, you saw both his potential and his weaknesses. Against Maryland, he struggled to get into any rhythm, was forcing the issue and didn't seem to really have a position or a role on the team. Against Duke, he was everywhere. He was battling on the boards, making major athletic plays in the paint and stretching the defense with his jumper. If the Poythress we saw against Duke shows up on a regular basis, he's going very, very high.
His confidence should be soaring right now, and that may be the ultimate key to his long-term success. Poythress's biggest issue in high school was a lack of confidence in what he can do. If Kentucky head coach John Calapari can inspire it ... watch out.
Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Top 100 Rank: 9
Adams is a tough, physical big man who is still learning the nuances of the American game. The Kiwi import is earning big minutes from Jamie Dixon right away and already looks like he could step in and play defense in the NBA. His defense alone might get him drafted in the lottery. If he can show some offensive game as well, he's got the talent to be a top-10 pick.
Archie Goodwin, G, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 10
Calipari has been comparing Goodwin to a young Russell Westbrook. He has a ton of athletic ability, and no one in college basketball can stay in front of him. But he also seems to have inherited Westbrook's penchant for making bad basketball decisions when he's pressured. Some of the shots Goodwin has taken have been inspired dropped jaws, head shaking or both. Still, Goodwin has elite NBA athlete written all over him. If Calipari can rein him in? Again, top-10 pick.
Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV
Top 100 Rank: 14
Bennett may be a bit of a tweener, but few freshmen have his offensive skills and the opportunity to use them. Bennett can score from anywhere on the floor and he's an elite athlete. He scored 22 points in 20 minutes in his first game for the Runnin' Rebels. If he can lead UNLV deep this year and prove he has a position, he's another player who could easily end up in the lottery.
Kyle Anderson, F, UCLA
Top 100 Rank: 18
Anderson may be the toughest player in the draft to peg. He is totally unique. He's a 6-foot-8 point guard who can handle the ball and see things developing with an eerie sixth sense. His lack of lateral quickness (his nickname is SlowMo) and his shaky jumper give teams concern, but the high basketball IQ and the ability to make everyone better are major pluses.
Ben McLemore, G/F, Kansas
Top 100 Rank: 20
McLemore is a bit of a Brandon Rush clone: long, excellent defender; good rebounder; can really shoot the rock. Often plays like he doesn't have confidence. Scouts love the talent, but he's got to show he's willing to do it night in and night out. His first two outings for the Jayhawks are inspiring hope. He has all the tools to be an excellent NBA player.
Rodney Purvis, G, North Carolina State
Top 100 Rank: 29
NC State is loaded with great veterans like C.J. Leslie, Lorenzo Brown and Richard Howell this year, but some scouts feel the most talented player on the roster might be Purvis. Purvis is a scoring machine who is relentless at getting to the basket. I know a handful of scouts who feel that, after Archie Goodwin, he's the best 2-guard in college basketball. Some scouts are questioning his jumper and lack of elite size for his position, but many think he might be a big-time scorer at the next level.
Willie Cauley-Stein, F/C, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 30
Cauley-Stein didn't get nearly the hype that Nerlens Noel did in high school. He was a late bloomer who didn't really start to come into his own until his senior year. But Kentucky has been raving about him since practice started, and after the Wildcats' first two games, it's pretty clear he's going to get a lot of interest from NBA scouts. He's long, a fluid athlete and shows so much potential on the offensive end. Even though he's coming off the bench as a sixth man, I would not be shocked to see Cauley-Stein in the lottery on draft night. There's just too much raw talent there for NBA scouts to pass on him.
Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State
Top 100 Rank: 34
There will be a lot of focus on LeBryan Nash this year, but many scouts believe that Smart might be the better pro prospect. He's an elite athlete who can play both backcourt positions. If he can convince NBA teams he's a point guard, he's just a jump shot away from being a lottery pick.
Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
Top 100 Rank: 35
Harris is a terrific athlete with a high basketball IQ and an excellent motor. He's tough, defends multiple positions and has shown that right out of the gate he has the green light from Tom Izzo to make things happen. His jump shot is still a work in progress, but after watching him slice and dice KU's defense on Tuesday, many scouts felt he too could end up in the lottery someday.
Best of the rest: Kaleb Tarczewski, C, Arizona; Przemek Karnowski, C, Gonzaga; Grant Jerrett, F, Arizona; Brandon Ashley, F, Arizona; Cameron Ridley, C, Texas; Glenn Robinson III, F, Michigan; Omar Calhoun, SG, UConn; Josh Scott, F/C, Colorado; DaJuan Coleman, F/C, Syracuse; Mitch McGary, F/C, Michigan; Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin; Danuel House, SF, Houston; Rasheed Sulaimon, SG, Duke; Yogi Ferrell, PG, Indiana; Perry Ellis, F, Kansas; Devonta Pollard, SF, Alabama; T.J. Warren, F, North Carolina State; Marcus Paige, PG, North Carolina; Amile Jefferson, F, Duke; Jamari Traylor, PF, Kansas
Our 2013 NBA Draft Top 100 has a whopping six freshmen projected as one-and-done lottery picks and another seven potential first-rounders. Freshmen have been the rage for NBA scouts since high school seniors were banned from entering the draft in 2007.
In 2007, a record six freshmen -- Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Mike Conley Jr., Brandan Wright, Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young -- were drafted in the lottery.
In 2008, seven freshmen -- Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Jerryd Bayless and Anthony Randolph -- broke that record.
But since 2008, GMs have cooled a little on the freshman class. In 2009, just two college freshmen -- Tyreke Evans and DeMar DeRozan -- were drafted in the lottery. The 2010 draft had four freshmen going in the lottery: John Wall, Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins and Xavier Henry.
The 2011 class had a ton of elite freshmen, but four of them -- Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones, Jared Sullinger and Terrence Jones -- all decided to return for their sophomore seasons. That left just three freshmen drafted in the lottery -- Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight and Tristan Thompson.
Last season saw a bit of a resurgence. The first three players selected in the draft were freshmen, with Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal going in order. A total of five freshmen went in the lottery, with Moe Harkless falling just one pick short of the lottery.
How many will hear their names in the lottery this year? It's ridiculously early to do a stock watch, but here's an early read on where they might be heading.
The top 12 freshmen
Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 1
Patience, everyone. Noel is often compared with Anthony Davis. Yes, they're both long and athletic and can block shots. But the comparisons really end there. Noel doesn't have the same motor nor does he have the offensive skills of Davis. So why is he ranked No. 1?
For starters, Anthony Davis isn't in this draft class. Right now, there doesn't appear to be a player like Davis who could win multiple MVP awards in his career. This is just a weaker draft. Second, scouts predict Noel could be a dominant shot-blocker in the NBA, regardless of whether his offensive skills ever come around. And the smart money says his offensive skills will improve.
Lastly, people forget that freshmen who turn into great NBA players don't always dominate every game. Derrick Rose got off to a very slow start at Memphis. Blake Griffin was very shaky in his first two high profile matchups his freshman year at Oklahoma. Davis had three points against Penn State in his third game. He scored just six points in a December contest against North Carolina. At the time, my inbox was filled with people saying "Anthony Davis is a poor man's Marcus Camby." "He's too skinny for the NBA." "He has NO offensive game," etc.
To which I say: Remember, we're talking about freshmen.
So when Noel starts the season with just four points and nine rebounds against Maryland we might just want to chill. In his next game, against Duke's Mason Plumlee, a seasoned senior, he had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists and 4 steals. Not too shabby for an 18-year old kid playing in the second college game of his life.
So yes, he's not going to look like the No. 1 pick for a while ... but scouts can afford to be patient. You should be, too.
Shabazz Muhammad, F, UCLA
Top 100 Rank: 3
On Friday, the NCAA ruled that Muhammad was ineligible for the start of UCLA's season. Whether that ban continues all season is anyone's guess. Even if Muhammad doesn't play one game all season, every NBA scout I spoke with still believes he's a top-three pick. He's got a terrific motor, is a great scorer and is versatile.
In fact, if Noel doesn't improve, I wouldn't be shocked to see Muhammad go No. 1. Plenty of scouts have concerns about Cody Zeller's long-term upside in the NBA. They may feel Muhammad has more sizzle. At this point, I'm not sure it behooves Muhammad to play for UCLA. His draft stock may be better off sitting the season out.
Isaiah Austin, F/C, Baylor
Top 100 Rank: 7
Austin got off to a terrific start in his first game for Baylor, dropping 22 points on Lehigh in just 17 minutes. That's giving scouts hope that Austin won't be the sort of positionless, passive player that both Perry Jones and Quincy Miller were during their freshman seasons at Baylor. One scout I trust says that Austin has a lot of Jonathan Bender in him. If he plays with this aggressiveness all season, he too could have a shot at the No. 1 pick.
Alex Poythress, F, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 8
Poythress is a tweener right now, but he's such a special athlete and has so many positives that scouts are willing to overlook his flaws.
If you watched Kentucky's first two games, you saw both his potential and his weaknesses. Against Maryland, he struggled to get into any rhythm, was forcing the issue and didn't seem to really have a position or a role on the team. Against Duke, he was everywhere. He was battling on the boards, making major athletic plays in the paint and stretching the defense with his jumper. If the Poythress we saw against Duke shows up on a regular basis, he's going very, very high.
His confidence should be soaring right now, and that may be the ultimate key to his long-term success. Poythress's biggest issue in high school was a lack of confidence in what he can do. If Kentucky head coach John Calapari can inspire it ... watch out.
Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh
Top 100 Rank: 9
Adams is a tough, physical big man who is still learning the nuances of the American game. The Kiwi import is earning big minutes from Jamie Dixon right away and already looks like he could step in and play defense in the NBA. His defense alone might get him drafted in the lottery. If he can show some offensive game as well, he's got the talent to be a top-10 pick.
Archie Goodwin, G, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 10
Calipari has been comparing Goodwin to a young Russell Westbrook. He has a ton of athletic ability, and no one in college basketball can stay in front of him. But he also seems to have inherited Westbrook's penchant for making bad basketball decisions when he's pressured. Some of the shots Goodwin has taken have been inspired dropped jaws, head shaking or both. Still, Goodwin has elite NBA athlete written all over him. If Calipari can rein him in? Again, top-10 pick.
Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV
Top 100 Rank: 14
Bennett may be a bit of a tweener, but few freshmen have his offensive skills and the opportunity to use them. Bennett can score from anywhere on the floor and he's an elite athlete. He scored 22 points in 20 minutes in his first game for the Runnin' Rebels. If he can lead UNLV deep this year and prove he has a position, he's another player who could easily end up in the lottery.
Kyle Anderson, F, UCLA
Top 100 Rank: 18
Anderson may be the toughest player in the draft to peg. He is totally unique. He's a 6-foot-8 point guard who can handle the ball and see things developing with an eerie sixth sense. His lack of lateral quickness (his nickname is SlowMo) and his shaky jumper give teams concern, but the high basketball IQ and the ability to make everyone better are major pluses.
Ben McLemore, G/F, Kansas
Top 100 Rank: 20
McLemore is a bit of a Brandon Rush clone: long, excellent defender; good rebounder; can really shoot the rock. Often plays like he doesn't have confidence. Scouts love the talent, but he's got to show he's willing to do it night in and night out. His first two outings for the Jayhawks are inspiring hope. He has all the tools to be an excellent NBA player.
Rodney Purvis, G, North Carolina State
Top 100 Rank: 29
NC State is loaded with great veterans like C.J. Leslie, Lorenzo Brown and Richard Howell this year, but some scouts feel the most talented player on the roster might be Purvis. Purvis is a scoring machine who is relentless at getting to the basket. I know a handful of scouts who feel that, after Archie Goodwin, he's the best 2-guard in college basketball. Some scouts are questioning his jumper and lack of elite size for his position, but many think he might be a big-time scorer at the next level.
Willie Cauley-Stein, F/C, Kentucky
Top 100 Rank: 30
Cauley-Stein didn't get nearly the hype that Nerlens Noel did in high school. He was a late bloomer who didn't really start to come into his own until his senior year. But Kentucky has been raving about him since practice started, and after the Wildcats' first two games, it's pretty clear he's going to get a lot of interest from NBA scouts. He's long, a fluid athlete and shows so much potential on the offensive end. Even though he's coming off the bench as a sixth man, I would not be shocked to see Cauley-Stein in the lottery on draft night. There's just too much raw talent there for NBA scouts to pass on him.
Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma State
Top 100 Rank: 34
There will be a lot of focus on LeBryan Nash this year, but many scouts believe that Smart might be the better pro prospect. He's an elite athlete who can play both backcourt positions. If he can convince NBA teams he's a point guard, he's just a jump shot away from being a lottery pick.
Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State
Top 100 Rank: 35
Harris is a terrific athlete with a high basketball IQ and an excellent motor. He's tough, defends multiple positions and has shown that right out of the gate he has the green light from Tom Izzo to make things happen. His jump shot is still a work in progress, but after watching him slice and dice KU's defense on Tuesday, many scouts felt he too could end up in the lottery someday.
Best of the rest: Kaleb Tarczewski, C, Arizona; Przemek Karnowski, C, Gonzaga; Grant Jerrett, F, Arizona; Brandon Ashley, F, Arizona; Cameron Ridley, C, Texas; Glenn Robinson III, F, Michigan; Omar Calhoun, SG, UConn; Josh Scott, F/C, Colorado; DaJuan Coleman, F/C, Syracuse; Mitch McGary, F/C, Michigan; Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin; Danuel House, SF, Houston; Rasheed Sulaimon, SG, Duke; Yogi Ferrell, PG, Indiana; Perry Ellis, F, Kansas; Devonta Pollard, SF, Alabama; T.J. Warren, F, North Carolina State; Marcus Paige, PG, North Carolina; Amile Jefferson, F, Duke; Jamari Traylor, PF, Kansas
Tony D'Amato
It's all about the inches
Antoni D and he aint even on the bench
This gone be fun
At some point tonight, Im gonna have to look up The Grizzlies, cheer squad
This gone be fun
At some point tonight, Im gonna have to look up The Grizzlies, cheer squad