Guards
Andre Miller- Has to show- Mid range game
Andre Miller was easily the best player on the Sixers last season. Statistically, Andre Miller did not blow anyone away, but his leadership, getting others involved and control the offense was a pleasant surprise for Sixers fans that haven’t seen a true point guard play at an elite level in years. The Sixers made the 2007 playoffs with one of the least talented rosters in the NBA, a direct reflection upon Miller’s true ability to make those around him improve significant areas of their game. What Andre Miller must show this season is to continue to show the ability to hit the mid range jump shot at, again, a high frequency. With Brand and Iguodala spreading the court, Miller will gain the opportunity to receive much more, wide open jump shots around the perimeter. With defenses likely crowding the paint, our strength, to force the Sixers to shoot from the perimeter, our weakness, Miller must show efficiency in the mid range game on a team that lacks shooters.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 13-14 points, 8-8.5 assists, 3-4 rebounds
Royal Ivey- Has to show- Perimeter Defense/Ball Handling
Lets be honest…Royal Ivey was not brought here for his offense, we all know that. Royal Ivey’s main role for the Sixers will be to provide ball handling and defense to allow an emerging star guard, Louis Williams, to play his natural position and allow him to do what he does best: to put the ball in the hoop. Ivey is in a very good situation here. Although, not much will be asked of the young guard in this spot, but Ivey has real potential to surprise fans with his scoring ability. While not the most talented, Ivey does have skills to put it in the hoop. I have a strong feeling that Ivey, with his energy and defense, will become an instant fan favorite among Sixer fans. With a strongly defined role, Royal Ivey could really thrive in this position on the Sixers as a 3rd or 4th guard off the bench to provide hustle and defense.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 6 points, 3 assists
Andre Iguodala- Has to show- Range on his Jumpshot/Scoring
Andre Iguodala can’t even justify his own, overpaid contract, which literally makes him an upper echelon player in the NBA. Despite continuing to show improvements in all facets of his game, Iguodala is an above average player getting paid like a star. While his stats put him right up there as a top 30 or 40 player in the NBA, for a player that doesn’t do anything ‘great,’ that contract is pretty hefty. There is no doubt that this contract came from the Elton Brand signing, which quickly represented the Sixers’ willingness to go for a championship within the next 4 to 5 years. What Andre Iguodala must show this season, unless he wants to be a quick target from Philly fans, is that he is not just a run and gun scorer. Iguodala is being paid like a top scorer, and must display improvements in his ability to shoot with range and efficiency. If Iguodala develops a consistent mid range jump shot with range out to the 3 spot, Iguodala will certainly justify such a contract. The Sixers were, however, in no position to lose a player of his caliber. All things aside, it is good to have Iggy back in the fold. With Elton Brand giving the Sixers a true post presence, Iggy will have all the opportunities in the world to become a premiere scorer. With wider lanes, less double teams and less pressure, Iguodala is in prime position to make the All Star team this year, which his contract basically suggests he will be, but we all know that is all dependent on wins and losses.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats- 20 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Louis Williams- Has to show- Point Guard Instincts
There is no doubt, at all, that the biggest key to the Sixers’ season revolves around a budding star in Louis Williams. With Andre Miller continuing to stress that he will not stay in Philadelphia after this season, all eyes will be on the incumbent Louis Williams. Is LouWill a combo guard or a natural shooting guard? Will Louis Williams performance force the Sixers’ front office to trade Andre Miller? After receiving a very fair contract extension, we will certainly find out where Louis Williams stands in his development. Regardless, Louis Williams is the first player coming off a very good bench and a premiere candidate for sixth man of the year. Williams is primed and ready to jump into the spot light as a house hold name in the NBA. While Williams showed an improved handle and ability to find the open man last season, Williams still has ways to go until he becomes the starting point guard for the Sixers, especially with Iggy getting a large contract to be the SG and an emerging star at SF with Thaddeus Young. Despite the challenges to being a point guard, Louis Williams is a natural born scorer and an integral part to a Sixer playoff run.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats- 14-16 points, 5 assists, 1 steal
Willie Green- Has to show- Consistency
Every offseason Sixer fans demand to see consistency from Willie Green. A good scorer from the perimeter, Willie Green has shown flashes of being a solid starting NBA two guard. Unfortunitely, those streaks of brilliance are far and away thrown off by long patches of inconsistency and poor defense. Willie Green has potential to be an excellent option off the bench, it is a shame, however, that a player like Willie Green cannot possibly succeed in such a role. Willie Green is a rhythm player, therefore needing more touches to get in the rhythm of the game and thus be effective in the offense. With such a deep bench and the additions of Ivey and Rush, Willie Green is on the way out looking in at this point.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats- 2-3 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound
Forwards
Thaddeus Young- Has to show- Mid range game
Everyone couldn’t have been more impressed with the rook that took the world by storm once inserted into the starting lineup. Thaddeus Young was a huge factor in the second half surge that took the Sixers to the playoffs in 2007. With his elite defense, ability to finish around the hoop, run the court and play to his strengths, Thaddeus Young put up averages of 12 and 7 as a starter and looks to build upon those numbers in 2008. What was most impressive for such a young rookie last year was Thad’s ability to play the game to the best of his strengths, which was using his athleticism and wingspan to crash the rim, scoring off putbacks and in transition and playing defense on the perimeter. Although he showed a natural ability to hit big shots from the key, Thad’s biggest area of improvement must be his mid range shooting. As Thad moves from power forward to his natural position at small forward, he must continue to do all the things that allowed him adjust well to the challenges of the NBA. Thad is the key to the 2008 season, as it is his progress and development that’ll make the Sixers a playoff team to a championship team. How long will that be? I don’t know about you, but I’ll put my money on Thad.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Kareem Rush- Has to show- 3 point shooting
Another one of Ed’s FA signings, Kareem Rush was brought here for one reason, to shoot the three. Similar to Ivey, and with a smooth stroke, Rush is in another excellent position to thrive on a team that needs shooting. Kareem Rush will idol Kyle Korver’s role on the Sixers a year prior, providing a spark with his long range jay and a steal every now and then. Rush is in a great position because of the player in front of him. Although Thaddeus Young showed excellent strides last season, no one is quite positive as to how many minutes Young will ever put forth for an entire season. Enter Kareem Rush, Thad’s lone back up who could get more minutes than any other back up on the bench other than Louis Williams. Rush is another player on the bench that could become an instant fan favorite with Philly fans.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 6-7 points
Elton Brand- Has to show- Durability
The Sixers finally obtained their superstar in Elton Brand, a defensive minded power forward who is arguably a top 15 player in the NBA. Last season the Sixers went as far as their post play took them. Without a legit post threat, the Sixers were in a large hole every game as opposing teams used their lack of a post presence to their advantage. Although starting Thaddeus Young at the 4 spot helped with their fast break, when it came to the playoffs where the half court offense is almost required, the Sixers did their best to manage with Reggie Evans. Elton Brand gives the Sixers a legit threat in the paint that will command double teams and open up the entire game plan for the Sixers. With so many athletic wingmen and a pass first point guard, the addition of Elton Brand should lead an offense that is aggressive and physical to say the least. The only area Elton Brand needs to improve upon is durability, and to earn the contract he received. As Elton Brand goes, so do the Sixers.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 19-20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4 assists
Marreese Speights- Has to show- Hustle
Lets be frank… Despite how good Speights looked in the Summer League, he will receive ample playing time this season due to being the back up of Elton Brand. Speights’ playing time will most likely come during garbage and/or the latter parts of the season when Brand will need more time off to get ready for the playoffs. Still, one cannot simply ignore the skills displayed last Summer. Speights showed incredible athleticism, an incredibly smooth mid range jumper, the ability to finish with both hand and excellent ability to rebound and block shots from the weakside. In other words, Speights has all the tools in the world to succeed in the NBA along with excellent frame, size and wingspan. Due to receiving ample playing time, Marreese Speights must show the effort and hustle he displayed in the Summer League. Why? Due to the depth of our front court, Speight’s role will be to hold on his in the paint and play defense.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block
Reggie Evans- Has to show- Leadership
In my opinion, Reggie Evans can be saved until the playoffs. He is an absolute lock to make this roster due to the youth on the roster, and his physical play, combined with the fundamentals of Elton Brand, has a great chance of rubbing off on Marreese Speights on how to play the game (which is huge). I’ll admit, I was against bringing Reggie Evans in for Steven Hunter…. But shit was I wrong… Reggie Evans, with the way the Sixers play, is the life and soul of this team. His leadership is an absolute must for our roster because he symbolizes how the Sixers should play. With the Sixers size advantage, athleticism, defense and rebounding, Reggie Evans should show our youngsters a thing or two about the life of the NBA. Evans, ironically, almost single handedly carried us in the playoffs against Detroit, and he is a perfect bench player to have on any team trying to make a run in the playoffs.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 3 points, 2 rebounds
Centers
Samuel Dalembert- Has to show- Role
Last year WAY too much was being asked of Samuel Dalembert… to the point where the Sixers turned him into a jump shooting big man that stayed clear of the paint. Not happening this year. With Elton Brand commanding double teams, Samuel Dalembert should be primed and ready to catch any kind of lob or pass headed his way for an open bucket. What I want to see out of Samuel Dalembert is a more defined role for the offense and defense. Instead of staying outside on offense, Dalembert should focus on centering around the paint and looking for the lob or dish around the hoop, period. On defense, where he should shine, Dalembert should, like on offense, stay in the paint and simply look to rebound and block shots. Dalembert should have a huge year defensively for the Sixers, and this should be his primary concern. No more long bombs from the perimeter. Dalembert should get plenty of looks from a slashing Iggy, double teamed Elton Brand or on the fast break.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 9-10 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks
Theo Ratliff- Has to show- Energy
Theo Ratliff has been brought back to do one thing, provide energy off the bench and spell Samuel Dalembert in case of foul trouble. Not much is expected of Ratliff, but one thing is for sure, he was a fan favorite in Philadelphia and should get a ton of rousing applauses from the fans. In fact, I would be shocked if he doesn’t get a standing ovation each time he runs onto the court this season. People say he’s oft-injured and he certainly is, but he definitely looked pretty good albeit horrible front court last year in the playoffs when he played for Detroit. If he gives us half of what he gave us in 2000-2001, our front court should simply be nasty, and not fall off a bit when Sammy D takes a few minutes off to relax on the bench.
Likely 2008 NBA Stats: 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks
In total that is about 102 points per game, exactly where I expect the offense to be around this season.
In summary, the Sixers have excellent wingmen, a top 10 point guard in my opinion, one of the best front courts in the NBA as well as one of the best benches in the entire NBA.
Wins 56.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Early 2008 NBA Draft Stock Watch
Stock Rising:
Michael Beasley: Had a 40 point, 17 rebound performance last week. He's easily the best prize in the draft, and all around talent. Unanimous top pick.
Brook Lopez: Lopez has just been having monster game after monster game lately. As Stanford gets closer to the tournament, I fully expect Brook Lopez to sky rocket up the charts. He is a clear top 5 pick in the draft, and I must say he has me eating crow. I never knew he was this good.
Donte Green: After a slow start Donte Green is silently putting together one of the greatest freshman performances in college history. After a huge 18 pt 16 reb performance to beat Georgetown, Donte Green and Syracuse have just about sealed the deal with making their bid for the tournament. Those Carmello comparisons don't seem that far off anymore do they?
Eric Gordon: The best shooting guard in college, bar none. His stock continues to rise, like others, as the tournament picture begins to appear itself. While Gordon has a reputation as a gunner, he's a much better passer than people know. Height and comparisons to Ben Gordon will always be his downfall, and the reason he may slip in the draft. On talent alone he would be a top 3 pick.
Jerryd Bayless: Has already proved himself as second top lead guard in college basketball. His combo of offensive, passing and team leadership skills at such a young age is frightening. Bayless has had an unbelievable week averaging around 34 points per game. No one has increased their stock this season more so than Bayless. He is a lock to go in the top ten.
Davon Jefferson: The other guy on that struggling USC squad. Mayo's struggles has led to Jefferson's arrival as a top tier SF prospect. He easily has one of the best mid range games in college, and is also an excellent finisher on the break. A lock to go in the top 20.
Hasheem Thabeet: woa woa woa, look who decided to step up. Thabeet has been steadily improving this season, showing to be more a part of the offense. More importantly, Thabeet clear strengths revolve around his rebounding and shot blocking ability. Players like Thabeet are always taken in the top ten, so I'm putting my money on some team biting for Thabeet. Right now I say he is a lock for the top ten. Uconns late season win streak has his stock soaring.
Darren Collison: Now that he's getting back to being healthy, Collison has been putting together a stretch of magnificent performances lately. With UCLA being a potential number one seed in the tournament, Collison will shortly get that much deserved credit. He's a lock for the top 20, but I think he's better than that. Anyone who drafts this guy will have a future starter/potential star on their roster.
Jason Thompson: The potential of Jason Thompson continues to gather attention. While he may be a senior, people are still very high on Thompsons' potential in the NBA as he has improved drastically season after season. His height and wingspan and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect and his performance may have sealed the deal to be a top 15 pick.
Stock Neutral:
Derrick Rose: While Memphis may continue to win games, Derrick Rose has been in a bit of a slump lately. Still considered as a top 2 pick, I'll put my money on this lead guard on any game in the tournament. He is an impact player on both sides of the court too. The only way he falls out of the second pick of the draft is if he stays another year at Memphis.
DeAndre Jordan: Similar to all big men in college, his stock remains the same due to measurements alone. I still feel Jordan is more of a name right now, and is being a bit overrated. Still, he's a lock to go in the top 5 whenever he declares based on his height, athleticism and decent offensive game. Some team will bite.
Nicolas Batum: I haven't heard much news on the guy lately while playing for France overseas. Still, he is the top overall guard in this draft class due to his height, wingspan, range on his jumpshot, passing and athleticism. He was a top 5 pick last year in the draft, where does he fall this year? Private workouts will be the telling tale of where this frenchy falls. I love this kid and I think he will be a star on the next level. A lock for the top ten.
Danillo Gallinari: See Nicolas Batum. Perhaps Ricky could share some light on these two prospects. Gallinari has potential to climb up the big board once private workouts begin. He has the potential to be a top ten pick, but I believe will go to a team in need, which may cause him to drop a little.
Roy Hibbert and Kevin Love: Unlike DeAndre Jordan these two players have below average athleticism, which will cause their stock to fall before the draft. A lock for the top 20 though.
Stock Falling:
OJ Mayo: He will always be a household name, but Mayo has played below expectations all season long. Although he averages almost 20 per game, one has to be aware of his dismal shooting percentage. He'll most likely go in the top ten based on potential alone. USC is a lock to make the tournament due to playing in the toughest conference in college and having a few big names on their roster, so OJ better learn how to be an efficient lead scorer like Eric Gordon soon.
Darrell Arthur: Once considered the top power forward in college, Arthur remains to be the toughest player to scout due to the talented and deep Kansas roster. He appears to have an NBA game but I'm still not sure what his ceiling may be. He has played better as of late, but I'm afraid he's riding the talent train that is the Kansas Jayhawks.
DJ Augustin: Once a top ten pick, Augustin has slipped lately. He's had a below average week and must step his game up to be among the top 3 or 4 guards in college basketball. Regardless, a lock to be a top 20 pick.
That's it for now.
Michael Beasley: Had a 40 point, 17 rebound performance last week. He's easily the best prize in the draft, and all around talent. Unanimous top pick.
Brook Lopez: Lopez has just been having monster game after monster game lately. As Stanford gets closer to the tournament, I fully expect Brook Lopez to sky rocket up the charts. He is a clear top 5 pick in the draft, and I must say he has me eating crow. I never knew he was this good.
Donte Green: After a slow start Donte Green is silently putting together one of the greatest freshman performances in college history. After a huge 18 pt 16 reb performance to beat Georgetown, Donte Green and Syracuse have just about sealed the deal with making their bid for the tournament. Those Carmello comparisons don't seem that far off anymore do they?
Eric Gordon: The best shooting guard in college, bar none. His stock continues to rise, like others, as the tournament picture begins to appear itself. While Gordon has a reputation as a gunner, he's a much better passer than people know. Height and comparisons to Ben Gordon will always be his downfall, and the reason he may slip in the draft. On talent alone he would be a top 3 pick.
Jerryd Bayless: Has already proved himself as second top lead guard in college basketball. His combo of offensive, passing and team leadership skills at such a young age is frightening. Bayless has had an unbelievable week averaging around 34 points per game. No one has increased their stock this season more so than Bayless. He is a lock to go in the top ten.
Davon Jefferson: The other guy on that struggling USC squad. Mayo's struggles has led to Jefferson's arrival as a top tier SF prospect. He easily has one of the best mid range games in college, and is also an excellent finisher on the break. A lock to go in the top 20.
Hasheem Thabeet: woa woa woa, look who decided to step up. Thabeet has been steadily improving this season, showing to be more a part of the offense. More importantly, Thabeet clear strengths revolve around his rebounding and shot blocking ability. Players like Thabeet are always taken in the top ten, so I'm putting my money on some team biting for Thabeet. Right now I say he is a lock for the top ten. Uconns late season win streak has his stock soaring.
Darren Collison: Now that he's getting back to being healthy, Collison has been putting together a stretch of magnificent performances lately. With UCLA being a potential number one seed in the tournament, Collison will shortly get that much deserved credit. He's a lock for the top 20, but I think he's better than that. Anyone who drafts this guy will have a future starter/potential star on their roster.
Jason Thompson: The potential of Jason Thompson continues to gather attention. While he may be a senior, people are still very high on Thompsons' potential in the NBA as he has improved drastically season after season. His height and wingspan and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect and his performance may have sealed the deal to be a top 15 pick.
Stock Neutral:
Derrick Rose: While Memphis may continue to win games, Derrick Rose has been in a bit of a slump lately. Still considered as a top 2 pick, I'll put my money on this lead guard on any game in the tournament. He is an impact player on both sides of the court too. The only way he falls out of the second pick of the draft is if he stays another year at Memphis.
DeAndre Jordan: Similar to all big men in college, his stock remains the same due to measurements alone. I still feel Jordan is more of a name right now, and is being a bit overrated. Still, he's a lock to go in the top 5 whenever he declares based on his height, athleticism and decent offensive game. Some team will bite.
Nicolas Batum: I haven't heard much news on the guy lately while playing for France overseas. Still, he is the top overall guard in this draft class due to his height, wingspan, range on his jumpshot, passing and athleticism. He was a top 5 pick last year in the draft, where does he fall this year? Private workouts will be the telling tale of where this frenchy falls. I love this kid and I think he will be a star on the next level. A lock for the top ten.
Danillo Gallinari: See Nicolas Batum. Perhaps Ricky could share some light on these two prospects. Gallinari has potential to climb up the big board once private workouts begin. He has the potential to be a top ten pick, but I believe will go to a team in need, which may cause him to drop a little.
Roy Hibbert and Kevin Love: Unlike DeAndre Jordan these two players have below average athleticism, which will cause their stock to fall before the draft. A lock for the top 20 though.
Stock Falling:
OJ Mayo: He will always be a household name, but Mayo has played below expectations all season long. Although he averages almost 20 per game, one has to be aware of his dismal shooting percentage. He'll most likely go in the top ten based on potential alone. USC is a lock to make the tournament due to playing in the toughest conference in college and having a few big names on their roster, so OJ better learn how to be an efficient lead scorer like Eric Gordon soon.
Darrell Arthur: Once considered the top power forward in college, Arthur remains to be the toughest player to scout due to the talented and deep Kansas roster. He appears to have an NBA game but I'm still not sure what his ceiling may be. He has played better as of late, but I'm afraid he's riding the talent train that is the Kansas Jayhawks.
DJ Augustin: Once a top ten pick, Augustin has slipped lately. He's had a below average week and must step his game up to be among the top 3 or 4 guards in college basketball. Regardless, a lock to be a top 20 pick.
That's it for now.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Perfect Eagles Mock Draft
My dream draft:
1st pick, first round: DE Calais Campbell: 6'8 defensive end with good quickness and athleticism. The Eagles must address DE in the draft with Kearse and Howard likely on the way out. Frankly the Eagles need a starting caliber de next to Trent Cole. Juqua Thomas is a good player but not a starter and more effective rotating along the edges. With our DTs looking to be much more solid, the Eagles must address their pass rush and I think this is a no brainer. The Eagles also need to add size to their front line. The rotation of Trent Cole, Calais Campbell, Juqua Thomas and Abiamiri would be solid.
2nd pick, 2nd round: TE Martellus Bennett: One of the biggest weaknesses of the Eagles last season was the lack of a consistent, pass catching TE. Enter Martellus Bennett, a 6'7 TE from Texas A and M with good weight and very good hands. From what I've read he is also a solid blocker as well. McNabb wants playmakers, this pick would be in that direction. Despite the salary, I'm not sold on Schobel making this team next year after the solid, rookie campaign of Brent Celek. This position is not good enough and an upgrade is a must of the Eagles want to improve their offense. Bennett would be the big, pass catching, touchdown threat we have always wanted. Another no brainer in my opinion.
3rd pick, 3rd round: FB Owen Schmitt: I thought Tapeh had a pretty decent year but again, the Eagles must upgrade this position and stop platooning players to fit their mold of a FB. Schmitt is the nastiest player I have ever seen. He is big at 6'3, 260, and with the idea of Westbrook's performance level declining due to age, why not get him a big, premiere run blocker to run behind? With all the talk about Westbrook deserving more and this and that, I think this would be a very safe pick and send a good message to the team (Bdawk included).
I'm not going to go into the fourth round because after the first day of the draft the rest is a crap shoot. I know the Eagles also need to address their defensive backfield but I'm just much, much higher on the guys I've picked and where they were picked. CBs can be found in the later rounds of the draft.
Bottomline the Eagles need impact players and cannot afford to keep high draft picks on the bench and think they're going to get to the next level. All three picks here would fit into their roles and get playing time. I have a feeling that Kearse and/or Howard will be released before the start of next season. Drafting Calais Campbell would make our pass rush much more effective due to his size and presence. Drafting Martellus Bennett would give the Eagles a top prospect TE that will demand playing time due to his receiving ability and size alone. He'd instantly be our tallest receiver and would give McNabb a HUGE target to dump balls in the middle of the field. The lack of a tight end killed this offense last year. The rotation of Bennett and Celek would be a drastic improvement to what it was in 07. Drafting Owen Schmitt would place the importance of running the football. Lets face it, the entire offensive line underperformed last season. Schmitt is a team player that plays the game as hard as Dawkins. He would be an instant fan favorite and future leader on offense on a team that lacks leaders on offense. He simply puts it all on the field, and he'd be as reliable as it gets.
Thoughts appreciated!
1st pick, first round: DE Calais Campbell: 6'8 defensive end with good quickness and athleticism. The Eagles must address DE in the draft with Kearse and Howard likely on the way out. Frankly the Eagles need a starting caliber de next to Trent Cole. Juqua Thomas is a good player but not a starter and more effective rotating along the edges. With our DTs looking to be much more solid, the Eagles must address their pass rush and I think this is a no brainer. The Eagles also need to add size to their front line. The rotation of Trent Cole, Calais Campbell, Juqua Thomas and Abiamiri would be solid.
2nd pick, 2nd round: TE Martellus Bennett: One of the biggest weaknesses of the Eagles last season was the lack of a consistent, pass catching TE. Enter Martellus Bennett, a 6'7 TE from Texas A and M with good weight and very good hands. From what I've read he is also a solid blocker as well. McNabb wants playmakers, this pick would be in that direction. Despite the salary, I'm not sold on Schobel making this team next year after the solid, rookie campaign of Brent Celek. This position is not good enough and an upgrade is a must of the Eagles want to improve their offense. Bennett would be the big, pass catching, touchdown threat we have always wanted. Another no brainer in my opinion.
3rd pick, 3rd round: FB Owen Schmitt: I thought Tapeh had a pretty decent year but again, the Eagles must upgrade this position and stop platooning players to fit their mold of a FB. Schmitt is the nastiest player I have ever seen. He is big at 6'3, 260, and with the idea of Westbrook's performance level declining due to age, why not get him a big, premiere run blocker to run behind? With all the talk about Westbrook deserving more and this and that, I think this would be a very safe pick and send a good message to the team (Bdawk included).
I'm not going to go into the fourth round because after the first day of the draft the rest is a crap shoot. I know the Eagles also need to address their defensive backfield but I'm just much, much higher on the guys I've picked and where they were picked. CBs can be found in the later rounds of the draft.
Bottomline the Eagles need impact players and cannot afford to keep high draft picks on the bench and think they're going to get to the next level. All three picks here would fit into their roles and get playing time. I have a feeling that Kearse and/or Howard will be released before the start of next season. Drafting Calais Campbell would make our pass rush much more effective due to his size and presence. Drafting Martellus Bennett would give the Eagles a top prospect TE that will demand playing time due to his receiving ability and size alone. He'd instantly be our tallest receiver and would give McNabb a HUGE target to dump balls in the middle of the field. The lack of a tight end killed this offense last year. The rotation of Bennett and Celek would be a drastic improvement to what it was in 07. Drafting Owen Schmitt would place the importance of running the football. Lets face it, the entire offensive line underperformed last season. Schmitt is a team player that plays the game as hard as Dawkins. He would be an instant fan favorite and future leader on offense on a team that lacks leaders on offense. He simply puts it all on the field, and he'd be as reliable as it gets.
Thoughts appreciated!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sixers' Midseason Report
My first blog in a long time. Enjoy.
Andre Iguodala: Before the season started I predicted Andre Iguodala would really struggle this season. While statistically he is having the best of his career, you can't argue that I was spot on with this one. Iguodala has been extremely expressive over his frustration with the roster. As the losses begin to pile on, Iguodala is growing more and more tired of this team. My opinion? There is nothing wrong with his attitude, period. Iguodala is a young player beginning to come into his own, is in a contract season, and simply wants to win. You gotta love that in a player. Iggy has performed up to expectations this season, and then some. He is a fantastic ball player. But if Iggy is to decide that he wants franchise money, he has to be kidding himself. Currently the Sixers only have 17 wins and are on pace for 25-29 wins, right around what I expected. How can you pay a guy franchise money who has already proved that he does not win you ball games? Iggy is a second tier player playing in a first tier players' body. I love him, but Iggy is a great player playing second fiddle to an even better player alongside him. Grade: B plus.
Andre Miller: Let me start by saying Andre Miller is the ultimate class, professional. He has shown that he can consistently impact the game on a very high level. Now, let me get this off my chest. WHAT THE HELL IS HE STILL DOING HERE? I mean come on, granted Ed Stefanski is most likely looking for the best deal out there, but you are just wasting this guys' career Ed! Andre Miller deserves to be an integral part of a contender. He is arguably having his second best season as a pro, get him out of this town Ed. Grade A minus.
Willie Green: Before the season started I predicted that Willie Green must show greater consistency. Willie Green is easily having one of his best seasons as a Sixer, but he has also shown he simply not the same player he was before his injury. While he is a great scorer when on, his inconsistency just kills the Sixers and is a large part to why the Sixers' offense lags many nights. Not only has his offense been inconsistent, but his defense, while improved, has been off and on all season long. This is one of the greatest weaknesses of the Sixers for a reason. In my opinion, due to his inconsistency on both ends of the court, there is no reason to start Willie Green any longer. While there is no one solution to solving the Sixers' problems on offense, something can be done on the defensive end. Thaddeus Young, our future starting swingman, has already proved he can hack it in this league at 19 years old. Regardless, Willie Green is much more effective coming off the bench as an offensive spark. Grade C.
Samuel Dalembert: Let me start by saying I was one of Samuel Dalemberts' biggest haters. I just did not like the way he played the game, or his lack of knowledge for the game, and his ridiculously overpaid salary before the season started. Simply put, the Samuel Dalembert has been the BEST Sixer this season. Dalembert is really coming into his own before our very own eyes. Already averaging a double double this season, Sammy easily has the largest impact on the offensive and defensive end when on the court. Even better, his contract looks rather reasonable right now. In my opinion Sammy is now a top ten center in the NBA. Want proof? Just watch the effectiveness of the offense and defense when Sammy is NOT playing. It drops considerably. If the Sixers can find a bruising PF in the draft or free agency this offseason, watch out. Samuel Dalembert could be even better if he has a scoring big man that takes up space next to him. Grade A plus.
Louis Williams: Once a risky, second round pick, Louis Williams is now viewed as one of the top up and coming scorers in the league. Louis Williams is an electric scorer anytime he is on the court. He can light up the score board inside and out, and make a few defensive plays that really impacts the course of a ball game. The negative? What position does he play? I don't think anyone really knows yet. Williams has taken great strides in his point guard skills such as dribbling, controlling the tempo of the game and limiting turnovers. He definitely has poing guard potential due to his very young age. But, would Williams be better if he played the two guard, which is his natural position, or even coming off the bench? I believe the answer is a combination of both. I think Williams has proved he is a starter in this league, that much is a given. This offseason is going to be huge for Louis Williams, not only for getting his new contract, but the Sixers FO really need to make a decision on where they would like Williams to play. Since a consistent, scoring shooting guard is a clear need for this team, do they add one in the draft or give Williams the position to put the ball in the hoop? A decision has to be made very soon due to the importance of the 2008 nba draft and our likely lotto pick. Green cannot start for this team anymore. Start Williams at the two guard or move Thad in at SF and Iggy to the two guard. Changes have to be made. Grade: A.
Thaddeus Young: I loved this kid in college, and even more now in the NBA. Lets get this out of the way, Young has a lot to learn. Thad displays dificulty handling the ball and staying within himself on offense. He simply looks nervous out there, but all of that is understandable since he is a rookie. What you have to like about Thaddeus Young is that he is already an impact player while being so raw. His potential as a defensive player is outstanding. One of his biggest weaknesses before he was drafted was his inability to rebound the ball. Well you can throw all of that out the window. He is a rebounding machine when in the paint, where he plays most of the time. While he doesn't get his points, it is not his fault. I don't think there is a play on offense where Thad is the number one scorer. Most of Thads points come from second chance opportunities and on fast breaks. He even got his first start last week. His potential is through the roof. I never would have thought he would look this good at such an early point of the season. Grade: B plus.
Jason Smith: Another great pick by the Sixers. Jason Smith has all the tools in the world to be a successful, starting power forward in the league some day. Rebounding, quick feet, an excellent finisher around the rim, good mid range shooting stroke, great fundaments, great athleticism, size, you can go on and on. Even more impressive is his understanding of the offense and defense. How many plays do you see Jason Smith taking a break on offense? Smith is constantly active on the offensive end, setting picks for others and making smart decisions with the ball. On defense, he is an excellent rotational defense evident by his better than believed shot blocking ability and aggresiveness in the paint. Grade B plus.
Reggie Evans: the worst player on the Sixers. Granted he has made the Sixers one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league, it is just that his offense is THAT bad. If he was anywhere near adequate on offense the Sixers would have at least 5-10 more wins guranteed. Grade D plus.
In the grand scheme of things you have like the core of this roster. Louis Williams, Iggy, Jason Smith, Thad, and Samuel Dalembert. The biggest strengths of this team are athleticism and defense. That's about it. The two biggest weaknesses of the team are clearly the lack of a consistent scoring SG and a scoring PF in the paint. The Sixers are on pace to win a little less than 30 wins, right around what was expected. Everything is right on schedule. Miller has already proved to be one of the most underrated point guards in the league. Miller is a difference maker and should be moved sometime near the deadline of before or during the draft. We should get a considerable amount for Miller. Changes must be made in the starting lineup. Evans and Green should not be starting and that change will occur sometime in the next few weeks or so. Thad needs to start. Williams needs more playing time. Smith needs more minutes at PF. This entire season was and still is intended to see the young guys develop and progress their skills. Don't stop now.
Andre Iguodala: Before the season started I predicted Andre Iguodala would really struggle this season. While statistically he is having the best of his career, you can't argue that I was spot on with this one. Iguodala has been extremely expressive over his frustration with the roster. As the losses begin to pile on, Iguodala is growing more and more tired of this team. My opinion? There is nothing wrong with his attitude, period. Iguodala is a young player beginning to come into his own, is in a contract season, and simply wants to win. You gotta love that in a player. Iggy has performed up to expectations this season, and then some. He is a fantastic ball player. But if Iggy is to decide that he wants franchise money, he has to be kidding himself. Currently the Sixers only have 17 wins and are on pace for 25-29 wins, right around what I expected. How can you pay a guy franchise money who has already proved that he does not win you ball games? Iggy is a second tier player playing in a first tier players' body. I love him, but Iggy is a great player playing second fiddle to an even better player alongside him. Grade: B plus.
Andre Miller: Let me start by saying Andre Miller is the ultimate class, professional. He has shown that he can consistently impact the game on a very high level. Now, let me get this off my chest. WHAT THE HELL IS HE STILL DOING HERE? I mean come on, granted Ed Stefanski is most likely looking for the best deal out there, but you are just wasting this guys' career Ed! Andre Miller deserves to be an integral part of a contender. He is arguably having his second best season as a pro, get him out of this town Ed. Grade A minus.
Willie Green: Before the season started I predicted that Willie Green must show greater consistency. Willie Green is easily having one of his best seasons as a Sixer, but he has also shown he simply not the same player he was before his injury. While he is a great scorer when on, his inconsistency just kills the Sixers and is a large part to why the Sixers' offense lags many nights. Not only has his offense been inconsistent, but his defense, while improved, has been off and on all season long. This is one of the greatest weaknesses of the Sixers for a reason. In my opinion, due to his inconsistency on both ends of the court, there is no reason to start Willie Green any longer. While there is no one solution to solving the Sixers' problems on offense, something can be done on the defensive end. Thaddeus Young, our future starting swingman, has already proved he can hack it in this league at 19 years old. Regardless, Willie Green is much more effective coming off the bench as an offensive spark. Grade C.
Samuel Dalembert: Let me start by saying I was one of Samuel Dalemberts' biggest haters. I just did not like the way he played the game, or his lack of knowledge for the game, and his ridiculously overpaid salary before the season started. Simply put, the Samuel Dalembert has been the BEST Sixer this season. Dalembert is really coming into his own before our very own eyes. Already averaging a double double this season, Sammy easily has the largest impact on the offensive and defensive end when on the court. Even better, his contract looks rather reasonable right now. In my opinion Sammy is now a top ten center in the NBA. Want proof? Just watch the effectiveness of the offense and defense when Sammy is NOT playing. It drops considerably. If the Sixers can find a bruising PF in the draft or free agency this offseason, watch out. Samuel Dalembert could be even better if he has a scoring big man that takes up space next to him. Grade A plus.
Louis Williams: Once a risky, second round pick, Louis Williams is now viewed as one of the top up and coming scorers in the league. Louis Williams is an electric scorer anytime he is on the court. He can light up the score board inside and out, and make a few defensive plays that really impacts the course of a ball game. The negative? What position does he play? I don't think anyone really knows yet. Williams has taken great strides in his point guard skills such as dribbling, controlling the tempo of the game and limiting turnovers. He definitely has poing guard potential due to his very young age. But, would Williams be better if he played the two guard, which is his natural position, or even coming off the bench? I believe the answer is a combination of both. I think Williams has proved he is a starter in this league, that much is a given. This offseason is going to be huge for Louis Williams, not only for getting his new contract, but the Sixers FO really need to make a decision on where they would like Williams to play. Since a consistent, scoring shooting guard is a clear need for this team, do they add one in the draft or give Williams the position to put the ball in the hoop? A decision has to be made very soon due to the importance of the 2008 nba draft and our likely lotto pick. Green cannot start for this team anymore. Start Williams at the two guard or move Thad in at SF and Iggy to the two guard. Changes have to be made. Grade: A.
Thaddeus Young: I loved this kid in college, and even more now in the NBA. Lets get this out of the way, Young has a lot to learn. Thad displays dificulty handling the ball and staying within himself on offense. He simply looks nervous out there, but all of that is understandable since he is a rookie. What you have to like about Thaddeus Young is that he is already an impact player while being so raw. His potential as a defensive player is outstanding. One of his biggest weaknesses before he was drafted was his inability to rebound the ball. Well you can throw all of that out the window. He is a rebounding machine when in the paint, where he plays most of the time. While he doesn't get his points, it is not his fault. I don't think there is a play on offense where Thad is the number one scorer. Most of Thads points come from second chance opportunities and on fast breaks. He even got his first start last week. His potential is through the roof. I never would have thought he would look this good at such an early point of the season. Grade: B plus.
Jason Smith: Another great pick by the Sixers. Jason Smith has all the tools in the world to be a successful, starting power forward in the league some day. Rebounding, quick feet, an excellent finisher around the rim, good mid range shooting stroke, great fundaments, great athleticism, size, you can go on and on. Even more impressive is his understanding of the offense and defense. How many plays do you see Jason Smith taking a break on offense? Smith is constantly active on the offensive end, setting picks for others and making smart decisions with the ball. On defense, he is an excellent rotational defense evident by his better than believed shot blocking ability and aggresiveness in the paint. Grade B plus.
Reggie Evans: the worst player on the Sixers. Granted he has made the Sixers one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league, it is just that his offense is THAT bad. If he was anywhere near adequate on offense the Sixers would have at least 5-10 more wins guranteed. Grade D plus.
In the grand scheme of things you have like the core of this roster. Louis Williams, Iggy, Jason Smith, Thad, and Samuel Dalembert. The biggest strengths of this team are athleticism and defense. That's about it. The two biggest weaknesses of the team are clearly the lack of a consistent scoring SG and a scoring PF in the paint. The Sixers are on pace to win a little less than 30 wins, right around what was expected. Everything is right on schedule. Miller has already proved to be one of the most underrated point guards in the league. Miller is a difference maker and should be moved sometime near the deadline of before or during the draft. We should get a considerable amount for Miller. Changes must be made in the starting lineup. Evans and Green should not be starting and that change will occur sometime in the next few weeks or so. Thad needs to start. Williams needs more playing time. Smith needs more minutes at PF. This entire season was and still is intended to see the young guys develop and progress their skills. Don't stop now.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Crockpot Theory on Future of the NBA and Sixers
If we have a chance to improve this roster at all, we do it. Josh Smith not be a prototypical power forward, but I truly believe the Suns model of offense and defense is the future of the NBA, especially the power forward position. The era of slow big men who rebound and collect garbage points is finished. The new PF position will be bigger, faster, quicker and demand a include more fundamental skills like passing, perimeter shooting and a better handle. Michael Beasley is the wave of the new future imo. The future of the NBA lie on big men who can spread the court with their jump shot and attack the rim with their handle. I say we start early. Stand firm, continue to draft players with an all around game, super athleticism, and emphasize defense. What happens when you have the most athletic team in the nba with players that all pride themselves on defense? Championship baby.
The three players other than Iggs that will be our new core for the future will be Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith and Louis Williams.
Thad has already shown glimpses of why he must get more minutes. He has struggled with his shooting a bit, but has already shown that he has excellent mechanics and has range from the mid to long range field. Most importantly what he has shown is a tendency to always be around the ball defensively. I am very confident that Thad will be a premiere defensive player in this league some day. He is an absolute monster in the paint with his size, wing span, soft hands around the rim and athleticism. His offensive game will come to him, but I want to see the coaches continue to place the demand on rebounding and defense with Thad. Thad is at a crucial point in his NBA career. The way he is coached will impact the way he plays the game for a long time. I firmly believe Thad, in a few years, will be a defensive player of the year candidate and average around 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals per game. He seems to be a solid, all around player with a very high ceiling.
Jason Smith has impressed me on his defense. On offense he has shown that he is fearless, has a very reliable mid range shot, attacks the rim relentlessly, and can make the extra pass to find the open man. But on defense, he has shown that he is a great shot blocker, he has a very high motor, hustles, and can hold his own in the paint against bigger players. Jason Smith has a huge skill set that he will be able to work with as he develops his game. He may never be a Dirk or a Bosh, but he will be a very good player in this league some day based on his well rounded skill set. There are only a handful of 7 footers in the league with Smith's ability to run the court, hit the jumper, rebound, block shots, make the extra pass and with a quick step strong enough to attack the rim facing the basket.
Louis Williams is one of the most impressive young talents I've seen across the NBA in a while, especially for a 21 year old. His ability to see the floor and make the smart pass is improving every game he plays. His defense has shown a drastic improvement compared to last season as well. Last year he looked completely lost on defense, losing his man on the court on multiple occasions. Granted he has done it some this season, but he is doing other things that make him an excellent defensive player. Filling the pass lanes, pressuring the handler, relentlessly looking for steals.
What I like about these 3 young players is that they are impact players to say the least. Each player brings multiple layers of their game to the Sixers. Players these days cannot solely rely on one skill set to improve the team. They must be able to pass, rebound, shoot, play defense, etc... This is a great core to start the rebuilding process. The 07 draft is looking to be a very good one, and we haven't even seen Herbert Hill yet, who was the most impressive Summer League player on the Sixers.
Rebounding, athleticism, defense and passing are the elements that win you a championship and it is good to see the Sixers holding strong on this foundation. I have complete confidence that after whomever we get in free agency, and after whomever we draft next year, the Sixers will be the most athletic team in the nba in 08. The Sixers finally have something we've needed for years: an IDENTITY. It is a good building block for what is to become. Opposing teams will finally know what to expect when they play the Sixers. They will have to compete to the fullest level to keep up our future uptempo game, which has shown a ton of flashes already this season.
Rebounding, defense and athleticism, now that is a great start in molding a championship contender.
The three players other than Iggs that will be our new core for the future will be Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith and Louis Williams.
Thad has already shown glimpses of why he must get more minutes. He has struggled with his shooting a bit, but has already shown that he has excellent mechanics and has range from the mid to long range field. Most importantly what he has shown is a tendency to always be around the ball defensively. I am very confident that Thad will be a premiere defensive player in this league some day. He is an absolute monster in the paint with his size, wing span, soft hands around the rim and athleticism. His offensive game will come to him, but I want to see the coaches continue to place the demand on rebounding and defense with Thad. Thad is at a crucial point in his NBA career. The way he is coached will impact the way he plays the game for a long time. I firmly believe Thad, in a few years, will be a defensive player of the year candidate and average around 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals per game. He seems to be a solid, all around player with a very high ceiling.
Jason Smith has impressed me on his defense. On offense he has shown that he is fearless, has a very reliable mid range shot, attacks the rim relentlessly, and can make the extra pass to find the open man. But on defense, he has shown that he is a great shot blocker, he has a very high motor, hustles, and can hold his own in the paint against bigger players. Jason Smith has a huge skill set that he will be able to work with as he develops his game. He may never be a Dirk or a Bosh, but he will be a very good player in this league some day based on his well rounded skill set. There are only a handful of 7 footers in the league with Smith's ability to run the court, hit the jumper, rebound, block shots, make the extra pass and with a quick step strong enough to attack the rim facing the basket.
Louis Williams is one of the most impressive young talents I've seen across the NBA in a while, especially for a 21 year old. His ability to see the floor and make the smart pass is improving every game he plays. His defense has shown a drastic improvement compared to last season as well. Last year he looked completely lost on defense, losing his man on the court on multiple occasions. Granted he has done it some this season, but he is doing other things that make him an excellent defensive player. Filling the pass lanes, pressuring the handler, relentlessly looking for steals.
What I like about these 3 young players is that they are impact players to say the least. Each player brings multiple layers of their game to the Sixers. Players these days cannot solely rely on one skill set to improve the team. They must be able to pass, rebound, shoot, play defense, etc... This is a great core to start the rebuilding process. The 07 draft is looking to be a very good one, and we haven't even seen Herbert Hill yet, who was the most impressive Summer League player on the Sixers.
Rebounding, athleticism, defense and passing are the elements that win you a championship and it is good to see the Sixers holding strong on this foundation. I have complete confidence that after whomever we get in free agency, and after whomever we draft next year, the Sixers will be the most athletic team in the nba in 08. The Sixers finally have something we've needed for years: an IDENTITY. It is a good building block for what is to become. Opposing teams will finally know what to expect when they play the Sixers. They will have to compete to the fullest level to keep up our future uptempo game, which has shown a ton of flashes already this season.
Rebounding, defense and athleticism, now that is a great start in molding a championship contender.
Friday, November 30, 2007
My Updated Top Ten 08 Draft Picks for the Sixers
I have now updated my top ten draft picks I want the Sixers to target before the 08 NBA draft.
1. PF Michael Beasley- he's the prize of the draft. He IS the future of the NBA power forward. The size, attitude and rebounding tenacity of Kenyon Martin when he entered the NBA + the dribbling and shooting of Lebron James = BEST POWER FORWARD PROSPECT I HAVE EVER SEEN. He can simply do it all. His ceiling is through the roof and a can't miss talent. Beasley would instantly change the entire offense of the Sixers the second he plays. He may not have it on defense, but his ability on offense more than makes up for his laziness on d.
2. PG Derrick Rose- the 'other' can't miss prospect of the nba draft. His athleticism and first step quickness is beyond anything the nba has ever seen. While he may not have the best mid range game, he does have solid and fluid mechanics to be a reliable jump shooter. Passing, intangibles, transition, finsishing, and leadership qualities are all there and top notch. Bottomline, his skill level is the best I've ever seen in a point guard prospect, which is even more incredible due to the fact that he is a pass first point guard.
3. SG Eric Gordon- the Michael Jordan comparisons of Eric Gordon before he played a single college game don't seem that far off now do they? A freshman shooting guard averaging almost 30 per game? That is unheard of. After watching several of Gordon's game so far, I can tell you right now that his ability to score the ball are right up there with the best of them. He may not have height, but his ridiculous and consistent ability from range and freakish ability to attack the rim and finish in traffic are top notch. I'm almost completely confident that Eric Gordon will lead the NBA sometime in points per game. IMO he is a Dwayne Wade clone with better range. Oh and by the way, he is a MUCH better passer than first stated.
4. PF Blake Griffin- another freshman power forward that won't get much media due to the storm that is following Michael Beasley. Blake Griffin, a bruising power forward, is quietly averaging 15 and 9 for the Sooners early on. I've only seen him once, but other than Beasley, he is extremely athletic for a power forward. This is more of a need pick. While the Sixers desperately need a point guard and OJ Mayo could be their guy, I believe that the need to seriously upgrade their front court is more important.
5. PG/SG OJ Mayo- surprise! Another freshman! OJ Mayo is a hit or miss prospect IMO. While he is and will be extremely streaky in the NBA, no one can argue his ceiling or scoring ability. He is a lights out, premiere scorer who may have just as potential as Derrick Rose. He is the total package, it just isn't as developed as much as Derrick Rose right now. Other than Beasley and Rose, in terms of pure talent, Mayo is just a slim notch below them. Any team that has the opportunity to get this guy will have a future all star on their team for many many years. While many stray away from the hated 'combo' guard, you just can't get away from his talent. I've always been one to put the 'true' point guard on a pedestal, but I would take OJ Mayo in a heart beat if we had the chance. He has every shot to be as good or even better than his competition, Derrick Rose in the NBA.
6. C Kosta Koufas-As many of you know I am not a fan of Samuel Dalembert. There is nothing in Sammy D's game that shouts out as him being a championship worthy center in this league. The Sixers need a fresh, new look with their front court, and moving Sammy might be the key. I've seen more than I need of Koufas' game to know that he is a premiere talent, plus it would be nice to start getting into the foreign market with the American/Greek big man. He is an Ilgauskas clone with an even better jump shot and more range. Unlike many white centers, his wing span is immense and he is an aggressive scorer in the paint with excellent moves already. He is extremely polished and has more of a face to the basket type game. His defense isn't where you would want it to be right now, but he is an offensive center and there aren't many of those in the NBA these days.
7. C Roy Hibbert- see number six about Dalembert. Hibbert may not have the highest ceiling in the world for an NBA center, but his size, dependability, offensive polish and presence are significant enough to make him a top 5 pick in the NBA draft. Hibbert and Koufas will battle it out as the first center taken off the board, and it will be a close one. IMO it will done by teams' need instead of talent because they are both very, very good prospects. Where Koufas may give you 18 and 9 someday down the line, I think Hibbert will give you 10/10 for a very long time. That's much more than you can ask in terms of the quality of centers in today's NBA.
8. SG Nicolas Batum- he was my number one guy in last year's draft before he opted out at the last second. He's a 6'8 off guard with the largest wingspan I've seen in a long time. While he's extremely talented in passing, defending, leading and athleticism are all top notch, he is a bit inconsistent shooting the ball. With all that said, his ceiling is just as high as Eric Gordons' potential. Why? If Batum can ever put it all together he will be literally unstoppable. He, like Michael Beasley of the power forwards, is the future of the NBA 2 guard. Big guard, top notch athleticism, daunting wingspan and defense, extremely good passer, significant team player, etc. He reminds me of a lesser shooting but even better defending and rebounding Richard Hamilton. I love this kid. I fully expect Batum's stock to continue to rise all the way to the minute before the draft. He is THAT good.
9. PF Kevin Love- dependable, consistent, mature, physical, tenacious,... these are all words you hear frequently with Kevin Love. The hype of this kid before he entered college was immense, but he backed up all that talk with his early play so far this season. He's got the most sound, fundamental game I've seen since Tim Duncan, unfortunitely his athleticism is very poor for him to be a top pick. Regardless, some team will find him as a lock for the lottery. Love unfortunitely reminds me of Kris Humphries. Humphries was a top recruit for Minnesota, had an incredible freshman season and went to the draft. What has he done? Not much. I like his skill set and talent right now, but I'm afraid what you see is what you get with Kevin Love, which isn't that bad in the end.
10. PF Serge Ibaka- As some of you probably know I am a HUGE fan of this kid. Why? First, unlike many of the top prospects from Africa Ibaka already possesses very good skills and hands around the rim. He may not be experienced, and he has never faced top notch level like in college basketball, but you better watch out for this kid. He has just been approved to play overseas in Europe. Everyone better watch out because if he does well I see this kid skyrocketing up the charts. He has top five pick potential. This is the guy to look out for. Make sure you keep an eye on him because I know you'll fall in love with him.
There is my top ten list that will surely change a ton as the season progresses. Some notes: DeAndre Jordon is not on the list. I am not sold on him unlike many experts. While he may possess a top notch frame and high ceiling, I'm not sold on his athleticism and offensive game. He has to prove to me he is not just another big time recruit, because that is what I think he is. I don't have Chase Budinger up there because, well frankly, he is not anywhere near as good as the players I feel I have selected for my top ten. He may have good size and athleticism, but IMO he is not a difference maker or impact player. Donte Green did not make it because of the Sixers' needs. He is a top talent and surely among the top 10, maybe top 5, of teams who need a SF. Darrell Arthur did not make the list because I firmly believe Kansas will be his downfall. With so many talented freshman, especially freshmen bigmen, I believe his stock will only keep falling. Why? College basketball is now officially a numbers game. The numbers the freshman are putting up are staggering. Kansas is too deep and too talented. Arthur will have to become more insertive on offense or have an incredible tournament to be mentioned in my top 5. Regardless, he is a top talent.
Thoughts?
1. PF Michael Beasley- he's the prize of the draft. He IS the future of the NBA power forward. The size, attitude and rebounding tenacity of Kenyon Martin when he entered the NBA + the dribbling and shooting of Lebron James = BEST POWER FORWARD PROSPECT I HAVE EVER SEEN. He can simply do it all. His ceiling is through the roof and a can't miss talent. Beasley would instantly change the entire offense of the Sixers the second he plays. He may not have it on defense, but his ability on offense more than makes up for his laziness on d.
2. PG Derrick Rose- the 'other' can't miss prospect of the nba draft. His athleticism and first step quickness is beyond anything the nba has ever seen. While he may not have the best mid range game, he does have solid and fluid mechanics to be a reliable jump shooter. Passing, intangibles, transition, finsishing, and leadership qualities are all there and top notch. Bottomline, his skill level is the best I've ever seen in a point guard prospect, which is even more incredible due to the fact that he is a pass first point guard.
3. SG Eric Gordon- the Michael Jordan comparisons of Eric Gordon before he played a single college game don't seem that far off now do they? A freshman shooting guard averaging almost 30 per game? That is unheard of. After watching several of Gordon's game so far, I can tell you right now that his ability to score the ball are right up there with the best of them. He may not have height, but his ridiculous and consistent ability from range and freakish ability to attack the rim and finish in traffic are top notch. I'm almost completely confident that Eric Gordon will lead the NBA sometime in points per game. IMO he is a Dwayne Wade clone with better range. Oh and by the way, he is a MUCH better passer than first stated.
4. PF Blake Griffin- another freshman power forward that won't get much media due to the storm that is following Michael Beasley. Blake Griffin, a bruising power forward, is quietly averaging 15 and 9 for the Sooners early on. I've only seen him once, but other than Beasley, he is extremely athletic for a power forward. This is more of a need pick. While the Sixers desperately need a point guard and OJ Mayo could be their guy, I believe that the need to seriously upgrade their front court is more important.
5. PG/SG OJ Mayo- surprise! Another freshman! OJ Mayo is a hit or miss prospect IMO. While he is and will be extremely streaky in the NBA, no one can argue his ceiling or scoring ability. He is a lights out, premiere scorer who may have just as potential as Derrick Rose. He is the total package, it just isn't as developed as much as Derrick Rose right now. Other than Beasley and Rose, in terms of pure talent, Mayo is just a slim notch below them. Any team that has the opportunity to get this guy will have a future all star on their team for many many years. While many stray away from the hated 'combo' guard, you just can't get away from his talent. I've always been one to put the 'true' point guard on a pedestal, but I would take OJ Mayo in a heart beat if we had the chance. He has every shot to be as good or even better than his competition, Derrick Rose in the NBA.
6. C Kosta Koufas-As many of you know I am not a fan of Samuel Dalembert. There is nothing in Sammy D's game that shouts out as him being a championship worthy center in this league. The Sixers need a fresh, new look with their front court, and moving Sammy might be the key. I've seen more than I need of Koufas' game to know that he is a premiere talent, plus it would be nice to start getting into the foreign market with the American/Greek big man. He is an Ilgauskas clone with an even better jump shot and more range. Unlike many white centers, his wing span is immense and he is an aggressive scorer in the paint with excellent moves already. He is extremely polished and has more of a face to the basket type game. His defense isn't where you would want it to be right now, but he is an offensive center and there aren't many of those in the NBA these days.
7. C Roy Hibbert- see number six about Dalembert. Hibbert may not have the highest ceiling in the world for an NBA center, but his size, dependability, offensive polish and presence are significant enough to make him a top 5 pick in the NBA draft. Hibbert and Koufas will battle it out as the first center taken off the board, and it will be a close one. IMO it will done by teams' need instead of talent because they are both very, very good prospects. Where Koufas may give you 18 and 9 someday down the line, I think Hibbert will give you 10/10 for a very long time. That's much more than you can ask in terms of the quality of centers in today's NBA.
8. SG Nicolas Batum- he was my number one guy in last year's draft before he opted out at the last second. He's a 6'8 off guard with the largest wingspan I've seen in a long time. While he's extremely talented in passing, defending, leading and athleticism are all top notch, he is a bit inconsistent shooting the ball. With all that said, his ceiling is just as high as Eric Gordons' potential. Why? If Batum can ever put it all together he will be literally unstoppable. He, like Michael Beasley of the power forwards, is the future of the NBA 2 guard. Big guard, top notch athleticism, daunting wingspan and defense, extremely good passer, significant team player, etc. He reminds me of a lesser shooting but even better defending and rebounding Richard Hamilton. I love this kid. I fully expect Batum's stock to continue to rise all the way to the minute before the draft. He is THAT good.
9. PF Kevin Love- dependable, consistent, mature, physical, tenacious,... these are all words you hear frequently with Kevin Love. The hype of this kid before he entered college was immense, but he backed up all that talk with his early play so far this season. He's got the most sound, fundamental game I've seen since Tim Duncan, unfortunitely his athleticism is very poor for him to be a top pick. Regardless, some team will find him as a lock for the lottery. Love unfortunitely reminds me of Kris Humphries. Humphries was a top recruit for Minnesota, had an incredible freshman season and went to the draft. What has he done? Not much. I like his skill set and talent right now, but I'm afraid what you see is what you get with Kevin Love, which isn't that bad in the end.
10. PF Serge Ibaka- As some of you probably know I am a HUGE fan of this kid. Why? First, unlike many of the top prospects from Africa Ibaka already possesses very good skills and hands around the rim. He may not be experienced, and he has never faced top notch level like in college basketball, but you better watch out for this kid. He has just been approved to play overseas in Europe. Everyone better watch out because if he does well I see this kid skyrocketing up the charts. He has top five pick potential. This is the guy to look out for. Make sure you keep an eye on him because I know you'll fall in love with him.
There is my top ten list that will surely change a ton as the season progresses. Some notes: DeAndre Jordon is not on the list. I am not sold on him unlike many experts. While he may possess a top notch frame and high ceiling, I'm not sold on his athleticism and offensive game. He has to prove to me he is not just another big time recruit, because that is what I think he is. I don't have Chase Budinger up there because, well frankly, he is not anywhere near as good as the players I feel I have selected for my top ten. He may have good size and athleticism, but IMO he is not a difference maker or impact player. Donte Green did not make it because of the Sixers' needs. He is a top talent and surely among the top 10, maybe top 5, of teams who need a SF. Darrell Arthur did not make the list because I firmly believe Kansas will be his downfall. With so many talented freshman, especially freshmen bigmen, I believe his stock will only keep falling. Why? College basketball is now officially a numbers game. The numbers the freshman are putting up are staggering. Kansas is too deep and too talented. Arthur will have to become more insertive on offense or have an incredible tournament to be mentioned in my top 5. Regardless, he is a top talent.
Thoughts?
My First Eagles' Mock Draft of the Year!
1st pick (somewhere 10-14): Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M
With Schobel in a contract year and LJ on his way out, the Eagles desperately need a playmaking TE on the roster. The lack of offense, imo, has really come down to the absence of a solid tight end, especially in the middle of the field. Bennett is an underclassmen who will skyrocket up the draft board after the NFL combine (think Vernon Davis). 6'7 size, excellent hands and very good atheleticism. Bottomline, this offense needs a playmaker, and someone future QB Kevin Kolb and grow with. Bennett is also a very solid blocker as well. He is the complete package and the best tight end in the draft. I got a feeling about Bennett. I think he has Antonio Gates potential. Why? He's another great basketball player turned football player and I think he's in the same exact mold, and maybe even more athletic.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=177364
Other considerations for the first pick: DE Miami Calais Campbell, OT USC Sam Baker
2nd Pick: WR Desean Jackson CAL
The deficiencies of the offense have been displayed constantly this season. I think Reid will continue to go away from what he has drafted on, and go with Kelly. First, I believe Kelly will be the WR that may slip this season. Many teams will see him as another Sidney Rice due to inconsistency and youth. Desean Jackson has immense quickness and speed to be an elite NFL wide receiver. Second, I think the Eagles need towards the route of obtaining a very solid punt/kick off returner, and this is the guy. Some scouts even say Jackson has more punt/kick off return ability than Devin Hester. I think the Eagles need to continue on trimming the fat off this roster, especially on offense. Guys like Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis, Reno Mahe, etc should not be on this roster. Jackson replaces Lewis and Mahe instantly is gives the offense another down the field threat playmaker they desperately need.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=174193
Other considerations: OLB USC Keith Rivers, DE Florida Derrick Harvey, CB Zona Antoine Cason, S Arizona State Josh Barrett
3rd Pick: S Michigan Jamar Adams
I have suspition that Brian Dawkins may be one and done after this season due to his age and health concerns. With AJ or Kolb starting next season, the Eagles have the opportunity to focus on rebuilding, which means they don't have to bring in any high priced veterens until 09 or even 2010. I highly doubt the Eagles bring in any high priced safeties, due to the solid showings JR Reed and Quintin Mikell have shown this season as starters. The Eagles desparately need another talented player in the defensive backfield and Adams may be the guy. Standing at 6'2 and weighing 214 pounds, Adams has a good frame and good speed along with excellent size to fill in at the backfield.
There it is. My first three picks. The Eagles really need playmakers on offense, and guys to fill around a developing Kevin Kolb. They do that by adding Bennett and Jackson. They help out the defensive secondary by adding a big, strong safety Jamar Adams who has close ties with Jason Avant.
Thoughts?
With Schobel in a contract year and LJ on his way out, the Eagles desperately need a playmaking TE on the roster. The lack of offense, imo, has really come down to the absence of a solid tight end, especially in the middle of the field. Bennett is an underclassmen who will skyrocket up the draft board after the NFL combine (think Vernon Davis). 6'7 size, excellent hands and very good atheleticism. Bottomline, this offense needs a playmaker, and someone future QB Kevin Kolb and grow with. Bennett is also a very solid blocker as well. He is the complete package and the best tight end in the draft. I got a feeling about Bennett. I think he has Antonio Gates potential. Why? He's another great basketball player turned football player and I think he's in the same exact mold, and maybe even more athletic.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=177364
Other considerations for the first pick: DE Miami Calais Campbell, OT USC Sam Baker
2nd Pick: WR Desean Jackson CAL
The deficiencies of the offense have been displayed constantly this season. I think Reid will continue to go away from what he has drafted on, and go with Kelly. First, I believe Kelly will be the WR that may slip this season. Many teams will see him as another Sidney Rice due to inconsistency and youth. Desean Jackson has immense quickness and speed to be an elite NFL wide receiver. Second, I think the Eagles need towards the route of obtaining a very solid punt/kick off returner, and this is the guy. Some scouts even say Jackson has more punt/kick off return ability than Devin Hester. I think the Eagles need to continue on trimming the fat off this roster, especially on offense. Guys like Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis, Reno Mahe, etc should not be on this roster. Jackson replaces Lewis and Mahe instantly is gives the offense another down the field threat playmaker they desperately need.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=174193
Other considerations: OLB USC Keith Rivers, DE Florida Derrick Harvey, CB Zona Antoine Cason, S Arizona State Josh Barrett
3rd Pick: S Michigan Jamar Adams
I have suspition that Brian Dawkins may be one and done after this season due to his age and health concerns. With AJ or Kolb starting next season, the Eagles have the opportunity to focus on rebuilding, which means they don't have to bring in any high priced veterens until 09 or even 2010. I highly doubt the Eagles bring in any high priced safeties, due to the solid showings JR Reed and Quintin Mikell have shown this season as starters. The Eagles desparately need another talented player in the defensive backfield and Adams may be the guy. Standing at 6'2 and weighing 214 pounds, Adams has a good frame and good speed along with excellent size to fill in at the backfield.
There it is. My first three picks. The Eagles really need playmakers on offense, and guys to fill around a developing Kevin Kolb. They do that by adding Bennett and Jackson. They help out the defensive secondary by adding a big, strong safety Jamar Adams who has close ties with Jason Avant.
Thoughts?
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