Julius Hodge is a player who I think would fit in real good in Van Gundy's system. A native New Yorker, he is a quick, active 6-6 defender, with good offensive skills. I think he will be a real good pro. Anybody seen him play? I'd love to see the Rockets pick him up in the draft if he came out. He hasn't declared and I have no idea where he would be ranked, but if he fell to the Rockets, I think it would be a steal.
You are kidding, right? He's smaller than Miles at 6-6 with way more skill including the jumper, and good perimeter defense.
I'm in ACC country and see Hodge fairly often. He is a solid player. Pretty sound fundamentally-- no Darius Miles for sure!
Sorry, what I meant is an overrated skinny player who has some athleticism and D, but wouldn't be much more than a role player in the NBA. He's solid as a college player, but his jumper isn't good at all from what I saw.
What's wrong with being a role player? I think this in one of the biggest knocks on American basketball players. Everbody has to be a star. Everybody has to be the show. Being able to know your role and play it well within a team strategy is very valuable (see Sac Town Kings). If Hodge can shoot the Jumper, play good D, and add some quicks and athleticism to the break, definitely give him a look.
Yeah, but he just seem to be particularly good at anything. His shooting is okay, I don't even remember his D standing out, I wasn't impressed with him as an AA, and I still don't get the hype. Good role players in the NBA have a specific skill. Korver and his shooting + size, Walton and his passing + good feel for the game, etc.
I agree with you, tozai. In order to be a truly effective role player in the nba (specifically for the Rox), he's gotta be able to highlight certain skills well. Whether its lock down D, 3 point excellence, or speedy fast breaking ability, he's gotta bring something solid to the table ... Like you said, you always know what to expect from a solid team role player. It doesn't sound like Hodge may fit that mold too well.
Where are you getting your information? He's a Senior who has played most of his career with a no-nonsense coach in Sendek. I'm not aware of any kind of serious trouble that he has been in. I think he was more acclaimed as a Sophomore, so he could have gone pro then with better headlines. He seems very down-to-earth to me... and I'm a Duke fan.
Watching him over the past two years that's just the impression I've gotten. While I can't think of anything specific besides moronic quotes, he's been pretty inconsistent. He went from ACC player of the year his junior year to doing squat this year until that UCONN game. Do I think JVG would like him? No. He's more of a Francis/Mobley personality, IMO.
I'd say we're stacked at the guard position for another two years, if we're going to replace any of them, a Barry or a Sura type would work best. First and foremost, though, we need a PF and I hope Badiane can fill that role next year.
Gundy would like him because he's gritty, touch minded, plays defense, and is a winner. Head case? Grasping at straws on that one. If he's available in the 2nd round, or if the good bigs are already gone in the first round, I think he would be a good pickup. Incidentally, there are a lot of bigs in this draft, but not too many of them are going to be able to play right away. Most of them are projects. In my mind, Turiaf is the second or third best big as far as being able to make any kind of significant, immediate contribution. If he is available for us, I hope we snap him up. Another winner.
His assists and rebounds were up and his turnovers down this year while his scoring was off1 pt. I don't think that qualifies as doing nothing this year.
And reading stats tells the whole story? Look at how bad his team struggled this year, and he was supposed to be their leader. Coming off an ACC player of the year season, I expected him to lead them to a much better record. But I guess he can make it up in the tournament. Still doesn't change my feelings that his personality would not mesh well with the teams.
Doesn't the Dallas guy from Auburn fit a lot of the same descriptions. He went from not being drafted to getting a big contract. I think Hodge might be a reasonable 2nd round pick for someone.
Is there a Marquis Daniels or Josh Howard type of player available this year? I would also like to know if anyone has seen Rudy Fernandez play because of his comparison to Manu Ginobili.
