I know there has been talk this guy might not be drafted or if so he would go in the 2nd round, but I have seen enough of him to think differently. I really think this guy is going to hang around the pros for a long time. He isn't as athletically or defensively inept as Trajan Langdon or Scotty Thurman, and is taller and more well rounded than say Randolph Childress or Eddie House. Juan Dixon is a tweener, but I simply think he is too exceptional in multiple phases not to overcome his weaknesses and find a place in the NBA. Jason Terry is the closest comparison I can think of in recent memory, but Terry is quicker while Juan is longer and is an even better shooter (which is saying something because Terry is a great pure shooter as well). In sum, I think it would be crazy for Juan to slip to the 2nd round now. I can't imagine the Lakers passing him up if the Spurs or Wolves don't snag him. With a team with a low-post killer (Shaq, Duncan, KG) and where Juan plays the 2 on the offense and 1 on the defense (let Kobe handle the ball), I think he would be very effective. In fact I could really see the Lakers doing whatever they need to do to move up a few spots to get him. Ya'lls thoughts? Do you think Juan has moved to the middle of the first round? Will he make it in the NBA and if so what roll on what kind of team?
Yes. I believe he has. Stories of guys like that just make you wanna pick him #1 overall. Huh. Yeah right. But seriously, he's a steal if he slips to the second round.
me too. Few players can do what he did. I think he moved way up. You don't average 30 ppg against the best college talent without having some major game.
You read my mind on Dixon to the Lakers, Scar. It makes perfect sense- He fills the void left by Lue's departure, except he's adept offensively. There's a real possibility he would become a mainstay on that team, with Hunter being on a short contract and the Lakers being rather unimpressed with him. The fact that Derek Fisher has had multiple surgeries the past two seasons would also suggest a Lakers move to pick up a versatile guard who could manage double duty at back up point and shooting guard. Add in the fact that Brian Shaw and Mitch Richmond are on their last legs, and Dixon to LA seems like a done deal if he's still on the board. I think his physical limitations will keep him from cracking the top 20. I'd be very surprised if he didn't get nabbed very quickly after that though.
Last year's draft was likely stronger than this year's, and Joseph Forte went I believe at pick 21 to Boston. Dixon, to me, is more developed than Forte was and has similar potential. He has a better shooting stroke, similar athleticism, and both are slightly undersized. Dixon also just has that winners mentality, a lot like Shane Battier last year. It's something you can't teach. If Forte could go 21 in a relatively strong draft, I could see Dixon going 15-25 in a weaker draft. A lot of your teams in that range are just missing one piece, and while Dixon may not ever become a star, you likely know you'll be getting a solid contribution and scoring punch from the guard spot. For a team needing one or two more steps to be a contender, Dixon may be difficult to overlook.
What are some of Dixon's physical limitations that people keep talking about? If he plays with half the heart we saw during the tournament at the next level, he's gonna be a steal wherever he gets taken. That's why I don't understand why all the mock drafts I see have him going in the second round. So I was just curious as to what some of his physical limitations are. Can anyone help me out?
He only goes 165 lbs If he is a legit 6'3" that is short for an SG He may not have the handles to be a run the offense PG He doesn't leap out of the gym He has at best adequate laternal quickness for an NBA guard I do think his strengths (any kind of shooting, court mind, determination, leadership, hands) are so outstanding he will overcome these and be a solid NBA player.
Several players from Maryland and Indiana will be in NBA next season, including Terrapins senior guard Juan Dixon who was MVP of the championship game. "He's explosive," Tomjanovich said of the 6-3 Dixon. "I don't know where he'll fit in the draft. I'll start working on that the minute the season's over." Seattle coach Nate McMillan said Dixon probably has played himself into an enviable position for the draft. "As far as I'm concerned, he's moved into the No. 1 position in the draft," McMillan said. "He's shown he can play and I'd think he'll be one or two in the lottery. "He helped take that team to the Final Four last year and the championship this year. Plus, he's been playing against the ACC competition. That's almost like going against NBA players on a regular basis." Here are some "official" comments from the Chronicle. I bet Dixon wishes Seattle had a top 5 draft pick!
Dixon's not big, but he has a giant's heart (bad sports cliché, P.U., but it fits here). We need fire, energy, hustle, leadership. Juan Dixon has them all.
Juan Dixon might be this year's Gilbert Arenas. Foolishly passed over because of his "tweener" status. I'm not sure if J-Dix played his way into the first round. He will have, if he gained 30 lbs of muscle.
In Juan's case, his workouts are going to be critical. He can really help his draft status if he shows good ball-handling skills, teams might look at him as a Bobby Jackson-Tony Delk combo G. If he displays some potential as a part-time PG, his stock could skyrocket. He shoots well, creates well, has a nice game off the ball and from the middle distance, and he likes to defend. He absolutely must become stronger, however.
What Juan needs to do in the pre-draft camps is not get shoved around by bigger 2-guards. If he can hold his own physically, he could sneak in at the end of the 1st round.
I think Gilbert Arenas is a good comparison, although I was a lot more skeptical of Arenas than I am of Dixon, which bodes well for Juan. Before the tournament, I thought Dixon would definitely be drafted, but in the second round. Now, with the determination he showed in the tournament, I would not at all be surprised if an already solid team picking in the middle to late first round snatches him up--like scar and tpl mentioned, the Lakers come to mind, but I think he might even go before that depending on the situation. Charlotte, for instance--they are already solid up-front, and seemingly have most of their key components in place, so why wouldn't Silas want a guy that he knows will come in and work and have a positive impact on the club? Guy is just a winner. All the intangibles you could want. As far as his "tale of the tape" is concerned, I think it will hurt him--not only in the draft, but in playing in the league as well. I don't think he will ever be an everyday starter (as few do), but I definitely think he can be that combo guard coming off the bench. He can certainly be a spark plug to come in and ignite some fast breaks and provide some energy. I think what separates him from Miles Simon and Lawrence Moten and other small 2 guards is his ability to do other things besides score. And even in terms of scoring, he doesn't need to have the ball in his hands to be effective...whether he is coming off picks or getting fast break layups from playing the passing lanes. There is definitely a place for him in the league over the long-term, IMO.
As maryland student and a rockets fan I would love to see juan play for houston. I f he works hard and knowing juan we know he will he can becoem a great point guard. I'd alos like to see wilcox play for the rockets but hopefully in a year or two sicne maryland needs him. as all the students said int he rally one more year cris. What a great team the rockets can become with juan and wilcox and ofcourse francis. hell throw lonny in there asa bench warmer
First of all, Dixon's defensive quickness/ball defense will NOT be a question in the NBA. Dix is also deceptively strong; he lifts weights constantly in the off-season and actually can bench-press quite a bit. The only problem defensively will be when taller SG's post him up. Offensively Dixon will struggle beating people off the dribble in a half court set. He lacks an explosive first step. However, shooting on the break, off screens, and on spot ups will be cake for him. Dixon works as hard as anyone who has ever played the game of basketball, and he will improve where he can (e.g., ball handling/passing ability). I do have doubts as to whether he could ever handle PG duties because of his rigid body coordination, but make no mistake--he will be in the league for a while and will contribute.
