Measurements Things that stuck out to me: -Only one player measured over 6-10 without shoes. (Wesley Wilson) -James Lang, the only HSer to be measured, came in at 316 pounds, and an impressive +7-6 wingspan, but just over 6-8 without shoes.
I'm tellin' you, this will be a steal for the Rockets. He is THE sleeper of this draft. No doubt is he a second rounder, but he can certainly help. The media arouns here is really stating how good he is (can be), considering how terrible he was just 3 years ago when he transferred high schools.
The only problem with Lang for the Rockets is this: where would he play? The Rockets still have two power forwards well ahead of him on the depth chart. His height makes him undersized to play power forward as well. I just can't see it. Maybe for a power-starved team trying to make a splash or a contending team that can let him develop for a few years without worrynig about the roster spot, but the Rockets really aren't either right now.
mfclark- Undersized for a 4? He's over 6-9 with shoes. Combine that with a pteradactyl wingspan (7-6+), and over a 300 lb. body, and he's a load for a power forward. The reason I mentioned his height, is because I'd seen him listed as high as 6-11, which with his wingspan/weight would've made him a potential 5. I agree though, Don't think he fits on the Rockets though. Perkins might be another story. I've seen him listed at 6-10 or 6-11, and 280+ pounds. If Cato's trade value rises above his value as a Rocket (and considering he displayed sustained quality play, but his minutes will always be limited by one Yao Ming), Perkins could be a solid 4/5 backup. The draft seems to have a few perimeter shooters that measured well, Korver and Kapono to name a few. Usually, shooters end up measure 6-4 or 6-5 (Savovic last year comes to mind), and doubts about their ability to shoot over the taller NBA players come up. Kapono and Korver both measure 6-7 or 6-8, which definitely assures them being drafted in AT LEAST the top half of the 2nd round. Speaking of Kapono...a couple years ago, he almost came out as a freshman, and was rumored to be a "lock" to be picked by the Lakers at the end of round 1. He's done nothing to hurt his stock- averaging over 45% from 3 point land every year except this year when he put up "only" 40%, 16+ points, and around 5 boards. Now, nbadraft.net has him going undrafted?
What about Nsonwu? Th stout body 4 from Wyoming. From all reports , he's a strong player with great hands and a great work ethic. At 6'9 3/4 and 246lbs, he could be a very good player in the 2nd rd.He's already 24, but thats not a problem. With all the international players in the draft, gone are the days of just picking someone in the 2nd rd just to be doing something. Nowadays, that 2nd rd pick can be a good player because of the depth of the draft now.
I saw Wyoming play several times and I hardly noticed the guy, I doubt he's worth a draft pick. I don't know why we'd draft a center. I guess with a 2nd rounder why not? But I'd rather we get a perimeter type or someone that is pretty versatile.
6'8", 6'9" w/ shoes is pushing the standards for PFs these days, though. The new, prototypical PF is 6'10" - 7', often times more athletic. His body size screams center, but his height says something along the lines of swing forward. I don't think the Oliver Miller comparisons I've read are that far off, and he certainly appears skilled. But it'll take a lot of time & work on his and a team's part...and I'm not sure the Rockets are the ideal team.
NIKEstrad, thanks for finding this info. Being in the WC I watched the Pac 10 quite a lot and will discuss more about them. I was surprised Luke Walton measured at 6'9" with shoes, he is reasonably strong too. I am thinking he will make a great 2nd round pick and solid back-up primarily at the 4. He won't be able to match-up with real quality taller 4s, but he certainly brings a lot more to the table than Najera or Madsen. I wouldn’t be totally surprised if he ends up in the late 1st round. Tommy Smith is interesting too. He never was the consistent college player he should have been but he is tall, long, adequately athletic and has a good shot. I might spend a mid/late 2nd on him. As I have said repeatedly before I really like Marcus Moore as a prospect. Could be the Mobley/Arenas of this draft, but he has better court vision and passing ability than either. I don't like Shipp, Kapono, Anderson, Garnder, or Wrenn as NBA prospects (even back-ups) but of these Shipp potentially could make it (as a back-up). I think Jones (Duke), Korver, Johnsen or Bogans could hand around the league as back-ups as well and thus make decent 2nd round picks. Mixed about, Estill, Jackson or Anagonye as a possible bruisers, or Price or Mo Williams as a back up 1, no way on Bonner, Newton, Carroll, Ere, Knight, or Slay—I don’t see any of them as NBA material.
Wingspan is more important than straight height. His wingspan makes him a legit PF. Since he's a high schooler, and thus capable of growing an inch or two, he's a PF/C. His girth, if kept is some check, solidifies that. He won't get pushed around and he won't get shot over. I would guess NBA guys were happy at how he measured.
NBA doesn't release, but Insider has a few of them. I'm not going to post all of the measurements they have, but here are the important ones: Carmelo 6'7.5" w/shoes, 235lb Podkolzine 7'5" w/shoes, 305lb LBJ not listed Milicic 7'0.75" w/shoes, 7'5" wingspan (bested only by Chris Marcus, yes, Chris Marcus at 7'8") Helped by measurements includes Sweetney, Wade, and Josh Howard. Hurt by measurements includes Kaman, Collison, and TJ Ford (could not bench 185 at all, even though he measured in taller than expected).
Thanks mfclark for those updates. Carmelo seemed to measure a little small IMO,but he's still a top 5 (probably top 3) pick. It sounds like Milicic is going to be an absolute load in the NBA. That kind of height, that kind of wingspan, a decent amount of weight at 17, plus the ridiculous skills he's supposed to have? Wow. He and Ben Wallace could be a serious big man duo for the next decade (similar to if that Eddie Griffin guy could start tapping into some of his potential). Marcus is interesting. His stock is probably at a low after all the injuries, even though the guy was a rumored top 3 pick a couple years ago. I'd gamble on him with our second rounder, if we even have it with the JVG compensation though. Out of curiosity, what did Wade come in at? Over 6-4?
