It is a reasonable question when you think of some of the following: From Espn: Obviously, the NBA knows something about Stanford's Casey Jacobsen's draft status that we didn't. Jacobsen was one of 16 draft prospects invited by the league to attend the NBA Draft in the coveted Green Room at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night. The invitation is considered a key indicator of who the NBA thinks will be the top picks. After several high-profile mistakes the past few years, the league has reduced the number of players invited and done a more thorough job of researching the projected range of each player. Remember Jumaine Jones crying in 1999 after he slipped to pick No. 27? Or Rashard Lewis looking like a lost puppy in 1998 when he fell all the way to the second round? The NBA has actually been trying to avoid those classic made-for-TV moments. So imagine the surprise when Jacobsen, considered a borderline first-round pick by many, appeared on the list. Jacobsen may have dropped a clue that he was an early first-rounder late last week when he canceled a workout with the Jazz, who draft at No. 19. Jacobsen joins top lottery prospects Jay Williams, Mike Dunleavy, Caron Butler, Drew Gooden, Chris Wilcox, Dajuan Wagner, Jared Jeffries, Nikoloz Tskitishivili, Nene Hilario, Qyntel Woods, Curtis Borchardt and Amare Stoudemire. Other top players such as Melvin Ely, Kareem Rush and Marcus Haislip were also invited. The fact that Jacobsen was invited ahead of several other top prospects, including Bostjan Nacbar, Jiri Welsch and Dan Dickau, is a good sign that Jacobsen will land somewhere between 14 and 18. So where will he go? Jacobsen did have a stellar workout in Indiana, which picks at No. 14. The Rockets, Sixers and Hornets have been looking for a shooter at picks 15, 16, and 17. Then I went to NBADraft.net and found this profile: Strengths: Terrific outside shooter with astronomical range. A fundamentally sound, strong competitor with great basketball IQ and feel for the game. Capable of huge scoring outbursts, as witnesses by his two 40+ point games this season. Passing and decision making abilities are good. Weaknesses: Will be playing at the most athletic position in the NBA, the "2" guard position. Will be on the lower end in terms of athleticism and could struggle with the quickness of NBA players. Still must get stronger physically and tougher defensively. Struggles against quick defenders, must learn to use smarts to overcome quickness deficiencies. Notes: Has started a new trend in college basketball, the 30 foot jumpshot, which defenders normally will give him, but is able to hit the shot consistently to the point where defenders are forced to come out into never never land to guard him. This strategy spreads the defense and makes a drive past them that much easier. Sounds like Rudy's kind of guy.
The Rockets have a history of "Reaching" for players. All I know, is they better not screw up this draft by Reaching for Jacobsen. This is a very, very deep draft and they have a chance to cme away with two stars. Please dont screw this draft by takin gJacobsen.
Interesting. We do need a shooter. If I could only pick one quality to have in our starting SF it would be outside shooting. At the same time, I'd like to have more than just outside shooting. That shouldn't be asking too much with this draft and where we are in it. The NBADraft description doesn't tell us much about Jacobsen.
I don't see us taking him at 15, though stranger things have happened. We need someone to develop at the 3 a lot more than a backup at sg. However, if Jacobsen is there at 37, like he should be, I think that would be a good pick as I don't see Torres as a long term backup unless he improves his shooting.
