http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/news/story?id=2808295 DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke forward Josh McRoberts has declared himself eligible for the 2007 NBA Draft. "This was a difficult decision, but I feel it is the best one for me and my family at this point in time," McRoberts said. "I will miss Duke, the coaching staff and my teammates but it has always been goal of mine to play in the NBA." Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said the program is "100 percent behind" McRoberts' decision. "Josh has been a terrific player for us for the past two years and he will be even better in the future as a professional. Based on our information, it is time for him to move on to the next level and we are ready to help him in any and every way during this process," Krzyzewski said. In his sophomore season, McRoberts was Duke's second-leading scorer with 13 points per game and led the Blue Devils with 7.9 rebounds per game and .502 field goal percentage.
He was very hyped last year and I still think he will be a pretty good NBA player eventually. He was projected as a top 5 pick last year and that would have been way off if he declared last year. I'm not sure if he helped himself out by declaring for this deep draft. I think the Rocket's may have a shot at him if his measurements and workouts don't increase his value much. I think he will be a more skilled more athletic Troy Murphy in a couple of years. Kind of a disappointing college career for him.
Did he ever suffer an injury? Did he get fatter? He used to be so athletic and quick to jump. Now its just... Meh
I've seen all of his Duke games, many of them in person, and I STILL don't know how good this guy is going to be. Offense: McRoberts is pretty damn polished offensively, he's a rare bigman with great hands/handles. He'll catch every pass, and make better ones. Very unselfish as well, in college this was a problem because we needed him to be our primary scorer and that's just not his game, but at the Pro level he should be more effective. His jumper used to be much better, but his mechanics have actually degraded, at the beginning of the season he was in a mental slump, hitting backboard only on some jumpers, but he's got that under control. With a few years he'll be solid from up to 16 feet, his touch inside leaves ALOT to be desired though. He is very skilled, so he feels the need to try to finish with his off hand if there is any defensive pressure, when he would be better off powering it up two handed or at least with his left hand (he's lefty) a la Hansbrough to improve his finishing, they are all close, but consistently bricks inside. Defense: - He's a good off-ball shot blocker, but nothign too special, the blocks he gets in our college games aren't on pro caliber finishers, so his stats are padded. He's gotten eaten up inside on post D by wayyy too many players, including no names. From the NC. State ACC tourney game, to Brandon Wright and Hansbrough ( both pro level guys) he is at their mercy downlow, letting them get position then finish all over him. However, he was playing out of position (he's a true 4 not a center as we played him) and he had NO inside help (Dave McClure was our PF and he's closer to a SG than a PF) and if he got into foul trouble the game was over, so maybe that's why other postup players walked all over him. Overall: His attitude is HORRIBLE, he did not want to be at Duke, that was obvious. He constantly scowls and simply yells at teamates, he plays with passion (not stromile II) but he needs to growup. Also, athletically he has regressed already. He had back surgery last summer, so that may have set him back this year, but he just does not seem to be in premier shape. However, to his credit he plays nearly the whole game for us when needed, brings the ball up the court, rebounds, blocks shots, scores, and gaurds the other team's best post player. He gave it his all, and stamina was not an issue. However, just looking at him, he is not cut or defined at all, and he is weak in the weight room. With pro trainers he can improve his body strength drastically which should help him.
I'll pass. When he was projected as a high pick, I thought he had bust all over him. Now even as a middle to low first round pick, I still see him as a bust.
I'd love for Battier to have the chance to "Grow him up"! I doubt he would yell at Shane more than once! He'd be a good pick for us late in the draft.
Josh McRoberts passion in action <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NElaIEymBb4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NElaIEymBb4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
I actually felt bad for him during this game. He was so winded and exhausted yet the "greatest coach of all time" refused to take him out. Hansbrough > McRoberts
