I'm confused, Amare and Wilcox are both the same size. 6-10 about 240. Why is Stoudemire more likely to be a Center than Wilcox? Frankly I think Chris is the exact type of center the Rockets need. He's got good post moves, outstanding leaping ability, runs the floor well and is getting better every game on D. He's got very good hands and passes extremely well for a big man. The biggest plus in favor of Wilcox is that he may be only 6 months older than Stoudemire but with 2 years of college experiance. The rockets would get a more polished player used to playing in a more competetive system, with as much talent as Stoudemire has. Frankly, I hope he doesn't come out though. He could probably push his draft stock up to the top 3 with another year at Maryland. Baxter gets a lot of low post touches that Chris would inherit as the primary low post threat. Plus Gary Williams would be able to continue to develop his game. Getting him to play better man to man defense, and develop a few more offensive moves. Maybe polish up that 15 foot jumpshot so he can take people off the dribble too.
Thank you Jaybird....I was debating on whether or not to get into that argument. You took the words right out of my mouth. Excellent summary of Wilcox's game. The problem is (if you are a Terp fan like myself), Wilcox recently said in an article that after seeing what happened to T Mo's stock by staying, he may leave...here is the article... Wilcox waiting for draft answers In meantime, sophomore ponders his Terps future By Gary Lambrecht and Christian Ewell Sun Staff Originally published March 8, 2002 CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The questions already are starting to bug Chris Wilcox, who could be playing his final month in a Maryland Terrapins uniform. Are you staying? Are you leaving? Think you need one more year of college basketball before you're ready for the pros? Then again, Wilcox acknowledged the growing speculation as valid. And should he solidify his place as a lottery pick in the NBA draft in June with a strong showing in the postseason, Maryland likely has seen the last of its 6-foot-10 sophomore forward. "I really want to come back to school, but if you get a chance to go [in the NBA draft] as a lottery pick, you've got to go," said Wilcox, who cited the decision by former Terp Terence Morris to stay at Maryland for four years. Widely considered a lottery pick after his sophomore season, Morris was drafted early in the second round by Atlanta, then traded to the Houston Rockets in June. "I think that's where Terence messed up. He stayed around too long," Wilcox said. "I don't want to be the one to stay around too long." Wilcox, 19, has started 18 games this season and ranks second on the team in rebounding (7.6) and is tied for third in scoring (11.9). He also has played exceptionally well in high-profile wins over Duke and Illinois, while providing a steady stream of highlight-reel dunks, rebounds and blocked shots. He is among the nation's best leapers. Maryland coach Gary Williams, who is believed to want Wilcox to play the collegiate game one more season, said he has not spoken to Wilcox about his future. "I talk to all of the players after the season about what to work on in the off-season," Williams said. "Chris and I will talk."
Heh thx NJ, I think there's a big difference between Tmo and Wilcox. Chris has the mentality to dominate a game and be a team's primary focus. Morris while being a great talent never had that ability. Everyone seems quick to point to Morris as a reason why people should jump early. But for Morris, I honestly believe he made the right decision. Financially he would have made more money leaving early. But lets say he leaves after his sophmore year, and is a top 10 draft pick. This being an estimation on my part. He would have made a lot more money but he'd also be looked upon to make a fairly immediate impact and also be a future star of the team. I don't think he would have measured up to those expectations. Consquently, if he didn't his NBA carear would have been markedly shortened. As it stands now, he's not really expected to contribute in a signifigant ammount and can acclimate himself over time rather than it be sink or swim. The only real mistake I think Morris had was the offensive dropoff his senior season. Had he been able to keep his scoring average at about 15ppg he would have more than likely stayed in the first round and gotten a guaranteed contract. Morris needed to stay, in order to try and develop his mental game. Wilcox needs to say in order to develop his defense and expand his offense. He doesn't need another year at Maryland but he could certainly use it. I hope Gary can prove to Chris that he needs to work on certain things and could stand to stay another year in school.
I think he was on the Wooden Award Preseason Watch list of 50 players, but seems to have been dropped from the sift they did at midseason to 30. <A HREF="http://www.woodenaward.com/topcandidateList.cfm"> John R. Wooden Top Candidates</A> Mango
From ESPN Insider today... IS CHRIS MARCUS THE NEXT SHAQ? HARDLY Needless to say, Marcus is one of those freaks who could've been a lottery pick last year, but decided he wasn't ready for the life. "I just want to develop," Marcus told ESPN.com last summer. "I don't want to be a nobody in the NBA. A lot of guys get drafted and that's it. I want to have an impact. That's all. I want to do something that a team needs. I don't expect to be a superstar." Marcus almost paid dearly for his decision to stay in school. After a fast start, he broke a bone in his foot and was forced to miss 14 games, dropping his stock on the NBA radar. A strong performance in the NCAA tournament, and Marcus will quickly regain his status. At 7-foot-1 and 285 pounds, he's got the size thing going. He's a strong defender, an excellent rebounder and has worked hard to develop an array of low-post moves that has boosted his scoring average this season. He can even step back and nail the three on occasion. Before you get too excited, don't confuse him with Shaq. He doesn't have the athleticism that really gets scouts drooling. He can be a bit of a ground hog, which hurts his shot blocking a bit and he's still very raw. He's only played organized basketball for three years. Think a stronger version of Michael Olowokandi, without the hops. Now you see the problem. You can bet that Knicks president Scott Layden has a full dossier on Marcus, as well as any other big man with a pulse. But even Marcus isn't a lock for the first round. He redshirted his freshman year, meaning he could petition the NCAA for another year of eligibility. In the past he's hinted he'll do just that. Who needs all that money? But after seeing his stock slip when he injured his foot, Marcus has been backing off his stated desire to play one more year for the Hilltoppeers. "I plan on making the jump. I want people to know that," Marcus said, adding that he's on pace to graduate. "I would love for this to be my last year. . .If I don't have the year I hope I have, or if I have the feeling where I think I need another year to get better at basketball, then I'll come back and put it on hold for another year." GM's are praying that Marcus does decide to come out this summer -- the draft is that thin. After Marcus, there are only a handful of seniors with a shot at the first round.
