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Following potential 2015 draftees

I read a report (from his agent, I think?) saying it's not an injury that typically has complications arise and most fully heal, but I don't really know.

Isn't the stuff about Looney all from the Chad Ford (insider) report on his workout about a week ago? Ford basically said that Looney had hip flexor problems from before the season started that probably hadn't fully/properly healed during the UCLA season. That may have meant, the article seemed to imply, that Looney couldn't practice quite as regularly during the season as most players do and he may not have had full flexibility.

The report also suggested that he's working on overcoming this, and that Looney's agent doesn't think it will be a chronic problem -- it's something that can be solved. But it sounded like the NBA folks may still be wondering a bit about whether this is an issue.

The report also said that Looney has a type of sports asthma that saw Looney needing to use some kind of inhaler during the season. But, Ford says, NBA GMs have told him that this is not a real problem -- NBA teams will be able have him overcome this.

So there's the two things that, taken together, may have led to Looney looking to be not fully in condition last year. Who knows whether the NBA teams, with fuller medical info, regard any of this as a problem going forward?

If there's anything new, that's not based on this single Chad Ford report, I haven't heard about it.
 
Still hoping for Johnson (doubtful) or Turner (might happen - would be epic). If both are off the board I am trying to not hate the Frankie K. pick as it would fill a need (haven't had a legit big who can shoot 3s since Okur - a nice luxury off the bench - especially if the other team has an offensively-limited C in the game).
 
And let's be clear about some things: as horrific as Memo was defensively, he would be and WAS a GREAT player to come off the bench. But the second you need to rely on him to protect the paint as a starter, you're ****ed. Kaminsky if he has any kind of potential like that won't be asked to do that, especially since he won't be playing next to Boozer.
 
Isn't the stuff about Looney all from the Chad Ford (insider) report on his workout about a week ago? Ford basically said that Looney had hip flexor problems from before the season started that probably hadn't fully/properly healed during the UCLA season. That may have meant, the article seemed to imply, that Looney couldn't practice quite as regularly during the season as most players do and he may not have had full flexibility.

The report also suggested that he's working on overcoming this, and that Looney's agent doesn't think it will be a chronic problem -- it's something that can be solved. But it sounded like the NBA folks may still be wondering a bit about whether this is an issue.

The report also said that Looney has a type of sports asthma that saw Looney needing to use some kind of inhaler during the season. But, Ford says, NBA GMs have told him that this is not a real problem -- NBA teams will be able have him overcome this.

So there's the two things that, taken together, may have led to Looney looking to be not fully in condition last year. Who knows whether the NBA teams, with fuller medical info, regard any of this as a problem going forward?

If there's anything new, that's not based on this single Chad Ford report, I haven't heard about it.

Ford's article left me optimistic about Looney recovering from these problems and made me like him even more overall; he led all freshman in double doubles despite an asthma and hip problem? Damn.
 
If someone convinced me that Looney would be a Diaw/Dray type that can guard 5 positions (and subsequently give up nothing on switches), hit the 3, and do a little but of everything else, then HOT DAMN. Is that what's being posited by some? I'm lazy right now.
 
And let's be clear about some things: as horrific as Memo was defensively, he would be and WAS a GREAT player to come off the bench. But the second you need to rely on him to protect the paint as a starter, you're ****ed. Kaminsky if he has any kind of potential like that won't be asked to do that, especially since he won't be playing next to Boozer.
Agree
 
If someone convinced me that Looney would be a Diaw/Dray type that can guard 5 positions (and subsequently give up nothing on switches), hit the 3, and do a little but of everything else, then HOT DAMN. Is that what's being posited by some? I'm lazy right now.

That's basically what his potential is. He's drawn lots of comparisons to Lamar Odom.
 
If someone convinced me that Looney would be a Diaw/Dray type that can guard 5 positions (and subsequently give up nothing on switches), hit the 3, and do a little but of everything else, then HOT DAMN. Is that what's being posited by some? I'm lazy right now.

No. I don't think anyone's going that far.

Maybe in their unspoken dreams, but that's far to much to expect right now. There are questions about Looney's ability to gain strength. Until he answers those questions, his offensive and defensive potential will remain untapped. His agility is good, but it's yet to be seen whether he can be the Swiss-army-knife defender. He's a decent passer, but I don't think anyone's putting him in the Draymond/Diaw category.

To me, he has a lot of potential, and could end up with a very strong profile down the road, but there's a lot of things that have to come into place just right, so there's some risk.
 
Looney, johnson. I wouldnt mind a mobile 4 or big wing. Teams could give us trouble if we dont have someone we couldnstick on them. Actually no. Derrick favors could guard that. But i still think a big shooter would be good.
 
Looney played PG in high school and had a positive A/TO ratio at UCLA. His BBIQ is pretty obvious. Even if he doesn't reach Diaw/Dray passing levels, he could still be that "play making / stretch 4" we're currently missing.

As far as defense goes, he was able to stay in front of SFs in college (and played at the top of UCLA's 3-2 zone). He's got elite length (his wingspan is half an inch shorter than Dwight Howard's), but his ability to defend in the post, like idiot said, will largely depend on his ability to bulk up a bit.

The potential is there, no doubt.
 
And let's be clear about some things: as horrific as Memo was defensively, he would be and WAS a GREAT player to come off the bench. But the second you need to rely on him to protect the paint as a starter, you're ****ed. Kaminsky if he has any kind of potential like that won't be asked to do that, especially since he won't be playing next to Boozer.

I agree. Defensively, having Gobert & Favors is a luxury. I think Frank is a competent enough defender and having him pull the other team's center out of the paint will give more scoring opportunity to our second unit. If Johnson & Turner are off the board I won't be upset if we draft him as he fills a need.
 
If someone convinced me that Looney would be a Diaw/Dray type that can guard 5 positions (and subsequently give up nothing on switches), hit the 3, and do a little but of everything else, then HOT DAMN. Is that what's being posited by some? I'm lazy right now.

Theoretically, he's positioned to do most of those things. The question is how well he'll do them. He wouldn't guard 5s. The one thing we do know is that he rebounds well for his size. He looks like he could average 7 - 8 boards as a forward.

Personally, I think Portis might be able to do that list of things too, some of them better. Portis isn't going to handle and pass as much as Looney though.
 
Looney's mobility for a guy who can play the 4 is really good. He's not AK, but his mobility, IQ and versatility should make him successful in a system that spreads the floor, moves the ball and gives everyone the chance to make reads. I just don't see him scoring much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6es44VOuQQ
 
And let's be clear about some things: as horrific as Memo was defensively, he would be and WAS a GREAT player to come off the bench. But the second you need to rely on him to protect the paint as a starter, you're ****ed. Kaminsky if he has any kind of potential like that won't be asked to do that, especially since he won't be playing next to Boozer.
Let's not forget that Kaminsky on his worst day is way quicker and better defender now then at any time in Memo's career. Let's not forget that not just Deron, but Memo had a lot to do with Booser looking so good on offense as well. I think by year three Kaminsky will be a not good but decent defender that doesn't hurt the team plus he is the third big defending backups.
 
Theoretically, he's positioned to do most of those things. The question is how well he'll do them. He wouldn't guard 5s. The one thing we do know is that he rebounds well for his size. He looks like he could average 7 - 8 boards as a forward.

Personally, I think Portis might be able to do that list of things too, some of them better. Portis isn't going to handle and pass as much as Looney though.

I trust Looney's outside shot more, too. They both shot over 40% from 3 this year, but Looney did it on twice as many attempts.

I also have more faith in Looney's ability to defend out on the perimeter.
 
Looney's mobility for a guy who can play the 4 is really good. He's not AK, but his mobility, IQ and versatility should make him successful in a system that spreads the floor, moves the ball and gives everyone the chance to make reads. I just don't see him scoring much.

Are you saying he's not AK but he shares some of AK's game? I've never heard the AK comp before, but if he's a less effective defender but better 3 pt shooting AK I'd be all over that.
 
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