Gyp Rosetti
Banned
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These guys averaged < 15 ppg in hs?
These guys averaged < 15 ppg in hs?
On the radar: 2012 Draft Class
- Thread starter Ferguson_Mellochill
- Start date
I don't have their stats, but to take a guy that is considered less than a project (ranked 150 - 600) to having a college career that gets them drafted and a successful career in the NBA is an obvious upgrade. My original point is the recruiting services/stats don't always tell the ultimate story, in both directions. I thought that would be patently obvious to all and I wouldn't be asked to prove it. lol
But with respect to Drummond, that is the opposite of the situation. He is an absolutely elite recruit who didn't really do anything in HS. I get your point that kids can turn their fortunes around, but I think that happens because passion and hard-work will trump a lack of ideal amount of innate ability, not that a kid just gets it one day. I worry about Drummond's ability to just get it one day , because that is exceptionally rare.
I think, with Drummond, it will take the right coaching staff and teammates. The situation they find themselves in can make a world of difference. With Andre's pure size and skill set, he's a sure bet ... I just don't like watching guys play with any level of apathy, regardless of their production. I'd rather watch a kid busting their ***, surpassing what anyone ever thought they could do, than watching another guy *easily* scoring a few more points.
Who are you comparing him too? Lebron is 6'8 - 6'9 btw.
Very good point. Very common with great players.
I agree 100%. There are many reasons. Don't need to spend all the money sending scouts into high school gyms all across America, just to follow that money with more money (guaranteed contracts), to then wait a few years to find out if you've got a good investment, only to have their contract up at that point. Wow, dumb.
TIFWIW - Word out of UK is that Gilchrist is a bit behind where they thought he would be. They've got him on a fast track to tighten up his dribbling and to fix a MAJOR hitch in his shot. I have no doubt he is and will be a big time player (stud), but for now the word is he has more work to do than was expected.
I don't think Shaq O'Neal was known for having a great work ethic. He didn't stay in shape consistently, really only developed a few offensive moves, didn't always apply himself on defense, and never really learned to shoot free-throws in his career. But he still won 4 rings and made the Finals two other times. His combination of size and natural athleticism was just unstoppable. Drummond looks to be physically dominant and has an awful lot of skill and natural talent. Even if he plays at half speed, he still looks like a potentially dominant go-to player. I don't think he's a big risk to whomever drafts him.
spycam1
Well-Known Member
True, but I wouldn't say Shaq was ever passive on the court the way Drummond is at times.
We'll have to see just where Drummond sits physically at the combine (and how assertive/productive he is in college, since that's actually the problem), because I don't know if people quite realize just how physically dominant Shaq really was. As in, at 20 years old, Shaq was measured at 7' 1" withOUT shoes with a 7' 7" wingspan, 303 pounds, and with a 36" vertical. Absolutely insane. I doubt Drummond has such measurements, and again, the concern is his assertiveness on the court besides that, as well.
Cal's teams always mesh well. I believe that's mainly due to telling the kids the truth upfront and making no promises as to playing time, etc. The team is too deep and has too much talent to have any player put up big (much less, gaudy) numbers this year ... aside from Davis' blocks. Having said that;
Jones will get to showcase more versatility on the perimeter this year. 15pts, 8rbs, 1.5blks
Davis will be unstoppable, even as a freshman and will shatter UK's all-time season shot-blocking record. 14pts, 9rbs, 4blks
Gilchrist will start the year as the 6th man (behind senior Darius Miller) and will earn starting spot at around game 12. 8pts, 6rbs, 1.5blks
Teague will make freshman mistakes, but no one can stay in front of him and he'll have all the options* to dish. 10pts, 6asts, 3to
*Davis and Jones down low as well as Lamb (48% from 3 last year) and Miller (44% from 3 last year) .. PG's dream.
The UK/UNC game will be epic this December. To be lottery picks and 1st rounders in that game (within next two drafts);
Davis (UK)
Jones (UK)
Gilchrist (UK)
Teague (UK)
Wiltjer (UK)
Lamb (UK)
Barnes (UNC)
Zeller (UNC)
Henson (UNC)
McAdoo (UNC)
Bullock (UNC)
Marshall (UNC)
Something closer to 2 sounds more likely.