7. Who's the most underrated player on the board?
While most of the national attention focuses on projected lottery picks, there's typically a player or two who slips through the cracks. Despite interminable speculation, even NBA evaluators miss, as with DeAndre Jordan in 2008 (No. 35 pick) and Landry Fields in 2010 (No. 39).
This year, that second-round sleeper could be Marquette's Jae Crowder. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound forward lacks first round size, but still possesses the skills needed to contribute at the next level. He's spearheaded the Golden Eagles to a 21-5 record (10-3 in the Big East) and, after notching double-doubles in four of his last eight games, is starting to creep onto the NBA radar. He compensates for unremarkable athleticism with physicality, court-savvy and effort.
"I don't even know if he's gonna show up on a draft board," said a scout. "But every night, [Crowder] gets 16 points, six or seven rebounds, two steals, a blocked shot and takes a charge. He's clearly helped himself."
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/ben_glicksman/02/15/nba.draft.prospects/index.html#ixzz1mUNih06u
....and he's a Warrior!
Jae's a poor man's Shane Battier. His PER is off the charts. I've been saying all season that he gets drafted. Wouldn't be surprised to see him in 1st Round.
Quote from: Avenue Commons on February 15, 2012, 09:54:14 PM
Jae's a poor man's Shane Battier. His PER is off the charts. I've been saying all season that he gets drafted. Wouldn't be surprised to see him in 1st Round.
I'd almost be surprised if he was anything but the last pick of the first round.
Quote from: Benny B on February 15, 2012, 09:56:06 PM
I'd almost be surprised if he was anything but the last pick of the first round.
With DJO going higher?
Quote from: Brewtown Andy on February 16, 2012, 02:30:25 AM
With DJO going higher?
Not a chance. DJO is too short to play the 2 in the NBA. He doesn't have the ball skills or the game style to play PG in the NBA. He is a tweener... He can score the ball and play D in college, but the NBA is a whole different game.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on February 16, 2012, 07:05:46 AM
Not a chance. DJO is too short to play the 2 in the NBA. He doesn't have the ball skills or the game style to play PG in the NBA. He is a tweener... He can score the ball and play D in college, but the NBA is a whole different game.
Dude bro. If you don't our support team man, just don't cheer for us. You are not even a real fan, can't believe you said that crap. Just a HATER!
Signed,
GOMU85
Well someone HAS TO get drafted last in the first round so I can fall off the couch again - Crowder.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on February 16, 2012, 07:05:46 AM
Not a chance. DJO is too short to play the 2 in the NBA. He doesn't have the ball skills or the game style to play PG in the NBA. He is a tweener... He can score the ball and play D in college, but the NBA is a whole different game.
I don't know. I think the closest comparison for what DJO could be in the NBA is Ben Gordon. Similar size, similar skill set. Gordon is the better player, no doubt, but DJO could fill a similar role.
Quote from: dwaderoy2004 on February 16, 2012, 08:53:41 AM
I don't know. I think the closest comparison for what DJO could be in the NBA is Ben Gordon. Similar size, similar skill set. Gordon is the better player, no doubt, but DJO could fill a similar role.
Another Piston, Vinnie Johnson, is a better comparison.
www.basketball-reference.com › Players › J
Vinnie Johnson. Vincent Johnson (Vinnie, Microwave). Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-2 ▪ Weight: 200 lbs.
Quote from: reinko on February 16, 2012, 07:29:23 AM
Dude bro. If you don't our support team man, just don't cheer for us. You are not even a real fan, can't believe you said that crap. Just a HATER!
Signed,
GOMU85
Wow you remember me?! Glad I made such a huge impact in your life:)
How are you doing this morning?
Quote from: Avenue Commons on February 16, 2012, 09:00:08 AM
Another Piston, Vinnie Johnson, is a better comparison.
www.basketball-reference.com › Players › J
Vinnie Johnson. Vincent Johnson (Vinnie, Microwave). Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-2 ▪ Weight: 200 lbs.
He was my favorite Piston during the Bad Boy era. He was closer to 6', but he could get his shot off in the paint over McHale, Kareem, anybody. And rebound in traffic. An awesome 3rd guard.
Quote from: TempoFree on February 15, 2012, 03:41:35 PM
7. Who's the most underrated player on the board?
While most of the national attention focuses on projected lottery picks, there's typically a player or two who slips through the cracks. Despite interminable speculation, even NBA evaluators miss, as with DeAndre Jordan in 2008 (No. 35 pick) and Landry Fields in 2010 (No. 39).
This year, that second-round sleeper could be Marquette's Jae Crowder. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound forward lacks first round size, but still possesses the skills needed to contribute at the next level. He's spearheaded the Golden Eagles to a 21-5 record (10-3 in the Big East) and, after notching double-doubles in four of his last eight games, is starting to creep onto the NBA radar. He compensates for unremarkable athleticism with physicality, court-savvy and effort.
"I don't even know if he's gonna show up on a draft board," said a scout. "But every night, [Crowder] gets 16 points, six or seven rebounds, two steals, a blocked shot and takes a charge. He's clearly helped himself."
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/ben_glicksman/02/15/nba.draft.prospects/index.html#ixzz1mUNih06u
I'm not really sure how you can compare Jordan to Crowder. Jordan didn't slip through the cracks. The guy was projected top 10 talent all the way til the month of the draft. He is the anti-crowder who had all the talent but didn't put it together at the college level. Crowder is more of a Jordan Hill type player who put up stats in college but I am still a doubter that he can make it on the NBA level.
Quote from: Avenue Commons on February 16, 2012, 09:00:08 AM
Another Piston, Vinnie Johnson, is a better comparison.
www.basketball-reference.com › Players › J
Vinnie Johnson. Vincent Johnson (Vinnie, Microwave). Position: Guard ▪ Height: 6-2 ▪ Weight: 200 lbs.
Yep, great comparison. I was thinking only of current players. Wasn't sure if everybody remembered "the Microwave."
Quote from: GOMU85 on February 16, 2012, 09:14:54 AM
Wow you remember me?! Glad I made such a huge impact in your life:)
How are you doing this morning?
Stop being so negative.
Quote from: GOMU85 on February 16, 2012, 09:14:54 AM
Wow you remember me?! Glad I made such a huge impact in your life:)
How are you doing this morning?
Awesome cup of coffee this morning, great job, 401K is doing solid, family and friends doing well. Overall, not too shabby.
Quote from: reinko on February 16, 2012, 09:55:23 AM
Awesome cup of coffee this morning, great job, 401K is doing solid, family and friends doing well. Overall, not too shabby.
+1000
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204880404577225562995441868.html?mod=lifestyle_newsreel
Nice MU press this morning in the WSJ.... mentions Jae as a NBA sleeper and on the same page different story Novak gets some love with Lin and the Knicks...
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on February 16, 2012, 07:05:46 AM
Not a chance. DJO is too short to play the 2 in the NBA. He doesn't have the ball skills or the game style to play PG in the NBA. He is a tweener... He can score the ball and play D in college, but the NBA is a whole different game.
With DJO's explosiveness and refined finishing ability coupled with his silky-smooth jumper he has a chance of going in the first round. Yeah, he's undersized but the NBA isn't exactly going to suffocate you with their defense nor do they expect you to. Whatever DJO lacks in size, he makes up for in offensive ability and his defense is good enough to get by even if he gives up a couple of inches. I can't tell you how many times I've used the term NBA-ready after a play DJO made this year. He's going to be an average-to-good NBA player.
Quote from: windyplayer on February 16, 2012, 12:11:37 PM
With DJO's explosiveness and refined finishing ability coupled with his silky-smooth jumper he has a chance of going in the first round. Yeah, he's undersized but the NBA isn't exactly going to suffocate you with their defense nor do they expect you to. Whatever DJO lacks in size, he makes up for in offensive ability and his defense is good enough to get by even if he gives up a couple of inches. I can't tell you how many times I've used the term NBA-ready after a play DJO made this year. He's going to be an average-to-good NBA player.
I disagree. He's a great college player, but he will not be a first round pick and I struggle to see him being a good NBA player. I hope I'm wrong, but to me his decision making and ball handling are nowhere near where they need to be to be a point guard in the NBA, and that is what his size will cause him to be in the NBA. There's a reason there aren't many 6'2" shooting guards in the NBA. It's much harder to get a shot off in the NBA when shooting guards who are defending you are 6'5" with long arms and you're 6'2". He dribbles the ball insanely high for a guard (as does Cadougan, not sure why both of our guards do that). He definitely knocks down some difficult jumpers and can shoot the rock, but getting those shots off will be difficult for him in the NBA.
In a world where Eddie House can float around the league I find it hard to believe that DJO won't find himself a roster spot somewhere. If you can put the ball in the hoop at the rate DJO does you find a spot.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on February 16, 2012, 07:05:46 AM
Not a chance. DJO is too short to play the 2 in the NBA. He doesn't have the ball skills or the game style to play PG in the NBA. He is a tweener... He can score the ball and play D in college, but the NBA is a whole different game.
And Jae isn't a tweener? They both are, but DJO would score the ball in the NBA.
I've been on these boards several times (albeit under a previous login name - not Chicos though) saying that DJO didn't have the size to play in the NBA. But the more I watch him this year I can really see him finding a spot in the league. Very solid outside shot and a good finisher. He has been consistent in bringing a solid effort just about every night. Honestly it wouldn't shock me either way. His workouts will be crucial.
There aren't many sure fire lottery picks that will come through MU, but we get guys who are able maximize the impact of the skills they have and mitigate their weaknesses by playing smart and working hard. Remember that Novak was too slow and unathletic, Hayward was undersized, Butler lacked athleticism. They all got into the first round.
Slightly off topic - The print version of SI had a story of NBA draft sleepers that included a pic of DJO along with a brief write up saying his speed would be of interest to NBA teams, and it acknowledged the lack of size for a 2.
Way off topic - the same issue had an article on 'Cuse which featured some photos from the Marquette game, and their article on Lin-sanity had a Noval mention.
Quote from: frozena pizza on February 16, 2012, 01:23:14 PM
I've been on these boards several times (albeit under a previous login name - not Chicos though) saying that DJO didn't have the size to play in the NBA. But the more I watch him this year I can really see him finding a spot in the league. Very solid outside shot and a good finisher. He has been consistent in bringing a solid effort just about every night. Honestly it wouldn't shock me either way. His workouts will be crucial.
There aren't many sure fire lottery picks that will come through MU, but we get guys who are able maximize the impact of the skills they have and mitigate their weaknesses by playing smart and working hard. Remember that Novak was too slow and unathletic, Hayward was undersized, Butler lacked athleticism. They all got into the first round.
The question on Butler was shooting range, not athleticism. Butler was a top notch athlete. And Novak was a 2nd rounder. I think DJO has a chance to sneak into the first round, while Crowder will go mid-to-late second round.
Quote from: Jamailman on February 16, 2012, 01:32:18 PM
The question on Butler was shooting range, not athleticism. Butler was a top notch athlete. And Novak was a 2nd rounder. I think DJO has a chance to sneak into the first round, while Crowder will go mid-to-late second round.
+1000
Quote from: wadesworld on February 16, 2012, 12:19:06 PM
I disagree. He's a great college player, but he will not be a first round pick and I struggle to see him being a good NBA player. I hope I'm wrong, but to me his decision making and ball handling are nowhere near where they need to be to be a point guard in the NBA, and that is what his size will cause him to be in the NBA. There's a reason there aren't many 6'2" shooting guards in the NBA. It's much harder to get a shot off in the NBA when shooting guards who are defending you are 6'5" with long arms and you're 6'2". He dribbles the ball insanely high for a guard (as does Cadougan, not sure why both of our guards do that). He definitely knocks down some difficult jumpers and can shoot the rock, but getting those shots off will be difficult for him in the NBA.
Two points that make your analysis inaccurate:
1. DJO has a super-long reach. Like D-Wade freakish. Check out the SportsScience thing on DJO: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/40926/video-sports-science-on-marquettes-djo
2. Hand checks are illegal in the NBA. Shorter guys can get their shots off. I watched some of Golden State last night. Both Monta Ellis and Steph Curry are "undersized" for their positions. Both are listed at 6'3" and 185 lbs. DJO is only an inch shorter, has a longer wingspan, and has shoulders like a power forward. Listed at 6'2" and 215 lbs. That's twenty pounds of muscle on Ellis and Curry who are both very, very good NBA players. You're gonna tell me DJO couldn't be 85-90% of Ellis or Curry?
The game has evolved. DJO has the skills to play in the league how its played today.
Quote from: Avenue Commons on February 16, 2012, 05:47:36 PM
Two points that make your analysis inaccurate:
1. DJO has a super-long reach. Like D-Wade freakish. Check out the SportsScience thing on DJO: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/40926/video-sports-science-on-marquettes-djo
2. Hand checks are illegal in the NBA. Shorter guys can get their shots off. I watched some of Golden State last night. Both Monta Ellis and Steph Curry are "undersized" for their positions. Both are listed at 6'3" and 185 lbs. DJO is only an inch shorter, has a longer wingspan, and has shoulders like a power forward. Listed at 6'2" and 215 lbs. That's twenty pounds of muscle on Ellis and Curry who are both very, very good NBA players. You're gonna tell me DJO couldn't be 85-90% of Ellis or Curry?
The game has evolved. DJO has the skills to play in the league how its played today.
Good points on the wingspan. Never knew that. I hope I'm wrong on DJO, I hope he's a superstar in the NBA, but if I'm being honest, no, I don't think DJO can be 85-90% of what Ellis and Curry are. Those 2 are 2 of the best scorers in the NBA. Curry was a junior in college when he single-handedly took a bunch of below-average (for NCAA Tournament teams) players and carried them to within a shot of the Final Four. I think the ball handling of those 2 are way better than DJO's will ever be. Again, I hope I'm wrong and you bring up good points, but to me DJO is much more Scotty Reynolds than he is Steph Curry.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on February 16, 2012, 07:05:46 AM
He can score the ball and play D in college, but the NBA is a whole different game.
Can't a guy simply score? Does he have to "score the ball"? Aside from sexually, how does one score without the ball?
Score the ball. Meaningless, coachspeak drivel.
Thank you for letting me rant about this pet peeve.
Quote from: MU82 on February 17, 2012, 12:52:19 PM
Can't a guy simply score? Does he have to "score the ball"? Aside from sexually, how does one score without the ball?
Score the ball. Meaningless, coachspeak drivel.
Thank you for letting me rant about this pet peeve.
My biggest pet peeve is when someone says a player is "out with a knee" or whatever body part may be injured. How did that even start?