[Cracked Sidewalks] Hayward shoots up to 1st round NBA status

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Hayward shoots up to 1st round NBA status

Written by: jpudner@concentricgrasstops.com (bamamarquettefan1)

Lazar Hayward recently became a member of the US team competiting in the World University Games, and has done quite well.  Apparently, his stock is rising among the NBA Scouts as well.

Just days after Marquette fans sat through a 2nd round of the NBA Draft that saw teams ignore Jerel McNeal and Wes Matthews in favor of European players they have no intention of signing, Hayward is suddenly back in the thick of the 2010 mock draft.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2010mock_draft

I was actually researching for an early preview column of next year's Big East, comparing the incoming freshman's "star" rating at rivals.com with the returning players each team has based on their productivity last year and which ones are good enough to make the NBA.

I went to nbadraftnet to see how the NBA-duos for West Virginia (Devin Ebanks/DeSean Butler) and UConn (Kemba Walker/Jerome Dyson) were faring in the mock draft, when I noticed that Lazar is now forecast to be the 4th Big East Player in the NBA Draft and the 29th player taken overall.

If the reports are true that Lazar is handling the ball more often and well are true (this was theoretically the reason he dropped out of the mock draft last year despite his incredible shooting and rebounding) then this could be quite a key development to help the great recruiting class gel next year.

The comparison of recruiting classes and returning players from each Big East team will be forthcoming, but I wanted to get this out.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2009/07/hayward-shoots-up-to-1st-round-nba.html

[Murffieus]

I like Lazar's game a lot-----but iMO he won't get drafted unless he starts acquiring a reputation as a quality perimeter player------and I don't mean just putting up catch and shoot treys. Has to be able to take it to the hole from out there as well as pullup jump shots.

However this is unlikely as most of Lazar's minutes will be positioned inside this season------that is unless in the unlikely event Otule does a complete 180 and gets 30 mpg underneath.

[4everwarriors]

Happy for Lazar and his successes. Also, I wish him well. However, recent history shows that mock drafts, especially at this point in time, mean absolutely NOTHING.
Now, as for his draft worthiness, Hayward is a tweener. Not big or quick enough to be a 3 and not large enough for the 4. His NBA future could be as a 2, with some work on his J. Quickness on defense is still an issue.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

His game just doesn't translate to the NBA. All of his inside points would be gone. That leaves him with just a jumpshot to score.

[77ncaachamps]

I think lazar could end up being a poor man's Carmelo Anthony . Their style of play is similar.

[GGGG]

Hayward shoots up to 1st round NBA status

Written by: jpudner@concentricgrasstops.com (bamamarquettefan1)

Lazar Hayward recently became a member of the US team competiting in the World University Games, and has done quite well.  Apparently, his stock is rising among the NBA Scouts as well.

Just days after Marquette fans sat through a 2nd round of the NBA Draft that saw teams ignore Jerel McNeal and Wes Matthews in favor of European players they have no intention of signing, Hayward is suddenly back in the thick of the 2010 mock draft.

You should say "no intention of signing immediately."

I have a related question about that.  Can NBA teams draft American college players, not sign them but encourage them to go over to Europe and still retain their rights like they can European playeres?

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

There are similarities with Melo, but Lazar is very dissimilar from an athletic standpoint. Melo is an elite athlete. Lazar is average for a college player and well below average for the NBA.

[dbwarriors]

The past couple years, Hayward has reminded me of a poor man's Scottie Pippen.  Obviously, NOT the all-around talent of Pippen (especially defensively), but Lazar is only 1 inch shorter (yes, not as quick), but can go play inside and outside.  Again, no where near the talent of Pippen (and Lazar would have trouble down-low in the NBA) but I always thought Lazar may have a better shot than the 3 amigos in the NBA due to being a bit taller than the other 3, while realizing he's a forward vs. the other 3 being guards.

I guess we'll find out about this time next year.  Maybe an early 2nd round pick.

[AlumKCof93]

I love Lazar, but the only way he makes it to the NBA is if he vastly improves his ballhandling.  I don't see it happening for him.

[tower912]

I love Lazar.   However, I am pretty sure Buzz said he is actually 6' 4 3/4".  So, can he play the two or the three in the NBA?    Can he effectively take the ball to the rack with either hand?    Can he create his own shot away from the basket?    Can he get his jumper off lightning quick?    Can he play adequate d against a quicker athlete instead of a much bigger one without fouling 20 ft from the basket?    Until the answers to all of those questions is yes........

[hdog1017]

I'm sure about 20 or so Europeans will come out of nowhere to bump Lazar to the end of the 2nd round, or not drafted at all.  It seems like if you are a tall & decent European player from a YMCA league in Turkmenistan, you'll be drafted late first or 2nd round. 

[bamamarquettefan]

And in posting this, I don't necessarily mean that I believe the mock drafts have a clue as to who will actually go in the drafts next year.  It's more like watching a stock market - and indicates that there is some consensus across the basketball world that Lazar will be one of the top players in the NCAA next year.

[downtown85]

I'm sure about 20 or so Europeans will come out of nowhere to bump Lazar to the end of the 2nd round, or not drafted at all.  It seems like if you are a tall & decent European player from a YMCA league in Turkmenistan, you'll be drafted late first or 2nd round. 

This is another reason why more and more U.S. high school players will take their skills to some European league for a year or two before going to the NBA.   In Europe, they don't have any rules about the number of days a college-age player can be coached, the number of practices they can have per year, or whether or not the school work is up to snuff. It's just Basketball 24/7 which will improve your skill much more greatly than if you get a 1/2 time coached by even one of the best college coaches.   Also, you get paid while you play!   Plus, if you land in a place like Italy, the food is pretty good!

One or two years in Europe is hardly a hardship and it is a relatively easy way around the more and more intricate web of NCAA rules. 

[muarmy81]

This is another reason why more and more U.S. high school players will take their skills to some European league for a year or two before going to the NBA.   In Europe, they don't have any rules about the number of days a college-age player can be coached, the number of practices they can have per year, or whether or not the school work is up to snuff. It's just Basketball 24/7 which will improve your skill much more greatly than if you get a 1/2 time coached by even one of the best college coaches.   Also, you get paid while you play!   Plus, if you land in a place like Italy, the food is pretty good!

One or two years in Europe is hardly a hardship and it is a relatively easy way around the more and more intricate web of NCAA rules. 

Dowtown,
I agree with most of your thoughts, ie living and getting paid to play BBall in Europe, but with regards to the coaching, I think you
get better coaching here in the US even if it is for less of the time.  In fact, didn't Brandon Jennings have "issues" with his coach in
Italy?  And many foreign leagues try to recruit some of our coaches. (See coach Rab in China)
I got to also think getting coached in a foreign language is difficult for anyone, let alone a teenager.

[lurch91]

Not so sure.  Euro league veterans are notorious tough on the younger players, there are no "mentors" on Euro teams.  The coaches aren't much better.  They're not there to teach or develop, but to win.

Many europeans speak english, but not all.  Could be a tough year for an 18 year old to get through. 

[Hards Alumni]

If Hayward gets to play outside more this year and shoot the ball he has a chance to be a more athletic/quick Steve Novak type player IMO... meaning he can hit open shots and take set plays... a pick and pop type of guy.

Rebounding isn't all about size... its about seeing the ball well off the hoop and 'Zar seems to excel at this.

I think he would be a great asset to a team... I'm thinking of a 6th man rather than someone who would ever start.

I think his game is somewhat European, except that he doesn't have the ball handling skills of a typical Euro.

He is NOTHING like 'Melo.

[downtown85]

Not so sure.  Euro league veterans are notorious tough on the younger players, there are no "mentors" on Euro teams.  The coaches aren't much better.  They're not there to teach or develop, but to win.

Many europeans speak english, but not all.  Could be a tough year for an 18 year old to get through. 

Good points lurch and muarmy,  especially about being 18 in a foreign country with no friends or family to support you.   

Regarding coaching, the Europeans must be doing something right, especially with regard to player development, as it seems that more and more Europeans get drafted each year.   Not sure what else explains the higher and higher percentage of Europeans actually getting drafted. 

[reinko]

He is NOTHING like 'Melo.

What are you talking about?  I can name a 1/2 dozen similarities.

1.) They both play basketball.
2.) Neither of them plays point guard.
3.) Neither of them plays center.
4.) They both to college in the BE.
5.) They are both black.
6.) They are both men.

The only difference I see is that Lazar has not starred in a Stop Snitchin' video.

[muarmy81]

Good points lurch and muarmy,  especially about being 18 in a foreign country with no friends or family to support you.   

Regarding coaching, the Europeans must be doing something right, especially with regard to player development, as it seems that more and more Europeans get drafted each year.   Not sure what else explains the higher and higher percentage of Europeans actually getting drafted. 

I think part of the draw with drafting foreign players is that they can retain the rights of that player and allow them to play overseas without having to pay them, until they do decide to come to the US.  It's like a Poor Man's Farm System.

[Skatastrophy]

The only difference I see is that Lazar has not starred in a Stop Snitchin' video.

But Lazar will have a college degree, which is something that 'melo doesn't have. 

That brings them back to even.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I think part of the draw with drafting foreign players is that they can retain the rights of that player and allow them to play overseas without having to pay them, until they do decide to come to the US.  It's like a Poor Man's Farm System.

EXACTLY.

Also, this farm system is free for the NBA teams.

If a NBA team wants to develop an American born player, they have to pay him.

This might be something the NBA wants to look into. Maybe add a 3rd round to the draft where a team can retain a players rights while he plays in the d-league?

As it stands now, a lot of teams feel its better to take a flyer on a euro in the second round because they don't have to pay him and can see if he develops in a couple of years.

[lurch91]

the Europeans must be doing something right, especially with regard to player development, as it seems that more and more Europeans get drafted each year.  

They get drafted, but about half make it to the States (I'm talking about appearing at an NBA training camp for pre-season).  First rounders generally make it State side in their first year after being drafted (if their Euro League buyout isn't prohibative), but many second rounders are reaches that even the NBA decision makers know need 2-3 more years before they even think about a shot at the NBA.

For every Tony Parker or Dirk Nowitzki there's a Darko Milicic, a Andreas_Glyniadakis, a Ian Mahinmi, a Rolando Ferreira, a Zan Tabak and a Vassils Spanoulis.

[downtown85]

If a NBA team wants to develop an American born player, they have to pay him.

Is that true even if the player is under contract to a European team?  Seems a bit unfair to have to pay a guy who is getting paid to play somewhere else.  

I am just talking about a hypothetical situation (which will probably happen someday soon) where an American playing in Europe gets drafted but is told to continue playing in Europe until he develops.  Can that situation happen?  Is there a special clause in the collective bargaining agreement for Amercans vs. say Canadians or Germans?  

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Is that true even if the player is under contract to a European team?  Seems a bit unfair to have to pay a guy who is getting paid to play somewhere else.  

I am just talking about a hypothetical situation (which will probably happen someday soon) where an American playing in Europe gets drafted but is told to continue playing in Europe until he develops.  Can that situation happen?  Is there a special clause in the collective bargaining agreement for Amercans vs. say Canadians or Germans?  

You're right, I'm not sure how all of that works.

I guess I'm just comparing the average college player to euro players.

Dar Tucker wasn't drafted. If a NBA team wanted to let him play for a couple of years to develop, they'd have to keep him on the roster, right?

If he goes to the d-league, and isn't under contract, he can be picked up by any team, right?

[MuMark]

Lazar needs to develope his ability to shoot off the dribble and shoot coming off  screens.

What he has shown so far is he is a good shooter when left open.

He is a very good college player who rebounds much better then his size and athletic ability would suggest but right now he is a player without a position at the NBA level.

Hopefully he takes a step forward next season.