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No one has helped their draft stock more in March than Marshall. Yes, he broke his hand and was unable to play in the Sweet 16. But Carolina’s struggles without Marshall on the floor highlighted how important he was to the team. Marshall is the best passer in college basketball. He’s unselfish and makes everyone around him better. The questions for Marshall surround his lack of elite athleticism and his ability to guard the ultra quick point guards at the NBA level. Marshall also needs to improve his jump shot.

In a normal draft, a prospect like Marshall is probably a mid- to late-first round pick. However, this is a very weak point guard class and a number of teams in the lottery including the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers all need point guards. Currently we have him ranked as the No. 2 point guard in his class behind Weber State’s Damian Lillard. Marshall’s ranked No. 17 on our Big Board but is projected to go five spots higher than that in our Mock Draft at No. 12 to the Hornets. He could go as high as No. 9 to the Jazz.

Marshall’s 10.7 assists per 40 minutes game adjusted this season rank the highest of any player in the history of our database (which goes back to 2001/2002). He’s also #1 all-time in Pure Point Ratio by a large margin, while his 3.51 Assist-Turnover Ratio ranks 3rd all-time..

When looking at Marshall’s game from an NBA perspective, his passing ability is clearly his greatest selling point, and it’s hard to overstate how good of a passer he is and how great a feel he has for managing a game.

In terms of point guard style, Marshall is a prototypical pass-first point guard taken to the extreme, as evidenced by his just 6.2 field-goal attempts per game in 32.9 minutes. He possesses an uncanny, second nature feel for the game, always instinctively playing with his head up and quickly moving the ball to the highest percentage scoring opportunity. Managing the game clearly comes very easy for him both in the half court and transition, as he looks as natural as any player in the country finding teammates for easy baskets.

What is the best thing Kendall Marshall does for his team?

Brett Friedlander (follow him on Twitter) covers the Atlantic Coast Conference on his ACC Insider blog for the Wilmington Star-News:

I’ve been covering college basketball for more than 25 years, and Kendall Marshall is one of the best — if not THE best — I’ve seen at distributing the ball to his teammates in places in which they can be most effective. He’s not the quickest point guard around, but he more than makes up for it with great vision and an even better feel for the game. While his offensive game is still a work in progress, Marshall has the ability to get to the basket when defenses try to take away his passing lanes and he started showing a greater willingness to take the open 18-20 foot jumper as the season went on. The kid isn’t a great athlete, but he’s a top point guard prospect, a leader and a winner — as evidenced by what his absence meant to North Carolina in the NCAA tournament.

Previously

June 1st, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Kostas Papanikolaou

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, 22-year-old F from Greece
Key Stats: 6.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 61 percent from the field for Olympiacos in Greek League
Projected: Second round

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

You thought the Draft Dreams series was over? We’ve just begun, my friends. I still have a few more first and second round prospects to profile before the draft, so expect the series to continue over the next few weeks. In all, I plan to have profiles of 50 prospects, our largest Draft Dreams series in the three years I’ve done this. Today’s profile is No. 39, so I have at least 11 more to go before I reach my goal.

As for Papanikolau, obviously I don’t watch much Euro basketball (as much as I’d love to, I don’t think the marriage would last adding Euro ball to the already busy lineup of NBA, college, community college and high school basketball that I regularly follow), so I’ll defer to scouting reports of those who have seen him for this profile. In the meantime, this is pretty pretty pretty good:

Pros for the Pistons

I mentioned before that, since the Pistons currently have so many players already under contract for next season, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to look at players who might stay overseas a year or two with one of their second round picks and Papanikolaou, a small forward who has quickly risen to become a legit NBA prospect after good performances late in his season and in the post-season, could fit that bill. The Pistons are in need of help on the wing with Tayshaun Prince aging, Jonas Jerebko currently occupying more of a combo forward role and no idea what to make of Austin Daye or Kyle Singler as NBA players. Papanikolaou’s improvement, along with the fact that he has good size and strength for a small forward, could make him a prospect worth watching. If he stayed overseas another year and built on his improvement this season, he could become a real asset to the Pistons down the road.

Cons for the Pistons

At 22, he’s far from ancient, but he’s also not quite as young as you’d like a developing prospect to be — it’s unclear how much more he will improve, basically. Also, scouting reports on him suggest that — despite that dunk above — he’s not an elite athlete. The Pistons could really use more athleticism at several positions, including small forward.

What others are saying

A number of NBA scouts came back from the Euroleague Final Four in Turkey buzzing about Greek forward Kostas Papanikolaou. Papanikolaou’s team, Olympiakos, won the Euroleague title and Papanikolaou was a big reason why. He had 18 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes in the championship game, and, more importantly, slowed down CSKA’s Andrei Kirilenko on the defensive end.

The 6-8, 22-year-old forward averaged just 6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for Olympiakos this season and isn’t a great athlete, but he’s won over some NBA scouts with his toughness, basketball IQ and motor.

If he were a better shooter or athlete, he’d have a real shot at the first round. Nevertheless, after his performance last weekend, he’s now a likely second-round pick.

An average athlete with an excellent feel for the game, good fundamentals, and terrific maturity, Papanikolaou’s profile may not jump off the page on first glance, but his size, defensive prowess, experience and productivity at the highest levels of European basketball make him one of the most intriguing 1990-born international prospects automatically eligible for the 2012 NBA Draft.

Standing 6’8 with a solid frame, Papanikolaou has excellent size for a NBA small forward, though he sees time at both forward spots for the Euroleague champions Olympiacos. He runs the floor with purpose, and is able to play above the rim when he has a head of steam, but is otherwise an average athlete. He isn’t explosive from a stand-still and his limited agility makes it difficult for him to create his own shot in one-on-one situations, but his non-stop motor and willingness to initiate contact allow him to make some plays by virtue of his physical tools in the European game.

European Prospects:

His defensive presence was however even more impressive than his impact on the offensive end. Papanikolaou constantly put pressure on the ball handler and forced several bad shots by Pete Mickael and Chuck Eidson. Next to that, he showed excellent defensive positioning and presence on the help lines. With his athletic abilities, he challenged the Barcelona big guys and came up with a block shot against Erazem Lorbek and another very impressive rejection on Boni N’Dong that was called as a foul though.

What is the best thing Kostas Papanikolaou does for his team?

Sam Meyerkopf (follow him on Twitter) is the co-creator of EuroLeague Adventures:

Energy. Whether it’s being a nuisance on defense, attacking the offensive glass, or launching off on the fast break, his energy is the best way Papanikolaou helps his team right now. Think of him as an Omri Casspi type player. He’s someone who plays with a lot of hustle, is a supporting offensive piece, and can guard both forward spots. He has a sound knowledge of the game after grinding his teeth at Europe’s highest level the past three years and developing under coaching legend Dusan Ivkovic.

Papanikolaou’s game took a huge step forward this year. It all culminated a couple weeks ago when he had an MVP type performance on the championship winning team at this year’s Euroleague Final Four. That weekend was the key event that restarted his draft-ability talk. His hard nosed, reckless, and passionate style of play has turned him into a solid role player that the hometown fans will come to love. If Papanikolaou really irons out his long-range shot, he has the potential to be a very valuable and versatile player.

Previously

May 30th, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Anthony Davis

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-10, 220 pounds, freshman C from Kentucky
Key Stats: 14.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 4.7 (!) blocks per game while shooting 62 percent from the field
Projected: No. 1 overall
Hickory High Similarity Score

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

The analysis here is pretty simple. Davis changes everything for the Pistons. Yesterday, when Dan Feldman talked about this being the second most important draft lottery in team history, he wrote that because of Davis. This draft has exactly one franchise-altering talent available. If the Pistons get him, all of the misery and bad basketball of the past four seasons will be quickly forgotten. Davis, simply, is a once-in-a-generation type talent and, other than possibly LeBron James, the easiest No. 1 pick in the last 20 years.

Pros for the Pistons

We’ve frequently discussed the need for the Pistons to add a rim-protecting presence next to Greg Monroe, and Davis and his nearly five blocks per game for Kentucky would certainly represent that. He’d instantly make the Pistons a credible defensive team. It’s easy to see him having a Ben Wallace or Dwight Howard-like impact in the league, winning multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards down the road.

But fans should be equally excited about Davis’ offense. He runs the floor well (which will help run-happy guards Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey). He throws great outlet passes, which should further ignite Detroit’s transition game. He finishes well, which will help pass-happy Monroe. He has the face-up game of a guard and handles the ball really well (a product of the fact that Davis hit a growth spurt late in his teenage years and spent most of his early basketball days as a guard), which helps the team as a whole, since they could use another big man capable of creating his own offense (playing offensively limited Wallace or Jason Maxiell big minutes often hindered Detroit’s ability to score this season).

If the Pistons don’t win the lottery and end up with a nice prospect like John Henson, they’re a good bet to take a baby step forward next year and threaten the .500 mark or a low seed in the playoffs. If they win the lottery and get Davis, they’ll be a trendy pick to get at the very least a homecourt advantage playoff series in the first round.

Cons for the Pistons

There are none.

What others are saying

Big man Anthony Davis is a lock as the No. 1 pick in the draft. The college basketball player of the year is the rare prospect who has virtually everything you want in a player. He’s got elite size, length and athleticism. He produced at a high level on the court (he led all NCAA players in PER this season) and still has tremendous upside going forward. He’s a great kid and a hard worker.

Yes, he needs to get stronger and he’ll need to continue to improve his offensive game, but at this point he’s considered a can’t-miss prospect by every NBA scout and executive I’ve spoken to.

He’s only fifth in usage rate on his own Kentucky team in fact, being mostly relegated to living off the scraps created for him by others. Davis gets the overwhelming majority of his touches playing off the ball—be it cutting to the rim, crashing the offensive glass, running the floor in transition, or as a pick and roll finisher. According to Synergy Sports Technology, only 20% of his offense comes off post-up, spot-up or isolation plays, which makes sense considering those are the areas he struggles in the most.

While Davis plays a simple role for Kentucky, he’s arguably the most efficient offensive player in college basketball, converting an amazing 67% of his 2-point attempts (which ranks in the top 15 in our database in the past decade) and turning the ball over on just 9% of his possessions. He’s one of the best finishers we’ve seen in recent years, making nearly 80% of his non-post-up attempts around the basket.

His tremendous length, outstanding hands, explosive leaping ability and terrific timing make him a ideal target for lobs.

Bullet outlet passes are a major strength … Can handle the ball in space with occasional facilitation of the offense, and does not appear limited to straight line drives … Commits under a turnover per game as a freshman big, highlighting his guard skills … Still only 18 years of age, Davis grew 7 inches (6’3-6’10) between his HS junior and senior seasons … Dynamic versatility at both ends of the floor makes for boundless potential.

USA Today:

The Pistons already have Greg Monroe, and adding Davis would create a fearsome post tandem. Monroe is a terrific passer, and we envision a lot of give-and-gos.

What is the best thing Anthony Davis does for his team?

Kevin Hetrick of Cavs: The Blog:

Davis dominated the NCAA in a rarely exhibited way. The scary thing is, he can get a lot better. His shooting range is still unreliable, his back-to-the-basket game is raw, he’s too skinny…if he never improves on any of this; he’ll still be a low-usage, high-efficiency center that dominates one end of the court. With strides in his offensive game and a little more muscle on his frame; could he win an MVP?

Previously

By Patrick Hayes • Posted in Draft Dreams, Draft Dreams 2012 • 29 Comments

May 29th, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Thomas Robinson

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-9, 237 pounds, junior F from Kansas
Key Stats: 17.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, .9 blocks per game while shooting 51 percent from the field
Projected: Top 5
Hickory High Similarity Score

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

If the Pistons miraculously land the No. 2 pick in the draft during tomorrow night’s draft lottery, I have a hunch the choice for them will essentially boil down to Robinson or UConn’s Andre Drummond. While Drummond is the higher risk/higher reward prospect of the two, Robinson is a little bit older and a little less physically imposing than Drummond. Still though, if the Pistons lean towards Robinson, they’ll be getting a tough, smart and hard-working player who might eventually rival Ben Wallace in the weight room with his physique.

Pros for the Pistons

Robinson would be a great compliment to Greg Monroe up front simply because he’s almost a polar opposite. While Monroe is a highly skilled largely finesse player at this point in his career, Robinson is the blue-collar brute the Pistons currently lack and sorely need if they’re going to ever get back to the tough, physical type of defensive basketball Lawrence Frank would like them to play.

Robinson was one of the best rebounders in the country, he’s a fantastic finisher in traffic and his offensive repertoire has quickly evolved from his sophomore season (when he was a role player) to his junior season (when he became a focal point of the Kansas offense). Robinson has skills that would help the Pistons immediately, but he also has enough upside to suggest that he could add even more to his game over the next few seasons.

Cons for the Pistons

The one skill Pistons fans are hoping for from any big man the Pistons land in the draft is shot blocking. Unfortunately, Robinson isn’t a big-time shot blocker. That doesn’t mean he’s bad defensively — he’s a solid individual defender and, like Monroe, has quick hands that allow him to come up with strips and steals.

He’s also a tad undersized — generously listed at 6-foot-9 — for his position. His athleticism and wingspan make up for that, and Wallace is certainly enough evidence that a strong, hard-working, athletic player can overcome a lack of height in the NBA post, but Robinson on the Pistons would probably fit best as a power forward, meaning fans hoping to see Monroe become more of a power forward than a center probably wouldn’t get their wish.

What others are saying

Many scouts believe Robinson is one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. What Robinson should provide right away are athleticism, toughness, an NBA-ready body and a motor that won’t quit on both ends of the floor. He’s been a monster rebounder for KU and is aggressive looking for his shot around the rim.

Robinson surprised scouts this year with his ball handling ability and a solid midrange jump shot. He’s not afraid to get the ball at the top of the key and create his shot there. His quickness for a player his size and his explosive leaping ability make him a formidable threat offensively down the road.

Robinson has also shown flashes of being able to catch the ball facing up and isolate his man at the elbow or in the mid-range area. He’s a very good ball-handler for a player his size and he’s able to utilize his quickness advantage on most opposing big man and get to the basket on straight line drives. He also does an excellent job using spin moves to change directions and get to the rim.

Robinson is one of the safer picks around the top of the draft … He has the tools and the work ethic to become an ideal pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop kind of power forward … Once Robinson polishes his post moves and jump shot, he should be a fixture in a team’s starting lineup for a long time.

Dana O’Neil, ESPN:

By now, almost everyone in college basketball knows Robinson’s heart-wrenching story. He lost his beloved grandmother and grandfather in the span of three weeks.

Then, five days after his grandfather’s passing — on Jan. 21, 2011 — his mother, Lisa, died unexpectedly, leaving Robinson, in the midst of his sophomore season at Kansas, in charge of his 9-year-old sister, Jayla, who lived half a country away.

Were that the end of the story, had Robinson’s tale stopped at Lisa’s gravesite, with the heartbreaking picture of Jayla wrapped around her brother’s waist, this would be a tragedy.

Instead, the final chapters are a long way from being written, and Robinson, once the brave figure who played in a game the day after Lisa died, is a hero.

What is the best thing Thomas Robinson does for his team?

Kevin Hetrick of Cavs: The Blog :

Robinson’s size, strength & skills, combined with athleticism and intensity make him a can’t miss. He’ll play hard, rebound, and provide some offense immediately, while ideally continuing to expand his post game and add range to his jumper.

Previously

By Patrick Hayes • Posted in Draft Dreams, Draft Dreams 2012 • 11 Comments

May 28th, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-7, 232 pounds, freshman F from Kentucky
Key Stats: 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 26 percent from three
Projected: Top 5
Hickory High Similarity Score

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

The easy answer is that if the Pistons are in a position to draft Kidd-Gilchrist, it means they’ve moved into the top three of the draft lottery, certainly reason for any fan of the team to be excited.

But Kidd-Gilchrist is also a throwback Piston who would quickly become a fan-favorite, not only because he’s a fantastic athlete, but because he’s a lockdown, physical defensive player. As we all know, the Pistons have an abundance of finesse players right now. Getting a young player with MKG’s toughness would be a huge, huge win.

Pros for the Pistons

As I mentioned above, defense is the immediate selling point. Kidd-Gilchrist is a big, strong perimeter player who can guard three positions. The Pistons currently only have two players (if Ben Wallace retires) — Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince — who can even be called average defensively.

And speaking of Prince, Kidd-Gilchrist would immediately give the Pistons more flexibility when it comes to what to do with Prince. Unlike some wing prospects in the draft, Kidd-Gilchrist is ready for a starting or at least primary role immediately. This would make it easier to reduce Prince’s minutes (which, in my opinion, would make him more effective) or trade him if there are teams out there looking for veteran help at small forward and who are unafraid to take on three pricey years on his contract even though he’s on the wrong side of 30.

Kidd-Gilchrist is an exceptional athlete, a good finisher and he’d be a great fit finishing off breaks led by either Stuckey or Brandon Knight. He’s also a great rebounder for his position and, despite poor perimeter shooting, still shot nearly 50 percent as a perimeter player. He’d be a huge, immediate upgrade for the Pistons at the small forward spot.

Cons for the Pistons

The main knock on MKG to this point is shooting. He’s not a major threat from long range. In a lineup with Stuckey who, although improved, is also not what anyone would mistake for a 3-point threat and Knight, who shot better than expected from three as a rookie but also may not necessarily be anyone’s idea of a 3-point specialist, the Pistons could potentially put a pretty poor shooting perimeter on the court for big minutes, which would take driving lanes away from all three.

That’s really the only negative anyone has to say about MKG, and it’s certainly not anything that would scare the Pistons or any team off from likely drafting him in the first four picks.

What others are saying

Kidd-Gilchrist doesn’t have Davis’ size or athletic ability (though he’s a great athlete in his own right), but he brings all the intangibles of a winner. He has the highest motor of any player in the draft, can lock down players at three different positions, is one of the most efficient finishers in college basketball and is a leader on and off the court.

Kidd-Gilchrist isn’t quite the sure thing that Davis is, however. He’s a little undersized for his position and needs to get a more consistent jump shot. Some teams wonder if he’ll be an aggressive enough scorer at the next level. But for the most part, the NBA talent evaluators are sold. We have Kidd-Gilchrist ranked No. 2 on our Big Board and have him going No. 2 overall to the Washington Wizards in our Lottery Mock Draft. If Washington decides to take Bradley Beal instead of Kidd-Gilchrist, we doubt MKG slides out of the top five.

The (Ohio) Morning Journal:

He really understands the nuances of making others better with his ability to set screens, pass, and make hustle plays, which is likely a big reason why he’s always been considered such a winner from very early on in his career.

Kidd-Gilchrist changed his name on July 7, 2011. His uncle, Darrin Kidd, died on the day Kidd-Gilchrist was scheduled to sign his letter of intent to play at Kentucky.

NJ.com:

Gilchrist has talked with a stutter for most of his life. He isn’t comfortable in the large group settings that are the norm in his sport, where strangers leaning close and interrupt each other with questions.

Kanaley taught him for four years at St. Patrick, working with him one-on-one in the resource room at the school. She remembers him as “a very, very sensitive young man” who didn’t like reading assignments that dealt with death; he calls her “one of my favorite teachers.”

So Kanaley understands the strain that his stuttering has put on Kidd-Gilchrist better than most. Put him in a social situation with his friends or teammates, and Gilchrist is at ease and speaks freely.

But when you’re a star for the No. 1 team in the country who’s about to be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft, everyone knows you. There are obligations beyond the court and the classroom.

“He doesn’t like all the hoopla around him,” Kanaley said. “I know the stuttering was very difficult for him – very difficult.”

What is the best thing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist does for his team?

Rob Dauster (follow him on Twitter) writes for NBC’s College Basketball Talk and BallinIsAHabit.net :

There is plenty to love about Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as a prospect, but his best attributes as a player are the things that you can’t teach. He’s naturally strong. He’s more physical that his frame would indicate. He’s a terrific defender, often times getting switched onto an opponent’s point guard in his one season in Lexington. He’s a terror on the glass. Kidd-Gilchrist has a way to go in terms of developing his ball skills — he needs to be a better ball-handler and he has to improve his ability to shoot — but that will come with time. It’s just my opinion, however, but I’d rather have a player the inherent tenacity and toughness that needs to be taught a 15 foot pull-up than vice versa.

Previously

By Patrick Hayes • Posted in Draft Dreams, Draft Dreams 2012 • 10 Comments

May 25th, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Perry Jones III

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-11, 235 pounds, sophomore forward from Baylor
Key Stats: 14.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 30 percent from three
Projected: Top 10
Hickory High Similarity Score

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

I profiled Jones last year before he decided to stay in the draft, and the book on him is basically the same: superstar upside with serious questions about how hard he will push himself to be a franchise player.

If you lined all of the prospects in this years draft up and evaluated solely on who was tallest, could run the fastest, jump the highest, dribble through cones the quickest … Jones might be the No. 1 pick. But for two seasons at Baylor, he’s seemingly been content with being pretty good, not fully tapping into the immense physical gifts he possesses.

In all honesty, he’s the prototypical recent Joe Dumars draftee (other than Greg Monroe) — position-less, possessing fantastic measurables, but ultimately meriting lottery consideration based more on what he could accomplish some day as opposed to what he has accomplished to this point as a college player.

Pros for the Pistons

Jones does some things that would immediately help the Pistons. He runs the floor beautifully. He finishes well. He has good hands. He can move without the ball. All of those things fit very well with the other young players perceived as Detroit’s current building blocks. Guards Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight are both much, much better passers in a faster tempo than they are in the halfcourt, so having a player who can run with them and finish would be a nice advantage for both. Greg Monroe is adept at finding cutters who hang around the basket, and it’s easy to see Jones on the receiving end of precise Monroe passes from the high post.

If he can improve his perimeter game enough to be a full-time small forward in the NBA, Jones would be the heir apparent to Tayshaun Prince. It’s unlikely that he’d enter the league as ready to contribute as Monroe was or mentally tough enough to work through mistakes and still stay confident in big minutes like Knight was, but Jones’ presence could possibly give the Pistons enough incentive to start gradually minimizing the ample role Prince has played the last few seasons. That would benefit both the Pistons and Prince.

Cons for the Pistons

There are several noticeable things Jones doesn’t do just yet. His 3-point shooting improved this season, but it’s still a pretty poor 30 percent. The Pistons really need to add another floor-spacer to create driving lanes for Knight and Stuckey.

Jones’ overall field goal percentage also dropped, he got to the line less and he blocked fewer shots on a per-minute basis as a sophomore too. Some of this could be attributable to the fact that Jones, a likely lottery pick last year had he declared, may have been preoccupied with his future rather than his present. It frequently happens with big-time NBA prospects in college.

If Jones is a small forward in the NBA, then he’ll be a very good rebounder for his position. If his offensive skills don’t develop enough to play that position, there will be questions about whether he’s strong enough to play the four full-time.

What others are saying

Perry Jones is both an elite athlete and has a great face-up game that wasn’t always used well at Baylor.”If he comes in and really starts hitting shots, he could go very, very high,” one GM said. “As a power forward, I think he’s going to be a disappointment in the league. But if he could be a Paul George-type player? He could be special. George was accused of being laid-back in college, too. It’s why he slipped to No. 10. Now you see the way the Pacers use him and you think the sky is the limit for him.”

One thing that no one ever questions is Perry Jones‘ talent. Just how rare and unique a player he is becomes immediately evident the moment you start watching him. He has a tremendous combination of size, athleticism and skills, making him appear to be capable of doing anything he wants on the basketball court. He shows terrific footwork inside the paint, has 3-point range on his jumper, can handle the ball fluidly from coast to coast, and is a breathtaking finisher around the basket.

A super athletic forward with an enormous upside … His explosiveness and physical package put him in a very rare group of players even at the top level … Possesses the versatility to play inside and on the perimeter … He is extremely fast, using his long and powerful strides to cover great distance in a very short time … A very natural and smooth athlete, he is able to change direction and get off the ground (even on 2nd and 3rd jumps) with ease … Has the ability and confidence to handle the ball in the open court and is willing to push it out in transition once he gets it off the glass … Shows an intriguing repertoire of moves off the dribble (going to both hands), add to that his extremely long and fairly quick first step and it makes for a very difficult weapon to match up with off the bounce … He has a knack for moving without the ball; he makes good cuts going to the basket and knows how to find the openings off drive & dish or pick & roll situations … His ability to catch difficult passes in traffic also makes him a good passing target inside … Once his catches the ball close to the hoop, he is an extremely efficient finisher, because he knows how to utilize his length and leaping ability … He is able to do some damage on the low block because of his reach and athleticism, but he is most effective when facing up, because he can use his quickness to get by opposing bigs … He is a decent rebounder, and when he makes up his mind to go get the ball, he becomes a threat on both ends of the floor … Has the potential to become an impact player on the defensive end, where his wingspan could wreak havoc in the passing lanes and in the blocked shots department.

ESPN:

Basketball isn’t always easy when you’re tagged as a one-and-done player before puberty.

“My heart goes out to him,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “He gets judged on his potential instead of where he is now. If he wanted to be judged like an NBA player, he’d be in the NBA.”

Instead, at least for a few more months, Jones remains in Waco. The 20-year-old cartoon fanatic who loves to play paintball returned for his sophomore season because he realized he lacked maturity. Before turning pro, Jones said he “wanted to become a man.”

What is the best thing Perry Jones III does for his team?

Evan Jacoby (follow him on Twitter) is the lead NBA Draft analyst for Rush The Court:

A polarizing prospect, PJIII has undeniable talent and displayed an ability to do any and every thing on the floor at Baylor, albeit with underwhelming overall productivity. His handle, touch, and leaping ability for a player his size (6’11”, 220 lbs) is as rare a combination as you’ll find in the NBA, which makes him such an intriguing prospect. Perhaps most impressive is his ability to face up on the perimeter, where he can easily blow by bigger forwards but keeps defenses honest with a confident mid-range jumper. Against smaller defenders, he can feast inside with good footwork and finishing ability. If Jones ever figures out how to use his body and be more efficient with his opportunities, he has All-Star upside.

Previously

By Patrick Hayes • Posted in Draft Dreams, Draft Dreams 2012 • 14 Comments

May 24th, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: John Jenkins

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, junior guard from Vanderbilt
Key Stats: 19.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 43 percent from three
Projected: Late first/early second round
Hickory High Similarity Score

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

Two guards who are elite shooters (Jenkins is among best pure shooters in the draft) typically rise in the draft rather than fall. Klay Thompson, for example, started off projected in the late first round territory where Jenkins currently is listed in most mocks and by the time the draft rolled around, he’d risen all the way into the lottery. If I had to guess with Jenkins, I’d assume he’ll go higher than currently projected (although I don’t think he’ll rise like Thompson did — Thompson is a much bigger guard than Jenkins). But still, if he manages to hang around until early in the second round, he’s a great fit for the Pistons.

Pros for the Pistons

The Pistons have several skills they could use in their backcourt — passing, the ability to take care of the ball, shooting and size. Jenkins brings two of those things. He’d possibly be the best shooter on Detroit’s roster the moment he joined the team. He’s shot above 40 percent from three his entire college career and the Pistons desperately need a long range threat or two.

Secondly, at 6-foot-4/215 pounds, he’s not a gigantic guard by any stretch, but he’s certainly bigger than Detroit’s other backup options under contract for next season — Will Bynum and Ben Gordon. Jenkins is big enough and defends decently enough to be an upgrade over either of the current backups against bigger guards on second units.

Cons for the Pistons

With Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight as the two primary guards, the Pistons probably crave having a more traditional, pass-first point guard who can also knock down open threes as a backup. Unfortunately, they’re unlikely to get a player with both of those skills in the second round (unless they end up with Scott Machado). Jenkins’ shooting would certainly be welcome, but he’s also not a player who could give minutes at the backup PG spot. Lawrence Frank seems to like using a three-guard rotation rather than a four-guard rotation, at least based on last season, so the Pistons might be looking for a guard who can give minutes at either spot if they are indeed looking for upgrades in their backcourt backups (and they should be).

What others are saying

Big-time shooter with deep range on his jumper

Super quick release on his jumper

Looking forward, Jenkins is an interesting prospect due to his one extremely potent skill, but his success will largely be dependent on where he’s drafted due to his obvious limitations. Because he appears to be a truly elite shooter and has the intangible qualities well suited to his likely role, he should have a good chance of carving himself out a niche in the NBA, but how well he does will be very tied to the offensive scheme he plays in and how he’s utilized by his coach. Maximizing his defensive and athletic abilities should be his biggest priority in pre-draft and beyond, as he likely largely is what he is from an offensive standpoint.

USA Today:

His coach, Kevin Stallings, believes there’s more to it than that.

“His shooting skills speak for themselves,” Stallings said. “You don’t have to discuss those too much and haven’t had to discuss them much since he arrived on campus.

“But his defense has just gotten so much better. He’s now a quality defender that we can rely on and actually really depend on, and that’s a big change from his first two years. His ball-handling and passing have gotten better also.”

What is the best thing John Jenkins does for his team?

Christian D’Andrea (follow him on Twitter) writes for Anchor of Gold, SB Nation’s Vanderbilt blog:

John Jenkins may not be an elite athlete, but he’s got one elite skill that should make him a valued commodity in the NBA for years to come – a deadly accurate long-range shot. Jenkins came to Vanderbilt as the best shooter in his high school class and immediately lived up to those expectations. He cracked Kevin Stallings’s starting lineup as a freshman and proved that he can be a deadly scorer against the SEC’s elite defenses.

Jenkins may be a bit undersized for a pro shooting guard at 6’4″, 220 lbs, but his size hasn’t hampered his offense at all. His ultra-quick release helps him get off shots before defenders can close in on him, so getting his shot off was never a problem in the NCAA. He became a specialist at drawing fouls in the act of a three-point shot, attesting to his quickness with the ball in his hands.

However, the rest of his game lags behind his shooting skill. Jenkins improved throughout his time in Nashville but he’s just an average athlete. His passing and ballhandling aren’t impressive. He showed off an improved ability to get to the rim as a junior, but the legit bigs of the NBA would eat him up on many of his drives. He also has the stigma of being a below average defender. That’s no longer true after last season and his opportunity to work with Matt Painter and the U-21 Team USA squad, but he’ll never be a stopper at the position.

With Jenkins, you’re getting an elite shooter who will be able to contribute at the next level. His defense is underrated right now, and he’s got the work ethic to become a solid one-on-one defender and a potential asset when it comes to team defense. His offense will be driven by his jump shooting, but he’s proven that his ability behind the arc is strong enough to be a consistent scoring threat.

Previously

By Patrick Hayes • Posted in Draft Dreams, Draft Dreams 2012 • 4 Comments

May 22nd, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Will Barton

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-6, 175 pounds, sophomore guard from Memphis
Key Stats: 18 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists per game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 35 percent from three
Projected: Late first/early second round
Hickory High Similarity Score

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

Like all Pistons fans, I’m an advocate of Detroit finding an impact big in the first round. But object 1-A on my desired wish list is an athletic wing who can legitimately push Tayshaun Prince for minutes. Barton is a player who would fit that bill if he slips to the Pistons in round two.

Pros for the Pistons

I love guys who show big-time improvement, and that’s exactly what Barton did from his freshman to sophomore season at Memphis. His overall field goal percentage jumped from 43 to 51 percent and his 3-point shooting jumped from 27 to 35 percent in increased minutes. I also like that Barton got more selective with his long range shot. He shot more threes as a freshman than he did as a sophomore, but in his second college season he improved his percentage by shooting the three less without eliminating it from his repertoire altogether.

He’s also a good rebounder for his size, collecting eight per game. He might not be a guy who is ready to start from day one in the NBA, but he has a nice mix of perimeter skills and versatility, plus has shown that he works at his game and still has a lot of room to grow.

Cons for the Pistons

Although he’s not Austin Daye-skinny, Barton does need to get stronger. That’s the good (or salvageable, I should say) thing about having Prince signed long-term. There wouldn’t be pressure on a player like Barton to take over that position right away. Prince could still get the bulk of the minutes while a hard-working player like Barton could, hopefully, get stronger and chip away, gradually earning a bigger role as he’s physically ready for it.

It’s good that Barton’s shooting improved, but with one bad season shooting the ball from three and one decent season, that’s still kind of a small sample size to declare that his shooting woes from outside are behind him. If he’s going to be a NBA rotation player, him being able to knock down the three, especially on a team like the Pistons that needs more long range threats to get better floor spacing, is going to be vital.

What others are saying

The Good: Barton is one of the smoothest scorers in college basketball. He can score from anywhere on the floor and can get buckets in a hurry. His long, lanky frame makes him a tough guard. He can be a game-changing defender on the perimeter and is an excellent rebounder for his size.

The Bad: He needs to add strength and he could be more consistent from 3-point range. Occasionally he falls back into the bad habits he had as a freshman.

The Upside: Barton has grown tremendously this season. He’s developed a lethal midrange game, has dramatically improved his rebounding numbers and cut way down on turnovers and bad shots. A few NBA scouts have him in the late teens to early 20s on their boards.

Barton’s focus on attacking the basket has also led to him getting to the free throw line at a much higher rate. His handle could still use some tightening up, but he’s utilizing his quick first step and rangy strides to get to the rim and is also more active on the offensive glass and with cuts in the basket area. His nine free throw attempts per-40 ranks him second amongst all wing prospects in our database. Despite this increased emphasis on getting to the basket, he’s nearly cut his turnover rate in half from last season, which is quite impressive.

NBADraft.net: You were one of the best rebounding wings in college last season. What do you think separates you from other players your size in that regard?

Will Barton: Determination and will. I have a knack for finding the ball. I like to rebound because at my position I’m able to push it. If a big man gets a rebound then he usually has to find an outlet. If I get the rebound then it’s an automatic fast break. I love having the ball in my hands and getting out on the break. It is really just determination and will to get my team extra possessions and limiting other teams’ possessions. I’ll do anything for my team to win.

What is the best thing Will Barton does for his team?

Frank Murtaugh (follow him on Twitter) writes for Tiger Blue, the Memphis Flyer‘s Memphis Tigers blog:

The fabled “intangibles” that made Will Barton an All-America candidate — and Conference USA’s Player of the Year — as a sophomore in 2011-12 will be his greatest asset on draft boards. Ironically, they could be viewed as his greatest weakness, too. Barton did everything his Memphis Tigers needed last winter, including lead the team in rebounding (8.0 per game) despite weighing 175 pounds soaking wet. A natural, if at times unorthodox scorer (in the mold of his Memphis predecessor, Chris Douglas-Roberts), Barton led C-USA with 18.0 points per game. But he can’t be called a pure shooter, is too small for any kind of post presence, and doesn’t have the ball-handling skills to break down the kind of pressure defense he’ll face in the NBA. Barton, simply put, is a basketball player who finds his way (literally, on the floor, and on a larger scale of player development). He wears his emotions as visibly as his headband. If he’s able to find a comfortable role with an NBA team, he’ll be a fan favorite.

NOTE: He’s most often compared to Rip Hamilton, largely because of his thin body type. But Barton isn’t in the same category of shooter as Hamilton. Not really close.

Previously

By Patrick Hayes • Posted in Draft Dreams, Draft Dreams 2012 • 3 Comments

May 21st, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Furkan Aldemir

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, 20-year-old PF/C from Turkey
Key Stats: 8.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, .9 blocks in 20 minutes per game while shooting 61 percent in Turkish league
Projected: Second round

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

This year’s draft isn’t loaded with international prospects, but there are a lot of guys in the second round like Aldemir who are big, young and unknown. Whoever the Pistons take with the second of their two second rounders is probably a longshot to make next year’s roster anyway. It might make more sense to look at a raw international player who will stay overseas for a couple years and potentially develop. Plus, Pistons fans would definitely love to have a guy called ‘Mr. Rebound.’

Pros for the Pistons

Aldemir is a banger who likes to stay around the basket and according to scouts, is a good rebounder. That’s exactly the type of player the Pistons (and just about every team) could use. At just 20-years-old, there’s also a good chance that Aldemir can add some bulk to his frame.

Cons for the Pistons

If Aldemir doesn’t get stronger, he’s probably a longshot to play meaningful minutes in the NBA. Most scouting reports describe him as a player who likes to be in the paint and around the basket fighting for the ball. At 220 pounds, it’s just not realistic to expect that that would end well for him in the NBA without getting significantly stronger. Still though, whoever the Pistons use that late second round pick on will have an uphill battle to make a roster that could be crowded if Jason Maxiell exercises his option, Vernon Macklin is re-signed, Kyle Singler comes over from Spain and Ben Wallace decides to play another year. It makes a lot of sense to take and stash a foreign player or a college player willing to go overseas.

What others are saying

Aldemir is one of the best rebounders in the Euroleague, but the rest of his game still needs a lot of work. He’s undersized for his position, isn’t an elite athlete and isn’t a great scorer inside or outside. But rebounding does seem to translate at the next level and that alone could make him a late first or second round pick.

Euro Hopes:

He is a rebound specialist. Has great positions on defense but specially on offense to grab rebounds. Boxes out very well, and uses his big wingspan to catch a lot. Using his skills he also blocks many shots. He is a good defender, over center and power-forwards also. Has mobility, being smart. On ofense he knows how to move without ball. Very dangerous receiving the ball inside the paint, using his wingspan to dunk o score lay-ups easy. On transition he runs very well fastbreak, and also backwards recovering on defense.

European Prospects:

Aldemir has still a lot of parts in his game where has to progress. So far, he has no outside game at all. We do not speak about a lacking jump shot around the paint but he feels not very comfortable when getting the ball out of position. He showed some problems to execute well a hand off situation where the guard did not pick up the ball and he had to play the dribble entry from outside. In the paint, his shooting touch is looking good but it would help him if he could come up with a bit more explosiveness on his finishes as he often prefers the layup to the dunk when he has a defender in front of him.

What is the best thing Furkan Aldemir does for his team?

Sam Meyerkopf (follow him on Twitter) is the co-creator of EuroLeague Adventures:

Furkan Aldemir had a breakthrough year in Europe and turned himself into a potential rotation post player in the NBA. He’s a below the rim big man who will earn his first few salaries off of his rebounding prowess and solid roll game off of pick and rolls. His offensive game stays within seven feet of the basket, which means he doesn’t really have a jumper and doesn’t create much, if any, offense for himself. But that’s not what Aldemir is here for. He keeps his nose around the basket where driving perimeter players can dump it off to him for strong finishes or he’ll attack the offensive glass where he was one of the best in the Euroleague this year.

This season he played almost exclusively center for his Turkish club Galatasaray, averaging 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in just 17 minutes a game of Euroleague play. At 6’9″ he’s not quite tall enough for center in the NBA and doesn’t really have quick enough feet to be a power forward. But with power forwards continually extending further outside the line, I’ll give up a couple inches and put Aldemir in the middle of the paint.

Defensively Aldemir isn’t going to send many shots flying into the bleachers but he can hold his position in the post fairly well. Really athletic bigs or stretch fours that step away from the rim could give him trouble. His counter is that he plays with such toughness and scrappiness that he’ll be able to overcome some of these disadvantages. He’s not afraid to be rugged in the post, and his ability to gobble up rebounds will keep him on the court.

Previously

By Patrick Hayes • Posted in Draft Dreams, Draft Dreams 2012 • 1 Comment

May 19th, 2012

Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Jeff Taylor

Info

Measurables: 6-foot-7, 225 pounds, senior F from Vanderbilt
Key Stats: 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49 percent and 42 percent from three
Projected: Late first round
Hickory High Similarity Score

Why I’m intrigued by this guy

There’s really little chance that Jeff Taylor would rise enough to be in play in the late lottery when the Pistons pick and there’s little chance he falls out of the 20s, where he’s currently projected, to the earlier of the Pistons’ second round picks. Still though, he’s the type of efficient shooting wing they should be hoping they can land in the draft. Plus, he’d give the Pistons the only two Swedish players in NBA history along with Jonas Jerebko. Any time you can become the most popular NBA team in Sweden, you have to do it, right?

Pros for the Pistons

Taylor is was of the best outside shooters in the country this season, hitting 42 percent of his threes. He’s also an explosive athlete and willing defensive player. In short, he’s about the prototypical wing the Pistons need right now as they are incredibly deficient in shooting, defense and athleticism on their wings right now. Not only would Taylor’s shooting ability stretch the floor and open lanes for Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight, who are both much better in a faster tempo than in the halfcourt, but he would be able to run with them and finish.

Cons for the Pistons

Taylor’s not the best at creating off the dribble, which wouldn’t be much of an issue in Detroit since Stuckey, Knight and Tayshaun Prince handle that. The bigger issue with Taylor is simply his availability. As I said above, he’s currently projected too low for the Pistons to consider him in the lottery and too high for them to have a shot at him in the second round. But don’t sleep on him. He’s EXACTLY the type of under the radar, hard-working and productive prospect who can rise quickly with great workouts. If he does that and some of the underwhelming late lottery bigs, well, underwhelm, don’t be shocked if he plays his way into that conversation. Considering he does things that fill some very significant needs for the Pistons and that Joe Dumars has occasionally shown an inclination towards taking under the radar prospects (Stuckey, for instance), it’s maybe not out of the realm that he could play his way onto Detroit’s first round radar, depending on how the draft plays out before they pick.

What others are saying

The Good: Taylor is one of the best athletes in the game. He’s an explosive leaper who excels out in transition. He has dramatically improved his jump shot over the past four years.

The Bad: He still struggles to dominate offensively at times and his aggression level can vary depending on the matchup. He’s already 22 years old, which hurts his stock a little.

The Upside: Taylor finally had the breakout year NBA scouts were hoping for as a senior. His athletic ability alone makes him a legitimate first-round prospect. If he were to land on the right team, he could have a great pro career. He’s wilted a bit in big games over the past few years. If he can take over in the tournament, he could take one more big step up the draft board.

While Taylor’s offensive game remains a work in progress, he is still an outstanding defender who should be able to contribute immediately in the NBA on that end of the floor. While his reported 6’6 wingspan is unimpressive to say the least, he has excellent lateral quickness to stay in front of all but the quickest point guards and the strength to guard four positions at the collegiate level. Furthermore, and as we have written before, his fundamentals are superb across the board, giving him the chance to be a real presence on this end of the floor at the next level.