Pickin' Splinters » NBA Draft

Justin Harper, Lavoy Allen Selected In 2011 NBA Draft

Casey — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:47:02 +0000

NEWARK, N.J. – For the second time in three years, two student-athletes from the Atlantic 10 Conference were selected in the NBA Draft. On Thursday night, Richmond’s Justin Harper and Temple’s Lavoy Allen were both drafted in the second round.

Harper was selected as the 32nd pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic traded for the 6-foot-10, 225-pound Richmond native later Thursday evening. Allen was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 50th pick.

Orlando only had one of the 60 picks in the 2011 NBA Draft and that selection was not coming until 53, but the Magic clearly made Harper there man by offering Cleveland two future picks for his rights.

“You don’t do a trade unless the guy you like (is there),” President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith said. “There were two guys we liked and the guy (Harper) happened to be the top of the two, so it’s a good value pick.”

Harper averaged 17.9 points and 6.9 rebounds as a senior in leading the Spiders to a school-record 29 wins, the Atlantic 10 Championship and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.

“This is probably the best feeling I’ve felt to this point, besides graduating from college,” Harper said. “This is like your dream coming true right in front of your face.”

Harper was the second highest player selected in school history, behind Johnny Newman who was the 29th pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. Newman played 17 seasons in the NBA.

Allen is the 32nd Temple player selected in the NBA Draft and the first since Mardy Collins was taken with the 29th pick (first round) of the 2006 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

“I am excited to be selected and it is even more special that it is by the 76ers, where my family and friends are able to support me,” said Allen. “I can’t wait to get started with my professional career.”

“I am very happy for him,” said Temple head coach Fran Dunphy. “He accomplished so much as a college basketball player. It is a great reward to be drafted and to go to the Sixers is icing on the cake.”

Allen, the 2011 Philadelphia Big 5 Most Outstanding Player, ended his career as Temple’s all-time rebound leader (1,147) and 24th on the all-time scoring list with 1,421 points. He also moved into third place on the all-time blocked shots list with 213 and his 98 career wins in a Cherry and White uniform place him eighth in program history.

A two-time first team All-Atlantic 10 selection and three-time all-defensive team honoree, the Morrisville, Pa. native (Pennsbury High) led Temple and ranked second in the A10 in rebounding (8.6 ppg.) while placing third on the team in scoring (11.6 ppg.). He also led the Owls in blocked shots with a career best 61 and compiled 41 career double-doubles, including eight in his last nine games.

–www.atlantic10.com–

A-10 Bounce

Casey — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:27:11 +0000

Justin Harper courtesy of UR athletics

A weekly round-up of Atlantic 10 men’s basketball.

Harper sold ruggedness

Justin Harper failed to make his middle school basketball team. But he kept shooting on the half-court concrete pad next to his family’s Chesterfield County home.

Harper wasn’t a starter at Meadowbrook High until his senior year.

At the University of Richmond, Harper was not a notable Atlantic 10 Conference player until his senior season.

This classic late-bloomer is projected to be selected in Thursday’s two-round NBA draft, in part because talent evaluators believe more improvement is coming for Harper, a 6-foot-10, 228-pounder with a 7-foot wingspan.

He didn’t need to prove he could shoot through a 10-workout tour with NBA teams. Harper did that during 37 games as a UR senior, making 45.2 percent of his 3-point attempts.

Harper was out to establish something else.

Harper next in line of UR draftees

UR and Meadowbrook High graduate Justin Harper is expected to be selected in Thursday night’s NBA draft. Former Spiders who were drafted:

Twenty-five years later, do the Spiders have another forward for the NBA?

Before the World Wide Web brought us countless NBA draft projections updated hourly, John Newman studied Basketball Digest and The Poop Sheet. Those paper-and-ink publications analyzed available talent for NBA teams, and what kind of personnel organizations lacked.

“Those were my tools, and I did the research,” said Newman, 47 and a Richmond resident. “It doesn’t seem like 25 years ago.”

The 6-foot-7 forward from Danville completed his illustrious University of Richmond career as the Spiders’ all-time leading scorer (2,383 points), and prepped for the 1986 draft with knock-’em-dead auditions at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, and in Hawaii, at a camp for the top 50 college prospects.

“The book on me was ‘great athlete, great shooter,’” Newman recalled Monday.

UD’s Wright anxiously awaiting NBA Draft

Chris Wright always imagined himself being surrounded by family and friends as he waited to see where he’d be picked in the NBA draft, turning the night into a festive occasion.

But with so much uncertainty surrounding his pro-basketball future, the University of Dayton forward has decided to take a low-key approach to Thursday night’s draft.

He may not even tune in.

“I always thought I’d want a draft party. But once you get there, going through the process, it’s a humbling experience in a way,” he said.

“I don’t know if I’ll watch the draft or not. I’ve put a lot of energy into this my whole life. And you’ll either hear your name called or won’t hear it called.”

Wright hopes to become the first UD player drafted since Negele Knight was picked in the second round in 1990 (31st overall) by the Phoenix Suns. He played six seasons in the NBA.

Pecora, Fordham ready to turn corner

Tom Pecora doesn’t like losing.

Not at golf, not at poker, and certainly not at basketball.

The outgoing Fordham coach had a new experience last year — and not one he’d like to replicate any time soon.

After winning an average of 19 games per season during his nine-year tenure as the head coach of Hofstra, Pecora won only seven during his first campaign in the Bronx.

Disappointment? Certainly. An education? Without question.

“It was something we anticipated for sure,” Pecora said of struggling last season. “We didn’t have a lot of depth and we didn’t have a lot of talent. We played every game to the final five minutes and then tried to see what would happen. It was a good coaching experience because we had to reteach everything and implement our style and philosophy.”

CBS picks up A-10 title game again

The Atlantic 10 announced the formats for its various championships after its spring athletic directors meetings, and the biggest news is that CBS-TV has agreed to pick up the tourney final in men’s basketball again this season.

That’s a coup for the league. The CBS contract was originally for just two years, which concluded last season. To have the game on network TV as part of the run up to the NCAA tournament selection show will give the A-10 great exposure.

Rhody athletics takes gold medal at NACMA ceremony

KINGSTON, R.I. — The University of Rhode Island athletics marketing department won the gold medal award at the 2011 National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) “Best Of” Awards ceremony for the 2010-11 academic year.

Rhode Island captured top honors in the top Season Ticket Sales Campaign category for the ExperienceRhody.com website.

“I am extremely proud of the efforts of Adam Schemm and the marketing office, as well as all our external efforts,” said Thorr Bjorn, URI’s director of athletics. “As we continue to make an effort to sell season tickets, we will continue to look to do so in the most creative way possible.”

Richmond’s Mooney takes to air waves

RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond men’s basketball coach Chris Mooney served as a guest host on ESPN Radio 950′s Hardly Workin’ on Tuesday from 3-6 p.m.

A regular guest on the show, Mooney filled a different role Tuesday as the co-host with Richmond alum Matt Smith.

While Richmond basketball was obviously a topic of conversation, Mooney gave his opinion on the designated hitter, read one of the sports updates and interviewed the guests.

And now a word from our partner

Click here for more information about Flash Tags

Ride the Pine on the go!

Sounds like an oxymoron, but use your free Microsoft Tag App to scan the image below and stay connected with Pickin’ Splinters!

Huggins confirms Staten’s transfer

Juwan Staten announced on his Twitter account he was going to West Virginia, and coach Bob Huggins confirmed the move Monday, giving the program a pair of Atlantic 10 transfers.

Aaric Murray, a 6-foot-10 forward, also is headed to Morgantown after two seasons at La Salle.

Both players were top-75 national recruits as high school basketball prospects.

Fill in the blanks…Kareem Richardson

CINCINNATI — Kareem Richardson was announced as a Xavier men’s basketball assistant coach June 9, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of associate head coach Pat Kelsey. Richardson, 36, arrived by way of Drake, where he was the head assistant for three seasons. He also served on staffs at Missouri-Kansas City, Evansville, Indiana State, Wright State and Indianapolis. Richardson took a few minutes to “Fill in the blanks…” with The Enquirer.

Your duties at Xavier will be … Read more…

Goodman offers no love for Mack

CBSSports.com’s Jeff Goodman wrote a column about his top 5 college hoops coaches in four different age ranges.

Chris Mack was not among the seven Goodman included in his Top 5 for “prime-timers” (aged 40 to 50).

This was Goodman’s response on Twitter when someone asked where Mack might rank …

Big 5 first-rounders scarce since NBA ‘s lottery era began

THERE WON’T BE a Big 5 player selected in the first round of the NBA draft for the fifth consecutive season. In fact, only 18 Big 5 players have been taken in the first round since 1985, the first year of the lottery.

The lottery came not long after ESPN. Once some of the best local high school players got a look at the Atlantic Coast Conference and the other major conferences on television, it was that much more difficult to keep the best local high school players in the city.

Andre Walker to XU?

The Muskies have been in the frame for a few one-year post-grad transfers since Chris Mack took over the program. Although they haven’t pulled the trigger to date, X was in the final mix for Eniel Polynice (final destination: Seton Hall) and John Harris (Tennessee) last year. This season, the Muskies lost out to Oregon for talented Lousiana Tech forward Olu Ashaolu.

With one open scholarship for the 2011-12 season and no clear candidate to fill it, the Muskies are now courting another high-profile transfer. Eric Angevine of CBSsports.com reports that the Muskies are a candidate for Vanderbilt graduate Andre Walker:

Friends of Bill Raftery golf outing

Colonials release 2011-12 season-ticket packages

Season tickets and donor club memberships are now available for the 2011-12 Colonials men’s basketball season. We are happy to announce that ticket prices will not change from last season.

Fan Services Representatives are currently calling 2010-11 season ticket holders to renew their seats and donor club memberships. Last year’s season ticket holders will have priority for their seats until August 1.

http://www.atlantic10.com/allaccess/?media=247040

Just because…

Coming soon

Stay tuned for the first annual Pickin’ Splinters rundown of the A10′s incoming class. Fans can get an in-depth look at the new student-athletes to play next season in the Atlantic 10.

NBA Splinters | July 28, 2009

Casey — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:03:41 +0000

(AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

What Happens In Vegas…

Summer is in full swing, and that means Summer League basketball. Thanks to NBA TV basketball junkies can catch some hoops in the month of July.

Devoid of the pomp and circumstance that goes along with the regular season, Summer League hoops has a throwback feel to it. There are no player introductions prior to tip-off. The coverage is not state of the art – the audio mix isn’t always optimal. Commentators and play-by-play guys don’t follow a script. To top it off, commercials are minimal and sideline interviews seem less intrusive. All of that makes for rather enjoyable viewing on a rainy day.

Watching Summer League games lends a deeper appreciation to the level of play in the NBA. These games are a mix of rookies and youngsters trying to earn a contract. Several minutes can tick off the clock before a semblance a half-court offense shows up.

Managed to catch a little of the Bulls / Oklahoma City game. Good to see DeMarcus Nelson on the floor for the Bulls. Nelson still works hard on his defense. He played limited minutes for Golden State last season. Here’s hoping the Duke alum finds a bench to ride for the season.

Word has it that Hasheem Thabeet is struggling in Sin City. No surprise there. But with time Hash should contribute in the NBA.

It’s all about location.

Prior to the NBA Draft, many thought DeJuan Blair would be a lottery pick – if not, at least in the middle of the first round. Draft day arrived. The first ten picks came, and Blair waited. The first round ended, and still Blair did not have a team. Not until the 37th pick (San Antonio) did Blair hear his name.

Blair may not have been a lottery pick, but he landed in a great location. While many youngsters will struggle on weak teams, Blair will have the chance to learn from a bunch of veterans and experience playoff basketball. Wonder if a Tim Duncan / Blair commercial with the gnomes is in the making.

The Spurs who looked a step slow the second-half of the season have rebuilt themselves into contenders. Adding Richard Jefferson prior to the draft gives the Spurs a perimeter presence they lacked when Manu Ginobili went down with an injury.

Jefferson should enjoy a return to the playoffs. It’s been a while since he helped the Nets get to the finals. Jefferson on the floor with Tony Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili should provide more than just a threat for the Los Angeles Lakers.

San Antonio also drafted Jack McClinton from Miami. Although he is unsigned as yet, McClinton is a three-point threat who, along with Roger Mason, can provide a complement to the Spurs offense.

Cleaning out the skeletons.

What a summer for Derrick Rose. He’s fended off more allegations than the Cambridge police department. First, we read about the bogus SAT scores. Then came the story about his high school grades. Now, Rose is dealing with a picture from high school that portrays a less-than flattering image.

What’s a guy to do? Rose is spending time in the gym working with the USA National team. Sporting News reports that Rose is taking 500-800 shots a day.

That’s one way to avoid the negative press.

Got some insights? Take a seat on the Pine and share some wisdom.

Meet Mr. Flynn, The “Lottery Man”

Doug Potter — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:38:36 +0000

By Doug Potter

The purpose of college for High School teens post graduation is intended to prepare them for the grind and rigors of everyday life. Some are still searching for their niche, while others have a good idea what they want to do and college will help them get there. For a lot of NBA-bound basketball players all college does is serve as a nuisance and prolong their arrival to “The League.” For some, however, college is a stepping stone to become a member of the most important lottery in basketball; the “NBA Draft Lottery.” Former Syracuse Orange point guard, Jonny Flynn, is a prime example of why young athletes should go to college.

BACKGROUND: Flynn is used to being the “Big Man on Campus.” He was on Junior Varsity as a seventh grader, Varsity as a Freshman, and was the team’s starting point guard as a Sophomore. That year he led his team to a 28-1 record, a state championship, and a federation championship, and a number one ranking in a couple of polls by year’s end. That team had seven future D-1 players and was one that Flynn will never forget. “That was the best year of high school basketball in Niagara Falls history,” Flynn said. “Nobody can take that away and it was just so much fun.” With all those playmakers and offensive firepower, Flynn was more of a distributor and really improved his passing game. Syracuse teammate, Paul Harris, was the talk of the team and supposed to be the next “Phenom” to come out of Western New York. His set of skills and athleticism dominated the High School level like nobody had seen in quite some time. He decided to attend Syracuse University and play for coach Jim Boeheim. Jonny followed him there two years later after Harris spent a year in prep school to get his grades straight. They both enjoyed a good career at Syracuse, but Flynn did more with his opportunity to play for one of the greats at the college level in Coach Boeheim.

CURRENTLY: Jonny Flynn was ranked as the fourth best PG in his class coming into his college career, and the 23rd best overall player. Oh, how times change! Now, Mr. Flynn is projected to be drafted as high as fourth overall to the Sacramento Kings. Yeah, I would say he has improved his “stock” as we like to call it. They have made it very clear that their number one need is to get a tough point guard with some offensive talent and the ability to push the ball in transition. I know, that is the definition of Flynn. Tough? Check (Who can forget when he played 13245243 minutes in four games in the Big East Tournament this year?) Offensive firepower? Check (Is fourth on the all-time freshman scoring list at Syracuse with 548 points scored and averaged 17.1 PPG for the Orange last season). His athleticism and offensive repertoire is not going to be the problem at the next level. The problems will come at the other end of the floor in the trenches, where no, okay some, NBA players enjoy playing; Defense.

After a workout with the Kings last week, a scout asked Flynn how playing at Syracuse prepared him for the NBA and having to defend tough point guards night in and night out. “It doesn’t prepare you at all,” Flynn said with a laugh. “You sit in a zone all day.” This does not mean that laziness is encouraged by the Orange coaching staff, but a 2-3 zone, run by coach Boeheim, can be considered less strenuous than a Bob Huggins-run man-to-man defense. That, however, did not stop Flynn from earning the respect from his teammates. They know how quick and strong Jonny is on the defensive end. “I don’t really get it when people say Jonny can’t play D,” former Syracuse forward Paul Harris says. “He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s strong, he’s smart. In my opinion, he’s capable of guarding anybody. But people watch us play zone at Syracuse so much, they question our defense.”

PREDICTION: Jonny would be a great fit for the Kings at #4, but I believe he is not the fourth best player in this year’s draft. He will be drafted that high based solely on need. The Kings NEED a point guard (I know what you’re thinking, they need EVERYTHING, but bear with me) and Flynn would be a great start for a franchise looking to rebuild after being in the dumps the last few seasons.

I compare Flynn’s past two seasons to the one season spent at Syracuse by Carmelo Anthony. Anthony did win a National Championship, but coming into Syracuse, he was just a highly recruited swingman from Oak Hill who had offensive ability. That was Flynn, just a highly talented point guard with a lot of potential and offensive ability, but a lot of improvement to do. He has made those improvements (outside shot, free throws, turnovers) and on Thursday it will all come together for Jonny.

2009 NBA Draft: Who Should Stay and Who Should Return to College

Rey — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:27:54 +0000

All NBA draft prospects have the month of June to make their final decision of whether to stay or return to their collegiate programs.

Some have already forgone their college eligibility by hiring an agent. There remain, however, a host of players who have not and thus can still return.

There are many players still left that could benefit from another year of college. Some have more to prove, some have potential to meet, and some need to learn that basketball isn’t all about how big and fast you are.

Then there are several who I think should “strike while the iron is hot” and hire an agent to remain in the 2009 draft. These particular players have reached their peak at the collegiate level and may actually hurt their stock if they return.

Let’s start with those who should go ahead and hire an agent and remain in this year’s draft:

Shawn Taggart – Memphis

Taggart is twenty-four years old. He can return for a senior season if he wants, but what’s the point? Memphis has a new coach, lost recruits, and no Tyreke Evans.

Taggart is a big forward (6’10″ 238 pounds) who is good defensively (1.4 blocks a game) and a solid rebounder (nearly 8 a game).

Every NBA team needs a role player with size at some point. Though he might turn into a journey man, it sounds as if Taggart has done all he will do at the collegiate level.

Derrick Brown – Xavier

thehoopsreport.com (CBS3)

Derrick Brown has great potential due to his size and versatility. Chad Ford says that he can play the three or the four.

Brown may be the best player in the draft in terms of playing around the rim, and he draws comparisons to Lamar Odom. Both can go inside or out, as well as handle the ball (though at 6’10″, Odom has the exceptional ability to anchor the fast break).

If all the tools are in place for Brown, he might as well get schooled by the professionals.

Greivis Vasquez – Maryland

Vasquez’s position in the NBA is his biggest question. He averaged 17.5 points per game his junior season, but his decrease in his field goal percentage (43 percent to 40 percent this past season) concerns scouts.

He can get to the lane well and shoot over people at 6’6″, but Vasquez’s play seemed sporadic at times. If he can stay at the point-guard position and show the scouts strong decision-making during workouts, he can work out somewhere.

Returning to Maryland will put more pressure on him to control the team better as a senior.

Tyreke Evans – Memphis

Evans is in this discussion because I don’t know whether or not he has hired an agent. However, he has made it no secret that he will eventually hire one and will not be returning to college.

Evans can play either guard position in the NBA and at an extremely agile 6’6″, he will be a defensive dream for an organization if they can convince him to play it every night.

Patrick Mills – Saint Mary’s

Getty Images

Mills has performed well against NBA competition in the Olympics, scoring 13 points against the Team USA despite playing without center Andrew Bogut. The two teams met up again in the quarterfinals, where Mills had 20 points, three assists, and no turnovers.

As a sophomore, Mills averaged a little over 18 and nearly four assists per game. Whether or not he returns to Saint Mary’s, Mills has something that the rest of the point guards other than Ricky Rubio may not get: international competition. This will probably prepare him just as much as another season in the WCC.

Scottie Reynolds – Villanova

At 6’3″, Reynolds will have to man the point. He has a knack for scoring and creating shots for himself, but questions exist whether or not he has the IQ to be an effective point guard. He nearly turned the ball over as many times as he had an assist this year.

Ultimately, he seems like a college type guard whose game will not translate all that well in the NBA. Shades of Juan Dixon perhaps? Same sizes, similar style games, but when it comes to the NBA their height will severely hamper them. Still, Dixon is still enjoying an NBA career.

Reynolds’ scoring average has not really improved over his three years at Villanova, so he might as well and go ahead and strike that iron.

Luke Harangody – Notre Dame

Harangody’s college accolades speak for themselves: he easily delivered a double-double every night, often flirting with 20 points and 20 rebounds.

If he were to return for his senior year, he’d either have to adjust to another coach or pretty much face a repeat of the previous season. He’s done everything he will do in college and has very little room for growing his skills.

Everything against Harangody is out of his control. He is not big enough to play the four, yet not quick enough to play the three.

He is listed at 6’8″, but only measured in at 6’6″ at the draft combine without shoes on. That’s a scary thought if he absolutely has to play the post in the NBA.

His wingspan was too different than the average for his height either (Pittsburgh’s DaJuan Blair fot example, who was also only 6’5″ without shoes, had a wingspan of 7’2″).

My advice to you is this, Luke:

Strike while the iron is hot, make several million and live comfortably for the rest of your life like Christian Laettner.

Jrue Holiday – UCLA

Getty Images

Holiday was arguably the most highly touted guard out of high school a year ago, but he had a less than stellar freshman season at UCLA, averaging nearly 9 points and four assists per game.

Many have attributed this to Ben Howland’s system not being a good fit for Holiday (though I would disagree) and the fact that Darren Collison was still running the point there. Holiday’s minutes in some games took a big dip as Collison continued to play well over 30 minutes in most contests.

Regardless, scouts are high on Holiday, especially after the draft combine in Chicago this past week. According to some accounts, he ran the floor extremely well and finished with either hand. Holiday also displayed the raw skills needed of an NBA point guard, but at a lanky 6’3″ with a 6’7″ wingspan.

If UCLA is not a good fit for him, why not just go to the draft if the NBA powers that be are still sold? Since another season like 2008 could raise questions, Holiday should not take the chance.

Now let’s move on to those who have not hired an agent and would benenfit from another year in college. These players should return to their respective programs and work on turning weaknesses into strengths before becoming a professional:

Damion James – Texas

It’s unfortunate that size has such an impact on the draft. Damion James is a 6’7″ forward without a perimeter game.

His scoring has increased each year at Texas (15 a game in his junior year). His free throw percentage improved greatly his junior year as well, which is important for post players.

But James will need to become more of a threat from the perimeter to be successful in the NBA.

Nic Wise – Arizona, Devan Downey – South Carolina

The biggest fault for these two is the one thing they can’t control: their height. Wise and Downey are 5’10″ and 5’9″, respectively.

Both have averaged 4 and half assists this past season. Downey is more of a pure scorer and averaged nearly 20 a game. Wise has been called more a pure point guard.

Since this draft is heavy on point guards (Curry, Flynn, Rubio, Lawson, Teague, Jennings, Holiday, Mills, Reynolds, Devendorf, Evans), it is probably best they return and hone their weaknesses.

Nick Calathes – Florida

AP Photo

A 6’6″ point guard who shoots nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc? Sounds enticing.

What Calathes is missing in speed and athleticism he makes up for in basketball know-how.

Calathes has averaged a little over 6 assists to go along with his 16 point career average in both of his seasons under Billy Donovan.

Regardless, Calathes could benefit from running a Florida team that should be more competitive in the SEC.

If Calathes’ question mark is his athleticism and quickness, then it would be better to see if he could improve on his assist-to-turnover ratio. He has a 2/1 ratio in his career.

If his athleticism will be the question, then he must separate himself from other point guards by proving his control is unmatched.

Right now, his ratio is below Ty Lawson’s and closer to that of Jonny Flynn’s. Obviously, Flynn brings a little more than Calathes.

Tyler Smith – Tennessee

Getty Images

I had the opportunity to see Tennessee play this year, so it is hard for me to remain impartial. Their offense was stagnant to say the least, which doesn’t bode well for the main option, Tyler Smith.

As a 6’7″ wing, Smith will definitely find a home in the NBA and will be a first round pick. He averaged 17 points per game this past season.

Smith’s game showed signs of his versatility. He could knock down the jump shot, but also showed an understanding of timely cuts and attacking the basket on the back side.

He probably could stay for his senior year and improve his three-point shooting, especially in Bruce Pearl’s offense which relies heavily on the three-ball.

Smith will also need to find that killer instinct as a first option offensively.

Perhaps with a level-headed Scotty Hopson at the other guard, Smith and the Volunteers could become a scary offense that borders nearer aggressiveness rather than timidity.

Jodie Meeks – Kentucky

Jodie Meeks appeared on the national stage after a 54-point performance against Tennessee.

He’s a magnificent shooter (averaged nearly 24 a game on 46 percent shooting, 40 percent from three), but scouts are not thrilled about his size (6’4″).

Meeks’ lack of athleticism and explosiveness to the basket have some teams leery of him as a first-round pick. He is the type of shooter that would thrive with a point guard who can consistently attack the lane and force pinches from the wing.

Without a creator, though, Meeks struggles to get to the basket and finish. If he stays in college and works on his speed and ball-handling, especially in transition, he could thrive despite his size.

And with Calipari signing two athletic point guards, Meeks’ game could really get showcased next year and perhaps result in some hardware.

Jeff Teague – Wake Forest

Point guards are a plenty in this draft. Many see the scoring ability of Teague in all facets of the game and think he will translate well to the NBA.

But the second half of his sophomore season paled in comparison to his amazing first half. This should worry NBA scouts, coaches, and executives more than it has.

During Wake Forest’s 16-0 run to start the season, Teague averaged a little over 21 points per game.

In his last 15 games, his average dropped to 16 per contest, ending with a 10 point, 1 assist, 5 turnover exit in the first round against Cleveland State.

Teague was turnover-prone all season, but the early payoff was his explosive ability to get to the elbow or lane at will and finish in a variety of ways.

Teague probably needs one more year in college to hone his point guard skills. He has the athleticism to create his own shot and score, but does he have the savvy to run a team?

Austin Daye – Gonzaga

Getty Images

By far my favorite player if he stays in college, and my least favorite if he enters the NBA.

Daye is a 6’11″ 200 pound small forward with huge upside. His biggest question mark is his slender build and physically weak play at times.

He is young (will be a 20 year old junior) with tremendous upside. He can and will shoot from beyond the arc and is a nuisance defensively when not being physically pushed around.

Daye’s role on Gonzaga this year may have been the issue. Josh Heytvelt was going to be the main post option and the Zags also had solid perimeter play in Jeremy Pargo and Matt Bouldin.

Coupled with guard Micah Downs getting just as much time as Daye, there wasn’t much room left for Daye to have the ball consistently in his hands. If he stays one more year, his minutes would definitely increase from 26 a game.

With three of those options gone (Pargo, Downs, Heytvelt), he obviously steps in as one of if not the main option offensively. Mark Few makes his role clear.

The recent draft combine in Chicago was apparently a success for Daye. He’s been said to have impressed in drills that display his ball handling and shooting prowess with a long 6’11″ frame.

Daye has been compared to Kevin Durant, the parallels being their skills set in a lanky but weak frame.

What the Bulls should do with the first pick in the draft

Casey — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:21:48 +0000

Now that the Chicago Bulls have a coach in Vinnie Del Negro, GM John Paxson can focus his time and effort on the 2008 NBA Draft to take place on June 26th.

The wheels of Del Negro’s appointment were greased by the relationship between his former boss and former Bull, Steve Kerr, and Paxson. For Chicago’s sake hopefully Kerr does better with this move than the recent gaffe with the Shaq signing.

Paxson needs to satisfy two needs for the Bulls: post presence and maturity.

Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Kirk Hinrich make up a solid nucleus for a team that could, with some post play, challenge for the Eastern title next year.

Hinrich will not have a repeat of last season. Deng is a future all-star. Gordon is instant offense.

The threesome needs support that Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley can’t supply. Put either of those guys in a Bulls’ uniform, and their second contract in the league will be with another team. Both Rose and Beasley need to go somewhere that will allow them to grow.

Chicago is not that place.

With that in mind – Paxson has some alternatives:

Choice A: The Bulls can trade the first pick of the draft to Los Angeles. In return the Lakers would send Ronnie Turiaf, Andrew Bynum, and either their second round pick of this year’s draft (they don’t have a first round pick) or next year’s first round pick.

The Bulls would get some post presence. While Bynum is not exactly mature, he has at least played three years in the league – besides, getting away from Kobe’s ‘motivation techniques’ would feel like a weight from his 20 year-old shoulders. Turiaf could be ready to start on a team like the Bulls. Before you scoff at the second round pick, remember that is when Carlos Boozer was taken.

Mitch Kupchak would be drooling at the chance to either put Beasley opposite Gasol in the post, or have Derek Fisher mentor the young Rose.

Choice B: The Bulls trade the first pick of the draft to Boston. The C’s send Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, and their first round pick to the Windy City.

Other than Perkins’s tendency to pick up silly technical fouls because he can’t stop running his mouth, the guy has a mature game. He is ready to play a larger role than what he has behind the Big 3 in Boston. Powe could add some levity to the Bulls lineup. Courtney Lee (this draft’s version of Tayshaun Prince) could still be available with the Celtics’ pick.

Can you imagine Beasley in the lineup with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce?

Choice C: The Bulls trade the first pick of the draft to San Antonio. The Spurs ship Kurt Thomas, Ime Udoka, and their first round pick north to Chi-town.

Okay so this one isn’t as sexy of a deal as the others. Thomas would add as much maturity as anyone could. Udoka showed some flashes this year. Roy Hibbert could still be available when the Spurs have their pick.

Like David Robinson taught him, Timmy Duncan could pass on his knowledge of the gnomes (you remember the razor commercial don’cha? ‘The gnomes Tim; the gnomes’) to Michael Beasley.

Choice D: The Bulls send the first pick of the draft to Houston. In return the Rockets send Shane Battier, Luis Scola and their first round pick.

Battier would make instant impact on the Bulls. Scola averaged ten points and six rebounds for the Rockets. Hibbert, Lee, and/or JJ Hickson could be available with the Rockets pick.

Beasley might break a whole lotta rookie records playing opposite Yao and grabbing T-Mac’s crumbs.

Time is ticking. What will GM Paxson do?