DCCC Storm Down Belmont Abbey Crusaders JV

It was nice to get back home to Brinkley Gym last night. We have been on the road for the past two of the last three games and suffered losses in each of those game. Last night we played our sixth game. I'm sure most fans were nervous seeing three of our best players not even dressed out (Phillip Williams - tonsil infection; Justin Glover - knee injury; Kimani Hunt - ankle sprain), but the coaches and player knew everyone had to elevate their level of play. Once the game tipped off, the Storm was off and running. Last season's leading scorer Roderick Geter got hot early, making five out of seven threes in the first half. His shooting helped the Storm build a considerable lead that they never relinquished. The Storm built up a lead of 30 points by the second half. Eric Potts played exceptional on both ends of the courts. He finished with a double-double (11 points, 14 rebounds). Our bench provided excellent energy both on the sideline and when they entered the game. Everyone on the team got to play in last night's victory! The final score: Storm 94, Crusaders 75.

Leading Scorers: Roderick Geter (24), AJ Finney (12), Bryan Roberts (12), Eric Potts (11)
Leading Rebounders: Eric Potts (14), Zack Williams (6), Bryan Roberts (5)
Assist Leader: Derrick Mayo (7), AJ Finney (6)

Final thoughts: We still need to continue improving on many aspects of the game. We need to continue working on crisp passing, taking care of the basketball, free throw shooting and other various fundamentals. We will continue to work diligently on and improve these aspects of the game.

The Storm is now 3-3. We head to Tidewater Community College this weekend to play in a tournament. We will be playing Tidewater CC and CCBC - Dundalk. Until then...

GO STORM!!

Time To Play Catch Up

Since my last post, the Storm has played four games. We played some REALLY good competition in those games. In those games we went 1-3. We were in all of these games, but a few mental mistakes cost us a couple of victories. Some highlights and thoughts on each.

DCCC v. Louisburg College JV
Final Score: 94 - 67 (W)

The Storm had a lead of eight at half with only one lead change coming in the first minutes of the game. We still need to take better care of the basketball; 24 turnovers just won't cut it if we want to compete for a championship!

Leading Scorers: Kimani Hunt (16), Justin Glover (15), Zack Williams (12), Eric Potts (12), Tim Simpson (10)
Leading Rebounders: Zack Williams (7), Eric Potts (6), Tim Simpson (5)
Assist Leaders: Phillip Williams (6), Rico Geter (5)

DCCC at Pitt CC

This game was truly a heart breaker. I'll go ahead and fast forward to the end. We were down by one with 6.6 seconds on the clock. We fouled Pitt's worst free throw shooter. Coach Ridge called a time out, drew up a play he wanted the players to run after grabbing the rebound. Pitt missed the lay up, the Storm players did a poor job blocking out and another Pitt player rebounded the miss. We had to foul again. Pitt hit the first free throw and missed the second. Pitt did not put anyone else on the lane, but one of Pitt's most aggressive players came flying into the lane and grabbed the rebound. We had to foul him. He knocked down both free throws. The Storm lost 74-70. What a tough loss! We really need to focus on our mental toughness in must-win situations. Overall though, I'm really proud of our guys. We competed against a well coached Division II JUCO.

*Game report to come

DCCC at GTCC

*Game report to come

DCCC at UNC JV

I have to say it was a dream come true getting to coach at the Dean Dome. It is a place where some of the greatest basketball players and coaches have played and coach. Our team competed very hard. We weren't very crisp in the first half, but were able to go into half down eight points. We competed in the second half very well. Our guys left everything on the floor. We were the toughest team UNC JV had played to date. We led by one with about five minutes to go, alternated the lead several times, but in the end lost by 11. Turnovers and missed layups killed us in this game. We had 28 turnovers for the game (only 12 assist) and several missed layups down the stretch. Unfortunately, one of our best players, Justin Glover, injured his knee in the second half of the game. We're hoping for a good report though! On a positive note though, I feel this game was the first one our guys truly began to buy into what the coaches preach every day at practice. If we keep up our efforts we may be able to do some really special things!

Final Score: Storm 69, UNC JV Tar Heels 81
Overall Record: 2-3

Leading Scorers: Justin Glover (18), Roderick Geter (15), AJ Finney (11), Eric Potts (11)
Leading Rebounders: Justin Glover (8), Eric Potts (7), Zack Williams (5)

GO STORM!

DCCC v. Wytheville CC

The DCCC Storm defeated Wytheville CC (WCC) in its season opener on Sunday, November 1. The final score was 90-82. Our men were excited to get the season underway. For a select few (Phillip Williams, Eric Potts and Rico Geter), it was the beginning of their sophomore season; for the rest of the team, it was the beginning of their college careers. Our guys used the crowd's energy and their excitement to jump out to an early lead in the first half (21-9). The first game jitters and mistakes caught up with us as WCC stayed poised and chipped away at the deficit until WCC took a 34-30 lead, which they took into the half. After Coach Ridge delivered a very pointed halftime speech, our guys went out in the second half and played tougher. WCC was excited to be in the game and continued to play well, but in the end, the Storm was victorious. The team won with a final score of 90-82. Rico Geter was our team's leading scorer finishing with 19. Zack Williams (17), Justin Glover (15) and Phillip Williams (13) also contributed major point contributions to our team's victory. Also, I wanted to congratulate Kimani for his efforts on the boards! He finished with 10! Keep up the great effort guys!

GO STORM!!

I've Been Gone for a While...

Let me apologize folks. I have been busy the past few months. I completed my internship for the Philadelphia 76ers. I learned a bit about sabremetric analysis in basketball and what pro scouts look for when scouting college talent. Now I'm serving as an assistant coach to Coach Matt Ridge for the Davidson County Community College Storm (http://www.davidsonccc.edu/athletics/mensbasketball.htm). I will be blogging about our season to keep everyone updated on our successes! Go Storm!

Overvalued Stock?

Everyone this year has seemingly fallen in love with Hasheem Thabeet. He is the 7'3" center who plays for UConn. I'll be the first to admit he has potential and he makes his living on the defensive end of the floor, but is Thabeet the dominant player everyone claims? I do not think so. Honestly, I think he is a bit soft, especially if a strong player is willing to take the ball at Thabeet. He MUST improve his lateral quickness to be effective at the next level. In college, all Thabeet did was sit in the lane and wait to block the opposing team's shots or grab a rebound after a missed shot. You can not sit in the defensive lane in the NBA or the officials will call defensive three seconds. Currently, I do not think he has the ability to rotate quick enough on defense. In the games where Thabeet was forced to rotate and not play stationary in the defensive paint, he drew several fouls.

I want to take a look at Thabeet's rebounding numbers. I have heard people claim he is a dominant rebounder (he should be if he stands 7'3" tall), but does he rebound against the best competition, or are his numbers padded?

Going through this years rebounding totals, Thabeet had good rebounding games against:
Western Carolina (17)
Miami (14)
Bryant (12)
Delaware St (17)
Buffalo (18)
Fairfield (11)
West Virgina (13)*
Seton Hall (17)
Notre Dame (11)*
Providence (11)
Louisville (11)***
Michigan (12)
Syracuse (16)***
Seton Hall (20)
Marquette (15)
Notre Dame (11)*
Pitt (13)***
Syracuse (14)***
UT Chat (13)
Purdue (15)*
Mizzou (13)*

Just looking at the games he posted double figures in, I do not see a lot of great competition. I will say this, the Big East did produce some of the best teams in college basketball this year, but he post his best rebounding games against lesser competition or against teams who are perimeter based teams. He did post impressive numbers against Pitt, Louisville, West Virginia, Syracuse (but they are more perimeter based), and Notre Dame (but they don't really have a guy big enough other than Zeller; Harangody is strong, but a bit undersized). I will not discount Purdue or Mizzou because once teams get into tournament play, everyone elevates their game.

My point is everyone claims his defensive abilities, which I will not doubt. He can change shots whether he blocks them or not. I feel his rebounding numbers are elevated due to the competition he has posted his best rebounding games against. Teams can get him out of the game by getting him in foul trouble (Pitt, Gonzaga, Villanova, Texas A&M), although he did post double figures in games where he did foul out, and playing a transition game (he just does not run the floor extremely well). Let's face it, he's 7'3" and all he has to do is put his arms in the air and he'd be close to 10' tall. He is coming out in a weak draft class. I bet he will go in the top 5, but in a year where the talent pool is better, I think he would be a top 10 pick at best, if not a late lottery pick.

I know most people won't agree with me because they love his size and what he can do on the defensive end of the floor, but he needs to improve his lateral quickness, he needs to get bigger, and he needs to refine his offensive game (he can not make a shot outside of five feet from the basket) if he wants to be dominant. I know he's only played for a couple of years so these things can come around, but how much can he improve? Will he ever be the offesive threat coaches may see and expect? Can he be more than a cherry picker on the defensive end and become a truly dominant defensive big? In college he has been a man among boys because of how tall he is. What happens when he goes up against players the same size as he is? Only time will tell, but I would bet that he will only become another average big man.

Terrence Williams

Terrence Williams, #1 SG/SF, Louisville
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 220 lbs

Strengths:
- Versatility
- Passing
- Athleticism
- Rebounding
- Conditioning
- Transition play
- Competition
- Improved three point shooting
- Executes offensively
- Court vision
- NBA body
- Size/Wingspan
- Toughness
- Stat sheet filler

Weaknesses:
- Creating own shot
- Getting to free throw line
- Pull up jumper
- Control issues
- Shooting off of the dribble
- Using off hand

Summary:
Terrence Williams is an exciting player to watch. His versatility at the wings position allows him to fill up a stat sheet like very few other college players. This season he averaged 12 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. On top of that, he improved his ability to take care of the ball by posting an A/T ratio of 2.15 (5 assists, 2.3 turnovers per game)! Williams has the athleticism and the build to be in the NBA.

Williams is a phenomenal play maker, especially for the wing. He possess great court vision which allows him to find open teammates with crisp passes. He has a great wingspan and is very explosive. He uses these tools to go up and grab rebounds or block shots, especially against taller and bigger players. His physical being helps him execute offensively, but he does have one glaring problem that he must address at the next level: his scoring abilities. First, let me say that Williams has improved his three point shooting percentages, as well as his overall field goal percentages. He has done this by improving his shooting mechanics and shot selection. Williams does not create his own shot well. Although he has improved his ability to take care of the basketball, Williams is not strong at dribbling with his off (left) hand. If he penetrates into the lane (sometimes he is out of control when he does), Williams would rather take a floater or pass the ball to a teammate instead of taking an extra step or two towards the basket. He may have adapted to this style of play because he is not very efficient at scoring around the basket, especially after contact. If he does get to the free throw line, he MUST work on converting (his percentages from the charity strip have fallen from 61.2% his freshman year to 58.1% his senior year). Also, his pull-up jumper or shooting off the dribble need some polishing.

Williams has the potential to be a beast on the defensive end. As mentioned before, he is a rebounding machine for a wing (8.6 total rebounds per game, with an average of 7.2 rebounds coming from the defensive end). His wingspan and length allow him to get his hand into passing lanes for steals. Sometimes Williams becomes a bit lackadaisical on the defensive end, but his athleticism, lateral quickness, and explosiveness allows him to quickly recover. He is not afraid to go up and challenge a player, especially those bigger than him. This mentality will serve him well as he may be asked by his coach to guard multiple positions on any given night.

Overall, Williams plays best in transition rather than in a half-court set, but he has the tools to be a player in the NBA for many, many years. He must continue to work on his shot, ability to get to the basket, control issues, and ability to dribble with his off hand if he wants to be more than a role player at the next level.

Projection: mid-first rounder (15-20)

Best fit:
- Oklahoma City: the Thunder is a young team. Getting a player with Williams' skills to grow with this team may be beneficial. The Thunder is building its team around a team concept, and getting a player like Williams who seemingly prefers to find his teammates for open shots could be a great idea. On top of that, he could be another defensive stopper the team could be looking for, especially off the bench.
- Phoenix and New York: Williams' is most effective in transition because of his freakish athleticism. If he works on taking the ball to the basket, I could see him fitting in well with either team. Especially on Phoenix, he could have the opportunity to learn from Grant Hill and develop into his game into Hill's mold.

Wayne Ellington

Wayne Ellington, #22 SG, North Carolina
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 200 lbs

Strengths:
- Pure scorer
- Mid-range jumper
- Ability to catch and shoot
- Cross over and step back jumper
- Three point shooting
- Footwork
- Takes care of the ball
- Competition

Weaknesses:
- Slower release
- Tendency to fad during game
- Athleticism
- Undersized at the NBA level
- Explosiveness
- Driving to basket
- Defensive consistency

Summary:
Wayne "The Rainman" Ellington can shoot the lights out of a building. Nobody has played the two-guard position better than him the past two months. After Carolina's magical run to the 2009 National Championship, and Ellington being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, it's hard not to fathom that Ellington has done nothing but improve his draft stock.

I could spend hours discussing his abilities on the offensive floor, but his offensive abilities have been well documented. Just to highlight his strengths on this end of the floor, he has phenomenal range (he'll be able to shoot the NBA three pointer), he has a sweet mid-range game that he rarely misses from, the ability to cross over against his defender and knock down a step back jumper, he runs well off of staggered screens, and he catches and shoots the ball with high efficiency. During the NCAA Tournament he shot over 50% from the floor and 50% from behind the arc. He has improved his ability to take care of the basketball (posting an A/T ratio of 1.63 this season) while playing against top-tier competition. He also demonstrates nice footwork on both ends of the floor.

There are some areas of Ellington's game that improved from his sophomore to junior seasons, especially during the NCAA Tournament, but still needs to be worked on. Ellington has a tendency to fad during games. He lacks that killer instinct that makes him a threat as long as he's on the court. If he develops this mentality, you better watch out because he has the ability to score six or more points in less than 30 seconds. His overall athleticism and size are not ideal either at the next level. Ellington is listed at 6'4", but when I saw him walking around at Carolina, he definitely didn't look it. He is not very athletic, and he won't wow you with his explosiveness. He is not an exceptional slasher, rather he focuses his game is centered around finesse. This aspect of his game can be seen because he rarely takes the ball straight to the hoop, rather pulling up for a jump shot. If he does take the ball to the basket, you notice Ellington tries to avoid contact. He does not like to get hit while he is shooting, which is evident when he shoots because he tends to fad away on his jump shots. This is also confirmed by his inability to get to the free throw line in games (averaging just shy of three free throw attempts per game). As I mentioned before, he lacks that killer instinct when it comes to taking over a game; he would need to focus on getting to the line more often in games to develop this area of his offensive game.

On the defensive end of the floor, Ellington leaves little to be desired. He has the tools (decent lateral quickness and footwork) to be a good defender at the next level, and he has shown that he can buckle down on this end of the court, especially in the clutch. His defensive effort during the National Championship game was solid and matched the level of his teammates. Throughout the season though, Ellington did not put forth all his effort on this end of the floor. He has taken long strides in this area of his game, but still has room to grow and improve. If he could maintain the level of defensive intensity he demonstrated during the championship game, he would be less of a liability.

Projection: late first round to early second round

Best fit:
- Los Angeles Lakers: I have mentioned that Ellington lacks the mentality to take over a game if necessary. He has all the tools to be a very good offensive player. Playing him behind Kobe Bryant could be the best thing for Ellington. Kobe would challenge Ellington to be a better player both offensively and defensively. Plus, when Kobe needs a breather, Ellington could step in without the Lakers loosing too much offensive production.
- Detroit: one of the offensive tools that Ellington possess is the ability to run off of screens and catch and shoot the basketball. Rip Hamilton does this currently with the Pistons, and I believe Ellington could do the same off the bench. Learning under Hamilton could be another great option for Ellington because Hamilton puts forth his effort on both ends of the court to make himself and his teammates better. The only problem I see here is that the Pistons have some uncertainty with its front court and may address these issues with its first round pick.
- Philadelphia: since the 76ers traded Kyle Korver to the Utah Jazz several seasons ago, the team has lacked a player who could consistently spread the floor. Shooting from behind the arc is one thing that Ellington is good at. He would compliment the playing style of the 76ers and provide a much needed threat from the mid-range back to the three point line.

Dante Cunningham

Dante Cunningham, #33 PF, Villanova
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 230 lbs

Strengths:
- Basketball IQ
- Movement without the ball
- Scoring around basket
- Improved mid-range jumper
- Runs court well
- Played against elite competition
- Hustle
- Shooting mechanics

Weaknesses:
- Rebounding
- Size and Strength
- Post moves
- Ball handling
- Defending next level?

Summary:
Dante Cunningham was not too impressive his first couple of seasons at Villanova. In his senior season, he has shown improvements in his game that are worthy of giving him a look in this year's draft. He has improved his ability to score away from the basket by developing a mid-range jump shot. Throughout the NCAA Tournament, Cunningham demonstrated that he was not afraid to take a 15'-18' if he was left open by the opposing team's defender. He has nice shooting mechanics that allow for a nice, smooth jump shot. Adding this jump shot to his game was vital if he wanted to make it to the NBA because Cunningham is not built like a NBA post player. He is 6'8" and 230 lbs, and he definitely looks it, making his size a question as to whether he'll be able to transition well. He will be a tweener at the next level, making it difficult to project how he will perform in the NBA.

Cunningham has many other strengths that stand out. Since he is not built like a traditional power forward, Cunningham has learned how to move well in the post without the basketball. Seldom does he stand in the post waiting to post up a player (he lacks advanced post moves which is related to his ball handling skills and with his size; it is difficult to project how this area of his game will translate to the NBA). Rather, he will flash towards the ball from the low post or make cuts to allow himself to get open for a teammate. He also runs the court well in transition. His ability to move without the ball to provide better opportunities for him and his teammates demonstrates his strong basketball IQ because he is self-aware of his strengths and weaknesses, floor situations and game situations. Whenever a shot is taken, Cunningham is one of the first players you see crashing the boards trying to grab an offensive rebound. In the situations he has the ball in his hands in the low post, Cunningham has shown he can score well around the basket.

On the defensive end of the floor, Cunningham has pretty good awareness. He makes sure he understands where he is in relationship to the basketball and his man, and he moves to ensure he stays in a position to defend the player. He also possess decent lateral quickness, which is good because if he switches on a perimeter screen, he will not be a huge liability.

Many of Cunningham's weaknesses stem from his size. When going up against bigger and more athletic players, he has a difficult time defending these individuals. Furthermore, he is not a great rebounder. This season he averaged just over seven rebounds per game in slightly more than 31 minutes of action. These are not good numbers for a power forwards, especially in the NBA. Cunningham has good length and technique, but his physical limitations allow for stronger players to out muscle him for rebounds.

Overall, Cunningham has shown improvement in his senior season that he did not demonstrate in the past. He may be a little undersized for the next level, but by getting him into the weight room, he should be able to develop his strength which will help out on the court. He has a good understanding for the game and the tools to be successful, but it will take time to continue developing Cunningham.

Projection: Second rounder (45-60, depending on team need). I just do not see Cunningham going undrafted. He improved drastically from his junior to senior season, which leaves me to believe he still has more room to improve. He will not contribute initially wherever he goes. He will more than likely be sent to the D-League or overseas to refine his game.

Best fit:
- Portland: after several PF and C expire this off-season, the Trailblazers will have some holes to fill in its front court. It depends if Portland wants a project or a player who is more refined.
- Minnesota: the Timberwolves already have their starting bigs next season (Love and Jefferson) and some decent depth (Cardinal, Smith, Gomes). Unless a player they just can't pass on falls to them, taking on Cunningham as a project could be interesting.
- Detroit: the Pistons are a team that should look to rebuild. The team will not win with its current roster. With Wallace, Brown and McDyess coming off the books this off-season and it being uncertain if they resign with the Pistons, I see the Pistons targeting a big man (either in free agency or the draft), but if they are looking for someone to step in immediately, Cunningham may not be the right option.

Gerald Henderson

Gerald Henderson, #15 SG, Duke
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 215 lbs

Strengths:
- Mid-range game
- Slashing abilities
- Catch and shoot
- Athletic
- Explosiveness
- Lateral quickness
- Wingspan
- Lockdown defender
- NBA type body
- Hustle
- Passing
- Rebounding
- Potential

Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent offensively
- Three-point shooting
- Creating own shot
- Changing directions with the ball

Summary:
Gerald Henderson is a freak athlete. That was the first thing I told myself the first time I saw him play as a freshman. He still continues to impress with his athletic abilities. He uses his quick first step and explosiveness to blow by defenders as he slashes towards the basket. When he makes his move, he is looking to score on a dunk, whether he gets fouled or not. This part of his game is where I have seen drastic improvement every year. He has looked to get to the rim more often throughout games, which has resulted in him making more trips to the line. When he gets to the line, he knocks down his free throws (converting on 76.1% of them this season). Henderson's mid-range game is nothing to scoff at either. He can comfortably pull up from 16'-20' out and knock down a jump shot. He is also very good at catching and shooting the basketball. His numbers do not lie; he has taken better shots this year, converting on 49% of his shot inside the arc. If Henderson does not have an open shot, he is able to find others in the offense because he is a very good passer.

There are some weaknesses in Henderson's offensive game, but nothing that can not be fixed. He is not a great three-point shooter, which is surprising because he possess nice form and elevation when he shoots. Earlier in his junior season he was converting approximately 50% of his three pointers, but that number has sense dropped off to 33.6%. He also is not great at creating his own shot. If he were to improve his ability to change directions with the ball in his hands, he may be able to create more separation and opportunities for an open shot or take better care of the ball when he slashes towards the basket.

Defensively, there is much to like about Henderson. He is a lockdown defender who possess great lateral quickness, hustle and heart. If he get beaten on the dribble, Henderson is quick enough to recover. When a shot is taken, he will challenge the shooter, and then proceed to crash the boards. He is good shot blocker and rebounder for a guard because of his wingspan and explosiveness (which allows him to get up and make a play on the ball). He can make a big difference on this end of the court, especially in the pros because of his skills, dedication and physical attributes.

Overall, Henderson is great prospect for the NBA. He has the skills, body, dedication and potential to be a solid player for many years. He is not always consistent on the offensive end of the floor, but his hustle and defensive play can certainly help almost any team looking at drafting Henderson.

Projection: mid- to late-lottery pick (7-12)

Best fit: **TBD**

Chase Budinger

Chase Budinger, #34 SG/SF, Arizona
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 218 lbs

Strengths:
- Spot up shooting
- Excellent size for a wing
- Athleticism
- Explosiveness
- Transition game
- Basketball IQ
- Offensive movement
- Three point shooting
- Unselfish

Weaknesses:
- Defensive abilities
- First step
- Ability to create own shot
- Assertiveness
- Lateral quickness
- Mid-range game
- Ball handling

Summary:
Let me start by saying that Chase Budinger is an athletic wingman (he was a dual All-State athlete in basketball and volleyball) with a strong basketball IQ. He did not really improve from his sophomore to his junior year like most expected, but he did continue to play well. He has a great sense of where he and his teammates are on the floor, where open spots are on the floor, and the ability to play in multi-speed offensive sets. All of these aspects emphasize his understanding of the game and how he can bring the best out of himself and his teammates. Budinger has many skills on the offensive end of the floor that make him a defensive nightmare. First off, he is 6'7" and plays the SG and SF positions, which is especially tall for a college wingman. He is able to use his height and athleticism to his advantage. He runs the court well in transition where he is often available for an open jump shot or ally-oop. He has great explosiveness which allows him to get up for lob passes and finish around the basket. In a half-court set, Budinger is able to find open areas on the court because he is constantly in motion. Before he starts to move to an open area, Budinger will first look to set up his defender for a backdoor cut. If he does not get the ball, he typically looks to find an open area along the perimeter. He shoots very well from behind the arc (39.9%) by either catching and shooting the ball or taking a spot up jumper. If a shot is not available, Budinger possess good court vision and passing skills to find open teammates.

Budinger does have several offensive weaknesses. First, he is an average ball handler and has a slow first step. This affects his ability to take full advantage of his athletic abilities when he looks to slash towards the basket for a layup. Second, his mid-range game is not very consistent. Third, he is does not convert well if there is contact. Fourth, I would have liked to see be more aggressive and post up smaller defenders. If he can improve these areas of his offensive game, he can certainly be a scary offensive player.

Defensively, Budinger still has room to grow because he does not always assert himself. He does not have exceptional lateral quickness to keep up with quicker defenders. Sometimes Budinger loses focus and gets out of a defensive stance, making it easier for defenders to blow by him. This leaves me to question whether he will be able to defend the better athletes at the next level. He does position himself nicely though to grab rebounds, allowing himself to use his height and athleticism to pull in boards over smaller players. Overall, he has potential on the defensive end of the court.

Considering all of his strengths and weaknesses, I believe Budinger will make a good role player in the NBA. He can do a bit of everything, but just like Tyler Smith of Tennessee, he is not great at one specific area. He has a NBA-type body and great size to play the wing position. His experience, unselfish play and offensive potential make him a promising prospect. He will more than likely not be known for his defense in the NBA, but he could be known for his offensive abilities as this is the area that I believe he has the most upside in.

Projection: mid- to late-first round (20-27)

Player comparison: Brent Barry

Best fit:
- Philadelphia: Budinger will provide outside shooting the 76ers need. He also plays into the athletic wing mentality of this team.
- Memphis: Budinger has the potential to play either the 2 or 3 in the NBA. The Grizzlies' bench is thin when it comes to a solid back up player at these positions. Budinger can step in and fill this role on a young team.

Tyler Smith

Tyler Smith, #1 SF, Tennessee
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 210 lbs

Strengths:
- Versatility
- Ideal NBA SF body
- Athleticism
- Wingspan/Length
- Slashing abilities
- Post game
- Unselfish
- Basketball IQ
- Defensive potential

Weaknesses:
- Perimeter shooting
- Mid-range game
- Dribbling
- Older than those in his class
- Does a lot well, but nothing great

Summary:
I like Tyler Smith as a ball player and as a person. While I was a student at the University of Tennessee, I had the opportunity to work with the Men's basketball program. I remember my first day there Smith walked up to me, introduced himself and said he was glad I was there to help. He was always one of the first, if not the first, on the practice court and one of the last to leave. During these times he would work on his shot, which showed his desire to work on a weaker part of his game. His teammates loved him; his coaches respected him; the office enjoyed him. All of these parties appreciated what he brought to the Vols family both on and off the court. He is a young man of high character who cares deeply for his family and those around him.

I always enjoyed watching Smith while I was at Tennessee. I found him to be an intriguing prospect. He played both the small forward and power forward positions, and he could guard multiple positions on any given night. His versatility was much needed to help be a leader for the Volunteers this season. His body and athleticism make him ideal to guard the SG, SF, and PF in college, and will definitely help at the next level. Smith is explosive, has great lateral quickness, and a great wingspan to help him either keep up with defenders, pick off passes or block shots. He does exemplify some defensive lapses, but his promise and versatility will be helpful for any NBA team.

Smith has some work to do on the offensive end of the floor. He does not shoot well from behind the arc, a skill that is important for the success of NBA wings (a career 29.5%). He has nice mechanics and a quick release, but in game play he does not always consistently release the ball at the same point, nor does he use a lot of his legs to shoot. Working on these parts of his game should help improve his shot, but you have to ask why these types of fundamentals have not been addressed.

Smith is a good slasher and post player. He is able to take the ball to the hoop, finish and get fouled (he averaged 6.5 attempts per game this season). Since he also played PF on numerous occassions, he had to develop a post game. He is fairly effective in the post, especially against smaller defenders, but he is also able to contend with stronger players. Smith does tend to do too much in both of these situations and needs to learn his limitations in these situations. He has very good court vision when he does not have the ball in his hands, and if he can understand his boundaries, he'll be able to develop his court vision with the ball. If he could work on his ball handling as well, he'd prove to be an even more effective slasher and post player.

Last year I would have put Smith as a late lottery pick. This year he did not really do anything to improve his draft stock, and may have actually hurt it. He needs to improve his perimeter shooting, work on his mid-range game and dribbling to be more of an offensive threat at the next level. His basketball IQ, versatility on the defensive end, defensive potential and his NBA-ready body will certainly interest a NBA team. As the saying goes, Smith is a jack of all traits, but a master of none. It leads me to believe that he will be a good role player that will come off the bench.

Projection: late first, early second (30-37)

Best fit: **TBD**

Jordan Hill

Jordan Hill, #43 PF, Arizona
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 235 lbs


Strengths:
- Finishing around basket
- Length/Wingspan/Size
- Athleticism/Explosiveness
- Rebounding
- Shot mechanics
- Post-up abilities
- Decent passing out of post
- Intensity
- Unselfish
- Few bad habits
- Potential

Weaknesses:
- A bit mechanical on both ends of the floor
- Defense
- Strength
- Dribbling
- Basketball IQ
- Dominating smaller/weaker players

Summary:
I do not have many opportunities to watch many west coast college basketball games because I live on the east coast, but when I have the opportunity, I try to watch a few players I have heard a little bit about. Through the first three rounds of this year's NCAA Tournament, I watched Arizona play and was able to scout Jordan Hill. I did not know a lot about him as a player, so I decided to do some background research on him. I found out he had not been playing basketball for a long time, which can be good and bad. It is good because he has not developed any bad habits. It is bad because his peers have more experience on him. Needless to say, after watching several match-ups, I walked away impressed, but I must emphasize that he is still raw with a lot of potential.

On the offensive end of the floor, Hill demonstrated on numerous occasions that he was capable of fronting his defender and providing a big target to get the ball in the post. When he catches the ball, he did not necessarily look to score first; he felt the defense to determine what was given to him. If he was double teamed or an opportunity to get to the basket did not exist, he would pass out of the post and reposition himself (but he is not a good passer). If he was in position to score, Hill would take the ball to the basket. He finished well around the basket when he did look to score. He has some decent post-up moves (nothing advanced) that allowed him to create opportunities for himself and to create contact when he shot. His free throw shooting is not great (a career average of 63.6%) and clearly has room to improve. Hill has the tools to develop a nice mid-range game as well. He has excellent shot mechanics for a guy his size, which he put on display. He challenged himself and took several shots roughly 15'-18' out, making several of the shots.

Hill did not possess good ball handling abilities, nor did he dominate his foes in the match-ups I watched. As I mentioned before, he does not have many years of experience under his belt. Spending more time around the game should help polish his offensive abilities. Improving his strength is imperative for him to dominate on not only the offensive end of the court, but the defensive side as well.

Hill has the tools to be a very good defender in the pros. He is explosive, has a great wingspan and length, and hustle. On several instances I saw Hill dive on the floor for a loose ball and fight for the ball. His explosiveness and length allow him to be a very good rebounder and shot blocker. As far as rebounding goes, Hill will follow shots on the offensive end and box out on defensive end. He goes up for the ball with both hands, and once he grabs the ball, he quickly pulls it in to protect it. These same tools help make him a good shot blocker as well. This season he averaged 1.7 bpg.

Hill's overall defense is average at best though because of his lack of fundamentals. He tends to pick up cheap fouls, especially when the team plays man-to-man, because he'll either lose sight of his defender and try to recover, tries to make a play and go for a steal or block, is to slow to rotate or provide help defense. He is athletic enough to make up for these deficiencies; he just needs to improve his defensive awareness and his already average basketball IQ.

Overall, Hill is an unselfish player with a ton of upside. He is already a good rebounder and shot blocker, but needs to improve his overall defense. He shoots the ball effectively (career 57.8% from the field) around the basket and has demonstrated that he can step out and take a 15 footer. Even though he demonstrated his scoring abilities, his offensive game is not polished. He does need work both on and off the court to get a get return on your investment. Doing so will help Hill reach his potential.

Projection: mid- to late-lottery (7-13)

Best fit:
- Oklahoma City: the Thunder's front court is fairly thin, especially after the team traded away Chris Wilcox and rescinded a deal for Tyson Chandler. If this team wants to make a push for the playoffs (like I've heard), the team will need a deeper front court. Hill's unselfishness, intensity, ability to score and rebound will allow him to step in on a young team and provide solid minutes.
- Toronto: no one is sure if Bosh is staying in Toronto. Drafting Hill could serve as an insurance policy if Bosh decides to leave in free agency or is traded away. Hill is not as prolific a scorer as Bosh is, but he does have upside on this end of the court. He also will go after rebounds.
- Charlotte: the one area the Bobcats need to look at other than a scorer is a big man. The team may not resign May or Howard this off-season, resulting in a loss of front court depth. If the Bobcats looked to draft Hill, the team would be able to get a player who could provide solid energy minutes off the bench while they look to bring him along in development.

Dionte Christmas

Dionte Christmas, #22 SG, Temple

Strengths:
- Prolific scorer
- Shooting range
- Size and length
- Defensive effort
- Lateral quickness
- Shooting mechanics
- Ability to get the the line

Weaknesses:
- Creating own shot
- Ball handling
- Movement without the ball
- Posting up smaller defenders
- Older than peers

Summary:
Dionte Christmas can flat out shoot. He has NBA-ready range that he has demonstrated night in and night out. His shooting mechanics, quick release and ability to catch and shoot makes him dangerous from anywhere on the court. He plays well in transition where he is willing to take a jump shot or take the ball straight to the basket. He understands how to get to the line, especially on the fast break. If he decides to go to the hoop, he has demonstrated that he is capable of creating contact and finishing strong. For those times he gets fouled, he goes to the line confidently to shoot (this year he converted on 75% of his free throws). He is not afraid to put the ball on the floor to create his own shot, but it is not his strength. He is at best an average ballhandler (2008-09 A/T ratio of 1) and has had the ball taken away from him by defenders. In Temple's first round game against Arizona State of the NCAA Tournament, you could find Christmas roaming the perimeter, especially in the corners, in half-court situations. This of course can be attributed to ASU's zone defense it plays, but Christmas did not necessarily look to create his shot against the defense, but rather settle for pull up jumpers.

On the defensive end of the court, Christmas exhibits good effort. He has the ability to keep his defender in front of him, help teammates as a weakside defender, fights through screens, has good lateral quickness allowing him to keep with the man he guards and has long arms which allow him to get his hands in the passing lane and pick off poorly thrown passes. Although he demonstrates good defensive qualities, I question his ability to play against the best in the NBA. Against ASU, Christmas did not guard James Harden, a player many scouts are high on. Instead, he guarded ASU's guards who will not be playing at the next level. He may not be a liability though because in several games this year Christmas was able to hold his own against other players, especially those who tried to post him up.

He has the ability and tools to play in the NBA in the long run, but in the short run he will find it tough to make it on a roster. He will more than likely be either an international or D-League player for a few years.

Projection: second round to undrafted

Best fit:
- New Orleans: can you imagine Chris Paul penetrating the lane only to kick out to Christmas for three? With a guard like Paul who would require a double team, or at the very least some defensive help to slow him down, Christmas could get plenty of open looks from downtown.
- LA Lakers: Christmas would not see much time in LA because he would be backing up the league's best SG in Kobe Bryant. I do not think Christmas is the next Kobe, but he would have the opportunity to learn from one of the game's best players. It doesn't hurt that Christmas can shoot the lights out if you give him the chance (something Kobe does well).
- Philadelphia: the 76ers have struggled shooting from deep this season. Christmas would be able to provide a presence from behind the arc, but I do think better prospects are out there the 76ers could take before Christmas.

Ty Lawson

Ty Lawson, #5 PG, North Carolina

Strengths:
- Transition play
- Lightning quick
- Ball speed
- Ball-handling skills
- Aggressive slasher
- Basketball IQ
- Finishes well around rim
- Court vision
- Passing
- Unselfish
- Defensive pressure
- A/T ratio
- Catch and shoot, especially from behind the arc
- True point guard

Weaknesses:
- Pull-up jump shot and shooting off dribble
- Playing at different game speeds?
- Size
- Defensive upside
- Legal issues

Summary:
Ty Lawson was voted as the ACC Player of the Year for a reason. Without him the Tar Heels are a completely different team. He is the engine that makes this car run; and that car runs fast. Lawson is one of the quickest, if not the quickest, player from end to end with the ball in his hands. It's one thing to be quick, but its another thing to be quick and in control. Lawson has phenomenal ball-handling skills. He can dribble with either his left or right hand, and he can change directions with simplest of ease. He combines all these skills to execute Carolina's breakneck pace and transition game. In transition, Lawson looks to take the ball right to hole, where he finishes with a high percentage. A lot of Carolina's transitions begins with Lawson. In just one year, Lawson has elevated his defensive capabilities. He pressures opposing guards to force several turnover a game. These turnovers turn into made baskets at the other end of the floor.

Since he first stepped on Carolina's campus, he has improved his shooting percentage by taking smarter shots and improving his technique. As a freshman, Lawson shot 50% overall from the floor and 35.6% from behind the arc. As a sophomore, Lawson improved these numbers to 51.5% overall and 36.1% from three. In his junior season, he has been more aggressive getting to the bucket and taking smarter shots (he has drastically improved his ability to take what the defense gives him). The result: an astounding 53.8% from the floor overall and 47.3% from three. Of course, most of Lawson's shots will either come in the form of layups or three-pointers. His increased efficiency from three leaves me to believe that Lawson still has a lot of potential when it comes to shooting, which is promising because Lawson has not shown he is willing to take a pull-up jump shot or shoot off the dribble; he would rather take the ball to the hoop. In several instances against Gonzaga in the Sweet Sixteen, Lawson did in fact take several mid-range pull-up jumpers in transition and convert. If he progresses the way he has at Carolina, it's only a matter of time before Lawson adds these other tools to his arsenal.

Lawson is a pure one guard who is capable of creating for himself and others. He has a quick first step that allows him to penetrate the lane for a layup; if he blows by his defender, it is unlikely that the defender will recover. He makes his other teammates look great in the process. Lawson always appears to know where other players are on the court. His vision and strong passing abilities allow him to get the ball to his teammates and have a higher likelihood of scoring. While he was out during the ACC Tournament, Danny Green struggled to find his shot because he was forced to create for himself. Lawson's ability to penetrate defenses and kick the ball out to open players has helped make his teammates more accurate shooters. By taking better care of the ball and finding open teammates, Lawson has improved his A/T ratio from roughly 2.5 his first two years to roughly 3.4!

There are some inherent weaknesses to Lawson's game though. First, let me start off with his size. Lawson is listed at 5'11" and 195 pounds. He is a smaller, thicker player than most of the other NBA players at his position. His poor wingspan does not help either, but Lawson makes up for his physical deficiencies with his quickness. I do question his defensive upside and ability to play at different game speeds. Lawson is most comfortable when he is allowed to let loose and play at quick pace. I have not seen him opt to slow the game down to run a half court offense. If he had things his way, I doubt he ever would, which is what makes me question how he would handle a team that preferred a half-court offense over a team which looks to play mostly in transition. Lawson is able to create for himself and others, understands the rules of the game and has demonstrated he is developing an understanding of game and floor situations, but I am most uncertain about his ability to adapt to different styles of play. His basketball IQ is amazing though, and has improved drastically since his freshman year. I'm confident in saying that if Lawson is required to run a half-court offense, he'd be more than capable of doing so; he would just prefer to play in transition.

I have heard people question Lawson's ability to take over the game in the clutch. Many times this season Lawson has single handily put his team on his back and propel them to victory. Before this season started, I would have said this part of his overall basketball IQ was weakest and needed to develop in order for Carolina to contend for a National Championship. It appears he has drastically improved this area of his game.

There is only one other item to address, and that is Lawson's off-court issues. If you don't recall, last summer Lawson was pulled over in Chapel Hill, NC and was determined that he drank and drove. This situation really hurt his draft stock last year, and I'm almost certain it was a factor in him withdrawing his name from the draft. He was not over the legal limit of 0.08 though, but he was underage. This may send off a red flag to most, and call into question his judgment, but I do not believe an event like this will be an issue in the future. I would recommend when interviewing Lawson to question him about the situation and find out what he learned.

Projection: late lottery pick to mid-first rounder (12-17). If Lawson continues to play the way he has all season and throughout the remainder of the tournament, he could very likely be the #1 point guard in this year's class.

Best fit: a team which runs an up-tempo offense
-New York: this team should be no surprise. Mike D'Antoni runs the SSOL offense in NY. What made the offense tick so nicely during his tenure in Phoenix was having a point guard, Steve Nash, who could run the up-tempo offense. This offense plays right into the strength of Lawson and can mask some of his weaknesses. His improved court vision, passing and A/T ratio demonstrates how effective he can be in NY because the Tar Heels run a similar fastbreak offense.
-Golden State: Coach Don Nelson loves to play small ball, just like D'Antoni in NY. What GS currently lacks is a pure point to run Nellie's offense. Having a player to be a distributor first who has the potential to create his own shot by driving to the basket plays well into the system.
-Phoenix: the Suns have reverted back to their old ways of run-and-gun. With Nash getting a year older and the uncertainty of his future with the team, the Suns may look at addressing the point guard issue. If the Suns want to continue running an uptempo offense, there isn't a better point guard prospect to do that than Ty Lawson. I would only see this move happening though if the Suns want to continue their current style of play, and if they may be in need of a new floor general.

Damion James

Damion James, #5 SF/PF, Texas

Strengths:

- Rebounding and crashing boards

- Runs the floor well, especially in the fast break

- Off ball IQ

- Offensive awareness

- Ability to get to the rim and finish

- Athleticism

- Lateral quickness

- Explosiveness

- Physical toughness

- Shooting mechanics

- Hustle

Weaknesses:

- Perimeter game development

- Poor footwork

- Defensive fundamentals

- Free throw shooting

Summary:

I watched Damion James in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. He is an athlete; he is explosive; he runs the court well; he has great length; he has good lateral quickness; he hustles. He uses these combination's to excel on the court. Arguably his best strength is his rebounding on both ends of the court. Words cannot express his effectiveness in this area. This season he averaged just over nine rebounds per game (6.3 defensive and 2.9 offensive), but even the times he did not end up with the ball, he was still in the post working for the rebound and causing a lost opportunity for the opposing team. He is able to do this because he has sound rebounding fundamentals. Offensively, he is not afraid to go into the post and play tough to get the rebound. His physical play allows him to grab several offensive rebounds a game, resulting in easy put backs for himself. As a matter of fact, James gets a majority of his shot attempts off of easy looks. He is able to score a bulk of his point because he is willing to either fight in the post for a rebound, run the court in transition or understand where the weaknesses and holes are in a defense and then exploit those areas. He is usually a good finisher in these types of situations if he has the ball in his hands, especially with contact. His free throw shooting has little to be desired. He uses relatively no legs in his shot, relying mainly on his upper body strength. Tweaking his form may result in a higher free throw shooting percentage.

While James’ athleticism has helped him excel, it has also allowed for some glaring weaknesses to develop. His defensive fundamentals are not as strong as one would like to see because he relies on his athleticism to keep up with opposing players. He has a tendency to gamble on defense and reach out for a steal or go for a shot fake, as well as poor footwork. He will not be able to get away with this at the next level simply because of the caliber of athlete he will be facing. He has shown a commitment to rebounding fundamentals, so it is not out of the realm of possibilities to think he can improve his defensive fundamentals.

On the offensive side of the ball, James needs to continue to develop his perimeter game because he will more than likely have to play small forward in the NBA. His shooting from deep has digressed from last season (down from 41.3% to 32.6%) which has left me a bit unimpressed, but it does tell me one thing. James benefits when he has a playmaker who is able to get him open looks. In his sophomore season when he shot 41.3% from behind the arc, he had DJ Augustin (now a Charlotte Bobcat) facilitating the offense. This year he did not have that type of penetrating guard to get him many open looks. A combination of an Augustin-type point guard and his good shooting mechanics would be ideal, but James should continue to work on this aspect of his game.

Overall, James is a great prospect. I would not be surprised to see him at least “test the waters” in this year’s NBA Draft. He has good upside, and as long as he works on his weaknesses, he should be able to develop into a decent role player.

Projection: early- to mid-second round

Best Fit:

- Toronto: the Raptors have Marion signed through the end of the season. He filled the role of an athletic slasher that the team needed. It is yet to be seen if the Raptors will re-sign Marion though. If the team decides not to, it will need another slasher-type player. As I mentioned, James can fill this role, but would still need time to develop his perimeter game.

- Sacramento: let’s be honest, this team could go in many different directions. As it stands, the team already has some scorers on its team in Martin, Garcia, Thompson, and Nocioni. Having a player who is willing to clean up is a plus. Though he’s a bit undersized, he is still scrappy enough to go in the post and clean up. If the team gets a PG in the first round, look for the Kings to target a player who can play in the post (or vice versa). James could play in the post, but is better suited for the wing.

- Houston: James is a smart player who get a lot of his points on easy opportunities. All teams love those types of players. The one area he needs to improve is his defense. There wouldn't be a better place to learn perimeter defense from here. The team has Shane Battier, and if the team can re-sign him, Ron Artest, arguably two of the best perimeter defenders in the game. I'm sure Morey has been using his analytics to evaluate this prospect.

- Washington: the Wizards' roster has only one true SF on it. He is Caron Butler. The Wizards will should look at drafting an athletic wingman. With James' ability to read defenses and exploit its holes, rebound, and get easy baskets, the Wizards may take a serious look at James. The team will be better once Gilbert Arenas comes back from injury, but as it stands, they are the worst team in the Souteast Division and need help wherever the team can get it.

Marcus Thornton

Marcus Thornton, #5 SG, LSU

Strengths:
- Perimeter shooting
- Driving to the basket
- Offensive rebounding
- Screen usage
- Lateral Quickness
- Offensive movement
- Defensive hands

Weaknesses:
- Undersized SG at NBA level
- Left-handed dribbling
- Creating own shot
- Defensive fundamentals
- Unpolished mid-range game

Summary:
I watched Marcus Thornton play against Butler and North Carolina in the first and second rounds of this year's NCAA Tournament. He is a pure shooter. There is no other way to put it. He is capable of putting up huge numbers when he has the ball in his hands. In both games, Thornton moved well without the ball in his hands. He utilized the staggered screens that the LSU offense established to get him open. Once he received the ball, he was ready to shoot. He has beautiful shot mechanics that make him lethal from virtually anywhere on the floor. Many of his shots were contested by the defense, but his quick release allowed him to get his shots off. His field goal percentage is up (47.2%) from his junior season (43.6%) because he has improved his shooting selection, just another reason for teams to a good look at him.

Thornton also was not afraid to put the ball on the floor and go straight to the basket. Though it is not his strength, especially dribbling to his left, he would still continue to drive. He was able to draw contact in these situations allowing him to get to the line.

What was most exciting to see was Thornton effort elsewhere on the court. He was banging around in the low post to get the offensive rebound (averaging two offensive boards a game). It seems rare to find a shooting guard who is willing to battle it out in the post to grab an offensive board, but this is exactly Thornton's mentality. It helped his team increase the number of second chance points in both games. He also improved his assist-to-turnover ratio from his junior season (currently 1.17, up from 0.62). This improvement is huge because he is creating twice as many opportunities for his teammates this year for every turnover he has.

There are a few weaknesses in Thornton's offensive game. LSU's offense is geared for him to succeed. The team sets many staggered screens for him to run off of. He may not be put into an offense that is willing to do the same for him at the NBA level. Because of the current system he is in he needs to improve two things. First, his shooting percentage declines when he is forced to score off the dribble. He is more effective as a jump shooter, and if he wants to excel at the next level, he will need to improve his abilities to create his own shot and finish. Second, his mid-range game is not polished. As I said before, he has a very good shot, especially from behind the arc, but he does need to work on his mid-range shot.

Thornton does a pretty good job on the defensive end of the court. He exhibits good effort on this end of the court. He stays in a defensive stance, does a good job of keeping his defender in front of him, and playing physically. His lateral quickness allows him to keep up with an offensive player pretty easily as well. Thornton has a good wingspan for a shooting guard, which allows him to get his hand in the passing lane. He needs to hone his defensive fundamentals though. I saw Thornton fall for ball fakes and unsuccessfully go for steals several times throughout both games.

Although Thornton is a bit undersized to play the SG, but he has many strong qualities and upside that can help many NBA teams. He had a strong showing this year in the SEC Conference and the NCAA Tournament that can only help his draft stock.

Projection: late first, early second round (28-36)

Player Comparison: poor man's Richard Hamilton

Best Fit:
- Philadelphia: the 76ers are the worst three point shooting team in the league (currently 32.1%). That's no secret. Finding a scorer in this year's draft will be important if they do not decide to pursue one in free agency. Out of all of these teams, I believe Philadelphia could be the best fit. He's a team player, committed on both sides of the ball and can shoot very well from behind the arc.
- Charlotte: the Bobcats need a go to scorer, especially in the clutch, but can he fill that role? I think he can fill that role for the Bobcats, at least temporarily, until the team can find that marquee player in the future.
- Detroit: Richard Hamilton is getting older and I'm not sure how much longer he can keep going at the pace he does. I see many similarities between Thornton and Hamilton's game and believe that Thornton could help give Hamilton a breather, and the team can continue to run screens to get Thornton open.
- Oklahoma City: this could be an interesting fit. Thornton could be a nice complimentary scorer next to Durant, or coming off the bench and providing a spark. I doubt OKC takes him though because the team already has several back court players.

Eric Maynor

Eric Maynor, #3 PG, VCU

Strengths:
- Great shooting range
- Speed with ball
- Floater in lane
- GREAT court vision
- Ability to control tempo
- Driving and creating contact
- Quickness
- Playmaking for self and teammates
- Mid-range game

Weaknesses:
- Defensive commitment
- Slower shot release for a scorer
- Tendency to do too much on offense
- Size and strength

Summary:
Eric Maynor first caught my eye when he played against Duke in the 2007 NCAA tournament. If you don't recall, that was the game where he hit the game winner to beat Duke in the first round. Since that game, he has not been a disappointment. Most recently, I watched his VCU Rams take on the UCLA Bruins in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament. I left very impressed.

I quickly noticed how comfortable Maynor looked with the ball in his hands. He demonstrated that he could change his speed with the ball in his hands at the drop of a dime. He was comfortable dribbling with both his right or his left, although it was apparent he preferred his right, depending on what the defense gave him. Maynor was very capable of reading the UCLA defense and taking advantage of what the defense gave him. He would pull up and make a NBA range three pointer on one possession or drive the lane. When he was able to penetrate, he was able to take advantage and execute many different options. He would dish the ball to an open teammate for a shot, pull up for a mid-range jumper, shoot a floater in the lane or take it in for a layup. Although his floater (and most other shots) was not falling on this night, I have seen him make this shot numerous times before. If Maynor opted to take the ball to the rack, he showed he could create contact and still get the shot off. If he was fouled, he would step to the line and make his free throws.

Maynor is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He is capable of getting shots for himself or other teammates because of his court vision. He has a great ability to find others on the court, especially when he is double-teamed. This allows for open shots for his teammates. To go along with his offensive awareness, Maynor is capable of controlling a games tempo. Against UCLA, he was able to run a half-court offense several possessions, only to execute a fast-paced offense the next possession. These abilities alone make him a promising NBA talent.

He has several weaknesses on the offensive side of the ball. He has a tendency to do too much with the ball in his hands. He can do too much with his dribble, causing him to get into trouble and taking questionable shots. When the ball is not in his hands, he is more apt to standing somewhere along the perimeter. He has the quickness to maneuver around screens to get open in a Richard Hamilton-esque fashion though. This is especially beneficial because he does not have the most consistent or quickest release for a scorer. If he becomes more willing to move without the ball, he'll get more open looks for himself and others. If he puts on some more muscle, it will only making him better.

Maynor is at his best in the clutch. As in the Duke game in 2007, the conference championship game against George Mason, or against UCLA this year, he wants the ball in his hands. He took the game winning shot against Duke; he elevated his defensive intensity against George Mason; he wanted the final shot against UCLA. I have attached a video clip that demonstrates Maynor's ability to elevate his game in the clutch.



Maynor finished his career with a field goal percentage of 44.9%. He improved his scoring average every year at VCU, but most importantly, he demonstrated he can take care of the ball by posting an assist to turnover ratio of 2.12/1 (which may have been higher if his team did not require him to score more).

Maynor's biggest weakness is his defense. He is very lackadaisical on this end of the floor. He typically is not set in a defensive stance and often relies on reaching in an attempt to steal the ball from the offense rather than play solid defense on and off the ball. He seldom fought through a screen against UCLA, relying more on his teammates for defensive help. It would be nice to see him cut down on these poor defensive behaviors. If he can dedicate himself on this side of the floor he could potentially be a starter in the league. The only time he really elevates his defensive intensity is during crunch time. It shows that he is capable of playing good defense, but it may take being challenged by coaches or teammates to get him to commit to these types of behaviors.

Projection: mid- to late- first round (15-25)
Update: I originally projected Maynor as a mid- to late-first rounder. I think that their is a strong likelihood that Maynor will slide into the second round. I doubt he falls beyond the mid-40s.

Best fit:
- Atlanta: this would be an interesting fit. The Hawks passed over Chris Paul who would have been a perfect fit for the team. Since then, they have tried drafting other PG's, mainly in the second round, to fill the void. It has not been very successful for them. They looked poised to re-sign Bibby to a new contract this off-season. He fits their team perfectly, but getting a backup may prove to be important, especially come playoffs time. The team has a nice young core they are building around in Smith, Williams, Horford, and Johnson. By bringing in a guard with Maynor's skill set, he can have the opportunity to learn from the veteran Bibby and grow with the team's young core.
- Philadelphia: at the moment, the 76ers are in limbo at the point guard position. Andre Miller is an expiring contract, and it is uncertain if he will resign (some reports say he will, others say he will not). Lou Williams has been reported to be the next guy in line, but he plays better as an off guard. Maynor is a better facilitator than Williams. He could step in and serve as a backup until he learned more about the game at the NBA level and then step in fulltime. He would also be able to stretch defenses with his shooting.
- Sacramento: just as I mentioned in my report about Jonny Flynn, Maynor could step into the Kings young rotation. Maynor has the ability to create for himself and others around him, something that would be beneficial for a young, rebuilding team.

Tyler Hansbrough

Tyler Hansbrough, #50 PF, North Carolina

Strengths:
- Continual improvement of shooting range every year
- Back to basket scoring
- Post moves/Footwork
- Ability to get to the free throw line and convert
- Hook shot
- Strong intangibles
- Physical toughness
- Winning mentality
- Work ethic
- Coachable

Weaknesses:
- Passing out of the post
- Passing skills
- Lateral quickness
- Explosiveness
- Undersized for PF position in the NBA
- Wingspan
- Ball-handling skills
- Lower ceiling than most other prospects – older than class of peers

Summary:
Tyler Hansbrough is the one player I’m most excited about scouting. I had the privilege of watching Hansbrough play his first two seasons at UNC while I was still an undergraduate student. Since my time there, he has gone on to break the Carolina scoring and rebounding records, and he is soon to pass JJ Redick’s ACC scoring record. He was not the most athletic player on the team then, and he still is not. He’s not a fancy player to watch, but he gets the job done. He plays the game with a high level of intensity and always makes it a point to work harder than the next player on the court.

Hansbrough wants the ball in his hands every time UNC is on the offensive end. Over his four year career, he has built up a nice arsenal of post moves. He has worked on his footwork, but he still is prone to traveling. He has developed a nice hook shot and extended his shooting range to include a three point shot (currently shooting 47.4%, an improvement for a player who only focused his early career around the basket). He looks more comfortable and confident when pulling up for a shot from the mid-range out. He still relies heavily on his “push” shot in the post, something that will not be nearly as successful at the next level with bigger, stronger, and more athletic individuals guarding him.

Hansbrough works best with his back to the basket. In these situations, he utilizes his hook and push shots. He works best in these situations because he embraces contact. He is a physical player who is looking to get fouled, put up a shot and convert his free throws (he currently is shooting 85.6%, a very good number for a big man) every time he gets the ball in the post. His aggressive play can get him in trouble though. Many teams will double down on Hansbrough in hopes of slowing him down. In many situations, it would be best for Hansbrough to pass the ball back out to a perimeter player for either a shot or to reposition himself and look for the ball again. He is not very good at passing out of the post, especially when he is double teamed. Of course, his passing skills in general are not great and need work.

Hansbrough’s hard-nose style benefits him on the defensive end of the floor. It is tough to back him down in the post, and he rarely leaves his feet on ball fakes. He is a very efficient rebounder, relying on his positioning to grab lose balls. He has improved his perimeter defense, but he lacks lateral quickness. For him to play against more athletic big men, it will be imperative for Hansbrough to improve this facet of his game.

Will he be the best player to come out of this draft class? Probably not. He has a lower ceiling than most of the prospects in his draft class because of his age. Although his ceiling may not be as high, you know exactly what you are getting with Hansbrough, and I can guarantee this: very few players will out hustle him. He has a strong desire to do the best job he can when he’s on the court. He wants to win, and will do whatever is necessary of him to achieve that goal. A case in point, he returned for his senior year at UNC to win a national championship. He is a very coachable player with a strong work ethic, toughness, and strong intangibles.

Projection: late first round to early second round (28-34)

Player Comparison: David Lee/Luis Scola

Best fit:
- While he could be inserted onto most rosters and perform at a high level, based on the recent history of one team, I believe Hansbrough could step in and become a player fans would embrace. That team is the Indiana Pacers. The Palace Brawl could have happened yesterday in many fans minds. With his strong work ethic, morals and ability to maintain composure after numerous hard fouls and attempts to provoke him, the Pacers could use that kind of character to boost the image of the team.

DeJuan Blair

DeJuan Blair, #45 PF, University of Pittsburgh

Stengths:
- Plays bigger than what he really is due to his tough, physical play and 7'3" wingspan
- Uses his body well in the post on both the offensive and defensive ends
- Dominant player around the basket, very effective at rebounding using both hands
- Very efficient scorer averaging 15.6 ppg on 59.9% shooting
- Improved post game - soft hands, solid hook shot
- Capable of using either hand in the post

Weaknesses:
- Undersized PF by NBA standards
- Lacks explosiveness around the rim, resulting in several blocked shots per game
- Limited awareness of his positioning in the post
- Defensive liability, especially along the perimeter
- Can get into foul trouble fairly easily because of his physical style
- Does not appear to challenge himself to develop a short- to mid-range game

Summary:
DeJuan Blair is a 265 pound, 6'7" power forward. He is an undersized power forward by NBA standards, but several undersized power forward have performed well at the NBA level (Paul Millsap, Carlos Boozer, just to name a few). His lack of height and explosiveness makes it fairly easy for defenders to block his shots on the defensive end of the court, as well as shot over him on the offensive end of the court. There is no denying his strength and wingspan though. These attributes allow him to make up for some of his physical and athletic shortcomings. With a 7'3" wingspan, a knack for the ball and his strength, Blair is capable of grabbing rebounds with ease, doing so with both hands. He uses these three attributes to clear room and position himself for the rebound.

As far as his defensive abilities, Blair needs more work. In Pitt's four losses this year, Blair has found himself in foul trouble, fouling out in three of the four games. There are two reasons. First, he relys on his tough, gritty play, which may result in some fouls. Second, if there is a defensive switch and Blair is guarding along the perimeter, he is a liability. He is simply not quick enough.

Blair has shown improvement in his offensive production from his freshman to his sophmore year. In the same number of minutes per game, Blair is averaging four more points per game (11.6 ppg as a freshman, 15.6 ppg as a sophmore) on 59.9% shooting (up from 53.7% his freshman year). He has developed softer hands and the ability to use either hand to put the ball on the floor or to score. These improvements have resulted in an effective 6' hook shot in the paint. Unfortunately, Blair sometimes is unaware of his post presence, posting upbelow the lower block. When he makes a post move, he has found himself directly underneath the backboard where he has been known to force a shot. His offensive improvements are nice, but it would be nice to see him develop a short- to mid-range shot.

Projection: mid- to late- first rounder

Best fit:
- San Antonio Spurs: bringing in a young post player would be smart for the Spurs because it would allow Blair exposure to Tim Duncan, one of the best power forwards to play the game. Duncan's playing window is diminishing and it will be necessary for the team to begin looking for and grooming his replacment. San Antonio's half court offensive style could utilize Blair's strengths.
- Utah Jazz: Jerry Sloan's pick and roll offense has always revolved the PG and PF positions. Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap have both been on the receiving end of passes from Deron Williams lately. Both players have been able to finish rather effectively. With the uncertainty of whether Boozer will opt out and become a free agent, drafting a player like Blair could be a smart move. Blair plays a similar style of basketball to Boozer, and may be capable of filling a void if Boozer does indeed opt out.

Jonny Flynn

Jonny Flynn, #10 PG, Syracuse University

Jonny Flynn has built on an impressive freshman campaign at Syracuse University. He has increased his scoring average from 15.7 ppg to 17.7 ppg, as well as his assists average from 5.3 apg to 6.7 apg while only averaging slightly less than two more minutes per game. It's good to see these numbers increase with the insignificant increase in playing time.

Flynn is listed as a 170 pound, 6'0 point guard. That's short folks, especially for the prototypical NBA point guard. His athleticism, quickness and explosiveness make up for his lack size, allowing him to penetrate the lane. As a smaller guard, penetrating into the lane and finishing around the basket can result in numerous fouls on opposing teams. This is his strength. What is his strength also happens to be his weakness. He is an absolutely explosive guard, capable of beating defenders with his first step. He definitely isn't scared. He knows he will more than likely get fouled as he goes up for his shot in the lane. He's looking to get fouled as he seeks out the body of the defenders. When he penetrates the lane though, he is too focused on getting to the rim. His tunnel vision impairs his ability to assess what the defense gives him. Once he is in the air he tends to either get blocked or tries to pass the ball to a fellow a teammate. This is the result of many of turnovers. Also, he is a relatively poor shooter from behind the arc, where he is only shooting 33% this season. In his short college career, from what I've been able to gather, he is a durable player (just recently he played in 67 of 70 minutes in the six overtime thriller against UConn. That's a lot of minutes, especially to play the way he plays).

Due to his lack of size, he will have to play the PG position in the pros. He isn't a natural point, but he has improved his abilities of reading the defense, setting up his teammates, and working the pick-and-roll. His improvement suggests that he can be capable of running the point at the next level.

Flynn has had an impressive Big East Tournament where he has helped carry Syracuse past Marquette, Connecticut, and West Virginia. Though he may be an undersized guard by NBA terms, he is definitely athletic enough to play at the next level. He needs to continue his play into the NCAA Tournament to show scouts he is capable of playing at the next level.

Strengths: Solid mid-range game; quickness, first step; improved offensive awareness and production

Needs to improve: Shot selection; decision-making; turnovers; defensive intensity

Projected draft position: Late first rounder to early second rounder

Updated draft position: mid- to late first rounder (16-26)

Best fit(s):

- Sacramento: with only one signed PG on the roster after this season (Beno Udrih) and a young team clearly in the rebuilding phase and trying to find its identity, a player like Flynn could be what this team is looking for. Sacramento has several players with really good range that he could distribute the ball to after penetrating, and the team also has some young talent in the front court that Flynn could distribute to as well.

- Orlando: clearly he would be the third option on this team behind Jameer Nelson and Raefer Alston, but Orlando has a team of perimeter shooters that Flynn would be able to dish out to when he penetrates the lane and Dwight Howard to throw ally-oops to or for clean up.