Andrea Bargnani is a very skilled big man that possesses a lot of the same skills as Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk has become successful with the use of his out side jumper, shot off the dribble, and taking his man one on one. Andrea has shown this same potential overseas. From watching some of his clips during international play, you can tell he has that range on his jumper, and can consistently beat his man to the hoop. Andrea may be affected in this league by his lack of strength and toughness. He tends to get pushed around a lot down on the low blocks, and really needs to start working on getting in position for rebounds. I think Andrea will have a good career in the NBA, but I don’t think he will be on the level of Dirk. He will never be the same MVP caliber player that Dirk is, but I do see him as an All Star multiple times during his NBA career.
Of all the players in the draft, I think that Lamarcus Aldridge has the highest ceiling. Aldridge is a guy that reminds me a lot of Chris Bosh. Both players are athletic, run the floor well for there size, can score in the low post, nice range on there jumpers, and can block shots. One thing Lamarcus doesn’t posses is that nastiness that you see in a lot of NBA big men, and tends to become real soft against bigger defenders. This side of Lamarcus reminds me of Mark Blount because of the fact that he doesn’t play to his potential, and tends to settle on his jumper much to often. I can see Lamarcus as being the best player from this draft. You can see he’s got some work to do, but he already has a nice set of skills that will do him well in the NBA. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Lamarcus as a superstar in this league a few years down the road.
Adam Morrison is a guy I have come to love over the past year or so. I love how this kid plays with such a big heart. Anytime you see a guy with a passion for the game, mixed with the intangibles he has, you know they will be successful. I can’t help but compare Adam to the like of Larry Bird. If you look at the way Larry played, with such heart, inspired others to play with his same intensity, a vocal leader, knew the game more then anyone else on the floor, great jump shot, nice passing skills, and a loved some good competition, you see all of this is Adam’s game. I’m not saying that Adam will live up to Larry’s legacy, and probably won’t even make the Hall of Fame for that matter, but he will be a very special player over the course of his career. Multiple All Star game appearances, some MVP caliber seasons, a scoring title or two, and my pick for this year’s Rookie of the Year are what I see in Adam Morrison.
Of the top five picks, I see Tyrus Thomas being the biggest flop. When I look at him, I see Stro Swift written all over. Both of them are good for a top ten highlight with their abilities to block shots and dunk, but neither will be very big impact players. If Tyrus is to be successful in this league it is going to take a lot of work on his part. First and foremost he needs to bulk up. 215 pounds at the power forward position is not going to boast well for you in the NBA. Also, he must work on developing his low post moves, especially in a system like
Chicago’s. A lot of Tyrus’ points cam off fast break buckets, and put back slams. However
Chicago doesn’t get out on the run like his team did at LSU, therefore he will see very little fast break opportunities, so scoring in a half court set should be a big concern for him. Those put back dunks will also become very difficult in the NBA because now he’s playing on a level where most guys know how to get in position, and rebound. I see Tyrus as more of a guy that comes off the bench and give you a boost of energy, rather then a guy that will make a big impact in a starter’s role.
Shelden Williams is also a guy that I have come to love ever since he has stepped foot onto NCAA hardwood. I love the toughness, and competitiveness he brings to the table. Unlike the other big men in the top five picks, Shelden Williams is the enforcer when it comes to playing on the low block. He has terrific size, strength, and readiness for the NBA. With his ability to block shots, rebound, defend on the ball and the weak side, score in the low blocks, a see a PJ Brown type player in him, with a better ability to block shots. PJ is a guy that can defend the blocks real well, just like Shelden. Shelden however brings better protection for the weak side, which showed in college when he was able to block 3.5 shots per game in his junior and senior years. This kid will be able to step in and make a bigger impact right off the bat then any of the other big men listed in the top five. Shelden will probably make a trip or two to the All Star game, but he will never be the superstar potential that a lot of the other big men have. I think Shelden will become elite shot block, and rebounder in the NBA, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Shelden consistently leading the league in rebounds some two three years down the road.
