Draft Workouts: Quotes - May 30, 2006
Tony Barone Sr. speaks with the press about today's workout.
Sean O'Daniels/Grizzlies.com
The Memphis Grizzlies opened their second week of pre-draft workouts at the practice court at FedExForum today. In working out for the Grizzlies were Michigan State center Paul Davis, UCLA center Ryan Hollins, George Washington forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Denver center Yemi Nicholson. The players went through drills led by Director of Player Personnel Tony Barone, Sr. Here’s what they had to say afterwards.
Tony Barone, Sr.:
On today’s workout:
“
Today we brought in some different players. We’ve had mostly guards in, I think we’ve had nine combo or point guards in, and today we started this week with some fives and fours. So the workouts are a little bit different in that it becomes a little bit more physical in what we’re trying to see. The biggest difference between playing the five or the four on the college level and then coming into the NBA is that you still have to be able to make that 15-foot shot, unless you’re Shaq. So that’s one of the things we want to find out about these guys. And then the second part of it is, the consistent banging and the effort on the glass is something we want to see. A lot of times on the college level they can overwhelm the players they play against, they can just go in there and muscle in and get it done. We want to see what kind of effort they have, the constant go to the glass more than once. That’s why every drill we do, even if you’re on defense, you have to put the ball back in because we want to see that consistency of effort.”
“These guys did a good job. I always worry about the bigger guys because we tend to probably work them a little bit harder than they’re prepared for when they come into the workout, and they really picked the effort up today as the workout went on.”
On if they have a better idea of who will be available at 24:
“
We’re at the same point we were in at the beginning of these workouts. Did you think Toronto was going to get the ping pong ball? No, nobody thought that. I don’t know who is going to be there now. This is a different draft because these younger players, these underclassmen, a lot of them are going to end up playing in Orlando (at the pre-draft camp). That’ll be a first. Normally you don’t have as many underclassmen, so they’ll make a decision based on how they play in Orlando as to whether they stay in the draft. There’s a whole bunch of issues we’re going to have to face as we prepare for the draft, it’s just a wide open draft.”
“I think the lower the pick, the more the potential, as far as what you’re going to find. Now having said that, (Carlos) Boozer was a second round pick, Delonte West was a 24th pick in the draft, Brian Cook was a 24th pick in the draft, Josh Howard was a lower pick in the draft, so you just never know. You just have to do your research and you have to be convinced with your scouting staff that you’ve done your homework and you have a good evaluation of the players.”
On looking for a center in the draft:
“
We’ve done that each year and it’s been a struggle for us to get that kind of a player, so we keep investigating and maybe our standards have to change a little bit. Maybe we don’t have to have a seven-footer. Maybe we need a 6-8, 6-9 guy that’s going to bang and go after it that way. I think we have one in Lawrence Roberts, I think he’s going to be a good player for us. We’re just going to keep investigating and see what happens.”
On if Ryan Hollins is ready for the NBA:
“
Most of these guys, when you say ‘ready’, ready means, can they compete in this league? And yeah, they can compete in this league. You have to have skill in this league, and this kid is a world class athlete…He’s a guy that because of his athleticism is an intriguing prospect. As you know, he barely played at the beginning of this year and then as time wore on he got better and better and better and at the end of the year he was a very good college basketball player. And that’s the other theory I have with big kids, which is, you can not make a decision on a big guy after a year. You have to give that big guy some time to develop, especially on the college level where he comes in and he’s gangly and raw and hasn’t had a whole lot of coaching from a teaching standpoint until he got to college. That’s the next part of the development for these guys.”
Paul Davis:
On what he can bring to a team:
“
I think that especially this past season my shot has definitely improved, I think I’m the kind of guy that can stretch the defense, play the power forward spot, kind of feed off the center, be able to step out to 18 feet and force the double team to make a decision if they’re going to double the post or not. I think that’s really helped me this past season and will help me in the future.”
On being brought in to by the Grizzlies for a workout:
“It felt great. I got in last night, just seeing the city, the new arena, new everything around here, it would be a great, great place. The coaches and personnel are unbelievable. I think it would be a great fit and I was just thankful to come here and have the opportunity to work out.”
On working out in front of Jerry West:
“
You try to pretend he’s just another guy but being not necessarily from his generation it’s kind of hard to think about everything he’s done not just for the NBA but for the game of basketball. It’s more of an exciting feeling and not necessarily a nervous feeling because having one of the greats watch you and critique your game is helpful.”
On the possibility of being drafted by the Grizzlies:
“
I think it would be a great fit. Just being here for a day, the facilities, the coaches, the personnel running the team, I think it would be a great fit. An up and coming team, definitely I’d be happy to be a part of that and making this one of the top teams in the league.”
Ryan Hollins:
On being in Memphis after UCLA defeated the Tigers in the NCAA Tournament:
“
I was in a restaurant yesterday and I saw a (University of) Memphis sign up there and I kind of hid. But this is a great town, a great environment to be in.”
On today’s workout:
“
I feel I did ok. I don’t think I shot the ball too well, but I played hard and gave a good effort.”
On the advice Jerry West gave him after the workout:
“
He gave me very helpful advice on my shot, pivoting, telling me basketball is a game of skill and using angles to get to the basket, and just being prepared to score.”
On the possibility of being drafted by the Grizzlies:
“
It would be a dream, coming here with Jerry West and the team, just learning so much, just a great opportunity to grow as a player and get the most out of my ability.”
On where he thinks he’ll be drafted:
“
I’m just focused on these workouts and doing my best and preparing myself for the next workout. I haven’t paid too much mind to it, I’m just working hard ever day.”
On his improved play in the second half of last season:
“
(It was) Just growing as a player and establishing myself as one of the leaders on our team, really just bringing things together as a senior. Our team chemistry was great, the guys were great off the court and on the court we really learned a lot last season.”
“It was definitely playing hard every night, listening to my coaches and everything took care of itself. Just playing, getting experience and confidence on the floor and it really took off, not just my confidence but the team’s.”
On what he brings to a team:
“
I like to run, I like to get up and down the court. Since I’ve played basketball I’ve always been defensive-minded, and the sky’s the limit, just learning everything I can do. But the Grizzlies are definitely a great team, very skilled big men, athletic, can move, they have Hakim Warrick who’s a great athlete, and there’s definitely more room for height and athleticism.”
