2007 NBA Draft Preview: The Perimeter Players
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1. COREY BREWER (6-8 SF, JR. Florida)
WHY: Quick, rangy, and tremendously versatile, the explosive-yet-smooth Brewer, a two-time national champion, was voted the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament last March. Also an exceptional defender at anywhere from the “one” to “four” spots -- with his extremely long limbs he takes up amazing space and appears to be all over the floor -- his game is often compared to Scottie Pippen’s.WHY NOT: Brewer’s handle can be a bit shaky and his outside shot (only 33.6 per cent in treys last year) tends to be streaky rather than pure.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: 3-10
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2. JEFF GREEN (6-8 SF, Jr., Georgetown)
WHY: A nonpareil clutch hustler, the smart, unselfish, and fundamentally oh-so-sound Green is the ultimate “good things happen whenever he touches the ball” player. This guy, whether he’s high in the rebounding stratosphere or scrounging on the floor, WILL get you extra possessions by the bushel.WHY NOT: Though an unquestioned winner, the rap on Green is that he does everything well but nothing great.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: Should be the clear third pick after the Big Two but more likely will go 5-10.
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3. JULIAN WRIGHT (6-8 SF, Soph. Kansas)
WHY: With his exceptional “length”, extra-athletic body, and vast versatility, Wright’s long-term potential is practically unlimited.WHY NOT: He’s still a bit raw at this point, with no range on his perimeter shot.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: 5-10
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4. NICK YOUNG 6-6, (SG-SF, Jr, USC)
WHY: One of the real risers of the post-season workouts, Young is a legitimate big time scorer with a these-days-rare educated in-between game. He has been compared to Paul Pierce.WHY NOT: Sill must work on defense.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: 6-14
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5. THADDEUS YOUNG (6-8 SF, Fr, Georgia Tech)
WHY: A smooth-yet-explosive physical southpaw with a tremendous upside, the just-turned-19 Young is a versatile scorer who can ably defend three spots.WHY NOT: Still must work on handle and finishing moves with right hand.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION:10-20
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6. RODNEY STUCKEY (6-5 SG, Soph, Eastern Washington)
WHY: A dangerous combo guard who has filled it up practically at will at the mid-major level, Stuckey -- compared to Dwyane Wade by some scouts -- could pose serious match-up problems for any defense.WHY NOT: Though a fabulous scorer (24.6 ppg, last season), Stuckey is not particularly adept as a three point shooter. Then there are those questions regarding the level of competition he’s faced in the Big Sky Conference.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: Low lottery to 20.
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7. DERRICK BYARS (6-7 SG-SF, Sr.,Vanderbilt)
WHY: The SEC Player of the Year is a superb open court athlete -- not to mention a warrior with a huge heart. Not at all coincidentally, he’s had elite games against national champion Florida over the past two years. A premiere passer (116 assists last year as a forward), Byars also excels on the “D”.WHY NOT: An all-court player, Byars may lack an obvious “true position” in the pros.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: Low lottery to 25.
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8. MORRIS ALMOND (6-6 SG, Sr., Rice)
WHY: Silky Conference USA Player of the Year can REALLY gun it from long range (26.4 ppg, 48.3 per cent fg. 45.6 in treys), hence might be able to fill No. 1 Knicks need. Almond is also an excellent rebound-er.WHY NOT: Is he enough of an athlete to get that smoothie of a shot off at the NBA level?
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: 17-25
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9. DAEQUAN COOK (6-5 SG, Fr, Ohio State)
WHY: Outstanding three-point shooter (41.5 per cent) with a lightning release and long limbs. Runs willingly in the open court, finishes strong, and also rebounds well.WHY NOT: Another player the Knicks may be looking at, Cook has just turned 20 years old and may take some time to mature.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: 17-25
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10. MARCO BELINELLI (6-5 SG, Italy)
WHY: A natural slash-er who, at times, can really fill it up with range as well, the 21-year old Belinelli was one of the outstanding talents at last year’s World Championships.WHY NOT: Still must prove he owns NBA-quickness and smooth out sometimes streaky outside shot.
PROBABLE DRAFT POSITION: 18-30
OF POSSIBLE KNICKS INTEREST:
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WILSON CHANDLER (6-8 SF, Soph, De Paul)
A fluid athlete and explosive leap-er who, according to insiders, has REALLY impressed Knicks President and Head Coach Isiah Thomas with his excellent workout. A solid rebound-er and defender, Chandler’s perimeter stroke -- not a natural part of his arsenal originally -- is developing nicely as well.NEXT BEST:
Rudy Fernandez (6-6 SG, Spain), Marcus Williams, (6-7 SF, Soph, Arizona), Alando Tucker (6-6 SF, Sr. Wisconsin), Arron Afflalo (6-5 SG, Jr. UCLA), Dominic McGuire (6-8 SF, Jr. Fresno State), Petteri Koponen (6-4 SG, Finland), Reyshawn Terry (6-7 SF, Sr, North Carolina), Demetris Nichols (6-8 SF, Sr. Syracuse), Renaldas Seibutis (6-5 SG, Lithuania), Jared Dudley (6-7 SF, Sr. Boston College), D. J. Strawberry (6-5 SG, Sr. Maryland), Trey Johnson (6-5 SG, Sr. Jackson State).
