A Draft Analysis
This analysis compares UNC Power Forward Tyler Hansbrough and Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair. Most project Blair to be off the board by the end of the lottery and Hansbrough as a late first round to mid second round choice. Who's the better prospect? I'm not sold on Blair's draft status as being much higher than Hansbrough.
College Success. Despite Hansbrough's incredible accomplishments in college, many feel his skill set won't translate well to the NBA game. Adm. Sax is not one of those many. It is hard to find a more decorated college player than Tyler Hansbrough. Blair was a first-team All-American by most accounts of people who matter. However, Blair had relatively no tournament success. The edge is obviously to Hansbrough, but luckily for Blair this category means very little to predicting NBA success. Advantage: HANSBROUGH
Size. This is all the rave, because as many people tell me on the television: You can't teach it. Blair lists as 6-7 at 265 pounds, and I'd suspect that is about spot on. Hansbrough is 6-9 at 250 pounds, which also seems accurate. It's hard to give an advantage to either, because they are both vertically undersized to guard most big men in the NBA. It's likely they will make up for the lack of height in strength, and Blair would get the nod. Ultimately, I see Blair being able to add a lot more muscle than Hansbrough at this point. He's two years younger and his body still looks a little doughy - I suspect he could possibly get much stronger. If not, this is really a draw. BLAIR (slightly)
Athleticism. This has been the one true knock on Hansbrough's game since he joined the draft discussion each post-season since his freshman year. Frankly, I don't see a clear disadvantage for Hansbrough athletically on the defensive side of the ball. He's not a big that's going to be able to switch off on guards or even threes, but I don't think he's going to get pushed around in the post either. Blair isn't what you would refer to as a superior athlete either. His game is much like Hansbroughs in that it relies on pick and rolls and one handed finishes over smaller opponents. Utlimately, I think both of their offensive games will suffer in the NBA because of their athleticism. They will have trouble scoring. DRAW
Jump Shot. Hansbrough's jumpshot has developed nicely since his freshman year. Originally, he was able to knock down baseline 12 footers, but he has really extended his game this year. He can knock down an open three, and although most prefer he wouldnt' take them, it's still an indicator of his shot. Blair's shot is still coming along. HANSBROUGH
Defense. Neither Blair nor Hansbrough alter many shots throughout the game. Blair averages over a block a game, however. Both play good help defense, but Blair has the tendency to get in foul trouble. DRAW
Rebounding. Blair pulled down over 12 boards a game this year. Hansbrough pulled down 8, with his best year (as a Junior) pulling down ten a game. Most of Hansbrough's work is done on the offensive glass, which I think he could be really effective at in the NBA. However, Blair's width and strength are going to dominate on the defensive glass. BLAIR
Free-Throw Shooting. Hansbrough gets to the line almost as much as anyone in college basketball history, and he makes over 75 percent of his attempts there. It's a knock on his offensive production in some minds, but it's nice to know he's smart enough to draw a foul and talented enough to knock the shot down. HANSBROUGH
Potential. Arguably, Hansbrough has peaked as a basketball player. His numbers declined this year, although a lot of that has to do with the emergence of Ed Davis, Deon Thompson, and the short-lived season of Tyler Zeller. Blair is the younger, and in a best case could become a poor man's Elton Brand in the NBA. Hansbrough is already a Udonis Haslem. He would excel on a team where he is not the first or second option, and can focus on crashing the offensive boards and knocking down open jumpers off a pick and roll. It's hard to imagine Hansbrough not being a success in the NBA. But, I think Blair conceivably has the higher upside. BLAIR
This is an extremely rough sketch of what could play into one's head when addressing a big man need for the next several years. I don't think either are starters for the majority of the league, but would receive significant minutes on almost every team. Blair has more upside, but a team knows exactly what they are getting with Hansbrough. The direction to go in depends on the team, but I don't think that means lottery has to draft on potential. Hansbrough is good enough to go in the lottery. The point of this was to try and see if there really was much difference between the two players. Honestly, I don't see much of one. Blair really only has the upperhand in potential and rebounding. Hansbrough is a better shooter, better from the line, and lets a team know exactly how they will improve with him on the team.
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With the arrival of the Knight in Shining Hair Gel, the University of Kentucky roster for next year has become almost a complete unknown. Graduation destroyed the roster with the departure of Jared Carter. Michael Porter graduated, and though had another year of eligibility, chose to spend time with his family, rather than play for UK next year. Jodie Meeks has entered his name in the draft, with the possibility of returning for his senior year. Patrick Patterson is suspected to do the same. GJ Vilarino was released from his letter of intent, and it is suspected Daniel Orton may do the same. Demarcus Cousins verbally committed last night, and Xavier Henry, John Wall, Nolan Dennis, and Eric Bledsoe are all still considered Kentucky for next year.
Here is a worst-case scenario rotation:
Point Guard: Liggins and Galloway
Off Guards: Miller, Hood, and Razor
Big Men: Cousins, Stevenson, Pilgrim
Here is a best-case scenario rotation:
Point Guard: Wall and Dennis (Liggins/Galloway)
Off Guards: Meeks, Henry, Miller, Hood,
Big Men: Patterson, Cousins, Orton, Pilgrim
Here is an unusual, but possible roster:
Point Guard: Liggins and Bledsoe
Off Guards: Henry, Nolan Dennis, Miller, and Hood
Big Men: Patterson, Cousins, Orton
That is a young team with only two players receiving significant minutes from last year's team.
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"Stunting is a habit"
This analysis compares UNC Power Forward Tyler Hansbrough and Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair. Most project Blair to be off the board by the end of the lottery and Hansbrough as a late first round to mid second round choice. Who's the better prospect? I'm not sold on Blair's draft status as being much higher than Hansbrough.
College Success. Despite Hansbrough's incredible accomplishments in college, many feel his skill set won't translate well to the NBA game. Adm. Sax is not one of those many. It is hard to find a more decorated college player than Tyler Hansbrough. Blair was a first-team All-American by most accounts of people who matter. However, Blair had relatively no tournament success. The edge is obviously to Hansbrough, but luckily for Blair this category means very little to predicting NBA success. Advantage: HANSBROUGH
Size. This is all the rave, because as many people tell me on the television: You can't teach it. Blair lists as 6-7 at 265 pounds, and I'd suspect that is about spot on. Hansbrough is 6-9 at 250 pounds, which also seems accurate. It's hard to give an advantage to either, because they are both vertically undersized to guard most big men in the NBA. It's likely they will make up for the lack of height in strength, and Blair would get the nod. Ultimately, I see Blair being able to add a lot more muscle than Hansbrough at this point. He's two years younger and his body still looks a little doughy - I suspect he could possibly get much stronger. If not, this is really a draw. BLAIR (slightly)
Athleticism. This has been the one true knock on Hansbrough's game since he joined the draft discussion each post-season since his freshman year. Frankly, I don't see a clear disadvantage for Hansbrough athletically on the defensive side of the ball. He's not a big that's going to be able to switch off on guards or even threes, but I don't think he's going to get pushed around in the post either. Blair isn't what you would refer to as a superior athlete either. His game is much like Hansbroughs in that it relies on pick and rolls and one handed finishes over smaller opponents. Utlimately, I think both of their offensive games will suffer in the NBA because of their athleticism. They will have trouble scoring. DRAW
Jump Shot. Hansbrough's jumpshot has developed nicely since his freshman year. Originally, he was able to knock down baseline 12 footers, but he has really extended his game this year. He can knock down an open three, and although most prefer he wouldnt' take them, it's still an indicator of his shot. Blair's shot is still coming along. HANSBROUGH
Defense. Neither Blair nor Hansbrough alter many shots throughout the game. Blair averages over a block a game, however. Both play good help defense, but Blair has the tendency to get in foul trouble. DRAW
Rebounding. Blair pulled down over 12 boards a game this year. Hansbrough pulled down 8, with his best year (as a Junior) pulling down ten a game. Most of Hansbrough's work is done on the offensive glass, which I think he could be really effective at in the NBA. However, Blair's width and strength are going to dominate on the defensive glass. BLAIR
Free-Throw Shooting. Hansbrough gets to the line almost as much as anyone in college basketball history, and he makes over 75 percent of his attempts there. It's a knock on his offensive production in some minds, but it's nice to know he's smart enough to draw a foul and talented enough to knock the shot down. HANSBROUGH
Potential. Arguably, Hansbrough has peaked as a basketball player. His numbers declined this year, although a lot of that has to do with the emergence of Ed Davis, Deon Thompson, and the short-lived season of Tyler Zeller. Blair is the younger, and in a best case could become a poor man's Elton Brand in the NBA. Hansbrough is already a Udonis Haslem. He would excel on a team where he is not the first or second option, and can focus on crashing the offensive boards and knocking down open jumpers off a pick and roll. It's hard to imagine Hansbrough not being a success in the NBA. But, I think Blair conceivably has the higher upside. BLAIR
This is an extremely rough sketch of what could play into one's head when addressing a big man need for the next several years. I don't think either are starters for the majority of the league, but would receive significant minutes on almost every team. Blair has more upside, but a team knows exactly what they are getting with Hansbrough. The direction to go in depends on the team, but I don't think that means lottery has to draft on potential. Hansbrough is good enough to go in the lottery. The point of this was to try and see if there really was much difference between the two players. Honestly, I don't see much of one. Blair really only has the upperhand in potential and rebounding. Hansbrough is a better shooter, better from the line, and lets a team know exactly how they will improve with him on the team.
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The UK Revolving Door
With the arrival of the Knight in Shining Hair Gel, the University of Kentucky roster for next year has become almost a complete unknown. Graduation destroyed the roster with the departure of Jared Carter. Michael Porter graduated, and though had another year of eligibility, chose to spend time with his family, rather than play for UK next year. Jodie Meeks has entered his name in the draft, with the possibility of returning for his senior year. Patrick Patterson is suspected to do the same. GJ Vilarino was released from his letter of intent, and it is suspected Daniel Orton may do the same. Demarcus Cousins verbally committed last night, and Xavier Henry, John Wall, Nolan Dennis, and Eric Bledsoe are all still considered Kentucky for next year.
Here is a worst-case scenario rotation:
Point Guard: Liggins and Galloway
Off Guards: Miller, Hood, and Razor
Big Men: Cousins, Stevenson, Pilgrim
Here is a best-case scenario rotation:
Point Guard: Wall and Dennis (Liggins/Galloway)
Off Guards: Meeks, Henry, Miller, Hood,
Big Men: Patterson, Cousins, Orton, Pilgrim
Here is an unusual, but possible roster:
Point Guard: Liggins and Bledsoe
Off Guards: Henry, Nolan Dennis, Miller, and Hood
Big Men: Patterson, Cousins, Orton
That is a young team with only two players receiving significant minutes from last year's team.
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Picture of the Week
"Stunting is a habit"
Posts
Stunting is indeed a habit. Wiser words were never spoken.
ReplyDeleteoh, and I'm pretty sure Psycho T has the edge in dominating the souls of other human beings.
ReplyDeleteRihanna's stunting is habitual.
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm not as big on Hansbrough as you are, but I find it ridiculous that Blair is regarded as a much better prospect. If Blair is highly regarded, Hansbrough should be as well.