Post by Funky George! on Mar 25, 2008 0:06:59 GMT -5
The 2004 BBS Draft is gaining attention as the 16 playoff spots have essentially been solidified, leaving the crop of sub-.500 teams to await the offseason. Tonight, a group of 13 entrants declared their eligibility for the draft, creating a buzz throughout the league. The crop entrants looks guard heavy, with some unexpected early entrants, some very rare prospects and a few scorers who look like they'll contribute from the get-go. Here's an early list ranking the 13 guys who have announced that they'll become BBS rookies next season.
1. Deron Williams- B- B- B B- C A
Deron Williams leaves Illinois after a stellar sophomore campaign in which he dominated Big Ten competition. At 6'3, 210 pounds, Williams immediately becomes one of the strongest guards in the league. He's proven himself to be a remarkably steady ballhandler with deceptive quickness on his first step, great strength to finish his drive, great court vision, a brilliant three-point shot and overbearing defensive ability. He could thrive in a pick-and-roll half-court set, but he's a fit for any offense; he was the main ballhandler for a the run-'n'-gun show in Illinois alongside Dee Brown and Luther Head. He has all the skills you could ever dream of in a point guard, and could be the best player in BBS before long. He is undoubtedly the most BBS-ready player to declare for a draft yet, and has all the potential of fellow highly-touted prospects such as LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Gilbert Arenas. A can't-miss prospect
2. Shaun Livingston--B- C B- B C A
Who cares if this guy can shoot? If you're in the market for a PG, you're in luck. Look for him to develop into a 10 APG point guard with the handles, size and quickness to drive by anyone, and a dominating presence on the defensive end. With his arms, his height and his quickness, he will be a very tough matchup on both ends. Could easily be considered the second best prospect in this draft.
3. Josh Smith--B- C- C- B C+ A
Look out. Smith plays above the rim on both ends of the court and when he gets off his feet he can't be stopped. His ability as a help defender, his mixture of size, quickness and athleticism and his high-flying nature make him a massive prospect. He could use some weight room improvement to improve his defensive ability in the post and to help him become more of a rebounder than just a ball-grabber and a putback guy. He has a mediocre jump shot and would have a very good drive if he was better as a dribbler. If he can improve both, he can be an all-world small forward. If he instead improves his strength, his rebounding and his post moves (none to speak of), he can be an elite power forward. If he improves all these, look out.
4. Emeka Okafor--B- C- C- B+ B B
Another very BBS-ready player. Emeka isn't much as prospect, but he could be a top defender and rebounder within three years. He has ideal size to be a very menacing power forward, and though his arms aren't as long as guys like Josh Smith, he is a very good athlete with the best strength in the draft class, and he times his blocks very well. He's an efficient scorer, mostly because he doesn't look to shoot much. He will get his putbacks and dunks, and could really do well finishing off pick-and-rolls. Don't hope for much else unless you're willing to invest reward points in his shots. Many more prospects have higher upside, but few have his skillset right now.
5. Ben Gordon--C+ A- C+ C+ C- B
There are better prospects out there, but much like UConn teammate Emeka Okafor, Gordon's gonna be a bigtime ROY candidate. He brings the best offensive game in the draft, with a ridiculous jumpshot, ridiculous range and yeah, ridiculous quickness. Best suiter to guard point guards. Good instincts as a defender and decent ability on the ball. However, it will be easy to shoot over him. Could get to 2 spg easily. Can he play the point? He's not a great passer, and he's shoot first, but he'd be a very tough matchup for any point guard with his scoring ability. Develop his passing and it's possible. Otherwise, will get to 20+ PPG at SG. Best-suited in an outside lineup, obviously.
6. Andris Biedrins--C+ D+ C B- C+ A
Big Biedrins is not just the obligatory Euro big man who will come into BBS through the lottery and bust. He has game. Not strong enough to bang around just yet, but he has the skill to be a player. He's good good length defensively, guards the post well, is a very good rebounder and has good touch around the basket. However, if he doesn't get stronger, none of this will translate. He's a big project, but he could pay off much more than the guys around him if he comes through on his potential. Look for him to be a double-double guy with high rebounds.
7. Kevin Martin-- C+ B+ C C+ D+ B
A very similar scorer to Ben Gordon, though not as quick or electric with the ball in his hand. He is a very, very good passer, though he's turnover prone. Very lanky with an awkward jumpshot, but he has incredible range on it. He's not a good defender, but he won't lose you games defensively. He's long enough to contest shots. Decent getting to the basket. Improve his offense and he'll do 20 ppg soon enough.
8. Marvin Williams--B- C C+ C+ C+ A
Williams does a lot of things well on the court. He has the handles and quickness for a great drive, and is very skilled around the basket. He can guard serviceably at the 3 or the 4. He will outrebound his opponent at the 3 every night. He's a strong kid without a particular specialty on the court. Doesn't rack up steals or blocks, but he won't get lit up. Look for a solid career out of him without much glamour if he can't get some range on his jump shot.
9. Travis Outlaw--B C C B C+ B
Outlaw is a lesser version of Josh Smith. He's probably stronger, and can shoot a little more. Has a lot of potential on his jump shot, and will be a great inside scorer from a wing spot. Projects to be an elite rebounder at SF and a top defender. He's very strong and athletic. If the jump shot improves, he's a top ten perimeter player with his all-around game. As of now, he's one-dimensional offensively, but with his excellent defending and rebounding abilities, he could start from the onset of his career.
10. Anderson Varejao--B- D+ D+ B- B- B
A young prototype at the 4/5. Varejao won't dominate defensively because he's not a good shotblocker, but he's incredibly active and has great feet. He's solidly-built, so he won't get dominated by stronger post players. Most of his offensive ability comes around the rim, but he has some game facing the basket. He's going to be a double-double player eventually if he gets the chance, and he'll be solid defender. Could be an above-average starter, which is a rare find with the tenth pick.
11. Devin Harris--B- C+ C+ B- C B
Devin Harris is quick, quick, quick. He is very inconsistent on his shot, and won't be very good at the foul line. He is excellent at getting to the basket and finishing, but he may not be strong enough to thrive as a penetrator in BBS. He's not a dazzling passer; in fact, he really only makes the simple passes right now. If he tries to force passes in BBS, he will have high turnovers. He is an excellent defender who will have high steals. Most of his potential is as a defender. If he pans out as a passer, he could be an elite PG, but he's a specialty player for now. He'd be an excellent role player, but is far from a good starting PG. With potential, he could be a major steal.
12. Jameer Nelson--C+ B B C+ C C
He's more BBS-ready than Harris, as he can come off a team's bench and do 11 or so points a night. He's very strong and can pull up inside the three-point line very well. HIs combination of size and quickness is reminscent of Knicks star Stephon Marbury, but he's not as good around the basket and is smaller. There's definitely room for him in BBS, as he does everything well. He could start if he proves himself a capable ballhandler, but his first training camp will tell a lot. He'll always be a high-scoring backup off the bench for someone. But can he defend BBS point guards? Can he lead an offense?
13. Sebastian Telfair--C+ C B+ C C B
Sebastian Telfair is an enigma. He's got a big time personality, he can handle the ball unbelievably well, he can blow by defenders, he can pass...but he just isn't a good basketball player. He has no ability to shoot or defend, even with his quickness. He just doesn't work much on either aspect of his game. His drive is solid because of his ballhandling abilities, but he won't score much off of it. Still, he's a great ballhandler and is going to make a good backup in a high-scoring offense.
Goodbye, you little lotto.
1. Deron Williams- B- B- B B- C A
Deron Williams leaves Illinois after a stellar sophomore campaign in which he dominated Big Ten competition. At 6'3, 210 pounds, Williams immediately becomes one of the strongest guards in the league. He's proven himself to be a remarkably steady ballhandler with deceptive quickness on his first step, great strength to finish his drive, great court vision, a brilliant three-point shot and overbearing defensive ability. He could thrive in a pick-and-roll half-court set, but he's a fit for any offense; he was the main ballhandler for a the run-'n'-gun show in Illinois alongside Dee Brown and Luther Head. He has all the skills you could ever dream of in a point guard, and could be the best player in BBS before long. He is undoubtedly the most BBS-ready player to declare for a draft yet, and has all the potential of fellow highly-touted prospects such as LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Gilbert Arenas. A can't-miss prospect
2. Shaun Livingston--B- C B- B C A
Who cares if this guy can shoot? If you're in the market for a PG, you're in luck. Look for him to develop into a 10 APG point guard with the handles, size and quickness to drive by anyone, and a dominating presence on the defensive end. With his arms, his height and his quickness, he will be a very tough matchup on both ends. Could easily be considered the second best prospect in this draft.
3. Josh Smith--B- C- C- B C+ A
Look out. Smith plays above the rim on both ends of the court and when he gets off his feet he can't be stopped. His ability as a help defender, his mixture of size, quickness and athleticism and his high-flying nature make him a massive prospect. He could use some weight room improvement to improve his defensive ability in the post and to help him become more of a rebounder than just a ball-grabber and a putback guy. He has a mediocre jump shot and would have a very good drive if he was better as a dribbler. If he can improve both, he can be an all-world small forward. If he instead improves his strength, his rebounding and his post moves (none to speak of), he can be an elite power forward. If he improves all these, look out.
4. Emeka Okafor--B- C- C- B+ B B
Another very BBS-ready player. Emeka isn't much as prospect, but he could be a top defender and rebounder within three years. He has ideal size to be a very menacing power forward, and though his arms aren't as long as guys like Josh Smith, he is a very good athlete with the best strength in the draft class, and he times his blocks very well. He's an efficient scorer, mostly because he doesn't look to shoot much. He will get his putbacks and dunks, and could really do well finishing off pick-and-rolls. Don't hope for much else unless you're willing to invest reward points in his shots. Many more prospects have higher upside, but few have his skillset right now.
5. Ben Gordon--C+ A- C+ C+ C- B
There are better prospects out there, but much like UConn teammate Emeka Okafor, Gordon's gonna be a bigtime ROY candidate. He brings the best offensive game in the draft, with a ridiculous jumpshot, ridiculous range and yeah, ridiculous quickness. Best suiter to guard point guards. Good instincts as a defender and decent ability on the ball. However, it will be easy to shoot over him. Could get to 2 spg easily. Can he play the point? He's not a great passer, and he's shoot first, but he'd be a very tough matchup for any point guard with his scoring ability. Develop his passing and it's possible. Otherwise, will get to 20+ PPG at SG. Best-suited in an outside lineup, obviously.
6. Andris Biedrins--C+ D+ C B- C+ A
Big Biedrins is not just the obligatory Euro big man who will come into BBS through the lottery and bust. He has game. Not strong enough to bang around just yet, but he has the skill to be a player. He's good good length defensively, guards the post well, is a very good rebounder and has good touch around the basket. However, if he doesn't get stronger, none of this will translate. He's a big project, but he could pay off much more than the guys around him if he comes through on his potential. Look for him to be a double-double guy with high rebounds.
7. Kevin Martin-- C+ B+ C C+ D+ B
A very similar scorer to Ben Gordon, though not as quick or electric with the ball in his hand. He is a very, very good passer, though he's turnover prone. Very lanky with an awkward jumpshot, but he has incredible range on it. He's not a good defender, but he won't lose you games defensively. He's long enough to contest shots. Decent getting to the basket. Improve his offense and he'll do 20 ppg soon enough.
8. Marvin Williams--B- C C+ C+ C+ A
Williams does a lot of things well on the court. He has the handles and quickness for a great drive, and is very skilled around the basket. He can guard serviceably at the 3 or the 4. He will outrebound his opponent at the 3 every night. He's a strong kid without a particular specialty on the court. Doesn't rack up steals or blocks, but he won't get lit up. Look for a solid career out of him without much glamour if he can't get some range on his jump shot.
9. Travis Outlaw--B C C B C+ B
Outlaw is a lesser version of Josh Smith. He's probably stronger, and can shoot a little more. Has a lot of potential on his jump shot, and will be a great inside scorer from a wing spot. Projects to be an elite rebounder at SF and a top defender. He's very strong and athletic. If the jump shot improves, he's a top ten perimeter player with his all-around game. As of now, he's one-dimensional offensively, but with his excellent defending and rebounding abilities, he could start from the onset of his career.
10. Anderson Varejao--B- D+ D+ B- B- B
A young prototype at the 4/5. Varejao won't dominate defensively because he's not a good shotblocker, but he's incredibly active and has great feet. He's solidly-built, so he won't get dominated by stronger post players. Most of his offensive ability comes around the rim, but he has some game facing the basket. He's going to be a double-double player eventually if he gets the chance, and he'll be solid defender. Could be an above-average starter, which is a rare find with the tenth pick.
11. Devin Harris--B- C+ C+ B- C B
Devin Harris is quick, quick, quick. He is very inconsistent on his shot, and won't be very good at the foul line. He is excellent at getting to the basket and finishing, but he may not be strong enough to thrive as a penetrator in BBS. He's not a dazzling passer; in fact, he really only makes the simple passes right now. If he tries to force passes in BBS, he will have high turnovers. He is an excellent defender who will have high steals. Most of his potential is as a defender. If he pans out as a passer, he could be an elite PG, but he's a specialty player for now. He'd be an excellent role player, but is far from a good starting PG. With potential, he could be a major steal.
12. Jameer Nelson--C+ B B C+ C C
He's more BBS-ready than Harris, as he can come off a team's bench and do 11 or so points a night. He's very strong and can pull up inside the three-point line very well. HIs combination of size and quickness is reminscent of Knicks star Stephon Marbury, but he's not as good around the basket and is smaller. There's definitely room for him in BBS, as he does everything well. He could start if he proves himself a capable ballhandler, but his first training camp will tell a lot. He'll always be a high-scoring backup off the bench for someone. But can he defend BBS point guards? Can he lead an offense?
13. Sebastian Telfair--C+ C B+ C C B
Sebastian Telfair is an enigma. He's got a big time personality, he can handle the ball unbelievably well, he can blow by defenders, he can pass...but he just isn't a good basketball player. He has no ability to shoot or defend, even with his quickness. He just doesn't work much on either aspect of his game. His drive is solid because of his ballhandling abilities, but he won't score much off of it. Still, he's a great ballhandler and is going to make a good backup in a high-scoring offense.
Goodbye, you little lotto.
