Post by James on Sept 9, 2005 19:36:18 GMT -5
A shoe in for the number 1 pick in the 2007 UBL draft, 7’0” center Greg Oden has finally made a verbal commitment to enter the league through this year’s draft. The news came as a shock to many GM’s, however for the most part, they were energized and eagerly waiting the end of the season before it has even started. Bigger still then Oden’s pronouncement was the follow up declarations by fellow college players Brandon Wright, Al Horford, Jason Smith, CJ Giles, Darrel Arthur and Daniel Gibson. The recent news has delighted the NBA world and makes this years draft one to remember, stock full of great centers (Oden, Tomic, Hawes), guards (Ellington, Clark, Gibson) and forwards (Wright, Horford, Smith).
In a recent ESPN breakdown, Draft Analyser James Fazzino predicted Oden to fall first, followed by Wayne Ellingston, Brandon Wright, Ante Tomic and Daniel Gibson. Many have questioned the positioning of Gibson given the talent possessed by fellow point guards Earl Clark and Rajan Rondo, however Fazzino said “I love Gibson, he is my type of point guard. He will dish the ball, he wall play defense. We sent out scouts last year to analyse his game, and the results came up excellent. I went to watch him earlier this year, and the results were excellent.”
So what about Victor Claver and Ernest Kalve you ask? Mocked in the top 5 before this huge news? Well, most likely Claver will remain hypothesized in the top 5, however due to the recent obligations by far superior small forwards, Kalve will most likely drop out of the lottery. In saying that, the potential is most definitely still there, as is his fierce inside game and ability to pass from the wing.
In a final wrap up, lets look at who will be the top prospects in this years draft – one that should prove to be the best and most exciting draft since 1996. We have the obvious talent of Greg Oden who un-doubtably will go number 1 for a variety of reasons. First of all, he is almost certainly the best player in the draft, and secondly, he is a center – a position that lacks severely in the UBL today. In fact, in last years draft, only 1 center was taken in the first round. Well, this years draft definitely will make amends.
We also have the very talented Wayne Ellington, who looks to be much like Rudy Gay – an all round scorer, passer and defender. He is slightly undersized at 6’4” for a shooting guard, however in recent history has shown scouts that it is not a negative to his game, in truth a positive – giving him the speed advantage over taller defenders.
Lets not forget Brandon Wright, A 6’11” PF from Nashville, TN. Wright. Wright is a great post player who can turn and face, much like my NBA comparison of Kenyon Martin – to an extent. He is not as ferocious, however has a lot more heart and dedication. He is a solid defender and an excellent rebounder for a forward that only weighs 210 pounds. Expect Wright to fall between 2-5 in this years UBL draft.
The much talked about and unquestionably hyped Ante Tomic should also fall within the top 5 pick bracket due to the unique-tivity of his game. A 7’1” center who is almost a carbon copy of Dirk Nowitzki with an extra 2 inches, Tomic may very well dominate the league within 3 to 4 years. In a recent scouting report, the reliable source claimed he was “either a Dirk, or a Nikoloz”. That may scare people away, although there is no questioning this kids potential and ability to improve.
Earl Clark is also another player who may drop in the top 5 due to his size. He is the best ball handler the draft has seen since Jason Kidd and quite a solid defender. Due to his size he has a smooth inside game; however has possibly one of the most inconsistent jump shots I’ve ever seen. I saw one game where he scored 35 from 11/15, then another night so him put up 13 from 4/22. Besides from that, a 6’9” pass first point guard looks good to me.
Al Horford is another big name player that very well could be taken 3rd after Oden and Wright – if the team is in search of a power forward. Horford isn’t has polished inside has Wright, although he is a lot more athletic and a better shot blocker/defender.A native from the Dominican Republic, big Al is very mobile and possesses a huge wingspan and a mobile frame. As highlighted, Al could drop inside the top 3, however don’t be surprised to see him passed up until around number 10.
Another big man enters the league, Jason Smith. The 7’0” power forward is a great athlete with superb court vision and rival with fellow draftee Spencer Hawes for second white man selected behind Tomic and possibly Claver. Smith is more of a finisher who has a beautiful touch, however Hawes is a banger who likes to get down and dirty. At around 8 in the draft, it’s a win-win situation for the forward-less team if Hawes or Smith is available.
In a recent ESPN breakdown, Draft Analyser James Fazzino predicted Oden to fall first, followed by Wayne Ellingston, Brandon Wright, Ante Tomic and Daniel Gibson. Many have questioned the positioning of Gibson given the talent possessed by fellow point guards Earl Clark and Rajan Rondo, however Fazzino said “I love Gibson, he is my type of point guard. He will dish the ball, he wall play defense. We sent out scouts last year to analyse his game, and the results came up excellent. I went to watch him earlier this year, and the results were excellent.”
So what about Victor Claver and Ernest Kalve you ask? Mocked in the top 5 before this huge news? Well, most likely Claver will remain hypothesized in the top 5, however due to the recent obligations by far superior small forwards, Kalve will most likely drop out of the lottery. In saying that, the potential is most definitely still there, as is his fierce inside game and ability to pass from the wing.
In a final wrap up, lets look at who will be the top prospects in this years draft – one that should prove to be the best and most exciting draft since 1996. We have the obvious talent of Greg Oden who un-doubtably will go number 1 for a variety of reasons. First of all, he is almost certainly the best player in the draft, and secondly, he is a center – a position that lacks severely in the UBL today. In fact, in last years draft, only 1 center was taken in the first round. Well, this years draft definitely will make amends.
We also have the very talented Wayne Ellington, who looks to be much like Rudy Gay – an all round scorer, passer and defender. He is slightly undersized at 6’4” for a shooting guard, however in recent history has shown scouts that it is not a negative to his game, in truth a positive – giving him the speed advantage over taller defenders.
Lets not forget Brandon Wright, A 6’11” PF from Nashville, TN. Wright. Wright is a great post player who can turn and face, much like my NBA comparison of Kenyon Martin – to an extent. He is not as ferocious, however has a lot more heart and dedication. He is a solid defender and an excellent rebounder for a forward that only weighs 210 pounds. Expect Wright to fall between 2-5 in this years UBL draft.
The much talked about and unquestionably hyped Ante Tomic should also fall within the top 5 pick bracket due to the unique-tivity of his game. A 7’1” center who is almost a carbon copy of Dirk Nowitzki with an extra 2 inches, Tomic may very well dominate the league within 3 to 4 years. In a recent scouting report, the reliable source claimed he was “either a Dirk, or a Nikoloz”. That may scare people away, although there is no questioning this kids potential and ability to improve.
Earl Clark is also another player who may drop in the top 5 due to his size. He is the best ball handler the draft has seen since Jason Kidd and quite a solid defender. Due to his size he has a smooth inside game; however has possibly one of the most inconsistent jump shots I’ve ever seen. I saw one game where he scored 35 from 11/15, then another night so him put up 13 from 4/22. Besides from that, a 6’9” pass first point guard looks good to me.
Al Horford is another big name player that very well could be taken 3rd after Oden and Wright – if the team is in search of a power forward. Horford isn’t has polished inside has Wright, although he is a lot more athletic and a better shot blocker/defender.A native from the Dominican Republic, big Al is very mobile and possesses a huge wingspan and a mobile frame. As highlighted, Al could drop inside the top 3, however don’t be surprised to see him passed up until around number 10.
Another big man enters the league, Jason Smith. The 7’0” power forward is a great athlete with superb court vision and rival with fellow draftee Spencer Hawes for second white man selected behind Tomic and possibly Claver. Smith is more of a finisher who has a beautiful touch, however Hawes is a banger who likes to get down and dirty. At around 8 in the draft, it’s a win-win situation for the forward-less team if Hawes or Smith is available.
