[Yahoo] Draft Prospect Videos of top 69 prospects I love that Yahoo has started doing this every year, because it's so much easier than sifting through YouTube footage. Videos are now up through the top 69 prospects. Twenty of them are missing, but about 16 of those are second rounders or players likely to go undrafted. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/prospects?rank_type=1 Check back regularly this week for updates. Impressions: I've seen Beasley play before, but after watching his video it really hit me how incredible this guy could be. To exhibit those maneuvers and that strength in the post while finishing with either hand, taking people off the dribble like a shooting guard, and knocking down threes with a picture perfect stroke...it's like something you would create in a video game where you set all your attributes to 99 just for the hell of it. The only things that can get in his way, in my opinion, are injuries and himself. He could be Derrick Coleman on steroids. That said, I'm still leaning toward Rose as the #1 pick. The way quick guards can change the complexion of a game (Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, etc.) I think he's still the safe, yet still spectacular pick. I also think that the video for Brandon Rush is a great indicator of what he's about, if anyone hasn't really seen him play much. I would love for the Rockets to move up and get him. I favor him over Chris Douglas-Roberts quite a bit.
Just looking through the videos...they're hella good. Robin Lopez impresses me in terms of offense; I've never really seen him play, just seen him highlighted in all the mock drafts and I kinda got the impression he was a stiff...but he seemed pretty fluid out there with good footwork and good hands. Problem is...I know they were showcasing his shotblocking ability, but he really did let a couple of people blow by him...he recovered quickly enough to get the massive block on those short college stiffs, but in the NBA, that won't happen with Dwight, Oden etc. All in all though, I think the highlights have led me to conclude that I want Robin in a Rockets uniform.
I found out about this a week ago after looking up some videos for Chase.....but now he's dropped out..... So now I think we have no other choice but to go for a reliable guard/forward like Brandon Rush or a mobile big like Robin Lopez. Both would be solid choices.
Don't go just for the highlights,his footwork and rotation on defense is not likely to be good enough in the NBA like you said.I think he is not a stiff,but he is a bit on the slow side IMO He is a good energy guy and decent shot blocker though.If you can get someone better at 25,go for it.
Again, people have the misconception that just because his brother Brook is better than him, that Robin is the lesser athlete. I watch a lot of Pac-10 basketball, and I saw Stanford enough times and read a lot of scouting reports to know that Robin is the better athlete and defender. He is not freakishly athletic by any means, but he is not a stiff either. He's actually very mobile and agile for his size and quick footwork; right now he just lacks any real post skills of any kind and experience. He would be perfect for us if he should fall to us.
I feel Rush will go higher than CDR followed by Lee,I think all of them might by gone by the 25th but those are the players that should be targeted first IMO.
*Videos for most of the top 69 prospects are now up! This is valuable information and I know people don't frequent the draft forum often so I'm going to try and keep this toward the top. Perhaps it could get stickied?
Lee could be movin' on up! But none of this looks good for the Rockets other than Robin Lopez moving up kicks someone else down to to the 25th. CDR is the current pick for the Rox on this site. http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/ Word on the Street: Who's Moving Up or Down? by: Jonathan Givony - President June 19, 2008 Trade Talk Numerous teams we spoke with today discussed the rumors of a potential draft-night trade that is making the rounds in NBA circles. Presuming that Derrick Rose goes #1, Miami would select Michael Beasley at #2 regardless, and wait to see if O.J. Mayo were to fall to the 5th overall pick. If that indeed was the case, Memphis would select him, and then trade him to Miami along with Mike Miller in exchange for Mark Blount and Beasley. Seattle is also reportedly trying hard to move up to #2, and is dangling Chris Wilcox as bait (in exchange for the cumbersome contract of Mark Blount). The Supersonics would also take Beasley there. This is all assuming that O.J. Mayo doesn’t go third to Minnesota, which is not something teams should take for granted just yet based off what we know so far. Memphis’ additional first round selection, the #28 pick, acquired from the Lakers in the Pau Gasol trade, is also reportedly in play. Rumors have the Grizzlies potentially trading this pick to Denver along with Kyle Lowry in exchange for the #20 pick. It’s possible that they would try and leap-frog the Orlando Magic and select Courtney Lee, who reportedly had a terrific workout there last week. Other picks that we’re hearing rumors about include #6 (New York, trying to move up, or back), #19 (Cleveland, possibly to move up and take Brandon Rush), and #29 (Detroit, who supposedly isn’t enamored by anyone in this area). Two teams that are reportedly looking to acquire an additional first round pick are the Spurs (who unfortunately have very little to offer) and the Suns. The Wizards wouldn’t mind moving out if someone would offer them a good deal involving a point guard, but at this point that doesn’t seem likely to happen. Cleveland is trying to buy their way into the mid-first round, but unlike in years past, it won’t be Phoenix that is selling. Look for the Los Angeles Lakers to try and land an early second round pick (possibly from Seattle) in order to draft IUPUI’s George Hill. He worked out in Los Angeles and reportedly was very impressive. His college team actually ran the triangle offense, and that is always a big factor in the Lakers’ workouts. Who’s Gonna Slip? As we continue to work the phones to discuss with teams who they hear is going where, we first of all need to establish which prospects will be on the board. At this point it’s clear that there is a fairly significant drop-off in this year’s draft class right around the 12th (Sacramento) or 13th (Portland) pick, as all the prospects that are getting mentions have some serious “warts” in the words of one NBA executive, which make teams hesitant about drafting them. The question is which will be overlooked, and which will cause players to slip. Players that might find themselves being drafted a bit lower than they hoped include DeAndre Jordan, JaVale McGee, and possibly even Anthony Randolph. If Sacramento selects Darrell Arthur at #12 like many NBA sources we spoke with anticipate (this was his last workout stop before cancelling numerous workouts), then Randolph could be in for quite a tumble, as he would likely continue to slip past Portland at #13, Golden State at #14, Phoenix at #15, until reaching Philadelphia at #16. That’s about 10 spots lower than some mocks have him projected right now, but isn’t out of the question depending on how things play out next week. Randolph is not helping himself reportedly with the way he’s working out, being very average so far according to numerous people who’ve watched him, looking “laid back” or even “out of shape.” Compounding the problem is that he may have recently hurt his shoulder. Another player who could crash the lottery unexpectedly and even shockingly go just one spot below his twin brother is Stanford center Robin Lopez. Lopez reportedly canceled all his remaining workouts (with the Pacers, Kings, Sixers, and more) with a supposed “sprained ankle” after working out for the New Jersey Nets this past week. Although the tenth pick is widely believed to be Danilo Gallinari’s, no one would know better about where the Italian small forward will get drafted than his agent Arn Tellem, who also happens to represent the Lopez twins. Robin being promised to go tenth (a speculatory rumor that is definitely making the rounds) almost surely means that Gallinari is going sixth to the Knicks. The Nets can’t expect to wait and pick Lopez at #21, as there is very little chance he gets past Phoenix at 15, or at the very worst (if Donte Greene slips past Golden State), Toronto at 17, where he is extremely coveted. While DeAndre Jordan and JaVale McGee are refusing to conduct workouts with certain teams drafting outside of the lottery (McGee’s mother foolishly won’t let him visit anyone past 12 from what one frustrated team told us), there is no shortage of workout warriors on the prowl looking to take their spot in the teens portion of the draft. One of those is Alexis Ajinca, who may be working himself into that 12-14 range, based off the workouts he’s having. One executive who recently watched him expressed shock at his combination of physical tools (7-1 in shoes, 240 pounds, with a near 7-7 wingspan), coordination and agility. “If he were in college, let’s say at Nevada instead of JaVale McGee, he would be a sure-fire top 10 pick,” the executive noted. “He’s bigger than McGee, and he’s also more skilled…with that length, he is going to be able to bother some people for sure” Ajinca is answering question marks about his toughness by not backing down from anyone he’s faced so far, particularly in an outstanding workout in Charlotte where he matched up with Jordan, McGee and Roy Hibbert. His experience playing against grown men all season long in the French league is certainly showing in workouts so far it seems. The safest pick amongst players being projected to go from 13-19 is likely Brandon Rush. He could seemingly be picked by any of those teams, and be able to find a way to be productive thanks to his size, shooting ability and defensive skills. He’s probably not going to be a star, but as you’ll be able to read in the research conducted by Heather N. Allen and Paul Gearan tomorrow, that’s not such a bad thing in this range. Feedback for this article may be sent to jonathan@draftexpress.com
Yeah from that article it sounds like Movin' Up: Robin Lopez Brandon Rush Courtney Lee Alex Ajinca Then that means Movin' Down: Anthony Randolph DeAndre Jordan Marreese Speights Nicholas Batum Donte Green Javale McGee CDR Serge Ibaka
They haven't changed their mock to reflect the moves yet. http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2008/
Devon Hardin looks like a total beast in his highlight video. High energy athlete with incredible size. He may not have that much offensive skill set, but he is a high intensity guy that plays tough defense and he's a senior. I'll be surprised if a team like Detroit passes on him. Also Jamont Gordon may be one of the steals in this draft, he can really get to the basket.
