Re: Re: Draft junkie needs fix

["JLyell" <jlyell@concentric.net>]

- ----------
> From: JOzersky@aol.com
> To: celtics@igtc.com
> Subject: Fwd: Re: Draft junkie needs fix
> Date: Friday, February 14, 1997 6:20 AM
> 
> 
> ---------------------
> Forwarded message:
> From:	anon2e18@nyx.net (Uncle Vasya)
> To:	JOzersky@aol.com
> Date: 97-02-14 01:09:00 EST
> 
> 
> >Thanks for your interesting comments, uncle.  Let me hit you with
another:
> > Who are the best two guards?  I hear about Seals, Willoughby, Mercer,
> >Billups and I used to hear about Anthony Parker.  Who is best?  What is
the
> >story?
> 
> At this point Mercer is the highest rated prospect at SG.
> He has outstanding athleticism, good all around skills
> and he has performed well in big games (like last year's final.)
> He has also played well against the top players at his position this year
> (Matt Harpring and Tim Thomas.) Good size for SG too -
> he's about 6-6, 210.  Regularly guards smaller people because
> of his quickness. His weakness is his sometimes inconsistent
> shooting, but he seems to be pretty solid at least through midrange.
> Some question his ball-handling too, but his turnovers are pretty low.
> Whatever his shortcomings right now the scouts feel he has greater
> potential than any of the above.
> 
> Billups is interesting: he's a combo guard type, an athletic
> 6-3, 200 guy who is great at creating and making his jumper
> but he can also handle and make a flashy pass.  He's not as good
> at running a team as is a pure point like Brevin Knight but he has
> done it pretty well on this level.  A lot of potential like Mercer
> (both are sophomores).  I think he'll be a late lottery pick if he comes
out;
> even though he's not a pure PG he has too many physical tools and skills 

> to pass up.
> 
> Willoughby is a great long range shooter with a very quick release
> and a good overall scorer.  A little small (listed at 6-3)
> and doesn't have a great defensive rep, so he might have some problems
> on the next level, since he's not likely to convert to PG.
> I think, depending on his true height and how he defends in camps,
> he's anywhere from an early 2nd rounder to undrafted.
> 
> Seals is a great scorer, has a good all-around game, an excellent build
and 
> good athleticism.  He got people excited after torching DTIII this
summer,
> but he has not shot well this season (or any season in fact.)
> Part of the problem is shot selection (taking a lot of off-balance,
> defender-in-your-face jumpers) but when a guy's career fg%
> is less than 40 you have to question the purity of his shot as
> well as his ability to shoot off the dribble.  A real question mark
> in my mind - could be anywhere from mid-1st round to early 20s.
> Maybe the rest of the season will tell.
> 
> Anthony Parker was injured early this season and is playing his way back
> right now, so his scoring and shooting numbers are down.  He also looked
good
> against DTIII, and unlike Seals shot very well last season
> (fg% high 40s, 3 pt. % low 40s.)  Good finisher on the break,
> seems to be a pretty pure shooter.  The rest of the season
> and camps will be crucial for him.  Was considered as high as
> late lottery before the injury.
> 
> Other guys -
> 
> James Cotton, Long Beach State, 6-5.  Athletic, good shooter/scorer,
> good from the line.  Pretty form on his shot. Only a junior; could be a
late 
> lottery to mid-1st rounder if he comes out.
> 
> Reggie Freeman, Texas, listed 6-6.  Seems to have all the skills
> for SG.  Hard to evaluate because his coach gives him free reign to
> create for himself and others off the dribble, so he has high scoring
> and low shooting averages.  Great rebounder for his size, good
defensively,
> can drive and dish. Not a pure shooter but has made a big number of 3s in

> his career. A lot of impressive performances this year, so his stock has 
> risen. A possible mid-1st rounder.
> 
> --
> Uncle Vasya
> anon2e18@nyx.net
> 

These are some pretty accurate evaluations except for possibly
willoughby's.  I think he will go mid to late first round.  I think Cotton
will stay and play with his brother.  Mercer & Billups are the top 2's,
both with a lot of potential. Freeman & Willoughby have had good seasons
also.
> 
>