Re[2]: New Don Leventhal's rankings.

[Matt Healy <mhealy@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu>]

>          Is anyone else still skeptical of Raef LaFrentz? I hope
>          Leventhal is right about his stock rising, but I just hope
>          someone else takes him and pushes a Thomas/Jamison/Foyle
>          down to us with the Dallas pick.
>

I'm still skeptical of LaFrenz, but also of the other three you mention.  I
really like Thomas, because of his size, shooting range, and athleticism.
But he is pretty young, and hasn't played NBA quality ball yet.  I am very
skeptical of Jamison.  While he is a fantastically aggressive rebounder, he
is really not much of a shooter, to say the least.  He was able to rack up
nearly 20 ppg, but being such a good rebounder, and by getting decent post
position, but I don't think he will do well in the NBA, unless a shot
develops.  And he really doesn't have any kind of shot right now.  Foyle is
an unknown to me, so maybe he will be alright.  It is fair to be very
skeptical of a big guy putting up big numbers at a small school.

>          Also, on the Jacque Vaughn debate: I've never been sold on
>          him and still don't see him as a dominant NBA point guard. I
>          believe point guards need to be able to shoot in today's
>          NBA, and Vaughn can't. He is a good floor leader, but he's
>          going to be a liability on the defensive end because of his
>          size. Again, he might be a good mid-first-round pick, but I
>          just don't see him as a lottery choice.

I think he will be able to shoot, he just doesn't need to at Kansas.  He is
very quick, has great court vision, and does play tenacious defense. No, he
will not be able to guard Penny Hardaway in the post, but if that were the
requirement for a point guard, most teams would be in trouble.  He can play
the position, and I think he could make a decent pro.

>
>          On the other hand, I'm more impressed with Van Horn every
>          time I see him. I don't see him lasting past the third pick
>          (unless someone becomes infatuated with Thomas' potential).
>

I agree.  He will be gone by the top 3 for sure.

Matt