Re: the good news...

[opi@unesco.org]

I somehow doubt that Troy Murphy will turn pro this year or if he'll be any
better than Pat Garrity. Joel Pryzbylla really pinned the "uncoachable, pampered,
jock" label on his forehead by quitting the team and badmouthing a respected
coach (who made him sit out for repeatedly missing classes etc.) He was compared
to McHale from the moment he arrived on the Gophers team, which probably explains
why he acts so full of himself.

Sophomore Jerome Moiso should first worry about helping UCLA make the NCAA
tournament. I understand Moiso spent most of his teen years in Paris, France,
which is not a basketball hotbed. Out West, Loren Woods blocked 14 shots against
Oregon this year, but now he has a somewhat serious back injury that could cause
him to miss the NCAA tournament. I think he'll turn pro and be high up on the
draft board because of his height (7-1) and because his free throw shooting and
shot selection are fairly polished. He is a poor rebounder on a per minute basis,
although his average is respectable (7.5 rpg).

It's one thing to say that this is a deep big man class, as Mark B notes. It's
another to say it is a good one.

Kenyon Martin and Etan Thomas dominate in part because of their game experience
and physical maturity as seniors. Neither player would have been drafted as
sophomores. Neither player would have been a lottery pick as juniors.

As Juniors, Thomas contributed a weak 12.3 ppg and just a .574FT% while Martin
averaged 10.9 ppg, 6.9 boards and a lame .562 effort from the free throw line.

This is not to say they won't be good NBA pros (hopefully along the lines of a PJ
Brown) or even impact rookies, but you have to factor in age and experience. If
freaking Chauncey Billups or Tony Battie had stayed in school for four years,
they probably would  have been a #1 overall pick.

If Kenyon Martin does go #1 overall this Summer, he'll be one of the weaker
players to attain that lofty status in ages. That's not to say I don't love him
as a player. I first mentioned him on this list around X-mas last season. BTW,
his teammate Pete Mickeal is a nice player too, with proven shut down defensive
ability along with Larry Johnson type offensive tools.

****

Elgin W Booth wrote:

> Loren Woods, Brendan Haywood, Troy Murphy, Jermoe Moiso, and Stromile
> Swift are all underclassmen and including them in this draft is
> premature. Of all of them, I only think that Moiso and maybe Swift will
> come out. Plus I only like Murphy and Swift at the next level. Moiso is
> rail thin and often times is invisible on the court. Woods is also rail
> thin and soft, and Haywood has little skill besides turning and
> dunking. He is big and powerful, but has little skills as far as post
> moves and foot work.
>
> My opinion, but I don't think this year's big men are very strong. I do
> like Martin and Thomas though. Pryzbilla has declared but he has a long
> way to go before he will be a good NBA center, although the shotblocking
> is already there.
>
> On Mon, 28 Feb 2000, Berry, Mark  S wrote:
>
> > The upcoming college draft probably includes the deepest batch of centers
> > and power forwards that we've seen in years. It starts with center Chris
> > Mihm and PF Kenyon Martin, but also includes (centers) Loren Woods, Brendan
> > Haywood and Joel Pryzbilla, and power forwards Troy Murphy, Jerome Moiso,
> > Stromile Swift and Etan Thomas. All but Murphy would have to be considered
> > above-average shot-blockers at their positions. How about Antoine and our
> > No. 1 for Olowokandi and the Clips' No. 1, and taking the best big man on
> > the board? We could change the complexion of this team pretty quickly.
> >
> > Mark
> >