RE: Peter May Ranks The Draftable Players

[OzerskyJA <OzerskyJA@cmog.org>]

I meant to say, "grasp of offense"

Josh Ozersky	
Marketing Communications Specialist 
Corning Museum of Glass

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	OzerskyJA [SMTP:OzerskyJA@cmog.org]
> Sent:	Monday, March 19, 2001 10:15 AM
> To:	'Hironaka'; celtics@igtc.com
> Subject:	RE: Peter May Ranks The Draftable Players
> 
> After watching some games, the guy I am most impressed with is Battier.
> Although we need scoring, I have my doubts about some of these young
> talents who might not help much next season.  Battier is the kind of
> player
> we need if we build on the Sixers model:  great defensive players,
> competent
> but balanced scoring, and the superstar (in our case superstars) as the
> difference
> makers.  The guy is ready to be a defensive stopper in the league, and he
> has a 
> much better grasp of, and gift for, defense than some of the specialists
> we've 
> carried on the roster.  He's a 40% three point shooter, and the best
> all-around
> statistical player in ACC history.  I like him and Tinsley as our two
> picks,
> end
> of story.  Make room for them both on the roster and we're in business!
> 
> Josh Ozersky	
> Marketing Communications Specialist 
> Corning Museum of Glass
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:	Hironaka [SMTP:j.hironaka@unesco.org]
> > Sent:	Monday, March 19, 2001 5:02 AM
> > To:	celtics@igtc.com
> > Subject:	Re: Peter May Ranks The Draftable Players
> > 
> > Way Of The Ray wrote:
> > 
> > > In tomorrow's Globe, Peter May will provide you with a look at the top
> > > players
> > > who could be available in the draft. Ranked in his column, they are:
> > >
> > > 1) Yao Ming - "Everyone who has seen him raves about him."
> > >
> > > 2) Jason Williams - No one believes he's staying.
> > >
> > > 3) Chris Marcus - Player personnel guys love his upside.
> > >
> > > 4) Jason Richardson - "excellent work ethic."
> > >
> > > 5) Kwame Brown - The personnel people think he's NBA bound.
> > >
> > > 6) DeSagana Diop - Has a foot injury.
> > >
> > > 7) Tyson Chandler - May slide, but " much-coveted athleticism."
> > >
> > > 8) Eddie Griffin - Scouts think he's coming out.
> > >
> > > 9) Dajuan Wagner - May rise up via "all-star practices."
> > >
> > > 10) Frank Williams - Second point guard taken.
> > >
> > > 11) Eddy Curry - Hanging out with Jordan's fitnesds guru.
> > >
> > > 12) Joseph Forte - First NC player taken.
> > >
> > > 13) Troy Murphy - Raef LaFrentz?
> > >
> > > 14) Shane Battier - "borderline lottery pick"
> > >
> > > 15) Rodney White - Trentish pro body
> > >
> > > May's others to look for: Brendan Haywood, Zach Randolph, Kareem Rush,
> > > Joe Johnson.
> > >
> > > May quoting one GM: "'If 90 percent of these guys come out, it'll be a
> > deep
> > > draft.
> > > You may not find a franchise player in there, but you will find guys
> who
> > can
> > > score.'"
> > 
> > I'd be really surprised if the draft went in that order (Eddy Curry at
> > #11,
> > Brendan Haywood available at #16). The other curious thing is the number
> > of top
> > players Peter Mayqueen fails to mention altogether. Iowa's Reggie Evans
> > led the
> > nation in rebounding out of the Big Ten, a notable feat. And if
> Stanford's
> > Casey
> > Jacobsen stays four years in school, he'll likely be the most nationally
> > hyped
> > player since Princeton's Bill Bradley by the time he's a senior. Gilbert
> > Arenas
> > is a great combo guard and seems like a Joe Dumars-caliber, no-brainer
> > pick if
> > he falls anywhere after the lottery round. Tayshaun Prince hits big
> shots
> > and
> > sounds like he may have some of Mashburn's all-around game.
> > 
> > Here's the ESPN breakdown of some of the players that Peter Mayqueen
> > missed,
> > starting with three franchise-player WB's for Way. ;-)
> > 
> > Joe
> > 
> > p.s. I hope you all had a wonderful St Patrick's Day.
> > 
> > 
> > ----------
> > 
> > Casey Jacobsen
> > Guard | #23 | Sophomore | Stanford
> > Height: 6-6
> > Weight: 210 lbs.
> > Hometown: Glendora, CA
> > Heralded recruit who become Stanford's first option on offense early in
> > his
> > freshman year and has stayed the first option ever since ... Might have
> > the best
> > looking stroke in college basketball, owns a picture-perfect release and
> > has
> > flawless mechanics conducive to maintaining accuracy as he adds range
> ...
> > Arches
> > back, elevates, and kicks his legs out allowing for powerful drive
> behind
> > the
> > ball ... Great arc and rotation, shoots off his fingertips ... Because
> he
> > is so
> > gifted in his long-range scoring abilities, opponents must defend him to
> > limit
> > his perimeter opportunities ... This opens things up for the dribble
> > drive, and
> > he does this well ... Quick in his initial burst but lacks breakaway
> > speed, so
> > he'll often have to use his size to ride defenders into the lane ...
> > Sensational
> > when he reads the hole in traffic, won't elevate much to finish but
> > converts on
> > one-handed swooping tosses ... Solid handle, can really lose his
> opponent
> > on the
> > crossover ... Draws fouls with his aggressiveness ... Remarkably savvy,
> > his
> > presence of mind makes him a reliably efficient player ... Former
> > McDonald's
> > All-American ... Brother, Brock, played at San Diego, and Adam, at
> Pacific
> > ...
> > Father, Von, played at San Diego St. and built a regulation halfcourt in
> > his
> > backyard complete with breakaway rims, a college three-point line, and
> > lights
> > for night basketball.
> > 
> > Jason Kapono-UCLA
> > Height: 6-7
> > Weight: 199 lbs.
> > Hometown: Lakewood, CA
> > Prolific scorer on the perimeter, a pure shooter at 6-7 ... Great range
> > and
> > touch, converts very difficult three point attempts ... Hits in spot up
> > situations or off the dribble, which makes him particularly impressive
> ...
> > Has
> > the size to shoot over the defense ... Sets his feet well ... Follow
> > through on
> > pullups needs improvement ... Splendid ballhandler for his size, can
> help
> > out
> > against the press ... Manufactures opportunities offensively, gets
> himself
> > looks
> > ... Moves well without the ball ... Doesn't have great hangtime, and
> that
> > can
> > hurt him in finishing off drives in traffic ... On the box, he wheels
> and
> > deals,
> > but can lose track of where he is in relation to the basket ... Touch
> > obviously
> > makes him a factor in close vicinity to the basket though his lack of
> > strength
> > can hinder his efforts to get good position and this causes him to flock
> > towards
> > the perimeter ... Great passer ... Not a big rebounder ... Entered the
> NBA
> > Draft
> > at the conclusion of a spectacular freshman season ... Concerns about
> his
> > ballhandling and ability to create his own shot fueled speculation that
> he
> > could
> > slip into the second round, consequently causing him to withdraw his
> name
> > from
> > the draft ... Former McDonald's All-American ... Came from the same high
> > school
> > program that produced legendary Bruins Ed and Charles O'Bannon.
> > 
> > Brett Nelson
> > Guard | #10 | Sophomore | Florida
> > Height: 6-3
> > Weight: 185 lbs.
> > Hometown: St Albans, WV
> > Already a legend in his hometown ... Comparisons to fellow West
> Virginian
> > Jerry
> > West are inevitable, but also reminds of John Havlicek ... Has uncanny
> > vision
> > and passing creativity ... Display flair in the open court ... Will
> score
> > in
> > spurts ... Elevates extremely well on his long-range jumper, allowing
> him
> > space
> > to shoot over defensive pressure with amazing accuracy ... Proficient
> > scorer off
> > the dribble ... Paralyzing crossover into a pullup ... Nifty handle ...
> > Hesitation dribble to attack the gap ... Composed finisher, settling
> into
> > one
> > handers off the glass ... Loves the runner from the wing or in the lane,
> > seemingly measuring his shot as he elevates ... Also converts on
> dipsy-do
> > finishes ... Diversity of his offensive game makes him tough to defend,
> > though
> > he thinks pass before shot ... Sharp distributor, finds passing lanes
> that
> > aren't supposed to exist ... Great instincts, on defense he shows a nose
> > for the
> > ball on steals ... Turnovers and fouls are both something that he
> > significantly
> > needs to cut down on ... McDonald's All- American ... First prep
> sophomore
> > to
> > lead the state of West Virginia in scoring.
> > 
> > Reggie Evans
> > Forward | #32 | Junior | Iowa
> > Height: 6-8
> > Weight: 245 lbs.
> > Hometown: Pensacola, FL
> > Big-time junior college recruit ... Has worked hard in the weight room
> and
> > owns
> > considerable physical ability ... Not as polished as he could be with
> his
> > back
> > to the basket, but often compensates for that weakness with his strength
> > and
> > agility ... Far from one-dimensional, he's extremely proficient from the
> > perimeter to the point of rarity for a 6-8, 245 pound specimen ...
> > Outstanding
> > rebounder and highly effective at setting screens ... Has improved his
> > entire
> > game, especially his offensive footwork.
> > 
> > Gilbert Arenas
> > Guard | #0 | Sophomore | Roster
> > Height: 6-3
> > Weight: 188 lbs.
> > Hometown: North Hollywood, CA
> > Easily one of the most talented young guards in the country ... Prolific
> > mid-range scorer ... Brilliant first step ... Hard to defend in
> one-on-one
> > situations because he has such good change of direction speed ... Good
> > stutter
> > step, crossover to shake his opponent ... Gets himself clean looks off
> the
> > dribble ... Elevates well into his shot, releasing at the highest point
> > ...
> > Smooth and consistent follow through ... Mechanics become more erratic
> > when he
> > has to add range on his shot ... Finishes well, double clutch reverse,
> > floater
> > ... Flair in the open court ... Good rebounder at his size ... Can play
> > some
> > point guard if need be ... Surprisingly advanced shot selection that
> > rarely
> > comes from players as young as he ... Despite sensational high school
> > career he
> > was snubbed from many of the more reputed all-star games and
> all-American
> > lists,
> > proving to many that he was overlooked during his high school days ...
> > Just 17
> > years of age during the first half season of his career ... Father,
> > Gilbert,
> > played football at the University of Miami with future NFL stars Jim
> Kelly
> > and
> > Otis Anderson.
> > 
> > Tayshaun Prince
> > Guard | #21 | Junior | Roster
> > Height: 6-9
> > Weight: 215 lbs.
> > Hometown: Compton, CA
> > Lithe lefty is a one-time McDonald's All-American ... His lankiness
> makes
> > for a
> > Gervinesque quality, but also reminds of former ABA superstar Connie
> > Hawkins ...
> > Comes complete with a tremendous wingspan of seven feet ... Solid first
> > step and
> > foot speed, though he is not explosive and utilizes his size ... Takes
> > long
> > strides on silky smooth attacks at the seam, keeping his man on his
> > shoulder and
> > shielding him from getting in front of his shot ... An excellent
> finisher
> > off
> > drives, he uses his rangy frame to go over the top of the defense by
> > extending
> > on his follow through or using his long wingspan to swoop shots off to
> the
> > side
> > of traffic ... Gets his shot off against most defenders in one-on-one
> > situations
> > ... Doesn't always exploit his size well enough though ... Tends to sag
> > outside
> > and settle for long-range jump shots, an area of his game that he has
> > fortunately improved upon ... A hot-cold shooter ... Has a feathery
> touch
> > ...
> > Gets under the ball and pushes it out on his release with the palm of
> his
> > shooting hand ... This gives his shot a lot of arc, but virtually no
> > rotation
> > ... With his hands as big as they are it is very difficult for him to
> get
> > good
> > rotation on his shot because it is tougher to release the ball off the
> > fingertips with an oversize hand ... Really measures up on his jumper
> and
> > this
> > slows down his entire shooting rotation ... Has continued to add
> > considerable
> > weight and must keep doing so in order to improve his ability to score
> and
> > rebound in the paint ... Not enough of a threat in the post ... Does
> have
> > a spin
> > move to the basket followed by an up and under in which he uses a little
> > floating one-hander to complete ... Great tracking ability as a
> rebounder
> > ...
> > Decision making needs work ... Has the physical skills to be a potential
> > defensive stopper ... Brother of Pepperdine forward Tommy Prince ...
> > Starred in
> > his prep days at national powerhouse Dominguez High School, in Compton,
> > California where he played with one-time Georgetown guard Kenny Brunner
> > and
> > current USC Trojans football
> > player Jason Thomas.
> > 
> > ---------------
> > 
> > Others who are getting good pro scouting hype: Omar Cook, Kenny
> > Satterfield,
> > Udonis Haslem, Dan "Dutch Boy in the Paint" Gadzuric plus guys like Sean
> > Lampley, Michael Bradley, Joe Crispin, Juan Dixon, Kirk Hasten, Jason
> and
> > Jaron
> > Collins, Michael Wright, Terence Morris. It's a longer list than that,
> > with a
> > lot of names I've neglected to mention.