Re: Peter May Ranks The Draftable Players

[Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

OzerskyJA wrote:

> 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

Once again I apologize for jumping the gun on draft discussion, which must seem
way out of place at this moment. Battier is a senior and I truly believe that
gives a big advantage that needs to be factored in (where would he have been
drafted as a sophomore or junior?) But then again, how often does a major
college basketball averaged over 2 blocks and 2 steals? In the case of the
Celts, I'm now all in favor of drafting a defensive stud if one is available,
regardless of position. Here's ESPN's player breakdown for Duke's Battier and
Jason Williams:

Shane Battier
Forward | #31 | Senior | Duke
Height: 6-8
Weight: 220 lbs.
Hometown: Birmingham, MI
A team-oriented player who does everything very well, but who's talent doesn't
stand out in any one particular area ... A lot of guard skills for a player of
his size ... Good ballhandler, beautiful crossover and quick first step ...
Accurate, but somewhat streaky shooting skills ... Keeps his body rather stiff
on his shot ... This helps him maintain a shooting consistency on his release
... Likes the little spot up jumpers from the foul line extended ... Beautiful
turnaround jumper, great drop step in the low post ... Not a real physical
presence, so he can have trouble scoring against strong opponents in the paint
... Likes to uses his quickness advantage for spin moves on the blocks ... Works
for his shot with his dribble very well, and he has a great in-between game
which gives opponents trouble ... Loves to take the pullup jumper off the
dribble ... Height and reach allows him to get off his shot more easily over
opponents ... Unselfish, sees the floor extremely well ... Does a lot of the
little things ... A good rebounder, but not a gifted one for his size ...
Exemplary defender, equally adept in his perimeter and low post defense ... Has
drawn an unheard of amount of charges over the course of his career ... Reaction
speed produces a large quantity of both steals and blocks ... Former McDonald's
All-American who played at Chris Webber's alma mater, Detroit Country Day, where
he played with Webber's two brothers, Jason and David, both of who are currently
playing for Central Michigan ... Extremely intelligent off the court, he
involves himself in many different activities other than basketball.

Jason Williams
Guard | #22 | Sophomore | Duke
Height: 6-2
Weight: 196 lbs.
Hometown: Plainfield, NJ
Might be the best young point guard in the country ... Sets the tempo ... Not
explosive, but definitely above average in terms of speed ... Great penetrator
... Awesome passer off the dribble, simply finds the open man ... Makes
beautiful reads and recognitions, plays the game a step ahead of everyone else
... Stays a step ahead of everybody else by anticipating player movement ...
Uncanny vision ... Can get deep in the lane with his outstanding handle ...
Finishes nicely on reverse layups ... Smooth mechanics on his long-range jumper,
an incredibly gifted shooter for so early in his career ... Excellent in-between
game, a real threat from mid-range where he cans jumpers off the dribble ...
Does a good job in general at creating his own shot ... Turnovers the biggest
weakness in his game ... Makes some poor decisions with the ball ... Causes
turnovers on the other end by playing the passing lanes for steals ... Former
McDonald's All-American ... Won several player of the year awards during his
senior season of high school.

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