Re: Peter May Ranks The Draftable Players

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

"Jaime Castillo, Jr." wrote:

> > I'm not sold at all on Battier. He plays power forward for Duke, and
> shoots
> > over or dribbles around bigger players. The system at Duke allows him to
> do
> > that. In the NBA he's a one-position guy--small forward. And I'm not
> > convinced he has the quickness to play that position. He relies on a lot
> of
> > flopping to draw charges, but those don't go over as well in the NBA. I
> > think he'll be a solid pro, but more of a "rich man's" Rick Fox. If you
> want
> > a guy to contribute right away, he's your guy. But if you want a guy with
> a
> > lot of upside, Battier isn't it. Personally, I think this team should
> > consider Battier only if he's still there with the Phoenix pick. Besides,
> > his hairline just frightens me. He comes from that Riddick Bowe-Brad
> > Daugherty family tree of athletes with no foreheads. They go straight from
> > eyebrow to hairline. Battier's decision earlier this season to completely
> > shave his head was one of the all-time no-brainers. But now he's letting
> it
> > grow back... why? Do you think Battier, Bowe and Daugherty started shaving
> > their foreheads when they were 9 years old? Would the same strategy work
> for
> > me, because my hairline is going the other way...
>
> Making fun of a person's looks is really not fun to read.  I don't see this
> as necessary and enjoyable to read.  Make fun or laugh at someone if he's an
> underachiever or a lazy person but not on a hard worker that has great work
> ethics and discipline.  You are talkin about Battier who I think and I
> believe the most perfectly sound basketball player in the coming draft.
> He's got skills and lots of talent and fundamentally polished.  I disagree
> when you said that he doesn't have much upside and is not for a long term
> plan...why would you say that?  Battier can definitely contribute right away
> and could become a team's defensive cornerstone for years that could
> effectively rub onto his other teammates.  FYI, he's not slow as you've said
> that he could not guard small forwards...   If you watched most of their
> games he could guard everybody in every situation possible!  Maybe it's
> better to say he's a better George Lynch kinda player with better 3pt
> shooting and defense (considering Lynch is already a good defender).  I'll
> be very shocked if he doesn't get picked in the lottery! (Then it may be a
> good thing, then we could get him with our picks)

Point taken, Jaime. In college Paul Pierce was barely considered a small
forward, much less a 2-guard, because he was a 10 rebound type guy. It sounds to
me like Battier has a similar handle on the ball, a good outside shot, and makes
steals and plays on defense (Pierce can be an explosive shotblocker sometimes).

Now this might seem wierd, but if Battier were a NC Tarheal and had exactly the
same game I'd say he's "can't miss", but since he's a Dookie I have my doubts
about him just like Mark Berry seems to. This is just one of those things. When
you look at Jason Williams (as safe a "can't miss" as you'll find in college)
you can't help thinking "didn't William Avery also have a hell of a good three
point shot and an advanced scorer's mentality?"

I do think Mark's riff on Battier's hair growth pattern was pretty hilarious and
quirky (as opposed to mean spirited in any way). I got a kick out of it
completely.

Joe

------