Fw: Rating the guards in the NBA Draft

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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From: "s_knight8" <s_knight8@xxxxxxxxxxx>
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Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 11:13 AM
Subject: Rating the guards in the NBA Draft


>
http://www.nj.com/nets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1056350849220860.xml
>
> POINT GUARDS
>
> 1. T.J. Ford (5-11, 162, Texas) -- The quickest guy in the draft, but
> there's no guarantee where he'll be picked because of the size issue
> -- somewhere between four and eight, most likely. The scouts who have
> fallen in love with his end-to-end speed also note that he shot only
> 40 percent last season, and everyone cringed when he pulled up from
> the arc (26.5). But his playmaking ability is unsurpassed, "like a
> Mini-Me version of Jason Kidd," one scout said.
>
> 2. Kirk Hinrich (6-4, 190, Kansas) -- Good physical package,
> surprising toughness, ample athleticism, and he plays like a coach's
> son, which he is. The injury problems his senior season may cause him
> to slip a bit, but he's still a top 12 pick. Some envision him as a
> two-guard because of his 40-percent stroke from 3, but he's not the
> open-court burner like others here.
>
> 3. Luke Ridnour (6-2, 175, Oregon) -- You've heard the comparisons
> with Steve Nash and John Stockton -- must be a Pacific Northwest thing
> -- but he actually plays with more flair than his illustrious
> predecessors. Very creative and dangerous on the fly, but not very
> explosive in a half-court game, and his defense will be a liability
> for a few years.
>
> 4. Reece Gaines (6-6, 185, Louisville) -- Scouts love his size, he has
> natural point guard skills, 3-point range, he can defend both guard
> spots, and Rick Pitino -- in one of his hyperbolic moments -- calls
> him one of the most intelligent players he's ever coached. Good
> workouts probably put him in the top 15.
>
> 5. Leandro Barbosa (6-4, 190, Brazil) -- Right now, it's his 3-point
> stroke (45 percent) that separates him from the rest, and he has
> penetrating ability and a nice wingspan. But his numbers (28.1 ppg,
> 7.0 apg) are skewed by the fact that he plays in some modest
> competition in the Brazilian pro league.
>
>
> SHOOTING GUARDS
>
> 1. LeBron James (6-8, 246, St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S., Ohio) -- The
> most highly touted draft pick since, well, forever; he's put in this
> group because it's halfway between point guard and small forward, two
> other positions he'll be able to play and play well. The only
> question, as Paul Silas sees it, is "an awful lot of pressure to place
> on an 18-year-old kid." But the Cleveland coach doesn't sound too
> worried about it, because alleviating that pressure and finding his
> best position is precisely why Silas was hired in the first place.
>
> 2 Jarvis Hayes (6-7, 220, Georgia) -- Some scouts see some Mitch
> Richmond in him; he doesn't overpower defenders like Rock, but he is a
> range shooter and probably a better athlete. He spent last summer
> playing one-on-one with Michael Jordan, and received his blessing. Not
> a great handler, however, but his numbers (18.3 points, 50 percent
> shooting, and 42.5 from the arc) are impressive enough to make him a
> top 10 pick even for teams looking for small forwards.
>
> 3. Dwyane Wade (6-4, 212, Marquette) -- The whole package, and then
> some: He has a strong frame, good defensive ability, and he jumps to
> the moon. Some think his size is inflated, and fear that his jumper
> range is limited (.318 from deep), but he has the quickness to break
> down defenders and can finish with the best of them. Others say he's
> big enough, and doesn't need to take 3s (44 attempts in 33 games),
> because he gets to the rim against anybody. A top 10 pick.
>
> 4. Mickael Pietrus (6-6, 200, France) -- His game is said to be more
> American than European, and that has invited comparisons with everyone
> from Michael Jordan to Ray Allen because of his acrobatics. Just call
> him a slasher with range, but he does some dirty work as well. There
> are some who think he'll be more of an impact player than Carmelo
> Anthony -- better shooter, more willing defender -- but either way,
> the Pau Orthez product is a top 15 pick.
>
> 5. Boris Diaw-Riffiod (6-9, 200, France) -- Overshadowed by teammate
> Pietrus, he might actually be a better athlete. Injuries slowed him
> down a year ago, but he has quick feet and a long wingspan, and his
> offensive game came light years last season (16.8 ppg, .625 shooting).
> Good genes here: His mom is the best center in the history of French
> women's basketball, and his dad was a Senegalese high-jump champ.