Sup guys, I am finally back after a long holiday weekend. I hope you all enjoys yours as much as I enjoyed mine.
With the draft coming up, I thought it would be a cool idea if I did a “Big Board” for the Nets. On this board are players that may be there for the Nets (for example you won’t be seeing Blake Griffin here – though maybe we can still get him). The order is put in is based on how much I want them. This will be updated from time to time as workouts continue to happen.
1. Jordan Hill – 6’10″/235 – PF – Arizona
I know most mocks have him going top 5, but I have included him because there are reports that he may drop. I don’t know how likely it is because he is having some solid workouts already, but if he drops all the way to 11, we better take this guy.
Strengths
Despite his size and his frame, the guy is very explosive and athletic. He also has great lateral speed, which is key defensively. He would be a great fit on the Nets because he can block shots from the help side while Brook contests. He is a physically tough player, which is something the Nets need from their 4 because they already got a bunch of finesse 4s on their roster. He is a great rebounder especially on the offensive end (11 per game – 1oth in the NCAA/4.2 ORB per game – 3rd in the NCAA).
Weaknesses
Isn’t good from the foul line (65.4 %), and he is a very raw player (has only been playing basketball for a few years), and we have had problems with raw players here in NJ during Lawrence Frank’s tenure (think Marcus Williams & Sean Williams). He is also very foul prone (3.0 per game in college – 5 is a foul out) and he doesn’t have the best hands in the world.
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Chances We Will Take Him?
5%. If he is there we will take him. I just don’t think he will be there.
2. James Johnson – 6’8″/235 – Wake Forest
The Nets are very high on James Johnson, and they have every reason to be. There are many reports out there saying that if Johnson falls to the Nets, the Nets will be drafting him. That makes me happy.
Strengths
For a big, Johnson has some great feet. He has a nice touch around the basket and can hit from the free-throw line extended. Johnson, like Jordan Hill, is an athletic freak and this athletic ability allows for him to cover multiple positions if the Nets decide to go big with a Johnson/Boone/Lopez line-up. Also, reports show that he has a high basketball IQ. Not a great free throw shooter (about 70%), but he is solid enough where with work he can turn into a good free throw shooter.
Weaknesses
Despite his strong footwork, James doesn’t possess good lateral quickness. He also isn’t a great shooter off the dribble, but that shouldn’t matter too much because if drafted by the Nets he will be playing the 4. Sometimes Johnson settles for bad shots and he has been noted to have a poor attitude, a lack of focus, and poor determination. He also needs to work on his defensive awareness.
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Chances We Will Take Him?
50%. The Nets are totally enamored with him (and so am I), but there are some things that worry me (Poor attitude and such). That being said, I believe the Nets will take him if he is there. The Raptors may take him as the future replacement to Chris Bosh, and he may not make it to the Nets.
DeJuan Blair – 6’7″/265 – Pitt
DeJuan Blair is a big boy. He is also a very hard worker on the court, and a fun loving guy off of the court. It could be very entertaining to see him in New Jersey. Right now I am still waiting for some reports from his workouts to see if he will bump up to #2 on this board.
Strengths
DeJuan Blair is a offensive rebounding machine with a nose for the ball. He lead the NCAA in ORPG with 5.8 and was 4th in the NCAA with 12.3 RPG. He has great hands for a big man, and he is very active/productive when he is in the game. He loves contact, and he has no problem dishing it out as well. He also has great body language, when he is on the court. He is a solid passer out of the post.
Weaknesses
His size. He is listed at 6’7″, and he might be even shorter than that. He isn’t a great shooter, and he doesn’t shoot well from the free throw line. He doesn’t really have any moves with his back to the basket, in college he could just bully his way into the paint, he won’t be able to do that in the pros. He plays under the basket, doesn’t really finish around the basket with dunks. Isn’t the most athletic big around…
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Chances We Will Take Him?
30%. I think we will be drafting him if James Johnson isn’t there, and the Nets still want to draft a PF.
4. Earl Clark – 6’9″/220 – SF/PF – Louisville
Jersey boy Earl Clark is up next. While he is still young, Earl Clark is the type of talent that could possibly turn into a Lamar Odom type of player as he develops.
Strengths
First thing you notice about Earl Clark is his size. He is 6’9″ and many teams have him projecting out to a SF in the league. This type of size can lead to endless matchup problems. He can handle the ball with both hands, and he has the ability to create his own shot. He is good in transition and in pick and roll play, plus he has excellent hands. He can defend multiple positions which is something that is very important in the NBA.
Weaknesses
He is somewhat turnover prone, and he isn’t as physically tough as you would want a guy to be. He also can’t score with his back to the basket, but that shouldn’t be a huge problem for the Nets because he would be drafted to play SF. His work ethic has been questioned and he can’t catch and shoot too well.
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Chances We Will Take Him?
35%. I think he will be there, but this all depends on whether or not James Johnson will be there when we pick. If he isn’t there, Earl Clark will be the pick. You have to remember that he is a Jersey kid, he’s said he wants to play for the Nets, and his agent is the same agent that Yi and Eduardo Najera.
5. DeMar DeRozen – 6’7″/207 – SF – USC
DeMar DeRozen is young (Just finished his freshman year), but he is a very interesting prospect. He could turn into a great scorer in the league.
Strengths
DeMar DeRozen is a pure scorcer, and he can score with ease. He can defend multiple positions, and his size may cause problems at the 3. He has great work ethic, and everything written about him says that he is a great coachable kid. He is an athletic freak, and he is a great rebounder from either the 3 or the 2. He showed to be a pretty solid shooter.
Weaknesses
Raw. Raw. Raw. He could turn into a great player, but if he isn’t developed correctly, he could turn into a huge bust (Let’s keep in mind Lawrence Frank doesn’t have the best track record developing rookies. Granted that could be we wern’t drafting the right guys, but L. Frank has to be blamed for some of it. Right?). He is a terrible free throw shooter. This is especially important when you consider the frequency he drives to the basket. Despite his willingness to play defense, he isn’t really good at it, and won’t be able to play D at the NBA level without some work. He is a 65% shooter from the free throw line. He doesn’t make the correct pass enough, and he has a poor assist/turnover ratio. Doesn’t have the best basketball IQ. Won’t have a big impact his rookie year.
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Chances We Will Take Him?
15%. He could be a great player in this league, but he could be a bust. I think Rod Thorn will take Lawrence Frank’s track record into consideration and he will pass on DeRozen. If we do take him, it will tell you what Thorn thinks about our playoff chances next year. If he drafts him we are in full rebuilding mode.
6. Sam Young – 6’6″/210 – SF – Pitt
It seems like I have been hearing about Sam Young for forever now, but when you think about it (has been a big name his whole college career, and he stayed all 4 years), it makes sense.
Strengths
Sam Young had the best pump-fake in the college game (No matter how many times in a row he did it, it always worked), and I think it will work with in the block-happy NBA. He can score with his back to the basket, and he has the ability to finish around the rim. He is an athletic freak, his dunks are all over SportsCenter. He can catch and shoot, and he is a great rebounder for his size.
Weaknesses
First, he is an old-man by NBA terms. I know it might not be a big deal, but there are ton of pros in the NBA that are younger than him (Sam Young is 23 years old). Besides his pump-fake, he can’t really create his own shot. His defensive ability has been questioned, and he can’t shoot off of the dribble.
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Chances We Will Take Him?
5%. Now he is here mainly out of my enjoyment (Hey, it’s my blog!), I think he is a great player and who knows what the Nets think. Now maybe if DeMar and Earl are gone by the time it reaches our pick and Rod Thorn has his heart set on drafting a SF, I guess I can see us taking him.
7. Eric Maynor – 6’2/175 – PG – VCU
Having Maynor up here might be a shock to you guys, but I think he is the most pro ready point guard on the board (Don’t you guys remember his March Madness effort 3 years ago?). If the Nets go PG, which is what some people have us thinking, he would be my #1 choice.
Strengths
He is a scoring first PG, who is a great assist man. He is a better PG than a certian other scoring PG that is lower on this list. He is pro ready, and he has a great body. As a senior, he is already well-seasoned and I think the transformation to the pro game will be an easy one. He has a great floater in the paint and an excellent mid-range game. He has a great basketball IQ, can hit from 3, and he is a pretty solid pick and roll player. He is also a winner who has experiences playing in (and winning) big games. When surrounded by scorers has the potential to become a pure PG.
Weaknesses
He is a streaky shooter. He is also prone to going a little out of control some times and taking crazy shots (This could be due to the fact that he was the main guy on a so/so team. Maybe he felt like he needed to take every shot). He isn’t the most athletic guy, and he lacks lateral quickness. This lack of lateral quickness also leads to his lack of defensive skill. Besides his floater, he doesn’t really have the ability to finish around the basket consistantly.
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Chances We Will Take Him?
1%. If the other PGs on this list are there at 11 we will take them instead of him. But if he preforms well in pre-draft camps and we like him, I can see us trading down, adding a second round pick, and drafting him. Unlikely, but that is a possibility.
8. Stephen Curry – 6’3″/185 – PG/SG – Davidson
Here is the man everyone is talking about. I think he can turn into a great pro, but it will take a while.
Strengths
Stephen Curry is a crafty scorer who moves very well without the ball. He is a tremendous shooter from 3, and he has a high basketball IQ. He is a hard worker, and he is great off screens (Mainly because no matter how you play him, he will end up getting a shot off). Cold-blooded. Clutch shooter.
Weaknesses
Stephen Curry isn’t a true point (last year was his first year at the position), and since he will most likely be a point in the pros, that could be a problem. He turned the ball over too much playing the point last year, and in big games he had too many 3-20 type games (he got his points, but with way too many shots). Won’t make an imidiate impact, and could never turn into a starter. His frail body type could lead into a lack of defensive ability. Not quick enough to cover PGs and too small to cover SGs.
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Chances We Will Take Him?
20%. If we go PG and he is on the board (Knicks have been rumored to be very interested), I see us taking him. When he first made his decision to come out, the Nets were on the short-list of the teams who were interested.
9. Jonny Flynn – 6’0″/172 – PG – Syracuse
Jonny Flynn has been sky-rocketing up the draft board since the start of his season last year. He is a score first PG who fits into the Allen Iverson mold.
Strengths
Jonny Flynn is a flat-out scorer who has a great ability to get to the free throw line. He has great confidence he plays very aggressively. He is mentally tough as seen by his overtime performances during the Big East Tournament last year. He is very explosive, with great court vision, and a great mid-range jumper.
Weaknesses
The spelling of his name. Seriously. If we draft him this would suck for me because I guarantee that I will spell is name wrong a ton of times. Small. Too much of a scoring point, not a true point. He isn’t great defensively, and he can’t really contest shots due to his lack of size. He can be out of control at times and he is turnover prone.
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Chances We Will Draft Him?
5%. If we go PG and Steph Curry is off the board, it will come down to either him or Ty Lawson.
10. Ty Lawson – 6’0″/195 – PG – North Carolina
Ty Lawson comes from a powerhouse college team where he played big in big games.
Strengths
Ty Lawson is quicker than most, even when he is dribbling the ball. He is a true point with great hands, and he was a great defensive player in college. He is a great assist man while keeping his turnovers down. He has a great work ethic. He has one the big games and has played well in them.
Weaknesses
Smaller than most PGs, and that might hurt him defensively in the NBA. He tends to be injury prone, and the physical nature of the NBA may increase this. Sometimes he has shown a lack of focus on the court when he wasn’t playing in the big games. There are questions about his basketball IQ.
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Chances We Will Take Him?
5%. As I said above, if we go point and Steph Curry is off the board it is between Ty and Jonny.
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Well there it is. This is my big board for the NJ Nets, and I think it is a pretty solid list. I think you can tell what position I want the Nets to take based on the way they are ordered here. Although with solid work-outs, I can see the Nets getting a SF. I will update this from time to time as I please. Leave your own top ten in the comments, this could be an interesting discussion.
