Posts tagged 2007 NBA Draft at FanHouse

Some prospects aren't getting enough respect on draft boards. PLEASE DRAFT ME aims to change that.

The problem I have with the NBA draft is that too many teams try to hit home runs instead of taking players that can come in and help their team right away. Listen, not all of these kids are going to turn into 20 point per game scorers. However, having players that can come in and knock down an open shot and play excellent defense is probably just as important to building a winning team as having a 20 point scorer is.

I mean, look at Raja Bell, Shane Battier, and Bruce Bowen. All three of them have carved niches for themselves within the league as charge taking defensive stoppers. They've also all honed their offensive games so that they can be successful on that side of the floor without actually having the ball (in other words: all of them have become solid spot up shooters). They also all have been winners throughout their careers.

Recently I had the opportunity to attend an NBA pre-draft workout and watch a few top prospects prepare for their upcoming team workouts. Following the workout I conducted interviews with a couple of the prospects. I've already posted an interview with former Cal-State Fullerton stud Bobby Brown (be sure to check that out and spread love for Bobby around the blogosphere). The next player I had the opportunity to interview was none other than former USC star Nick Young.

When I think about Nick Young, one word comes to mind: smooth. Nick Young's game is so smooth that even when he dunks with aggression it looks effortless. Corey Brewer is touted as the best swing man in the draft (and I can see why). But if Nick isn't the best, he certainly has to be the second best.

On the offensive side of the ball, Nick's game is completely flawless. He has a mid-range jump shot, a back to the basket fall away, a long range jumper, and the ability to penetrate and finish with the best of them. With his athletic 6'7" body and positive attitude (the guy is always smiling...why can't more ball players be like that?), it's easy to see why his stock is steadily rising. In my eyes there is no way he's not a lottery pick.

Anyhow, without any further delay, here's the interview I conducted with Nick just before he left L.A. for the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando:

Recently I had the opportunity to attend an NBA pre-draft workout and watch a few top prospects prepare for their upcoming team workouts. Following the workout I conducted interviews with a couple of the prospects. The first interview I conducted was with former Cal-State Fullerton guard Bobby Brown (no not that Bobby Brown).

Although relatively unknown, Bobby is a spectacular basketball player. He's a quick, explosive 6'1" guard with the ability to shoot from long range as well as slam it home with power. During the workout I attended he routinely nailed shots from behind the three-point arc and easily slammed home highlight reel dunks in the drills. Fans of Monta Ellis will love watching this guy play (see: Bobby's 47-point outburst from this past season).

I've seen tons of pro prospects work out before, and after seeing Bobby work out it's obvious that he should be able to find a place in the league. Last year he tested the waters and attended the Orlando pre-draft camp. After failing to have a good showing at the draft camp last year, Bobby went into the camp this year hoping to make a splash. Initial reviews of Bobby's performance have been mixed. But as others have mentioned recently, it's obvious that the draft camp isn't really the best tool for evaluating talent (I mean, some are trying to knock Kevin Durant for not testing well in some silly drills there).

Bobby's main issue with scouts right now is his lack of size and his perceived lack of playmaking ability. Although he is more than capable of scoring, scouts doubt that he has the ability to set up others. But with the guys like Monta Ellis and Leandro Barbosa (shooting guards in point guard bodies) flourishing in up-tempo styles of play, it shouldn't be that difficult for Bobby to find a home in the league.