Did you hear what Gottlieb said about Shabazz?

[Brochacho]

I don't know if this was already mentioned but he said something to the tune of "NBA scouts feel that if Shabazz Napier made himself eligible that he would be the first PG selected."

That seemed to come out of no where. I always thought Shabazz was a 4 year player and would be lucky to slip into the end of the first round. But then again I'm not being paid to evaluate basketball talent.

 

[Marat]

I don't know if this was already mentioned but he said something to the tune of "NBA scouts feel that if Shabazz Napier made himself eligible that he would be the first PG selected."

That seemed to come out of no where. I always thought Shabazz was a 4 year player and would be lucky to slip into the end of the first round. But then again I'm not being paid to evaluate basketball talent.

That was the first time I've heard SN being mentioned as well.

 

[Burnsbros23]

Yah that caught me off guard. I think Shabazz has proven he has an NBA future but I wouldnt take him in the first round this year. Maybe next all depends on how he develops

 

[tykurez]

Sounded like typical Gottleib hyperbole to me ... there's just no way, unless the PG selection out there is that bad this year.

Now that's not to say that 'Bazz is horrible, but he's got a lot of work ahead of him to get himself League ready. Couple that with the fact that he's grossly undersized and I just don't see how Doug's comments could be taken seriously.

 

[ctchamps]

I don't know if this was already mentioned but he said something to the tune of "NBA scouts feel that if Shabazz Napier made himself eligible that he would be the first PG selected."

That seemed to come out of no where. I always thought Shabazz was a 4 year player and would be lucky to slip into the end of the first round. But then again I'm not being paid to evaluate basketball talent.

Heard that and had to replay the DVR because I thought I misheard it. I'm wondering if he confused SN with JL.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Come on guys, if Oriakhi can start for 4-5 NBA teams right now, Shabazz can probably start for all of them, right?

 

[Cassius Klaiber]

This may have less to do with Shabazz being that good, and more to do with the lack of other PG options. It's hard to come up with a really solid PG anywhere in college bball this year. Just looking at the 25 on the Wooden Award watch list, only 2 are true PGs - Scott Machado from Iona, and Kendell Marshall on UNC (with 5.8 ppg). Shabazz doesn't look very out-matched in that company.

 

[Rico444]

I would be really surprised if Shabazz was drafted in the 1st round this year, unless he improves dramatically between now and the end of the season.

 

[Kitaman]

6 foot guards are not usually drafted in the 1st round especially sophomores. He's not even an AA yet, meaning there are supposedly other guards in front of him. Gottlieb is not knowledgeable in this area as it would be a risky 1st round pick.

 

[RuffRuff]

He is an interesting player - has a very nice stroke for a PG and can play as a pass first guy/has nice court vision. He makes the flashy pass. The kid definitely needs some maturing - I don't think we saw enough of him last year to understand how loose/turnover prone he is with the basketball. He also doesn't strike me as quick enough to keep up with NBA PG's defensively. To some degree, feels like Marcus Williams light.

 

[progrocks]

When thinking about this, just ask yourself, is he better than Marcus Williams was? I think the answer at this point is no. There is no way he is the best point guard prospect in this years draft.

 

[Burnsbros23]

He could be so much better on defense if he stopped reaching. He is a tremendous on ball defender but he just makes stupid reaches. I wouldnt call Shabazz a pass first PG certainly hasnt shown that as of yet.

 

[Husky999]

Where is there room in the NBA for a 6-0 score first point guard??? I can't name 1 in the league right now????

 

[Walker11]

Where is there room in the NBA for a 6-0 score first point guard??? I can't name 1 in the league right now????

The Bobcats have this guy named Kemba Walker. Plus another named DJ Augustin, who Bazz reminds me of. There are a lot of sub 6 ft. scoring points, many of them are on the second unit.

 

[OneManWolfpack]

Well there is this one 6-0 score first PG who led his team to a national championship last yr who is playing for the Bobcats, but I cant seem to remember his name

 

[Burnsbros23]

Bazz to DJ Augustin is a great comparison. Really reminds me of him prolly not as good a feel for the game at this point.

 

[SoCalCanine]

I think some are confusing "first point guard drafted" with "drafted in the first round". The point being there are so few good PGs in this years draft that none of them may be worthy of a first round pick! At least that's what I got from his comment. I think there is no way Bazz comes out after this year, unless he turns into Kemba and wills us to repeat!!! And I, for one, could live with that!

 

[UCweCONN]

Did you see him dribbling the ball off his feet, falling down, and not involving his teammates in the offense. If he's the best point guard prospect available, it must be a pretty lean year. He has the potential to be an NBA player but is not nearly there yet. Sure he can score but that is only part of the game. His goal shouldn't be just getting drafted and having a cup of coffee in the NBA but having a long career. Remember Marcus Williams? People said he was ready too and what country is he playing in these days?

 

[ctchamps]

People can be upset all they want about a quaterback who doesn't find his receivers, but this viewpoint has less merit if those receivers cannot run the correct patterns, cannot get separation from their defenders, or drop the ball when they are thrown a pass.
In that instance the quaterback is better advised to hold onto the ball.

When I watch Shabazz, I don't observe a player who is dribbling the ball to stall time or probe the perimeter to drive the lane. I observe a player who is watching his players run the sets they practiced and looking for an opening to get them the ball. The problem isn't with Shabazz but the options available for Shabazz.

 

[DrewDog85]

IMHO Marcus Williams is not in the NBA due to commitment to conditioning,,, I remember reading that at Celtic workout Ainge was very impressed with Rondo conditioning and amazed at how out of shape MW was.

 

[willie99]

the dork said kemba would be drafted no higher than 16 (or so) last year

said there were numerous PGs better than KW

dude just Gottnothing

 

[wpq4elamin]

I don't necessarily disagree with the notion that Bazz is one of the best PG's in the country.... and Gottlieb did say there are SOME scouts who believe he is the best available or would be drafted first amongst PG's... knowing the kind of DG is, he probably went and talked to two lowlife scouts and ergo would have been telling the truth...

Bazz is a very good player and in spots could very well be construed as the best available PG in the college game. If Kendall and Machado are his biggest competition, why wouldn't some scouts feel he's the best option? He hits 3's, can score in many different ways, can pass, played behind Kemba Walker last year, and can go either pass first or score first on any given night... Last night should have been a 27/10-12 assist night for him, which would have probably been the best individual statistical night of any PG in college bball this season...

Bazz should and most likely will stay for at least one more year, as his ball handling, gambling, shot selection and leadership all seem to need some refinement, but I find nothing wrong with what Gottlieb said, even if he is a giant credit card stealing ...

 

[champs99and04]

People can be upset all they want about a quaterback who doesn't find his receivers, but this viewpoint has less merit if those receivers cannot run the correct patterns, cannot get separation from their defenders, or drop the ball when they are thrown a pass.
In that instance the quaterback is better advised to hold onto the ball.

When I watch Shabazz, I don't observe a player who is dribbling the ball to stall time or probe the perimeter to drive the lane. I observe a player who is watching his players run the sets they practiced and looking for an opening to get them the ball. The problem isn't with Shabazz but the options available for Shabazz.

Agreed. I would like to see him dump the ball into the big men more often, but other than that I don't have a ton of complaints with the way he is playing. IMO, the biggest weakness with this team offensive wise, it the inability to 1.) Set good, solid screens and 2.) Free themselves off the ball. Is he Chris Paul? No, but I don't see a guy randomly dribbling around like a chicken with his head cut off like others on here are imagining.

As far as his NBA potential goes, I'm not so sure. I love Bazz, but if he were to leave after this season, I think he would get abused. His handle is a little too loose, he hasn't shown a ton of latteral quickness, and he's not nearly strong enough to guard 6'4 point guards like Derrick Rose and Deron Williams. Now, if he stays another year, learns how to lead a little better, and improves in the areas I mentioned, I suppose I could see him as a first round pick. DJ Augustine is definitely the guy who comes to mind when I think of NBA comparisons, but he's got a lot of work to do before he gets there.

 

[AJC88]

Remember Marcus Williams? People said he was ready too and what country is he playing in these days?

Marcus Williams is straight killing it in China.

 

[DogMania]

I like Bazz, but really! Don't get me wrong, Napier has a lot of game, but he needs to get a lot stronger, improve his ability to run the half court where he consistently makes those around him better. He's getting bullied at the college level....just not ready just yet.
I try to come up with an NBA player to compare him to but I can't quite put my finger on it. I think I compared his game as chauncy Billups like, but I don't know if he can do what Chauncy does with his body type.

Now I'm not saying he can't develope into an NBA draft pick, but the first PG...hum. Is the field of PGs this summer that sparce for him to go as the top PG? I'd love to see it happen, but I'd say Bazz is 1 to 2 years away from being ready for the draft. IMO, he needs to develope more into a table setter and less of the main event to garner 1st round interest. A couple years in the weight room, keep on improving and maybe he'll be another Huskie in the NBA. He's got NBA range on his 3 ball and is finds a way to get to the basket even though he's not super quick or strong. The word that comes to mind is intangibles.