ESPN Insider Article on Drummond being #1 Pick

[WingU]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog/_/name/nba_draft/id/7034017/nba-draft-uconn-andre-drummond-no-1

To summarize for people who don't have insider. The article is Franschilla, Thorpe and Ford talking about Drummond potentially being the number 1 pick next year. They all think he has the potential to be, but he has to show more energy and play well each and every night. They said he could be Amare or he could be stromile swift or andre blatche it all depends on how hard he works.

 

[Kitaman]

I think we all feel this could happen. Enjoy watching his freshman year.

 

[bmayuc]

He is such a physical beast, It'll be a fun ride this year

 

[rbny1]

I am confident he will show energy and play hard. A very tough guy named Jim Calhoun will make sure he plays hard, or will sit him on the pine.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

I am confident he will show energy and play hard. A very tough guy named Jim Calhoun will make sure he plays hard, or will sit him on the pine.

What is the over/under on how long Drummond will stay on the floor his first game before Calhoun pulls him off the court and puts him on the bench in order to make a point from the start?! I set the over/under at 50 seconds!

 

[toke]

What is the over/under on how long Drummond will stay on the floor his first game before Calhoun pulls him off the court and puts him on the bench in order to make a point from the start?! I set the over/under at 50 seconds!

Over

 

[EricLA]

i keep reading how raw he is. the videos i've seen look great but i think tall centers take longer to develop. guys like CArmelo, Kevin Durant, etc etc. come in and make a huge impact as freshmen. i think guards and wings can excel better, even forwards like Griffin. i'm not saying he won't be terrific, and i'm sure a guy like Howard woulda been great his first year.

 

[eireman]

i keep reading how raw he is. the videos i've seen look great but i think tall centers take longer to develop. guys like CArmelo, Kevin Durant, etc etc. come in and make a huge impact as freshmen. i think guards and wings can excel better, even forwards like Griffin. i'm not saying he won't be terrific, and i'm sure a guy like Howard woulda been great his first year.

He's not polished but it doesn't mean he won't have an impact.......I believe he will play hard but there will be moments.

 

[Palatine]

The larger issue for AD.

Will the refs treat him like Chamberlain, allowing defenders to hang on him and hit him and impede him.

Or like Jordan, giving him every call and letting him knock people over and sending him to line if someone looks cross-eyed.

Lot's of times big guys don't get the call. But some do.

 

[SkyWalker2011]

I just want to see him block shots like a beast. I miss Thabeet's block parties...

 

[jfuchs91]

I think for all the reasons listed in the article (and the fact that he's even being considered at the #1 spot) shows that some people are being overly optimistic when they hope he stays for more than one season for any reason other than a new CBA.

 

[benjordan]

I think the fact that he chose to play for a guy like Calhoun should quiet a lot of questions surrounding his commitment to bball and his willingness to give high effort. There are plenty of schools he could've gone to where they would've just been happy to have him and he could've slacked. But he chose one of the toughest coaches in the country and the toughest conference.

 

[James]

People worrying about his motor. ha. If he didn't want to go 100% he sure as hell wouldn't have committed here, probably woulda stayed dominating the prep circuit. As far as him being raw, what that mean? I've seen him hit flurries of turn around jumpshots and fade aways, some game winners. And we've all seen his highlights plucking boards out of mid air, and turning up court with intention to start a fast break, a la charles barkley. His post game needs SOME refinement, but who's doesn't coming out of HS...

 

[ctchamps]

I think for all the reasons listed in the article (and the fact that he's even being considered at the #1 spot) shows that some people are being overly optimistic when they hope he stays for more than one season for any reason other than a new CBA.

The NBA contract is the main reason I put forth he could be two years. But there is also Harrison Barnes to consider who got as much press and hype as AD last season. So you never know. No matter what I'm glad he's here this season and will wait till the year is over about his future.

 

[sparky]

AD will need to bring it to play in our current league. We are the closest to NBA ready than the other conferences. We play a tough brand of ball and to survive in the league and at UCONN you have game and JC will make sure you are in the game physically and mentally.AD had nothing to gain by staying in prep school. He had already dominated that arena. Uconn will give him the opportunity to grow into the NBA shoes. It's there for the taking and he appears to be the kind of kid who wants it.
I'm giddy as hell waiting for the season to begin. I got the screen saver of the team which brings a big smile to my face, and I get to brag every day to my ACC buds.