Lamb near decision...Drummond still unsure

[7774]

I don't know why JC is perpetuating this false idea that Lamb is a top seven pick. If I was an NBA GM, I'd never use a lottery pick for Lamb. Those picks should be for superstar type players not solid players or NBA role players. With all of the Kentucky and UNC players leaving plus Sullinger, Thomas Robinson, Austin Rivers, even Perry Jones III, I just don't see it. Just to start, Davis, Kidd-Gilcrist, Harrison Barnes, Sullinger, Thomas Robinson, Austin Rivers, Perry Jones III, that's seven right there I'd take over Lamb.

I enjoy how JC is talking to GMs and gathering their opinions, but since you wouldn't draft him in the lottery, actual GM opinions then become false. That's awesome.

 

[aceboon]

I don't disagree with your discription of College basketball very much, but that is what is to be expected when the best players basically use it as a place to spend a year before leaving for the NBA. I have no disagreement with anyone who says the NBA has better athletes, either. Of course it does. And they make some incredible individual moves. But the game...yuck! It is almost unwatchable to me. And defense? please...that was outlawed in the NBA a couple of decades ago. And NBA officiating I do think has improved, or is at lease more consistent than in the college game, thoguh if they actually called the game according to the rules as written, I'm not sure what would happen...heck the refs even admit that they have two tiers of fouls, those involving superstars, and everybody else...the stars never get called for fouling and always get fouled...

lol @ people still arguing that defense isn't played in the NBA, NBA defensive schemes are more sophisticated than they have ever been. I wonder if any of ya'll that hold to this theory that defense isn't played actually watched a game from the 70s and 80s, its not even comparable. You guys see a clip of Lambeer blasting somebody up their head or Rambis getting clotheslined and think the NBA of yester year was a no fly zone and that was the expected on every possession.

 

[SouthTampaBill]

I doubt any GM would take Rivers over Lamb. He is a slightly better 3PT shooter at 37% vs 34% but doesn't do anything else better than Lamb. I guess he is more ball dominate but that's not necessarily a good thing. Lamb also will show up and his measurables (if his length is as reputed) will simply be too hard to pass up for many teams.

Sullinger is a very good college player, but how is he much better than Big Baby in the NBA. He's short and ground bound.

UK may have 2 players taken before Lamb, AD and MKG. Teague has an outside shot if a team is in need of a PG. Henson has a ton of concerns with his build (it's worse than Lamb's considering position). Barnes has a ton of ??? with his (even more than Lamb) disappearing acts. Jones III is in the same boat as Drummond, not producing as much as his talent dictates.

AD is #1, after that it's some combination of MKG, Lamb, Robinson, Barnes, Beal, Drummond, Sullinger, Jones III with Henson and Teague on the outside. That would put Lamb at 9th at worst. If Drummond doesn't go that means 8th. It wouldn't shock me if he fell to say 10th, but he's not going to drop much further and could easily move up to as high as #2 if he tests out well (which he will). He won't freefall like Drummond could.

Lamb may be a journeyman, but that all depends on what you mean by that definition. He won't be a KO journeyman, but he might be a Corey Maggette journeyman (15 PPG career average SG/SF).

Nick Young is an interesting comparison (16th overall pick). Young might be slightly taller at 6'5 barefoot and Young has a 7'0 wingspan with a 40 inch vert. However, Young is a very dumb player and still averaged 15-17 the past two years when averaging 30 minutes a game. I think Lamb is a better version of Nick Young mainly because I think Lamb is a better rebounder and Lamb isn't a complete idiot.

Also consider foreign players joining the draft. 4 of the first 7 players drafted last year were foreigners.

Lots of college players leaving early could fall big time.

 

[UConn990411]

Also consider foreign players joining the draft. 4 of the first 7 players drafted last year were foreigners.

Lots of college players leaving early could fall big time.

That was a product of most of the talented freshmen deciding to return to college for another year.

That will not be the case this year, when pretty much every highly thought of frosh (and a bunch of talented sophomores/juniors) will enter the draft.

 

[ChrisSmith]

I don't know why JC is perpetuating this false idea that Lamb is a top seven pick. If I was an NBA GM, I'd never use a lottery pick for Lamb. Those picks should be for superstar type players not solid players or NBA role players. With all of the Kentucky and UNC players leaving plus Sullinger, Thomas Robinson, Austin Rivers, even Perry Jones III, I just don't see it. Just to start, Davis, Kidd-Gilcrist, Harrison Barnes, Sullinger, Thomas Robinson, Austin Rivers, Perry Jones III, that's seven right there I'd take over Lamb.

Sullinger is 6'7 and un-athletic. He is very skilled, which allows him to do well in college, but the NBA will be much more difficult. Jones has the size and athleticism, but just doesn't seem to have "it". Lamb put up better numbers than Rivers and has better size and length - ohh and Lamb is only 60 days older than Rivers despite being a year ahead. Rivers started his college career at 19.

So I'm not sure any of those 3 are going ahead of Lamb. Apparently Calhoun's contacts don't think so. Anyone that pays attention recognizes the NBA is mainly about potential. Lamb is young and long = high on potential.

 

[Reno]

Certainly can't argue about the officiating, it's basically turned the NBA into the WWF.

Yet it's still much, much better than the standard college game.

And to argue that defense isn't part of the NBA just tells me you don't watch it.

 

[RuffRuff]

He's not much more than a projection at this point given some of his tools(size, shot) - the upside is yet to be seen as he has plenty of getting stronger to do. But this year showcased some clear limitations - as an NBA 2, most are required to be able to take a defender off the dribble and create a shot in a man to man league. Jeremy really struggles in that element. He's not much more than a couple dribble guy, meaning he has to find his space before he receives the ball. That of which he struggled with as well this year in not really working around picks well. He was a straight out jump shooter this year. Great kid, want to see him do well, but not sure I'd project him to be anything but a serviceable contributor on the NBA level. He and Harrison Barnes remind me a lot of each other - tall long athletes with nice jumpers, but lack the burst/physicality off the dribble to create anything for themselves.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I really think that 90+% of this board only follows college hoops...and of that 90% the vast majority only follows UConn basketball.

Lamb's offensive game (great mid-range jumper, really good when coming off screens, etc.) is tailor-made for the NBA. He didn't get to show that a lot this year because the team was so bad at setting screens and moving the ball, but those strengths make NBA scouts drool about his scoring potential. He also has ideal size and length for an NBA 2.

His poor defense (or, more accurately, unwillingness to exert himself on D) makes me question whether he'll ever be a starter, but Lamb has the ability to score in the NBA right now.

Oh, and he is a lock to go in the lottery. Not sure how that's even a debate, especially on this board.

I don't think he has a problem on D. We raved about his D last year in the BET and NCAA. He has the ability to play excellent D. I think he needs a lot more strength, and he needs to learn how to take a hit, and still score. He's a little soft. Both of those are things he can adress better at the next level, with more time on the weights and around stronger players. He needs to go. I think 75% of his problems this year can be attributed to lack of focus and poor team play. He was mentally checked out, and didn't play nearly as hard as last year.

Robinson looked clearly superior to Sullinger head to head. Bigger, longer, stronger, better leaping, faster. Sullinger a slight edge on savvy and moves. Rivers could be good...hard to say. Barnes looks like a project to me. Honestly, even Davis looks like a project. His offense is not really much better than Drummond's and his body isn't close to Drummond's. As a prospect, I'd take AD over Davis ever single time. Higher upside. Davis could/should become Marcus Camby like.

The challenge in the NBA is that a true superstar (Lebron, Wade, Paul, Kobe, Howard) means so much. So while I can project that Sullinger will have a long career, and be a decent player that contibutes, I don't see any chance at stardom. So you need to decide, do I take a chance on a guy who could be a star...knowing that his downside is lower as well, because he's young and untested.

 

[Bryan Lord]

Anyone have the latest projections for the draft?

 

[RS9999X]

Latest projections have Jeremy slipping but it is not a deep draft (which runs counter to expectations after so many returned last year).

DraftExpress.com has him as the second best SG available and going at 13.

I think that's about right. Low Lottery and possibly a little slip from there based on trades and team needs.

 

[Danzz]

While I don't disagree that Jeremy may go in the lottery and that alone is likely to push him to leave, it's really difficult to see him contributing significantly at the NCA level unless he becomes more aggressive and willing to challenge a defender. I just don't see him doing that right now. He might get the money up front, but what's the long term gain?

Tough not to go if you are projected 5 or 6. He could just as easily work on his weaknesses in the NBA.

 

[upstater]

If you watched the USA team last summer with Jeremy as the featured player, you'd see that he can drive on top competition in a pro-style game. He simply can't do it in rock fights in the Big East. We've seen this before with Rudy Gay as well.Jeremy was doing things last summer in a more wide open game that he wasn't doing during the season. I saw him drive into the paint and finish often. don't be surprised if he's highly successful in the NBA.

 

[RS9999X]

Tough not to go if you are projected 5 or 6. He could just as easily work on his weaknesses in the NBA.

Chad Ford ESPN
14

Jeremy Lamb SG 6-5 185 19 --- --- Connecticut ---
Mar 30 Update: Lamb is one of the best pure shooters in college basketball


NBA.COM

11. Jeremy Lamb 6-5 185 SG Connecticut
Fluid wing will score from most spots on the court.



Draft Express

13Jeremy Lamb SG
19 years old, Sophomore
6' 5" 185lbs.
Connecticut

 

[businesslawyer]

I don't think he has a problem on D. We raved about his D last year in the BET and NCAA. He has the ability to play excellent D. I think he needs a lot more strength, and he needs to learn how to take a hit, and still score. He's a little soft. Both of those are things he can adress better at the next level, with more time on the weights and around stronger players. He needs to go. I think 75% of his problems this year can be attributed to lack of focus and poor team play. He was mentally checked out, and didn't play nearly as hard as last year.

Robinson looked clearly superior to Sullinger head to head. Bigger, longer, stronger, better leaping, faster. Sullinger a slight edge on savvy and moves. Rivers could be good...hard to say. Barnes looks like a project to me. Honestly, even Davis looks like a project. His offense is not really much better than Drummond's and his body isn't close to Drummond's. As a prospect, I'd take AD over Davis ever single time. Higher upside. Davis could/should become Marcus Camby like.

The challenge in the NBA is that a true superstar (Lebron, Wade, Paul, Kobe, Howard) means so much. So while I can project that Sullinger will have a long career, and be a decent player that contibutes, I don't see any chance at stardom. So you need to decide, do I take a chance on a guy who could be a star...knowing that his downside is lower as well, because he's young and untested.

Davis is a project on offense -- not on defense. And his offense is light year's ahead of Drummonds in terms of dribbling, passing, screening and understanding of what is going on around him. He has no more in the way of low post moves than Drummond, but is still a much more complete offensive player.

 

[Kitaman]

Lamb was close to going last year, and much closer this year. Of all the players on the roster, its his best option. Losing Alex, potential post season ban, and the unknown (how fellow players will react to this), his timing to leave is near perfect. JC has not formally announced his intentions either (although most likely he returns), yet I suspect his absence due to health issues may also be taken into consideration.

As for Andre well plain and simple he is not ready. Potential is his biggest asset, not much more. For the NBA that may be enough.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Jeremy will be better in the NBA. There is more room for him to operate and he wouldn't be the complete focus of a defense. I honestly think he will be like a young Rip with his ability to knock down shots coming off screens and range.

 

[UConn990411]

Davis is a project on offense -- not on defense. And his offense is light year's ahead of Drummonds in terms of dribbling, passing, screening and understanding of what is going on around him. He has no more in the way of low post moves than Drummond, but is still a much more complete offensive player.

Honestly, I don't even think his offense is that much of a project - his hook shot is already a legitimate go-to move and his foul line jumper, while inconsistent, looks like it will be legit in a couple years.

He could definitely improve on that end (and he needs to get A LOT stronger to be able to establish low post position), but Davis is among the best big men prospects in the last several years.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

Oh come on. The NBA is so far and away better than the college game that it's becoming harder and harder to watch college basketball. Everything from defense to offense to individual talent to the officiating is significantly worse in college basketball. I can only assume you do not watch the NBA on a regular basis.

NBA is so bad - no defense - no running - no pressing. Officiating is just as bad as college. 7 foot guys shooting threes - bad.

 

[UofCT]

He is going to have a very similar impact next year that Klay Thompson is having this year for GS.

 

[upstater]

Chad Ford ESPN
14

Jeremy Lamb SG 6-5 185 19 --- --- Connecticut ---
Mar 30 Update: Lamb is one of the best pure shooters in college basketball


NBA.COM

11. Jeremy Lamb 6-5 185 SG Connecticut
Fluid wing will score from most spots on the court.



Draft Express

13Jeremy Lamb SG
19 years old, Sophomore
6' 5" 185lbs.
Connecticut

Something tells me Calhoun isn't talking to the 16 year old at DraftExpress, nor to Chad Ford, about what Lamb should do next year.

 

[msgordon]

NBA is so bad - no defense - no running - no pressing. Officiating is just as bad as college. 7 foot guys shooting threes - bad.

The defense is by far the highest level played in the world. Teams don't run as much because the transition defense is so good. You can't press because nba ball handlers are so advanced they would pick it apart. Officiating is WAY better than college. Idk any 7 footers that take threes regularly besides dirk and bargnani, who are both great shooters

 

[superjohn]

People ripping on the nba either don't watch it or know nothing about basketball. After watching college games and then flipping over to nba games it almost doesn't look like the same sport, the nba is so much better.

 

[7774]

NBA is so bad - no defense - no running - no pressing. Officiating is just as bad as college. 7 foot guys shooting threes - bad.

Sweet brag about never watching the NBA.

 

[willie99]

if Lamb is the 5th or 6th pick, he has to go

 

[61cygni]

I guess he definitely goes if a team promises to take him at the 6-8 picks or better.