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Message: [QUOTE="CamrnCrz1974, post: 2114783, member: 1052"] I am resurrecting this thread, as I am re-thinking my own analysis, in light of analyzing draft prospects for the NBA Draft and my Phoenix Suns. I would be more comfortable with Diamond DeShields at #1 if this were within the NBA framework. If DeShields were a male player, with her phenomenal athletic gifts, she would have been in the draft pool at 19, having gone to college for one year (and just one year removed from HS and AAU). But Diamond is 22 years old. She has been to two colleges in four years. Even if you do not think much of Sylvia Hatchell and Holly Warlick as Xs and Os coaches or as coaches who can develop players, i agree that she should be a more polished product at this stage of her career. In other words, she should be further along in terms of her development. She rebounds incredibly well for her size. She is excellent at using her physical strength and athleticism to get to the line (over five attempts per game), where she shot over 79 percent there this year. But her outside (three point) shot has never been consistent. She shot her best percentage this year 33.3 percent (her only college season over 28 percent), and she wisely took far fewer attempts from distance this year (81) than she previously had (145 last year, 172 in her freshman season at UNC). Certainly, this is a step in the right direction - she attacked the basket more and got to the line (her strength) and took far less outside shots (a weakness). Maximizing strengths, minimizing weaknesses. But the fact remains that she is a 6-1 guard/wing. As tantalizing a prospect as her athleticism makes her, I would feel more comfortable if her 2016-2017 was her first year removed from high school, rather than her fourth year (third season). Additionally, in looking at the TN roster and comparing it to say, Washington, DeShields has (in terms of active players who played this year) MCDAA teammates in Russell (former #1 recruit), Reynolds, and Nared. Washington's MCDAAs, besides Plum? Katie Collier and Deja Strother. As someone put it, a bit like DeShields herself, her teams seem to look great occasionally, but flatter to deceive on a far more regular basis. Tamika Catchings, also 6-1 (though a combo forward not a guard), was never a great outside shooter, shooting 33.3 percent for her college career and 35 percent in the WNBA. Catchings shot over 50 percent from the floor in college, but just 41.5 percent in the WNBA for her career. BUT what separates the two 6-1 TN players is that Catchings was one of the best-ever defensive players in the history of the women's game and re-defined versatility, being one of the few players to be an elite player at both the small and power forward positions on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor (Delisha Milton-Jones is another, though DMJ is still behind Catchings in that category). Catchings is the all-time WNBA leader in total rebounds and total steals, and she is 12th in total blocks. If DeShields were 19 or if she were as an elite defender as Catchings, the debate over the top draft selection would be over. But she is not. So am I recommending that San Antonio take Plum #1 (assuming DeShields declares)? Plum can come in and contribute, but she is still closer to her ceiling than DeShields. And I have concerns about Plum's defensive abilities (but she also was asked to do so much on offense that she would not have to do in the W, which would free up energy and effort on the defensive end; also, her work ethic is tremendous). But will DeShields get the coaching to help her [I]REACH[/I] that tantalizing potential? Difficult to say (though I like Vickie Johnson for SA). A Jefferson/Plum/McBride backcourt would be small (leaving the 5-11 McBride having to defend small forwards), but it could be excellent offensively. And for a team that needs scoring help, it may be worth the risk. And with the #5 pick, San Antonio can pick up size. It is a fascinating debate, and I am no longer sure of my previous choice. I am going back and forth. That being said, given the rumors that Angel McCoughtry wants out of Atlanta (and she has said she would miss the beginning of Atlanta's season to rest), if I were Ruth Riley (San Antonio's GM), I would offer the #1 pick for McCoughtry. Maybe a package of the #1 and #5 picks and for McCoughtry and the #7 pick. [/QUOTE]

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