Napier to the draft?!?

[Prezidint]

Shabazz would go undrafted, he is short, not that quick, and I'm not even sure he can dunk.

You practically wrote the post I was going to write.

Shabazz - will be a great college PG. Will not get any substantial minutes in the NBA whether he gets drafted or not. He's not athletic enough - he's got the athleticism of Marcus Williams but without the complete package that MW brought. Outside chance SN gets drafted. Slim chance of making a team. Almost no chance of being in the NBA in 5 years. Just too short, not quick enough, and I can't even imagine him trying to guard half the points in the NBA, who would absolutely annihilate him. But I love the kid in a Husky uniform, so don't read this as a slam, just an assessment. 2nd round pick or undrafted.

AO - Not either athletic enough or skilled enough to be in the NBA. Might get drafted, won't be in the league in 5 years. 6/9 and brawny with undeveloped skills is not the description of an NBA player. Late 1st round, 2nd round.

Lamb - Will get drafted, will be in the league for a few years, can't see him doing great things at the next level, as he doesn't seem to have the fire it would take to be able to defend NBA shooters. Toss up as to whether he can make a squad, and stay on it. Will probably be in the league in 5 years. I see him as a role player/bench player. High to middle 1st round.

AD - So far from where he would need to be to be a good NBA player that it's very difficult to extrapolate where he'll be in 5 years. He would get killed in the league if he goes this spring. Fact is, he got abused in the Iowa State game, and he's going to be facing better talent every night in the NBA. Can't see him staying on the floor long enough to learn much - I can see him ending up like an uninjured Greg Oden, who found it extremely difficult to play 20 minutes without fouling out, mixed with an Hasheem Thabeet - no killer drive to get better and get minutes. Has a goof-ball, fun-loving attitude that may not translate well into the kill-or-be-killed attitude it would take to get him from where he is now to where he needs to be in 5 years to be a solid NBA player. High first round, but, frankly, I think a team would be nuts to take him over about 5 other guys who will be available (Jones, Kidd Gilcrist, Davis, kid from Marquette, Robinson, White), and who will be instant impact players. AD could very well get drafted and be virtually unplayable next year, as he will get hacked every time he shoots, and he will be in foul trouble every game. His FT% is not going up much between now and September, and, at 35% with no discernible post moves, he's a liability on offense. On defense, he's going to struggle mightily, as both his footwork and his positioning are terrible. The transition from HS to College was one in which he went from dominating 6/1 white kids at prep schools to figuring out that the Big East is light years away from High School. The jump to the NBA will be almost as big of a jump, as every guy in the NBA is athletic and skilled. It's easy to look at his spin on the baseline and jam move and think, "the next Amare Stoudamire." Amare average 14 and 9 in the NBA in his first season in 31 minutes a game, right from HS. Not going to happen. Love the fact that AD came to UConn, but this kid could have a very rough initiation into the NBA.

 

[21Huskies]

some of you people need to take off the UConn frames for a second.

he's barely 6 ft., a career 38% shooter, not overly fast, doesn't have one skill that jumps out at you and makes bad decisions. a poor man's Rondo? hahahaha... Rondo is two times faster, has an enormous wingspan, huge hands and has always had pretty good basketball iq.

Don't want to come down on Bazz here, but the kid hurts this team as much as helps it with his poor shot selection and low % volume shooting. he's not even a starter on most good UConn teams.

3 things most scouts look for in a prospect... 1) can they defend their position at the next level? 2) are they physically gifted? size, vert, speed, etc 3) do they do 1 thing exceptionally well, shoot? jump? run? pass?

Bazz is the polar opposite of physically gifted, i have a hard time believing he can guard the bigger faster NBA Pg's and he doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well.

 

[champs99and04]

He's a poor man's Rondo: very good handle, good passer, can get some boards, usually can't shoot to save his life.
Although Napier is galaxies better at the FT line than Rondo is.

No offense, but this is a terrible comparison. Nothing about his game is like Rondo whatsoever. He's not in the same galaxy as Rondo as far as passing is concerned, not on the same planet as an athlete, and overall he'll never be 10% of the player that Rondo is in the NBA. I'm not trying to kill Shabazz here, but you're comparing him to one of the five best point guards in the NBA.

And where does this "can't shoot to save his life" stuff come from? He shot 36% from behind the arch this season. Rondo is a 24% three point shooter on his career. If Rondo had Napier's jump shot he'd easily be the best point guard in the NBA.

 

[tzznandrew]

I like Bazz. He may make it in the NBA one day, and be pretty decent (KO did it!).

But I really hope the kid isn't going to go pro right now. I don't think Lamb or Drummond are ready (Lamb>Drummond here), but I'm certain Bazz isn't.

He's a great kid to root for, and I want to do it for another year or two.

 

[Robertelamin]

He's a poor man's Rondo: very good handle, good passer, can get some boards, usually can't shoot to save his life.
Although Napier is galaxies better at the FT line than Rondo is.

Awful comparison.

 

[huskiesnyc]

I like Shabazz, but this is the bottom line....if Napier declares for the draft he will never suit up in the NBA. Not even close to being ready for the pros. Guys like Derrek Rose will score 50 on him. For him to even consider it is a joke. He passed up wide open teammates all season and never went inside. I really think he needs 2 more years in college to improve on A LOT of things.

 

[CL82]

Apparently people think Shabazz would be the first PG taken in the draft if he declared, this guy isn't the first to say it.

If true he should leave, though I'd hat to see it happen.

 

[Walker11]

Did we just have a 3 page thread ripping Bazz because some know-nothing journalist got his facts mixed up?

 

[aceboon]

Did we just have a 3 page thread ripping Bazz because some know-nothing journalist got his facts mixed up?

Lol, you just posted the same thing I came to post. This board man, I seriously wonder about some of these people.

 

[Kitaman]

Bazz has not distinguished himself from Kemba at all. You can add Jeremy to that list but he has more NBA value. Until Bazz can lead a team beyond the 1st round of the tourney, he is just a good college point guard. He has to make his own statement and that will be a year or two. This thread may be strictly speculation as JC advise (if it is true) will be taken into consideration, and Kevin's as well.

 

[aboogieee]

Does this post make it 4 pages?


Maybe I should change my signature.

 

[NHUConnfan]

Napier will never get a sniff from the NBA if he doesn't limit his TOs. Napier isn't better than Jacob Pullen who couldn't even get a sniff at the NBA himself - and they have a similar game, IMO. If Napier were to ever leave for the draft, he'll be buying his one way ticket to Europe.

 

[caw]

You practically wrote the post I was going to write.

Shabazz - will be a great college PG. Will not get any substantial minutes in the NBA whether he gets drafted or not. He's not athletic enough - he's got the athleticism of Marcus Williams but without the complete package that MW brought. Outside chance SN gets drafted. Slim chance of making a team. Almost no chance of being in the NBA in 5 years. Just too short, not quick enough, and I can't even imagine him trying to guard half the points in the NBA, who would absolutely annihilate him. But I love the kid in a Husky uniform, so don't read this as a slam, just an assessment. 2nd round pick or undrafted.


Lamb - Will get drafted, will be in the league for a few years, can't see him doing great things at the next level, as he doesn't seem to have the fire it would take to be able to defend NBA shooters. Toss up as to whether he can make a squad, and stay on it. Will probably be in the league in 5 years. I see him as a role player/bench player. High to middle 1st round.

Shabazz has one or two things going for him that MW never did, work ethic being very high on that list, the other being a better shooter. He may not shoot a good percentage due to his absurd shot selection but he is a much better shooter. Height isn't a huge problem for Napier, there are a lot of short PG's in the NBA. He is quick enough. His problem is he doesn't have an elite skill yet.

Lamb, the number of good 2 guards in the NBA is low. Lamb is good enough to be a starter on a number of teams next year and he has been noted as being a gym rat last year and even this past summer. Seriously, list the top 2 guards under 25. It's a very short list.

 

[johnhuskies95]

You practically wrote the post I was going to write.

Shabazz - will be a great college PG. Will not get any substantial minutes in the NBA whether he gets drafted or not. He's not athletic enough - he's got the athleticism of Marcus Williams but without the complete package that MW brought. Outside chance SN gets drafted. Slim chance of making a team. Almost no chance of being in the NBA in 5 years. Just too short, not quick enough, and I can't even imagine him trying to guard half the points in the NBA, who would absolutely annihilate him. But I love the kid in a Husky uniform, so don't read this as a slam, just an assessment. 2nd round pick or undrafted.

AO - Not either athletic enough or skilled enough to be in the NBA. Might get drafted, won't be in the league in 5 years. 6/9 and brawny with undeveloped skills is not the description of an NBA player. Late 1st round, 2nd round.

Lamb - Will get drafted, will be in the league for a few years, can't see him doing great things at the next level, as he doesn't seem to have the fire it would take to be able to defend NBA shooters. Toss up as to whether he can make a squad, and stay on it. Will probably be in the league in 5 years. I see him as a role player/bench player. High to middle 1st round.

AD - So far from where he would need to be to be a good NBA player that it's very difficult to extrapolate where he'll be in 5 years. He would get killed in the league if he goes this spring. Fact is, he got abused in the Iowa State game, and he's going to be facing better talent every night in the NBA. Can't see him staying on the floor long enough to learn much - I can see him ending up like an uninjured Greg Oden, who found it extremely difficult to play 20 minutes without fouling out, mixed with an Hasheem Thabeet - no killer drive to get better and get minutes. Has a goof-ball, fun-loving attitude that may not translate well into the kill-or-be-killed attitude it would take to get him from where he is now to where he needs to be in 5 years to be a solid NBA player. High first round, but, frankly, I think a team would be nuts to take him over about 5 other guys who will be available (Jones, Kidd Gilcrist, Davis, kid from Marquette, Robinson, White), and who will be instant impact players. AD could very well get drafted and be virtually unplayable next year, as he will get hacked every time he shoots, and he will be in foul trouble every game. His FT% is not going up much between now and September, and, at 35% with no discernible post moves, he's a liability on offense. On defense, he's going to struggle mightily, as both his footwork and his positioning are terrible. The transition from HS to College was one in which he went from dominating 6/1 white kids at prep schools to figuring out that the Big East is light years away from High School. The jump to the NBA will be almost as big of a jump, as every guy in the NBA is athletic and skilled. It's easy to look at his spin on the baseline and jam move and think, "the next Amare Stoudamire." Amare average 14 and 9 in the NBA in his first season in 31 minutes a game, right from HS. Not going to happen. Love the fact that AD came to UConn, but this kid could have a very rough initiation into the NBA.

The problem with this post is that it operates under the assumption that these guys won't improve at all. Development and progression with basketball players isn't linear, we've seen that time and time again.

 

[RS9999X]

It's a very weak draft year for Point Guards. Pathetic even.

For Nappier to explore the market without signing an a gent almost makes sense given how weak the pretenders are.

 

[caw]

I think a lot of teams filled up on PG's last year.

 

[Hoophound]

Shabazz is a great player and he will be one of our best by the time he leaves UConn, but he isn't leaving now. Even if he will be the first pg taken, he still shouldn't go. The longevity of his career depends on him developing his game and body in college.

 

[Prezidint]

The problem with this post is that it operates under the assumption that these guys won't improve at all. Development and progression with basketball players isn't linear, we've seen that time and time again.

Not at all. I'll give them the standard improvement. My analysis is the same. What's lacking in Napier cannot be improved. He won't be quicker or taller in 2 years. He simply doesn't have the tools to get the job done, no matter how much effort he gives.
Yeah, sure, there are short guys in the NBA - they all have 40" verticals and are lightning quick, like Kemba Walker and that freak athlete from Syracuse a couple years ago.
Shabazz has been at UConn 2 years and I don't believe he has dunked in a game.

Try it this way. Name me one guy in the NBA who can't dunk on a breakaway and I'll yield the point.

And I love Shabazz.

I love my kids too, but I know they're not going to MIT.

 

[Prezidint]

Shabazz is a great player and he will be one of our best by the time he leaves UConn, but he isn't leaving now. Even if he will be the first pg taken, he still shouldn't go . . .

Disagree. If he's taken in the 1st round, he should go, assuming he wants the money. His game will not be substantially different in 2 more years.

 

[Hoophound]

Disagree. If he's taken in the 1st round, he should go, assuming he wants the money. His game will not be substantially different in 2 more years.

Prez, that's a crazy statement. Players improve immensely in that time period. Kemba, Marcus Williams, AJ Price, Ben Gordon, KO, Taliek and on and on. All improved by leaps and bounds over that period (Junior and/or Senior year).

 

[wpq4elamin]

He's a poor man's Rondo: very good handle, good passer, can get some boards, usually can't shoot to save his life.
Although Napier is galaxies better at the FT line than Rondo is.

Rondo is a freak athlete (the most athletic pg in the nba, maybe one of the most athletic guys period)

Napier is not a freak athlete- he's more of a solid guy who can run an offense and hit open jumpers... he has shown that he can be either a great passer or great shooter, but he puts few games together where he's both... it's almost like he chooses at the beginning of the game whether he wants 7-10 assists or 20 points....

I think in 2 years he would *(still, if you think he'd be one this year)* be a 1st round pick, depending on how he progresses and what else is out there, but I'd be very surprised if he enters the draft this year esp if Calhoun comes back...

in terms of addressing his potential compared to every other pg in college, i don't disagree that he is one of the best pg's in the country when you watch his potential.... who would you say is better? marshall is essentially the same guy but doesn't shoot as well as bazz, and after that, you have machado and a bunch of other guys who aren't clearly or distinguishably better... there are no roses, walls or anyone else who is a crazy athletic 6'3 pg ready for superstardom at this point in time... heck, royce white might be the best pg in the country after watching our game with iowa st.....

 

[wpq4elamin]

Not at all. I'll give them the standard improvement. My analysis is the same. What's lacking in Napier cannot be improved. He won't be quicker or taller in 2 years. He simply doesn't have the tools to get the job done, no matter how much effort he gives.
Yeah, sure, there are short guys in the NBA - they all have 40" verticals and are lightning quick, like Kemba Walker and that freak athlete from Syracuse a couple years ago.
Shabazz has been at UConn 2 years and I don't believe he has dunked in a game.

Try it this way. Name me one guy in the NBA who can't dunk on a breakaway and I'll yield the point.

And I love Shabazz.

I love my kids too, but I know they're not going to MIT.

go watch some youtube highlights- I didn't believe he could really dunk either, but he was dunking in HS, which means he should be able to dunk pretty easily as a stronger adult now... it's not like they were great throw downs, but if he was doing it 2 years ago as a 17/18 year old, he can def do it easier now.... once you start lifting and getting stronger in college, you can really increase your vertical...

 

[johnhuskies95]

Not at all. I'll give them the standard improvement. My analysis is the same. What's lacking in Napier cannot be improved. He won't be quicker or taller in 2 years. He simply doesn't have the tools to get the job done, no matter how much effort he gives.
Yeah, sure, there are short guys in the NBA - they all have 40" verticals and are lightning quick, like Kemba Walker and that freak athlete from Syracuse a couple years ago.
Shabazz has been at UConn 2 years and I don't believe he has dunked in a game.

Try it this way. Name me one guy in the NBA who can't dunk on a breakaway and I'll yield the point.

And I love Shabazz.

I love my kids too, but I know they're not going to MIT.

You mentioned things like "skill" and "positioning" in your other post. Those things can be improved upon. Obviously not everybody is going to dramatically improve on everything, but most players at UConn get significantly better after their freshman/sophomore years.

Guys can improve while they're in the NBA as well.

 

[huskymagic]

Not at all. I'll give them the standard improvement. My analysis is the same. What's lacking in Napier cannot be improved. He won't be quicker or taller in 2 years. He simply doesn't have the tools to get the job done, no matter how much effort he gives.
Yeah, sure, there are short guys in the NBA - they all have 40" verticals and are lightning quick, like Kemba Walker and that freak athlete from Syracuse a couple years ago.
Shabazz has been at UConn 2 years and I don't believe he has dunked in a game.

Try it this way. Name me one guy in the NBA who can't dunk on a breakaway and I'll yield the point.

And I love Shabazz.

I love my kids too, but I know they're not going to MIT.

your being a little harsh on Napier Prez do you have anything against him(sarcasm). Seriously though its not like Napier cant make an NBA roster he can be an AJ Price type guard or a Chris Duhon type or DJ Augustin all guys who arent that quick or that athletic.

 

[NHUConnfan]

I'll say it again. If Shabazz can't limit turnovers, he will not sniff the NBA. It's very clear the NBA has a low tolerance policy for guards who turn the ball over. Remember Jeremy Lin couldn't find a place to stay (because of TOs) until he ended up with on of the few coaches (D'Antonio) who breathes that full-throttle, high risk/high reward type of offense. I mean, very few guards who turn the ball over stay in the league...and most of them have some X factor that I think Napier doesn't have. (i.e. Nash and his crazy speed/point guard skills/superior shooting)

 

[21Huskies]

one of the best point guards in the country? comparing him to DJ Austin and Rajon Rondo?

am i in fantasy land right now?

he's has had 2 sub par seasons, is undersized, not a great defender and not fast. if we had any other options i think it'd be fair to ask to move on to Boatright and a different 2 guard and bring Nappier off the bench.

i feel like just because someone puts on a UConn jersey this board thinks they are great players. there are 50 Shabazz Napiers running around the NCAA right now and thats probably an understatement. if you get minutes and take shots, you're going to put up numbers (hence his points and assists), if you don't do it efficiently then you aren't good. Shabazz shoots 38%, we run an awful half court offense in which he's the pg and he makes some boneheaded passes.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I am not sure when Napier became slow. Are we talking about the same player? Good thing you guys aren't pro scouts, because while Napier has some issues, speed is not one of them.

While he is undersized, there are plenty of short point guards. His shooting is a much bigger problem. He also has a lot to learn on both ends, but those things will get MUCH better with a couple of more years.

He isn't going anywhere anyway. He isn't a first or second round pick right now. With a lot of work, he could be an NBA ready backup PG in 2 years.

 

[NHUConnfan]

I am not sure when Napier became slow. Are we talking about the same player? Good thing you guys aren't pro scouts, because while Napier has some issues, speed is not one of them.

Really? How come Drummond is the fastest person on the team? Napier's speed is very limited. Boatright and Kemba both have/had him covered in terms of that.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Really? How come Drummond is the fastest person on the team? Napier's speed is very limited. Boatright and Kemba both have/had him covered in terms of that.

Tangent: It seems to me that this talk of Drummond being the fastest person on the team is just nonsense. Does anyone know what was the source for this statement? Calhoun hyperbole?

 

[WhereistheDove?]

This is a guy that 90% of this board was down on for most of the season because of his play and after a decent run at the end he's the next great PG? I think there's the potential there for him to be a very good college player and maybe get a sniff at the pros in the future, but some of the stuff on here is ridiculous.

Before that could happen he needs to show that he can make better shot decisions, not just dribble out half the clock before getting into the offense in the half court, stay in front of his man on D and not make the lazy wrap around poke that NEVER works, overall just cut down on bad passes and decisions, get much stronger, and run a competent half court offense.

I'm not sure he'll ever truly be up to it because of his size but Shabazz would get worked over on defense by most of the PGs in the league who would just out-muscle him. I'm not trying to bash him, I do think he has the chance to be very good the next two years for us... but come on guys, objectively the stuff in this thread is ridiculous.