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Flava_D · 06-21-2005, 01:42 PM

I hate the guys attitude, but this kid just has way too much potential. I'm not sure I'd take the risk if we only had the #18, but say a deal is in place where we get another first rounder, and he's still there at 18 - I think you have to jump on it. I think he may be the type of guy who thrives on competition, which he'd definately have with Perk and Big Al - and if he doesn't develop, the rookie scale contract doesn't kill us. I know his body language stinks, and we all question his intentions, but his numbers as a Sophomore on a competitive team are impressive. He has the tools. He has the prototypical PF body (on the minus side, Mark Blount came from Pittsburgh too!) I just think the potential is too much (especially if we have a contingency plan in place with a second pick) unless someone projected in the top 11 or 12 (minus Channing Frye) slips to the spot

**Premier** · 06-21-2005, 01:59 PM

We know he has some issues, but is he that physically gifted?

He ranked twenty-fifth in the combine tests and only did fourteen reps on the 185 lbs. bench press. His vertical was a decent thirty-three inches.

**agoo101284** · 06-21-2005, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Premier

We know he has some issues, but is he that physically gifted?

He ranked twenty-fifth in the combine tests and only did fourteen reps on the 185 lbs. bench press. His vertical was a decent thirty-three inches.

Where does Taft rank among his peers at the PF position? Also, 14 reps in the bench press is pretty decent for a guy who is 6-10 like Taft. The bench press is a bad test for tall players because they have very long arms.

But to be blut, I don't want Taft. Players who attempt to get buy on their athletic ability need to have the desire to be successful. Taft doesn't have it.

Flava_D · 06-21-2005, 05:06 PM

Another positive could be his slipping in the draft. Say he thinks he's a guaranteed lottery pick, and he slips out of the 1st round (or to the end) and we pull a deal with Detroit, Our second rounders and a future 2nd (or a future provisional 1st) something like that - Taft may develop that fire up his butt to prove people wrong, like Pierce, Rashard Lewis, Tayshaun Prince, and Gibert Arenas. Or maybe he'll sit on the end of the bench. Its a risk I think we could make and worst case, he's gone after his Rookie Contract.

vandyke · 06-22-2005, 08:32 AM

Let me ask a question which player do you think has the most upside, Taft or Frye? I would think it is Taft don't you think, I mean this is a player that if he would have come out last year probably would have been a lottery pick, had a bad year at Pitt, bad workouts and is sinking like a rock is he worth a gamble at 18, I would think it would depend on who else is available when it comes time to pick.

**whiterhino** · 06-22-2005, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by van****

Let me ask a question which player do you think has the most upside, Taft or Frye? I would think it is Taft don't you think, I mean this is a player that if he would have come out last year probably would have been a lottery pick, had a bad year at Pitt, bad workouts and is sinking like a rock is he worth a gamble at 18, I would think it would depend on who else is available when it comes time to pick.

I would not want either of them

Flava_D · 06-22-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

I would not want either of them

enlighten us on why.....its much nicer when we back up our opinions....(and there's definately some backing up that can go along with Taft - though I like his upside)

**whiterhino** · 06-22-2005, 01:46 PM

For Taft it's very simple, he has no heart, he has no desire, I think his NBA career will be a flickering light that will flicker out quickly, not because of a lack of talent by any means but because of a lack of desire. I think a lot of character as I've stated before, I don't want a guy with such obvious character flaws on a team that already has some others to begin with.

On Frye it's a personal thing, I just feel "bust" written all over him, I have no legitimate reason for this I just "feel" it. I felt this way about Reece Gaines and Mike Sweetney as well...Gaines I was definately correct on and although Sweetney is not a total bust at this point he hasn't lived up to a top 10 pick but he could still prove me wrong. I just get this feeling sometimes and I have it with Frye....no logical explanation, I just would feel much more comfortable with a different choice.

**agoo101284** · 06-22-2005, 02:56 PM

Frye is soft, so I'd rather have Taft. I find Frye's rise ridiculous because he was a low 20 pick for a long time because he's soft. Now, he's still soft, but he's a lotto guy. I think its ridiculous. Its only because he's seven feet tall. If he's 6-10, he might be a second rounder.

Delontes Herpes · 06-23-2005, 06:52 AM

the celtics don't need another lazy big man from pittsburgh

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