[Ruff Draft]

"I’ll say this – we’re not talking to teams about their second- or third-best player. If I’m going to put these types of guys on the market, then don’t waste your time talking to me about guys you don’t like. Nothing is imminent. … They know we’re open.”

-Joe Dumars

[MLKG]

Originally Posted by ChrisWoj

Lets see...
1. Through the roof athleticism
2. A good handle
3. A fantastic work ethic
4. As a result of 3, fast improving jump shot.

I'm looking for the comparison to Carlos Delfino here, and I'm not seeing it. Oh yeah, plus he's American. Not a foreigner.

1. Athletic, but not springy. Two ACL tears have robbed him of that. He still has a good verticle, but he's slow off the ground and with his first step.
2. For an NBA guard, I would call his handle poor. He's not going to be able to get away with turning his back on defenders after two dribbles like he did in college.
3. All hustle and heart, which is why I like him. Will definately fight for rebounds.
4. He improved his college 3-ball, yes. Will probably be a decent shooter from the corners in the NBA. He does not shoot well off the dribble and has no inbetween game to speak of.

I compare him to Delfino because he's big and athletic and makes a lot of hustle plays, but his quickness and handle will really hold him back.

[croco]

Originally Posted by MLKG

1. Athletic, but not springy. Two ACL tears have robbed him of that. He still has a good verticle, but he's slow off the ground and with his first step.
2. For an NBA guard, I would call his handle poor. He's not going to be able to get away with turning his back on defenders after two dribbles like he did in college.
3. All hustle and heart, which is why I like him. Will definately fight for rebounds.
4. He improved his college 3-ball, yes. Will probably be a decent shooter from the corners in the NBA. He does not shoot well off the dribble and has no inbetween game to speak of.

I compare him to Delfino because he's big and athletic and makes a lot of hustle plays, but his quickness and handle will really hold him back.

He wasn't a hundred percent during his sophomore season (actually freshman because of the injury) and you could see it from the look of his body. He got the opportunity to work out extensively since March and it's showing:


March 2008 - June 2008

He could build up his knees in a way he would have never without the injury. His pre-injury athleticism is back according to a lot of articles and scouts and that is a big plus. I agree that his handle right now is mediocre at best for a guard, that is something he will have to work on although it's gotten better. Again, he wasn't a hundred percent during the season and that effects his entire demeanor, agility and ability on the court.

Not only will he hustle, but he is also a bright kid and that is usually a good combination, even more so when you add a great work ethic to that.

[Ruff Draft]

Channel 4 had a Joe D interview today. He said he was in talks with Denver, but not just for Melo. He also has about 6 other teams on the table.

[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by MLKG

1. Athletic, but not springy. Two ACL tears have robbed him of that. He still has a good verticle, but he's slow off the ground and with his first step.
2. For an NBA guard, I would call his handle poor. He's not going to be able to get away with turning his back on defenders after two dribbles like he did in college.
3. All hustle and heart, which is why I like him. Will definately fight for rebounds.
4. He improved his college 3-ball, yes. Will probably be a decent shooter from the corners in the NBA. He does not shoot well off the dribble and has no inbetween game to speak of.

I compare him to Delfino because he's big and athletic and makes a lot of hustle plays, but his quickness and handle will really hold him back.

1. Athletic AND springy. He has lost 25 pounds that he didn't have the time to lose after his last injury but before the most recent season. That springiness is back.
2. He's not going to project as a guard. He's going to be 6'8 and despite listings I'd bet he's 6'7 now. He still has some filling out to do as well. I think he's a SF.
3. Agreed!
4. Shooting can be learned. Remember what a spectacular three point shooter Rip Hamilton was when he came to Detroit? Neither do I. But he's put in the time, something everyone says Walker is willing to do.

He just seems like a natural fit for the Pistons.

[MLKG]

Originally Posted by ChrisWoj

1. Athletic AND springy. He has lost 25 pounds that he didn't have the time to lose after his last injury but before the most recent season. That springiness is back.
2. He's not going to project as a guard. He's going to be 6'8 and despite listings I'd bet he's 6'7 now. He still has some filling out to do as well. I think he's a SF.
3. Agreed!
4. Shooting can be learned. Remember what a spectacular three point shooter Rip Hamilton was when he came to Detroit? Neither do I. But he's put in the time, something everyone says Walker is willing to do.

He just seems like a natural fit for the Pistons.

Well, he's 6'6" until he's not. I don't think you can project growth.

Bill Walker's jumper is almost a set shot. He doesn't elevate and he pushes the ball too much. He can put in the reps to become a more accurate shooter, but he's always going to be held back by his mechanics. He doesn't have the speed on his release to become an effective mid range player. As a shooter, he'll never be much more than a spot up guy in the corners.

[Ruff Draft]

Charlotte Trades:
C: Emeka Okafor (re-signed)
SF: Adam Morrison
SG: Jason Richardson

Charlotte Receives:
C: Rasheed Wallace
PG: Allen Iverson
Denver 08 1st rd Pick #20
Pistons 08' 1st rd Pick #29

Bobcats trade 2 young stars for 2 ol stars who just happenin to be Larry's boys. Worst comes to worst, that's alot of expiring contracts and picks.


Denver Trades:
SF: Carmello Anthony
SG: Allen Iverson
Denver 08 1st rd Pick #20

Denver Receives:
SF:Tayshaun Prince
SG: Jason Richardson
PG: Chauncey Billups

Denver trades 2 all-stars for 3 all-stars (to a lesser extent). Overall they become deeper, and in my opinion better..


Detroit Trades:
C: Rasheed Wallace
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PG: Chauncey Billups
Pistons 08' 1st rd Pick #29

Detroit Receives:
C: Emeka Okafor
SF: Carmelo Anthony
SF: Adam Morrison

Detroit gets a elite scorer in Anthony and a defensive minded big in Okafor, both of which they covet.

Stuckey
Rip
Melo
Okafor
McDyess

Billups
J. Rich
Tayshaun
Nene
Camby

Felton
A.I.
Wallace
Sheed
Nazr

[ChrisWoj]

Originally Posted by MLKG

Well, he's 6'6" until he's not. I don't think you can project growth.

Bill Walker's jumper is almost a set shot. He doesn't elevate and he pushes the ball too much. He can put in the reps to become a more accurate shooter, but he's always going to be held back by his mechanics. He doesn't have the speed on his release to become an effective mid range player. As a shooter, he'll never be much more than a spot up guy in the corners.

And you don't see any of those things as fixable? I do. Players can improve their mechanics. Some guys succeed with crap mechanics and don't ever change (Prince, Marion, etc.) but it doesn't mean other guys can't change.

[MLKG]

Originally Posted by ChrisWoj

And you don't see any of those things as fixable? I do. Players can improve their mechanics. Some guys succeed with crap mechanics and don't ever change (Prince, Marion, etc.) but it doesn't mean other guys can't change.

Fixable to a degree. Maybe. By the time a guy gets to the NBA, he's usually passed the point of making anything but minor tweaks to shooting mechanics. Trying to make large changes can do more harm than good.

Anybody can become a better shooter through repetition, but shooting in the NBA is as much about footwork, balance, and instincts as it is accuracy. He doesn't have a fast release, he hasn't shown an in-between game, and he doesn't elevate.

Could that all change? I guess. But putting faith in a guy for things he's shown no proficiency at in the past but could conceivably develop down the road is getting into pretty strange territory.

That's not scouting or projection. It's a man-crush.

[Ruff Draft]

I want Melo on this team so badly!

[Ruff Draft]

Portland has got nothing Detroit would even consider looking at.

[Damian Necronamous]

Originally Posted by Ruff Draft

Portland has got nothing Detroit would even consider looking at.

I dunno...I would consider a deal of Outlaw, Frye and the #13 for Prince. However, Dumars has basically said that he wants to acquire a big-time player.