sov82

I certainly agree the list above is extremely talented. In fairness to "NBADraft.net", you need to consider which draft these guys are listed in.

Greg Oden <--- HT is listed after in '07 draft
Kevin Durant <--- listed after in '07 draft
Spencer Hawes <--- listed in '08 draft
Brandan Wright <--- listed after in '07 darft
Joakim Noah <--- listed after in '07 draft
Al Horford <--- listed before in '07 draft
Julian Wright <--- listed before in '07 draft
Darrell Arthur <--- listed in '08 draft
Chase Budinger <--- listed in '08 draft

So Horford and Wright after listed after. Lets look at these two players:

Horford is a strong 6'9" PF. This is of average size in the NBA, but you typically like you're early lotto PF to be slightly taller. He's been average offensively mainly due to his inconsistency at that end (perhaps due to the talent around him). Post moves need work. Defensively, he's shown he can be a beast on the boards when he wants to be and is a decent shot blocker. At times, he does disappear both offensively and defensively (again, is this due to the talent around him?) Potential is a solid regular on a playoff team. I don't see him making all-star teams. Gap between potential and current ability is moderate.

Wright is a 6'8 SF. Good height for the SF position, however, needs to gain strength. Excellent passer but has yet to demonstrate offensive consistency. Can he play the SF or is he an undersized PF? Yet to show a consistent jumper. Defensively, he can cause havok when guarding SFs, however, can be pushed around by PFs. Potential is an All-Star if everything comes together and he's on the right team. Gap between potential and current ability is large.

Thabeet - impact size at a premium position; strong frame with excellent speed/athleticism for his size. As noted, extremely extremely raw on offense. Needs to gain strength. Impact shot blocker and presence on defense. Rebounding is hurt due to lack of strength. Potential is an All-Star. Gap between potential and current ability is larger than anyone in the 2007 or 2008 draft lottery.

So in my estimation, its not unreasonable to have these two guys listed after Thabeet. You certainly could argue that these guys should be listed ahead of him. Horford doesn't have the potential of Thabeet and Wright is another high risk / high reward prospect.

Granted, I'm sure there are other guys in the 2007 draft that you like that you didn't include in your list. At the Center Position, the next center listed after Thabeet is Gray. Thabeet is certainly much more athletic than Gray. He certainly could learn a few things from Gray as well. I look forward to their matchup this year but I think you have to rate Thabeet ahead of Gray based on potential.

Tonite, Thabeet plays the might BE power known as South Flordia. Lets see how he plays tonite and more importantly against LSU this weekend.

I look forward to seeing his hopeful improvement this year and we'll go from there.

TM

For any that care...

Aran Smith replied to my email...

They updated their mock too. (#5 Hasheem Thabeet)

I know we've gone through this a hundred times before, but is Walker eligible for the '07 draft?

sov82

1pt tonite vs. South Flordia tonite and he actually looked better than against WVU. He caught the ball much better and passed well. He had a few would be dunks negated by fouls on the catch & 1 flagrant foul that put him on the bench for a bit.

When someone scores 1pt and you say he looked better -- well that tells you something. Hopefully he rushes home and tunes in to Greg Oden on ESPN.

Continued his strong defensive play but he'll need to learn to try to avoid some of the ticky tack fouls. He positive about his defensive play that I haven't seen pointed out is that he rarely fouls going for a block. He uses his size well and doesn't fall for most shot fakes and holds his position well against his man. It will be interesting to see if the more experienced LSU front line can get him to fall for some of their post moves.

lw32

The list was a quickie. I was about to throw Adonal on there too until I remembered he was a real force at Colgate that junior year.

Battie was thrown on because of his first (and second) seasons in college. An example that big fellas can take longer to pan out. Wright was averaging double doubles through out college, we can erase him.

However I think the point is still clear, Diop would be the best comparison for Thabeet. Absolutely no offensive game at Oak Hill, yet 8th overall solely because of his body, physical ability and defensive capabilities.

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lw32

No, he shouldn't be a top 5 pick. That's not what this thread is about. I was merely pointing out that Thabeet will more than likely go in the lotto when he comes out. I'm well aware of what your point was (it runs over the last three pages), and I can't see anyone taking him top 5 now.

__________________
Charles Barkley: "I think it would have been an insult if they put Bird on me. He was the worst defensive player ever."

"Stanley's idea of a balanced meal is a Big Mac in each hand" -- then Orlando Magic GM Pat Williams on overweight Magic first round draft choice Stanley Roberts

TM

But that was my question. And you chimed in with sov and added you're list. All I asked for was answer, which you gave me at the end. I'm not that ignorant of the NBA game. I understand people take chances with inexperienced teenagers.

sov82

Can't miss TV -- HT vs. Davis this weekend.

Matthew Maurer

Hey guys long time no see... Please remember guys the NBA draft is about potential not about current results.... Yes Mr. Thabeet is very raw but you can't ignore one thing he's 7-3, decently mobile and can run without falling. With the way the center position is in the NBA right now he will get serious looks in the top 10 part of the draft if he comes out....

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zagsfan20

I remember watching Foyle in college at Colgate. He was a stud and I thought he'd be a real player in the league. Offensively I thought he would translate well to the league.

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rainman

Wow, arent you special. Unless i had an extra top 10 pick or felt extremely lucky i wouldnt take this guy over the ones you have aluded to and i would throw in Yi Jianlian in that list(near the top), after that it would make more sense, actually what would make sense is Thabeet comes back next year.

As for Walker the NBA's original stance is that his graduating class is technically 2007 but i doubt they would win that argument, the bigger question is would he be ready and where would he be selected, again i dont think he would go before the dozen or so that we've mentioned.

TM