My Beloved 108 Bloggees:
Welcome back after a short hiatus this off-season. Last night was the NBA Draft http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/ which produced some results that warrant brief blog discussion.
Only 4 SEC schools had players chosen:
Kentucky
Enes Kanter (if you want to count him even though he was ineligible in his one and done year) 3rd to Utah http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/enes-kanter/
Brandon Knight 8th to Detroit http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/brandon-knight/
Josh Harrellson 45th to New York (after being traded from New Orleans) http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/josh-harrellson/
DeAndre Liggins 53rd to Orlando http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/deandre-liggins/
Georgia
Trey Thompkins 37th to Clippers http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/trey-thompkins/
Travis Leslie 47th to Clippers http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/travis-leslie/
Tennessee
Tobias Harris 19th to Charlotte http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/tobias-harris/
Undrafted Junior Scottie Hopson should return to Knoxville http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/scotty-hopson/
The Florida Gators had two players go in the second round:
Chandler Parsons 38th to Houston. http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/chandler-parsons/ Here were some of the on-air comments by ESPN analyst, Jay Bilas, after Parsons was chosen: "He needs to be physically and mentally tougher. Parsons leaves you wanting more. He did improve this year and rebounded better. Has the skill set".
Vernon Macklin http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/vernon-macklin/ 52nd to Detroit. Bilas was very complimentary about Macklin such as: "He is a great kid. Improved his post move....long arms....can hit the jump hook with either hand....will run down the ball.....good rebounder and good worth ethic". Then he repeated what a great kid Macklin is.
In my opinion, both Parsons and Macklin should follow the footsteps of current Gator NBAers, Udonis Haslem and Matt Bonner, by playing professionally overseas to hone their skills. Parsons needs to be more consistent with his jump shot and Macklin has to improve his free throw shooting. Look for the undrafted Gator senior, Alex Tyus, http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/alex-tyus/ to join them overseas to develop his game. NEXT
Two members of last season's all-BB (Barry's Blog) team of mid-major players were drafted:
Kenneth Faried, http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/kenneth-faried/ the 6' 8 forward from Morehead State, was selected by Denver as the 22nd pick. He could be the next Dennis Rodman...no need to get him the basketball, he will find it himself near the backboard. Plus, he plays super defense. This type of "lunch pail" player helps win championships. http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/kenneth-faried/
Andrew Goudelock, the 6' 2 guard from Bobby Cremins' College of Charleston is going to Lakerland as the 46th pick of the draft. They will love him at the Staples Center when he starts throwing in those three-point bombs. My guess is the Lakers might have the next Microwave (one of the greatest nicknames in sports for former Pistons sharpshooter, Vinnie Johnson). I can't wait to see Goudelock on the court next to Kobe. http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/andrew-goudelock/ NEXT
Two members of the all-BB team were undrafted seniors, 6' 9 275 lb. center Frank Hassell from Old Dominion http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/prospects/frank-hassell/ and 6' 6 forward Noah Dahlman from Wofford. One of our Virginia bloggess, Charlie, watched Hassell at the Portsmouth Invitational showcase for NBA prospects and indicated, "Frank did not have much in the tank". However, he later worked out with many NBA teams and could try to latch on as a free agent. Dahlman should probably take his game overseas where he could be a star with his cerebral play around the basket.
The other member of the all-BB team was Tu Holloway, the returning senior at Xavier. If Tu hadn't laid an egg in a first round NCAA tourney game with 5 points against Marquette, shooting 1 for 8 from the field, he might have kept his name in the draft. Instead he has been selected to try out for the USA team in the World University Games http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110622/SPT0102/106230341/Tu-Holloway-to-watch-NBA-Draft-be-part-of-next-year-s?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE . THAT'S IT
Enjoy the off season,
Barry
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