Hassan Whiteside: This must be said
This kid is great, he would be a lock in the top 5, and I see him as the best future center in the NBA. He can definitely play. I think he would be a great fit to Golden State, but he could go 2nd to Minnesota and play aside Jefferson. Plus i dont know why but i like this guys last name.....like when super heroes say they go to the darkside or something lol....
I'm not expecting much from him if he goes to the NBA after this season. He's extremely weak and is way too unpolished offensively. He'll be a factor blocking shots and he'll be a decent rebounder, but I'd take Cole Aldrich above him. Whiteside has extremely high bust potential, and is being very overhyped. This statement "I see him as the best future center in the NBA" by Matthew T. moments ago makes me say this: Prepare to be disappointed my friend. He's a Marcus Camby type player at his best.
I'm not going to say he is a top 5 lock but it wouldn't surprise me if he was drafted there in 2010. I think saying he is a lock for the lottery in 2010 if he entered is more realistic.
I will say this...Whiteside isn't as raw on offense as people think. He has some post moves. He has skills, it isn't all about length & athleticism with him.
Whiteside has a pretty good jumpshot already. He has solid form on his jumper as well. Considering he is 6'11" that is saying a lot & scouts are going to be intrigued by that.
Here's my issue with staying in school:
If he goes to the NBA and works with a big man coach or a old school player who had some good post moves, why stay in school. I feel Golden State would be the perfect situation because
He can be a role player off the bench with Biedrens and Wright going to start for next season. Whiteside can learn and come off the bench for maybe a season and a half.
I would take Cousins and maybe Aldrich( depending on the team) over him at this point. I think he would be a top 10 pick this season if he came out, but if I had the #3 or #4 pick and needed a big man, I would take Cousins. Whiteside is still a 6'11'' 225 pound center at this point. C-USA is one thing, but he'd really need to hit the weights to be relevant as a center in the NBA aside from a shot blocker. Gatorheels is right about his offensive game, it isn't as raw as a lot of people think, but his offense has a ways to go before I feel he can be a consistant offensive threat. Larry Sanders is the same way, he has an okay face up game, and shot, but as is evident by both of their free throw percentages consistancy is a ways away.
I really think Whiteside could be a great NBA defender and rebounder someday, but I think his hype machine is a little un-realistic at this point, the same way Ed Davis' was a year ago at this point. I just don't think he has proven enough through a half season of C-USA basketball besides his physical tools to warrant a top #5 pick. If he goes back for his sophomore season and is a 15, 12, and 5 guy and ups his fould shooting and improves his offensive game, then yes, he is a top 5 pick, as for now, probably 7-10 on potential alone, most likely by a playoff team or borderline team who has a lottery pick via trade and isn't in desperation to win right away.
as for now, probably 7-10 on potential alone
If he's 7-10 on potential alone, all he needs is a good draft camp to be a top 5 pick then. We cannot forget, teams pull out tapes and then work you out and it all it takes is 1 thing to have scouts and coaches and GM's loving you. I understand what you're saying Joe Wolf and to a point I can agree but potential plus very good numbers ( 13, 8 and 5 per game) could push him over to the top 5.
Yeah, you are right about the fact a team could really fall in love with his game in pre-draft camps and whatnot, and you are right he could go top 5.
From where i'm coming from is I just think it would be un-wise to take him that high at this point, he is still a bigger question mark than Cousins and Aldrich right now, there is always a certain level of risk when drafting someone, but I feel Whiteside has more of a chance to bust right now, Whiteside could be a formidable defender and rebounder in the league, but in 5 years I just don't think he will be regarded as one of the best 3 or 5 players in this draft.
He'll be a top pick off potential alone, very true. But what will that matter if he's not that good in the NBA? He's going to be a project player who takes about 2/3 seasons to get be where he's NBA ready truly, and even then I still think of him as a Marcus Camby type.
Well...That goes to your team then to me. When I release my mock later today, he will be 3rd to Golden State.
How many teams spend 1st round picks for Euro talent knowing they wont come over for a year and then learn the NBA another year? Sometimes, you have to wait to get true value. Alot of teams did in the NBA, some players are out of college and ready to dominate the NBA and some need time because they're not ready or they have better players in front of him.
Here's what I would project for Whiteside if he went 3rd to Golden State ( this is my opinion for a 3 year stand)
Rookie Season- 60 GP, 15 GS- 7ppg, 5rpg and 1.5 bpg
2nd Season- 80 GP, 55 GS- 12ppg, 8rpg and 2bpg
3rd Season- 82 GP, 75 GS- 14ppg, 10rpg and 3bpg
After that, he would be 24 and in the midst of his prime....I cannot predict that
the same upsides u noted were the same as hasheem thabeets skills... i know he was the number 2 pick but if you did the draft all over again how far would he slide? not saying theyre the same player by any means but sometimes u just gotta draft the best talent available.....
Here is the most recent example of a Whiteside type player in Hasheem Thabeet.
He is a project and playing limited minutes, but has definelty shown potentila blocking 1.2 shots in 12 minutes a game. He struggles with foul trouble, finding a rythm and adjusting to the NBA game, but every couple weeks will get decent minutes and block 4 or 5 shots or pull down 6 or 7 rebounds. No one is giving up on Thabeet yet, but I feel Whiteside would have a similar plight in his rookie year. Especially because he isn't 265 pounds and didnt' play against Big east competition for 3 years like Thabeet, he is 225, and a center, Optimistically he puts on 10 pounds over the summer he is still a 6'11'' 235lb center playing against grown men. He is a different player with more speed and athletic ability and offense, but they essentially do the same thing at this stage in their careers.
I think you are right, he could go #3 but I just think its gonna take him longer, DeAndre Jordan, Javale McGhee were both by many expected to break out this year, and they didn't. Every player is different, but history doesn't bode well for raw big men making a 12 and 8 impact in year two unless they find the right team, Noah is a guy who has exceeded expectations and made an impact, but his energy is what sets him apart. I'm just looking to find what sets Whiteside apart, he hasn't shown me anything but his raw physical tools that make me believe he is different,...yet, he may, but im still sceptical.
Yea but McGee and Jordan aren't getting PT because there's players in front who are better.
McGee will post better numbers once the Haywood deal is gone
Jordan will have to wait. They have a All Star in front of him in Kaman and a defensive whiz in Camby
So then your'e saying he's pretty good then because I believe he's just stuck on the bench,
Don't believe me? http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/depth?team=was
Once Haywood is in Dallas, I expect McGee to get a increase in PT. Last year he had promise with a 6ppg, 3rpg and 1bpg in 15 mpg
I expect that (once he gets more PT and probably the starting job) to double.
So what, Thabeet isn't 6'10'', he's 7'3'' and he got drafted #2 to fill the same role Whiteside would out of college, like I said they are different players, but both would be expected to block shots and rebound right away while developing their offensive game. If Shaq were 6'8'' he wouldn't be a Hall of Fame player, but guess what he's 7'1'' 325.
I'm just saying its not that easy to develop raw big men and expect them to be making serious impacts in their 2nd and 3rd years except they are rare players like Howard. If McGhee and Jordan had developed more they would be playing, especially McGhee who's playing for a dismal Washington team. Jordan is a little different, but since LA runs Camby and Kaman a lot at the same time, if he were further along he would be getting more minutes and Craig Smith would be getting less in that big man rotation. I like both of those young centers, but my point is it takes a while and Whiteside hasn't shown me anything to make me believe he'd be any different.
I don't know what this has to do with anything, but off the top of my head
Pheonix- Robin Lopez
Portland- Oden (still haven't given up on him yet)
LA- Bynum
GS- Beidrins- (only 23 and averaged 11.2 rbs last year, injuries have hindered him this year, but has been averaging about 10 rpg since returning)
OKC- Ilbaka
Minne- Al Jefferson
Memphis- Gasol
Exactly. By no means and I saying the Grizzlies should have taken him at 2. You go and ask if Memphis is move down to around 6-8 and take Thabeet? they would.
But, say Thabeet can be a 10ppg, 10rpg, 3bpg guy with the occasional 20-20 game, I would believe that having a big clog down low would give a team like Memphis a HUGE advantage over alot of teams because not alot of teams in the West have bigs who would be able to "stop" him all the time
To say it simply, I feel Big Men are really important in the NBA. Sometimes, some bigs need time to develop and some coming out with double doubles.
Bynum is a perfect example....He was almost dealt for J-Kidd, what if that happened? Going for the present instead of holding on for Bynum to get better?
I hear what your saying KidKyrieNJ, and I didn't think the Memphis pick was a bad one. I don't think we disagree on all that much, just a few different points. I'm just trying to say, I don't think Whiteside is the player a lot of people think he is and it's gonna take him more than a year to be putting up big numbers. I didn't disagree with you when I said he could be a top 5 pick, I just said I haven't anything exceptional about his game with the exception of his athleticism and shot blocking and then I gave some examples of guys who took a while to develop, but McGhee was taken in the teens and Jordan in the 2nd round. While I am a big fan of Mid-Major basketball I would be a little more weary of drafting a 225 pound guy who played in the C-USA for a mediocre team. Can you imagine what Cousins would be doing the C-USA? I just think Whiteside has a bigger probability of busting than being the next best center in the NBA, he's gonna take a few years,but I realize how the NBA works with potential and what not and he could very well be a #2 or 3 pick, but I think he SHOULD be around 7-10
Hold up...McGee is probably top 3 worst players on Offense...He has no clue what to do with the all when he catches it....He shoots no look turnaround jumpers, 10 foot hooks, sweeping hooks with one hand...Very very awkward when he touches the ball....Ill give him this though; he is a helluva shot blocker...
McGee has a decent deal of talent offensively, definitely not top 3 worst. I could name quite a few guys down low that are worse. I've seen him make a few nice moves around the rim, but they are similarly unpolished, long, weak, and good shot-blockers.
he has potential but hes gonna take some time. thabeet was a better player then he was last year and you see how much he's struggling on offense and defense and hes not as raw. if you dont think thabeet was a bad pick that high then you cant think who ever picks this guy high will be a bad pick, just dont expect him to do much for the first couple of years and possibly ever since right now he's just potentialits really hard to figure out how good a big man from a bad conference will be even in workouts because there isnt any 5 on 5's. and in college he isnt playing against the best of comp playing for marshall
The Whiteside supporters may get mad, but he has "Patrick O'Bryant" written all over him in my opinion... Another mid-major big man who faced little to no competition and got picked high...
He could just turn out to be the next Marcus Camby, who's a great rebounder and defender, but he has a lot of bust potential... Olowakandi, O'Bryant and Araujo type bust potential.
Let's see, he doesn't have experience playing guys his size, his offensive game is raw, and he doesn't have the bulk to play center in the league. Yet, there are people on this board who thinks he should go in the top five? Really? Someone needs to make the case for why this guy would be a better prospect than Ed Davis or Derrick Favors when those two are just as long, just as athletic, Favors is bigger, and they have been playing against the ACC. Oh by the way, Davis vs. Whiteside took place already. Davis 19-10-3 on 7-14 shooting while Whiteside had 7-4-3 on 3-7 from the field.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=200912220413
lol..yeah.....itys funny because somedays i come on and i have negitive 10 points then the next day i have positive 20 then back and forth. and i dont give myself points nor take points but i do give people points if they make a good point. i even give points to people liek kid who think i take there points...what they dont realize is i gave up thousands of points by creating a new name just to show how lil i care about points
i never said you did.. i just said i give you pouints sometimes. ...and people need to realize everything thaqts said is a opinion. everyone has there own. it crosses the line when someone says "youre opinion is wrong and mine is right" which i never say.. i dont agree with anyone just because and i dont disagree with anyone just because. i stat my opinion from things i believe combined with facts that i obtain. i like to make sure i research things before i state a opinion on it. and many time it does go with someone elses opinion but many times peopel say things before researching it
If Hassan Whiteside enters the 2010 NBA Draft: He will be a top 5 LOCK.
I don't care what teams get into the lotto because looking at the lottery now? There are about 8 teams who could use some help at the Center position.
People need to realize, there are private workouts and in the draft camps in Orlando and Chicago ( correct me if im wrong) Hassan will get dissected and people will see a 20 year old who a tad raw in terms of offense but a player who can make a impact on defense. Last year, Jrue Holiday was called a 2nd rounder by most ppl on this site and then what happened when he went to the camps? He was a top 10 projected pick ( Only reason he fell on draft night was because he had a serious shoulder injury)
Yes, he's not in a power conference and yes, he is raw but he can come in and be a great NBA defensive player and in 2-3 season in the L, he will get the training he needs to be a really good big man. He can potentially be another really good big man in the NBA
Thoughts? Concerns? Questions?