[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

http://nbadraft.net/players/trevor-mbakwehttp://nbadraft.net/players/trevor-mbakwe

So, I kinda am a contributor to the site now. Aran’s not too picky about who he lets write for the site. And above is the link to my first profile to Trevor Mbakwe. So if you could let me know if it looks ok, that’d be great, along with any constructive criticisms.

Also, the Leon Powe comparison wasnt mine. I said Kenneth Faried. And the ratings are a point here and there off from the ones I submitted. Just a sidenote there.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

http://nbadraft.net/players/trevor-mbakwe

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Yeah, I think the reason Aran didn’t keep the comparison as Faried was because The Draft Site That Shall Not Be Named had Faried as his comparison as well

[aztwulfParticipant]

I think your write-up is pretty spot on. Basically a close to the basket dunking machine, a better player defensively than offensively. While what you wrote about the past legal issues is true, I think it paints a picture that is worse than reality. If I recall accurately, the “violation of the restraining order” was something along the lines of trying to make a Facebook connection, and seemed pretty innocuous. Mbakwe really doesn’t seem like a bad dude, just a pretty decent kid who did a couple of dumb things. I don’t think a pro team will need a babysitter for Trevor.

I could see Mbakwe perhaps sticking in the league as a backup PF. His game reminds me a lot of Kenneth Faried, a high energy pogo stick, but without a reliable shot.

EDIT: I hadn’t even noticed your reference to Kenneth Faried when I made mine. Interesting that we both chose the same player for our analogy.

[kngojcParticipant]

Not quite the same, but he also reminds me of Dejuan Blair. Similar body types (obviously Blair is a bit wider where Mbakwe is taller). He will be a good energy, effort, and hustle player in the NBA but I don’t see him making much of an impact on any team besides maybe the Bulls, Celtics, Spurs, or Thunder.

[MkadozaParticipant]

With the Knicks lack of an enforcer under the age of 35, Mbakwe would would be a great back up big for New York. Maybe even Miami. Basically any team that needs rebounding, toughness and 6 fouls.

[PootyTangParticipant]

Overall pretty spot-on critique. He doesn’t have the lateral quickness or agility Faried has, but Mbakwe can get up and down the court much better than Powe or Blair. A lot of impressive put-back dunks in transition. Even with the re-cooped ACLs, Mbakwe is wayyy more explosive than Blair around the bucket. Mbakwe used his body well to make space in the post, so he may encounter some problems with the bigger PFs and Cs. But he has freakishly long arms and huge hands along with a high motor, so I think he’ll be able get his shot off, he’ll just have to refine technique a bit, and the skills to be a great rebounder should translate well. High-quality backup PF.

And the legal issue is nothing. The restraining order violation was over FB, and they actually published his FB post in the newspaper. It was along the lines of “hope you’re doing well, sorry everything panned out this way.” Definitely will not need a babysitter, character concerns a non-issue.

[NbanflguyParticipant]

Looks solid, but he actually isnt uncomfortable shooting jumpers. He made plenty of jumpers this year from like 14-18 feet. I wouldnt necessarily say it is a strength, but I wouldnt say its a weakness either.

[Wahoo757Participant]

How were you able to get Aran to allow you to do this? I’d love to be able to write some player profiles for UVA players in the future and there are three potential prospects next year: Akil Mitchell, Joe Harris, and Justin Anderson.

[fcb206Participant]

So if a player isn’t invited to the Amare Stoudemire Skills Academy, does he hold out hope for the Jon Koncak skills academy?

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