NBA DRAFT: Power Forward Prospectus
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by user NBA Draft Blog
Depending on what position a few players are listed at, the pool of power forwards in this draft is either extraordinary or just very good. University of Texas center LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE can play either low-post position, so his NBA position will be determined by what is needed most by the team that selects him. LSU power forward TYRUS THOMAS is slightly undersized (6’9, 220) to play power forward in the NBA, but he doesn’t yet have the perimeter skills necessary to play at small forward. So, we will assume that Aldridge is a center and Thomas is a power forward. That leaves this position as the best and the deepest in the draft.
Thomas is one of those “projection” players that lead to late nights for scouts and GM’s. Projection players are selected for their long-term potential rather than past production. In his only season at LSU, Thomas averaged a modest 12.3 PPG. He is very raw on offense, with a lack of shooting range and he will need to work hard on his fundamentals to contribute on offense. But Thomas has strengths that few other players in this draft possess. He combines his unbelievable leaping ability with his long arms to play bigger than he is. He is a very good rebounder (9.2 RPG) and shot-blocker (3.1 BPG). There has been speculation that the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls are both interested in Thomas. That would make him the #1 or #2 pick in the draft.
Most draft experts believe that the Raptors will select Italian power forward ANDREA BARGNANI. He is tall (6’11), but a slim 240 lbs. BARGNANI’S strength is his sweet shooting and his fluid offensive skills. He can knock down long jumpers, handle the ball like a guard, and drive to the basket. But, like so many international players before him, he avoids contact and isn’t very physical in the low post.
Here are 5 solid power forward prospects:
~ ANDREA BARGNANI, 6’11, Italy: Has been showered with DIRK NOWITZKI comparisons. He doesn’t need to be as good as Nowitzki to justify being a top selection, but he will need to be better than he has shown in Italian league play.
~ TYRUS THOMAS, 6’9, LSU: Athletically gifted, but still fundamentally raw. He could become a star, but it takes faith to believe that he will work hard enough on his game to ever reach his vast potential.
~ SHELDEN WILLIAMS, 6’9, Duke: A center in college, he will become a defensive-minded power forward. He is very mature and tough, a poor man’s BEN WALLACE.
~ CEDRIC SIMMONS, 6’10, NC St.: A prodigious shot-blocker and a good rebounder, Simmons has a lot of upside. He is still developing on offense, but is a good pick as a late lottery prospect.
~ KEVIN PITTSNOGLE, 6’11, W. Virginia: Not every scout likes Pittsnogle’s game, but somebody will see the value in having a tough, smart, overachieving big man that may be the best 3-point shooter in the draft after J.J. REDICK.
Date
Mon 06/26/06, 1:43 am EST
