Joe Soriano
O.J. Lewis2/16: Early Look at 2011 NBA Draft
February 16th 2011 15:52
The early look is all about evaluating the draft prospects. If the freshmen that are expected to go to the NBA actually do go, then we'll be looking at a handful of really talented players like Jared Sullinger and Kyrie Irving. Let's start it off with Sully, and this is all assuming he enters the draft. Again, this is only an early look at the prospects that could go to the draft.
Sullinger is the college equivalent to Shaq- in his prime- on the offensive side. It is nearly impossible to guard Sullinger one-on-one, so you have to collapse in on him. The problem with that, is that he is an excellent passer- just like Shaq was- and he kicks it out to the very accurate shooters around him. Sullinger would be best suited on a team that has a bunch of shooters around him- say Cleveland. The problem is that his bruising style just doesn't work as well in the NBA for a rookie, because everybody else at that level is tough.
Sullinger isn't explosive, and he is a poor defensive player. He also relies too much on his power, so stronger players in the NBA will be able to handle him; or they will outsmart him. In order for Sully to be successful in the NBA, he's going to have to work himself to the fullest in terms of strength and conditioning. If he can't do that, and he isn't a smart enough player- especially when it comes to adjusting; then he won't be able to succeed in the NBA. I think Sullinger could be a bust. I think he will be, unless if he can really train himself to that paramount level. If not, he just looks like a college player to me.
Moving on to Kyrie Irving. Irving is a quick player who is a nice passer. If he goes to the draft, and you're the Cleveland Cavaliers sitting there and Irving is available; I'd take him. To me, Irving could become the complete package with development. Irving is a raw prospect that definitely needs to learn the mental side of the game, but it is extremely rare to find a player that is nearly perfect in the difficult mental portion of the game.
My favorite characteristic of Irving is his ability to get to the rim. He's so quick off the dribble, and he really does a nice job of scoring in traffic. That's the recipe for success for a guard in the NBA. Size doesn't matter, but skill certainly does. This 6"2 prospect has skill. He's a baller. I love his vision and ability to maneuver. You can't play him up one on one. He is just too quick. That does equate to success in the NBA, because you see that defenses have trouble against quick rookie point guard that can attack the rim- see Rose, Derrick. Irving can blossom into a star with proper development. If not, he will end up being an average player off the bench. Most coaches are good, so I expect him to be at least a solid starter.
Sullinger is the college equivalent to Shaq- in his prime- on the offensive side. It is nearly impossible to guard Sullinger one-on-one, so you have to collapse in on him. The problem with that, is that he is an excellent passer- just like Shaq was- and he kicks it out to the very accurate shooters around him. Sullinger would be best suited on a team that has a bunch of shooters around him- say Cleveland. The problem is that his bruising style just doesn't work as well in the NBA for a rookie, because everybody else at that level is tough.
Sullinger isn't explosive, and he is a poor defensive player. He also relies too much on his power, so stronger players in the NBA will be able to handle him; or they will outsmart him. In order for Sully to be successful in the NBA, he's going to have to work himself to the fullest in terms of strength and conditioning. If he can't do that, and he isn't a smart enough player- especially when it comes to adjusting; then he won't be able to succeed in the NBA. I think Sullinger could be a bust. I think he will be, unless if he can really train himself to that paramount level. If not, he just looks like a college player to me.
Moving on to Kyrie Irving. Irving is a quick player who is a nice passer. If he goes to the draft, and you're the Cleveland Cavaliers sitting there and Irving is available; I'd take him. To me, Irving could become the complete package with development. Irving is a raw prospect that definitely needs to learn the mental side of the game, but it is extremely rare to find a player that is nearly perfect in the difficult mental portion of the game.
My favorite characteristic of Irving is his ability to get to the rim. He's so quick off the dribble, and he really does a nice job of scoring in traffic. That's the recipe for success for a guard in the NBA. Size doesn't matter, but skill certainly does. This 6"2 prospect has skill. He's a baller. I love his vision and ability to maneuver. You can't play him up one on one. He is just too quick. That does equate to success in the NBA, because you see that defenses have trouble against quick rookie point guard that can attack the rim- see Rose, Derrick. Irving can blossom into a star with proper development. If not, he will end up being an average player off the bench. Most coaches are good, so I expect him to be at least a solid starter.
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