By Bob Radl, Staff Writer
NBA training camps opened recently. The league is now playing some of its
pre-season games in Europe and China this year, a sign of how international
professional basketball has become. The Nets and Heat just played a pre-season
game in Paris, France. Even a casual observer of the NBA is aware of the
top names in the sport such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and
Dirk Nowitzki. These early round selections are expected to perform like stars
on a nightly basis.
I would like to offer our readers some players that might be available in
the middle and even late rounds of your drafts. These are players that you
should target for that segment of your draft. These players should have more
value than the average fan would expect. Here are a few names to
consider. The players are listed in alphabetical order at each position. Many
of the players may also qualify at more than one position.
CENTER
Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles, Bynum has All-Star potential but is still
a bit of an injury risk. He played in only 35 games last season before
suffering a season ending knee injury. Still, Bynum did average 13.1 points,
10.2 boards and 2.1 blocks while shooting over 60% from the field. He appears
to be a high risk, high reward player this season.
Marc Gasol, Memphis, The younger brother of LA star Pau Gasol, Marc
was drafted in the second round in 2007 by the Lakers. He has played the last
five seasons in Spain where he was named MVP of the ACB league. He could
produce low end double digit scoring and a fair number of boards along with a
block or two per game. He should be available late in most drafts. Gasol has
the necessary NBA size and toughness at 7’ 1” and about 280 pounds.
Al Horford, Atlanta, Horford played very well last season as rookie
for the Hawks. He was almost able to average a double-double in points and
boards. He led all rookies in rebounds and double-doubles last season. Look for
a nice bump in his stats this year. Horford could average close to 15 points
per game in his second season.
Nene Hilario, Denver, The Nuggets are in a rebuilding mode this
season. The departure of Marcus Camby will give Nene a chance to start. He has
had problems staying healthy in his career. Nene has never played more than 77
game sin his NBA career and missed almost the entire 2005-06season. He is high
risk, high reward player with nice upside in Denver’s high-octane offense.
Joakim Noah, Chicago, Noah had a nice end to his rookie campaign last
season. He was able to average 11.3 points, 7.6 boards, 1.9 blocks and .16
steals in 32 minutes over the last ten games of the season. He is a high-energy
player who could slip in many drafts this season.
Greg Oden, Portland, Oden missed his entire rookie season with
micro-fracture surgery on his knee. His offensive game is still raw but he
should be able to average close to 10 points, 10 boards and 2 or 3 blocks per
game. He makes for a great pick in keeper leagues.
Others to consider: Spencer Hawes, Sacramento, Etan Thomas, Washington
Franciso, Garcia, Sacramento, The trade of Ron Artest to Houston
should provide Garcia ample playing time this season in Sacramento. He did
average 16.4 points per games last year when he started 20 games. He has the
ability to also contribute a steal and a trey each night. Garcia will battle
John Salmons for playing time at SF this season.
Yi Jianlian, New Jersey, Jianlian had a very disappointing rookie
year in Milwaukee last season. He was also a bad fit for the system in
Milwaukee as the Bucks tried to make Jianlian play with his back to the basket.
He is much more comfortable facing the basket. The Nets will allow him to play
his natural game. He should fall late in most drafts but offers possible double
point scoring average along with a few boards every game.
Mickael Pietrus, Orlando, Pietrus saw limited action last season in
Golden State. He is penciled in as the likely starter at SF for the magic this
year. He should be able to average double digits in scoring along with a good
number of treys. He should also be able to add a few boards and an assist or
two per game.
John Salmons, Sacramento, Salmons had 41 starts last season and
was able to average 17.5 points, 5.4 boards along with 3.5 assists. He could
also average between 1 and 2 steals per game. The trade of Ron Artest virtually
guarantees a bump in his playing time and production.
Al Thornton, Clippers, Thornton should see a large bump in playing
time with Elton Brand leaving town. Thornton did average 15.6 points, 6.1
boards and close two assists in 31 games as a starter. He should see an across
the board increase in his stats this season.
Hakim Warrick, Memphis, Warrick saw a large increase in
his playing time last season after Pau Gasol was traded to the Lakers. He was
able to average 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds after the All-Star break. He will
probably slip in most drafts but makes for a nice end game pick.
Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia, Young is only 20 years old and one
of the more athletic players in the league. He will slide over to the SF
position this year in Philly with the addition of Elton Brand at the PF slot.
He was able to average 10.2 points and 4/5 rebounds as a rookie in just under
27 minutes per game.
Others to consider: Trevor Arizia, Lakers; Matt Barnes, Phoenix; Linas
Kleiza, Denver; David Lee, New York; Troy Murphy, Indiana; Charlie Villanueva,
Milwaukee
Mike Conley, Memphis, Conley was hampered by early season injuries
last season. He should be the starting point guard for Memphis this season. He should
see a nice overall increase in his stats this season in the Grizzlies up-tempo
offense. Sophomore point guards normally make a large improvement in their
game. Expect the same from Conley this year.
Jose Calderon, Toronto, The departure of T.J. Ford opens up a full
time job for Calderon in Toronto. He performed well last season when Ford was
out with an injury. Calderon averaged 13.0 points along with 9.1 assists
in 56 games as a starter. He did lead the NBA with a 5.38 assist to turnover
ratio in 2007-08. He could be among the league leaders in assists this season.
Randy Foye, Minnesota, Foye is really more of a scoring combo guard
than a true point guard. He had another season de-railed by injuries last year.
He really came on strong at the end of the season when averaged 18.4 points
along with 5.2 assists and 2.2 treys in 10 April games. Foye should also be
able to average over one trey per game.
Devin Harris, New Jersey, Harris has seen his numbers improve each
season he has been in the NBA. He is now firmly entrenched as the Nets
starting point guard. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.5 assists and 1.4 steals with
Nets in 25 games last season after he was traded. He can also
shoot over 80% from the free thrown line.
Beno Udrih, Sacramento, Udrih was able to show his abilities last
season after he left San Antonio. He was able to average 14.4 points, 5.0
assists and one trey per game while shooting a high percentage in Sacramento.
Udrih tends to get nicked up easily so keep this in mind.
Others to consider: Ramon Sessions, Milwaukee; Rodney Stuckey, Detroit;
C.J. Watson, Golden State; Marcus Williams, Golden State