not Austin Nichols. IMHO.

Don't get me wrong, I think Austin has a real chance to be an NBA player. But I don't see him as a high draft pick. Keep in mind, last year only 3 players were drafted that had comparable measurables to Nichols - Josh Huestis (who was immediately sent to the NBDL), Kyle Anderson (different PF than AN), and Cory Jefferson (last pick in the draft).

Fact of the matter is - 6'8" 225 lb PF/C aren't in high demand for NBA teams. That being said...I still think Austin is a very fluid, skilled big. He has a long reach, high basketball IQ, great hands and his jumpshot is improving - a must, if he wants to be a NBA bit player.

If you made me put $ on it ...I'd say he'll end up getting drafted (not after this year) but looking ahead, I don't think he's our best NBA prospect.

IMHO, I think our best NBA prospect is Markel Crawford. Now, he has a ways to go. And his measurables will work against him too - 6'4" SG isn't ideal, but much more common in the NBA than a 6'8" center w/ a slight-build.

Crawford has great shooting form & his % is great too. He can handle the ball. He is super athletic. He has long arms and he's only a freshman. IF (and that's a big if) he continues to develop - ball handleing, defense, mental focus, mid-range, etc. I think he could be an all-AAC caliber guard and a Top 40 NBA pick. I'll go one step further...if he does all that, in 3 years I think he could be a lottery pick.

Long ways to go, but that's my unpopular opinion of the day. Still love AN, btw.

Not necessarily an unpopular opinion. When I see Austin I think of Tyler Hansbrough. He averaged 20ppg and around 9 rebounds per game and was college player of the year at North Carolina. In the NBA though his skills didn't translate quite as well. Only averaged 7ppg and 5rpg in around 18mpg. Of course, he did get drafted in the first round and even though he's not a starter he's a solid role player. Austin needs to get better at rebounding and work on his jumper a bit and he has a chance to get drafted maybe first round. It's just that sometimes the skills that make you a great college player don't translate into the NBA.

It's Austin by a landslide. He has all the tools and can consistently hit the mid range jumper.

Let's see how he does against Wiltjer Saturday.

The only way Crawford would possibly ever jump to a lottery pick is if he proves he can be an NBA point guard...

(01-30-2015 12:06 PM)southpaw1 Wrote:  It's Austin by a landslide. He has all the tools and can consistently hit the mid range jumper.

Austin needs another 40lbs and the ability to defend in the post to be a high draft pick.

In the NBA players will get their looks. It boils down to whether or not they can hit their shot consistently. Austin can.

Few will probably double team Austin all game unless we are hitting the 3.

(01-30-2015 12:13 PM)southpaw1 Wrote:  In the NBA players will get their looks. It boils down to whether or not they can hit their shot consistently. Austin can.

Few will probably double team Austin all game unless we are hitting the 3.

Is Austin Better than Hansborough?

Honestly the NBA drafts on potential...It is a rare a skill guy gets drafted high.

(01-30-2015 12:12 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(01-30-2015 12:06 PM)southpaw1 Wrote:  It's Austin by a landslide. He has all the tools and can consistently hit the mid range jumper.

Austin needs another 40lbs and the ability to defend in the post to be a high draft pick.

He needs the height more than he needs the weight. Not too many 6-8 power forwards in the NBA unless they are super athletic or they can stretch the defense like Matt Bonner

(01-30-2015 12:10 PM)Tygrys Wrote:  The only way Crawford would possibly ever jump to a lottery pick is if he proves he can be an NBA point guard...

See, I don't think so...

I think you can be a 2 in the NBA even at 6'4". Especially if you're atheltic and can shoot the ball with range & consistency.

Markel has a long way to go, needs to develop...but he has 2-3 years to do it. If he does, I think he's a real NBA player, no doubt!

I agree on Crawford. I think he's going to be a star. I'd also have to say Austin will be a solid NBA player though. He's actually 6-9 and around 225. I think he'll go into the draft at around 245. I put him in the mold of Kevin McHale-light.
Compare Austin's body to when he got here. Unbeleivable difference. Highly, highly skilled guy who needs his growing confidence to grow more. And it will.

(01-30-2015 12:20 PM)450bench Wrote:  I agree on Crawford. I think he's going to be a star. I'd also have to say Austin will be a solid NBA player though. He's actually 6-9 and around 225. I think he'll go into the draft at around 245. I put him in the mold of Kevin McHale-light.
Compare Austin's body to when he got here. Unbeleivable difference. Highly, highly skilled guy who needs his growing confidence to grow more. And it will.

If he gets clsoe to 250lbs. that changes everything ...

get it done Tony

Also, if Austin gets a true center here to help him with big bodies, his numbers will be off the chart.

(01-30-2015 12:16 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(01-30-2015 12:13 PM)southpaw1 Wrote:  In the NBA players will get their looks. It boils down to whether or not they can hit their shot consistently. Austin can.

Few will probably double team Austin all game unless we are hitting the 3.

Is Austin Better than Hansborough?

Honestly the NBA drafts on potential...It is a rare a skill guy gets drafted high.

And just as honestly, players can move up the draft board with post-season exposure. A deep tournament run next year with some great play by AN could really help his stock.

(01-30-2015 12:20 PM)HometownTiger Wrote:  

(01-30-2015 12:10 PM)Tygrys Wrote:  The only way Crawford would possibly ever jump to a lottery pick is if he proves he can be an NBA point guard...

See, I don't think so...

I think you can be a 2 in the NBA even at 6'4". Especially if you're atheltic and can shoot the ball with range & consistency.

Markel has a long way to go, needs to develop...but he has 2-3 years to do it. If he does, I think he's a real NBA player, no doubt!

He's a quicker more athletic version of Chris. Maybe if he develops his shot a little more.

(01-30-2015 11:50 AM)HometownTiger Wrote:  not Austin Nichols. IMHO.

Don't get me wrong, I think Austin has a real chance to be an NBA player. But I don't see him as a high draft pick. Keep in mind, last year only 3 players were drafted that had comparable measurables to Nichols - Josh Huestis (who was immediately sent to the NBDL), Kyle Anderson (different PF than AN), and Cory Jefferson (last pick in the draft).

Fact of the matter is - 6'8" 225 lb PF/C aren't in high demand for NBA teams. That being said...I still think Austin is a very fluid, skilled big. He has a long reach, high basketball IQ, great hands and his jumpshot is improving - a must, if he wants to be a NBA bit player.

If you made me put $ on it ...I'd say he'll end up getting drafted (not after this year) but looking ahead, I don't think he's our best NBA prospect.

IMHO, I think our best NBA prospect is Markel Crawford. Now, he has a ways to go. And his measurables will work against him too - 6'4" SG isn't ideal, but much more common in the NBA than a 6'8" center w/ a slight-build.

Crawford has great shooting form & his % is great too. He can handle the ball. He is super athletic. He has long arms and he's only a freshman. IF (and that's a big if) he continues to develop - ball handleing, defense, mental focus, mid-range, etc. I think he could be an all-AAC caliber guard and a Top 40 NBA pick. I'll go one step further...if he does all that, in 3 years I think he could be a lottery pick.

Long ways to go, but that's my unpopular opinion of the day. Still love AN, btw.

Oh Lordy!!!!

(01-30-2015 12:20 PM)450bench Wrote:  I agree on Crawford. I think he's going to be a star. I'd also have to say Austin will be a solid NBA player though. He's actually 6-9 and around 225. I think he'll go into the draft at around 245. I put him in the mold of Kevin McHale-light.
Compare Austin's body to when he got here. Unbeleivable difference. Highly, highly skilled guy who needs his growing confidence to grow more. And it will.

I like AN but don't get carried away- McHale is one of top 50 players in NBA history. And a true 6'11" or very close.

These days, lottery picks are usually 1st & 2nd year college players and European players. There are not as many 3 & 4-year guys picked high in the draft anymore.

As for the comparison between Nichols & Tyler Hansboro.... Hansboro was a match-up problem because he was so big (and could play inside). But, he also had decent ball-handling skills and could hit a 3-point shot if left alone. Hansboro also played with Wayne Ellington & Danny Green, so he got a lot more more open looks than Nichols gets.

Nichols has good interior skills, and is developing his mid-range game, but he'll never be a bruiser like Z-bo, and he's not tall enough to play center like Marc Gasol. If all he can do is play inside, he'll be in the D-league, or in Europe quickly. It probably wouldn't hurt him to stay in college another year and develop his perimiter skills.

(01-30-2015 12:31 PM)tigers1125 Wrote:  

(01-30-2015 12:20 PM)450bench Wrote:  I agree on Crawford. I think he's going to be a star. I'd also have to say Austin will be a solid NBA player though. He's actually 6-9 and around 225. I think he'll go into the draft at around 245. I put him in the mold of Kevin McHale-light.
Compare Austin's body to when he got here. Unbeleivable difference. Highly, highly skilled guy who needs his growing confidence to grow more. And it will.

I like AN but don't get carried away- McHale is one of top 50 players in NBA history. And a true 6'11" or very close.

McHale also had unreal wing span. McHale was basically a 7-footer with an incredible shooting touch and off-the-charts basketball IQ.

Nichols is a poor man's Christian Laettner right now.