Big Men help via draft

[Bayliss]

With pick number 51 this year, I don't see a whole lot of value per se. But looking at nbadraft.net and draftcity, there may be a possibility that can find some guy 6'10" or taller that is a true center that may have some raw ability to develop.

So does anyone have a "reasonable wish list" big man we could draft at that spot? Or if not at that spot, a spot in the 2nd round?

[XERXES]

Anybody at that spot will be a project...and not just a project...but a low value project. Don't hold your breath...we won't get any help in the draft unless we make a trade to get a lottery pick. I don't think we'll be able to do anything via free agency either...It's pretty much going to have to be a trade or sign and trade.

[ddh33]

I agree. I think the changes that come to this team will come via trade - specifically Walker.

[DubOverdose]

I'm assuming the number next to each player is there expected order to be drafted.

Chris Garnett ~#58 (Mt. Zion Christian Academy student- TMac and Daniels went there) 6'11" 275lbs
Center playing NAIA with great size, good hands, and developing post moves. Big body who has improved his post moves greatly since his days at Mt Zion. He has spent the past two summers working out at Pete Newells big man camp and has picked up a thing or two. He has great hands and excellent footwork. He runs the floor well for a guy his size. He is a good passer out of the post and with continued progress will be a solid role player in the NBA

Ha Seung-Jin 7'3" 300lbs ~#31
Ha Sueng-Jin has Yao Ming like qualities, with enormous size, good dexterity and composure. His touch on his shot is good, making Ha another Asian bigman sensation. Plus he has the quickness and size to be a shot blocker and a defensive presence. Ha will be able to break new ground as the first Korean player to ever play in the NBA. Ha has stated that he will declare for the 2004 NBA draft. One very encouraging note is that Ha can play a game all the way through without getting winded. Which is impressive considering his age and enormous size. Possibly most astounding is that X-rays reveal that he is still growing!

Lee Yun-hwan (Seung-jin's High School coach) on Ha:
"Even with such imposing height, he is nimble and shrewd, keying rallies at both ends of the court. He can play a game all the way through without losing his wind."

We'd probably have to trade up for Ha Seung-Jin, but it could be worth it. His dad and sister were basketball players, but they had to stop due to knee injuries so that's the big downside to him.

[Bayliss]

Well, a late 2nd round pick is the perfect opportunity to gamble on a big man and stash him on the IR. And try and get him to develop.

So which players (college/international) do yall consider interesting?

(As for Ha, he has the size of ZMing but not the polish. But if he falls, he is definitely worth the risk in the late 2nd.)

[MightyToine]

Is Chris Garnett related to Kevin?

[MavsFanFinley]

Will the Mavs ever take a chance on a big man that they can stash and watch a year or two? Only one other center in the 2nd round that DubOverdose didn't list that could be interesting.

Peter John Ramos
(Projected #34--nbadraft.net)
Birthdate: 5/13/85
NBA Position: Center
Ht: 7-4
Wt: 260
Int Team: Criollos de Caguas
Hometown: Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Strengths: Ramos has become a true prospect. His improvement from 2003 to 2004 has simply been amazing. Has a nice post up game showing a decent arsenal that includes a jump hook and a step away shot. He can also hit the outside shots and more importantly, Ramos looks to be more comfortable both on and off the court. He's showing leadership skills with his Pro Team (Criollos de Caguas) in the Puerto Rican Summer League. (considered the best league in Latin America) Ramos is also a good passer and is able to find the open man when receiving a double team. Considering that he is only 18, his body is filling out and he will eventually add at least 25 more pounds. Ramos is an athletic center for his height and is able to run up and down the court without any problem. Stamina is excellent. Has very good potential.

Weaknesses: Due to his age and lack of experience, Ramos is still a project that will require patience. The team that drafts Ramos should not expect contribution right away, it will take at least a year to adapt to the NBA style, especially on the defensive end. He still has question marks about his mental makeup and whether he has the discipline to adapt to the NBA. There are some question marks whether he has giantism like Pavel, as he has the same facial features. (But nothing has been documented, so this is purely a rumor.) Defensively needs to work on his positioning. Needs to become a better rebounder, although he has improved in that area. He is now blocking shots just because of his height, but must improve on his timing and maintaining his arms in a defensive position. Not a huge leaper, but has size. At times seems to take breaks during the game, and this is definitely the area he has to work most on. It's a matter of time before he becomes a good free throw shooter. His free throw percentage, which at this point is at 55%, but should improve as he continues to mature.

Notes: Ramos is averaging 20.4 pts, 9.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a league leading 2.3 blocks. He has faced some tough competition against players such as Richard Lugo, Lee Benson, Anthony Bonner, Junior Burrough Kitwana Rhymer and the legendary Jose Ortiz. Played in NYC until the age of 16 and was a top 20 player in his class, but didn't grow into his body and gain the agility he has now until he was 17-18.

-Herminio Nieves -- 4/24/04

(Here's a couple guys with some height and some skills, but will that translate into the 5 spot in the NBA? Too many of the pf's either have a poor work ethic, no athleticism, or appear to be more suited for the 3/4 instead of 4/5. Worst case scenerio the Mavs take a gamble and lose, but we are talking a 2nd round pick.)

Uros Slokar
(projected #32)
Birthdate: 5/14/83
NBA Position: Power Forward
Ht: 6-10
Wt: 230
European Team: Benetton Treviso
Hometown: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Euroleague Profile

He rebounds well, using his long hands to snatch boards, a good shot blocker, some nice post moves, very agile down there. He sinks 20 ft jumpers, can hit a occasional 3, a little skiny for PF but is as fearless as Gasol so you wont see him being pushed around a lot. Fought through a few injuries that kept him out for 2 years and appears to have fully recovered.

-Uros Velkavrh

Anderson Varejão
(projected #36)
Birthdate: 9/28/82
NBA Position: SF/PF
Ht: 6-10
Wt: 230
Int Team: FC Barcelona
Hometown: Vitoria, Espirito Santo Brazil
Euroleague Profile

NBA Comparison: Drew Gooden

Strengths: A very active bigman, good athlete with excellent size, agility. Improved dramatically in the past few years. His jump shot has really developed lately. Very creative offensive player, with soft touch. Solid shot blocker, rebounder. Lets the game come to him, and takes instruction well. Very charismatic personality, similar (surfer) attitude to Brazilian tennis star Gustavo Kuerten, very laid back, but not to the point where he isn't motivated. Has the versatility to play the small forward position at 6-10.

Weakness: Still learning the game and has moments of inconsistency. Still seems to be "growing into his body" and figuring out his abilities.

Notes: First team was Saldanha Da Gama

[madape]

Instead of using our draft pick on a project center, we should just sign 7'5" Slavko Vranes.

[ddh33]

Mengke Bateer...He may get a shot here.

[MavsFanFinley]

Instead of using our draft pick on a project center, we should just sign 7'5" Slavko Vranes.

I forgot about him. The Mavs didn't show much interest in him when he became available last season so I'd bet that hasn't changed. I think they'd draft someone that could play overseas and monitor his progress that way instead of wasting another roster spot.

It's more likely the Mavs trade away the pick instead of using it anyways.

[aexchange]

Originally posted by: madape
Instead of using our draft pick on a project center, we should just sign 7'5" Slavko Vranes.

vranes is still a project center. i'd be fine with signing him, but right now, we might as well draft as many big men as we can and hope one pans out.

[Bayliss]

Does anyone know the whereabouts of James Lang? Coud he be a possibility?

The Mavs could at least invite some of these "reject" big men to the summer league and see which actually show some skill.

And here's another weird prospect gameble: DeAngelo Collins.

[Dirkenstien]

It will be interesting to see if little Nellie has anymore prospective gems in his sights...only time will tell