Draft Prospect: Darington Hobson

[Bruno]

http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/3709130/10210222_w650.jpg
Height: 6-7
Weight: 205 lbs
Birthday: 09/29/1987
College: New Mexico

DraftExpress (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Darington-Hobson-5833/)
nbadraft (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/darrington-hobson)

[mountainballer]

he clearly lost the tournament match up with Pondexter. but unlike Pondexter he isn't 1st round material anyhow. for a 2nd round pick he could be an option. skilled player, who could do well in an half court offense.
I would still prefer Landy Fields over him, if the Spurs look for this kind of player with the 2nd rounder.

[mountainballer]

some interesting reports about Hobson.



http://twitter.com/alexkennedynba
Word out of the group workout in NJ is that Darington Hobson may climb into the first round. One onlooker said Hobson "killed everyone."



http://www.thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=507
According to sources, Darington Hobson has a guarantee in the first round of the NBA Draft.

The guarantee is from multiple teams in the late first round.

I can't specify exactly which teams have given Hobson a guarantee or exactly what his draft range is, but I do know that he will be off the board by the time the Washington Wizards draft at No. 30.

I probably have to change my estimation he wasn't 1st round material. displayed decent numbers in Chicago and seems to increase his stock from then. I once asked in the general draft thread why he is never mentioned among Spurs candidates. sure at #20 he is a reach. in some trade down scenarios probably not.

[Blackjack]

I so wanted to like this kid and say he was someone the Spurs should go after, but he failed to impress. It's one thing to need improvement on your ballhandling and shooting when you've got that size and athleticism, but he displayed a technical term I believe is called, 'bitchassness(?)' when I viewed him. Like a Shawn Marion without the capability to be as productive.

[admiralsnackbar]

I so wanted to like this kid and say he was someone the Spurs should go after, but he failed to impress. It's one thing to need improvement on your ballhandling and shooting when you've got that size and athleticism, but he displayed a technical term I believe is called, 'bitchassness(?)' when I viewed him. Like a Shawn Marion without the capability to be as productive.

How did this "bitchassness" manifest itself, BJ? Was he pouty on court? Arrogant off? Something else?

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I've watched Darrington play at least 25 games. He's ultracompetitive, he's got this huge will to win, and I think that is the one thing that might give him an edge over a lot of other players. He might shoot 3-12, but one of those three is going to be a dagger at a key moment in a game. In the NCAAs he sprained his wrist against Washington and was probably playing at 60% so I gave him a nongrade on the Poindexter matchup.

His downside is definitely his shooting and overall shot selection. He will get a little pouty, which is probably part of that 'bitchassness' that Blackjack referred to. I figured his suspect touch would land him in mid round 2.

[Blackjack]

How did this "bitchassness" manifest itself, BJ? Was he pouty on court? Arrogant off? Something else?

Sounds like EHJ has seen him more than myself but there are some things that are just glaring when you see them. If he was playing through an injury that he wasn't letting on to, it's possible that was the problem. I'm not too sure that it was but I won't condemn the kid without having all the facts.

Basically I saw someone that looked to be a front-runner. Someone that when the going got tough -- whether it be for a possession or a game -- he became passive and meek. There are times throughout a game where someone's making a run, an individual matchup is getting the better of you or a player just has to decide he's part of the cure and not infected with the disease. It's a competitiveness, belief and confidence that you just have to have to succeed at the NBA level. Of course, there are those who have it like a Kobe or Manu and others not so much (i.e. Marion), but the ones that are lacking have a great skill or ability to produce; Hobson seemed a point forward who couldn't handle at the NBA level or shoot. Defense is about grit and work-ethic and the requisite tools, but I only witnessed him possessing the latter.

Basically, I saw an intriguing athlete that could conceivably do a lot of things well and develop into a useful player because of his physical abilities, but I saw an immaturity and perceived a star mentality more than someone with the humility to become what he's capable. And if he can't become what he's capable of being, someone that keeps developing his game and significantly improves, I just don't see how he sees much time on the court. I definitely didn't see 'Spur' on him.

But, again, if he was injured that could change things; it just didn't seem like it.

[urunobili]

Looks like Batum to me :)

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Sounds like EHJ has seen him more than myself but there are some things that are just glaring when you see them. If he was playing through an injury that he wasn't letting on to, it's possible that was the problem. I'm not too sure that it was but I won't condemn the kid without having all the facts.

Basically I saw someone that looked to be a front-runner. Someone that when the going got tough -- whether it be for a possession or a game -- he became passive and meek.

But, again, if he was injured that could change things; it just didn't seem like it.

The Washington game was not representational of what he is capable of as a player. I left that game scratching my head, but conversations later with the coaching staff indicated that he was far less than 100% in that game. Alford wasn't going to use that as an excuse, because to him there are no excuses when you lose, especially with as thoroughly as Washington beat them. You just tip your hat to the winners and try to get better.

That being said, I was shocked Hobson didn't opt to come back for his senior year because he's only played 1 year of D-1 and it showed at times. He's not NBA ready. Your point about immaturity is spot on.

[Blackjack]

I saw a handful of games -- the Washington one included -- and about three all the way through. Like I said before, this was a guy I really wanted to see succeed and have the makings of the next Spur.

He's got all the physical tools and it would seem the capability to put it all together down the road at some point, but there's just this mettle and resolve you can almost always see in a good, NBA-level player. He just never displayed in the time I saw him and I just came away disappointed.

I really hope it's something that can be corrected or improved upon, I've got nothing against the kid, I'm just a little skeptical.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I saw a handful of games -- the Washington one included -- and about three all the way through. Like I said before, this was a guy I really wanted to see succeed and have the makings of the next Spur.

He's got all the physical tools and it would seem the capability to put it all together down the road at some point, but there's just this mettle and resolve you can almost always see in a good, NBA-level player. He just never displayed in the time I saw him and I just came away disappointed.

I really hope it's something that can be corrected or improved upon, I've got nothing against the kid, I'm just a little skeptical.


I agree. He has tons of ability, it will be interesting to see if he can mature into an NBA quality talent. I don't know if he has what the Spurs need in terms of shooting ability...he's Richard Jefferson with a lot less size and better passing skills. Put him in the right situation and he might excel. I don't think that right place will be San Antonio however.

[MannyIsGod]

Its interesting to read the observations in this thread because everything I've read about Hobson's work ethic has been that it has been exceptional.

[mountainballer]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5877154
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks have waived rookie guard Darington Hobson, five months after picking him in the second round of the draft.

Hobson was selected 37th overall out of New Mexico after being named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year as a junior.

But a hip injury kept the 6-foot-7 Hobson out of the Bucks' summer league games. He underwent season-ending surgery on Oct. 12.

Hobson is out for the season anyhow, but this means that next summer he will be an unrestricted FA. hope for him he will totally recover. Spurs should definitely keep an eye on him. when healthy he should be an interesting option for the Spurs for next summer.