Draft Prospect: Ali Traore

[Marcus Bryant]

http://www.nba.com/media/draft2007/ali_traore.jpg

Full Name: Ali Traore
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-9 / 240
Birthdate: February 28, 1985 (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
High School:
Team: Roanne (France)
Country: France

nbadraft.net profile (http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/alitraore.html)
nba.com profile (http://www.nba.com/draft2007/profiles/AliTraore.html)
draftexpress.com profile (http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1052)

[Darkwaters]

This guy could be there at 58. If thats the case we really should take him. Of all the draft and stash options for this late in the draft I think he is the most likely to play in the NBA.

[Bruno]

He can't be a bad pick at 58 but I don't like him at all.
He has a questionable work ethic, doens't play much defense and his offense is jsut few solid but very basic post moves.

[mathbzh]

He as good fundamentals that allows him to dominate weak competition in camps and to be productive against professionals. But I don't see much upside in him.
Given his size and strength he is a poor rebounder. He should focus on this and then could become a decent backup PF.
At 58 he is still a good pick but now pick can be really bad at 58.

[timvp]

He can't be a bad pick at 58 but I don't like him at all.
He has a questionable work ethic, doens't play much defense and his offense is jsut few solid but very basic post moves.

So how much of a better prospect do you think Mahinmi is? Is he >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Traore or do people consider them somewhat similar prospects?

[mathbzh]

So how much of a better prospect do you think Mahinmi is? Is he >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Traore or do people consider them somewhat similar prospects?
I think Mahinmi as much more upside than Traore. But Traore is a much more finished product. Mahinmi is our PF of the future or a bust. Traore is a role player who could produce quiet fast but I don't think he can become a starting PF or C.

[Bruno]

Traore is playing this year in Mahinmi's former team (Le Havre). He is a 10/5 player. Mahinmi was too a 10/5 player in Le Havre but was 19 years old while Traore is 22 and Mahinmi played better defense.

There is a reason why Mahinmi, despite a difficult season, has been selected with the french NT : he is a great prospect. I personally think that he will have a breakout summer with Spurs summer league and french NT teams.

[Darkwaters]

There is a reason why Mahinmi, despite a difficult season, has been selected with the french NT : he is a great prospect. I personally think that he will have a breakout summer with Spurs summer league and french NT teams.

I definitely hope so! I'd love to have Mahinmi realize some of that vast potential!

[Admidave50]

After Bokolo yesterday, this is a new article from Lequipe on a French player :

« He is less popular than Joakim Noah, smaller, less valued and a lot of many less stuff actually. But he’s better offensively and can also join the NBA next year. Center for le Havre, Ali Traoré (22 years old, 2,05m, 108 kg) has a true opportunity to become the second French player to be selected in this draft. He’s expected to be selected around the 45th place, mid second round. The difference is huge : if the first rounders got a guaranteed contract of 3 years, second rounders depend on the team’s willingness to keep them or not offering them an interesting contract, the minimum or nothing.

Brought to light by Roanne last year, Traore should play in summer leagues in early July before getting offered a contract, or wait for a second trial in October. This is the price to pay for the NBA dream that Traore (10,4 points at 56%, 5,5 rebounds in 25 minutes) is willing to pursue. According to the STP’s general manager : Ali still have one year in his conract but he gots an option that allows him to go into NBA.
Nothing can keep a player like Traore, once considred as a « nut case », to join the richest league in the world. « We won’t block him » said the general manager. ».

http://www.lequipe.fr/Xml/Basket/Titres/Media/traore_VIT.jpg