Chad Ford: Leonard was the steal of the draft

[Buddy Holly]

What's so special about running when talking about an athlete keeping up their cardio?

Oh my god, that's the most re ed question ever.

Unless NBA players do a spin class or p90x or speed walk, running is the most effective way for an athlete to get cardio you dumb ass.

[DeadlyDynasty]

For the Chris Singleton crowd--I did see a lot of him (I live in FL). He's not much to speak of on the offensive end (even though he led the Noles in scoring I believe) but GODDAMN is that guy a beast defensively. The Wiz got a keeper, imo. So did the Spurs though.

[jjktkk]

Singleton's superior height, agility, strength, and vertical will also help him transition to either SF/PF.

Pop really won't be able to play Leonard as a SF nor will he be able to use him as a PF either. Besides being 2 inches shorter than Singleton and significantly weaker (3x 185lb bar to Singleton's 18x) he'd be regularily abused in the paint.

WTF are you on?

[Mel_13]

No, I'm not from Cali...but SDSU got a little play on late-night ESPN games as the season progressed. He's a versatile player with a ton of athleticism (things you guys already know) that can be a damn good starter if brought up right. Pop is a great coach, but he's gonna need to give the kid a lot of run and let him make mistakes. Don't give him the Splitter treatment.

For the Chris Singleton crowd--I did see a lot of him (I live in FL). He's not much to speak of on the offensive end (even though he led the Noles in scoring I believe) but GODDAMN is that guy a beast defensively. The Wiz got a keeper, imo. So did the Spurs though.

Thanks. Opinions based on actually seeing the players in games are helpful,

[jjktkk]

Actually my arms are extremely long for my height, 73 inch wingspan.

This would come in handy, if you decided to choke the out of your self.

[Buddy Holly]

That dip TJastal has never seen the kid play but can already dictate what position he can and can't play and which players he can and can't defend.

His life is super fail.

[Obstructed_View]

This would come in handy, if you decided to choke the out of your self.

[TJastal]

That dip TJastal has never seen the kid play but can already dictate what position he can and can't play and which players he can and can't defend.

His life is super fail.

My judgements were based on watching some game film of him online and also his poor preformances at the draft combine, which somebody already pointed out he was sitting in a cold gym and didn't have proper warm up. I think its a bull excuse but whatever. He'll get his chance to prove me wrong and I hope he does.

[ChumpDumper]

My judgements were based on watching some game film of him online

Bull . You cherry picked some other board's negative posts about him.

and also his poor preformances at the draft combine, which somebody already pointed out he was sitting in a cold gym and didn't have proper warm up. I think its a bull excuse but whatever.

Excuses are only valid for players you like.

He'll get his chance to prove me wrong and I hope he does.

No, you don't.

[TD 21]

Call it an unfair generalization if you must, but I've seen the type of player Leonard is succeed before. His name is Wallace. Who knows if he'll ever become All-Star caliber like Wallace, but he's definitely long term starter material, something that can't be said for any other young player on the Spurs not named Splitter.

As much as I like Hill, he isn't. He's a sixth man and his lack of size was glaring when the Spurs went to their best and often closing lineup, where he'd have to defend top opposition wings.

Right now, this may be a slight step back (other moves they make and how ready Leonard is will determine that), but they couldn't not do this. Not when you consider how long they've been looking to find a big, athletic, defensive minded wing. Look at all the fringe prospects they've had in that time, hoping they'd fluke out with one. They no longer have to resort to that.

[benefactor]

Good post, TD21. It's funny how Spur fan salivates over getting Gerald Wallace but they are pissed because the Spurs got Leonard. Their games are incredibly similar.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

and then there is this...
Dallas Mavericks draft history the past decade:

2011 NBA 1 26 Jordan Hamilton (traded)
2011 NBA 2 57 Targuy Ngombo (traded)
2010 NBA 1 25 Dominique Jones (via trade with T-Wolves for cash)
2010 NBA 2 50 Solomon Alabi (traded)
2009 NBA 1 25 Roddy Beaubois (via trade with Thunder for pick)
2009 NBA 2 45 Nick Calathes (via trade with T-Wolves for pick & cash)
2009 NBA 2 56 Ahmad Nivins
2008 NBA 2 51 Shan Foster
2007 NBA 2 34 Nick Fazekas
2007 NBA 2 50 Renaldas Seibutis
2007 NBA 2 60 Milovan Rakovic (traded to Magic for Reyshawn Terry)
2006 NBA 1 28 Maurice Ager
2004 NBA 1 5 Devin Harris (via trade with Wizzards for Antawn Jamison)
2004 NBA 1 21 Pavel Podkolzin (via trade with Jazz for future pick)
2004 NBA 2 50 Vassilis Spanoulis (traded)
2003 NBA 1 29 Josh Howard
2003 NBA 2 57 Xue Yuyang (traded)
2002 NBA 2 54 Mladen Sekularac (traded)
2001 NBA 2 43 Kyle Hill (traded)
2001 NBA 2 53 Kenny Satterfield

/thread

[Spurtacus]

Kawhibunga!

[vander]

I guess this Chad Ford guy knows a thing or two about basketball talent

[MannyIsGod]

Eh, broken clock twice a day blind squirrel nut etc etc

[anakha]

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2011/5...arkieff-morris

Everything about Singleton indicates to me that he is the much better nba prospect and fit for the spurs. Taller, better agility, better leaper, much stronger in the upper body, all of which will translate into a much more polished nba SF/PF. And being able to hit 3's is defenitely a plus in the spurs' system, esp if he's going to be replacing Jefferson in the starting lineup.

Singleton's superior height, agility, strength, and vertical will also help him transition to either SF/PF.

Pop really won't be able to play Leonard as a SF nor will he be able to use him as a PF either. Besides being 2 inches shorter than Singleton and significantly weaker (3x 185lb bar to Singleton's 18x) he'd be regularily abused in the paint.

Exactly. He'll be limited to that position whereas Singleton could have been used in either position.

And Singleton will be a much superior defender at either position. Superior vertical, agility & strength will translate into a much better defensive player at the nba level.

Khwami's wingspan and hand size will not make up for his lack of all these other attributes. Quick 3's will blow by him. Big 3's will outmuscle him.

At first I thought he might develop into an Artest type player. Boy looks strong, but only being able to bench 185lb 3x @ 6'7" 230lb is just pitiful. , I'm only 5'9" and 175 after a big meal and I can bench my own weight 3 X.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

TJastal, bringin' the bads....

[Obstructed_View]

God damn I must have still been mad at Hill from the playoffs.