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Nice write up on him.
Sounds like someone who could develop for a year in Austin, and then have a shot at training camp in 09 to replace Barry.
linkA player no one fathomed would step foot on this setting (besides possibly to conduct a physical) when he entered the NCAA four years ago as a top-10 player in an incredible class, Malik Hairston did a pretty good job reminding people in Orlando why he was so highly regarded to begin with.
Smart, efficient, unselfish, skilled and sporting much sleeker physique (credit Joe Abunassar for helping him lose 20 pounds) than he did two months ago, Malik Hairston quietly, but effectively showed that he has every right to be considered one of the top players at the pre-draft camp. His court vision and all-around feel for the game was the most noticeable thing here comparing him with other players, as he repeatedly found his teammates with beautiful bounce passes off the dribble in every game he played in (even if for some reason he wasn’t credited with at least a half-dozen assists in the box-score).
His ball-handling skills look better than we remembered, as he’s extremely effective picking his spots and blowing past his man with his surprising first step, even if he tends to struggle a bit with his left hand and some of his advanced moves. His excellent strength helps him out considerably in this area, and he was getting much better lift elevating around the basket than we recalled. He rarely turns the ball over, which is a big plus considering what his role will be in the NBA.
Hairston is a good shooter, as evidenced by the 53% he shot from the field and 43% from behind the arc at Oregon, even if he didn’t really make it a focal point to show off NBA range here. He does a good job moving without the ball and is capable of coming off short screens and getting his shot off. He’s extremely dangerous with his feet set, but is just average at best shooting off the dribble. To his credit, though, he knows how to pick his spots and rarely will take bad shots. He will have to improve his mid-range game considerably if he intends on becoming a legit offensive option for his team in the NBA.
Defensively, Hairston has good length and knows how to play solid on-ball defense when he puts his mind to it. He has excellent timing and strength, but is slightly undersized to play the small forward position, and doesn’t bring fantastic lateral quickness to the table to compensate. He is also not the most aggressive or aware player you’ll find in terms of his team defense.
Hairston probably didn’t blow anyone away with what he showed at the pre-draft camp, and thus is still most likely a second round pick at this point, but he did show that he clearly has what it takes to make it in the NBA, particularly in terms of his aggressiveness, which has always been a question mark. Teams aren’t going to have to teach him how to play basketball, and he still has room to continue to improve on his all-around skill-level, as he’s a very young senior at just age 21. He’ll never be the star he was once billed as, but he definitely has a chance to be a very good role player.
Nice write up on him.
Sounds like someone who could develop for a year in Austin, and then have a shot at training camp in 09 to replace Barry.
Watching college basketball on your couch is not scouting.
OMG MYBAD you must have watched him more than me!!!
OMG MYBAD you must have watched him more than me!!!
So you know more than the other multiple scouts?
No, what I am saying is that your post is meaningless; it posits nothing.OMG MYBAD you must have watched him more than me!!!
I would never make a claim like that from watching TV.
There are always blowhards claiming, "Oh, I saw him against USC, HE SUCKS." Its the typical the sky is falling nonsense that you see every draft day for every sport.
Here's a hint: watching a couple of games is not enough to evaluate a player.
if he can grow another 2inches will be good for the wing spot
You too often quote people and put words in their mouth. Nobody said that dude, nor hinted it. Come on now.
Your spouting off about how horrible he is, when many scouts from the recent draft camp and others note how good he is.
6 6 is good for a shooting guard...
See, now that's the thing about message boards. People post their thoughts- maybe you're new to that?
That's you. Just like several guys I get a chance to watch that are NBA prospects, I watch them even away from the ball. Not the whole game as usually there is more than one.
No, it's not typical. By now it's normal. Because one has an opinion of him from seeing him a few times means he is proclaiming to be an NBA scout, and all that? off with your own sky is falling nonsense.
Take a hint: Assuming makes an ass out of us all. You should slow it down.
That's just my opinion. And the vids I watch of him impress me none. So while you and the n00b claim I'm some NBA scout nobody knows about, I'll just keep my opinions and defend them instead.
Watching youtube videos of college basketball is not scouting either. I could care less what part of the floor your watching.
And yes it is one thing to form an opinion. Its quite another to make superlatives like:
Its actually quite sad.Guys don't be fooled. This dude is a joke. Seen him play several times this year including against Vandy.
Did he break your heart in high school? Not return your phone calls?
What gives?
You have to be one of the most anal struck posters I have seen in oh a few hours. Get over yourself bud. When the guy turns out to be trash I am going to remember this. Already saved your name in my PMs. And you better still be here calling people out for their thoughts.
Bet you aren't.
Wow a pick at 45 who wouldn't turn out?
Now THATS never happened!!!!
Oh god not that......
BTW that doesn't even make sense. He spurned me in high school so I am defending him?
I really am not concerned whether or not he turns out. My issue is with people that scout from their couch and think they know what they are talking about.
I come here on draft day to learn something about the players and you're not helping.
It makes perfect sense. Sarcasm is a sometimes ain't it?Oh god not that......
BTW that doesn't even make sense. He spurned me in high school so I am defending him?
I really am not concerned whether or not he turns out. My issue is with people that scout from their couch and think they know what they are talking about.
I come here on draft day to learn something about the players and you're not helping.
Then get off his and my balls. Everyone on this ing forum has their opinion on our draftees good, bad, and mixed. Most go from watching him, and then taking their assessment from what they saw and make a call on it. That's so terrible right?
And I'm sorry champ, maybe you outta try ESPN or something of the sort and not waste your time picking a dispute with someone who isn't going away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b89fbe2gTm8
For what it's worth.
Good pickup.
Needs to work with the left hand, but other than that seems pretty solid.
Yeah can't really take much from that.
He will have a shot at the team, but I bet he goes to Austin.
Hope he can stick. The guys he'll be compared to who went later: Hendrix, Hardin, Bill Walker.
Getting a 2nd rounder next year may be the best thing to come out of this draft, other than Hill being serviceable.
With the Blazers up and coming, Warriors most likely will miss out on the playoffs again. Their second rounder next year could be in the late 30's.
Last edited by MaNu4Tres; 06-27-2008 at 07:24 AM.
He might be nice and all, but I would have much preferred Bill Walker or Richard Hendrix.
I know little about George Hill and I'm resigned to keep an open mind. But passes up Walker and Hendrix at 45 is tough to fathom, even the morning after.
this is why i leave all the scouting to most of yall....cos most of yall are great scouters....hahahaha......go spurs go
I don't follow college ball enough to decide if someone's going to be a good pro or not, but the Spurs almost always go off the reservation to make picks. Ever since the week where I wandered around in a daze saying "Bill CURLEY?", I haven't gotten too carried away about draft picks.
I'm probably not the first one to think of it, but I'm also posting to test my new sig.
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