CBS has a list of players and have notes taken from experts on players that will likely by drafted high in the NBA Draft, that is if there is ever a NBA again.
[URL=”http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/33465369″]Here is what they said about the Kentucky players:[/URL]
[B][I]Anthony Davis[/I][/B][I][University of Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis has emerged as the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft owing to his unique combination of size, length, instincts, skill level and finesse. His ability to block shots as a one-on-one post defense and help defender are his calling card. He can close down passing and driving lanes, step out to defend the high post and switch onto perimeter players if necessary without getting immediately exposed.[/I]
[I]Davis has regularly drawn comparison to [/I][URL=”http://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/playerpage/6505″][COLOR=#3b5998][I]Marcus Camby[/I][/COLOR][/URL][I] thanks to his shot-blocking and rebounding abilities. He will need to improve his strength – both upper and lower body – to become a Camby-esque rebounder at the next level, but he keeps plays alive and taps balls out relying on his wingspan alone. [/I]
[I]Tall and long enough to eventually play center in the NBA, Davis nonetheless freely moves around the perimeter, is comfortable turning to face the basket and has enough feel to develop a mid-range game. There’s a very real possibility that he turns into one of the best high screen-and-roll threats in the NBA. Davis has the size and footwork to set a worthwhile screen, the grace to roll quickly to the basket or fade to a spot, the hands to receive the pass and the length and leaping ability to finish well above the rim. He also could become an excellent high-post player with the skill to face the hoop and either use a dribble to collapse the defense or feed a more traditional low-post scorer with an entry pass.[/I]
[I]Davis isn’t ready to be a franchise-changing player straight out of the gate but his learning curve won’t be that steep. He’s far more polish than project and should be in the All-Star discussion within four seasons assuming he continues to fill out.] – [/I][URL=”http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/22748484/1?mcctag=Ben%20Golliver”][COLOR=#3b5998][I]Ben Golliver[/I][/COLOR][/URL]
[I][Davis’ best offensive ability so far has been in the pick-and-roll. Kentucky has ran it more this season than in years prior, and Davis has been a huge part of that. He sets solid screens and with his prior knowledge as a guard, understands how to navigate the lane for the passer. It doesn’t hurt that his 7-4 wingspan allows him to pretty much catch and destroy the rim anytime they can execute the pass. He hasn’t been asked to do much beyond that offensively, and scouts will want to see him play with his back to the basket as well as from short-range face-up. He’s not the complete package, but his skillset just provides so much, it’s easy to see why he’s the consensus No. 1.
Defensively everyone will rave about the measurables and athleticism, but maybe the more impressive element is how much effort Davis puts into that end of the floor. He’s able to attack weakside and recover to his man, and there’s not a shot he can’t block. The phrase “JaVale McGee with a higher basketball IQ” has entered my mind more than one time when watching him defensively. That said, he hasn’t faced a true post player defensively, and considering his slender frame and the fact he hasn’t grown into his length yet, that’s going to be an area of concern. Likewise he needs to improve his ability to hold rebounding ability because eventually he won’t be simply long enough to snag whatever comes his way.] – [/I][URL=”http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/22748484/1?mcctag=Matt%20Moore”][COLOR=#3b5998][I]Matt Moore[/I][/COLOR][/URL]
[B][I]Michael Kidd-Gilchrist[/I][/B]
[I][Davis is the No. 1 overall at this point, but it’s entirely possible that instead of Harrison Barnes or Jared Sullinger, two Wildcats are taken back-to-back at the top of the draft. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has been very impressive early on, and even more so when you consider his pro prospects. A 6-7 forward, Gilchrist possesses an NBA-adaptable skillset with the mentality to match. His biggest weakness so far has been turnovers, but even that shows a willingness to function as a playmaker and not just as the tip of the spear. His handle in the pick and roll is going to be a major asset, and his frame allows him to back down smaller defenders. He’s shooting 42 percent from the perimeter early on, and that range opens up his baseline burst which is exceptional. In short, it’s hard to find a prospect element that’s noticeably weak.
Defensively, he attacks well in transition and does a good job sticking. He’s got a ways to go in that area in terms of technique, but his lateral quickness is sufficient and his chasedown block ability is reminiscent of some of the elite players in the game. He’s a driven winner that is prone to visible frustration on the court, but not a degree he disengages when things are going poorly. MKG joins UConn’s Jeremy Lamb as the fastest riser early in the season.] – Matt Moore [/I]
[B][I]Terrence Jones[/I][/B][I][University of Kentucky sophomore Terrence Jones is nearly the prototype for the NBA stretch four: versatile enough to spend some time at the three, strong enough to log minutes at the four.
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[I]A lefty, Jones rarely goes right whether he’s facing up off the dribble or backing down a smaller defender in the post. He’s quick, powerful and smooth when creating his own face-up offense, drawing comparisons to [/I][URL=”http://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/playerpage/139087″][COLOR=#3b5998][I]Lamar Odom[/I][/COLOR][/URL][I], but his lack of range and preference for settling for easier shots rather than working for quality looks limits his utility to some degree.[/I]
[I]Jones isn’t afraid to scrap under the basket and he will be an effective rebounder on both ends at the NBA level. His motor on defense is very good and he is a high-pressure defender both in the post and on the perimeter, racking up blocks and deflections. Right now, he’s equally prone to producing absurd displays of athleticism and making knucklehead decisions.] – Ben Golliver[/I]
[I][B]Marquis Teague
[/B][Here’s a weird cross-section. Teague’s biggest issue has been turnovers early on. He’s burning through them at an alarming clip. But Teague also possesses one of the better handles I’ve seen from the top prospects. He’s got the athletic speed you’ve come to expect from Calipari guards, and a killer crossover. His decision making hasn’t caught up to his athletic ability yet, and it shows. Teague’s likely to have one or two terrific games as the season goes on and he settles down, but he’s also caught up in a team that’s bursting with talent.
However… Teague’s also shooting 67 percent from range this season early on. His spot-up shooting is a terrific addition to his skillset. If he can just quit with the six-turnover games, he’s going to go back up the draft board.] – Matt Moore[/I]
