PLAY THE RIGHT WAY

Coach Steve Finamore

NBA DRAFT THOUGHTS

This is not going to be a 5,000 words analysis on who should’ve been picked where, who should’ve been drafted and stuff of that nature.

I have three comments/thoughts on three players.

Joe Alexander is going to be a star. 6′8″ 220 – 16 and 6 at WVA. I have seen him improve so much over a two-year period. Playing for Bobby Huggins made him a tougher player. The sky is the limit for this kid. Watching him late in the season in amazement against Georgetown, handle the ball at the top of the key and turn the corner on the drive to the rim and throwing it down in traffic. Going to his left, no-less! With strong work ethic, can only get better. Well-balanced guy, not in-love with himself. In other words, he’s humble.

Jason Thompson is the next Scottie Pippen. If JT, 6′10″ 245 can improve his handle, he’s going to be a star. As a youngster, Pippen played point guard so later in his career he reaped the reward of working on his handle. I first saw JT as a freshman at Rider and he has made tremendous strides in his overall game. He’s versatile, has great footwork and can defend. Strength will be a key. 20 and 12 at Rider.

Joey Dorsey. How this guy fell to the 2nd round is unbelievable. Actually, I didn’t mean that. I can understand – he was a big man in an up-tempo offense that emphasized guard play. Dorsey 6′9″ 260 finishes around the rim with authority, plays hard and brings energy. This cat is from Baltimore, MD. so you know he is tough. He reminds me of Jason Maxiell of the Pistons. (Please JD, keep working hard, pay attention every day and don’t complain.  Find your niche brother!)

All three players need to keep working hard, be patient, show enthusiasm and not complain!

YOU CAN’T ALWAYS WIN BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS TRY TO PLAY THE RIGHT WAY!

July 1, 2008 - Posted by hoopscoach | Jason Thompson, Joe Alexander, Joey Dorsey | , , | 12 Comments

12 Comments »

  1. I think Alexander hype / expectations may have gone a little too far but we’ll see.

    Pippen does not seem a good comparison for Thompson to me. More like Abdur-Rahim.

    Comment by Lon | July 1, 2008

  2. Lon, You may be correct with Abdur. But when I see JT, I think Scottie Pippen; a young one at that. Pippen made himself into a great player. If Thompson competes hard, the sky’s the limit.

    Thanks for the comment.

    Comment by hoopscoach | July 1, 2008

  3. I hope you’re right on Joey Dorsey but the reports I saw said that he was more like 6′7″ He might be a bigger Charles Barkley but he’s probably not.

    Comment by myad | July 1, 2008

  4. For all of these players (Dorsey especially) the key is just showing up everyday and trying to get better. Teams generally draft for need and none of these guys will be asked to be a starter on day one. This is a big advantage for them to practice hard everyday and against people who are better than them, hopefully, forcing them to get better.

    These three players are in excellent positions and have a chance to make their mark if they stay smart and play the right way!

    Comment by Ryan | July 1, 2008

  5. Ryan,

    Great insight!

    Comment by hoopscoach | July 1, 2008

  6. As a Rockets fan, I question the Joey Dorsey pick. He matured greatly from 2007 Final Four to the 2008 Final Four. Didn’t get a lot of chances to see him, but it seems he’s a little undersized for what he’s expected to do. At 6′7″ he’d fit in more at the 3. The Rockets already have a great defender there, and Dorsey doesn’t add much on the offensive end. He’s big, rather than long and I don’t know where he fits. Also, it would be impossible not to see him as the third best player on that team. Where does the third best player on a college team fit in the NBA?

    Comment by J. Meeks | July 1, 2008

  7. I personally like Dorsey, he has a ton of potential, but it seems like that word is thrown around too much these days. I’ve provided a team-by-team, draft grades here at my blog: http://jayankee1.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/nba-draft-grades-thoughts-etc/

    Comment by jayankee1 | July 1, 2008

  8. I actually think all 3 of these guys could be busts. Alexander is white and theres not really much white small fowards in the nba right now definitely no superstars I see another Morrison, Dunleavy jr. Alexander is being really hyped up right now and I can see next year people saying what a bust he is. Thompson was drafted too high and he’s on the Kings so even if hes good hes on a bad team so nobody cares. You compare him to Pippen so you think Thompson is going to be the next hall of fame top 50 NBA player? The last player compared to Pippen was knicks Balkman and he’s no Pippen thats for sure. I like Dorsey everybody is saying he’s another Ben Wallace. Dorsey could be a steal maybe a Glen Davis type but he’ll never be no star. None of these guys will ever be stars in the NBA and looking at past drafts most picks in the lottery like Alexander and Thompson are likely to be busts. People are just overhyping these guys right now but just wait till next year and you’ll be talking about how much these guys suck.

    Comment by Holden Caulfield | July 2, 2008

  9. I love Joe Alexander !

    Comment by cUtEgIrL | July 2, 2008

  10. Holden,

    I saw Balkman many times in college and with the Knicks and not once, did a comparison with Scottie Pippen enter my mind.

    I like your thoughts about JT being on the Kings – good point.

    Dorsey being Wallace, could be but I think JD has more offense than Wallace.

    Comment by hoopscoach | July 2, 2008

  11. I love Danilo Gallinari

    Comment by jekrippa | July 2, 2008

  12. I think the New Jersey Nets had a very good draft. Even though they traded away Jefferson, they got 5 very good guys. They might make it to the Playoffs this season and might be a title contender if they get LeBron James in 2010 when they change to Brooklyn. So i have my hopes up for them!

    Comment by *bm!$+* aka blackmist100 | July 2, 2008


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