Cole Aldrich and the Byrant Reeves Effect

In the mid 1990's when Bryant Reeves was roaming Big 12 basketball courts, throwing his Big Country body around, he looked like a sure bet to have a solid NBA career.  He was drafted #6 overall and became the face of the brand new Vancouver Grizzlies.

But then reality set in.  He was too slow, couldn't catch the ball cleanly, couldn't shoot the ball, could barely get up and down the court, could barely jump.  He gained weight, his body fell apart and Reeves was out of the league a few years later.

First let me say that Kansas center Cole Aldrich is a better basketball player than Reeves.  He understands the game, plays the right way and even has some decent post moves.  His outside shot is strange looking but improving and his conditioning is far better than Reeves.

But when the reality of the NBA game sets in we might see history repeat itself.  Aldrich is a half court player who is able to maximize his effectiveness in half court sets and with the long NCAA shot clock.  He will struggle to keep up with the speed of the NBA game and with NBA caliber athletes.

He will still likely be drafted in the first round and find a spot on a NBA roster.  He will add value to a team as a backup center, someone to bring in to guard the post but at the end of the day his average foot speed and athleticism will limit his ability to compete at the highest level.

He seems like a nice kid and I wish him all the best but I think any team taking him in the lottery will have failed to learn from history.

Draymond Green, The Dancing Bear

Every once in a while a player comes along that breaks the mold of what it means to be a basketball player.   When Magic Johnson emerged as a true point guard at 6,9 the mold of the point guard was broken.  When Charles Barkley dominated the low block at 6,6 the mold of the power forward was broken.  And it's happening again.

Meet Draymond Green, a 6 foot 6 inch forward who resembles Barkley in stature but is a pass first distributer who has taken a few pages from the book of Magic Johnson.  Nicknamed the 'Dancing Bear' Green can do everything on the court and play every position, whether it's guarding the opposing center or leading the fast break.  Only a sophomore, Green already has the unquestioned role as team leader both vocally and by the example of how he plays.

While he doesn't project as a sure first rounder or big time prospect, I expect the Dancing Bear to start making his way up draft boards as scouts and GM's start to think outside the mold and begin to envision what a truly versatile player can bring to a team.  And if he develops his jump shot to complement all of his other skills the Dancing Bear could be prowling courts for the next decade.

Syracuse Reloads with Fabricio de Melo

After their disappointing early exit in the 2010 NCAA tournament the Syracuse Orange are likely to lose their star player Wesley Johnson to the NBA along with two key Seniors.  But that doesn't mean there won't be a top NBA prospect in upstate New York next year.

Enter 7 foot Brazilian born Fabricio de Melo.  A true center with a solid frame and surprisingly quick hops for a 270 pounder, Fab Melo already has NBA scouts drooling and Orange fans ready to put this year's disappointment behind them and begin dreaming about 2010/11.

In fact there will be two top prospects joining the Syracuse program next year as Dion Waiters, a 6,4 shooting guard is ranked higher than de Melo in some rankings.

But what sets de Melo apart from other bigs is his combination of strength and quickness.  He has very good lateral quickness, back peddle and quick leaping ability.  And at 7 foot, 270 pounds and muscular, he can hold his own against just about anyone.  He also has decent ball skills which will only improve under the tutelage of Jim Boehiem and his staff.

Yes, it's early to be talking about the NBA and surely he would benefit from a few years at Syracuse but my early projection lists de Melo as a lottery pick in June of 2011.