Hot Prospect Fantasy Basketball Scouting Report
Speedy Claxton
Pg-Phila.
Offense
He is lightning quick. He hurt his knee last year but has
rehabbed and is ready to go. He will play a lot with the zone
defenses being allowed this year. He features an excellent
ability to take the ball to the basket with his superior ball
handling. His jumper is in the work in progress status but with
rehab usually comes a lot of work on the jumpshot. He creates
for others with his penetration and dish ability.
Defense
He is a super on the ball defender. Can take the ball away
from any guard in the league. His ability to get into the
passing lanes and get deflections is awesome as well. For a
little guard he'll even get you a few floor boards. His main
deficiency on defense is his lack of size because it allows
opponents to post him up but that will be less of a factor with
the zone defenses.
Milt Palacio
SG-Boston
Offense
He is so versatile. This is the strength of his game. He will
take big shots and make some big plays. Example - The steal and
3 point shot to win the game last year against the Nets at the
Meadowlands when the game was all but lost. He can drive the ball
and sometimes get hot from outside. His turnovers can be a problem
but he can make up for that with nice assist numbers when he plays
the point forward position. He is a nice rebounder for his size.
Defense
A major asset on defense because he can guard a few different
positions. This allows him to stay out on the floor longer.
He does a nice job of causing deflections because he is such a hard
worker. His defensive rebounding is ok.
Shandon Anderson
SG-NY
Offense
He was the extra guard in Houston. In New York he will team with
Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston to form a potent 3 guard
attack. He is a solid finisher on the break. He can bury the 3
pointer with some consistency. His ability to drive and create for
himself though can be his biggest strength. Sometimes he may
commit a few too many turnovers but is much improved in that
area.
Defense
He is a thief. He can steal the ball with regularity. Not great
on the boards but his ability to get deflections and create steals
can make a huge difference. He can get steals on the ball and in
the passing lanes.
Pat Garrity
SF-Orlando
Offense
He is a pure shooter. He doesn't do much else. But he is getting
better at doing a few other things. Not a bad passer. And he does
not turn it over much. On a team with Mcgrady and Hill he is
likely to get a lot of open 3 pointers which he can and will nail.
For me, he is the best stand still shooter in the game. Him and
Mike Miller will see a lot of time this year because there ability
to shoot the ball is a major asset against any zone defense.
Defense
He is not strong on defense but has improved since his rookie
year. His rebounding has improved on the defensive end as well.
Chris Whitney
PG-Wash.
Offense
He will be the other guard in the starting line-up with Michael
Jordan, assuming he comes back. He replaced Rod Strickland last
year and did well. He is a good shooter with solid three point
range. He is a nice penetrator, not terrific, but ok. And he
definitely can dish the ball to others. He will not turn the ball
over that much either. With Michael he will be more of a shooter
but will also get lots of assists. Also his leadership and
feistyness will keep him out on the floor a lot even with the great
one.
Defense
He is a solid defender. His size can be a problem but with the
zone he can't be posted up that much. He is a good on the ball and
off the ball defender with the ability to get lots of steals.
Eddie House
SG-Mia.
Offense
He does a lot of things well. He is a great shooter and can
light it up for a lot of points in a hurry. He is a high sock guy.
He handles the ball well and creates for others adequately. He is
a good athlete with tremendous smarts and instincts for the game
which only increases his minutes. Not a bad rebounder for his
size. Very much a Pat Riley favorite.
Defense
He is solid. Again another guy that will get steals and do it an
awful lot. Both on the ball and off the ball he can make things
happen.
Todd Macullough
C-NJ
Offense
He is the latest big man to get big dollars. He has great
hands. Can score in the post with consistency. He is good at the
put back as well. Not a great rebounder on the offensive end but
is ok. Doesn't turn it over that much. He definitely knows his
limitations as a player and accentuates the positives rather than
the negatives. He got 33 million dollars so his minutes will
probably be pretty high.
Defense
He is an ok position defender. But other than that his defense is
weak. But alongside Kenyon Martin and Aaron Williams he will
provide ok defensive board work and hide some of his defensive
deficiencies.
Briefly--ones to watch:
Tom Gugliotta
PF-Pho.
He is back and playing well as of the end of last year. He rebounds,
scores, and assists very well. On defense can get many steals and
some blocks. The seizure a few years ago set him back. But now he
is BACK!
Desmond Mason
SF-Sea.
The slam dunk champion is going to get big minutes with Ruben
Patterson gone. Good rebounder that can score. He will also get a
bunch of steals and some blocks as well.
Chris Porter
SF-GS
This guy is the goods if he can stay off the drugs. Can shoot and is
a nasty finisher on the break. Rebounds well and will get many
blocks and steals at the other end.
Now more thorough analysis:
Dermarr Johnson
SF-Atlanta
Offense
Superb athlete with good scoring ability. Jump shot is ok. Ball
handling is not great. Turnovers can be a problem. He feeds off of
Jason Terry's creative ability. Opposing players need to watch out
for the dunk in their face. Jump shot is improving.
Defense
His defense is just ok. But his ability to get steals is solid. He
gets in the passing lanes. Better offensive rebounder than a
defensive rebounder. Overall he is an average rebounder for his
position. Can also block shots with great leaping ability.
Brad Miller
C-NY
Offense
Hard worker with a lot of good inside moves. Can definitely score.
Gets some offensive boards. Good passer for a big man. Can shoot
a little bit from the perimeter. 16ft and in.
Defense
Good rebounder on the defensive board. Will bang but is not a good
interior defender. Can get some steals. Can block some shots.
Corliss Williamson
PF-Det.
Offense
He has been so-so in his first six years in the league. But I saw
him last year after he was traded to Detroit and he really helped
the team. He is a leader and a solid player both in the post and
on the perimeter. He is a hard worker that can get some offensive
boards. Also, not a bad passer. In the post he knows how to kick
kick the ball out or find a cutter or go himself. Turnovers are not
bad. He takes ok care of the ball.
Defense
He is a hard worker on defense but his 6'7" frame is a size matchup
problem against the bigger power forwards. Has trouble against the
quicker small forwards. But his hard work and the addition of zone
defenses allows Detroit to hide his weaknesses and accentuate his
strengths. He will get big defensive boards and can surprise with
both steal ability and block shot ability.
Andre Miller
PG-Cle.
Offense
He is not a secret by any means. But he is the best point guard last
year that I saw all year which I feel may be a secret. He is a floor
leader with excellent playmaking skills. He can shoot with tremendous
range and has tremendous penetration ability with a nice ability to
finish and be fouled around the basket and get the 3 point play. He
is a nice assist man with not many turnovers. Also, he is a good
rebounder for a point guard.
Defense
He is an outstanding defender. His steal numbers are good. He will
get you solid defensive rebounding numbers as well for a point guard.
He might even get you a block shot. He is an awesome basketball
player. I can see why they traded Brevin Knight so easily once he
got healthy last year because there is no comparison between Brevin
Knight and Andre Miller.
Tim Thomas
SF-Mil.
Offense
This guy is a very good basketball player. He has tremendous
instincts for the game. He is an awesome finisher on the break.
He is a good shooter with tremendous range. He is a very solid
ballhandler with great passing skills. He can be turnover prone but
has improved that over the last couple of years with Milwaukee.
Offensive rebounding is pretty good as well.
Defense
Not a great on the ball defender. Team defense is pretty good
though. He gets in the passing lanes and gets a lot of steals. He
has nice shot blocking ability as well. Defensive rebounding is not
as good as it should be but has improved in the last couple of
years. It seems George Karl has convinced him to leak out less on
the break and stay in and get more defensive boards.
Jermaine O'Neal
C-Ind.
Offense
This guy impressed me tremendously in the playoffs. Again he is no
secret. But his all-star likelihood may be underestimated by many.
He is good. He makes things happen with his tremendous leaping
ability. He gets many offensive rebound put-backs and can shoot a
little bit as well from the perimeter. He is not a great free throw
shooter but that should improve steadily as he becomes more
comfortable in the league. He is somewhat of a turnover concern.
Defense
This is the guy's calling card. He is what many describe as active.
He will block shots anywhere at anytime. He has the nice ability to
come out of nowhere to block shots. His rebounding ability on the
defensive end is very solid as well. His major weakness is him
having to guard the big centers and power forwards in the post with
his wiry frame. But he will battle anyone tooth and nail. He showed
that in the playoffs against Dikembe Mutombo.
Wally Scerbiak
SF-Min.
Offense
He is the Dan Majerle of Minnesota. He plays a very similar game
without all the injuries. He is an excellent passer. He is a nice
ball-handler. But most importantly he is a great shooter. His
toughness is what makes him a good player. He does not back down and
will take big shots.
Defense
He is a solid defender. He isn't quick but he really knows what he
is doing on defense. With the zone defenses he will be even more
solid. He gets a good amount of steals and does a nice job on the
defensive boards.
Shawn Bradley
C-Dal.
Offense
I know we've all heard the name before. But he is solid for this
team. He seems comfortable on this team with Don Nelson. He does
ok on the offensive boards and is ok in terms of scoring for a center.
He can turn the ball over with his awkwardness but has improved that
over the years. On an offensive juggernaut like Dallas he is a nice
complimentary piece.
Defense
He is solid. But his major weakness is his post defense. He has a
tough time with the big strong power players but he does not back
down. But his success rate is not strong in this area. Don Nelson
knows matchups better than any coach in the league and utilizes
Bradley in very good situations. His shot blocking ability is
awesome. His defensive rebounding is very good as well.
Antonio Daniels
PG-SA
Offense
He is an excellent athlete. He will take it strong to the basket.
He will finish with a dunk if he can. Has plenty of range on the
jumpshot but does not shoot as consistently as one would like. He
is a pretty good ballhandler but is turnover prone. He is an adequate
creator with good one-on-one ability. He likes to dribble a little
too much. He is aggressive on the break but can be turnover prone
there as well.
Defense
Good strong defender. Long arms and great quickness get him lots of
steals and even a few blocked shots. Pretty good rebounder for a
guard. He gambles a little too much but his steal totals can be nice.
James Posey
SF-Den.
Offense
Improved shooter. Scores around the basket nicely. Runs the floor
well but finishing skills weren't utilized that well. Can dunk with
the best of them. Offensive rebounding is adequate as well. Jumper
is improving. Range is adequate. Not a great passer.
Defense
Can block shots. Gets steals with hustle in the passing lanes. He
is not a stopper on defense but can make things happen with his long
arms and good quickness.
Donyell Marshall
SF-Ut.
Offense
Just in case you haven't been paying attention this guy is breaking
out. Last year he was in the best shape of his career. He was
scoring well and grabbing offensive boards. He was showing some of
his nice passing skills. He is turnover prone but is improving. His
ball handling needs to improve as well but he is working on it. He
finished on the break last year pretty well but will be better this
year.
Defense
He is one of the best athletes for his size in the game. He is a
major league shot blocker and rebounder on the defensive end but do
not underestimate his awesome ability to get in the passing lanes and
steal the ball. Long arms and nice quickness make him tough.
More players to come -- E-mail opinions please!!!!
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