Big Board #17

Fun TAFKAMB Fact: 17 is my favorite number.  Remember that when I'm famous.

Anyway, you people (you people?!) chose Samuel Dalembert Solomon Alabi as the 16th spot in the draft.  I'm still praying for no playoffs and no picking in the 15-17 range, but some guys want wins and it's just more funsies if we keep going.  Avery Bradley has been second on the voting the past like 5 times.  But his play has certainly not supported the idea that A.) He deserves to be slotted this high and B.) He will leave school after his freshman year.  So we'll see about him.  His offensive game is just not there right now.

Just a reminder you can find my scouting (I use this term very, very loosely) reports of Bradley, Elias Harris, Ekpe Udoh, and Larry Sanders here.  In sadder news, Ed Davis is out for the season with a broken left wrist.  Tough news for an underachieving Carolina team this year, but I'd bet he stays in school another year as opposed to skipping out after his sophomore year.  He may still declare despite being injured, but I think this may turn out to be good news for the 2011 Tar Heels.

Being added to the voting this round is Jan Vesely, 6'11 forward from Czech Republic.  At this point he's a less skilled Donatas Motiejunas (7th on the board) and the 2nd best international prospect in the draft.  He has that same outside stroke typical of most Euros, but doesn't appear to be superior at creating his own shot or handling the ball.  Jan is also under contract from his team, Partizan Belgrade, until 2013, so unless someone buys out his contract, he'd be staying in the Czech to develop before he comes over to the States.  If we somehow get a 2nd first rounder in the middle, I'd love to take him and stash him away until then so he doesn't go on the books and could help us out when we're starting to come out of our rebuilding process (providing there is actually a rebuilding process).  He's got tremendous size for a small forward, and could definitely play the 4 as well (a la Yi -- that sounds funny), but definitely lacks the strength to bang down low with bigger bodies in the NBA.  Along with his jump shot (which can be inconsistent) his motor and hustle are what impress scouts the most.  He's relatively athletic and knows the game surprisingly well for a 19 year old.  He can pass better than you'd think (who cares what you think?) but often tries to force a pass that isn't there.  His lateral quickness and willingness to defend should help him on the other side of the ball but so much could happen before he comes over that Vesely is very much a future draft pick for a team willing to wait for him.

If ya'll have any suggestions or angry comments about who should already be on the voting, please let me know.  I'm not saying I'll do anything about it, but if you let me know, at least I'll be aware that I'm crushing your soul.  Vote on.