The good thing about having one of the lottery picks in the coming draft is that it is hard to go wrong with whoever you pick. Every player that will get taken in the early part of the first round is bound to make a difference on whatever team they happen to land on.
That is exactly what the Charlotte Bobcats will be hoping when it becomes their turn to choose from this year’s crop of future stars.
When you have a team that has played as poorly as the Bobcats have this season you’d think that the team could just put a bunch of names on a dart board have His Airness close his eyes and throw. If that dart were to land on Andre Drummond (center, UConn Huskies) would it be a good choice for the ‘Cats?
Drummond was one of the best players in the country coming out of high school in 2011. ESPN and NBADraft.net had him rated as the No 1 player in the country; Rivals.com and Scout.com had him No 2. If the NBA was still drafting kids straight out of high school he would have gone in last year’s draft.
Should the Bobcats take him he could very well be the center that the team needs. He has the size of an NBA center standing 6-foot 11-inches and weighing in at 275 pounds. He could be a tough defensive presence down low, is known for being a solid rebounder and shot blocker, and has a decent (and improving) offensive game.
The man can play; that’s a given, but do the ‘Cats need him? What about Bismack Biyombo?
Biyombo has played much better than many people thought he would. In just 20 minutes a game he has averaged almost four blocks per 48 minutes, third best in the league. Does the team need another shot blocker?
Drummond would be a more natural fit at center than Biyombo and give the ‘Cats someone who is suited to play the position. Should the team draft and he takes over the spot it would free up Biyombo to rotate in as a forward. With Tyrus Thomas, Derrick Brown, or Byron Mullens not being overly impressive and Corey Maggette having injury issues, it would not be a shocker to see B-mack earn some serious time (especially if he can develop more of a scoring touch).
Drafting Drummond would give Charlotte another very young, but very talented player; one that could fit in very well with what the team needs. If he happens to be there when it’s Charlotte’s turn he would not be a bad pick at all.
When I look at Drummond, I see the kind of player that gets coaches fired. He has all of the athleticism in the world, but he was invisible all season with the Huskies.
I can’t figure him out. Is he the next Dwight or is he the next Stromille?
I wouldn’t call 10 pts and 7.6 boards a game invisible; is it first round worthy? That’s the question.
Alexis Ajinca 21st pick. He made very little impact. Adam Morrisson, Sean May
also you can never have too many shot blockers!
I do agree!
@bobcatsplanet if we take Drummond we may win 10 games next year and have a shot at the top spot again..
Would we really do much better with someone else? The team is very young and in need of a coach that actually wants to put the work in with them that they need.
Drummond’s big question mark is how driven he is to get better. Do we want to risk the most important draft in franchise history on a guy who may not care enough? All the tools are there, but that isn’t enough if you’re going to pan out in the NBA. If not Davis, then Robinson.
Good point. Should Robinson or Davis not be available who would you say?
to answer the question in the title: he would look like the best consolation prize to anthony davis.
Well put.
It isn’t a given that he can play at all. The blocked shot numbers are nice. But he doesn’t rebound and he averaged 1.16 points per field goal attempt this season. That is terrible for someone with his supposed physical tools.
Almost eight rebounds a game is not bad and I don’t think his main contribution is in scoring although it would be nice if his scoring was better.
My point exactly. If he is going to be an above average pro then he should have been dominant against lesser competition in college.
He’s a physical specimen I want him. I just don’t think anyone can be that quick and that big and not be mildly succesful
I think that is the hope on him.