This edition of  The Case For… looks at one of college basketball’s top scorers over the last 2 seasons – Tennessee Tech’s Kevin Murphy.  Murphy, a two-time First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference player, has shown the ability to hit his jumper from anywhere on the court, while also improving in a lot of other areas on both sides of the ball.  At 6’6, he has good size for a shooting guard, and he knows how to use it to his advantage.  Having shown what he can do at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, team workouts. and at Portsmouth, NBA teams have gotten a good look at what he can do for their team.  How much will teams value his scoring ability?  Let’s look at The Case for Kevin Murphy:

Kevin Murphy, Tennessee Tech, Senior, 6’6, 185

20.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 44.4 FG%, 72.5 FT%, 41.6 3FG%

The Good – Murphy has built his reputation mainly on his scoring ability and it is easy to see why.  He has great form on his jumper – quick release and a high, consistent release point, good lift from his legs, and a smooth follow-through.  He has range beyond the NBA 3-point line, and his size makes it easy to get good looks over many who defend him.  He has the ability to shoot the jumper well off the catch or off the dribble, and he has added a nice dribble-step back move which allows him to create space for his jumper.    He works hard without the ball to get open, and is improving using screens to get space for his shot.  Murphy has also developed a good ability to get into the lane off the dribble, and hit the short jumper elevating off a jump stop.  Murphy has also done a better job recognizing pressure this season, having faced double-teams or drawn teams’ top defenders because of his scoring ability.   On the defensive side, Murphy has improved his ability to play on and off the ball on the perimeter.  He positions himself well, and has shown better foot speed and lateral movement.  He has also done a much better job looking to get over screens on the perimeter, as well as closing out on shooters.  Off a missed shot, he does a good job going strong after the ball and securing it.

The Not-So-Good – While Murphy has developed a lot of skills related to his jump shot, he still needs to improve his ability to take the ball to the basket.  His first step is average, so he needs to find ways to use ball-fakes and his dribble to break down defenders.  Once he gets into the lane, he needs to be able to absorb contact better while still getting his shot off.  Getting stronger is a general need for him, and it should help him against physical defenders, which he has had trouble with in the past.  Also, he is often forced towards the left side of the court, so he needs to work on being able to dictate more where he takes the ball.  Defensively, while Murphy has improved his perimeter defense, he does need to watch his balance when guarding the ball.  A tendency to lean forward a little too much leaves him open to getting beat with a quick misdirection step.  Also, if he does get beat off the dribble, he needs to look for better ways to cut off his man to the next spot.  Off the ball, he needs to continue to work on his court awareness – knowing when and where he needs to position himself to help.  If he works on getting stronger, he should be able to use his size better to help on the defensive boards if needed in the NBA.

The Verdict – Murphy is as good a scorer as I have seen in college the last few years, and I have little doubt that most of his offensive game could translate well to the NBA.  A lot of what he needs to work on comes from the speed and physical nature of the pro game, so working on improving this area should branch out to help him improve in other areas.  If Murphy can hone his scoring ability to be effective in short bursts off the bench, he has a good chance to break into a team’s rotation rather quickly.  He may never be a great defender, but I think his length and understanding of what he needs to do defensively won’t hurt a team while he is on the court.  Murphy’s draft value falls in the early 2^nd round, somewhere in the 33-41 range.  If a team gets him after the 41^st pick, they will be getting great value for their pick.

See Also - NBA Draft Blog Interview with Kevin Murphy

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For the 3^rd straight season, the Houston Rockets have landed in the lottery’s last position.  There was plenty of good to take from last season, from Kyle Lowry having another great season (until an injury sidelined him), to the play of last year’s 2^nd round pick, Chandler Parsons.  With the #14 and #16 picks in this draft, the Rockets have the ability to fill in some of the gaps and possibly make that leap back into the playoffs.  Let’s look at some of the possible draft scenarios facing Houston.:

2011-2012 Record – 34-32 (4^th in Southwest Division, Western Conference)

Head Coach – Kevin McHale

2-year Draft History  

2011 – Marcus Morris (1^st Round – 14^th), Nikola Mirotic (1^st Round – 23^rd – Traded to Minnesota with Brad Miller, the 38^th pick in 2011 and future 1^st round pick for Jonny Flynn, the rights to 20^th pick Donatas Motiejunas and a 2012 2^nd round pick), Chandler Parsons (2^nd Round – 38^th – reacquired from Minnesota for cash considerations)

2010 – Patrick Patterson (1^st Round – 14^th)

Returning Players- Kevin Martin (SG), Luis Scola (PF), Samuel Dalembert (C – Team Option), Kyle Lowry (PG), Courtney Lee (SG – Qualifying Offer), Patrick Patterson (PF – Team Option), Marcus Morris (PF), Chase Budinger (SF – Team Option), Chandler Parsons (SF), Greg Smith (C – Team Option), Courtney Fortson (PG – Team Option), Diamon Simpson (SF – Team Option)

Possible Key Additions- Donatas Motiejunas (SF)

Team Needs- Backcourt depth, Rebounding/Post players, Scorers who attack the basket

Position Needs –PG, SG, C

Picks –  #14 (1^st Round, Pick 14)

                #16 (1^st Round, Pick 16 – from New York)

NBA Draft Blog Analysis

With back-up point guard Goran Dragic likely to be popular in free agency, as well as the likelihood that Courtney Lee will not be made a Qualifying Offer, the Rockets have the opportunity to address their backcourt with either, or both, of their first round picks.  As I’ve discussed throughout these previews, there are only 2 point guards whose draft value falls within the 2^nd half of the lottery – Kendall Marshall and Damian Lillard.  There is a strong possibility that neither will be available here, so if one of them happens to fall here, the Rockets may look to take him. Another possibility they may want to consider is Austin Rivers, if he is available.  Rivers will more than replace whatever Lee brought to the team, and he could also play some point guard, if needed.  But again, there is a good chance Rivers won’t be available by the 14^th pick, so where could the Rockets turn?

The Rockets could look to fill the hole at the center position with either Tyler Zeller or Meyers Leonard.  With the Bucks possibly also looking to go big at #12, the Rockets may need to settle for the player the Bucks don’t take, though that wouldn’t be bad.  Zeller is the more polished player, effective on both ends of the floor, and runs the floor better than any big man in this class.  He may not get much better than he is now, but he will still be a great addition in the middle for Houston.  Leonard is also skilled, though he is still developing, and is athletic for his size as well.  While his ceiling may be higher than Zeller’s, there is no guarantee that he will get there.  Also, inconsistency and lack of effort plagued him during his 2 years of college, though he has worked hard during this pre-draft period.  If somehow both players are available at #14 or #16, I think Zeller is the better option because of the “known” ability and level of play he brings.

If the Rockets go for a big at #14, they could still look for a wing scorer at #16.  Terrence Ross would be a better scoring option at small forward than anyone they currently have, as well as giving some added defense on the perimeter.  The big problem is that Ross has trouble creating his own scoring opportunities, so he would be reliant on the team finding ways to get him the ball where he can score.

Of course, there is always the possibility that the Rockets trade either, or both, of their picks, and of course rumors are already out there.  If more comes out of these rumors, I will come back and address them here.

No Guest Analysis

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One of the most-asked questions I have gotten over the last year has been “What can you tell me about Orlando Johnson?”  Many people knew the name, but not many had the chance to watch the UC-Santa Barbara guard in action.  Solidly built, with the ability to score in a variety of ways, Johnson has showed much more than that over his career.  He is a leader, helping get UCSB to the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and 2011, and just missing in 2012.  He is versatile, not only leading the conference in scoring, but also ranking in Top 15 in the Big West in rebounds, assists, and steals, per game.  He loves the game, not looking at it as a career, but as a chance to go out and entertain people doing what he does best.  Any team he plays for is going to get more than a basketball player, but someone who will embed himself within the organization and community.  I had the chance to talk to Johnson recently while he has been working out for NBA teams across the league.  Here, Johnson discusses the development of his game, the team workout process, and more:

Orlando on how his game developed in college:

“I think the biggest way I developed was mentally.  Understanding the game, watching and learning from the film, and picking up little details; those were the biggest things which helped me take my game to another level.”

Orlando on his strengths as a player: 

“My shooting ability is probably my biggest strength.  Also, being able to break down the defense and create for myself, or openings for my teammates.  I have good length and a strong body, and I use them well to finish around the rim.  As I have gotten older, I have matured in many ways, and it has let me take my game to a higher level.”

Orlando on what parts of his game he still wants to improve:

“The players and the pace of the game are both quicker in the NBA, so I have been working on making myself quicker  I need to make sure my speed and lateral quickness are the best they can be to defend NBA players.”

Orlando on what role he can fill for a team immediately:

“I think I can come right in and provide energy and leadership.  I am prepared to work my up on any team.  I can’t control my time, or things like points and rebounds, but I can control my attitude and energy.  Every day, I will just make sure to bring that, and the rest will work itself out.”

Orlando on playing in the Draft Combines in New Jersey and Chicago:

“They were great experiences because they allowed me to gauge where my game was, and it allowed me to go out there and show people that what they have heard about my game is true.”

Orlando on going through the Pre-Draft process:

“It’s been great.   I’ve gotten experience with travelling from city to city, seeing what life is like for a NBA player.  Going to each workout is like an audition, but I have enjoyed it.  Some people can find it to be nerve-wracking, but I’ve embraced the workouts.  Basketball is something I have played almost all of my life, and this is just the next step for me.”

Orlando on whether he felt he was at a disadvantage coming out of the Big West Conference:

“Maybe the first few years I may have felt that way, but the past few summers I had the opportunity play in some of the NBA skill academies, as well as representing the country in international play.  I was able to show that I could play at that level of competition, so I think heading into my senior year, teams started to know who I was and what I could do.”

Orlando on what he wants teams and fans to know about him:

“In the 4 years I played in college, I was a very consistent player.  I will bring everything I have, every night, to make my team better and to make an impact.  I think fans of whatever team I play for will enjoy watching me play.”

I want to thank Orlando for his time and I wish him the best of luck as he looks to fulfill his dream of getting to the NBA.  Orlando is great example of how hard work and the ability to be coached can really lift a player’s game.  Speaking to him, you get a great sense that he understands that this is just the beginning of his journey and that he is not going to be satisfied with just being in the NBA.  I look forward to seeing how he makes the most of his opportunity, and I am positive that wherever he is chosen, the team and the fans will embrace all that he brings.

Check back for more great interviews and scouting reports as we head towards the 2012 NBA Draft.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog – for updates, leave your comments below, or feel free to email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This edition of  The Case For… looks at one of college basketball’s fiercest competitors – Marquette’s Jae Crowder.  Crowder, the Big East’s Player of the Year, showed the ability to take on whatever his team needed from him, and more.  In his 2 seasons at Marquette, Crowder helped lead the Golden Eagles to the Sweet 16 both years, often while playing multiple roles.  Known for his high motor and consistent play and work ethic, Crowder has established himself as one of the more popular players in this pre-draft season, working out for teams all over the league and praise being heaped on him after each one.  Having seen Crowder work out in the New Jersey Draft Combine, it is easy to see why teams have been calling constantly.  Will all of this benefit Crowder come draft day?  Let’s look at The Case for Jae Crowder:

Jae Crowder, Marquette, Senior, 6’6, 240

17.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.5 spg, 49.8 FG%, 73.5 FT%, 34.5 3FG%

The Good – The first thing you will notice about Crowder is that he seems to always be in position to make a play, on both ends of the floor.  He keeps his energy levels at a consistently high level throughout the whole game.  On the offensive end, Crowder has improved his ability to hit his mid-range jumper with some consistency, as well as showing an ability to hit the spot-up jumper from long-range.  He uses screens well to get open looks for his jumper or to make a quick cut towards the basket.  Around the basket, he has the ability to handle contact and still finish.  While not a great ballhandler, he is careful with the ball and makes few mistakes.  Crowder sees the floor well and is good at spotting cutters and hitting them where they can make a play.  He is a strong rebounder on both ends, and does a good job using his body to clear space before going strong after the missed shot.  Defensively, he positions himself well on and off the ball, and has very strong court awareness.  On the ball, he does a good job staying low and moving laterally.  He is also does a strong job applying pressure on the perimeter without fouling.  Crowder is a strong help defender and is quick to get to loose balls around him.  He runs the floor well in transition and can take the ball to the basket off the pass or spot up and hit a jumper.

The Bad – The ability to create his own shot is a major area where Crowder is going to need to improve.  Also, while he is careful with the basketball, he needs to be able to handle it well enough to take it from the perimeter to the basket.  Also, he needs to improve his ability to hit his jumper, especially from mid-range, off the dribble.  On the defensive end, Crowder needs make the adjustment to guarding much quicker players than he did in college.  Along with that, his lateral quickness and foot speed should be improved a bit.  He is a strong rebounder, but he does need to make sure to not bring the ball down low after grabbing rebounds.  It’s not a major issue, but something I noticed more than a few times.

The Verdict – It is tough not to like what Crowder can bring to any team.  A strong defender who can guard multiple positions, he also rebounds, finds ways to score, and does anything his team needs him to do to win.  While he will need to make some adjustments to the speed of the NBA game, especially if he is guarding 2’s and 3’s out on the perimeter.  The main thing is what I talked about in the beginning – Crowder just always seems to be around the ball, whether it is to make a stop on defense or score easy baskets on offense.  He makes the little plays that make a big difference in winning games.  Also, having had the chance to talk to him and watch him work out for teams, he isn’t going to settle for just making a team, he is going to contribute plenty.  His draft value falls at the end of 1^st round/beginning of 2^nd round, somewhere in the 29-37 range.

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With Steve Nash, and a slew of other veterans, at the end of their contracts, the Suns have an opportunity to start looking to the future direction of the franchise.  How Markieff Morris, last year’s #13 pick, will develop is still up in the air, the Suns will have another shot at #13 to add a player who can give Suns’ fans hope in the upcoming seasons.  With the backcourt seemingly open, and a group of potential guards whose draft range fall within the #13 pick, the Suns may have to settle for which player falls to them (unless they made a promise, which is another discussion.)  Let’s take a look at some of Phoenix’s potential draft scenarios:

2011-2012 Record – 33-33 (3^rd in Pacific Division, Western Conference)

Head Coach – Alvin Gentry

2-year Draft History  

2011 – Markieff Morris (1^st Round – 13^th)

2010 – Gani Lawal (2^nd round – 46^th), Dwayne Collins (2^nd round – 60^th)

Returning Players- Marcin Gortat (C), Josh Childress (SF), Channing Frye (PF), Hakim Warrick (SF), Jared Dudley (SF), Robin Lopez (C – Qualifying Offer), Markieff Morris (PF)

Team Needs- Guards, Rebounding/Post Defenders, Perimeter shooters, PF/C depth

Position Needs –PG, SG, PF, C

Picks –  #13 (1^st Round, Pick 13)

NBA Draft Blog Analysis

With the end of the Steve Nash era imminent in Phoenix, as well as the end of the contracts of Grant Hill and Vince Caret, the Suns will need to start looking towards the future.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of young talent to build around, so it may be time for the Suns’ front office to map out the direction of their franchise now.  With a lot of cap room now, I expect the Suns to look to free agency for young, established talent.  At #13, I expect them to look at filling one of the guard spots, preferably with a player who can run the offense and add some scoring punch.  The first hope should be that either  Damian Lillard or Kendall Marshall drops to them. Lillard is a scorer first, but still does a decent job running an offense.  He has good range on his jump shot and can beat his man off the dribble, but his decision making needs to improve and it is still up in the air how he productive he will be when he isn’t the focal point of the offense.  Marshall is the consummate floor general, and grumblings about his athleticism and scoring ability are vastly overstated.

With chances being that they both could be gone, where else could Phoenix look for backcourt help?   Austin Rivers would be a great addition if paired with a veteran point guard.  His ability to take players off the dribble, as well as hit his jumper from a variety of ranges, will give the team an offensive lift.  Defensively, he will need to make some adjustments, but being able to get him at #13 would be great value.  Word has gotten around about the alleged Dion Waiters promise, and Phoenix is one of the names that pop up relating to it.  He is also an excellent scorer, with an improved jumper and an ability to get to the rim and finish, but after 2 seasons in college, he has consistency issues and his shot selection and court awareness need to improve quickly.

While those are the guards whose draft range includes the #13 pick, there is the possibility of Phoenix going in another direction, though I’m not really sure what that would be, unless someone unexpected starts to fall.  If I am the Suns, I hope for Marshall or Lillard, but would gladly take Rivers if he is available.

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