Photo: Daily Orange

Name:   Otto Porter        Age:   19   School: Georgetown

Height: 6’8         Weight: 205   Projected Position: SF      

2012-13 Stats:

16.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.8 spg, 1.5 tpg (35.4 minutes per game)

48.0 FG%, 77.7 FT%, 42.2 3FG%, 59.0 TS%, 54.1 eFG%

24.1 USG%, 6.7 ORB%, 19.0 DREB%, 13.2 TRB%

SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN

Offense

Perimeter Shooting

Porter has continued to improve his jumper over the past season.  He does a good job getting square to the basket, elevates quickly, and has a high release and good follow through. He does need to watch a tendency to rush some of his jumpers.  Porter does a very good job coming off screens ready to catch and shoot, though he still needs to work on hitting his jumper off the dribble.  He has range out to the college 3-point line, and with some work, should be able to hit the NBA 3 with some consistency.  Porter is also very good at getting clean looks in the mid-range area, though again, the issue of rushing the shot has some effect on the results.

Post Offense

Porter uses his body well to establish position in the post area, and he has developed a variety of moves to allow him to score around the basket. He is capable of finishing above the rim, or use either hand to get off shots. He is also very good at using angles to make shots off the backboard.  He needs to do a better job watching for players trying double, and to avoid making a move right into the help defense.   

Ballhandling/Penetration

This is one area where Porter could use some work. Porter is an average ballhandler, capable of using either hand, and having some developing advanced dribbles, including a change-of-pace handle. He needs to watch a tendency to let his dribble come up a little too high and away from his body.   Porter is very good at making a move to the basket when he gets the ball at the high post or along the baseline, usually within 10 feet of the basket. He has to look for more opportunities to attack the basket from the perimeter, especially using his ability to hit the jumper to draw defenders out. He needs to work on his foot speed, including his first step to get by the defender, as well as learning to use his dribble to get the defender off-balance. When he gets around the rim, he is very creative in finding ways to get shots off, and he does not shy away from contact. Porter needs to learn to keep his head up when heading to the basket and sensing where the help defenders are coming from. I would also like to see him accelerate better when making a move off a screen. 

Passing Skills

Porter has very good court vision and awareness, and he uses his size well to make passes over the top of the defense.  His passes are strong and catchable, and he is very good at facilitating the offense from different areas of the court, especially the high post area. As mentioned above, he needs to continue to work on seeing the court and making reads off of penetration into the lane area if the help converges on him.

Free Throw Shooting

Hill is an above-average free throw shooter, with a consistent routine and smooth shooting motion and follow-through.  At times, he will short-arm his free throws so they end up as a long drive, so he needs to watch from getting away from his routine. Where Porter needs to improve is looking to get to the line more often, getting there less than once for every 2 field goal attempts.  He does a great job drawing contact when he is around the basket, but he settles too often for his jumper. 

Defense

Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)

Porter is a good on-ball defender, positioning himself well between his man and the basket, staying relatively low and moving well laterally.  He uses his body well and can play physical when needed, as well as being capable of guarding multiple positions.  Porter anticipates his man’s movements well, but his reaction time in moving can be slow. However, he has a very good understanding of how to play angles and find spots to cut his man off.  Porter needs to work on getting through screens, and especially not relying on switches. He closes well on shooters and uses his long arms to disrupt not only shots, but to disrupt passing lanes.   Off the ball, Porter positions himself well, putting himself in an area where he can get to his man and help around the lane if needed.  Porter has good court awareness and can deny passing lanes well when needed.  He does a good job navigating through screens off the ball, not letting his man get a lot of room to get set for a shot.  He establishes position quickly as a help defender and is not afraid to take a charge against anyone. 

Rebounding

Porter is a strong rebounder, doing a good job tracking missed shots and getting into position.  He uses his body well to establish position and is quick to go and get the ball.  He boxes out well, getting wide and using his lower body to shield the offense from getting to the ball.  Porter has strong hands to secure the ball, and he can be a strong outlet passer to get transition offense started.

Transition

Porter runs the floor well in transition, capable of running the wings and spotting up for the jumper or taking the ball strong to the basket.  Porter has also shown that he can push the ball himself on the break, usually looking to finish on his own. 

Intangibles/Summary

Porter is a very versatile player who can help create mismatches in different areas of the court. He understands spacing well and he has good court vision and sense. He continues to improve in almost all areas of his game, and he should be capable of guarding a couple of positions at the NBA level. Porter understands how to make an impact, even when he doesn’t have the ball on offense, setting solid screens and attacking the offensive glass relentlessly. He still has work to do to improve his quickness, but he understands the game so well that he finds ways to compensate.

Draft Value:  1^st Round – High Lottery – #3-8

Porter is still developing as a player, but 2 years at Georgetown has given him a solid foundation from which to build. He should be capable of playing in multiple systems and has the skills and understanding to make an impact in a variety of ways from Day 1.

Leave your comments below, or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog

Many players are able to get by just getting on the court each day and doing what they know best. While it is sometimes good to have this mindset, what makes the toughest and most well-rounded players are those who have a good idea of perspective. Perspective can come in many forms, but often times you will find it during the most difficult of circumstances. When you do find it, it can change everything, on and off the court.

Devon Moore, a former youth and high school teammate of Trey Burke and Jared Sullinger, recently finished up his senior year at James Madison University. Moore, who already missed a season due to a knee injury, was in for a much tougher.

Moore had major plans going into his senior season, but in October, before the season started, his mother was diagnosed with brain cancer. How moored handled this would set the tone for his season. “Seeing her fight and what she was going through, it made me play and pursue the game in a whole different way,” said Moore. “It gave me a different perspective on life and basketball. Everything is not handed to you, so you need to work as hard as you can and enjoy every moment.”

His mother’s illness also taught him the importance of a strong support system. “It was definitely a blessing from God,” said Moore. “There were times I wanted to throw in the towel, but my support system, both at James Madison and my family wouldn’t let me. Now, every time I take the court, I know this is my dream and I have to live it to the fullest. My mother encouraged me to keep going after it.”

Devon is happy to say that his mother is doing better and still fighting.

Between all of these situations, Moore was able to still thrive as a player in college, and one area in particular stood out. “I started watching a lot more game film, especially after I got hurt,” explained Moore. “Watching the game in that way gave me a much different perspective on basketball, especially the different types of players and plays you will see.”

Moore’s ability to focus and the strength provided from his family allowed him to have his best college season yet, which finished with James Madison making their first NCAA Tournament appearance in almost 20 years. “It was the best experience of my life,” said Moore. “To finally make it my senior year, it was fun and exciting. I was blessed to have that opportunity.”

Moore was also named 3^rd Team All-Colonial Athletic Conference and was named to the CAA All-Tournament Team this past season.

Moore, who graduates on Saturday, is preparing for showing teams at the next level what he can do. “A lot of guards these days look to score first,” explained Moore. “I like to think of myself as an old-fashioned point guard who looks to get everyone involved. I can be a leader, get the big man the ball, and defend the team’s best player.”

Knowing that there will be a lot of competition wherever he plays, Moore knows he needs to improve areas of his game. “I want to work on getting stronger, which will allow me to hit more shots when I drive to the basket,” said Moore. “I also want to work on my jumper. You got to be able to hit shots and stretch defenses.”

Moore knows that there is still a lot of work ahead of him, but he knows he has a lot to offer. “Day in and day out, I will give it my all and work hard every day to help my team,” said Moore. “I want to win, and I want to help in any way I can.”

Devon Moore has already shown how he can handle, and even thrive during, adverse circumstances. Focus and determination, along with a good dose of perspective, will likely pave the way to a bright future for Moore and his family.

Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog

Name:       Trey Burke     Age:   20               School: Michigan

Height: 6’0         Weight: 180     Projected Position:  PG  

2012-13 Stats:

18.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.7 apg, 1.6 spg, 2.2 tpg (35.3 minutes per game)

46.3 FG%, 80.1 FT%, 38.4 3FG%, 3:1 A/TO

56.9 TS%, 53.0 eFG%, 28.3 USG%, 37.3 AST%

SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN

Offense

Perimeter Shooting

Burke continues to improve as a perimeter shooter, and with some adjustments, he should be able to show it at the next level. Burke uses his legs well to get lift, has a high release point, and an improving release time. Because of his size, he often relies on his dribble and using screens to get clean looks, and he is excellent at doing both. He moves well without the ball, and does a good job catching and shooting, especially coming off of screens.  He has good range, but he can rely too much on his perimeter shot, and his shot selection, while improved, can still use some work. Burke also needs to work on getting stronger so he doesn’t need to use so much leg power to get off his long-range jumper.     

Penetration

Burke doesn’t have a great first step, but he uses his dribble well to create space and get defenders off-balance.  He does a good job going to both his left and his right, and is not dependent on either hand to get to the basket. He is very good at keeping his head up and seeing how the defense rotates over to stop him.  Because of his size, he will often fade away when looking to shoot around the basket, but he needs to do a better job looking to draw the contact and still get his shot off. He is uses his strength well to make room for his shot.  The main area he needs to work on is getting a consistent floater/short jumper so he doesn’t end up getting stuck if the help defense is ready to stop him, and knowing when to avoid going too far into the lane.

Ballhandling

Burke is an excellent ballhandler, able to use both hands well and doing a very good job protecting the ball.   He has a very good crossover and change of pace dribble, as well as a solid spin move, all which allow him to create space and get defenders off-balance.  He is very good handling pressure and he anticipates trap situations very well.  Burke’s patience may be his best attribute. He has a great ability to let things develop and make the proper reads in most situations.      

Passing Skills

Burke has excellent court vision and is a very good passer.  Burke keeps his head up and is constantly looking for teammates. He is very good at drawing help defenders to him and anticipating where to find an open teammate.  Burke is excellent making reads off the pick-and-roll, and he can be very creative in finding ways to get passes to teammates. His passes are usually crisp and put in places where his teammates can make plays quickly. Burke needs to watch over-penetrating and getting caught without options, and he is still learning to read defensive matchups, though he has greatly improved. Burke is also very good at using pass fakes to draw the defense out of position.   

Free Throw Shooting

Burke is a good free throw shooter with a consistent routine and good form at the line.  Where Burke needs to do a better job is getting to the line in relation to the amount of shots he takes. As discussed above, he needs to look to invite contact and find ways to get his shot off while taking a hit.  He has great composure when he needs to take free throws down the stretch of games, and he thrives on hitting the big shots.   

Defense

Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)

Burke does a very good job positioning himself well on the ballhandler, and he has improved his lateral movement, though he still could increase his foot speed. He can be slow to anticipate his man’s movements and ends up chasing instead of moving with the ball.  He can pressure the ballhandler, though it is best in short bursts.   Burke reads screens well and does a good job getting over the top of screens against shooters. Burke understands angles well and he does a good job looking for spots to re-engage his man if he gets beat off the dribble.   Off the ball, Burke positions himself well, though as on the ball, he needs to work on anticipating his man’s movements, especially on cuts towards the basket.  He does an excellent job looking to deny or disrupt passing lanes.  Burke also needs to work on navigating through screens off the ball, making sure not to let his man get a lot of room and finding ways to get through screens in the lane area.  He does a good job choosing when to help or to double-team, and understands how to use the sidelines to help trap players.  His defensive awareness has improved greatly this past year, and he can be seen directing his teammates on the defensive end.  He closes well on shooters, but he needs to do a better job not falling for shot fakes.

Rebounding

Burke rebounds well for his size, doing a strong job anticipating missed shots and looking to beat people to the spot, especially on long rebounds. Burke does a good job grabbing rebounds, looking up court and starting his team in transition quickly.

Transition

Burke is very good in transition, both pushing the ball up court himself and running the wings.  As the ballhandler on the break, Burke gets the ball up court quickly, and looks to get space to get to the basket.  He is very good at keeping his head up, looking to draw the defense and finding open teammates. His straight-line speed isn’t great, but he uses his dribble and movements well to find the space he needs to get to the basket. If he gets the ball on the wing, he can be dangerous spotting up on the wing for a jumper.

Intangibles/Summary

Burke had one of the most decorated seasons in recent college basketball history, and it was well-deserved. There wasn’t a single part of his game which didn’t improve from his freshman season. He has the qualities of a great court leader, a very high basketball IQ, and he isn’t afraid to have the ball in his hands in big moments. Some may have issues with his size, but his skill is so advanced, you rarely notice it. He does need to tighten up on the defensive end, and he can be a better finisher once he gets into the lane, but Burke is the best point guard in this draft, and he should be ready to contribute very quickly in the NBA. 

Draft Value:  Early 1^st – Early Lottery -  #1-6

Burke would be a great fit for any team that runs a pick-and-roll heavy offense, but he is not limited to that type of offense. He is good in transition, and he can put points up quickly if necessary. The best point guard in this year’s Draft.

Leave your comments below, or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog

Last week over at ESPN.com, Dave Telep wrote a great piece regarding what he has seen in what has become the entitlement culture surrounding elite high school basketball. While he did give some great tips in how some values can be instilled in players which can help alleviate this problem in the future, there was not enough discussion on what the actual issues are from which this problem stems.

The issue of entitlement is not limited to high school basketball, but it where a lot of it starts. You see it extend to the college level. There are a lot of good college coaches who avoid these players altogether, or they have a plan in place to get the player to focus on the right things. I have been lucky enough to get to talk to players who have finished their college careers who felt entitled early on, but came to learn what really is important.

The issues which can lead to entitlement are not meant to cover everything and everyone. There are a lot of good players who are surrounded by solid support systems who know how to help guide the player to make the right decisions.

What are AAU Basketball and Camps Really About?

The focus of the spring and summer has continually slipped year after year. We are now looking at kids, coaches, and teams focused on winning and putting up numbers. I am not saying winning isn’t important; being able to say you won something is an achievement and something to be proud of.

Winning shouldn’t be the focus during these months. The focus should be on doing everything you can to become a better player. Look back after the high school season ends and evaluate your game. Now formulate some areas to build or add to your game. Use these months to do that. It isn’t going to be a quick process and many will revert right back to what they know, which defeats the purpose.

So where does entitlement fit in? Kids are being bombarded on all sides by people who take on the “winning and stats” mindset. These are still kids and their views on many areas are still being shaped. Getting more attention because they won a tournament or put up big numbers doesn’t help them. Put the focus on what they did well that will help them reach the end goal of what they want out of basketball.

The camp issue is different, yet very similar. Many kids and parents have been led to believe that these camps have an actual impact on the player’s future. There is no such thing as a “must attend” camp and there is no record of a player not taking his talent his as as he could because he didn’t attend certain camps. Camps are a good social opportunity and a chance to compete, but the actual skill impact can be very limited, and often overstated.  People running them will often feed to the entitlement issues, all with their own agendas.

The Rankings Culture

Telep alluded to this in his article, and even shouldered some of the blame for the effect it has had on kids. It has gotten into kids’ heads that these mean something. They don't.

It’s important to remember that these rankings are supposed to be reflective of what you as a player has done up to a certain point. Put the focus on where you are going, not where you have been.  Even if you are considered one of the best players in your class, there is a lot you can be doing to get better.

This is not an issue that will go away, so it’s best to instill into kids early what these rankings actually mean. Feel some sense of satisfaction with what you achieved, and then forget about it. When you get to the college level, it isn’t going to mean anything, and if you are lucky enough to get to the professional level, it will mean even less. 

It’s a similar case when dealing with scouting reports or comments about a player’s game. Whether positive or negative, there are some who are qualified to make these assessments, but a lot smaller amount then the number of people that actually do it.  It is important for players to find a way to tune this out, and not let them feel that it is accurate. They should know who to trust about the state of their game.

(Over)Exposure

How are kids to avoid a sense of entitlement when every move they make is being covered in some way? If you are one of the better players in your class, there could be countless number of “recruiting” websites wanting all the information they can get on you. That’s part of the life of a good basketball player and you can’t shut yourself off from it. Where it starts to go wrong is when the players, families, and coaches feed into it, and it’s hard for the player to ignore it.

The reality is these sites have no impact on the player’s future. Refusal to cater to them is not going to harm the player. Young high school kids don’t need to give interviews, and if they are going to, they need to learn more about it first. Learning how to answer interview questions is a skill, one if developed correctly will pay off big in the long-term.

The Role of the Parents and Coaches

One parent of a player raised to me that a lot of the entitlement issues raised by Telep’s article could be remedied with proper parenting, and in a way that’s very true. Just because your child is a potential basketball star, that doesn’t mean they are still not your child, first and foremost. Don’t be afraid to treat them any differently than you would if they weren’t an athlete, including disciplining them.

This isn’t always going to be possible. We all know of stories of homes with lack of parental figures, and one of the great things about basketball is that these kids can find a family if surrounded by the right people. The issue also arises when there are parents present, but they don’t know how to act like parents when needed.

One further issue involved here, and probably another area that needs its own post – What do you do when the parents (or coaches, trainers, etc.) start to feel entitled as well? The positive influence from these people needs to be a steady influence.  

This is not meant to be an indictment of the high school game, or a full list of what ails it. There is a whole sub-culture to the entitlement culture dealing with people whose sole goal is to attach themselves to elite players and their families.

It is an opportunity to continue the discussion which Telep started. Entitlement issues can be tied into a lot of the many other issues affecting high school basketball, and that's when it becomes magnified, and at times, overstated.

Many are going to disagree with some or all of what I wrote and they are certainly entitled to their opinion. The goal is to create the right environment for the players where they can thrive. Part of that is showing them the right way of handling themselves, not just now, but in the future as well. Along with that is an opportunity to take some of the pressure off the families involved because they don’t know what to believe, or they led to believe they have to handle things a certain way because they were misled.

I’m not naïve enough to believe this will have any real impact, but I hope at least one person who reads this takes a minute to assess the situations they find themselves in. These issues will come up again at subsequent levels, so it is important to start to get as much of a handle on it now as possible.

Feel free to share your comments below, or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nothing is guaranteed in life, or in the basketball world. What separates people is the ability to make an impact no matter the circumstances. That impact can be on the court, or off the court, but it is special when someone is able to make an impact on both. Justin Hawkins, who just finished up his college career at UNLV, is one of those with the ability to do both.

Hawkins was able to make the most of his time at UNLV, making his mark when given an opportunity. “I learned more about leadership, both on and off the court,” said Hawkins. “My communications skill became a lot better, and I was also able to develop my ballhandling and shooting abilities.”

Going into Justin’s senior season, UNLV had arguably its most talented team in years, and at times, it showed on the court. However, a team with a lot of young players had its share of ups and downs. With the season gone by, Hawkins was able to reflect on what the experience taught him. “Don’t take anything for granted,” Hawkins said. “You have to stay disciplined, and take it one day and one practice at a time.”

With his college career behind him now, Hawkins is able to look back and be happy with the decision he made to go to Las Vegas. “I would say I was pretty happy during my time playing here,” Hawkins said. “I was happy with my career and wouldn’t do it different.”

Hawkins’ focus is now on taking steps to continue his basketball career, and he believes some of his skills will translate at the next level. “I think my perimeter defense and my ability to knock down open jumpers should be attractive to teams,” Hawkins explained. “I can be a stable presence at the 1 or the 2. Every team needs a backup who can come in and make sure things still run smoothly.”

While those skills help, Hawkins knows there are areas he needs to work on in the coming months to round out his game. “I think becoming a more consistent ballhandler will be most important,” said Hawkins. “I also need to work on becoming a more consistent shooter.”

Wherever the opportunity comes, Hawkins knows he has what it takes to contribute. “I will do whatever the team needs me to do,” said Hawkins. “I can give a team a stable, ready guard who can knock down shots or run the pick-and-roll. I can just continue being a ‘glue’ guy that every team needs.”

Hawkins’ impact extends beyond the court, as anyone who follows him on Twitter can attest to. A mix of lightheartedness, life lessons, and impactful statements, are a regular feature on his Twitter timeline. “I was always taught that words are powerful,” Hawkins explained about how he handles what he Tweets. “Making the biggest statement in the least amount of words is very important.”

During his time in Las Vegas, Hawkins has also been witness to the rise of the city as one of the epicenters of United States basketball, and he has been excited to see it grow. “Every year, more and more people are coming to Las Vegas for basketball reasons,” Hawkins said. “Even down to the youth level, it is great to get out and see how people interact around basketball, and I was happy to be out there and being a part of it.”

Whatever the next step is for Hawkins, he is prepared for what he has to do. “I know what my role will be going in,” Hawkins said. “I won’t be a head case because I am sitting on the bench, and I will work hard and give everything I have to the team. I’ll do the things that a normal person wouldn’t do. Whether it’s doing media events or being the rookie who brings the donuts, every team needs that person.”

The city will be different, so will the team and the fans, but there is little doubt that Hawkins will continue to make his impact wherever he ends up.

Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog