Rodney Hood Draft Vigil

[kAzE]

I know. If only Coach K had ever shown the ability and willingness to do that when he has a skilled post player. Like, last year or something. Maybe Mason Plumlee could've scored more than the 17 ppg he did.

Yeah, and Mason scored 17 ppg despite never even really developing a go to move or really ANY counters. Okafor's got the moves and the footwork of a much more experienced post player, and he's not the type of guy who has delusions about developing a perimeter game. (Remember Mason shooting 3s his freshman year?) He's a throwback bruiser who loves punishing defenders down on the low block. We haven't had a guy like him since probably Elton Brand. Shelden was good, but he was more of a defensive player, and not as good a scorer. I can't wait to see Okafor in Duke blue.

[wavedukefan70s]

Yeah, and Mason scored 17 ppg despite never even really developing a go to move or really ANY counters. Okafor's got the moves and the footwork of a much more experienced post player, and he's not the type of guy who has delusions about developing a perimeter game. (Remember Mason shooting 3s his freshman year?) He's a throwback bruiser who loves punishing defenders down on the low block. We haven't had a guy like him since probably Elton Brand. Shelden was good, but he was more of a defensive player, and not as good a scorer. I can't wait to see Okafor in Duke blue.

Boozer averaged 18.2 and8.7 with less blocks and steals than mason in thier sr.years. Okafor could be close to that good from the start.

[the_grad_student]

I think he's waiting until after the Duke basketball banquet.

And when is the Duke basketball banquet?

[Chicken Little]

And when is the Duke basketball banquet?

04/16/2014
Wednesday

7:30 PM

I guess we can resume holding our collective breath then.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I think he's waiting until after the Duke basketball banquet.

Why would he? There's no recent history to say a guy will wait for the banquet.
Here our three latest declarations, including the 2 OADs.
Kyrie declared April 7th
Austin declared March 27th
Mason declared he was staying April 10th

[CDu]

Why would he? There's no recent history to say a guy will wait for the banquet.
Here our three latest declarations, including the 2 OADs.
Kyrie declared April 7th
Austin declared March 27th
Mason declared he was staying April 10th

Yeah, I had the same question. It seems like every year folks trot out this rationale for why players haven't declared (or not) yet, and nearly every year the announcement is made prior to the banquet. Not saying that this year we'll know prior to the banquet, but (as you've pointed out) the banquet isn't in any way an indicator for when we might hear an announcement.

[Bluedog]

Why would he? There's no recent history to say a guy will wait for the banquet.
Here our three latest declarations, including the 2 OADs.
Kyrie declared April 7th
Austin declared March 27th
Mason declared he was staying April 10th

Yeah, I had the same question. It seems like every year folks trot out this rationale for why players haven't declared (or not) yet, and nearly every year the announcement is made prior to the banquet. Not saying that this year we'll know prior to the banquet, but (as you've pointed out) the banquet isn't in any way an indicator for when we might hear an announcement.

Fair enough. I may be regurgitating untrue information. I claim no inside knowledge. But I've heard the rationale that sometimes players don't want to "take away" from other stuff going on in the banquet (like the seniors farewell; although I don't necessarily see why declaring earlier would do that).

[CameronBornAndBred]

Fair enough. I may be regurgitating untrue information. I claim no inside knowledge. But I've heard the rationale that sometimes players don't want to "take away" from other stuff going on in the banquet (like the seniors farewell; although I don't necessarily see why declaring earlier would do that).

I think it goes along with the same rationale of a player not declaring during the tournament "due to respect for the game", which I don't buy. Apparently Austin Rivers didn't buy it either. According to the three players I listed, both Rodney and Jabari are now pushing the boundary. Hop to it guys, and tell us your plans; you have almost exceeded the common deadline!

[CarmenWallaceWade]

Some interesting tweets from Laura Keeley this afternoon:

Laura Keeley ‏@laurakeeley 59m
"Hmm. So, Rodney Hood is listed at No. 22 on @chadfordinsider's latest big board. That's down from 12 in the last board, posted Feb. 11."

Laura Keeley ‏@laurakeeley 59m
"Hood's got a real decision to make. His age (22 on Oct. 20) is doing no favors for his "upside""

I don't know anything about Chad Ford's draft board or how seriously folks take it, but everything else I've heard or read until this point had him in the top 15.

[Bluedog]

Have people seen this scouting report on Rodney? It's long, but I found it interesting. DraftExpress puts them out for a lot of prospects.


Strengths: Size for Position, Shooting Stroke, Feel for the Game, Improved Slasher
Weaknesses: Defense, Strength/Toughness, Creating Offense

[superdave]

Some interesting tweets from Laura Keeley this afternoon:

Laura Keeley ‏@laurakeeley 59m
"Hmm. So, Rodney Hood is listed at No. 22 on @chadfordinsider's latest big board. That's down from 12 in the last board, posted Feb. 11."

Laura Keeley ‏@laurakeeley 59m
"Hood's got a real decision to make. His age (22 on Oct. 20) is doing no favors for his "upside""

I don't know anything about Chad Ford's draft board or how seriously folks take it, but everything else I've heard or read until this point had him in the top 15.

I like Chad Ford because he generally regurgitates the consensus feedback he gets from speaking to GM's directly. Those GM's are incentivized to want more prospects draft eligible, so there is that.

Hood really should go. His age is a factor, but he's already got the 3-point stroke that will keep him in the league for a while. That's a super-duper premium skill in the league these days. He can improve on the defensive end just as well in the NBA as he can in college, if not significantly better.

[flyingdutchdevil]

Have people seen this scouting report on Rodney? It's long, but I found it interesting. DraftExpress puts them out for a lot of prospects.


Strengths: Size for Position, Shooting Stroke, Feel for the Game, Improved Slasher
Weaknesses: Defense, Strength/Toughness, Creating Offense

Strengths and weaknesses are very fair. His size and shot are highly coveted skills, especially for an SG.

As for weaknesses, it's the defense that would scare me away if I'm a GM. Hood is not good at D, and this is after 3 years in college basketball programs. I'm not giving Jabari a free ride on D, but I understand that many of his defensive issues were based on inexperience with the college game. For Hood, it's not a good sign when you can't guard your man effectively and your approaching 22 years in age.

[Kedsy]

For Hood, it's not a good sign when you can't guard your man effectively and your approaching 22 years in age.

I didn't think Rodney was so awful on one-on-one defense (i.e., "guard[ing] your man effectively"). To me at least, his defensive weaknesses seemed to be losing his man (off-ball), which is a concentration issue, and not rotating/helping properly in a complicated defense that I don't think is played very often in the NBA. So I'm not sure his D would scare me off if I were an NBA GM.

[flyingdutchdevil]

I didn't think Rodney was so awful on one-on-one defense (i.e., "guard[ing] your man effectively"). To me at least, his defensive weaknesses seemed to be losing his man (off-ball), which is a concentration issue, and not rotating/helping properly in a complicated defense that I don't think is played very often in the NBA. So I'm not sure his D would scare me off if I were an NBA GM.

I disagree. Rodney's issues were a lot more than just losing his man. Rodney had a few good defensive outings, like his play on Pitt's Patterson, but more often than not I saw Hood play poor man-to-man. This especially got worse towards the end of the season.

Also, if you're having concentration issues on defense at 21 years of age, that's not a good sign.

Lastly, NBA defenses are becoming a lot more complex and rotating/helping properly is of huge importance. The pick-and-roll is especially difficult to master. As a GM, I'd like to have a player who is focused and can at least keep his man in check. I'm not expecting my best shooter (likely Hood) to be a stopper, but I'd at least like him keep offenses honest. I didn't see that last year.

[pfrduke]

I didn't think Rodney was so awful on one-on-one defense (i.e., "guard[ing] your man effectively"). To me at least, his defensive weaknesses seemed to be losing his man (off-ball), which is a concentration issue, and not rotating/helping properly in a complicated defense that I don't think is played very often in the NBA. So I'm not sure his D would scare me off if I were an NBA GM.

NBA rotations and helping require quick decision making and precise action. I don't think it's an overstatement to say that every offensive set other than an isolation is designed to force the defense to rotate and exploit areas where that rotation isn't executed seamlessly. Playing strong off-ball defense is probably more important to team defensive success than playing strong on-ball defense. His propensity to get lost in rotations would absolutely concern me if I were an NBA GM (if only).

[Kedsy]

I disagree. Rodney's issues were a lot more than just losing his man. Rodney had a few good defensive outings, like his play on Pitt's Patterson, but more often than not I saw Hood play poor man-to-man. This especially got worse towards the end of the season.

Also, if you're having concentration issues on defense at 21 years of age, that's not a good sign.

Lastly, NBA defenses are becoming a lot more complex and rotating/helping properly is of huge importance. The pick-and-roll is especially difficult to master. As a GM, I'd like to have a player who is focused and can at least keep his man in check. I'm not expecting my best shooter (likely Hood) to be a stopper, but I'd at least like him keep offenses honest. I didn't see that last year.

Have you seen Kyle Korver play? I'd think Rodney would be better than that, and Korver's been around awhile, though granted he was a second round pick.

[flyingdutchdevil]

Have you seen Kyle Korver play? I'd think Rodney would be better than that, and Korver's been around awhile, though granted he was a second round pick.

Kyle Korver is arguably the best 3pt specialist in the NBA. He is shooting 48% from the 3 this year. 48%! Do you think Kyle would be in the league if he shot under 40%, which is probably what Hood is going to shoot (Hood shot 42% from the college 3 this year)?

Rodney Hood will not be that good at 3pt. Hood is a more versatile offensive player, with a nice mid-range and the ability to drive from time to time.

Look, I'm not saying Hood will not succeed in the NBA or be a first round pick. I believe he will be both. What I'm saying is that if I'm an NBA GM and I'm picking in the late lottery / early first round, I may want to go with a better defender like Zach Lavine. Sure, the shooting isn't as good, but he's arguably a more balanced player.

[Kedsy]

Kyle Korver is arguably the best 3pt specialist in the NBA. He is shooting 48% from the 3 this year. 48%! Do you think Kyle would be in the league if he shot under 40%, which is probably what Hood is going to shoot (Hood shot 42% from the college 3 this year)?

Rodney Hood will not be that good at 3pt. Hood is a more versatile offensive player, with a nice mid-range and the ability to drive from time to time.

Look, I'm not saying Hood will not succeed in the NBA or be a first round pick. I believe he will be both. What I'm saying is that if I'm an NBA GM and I'm picking in the late lottery / early first round, I may want to go with a better defender like Zach Lavine. Sure, the shooting isn't as good, but he's arguably a more balanced player.

You could be right. I guess actually Andre would be a better analogue for Kyle Korver.

[Duvall]

Kyle Korver is arguably the best 3pt specialist in the NBA. He is shooting 48% from the 3 this year. 48%! Do you think Kyle would be in the league if he shot under 40%, which is probably what Hood is going to shoot (Hood shot 42% from the college 3 this year).

To be fair, as a college junior Korver shot 43% from a shorter college 3. Players do develop.

[Troublemaker]

Look, I'm not saying Hood will not succeed in the NBA or be a first round pick. I believe he will be both. What I'm saying is that if I'm an NBA GM and I'm picking in the late lottery / early first round, I may want to go with a better defender. Sure, the shooting isn't as good, but he's arguably a more balanced player.

I agree with this, with an additional comment that if I'm instead an NBA GM picking 15 to 30, I would be very happy to select Rodney. At those draft spots, when you try to draft a "balanced player," what you often end up doing instead is pleasing neither your shooting requirement NOR your defensive requirement. Drafting a multi-talented player is mostly for the GMs picking in the lottery. If I'm a GM picking 15 to 30, I'm mostly just looking to draft a guy with ONE sure-fire skill that will be valuable to an NBA rotation. Rodney fits in that draft range to me as a 6'8" guy who can shoot really well and even displays some postup skills when a smaller defender is on him. I'll take that. He's a guy who can be a 7th, 8th, 9th man in my rotation and be instant offense off my bench.