ESPN’s NBA draft expert Chad Ford has posted his thoughts on those who have declared for this year’s draft.
On Patrick Patterson:
Patterson is going to test the draft waters and he’s probably going to get mixed signals from NBA teams. On one hand, they love his NBA body, huge hands, elite athleticism and post game. However, they are concerned about his lack of ideal size for the position (some scouts say he’s closer to 6-7), his lack of a consistent jump shot, and his so-so defensive effort.
There’s a pretty wide range of opinion on him. Some teams see him as a potential late lottery sleeper. Others have him firmly planted in the late first to early second round. A year with John Calipari could probably help his stock, but if he can get a team to commit to him in the lottery he’s probably going to take it.
On Jodie Meeks:
Meeks was a scoring machine at Kentucky this season. His speed and shooting ability really stood out. So did that 54-point performance against Tennessee. However, his lack of great size or explosive athleticism hurts his stock a bit. He’s a second-rounder if he stays in the draft. More likely, he returns to Kentucky for his senior season and lets John Calipari work his magic.
Hat tip to Bluegrass State Basketball.
Chad obviously didn’t watch any games that Jimmy Dykes called or he would know that Meeks is not only explosive but he also makes “violent” cuts.
I think Patterson may stay in the draft this year because the amount of quality big men in this years draft doesn’t look to be as high as the number that would be forecast in next years draft. And the more people that withdraw from this draft, the higher his stock potentially goes up.
Selfishly, I hope he comes back for one more year. It’d be a shame for him to have never played one game in the NCAA tournament. He deserves better.
The way Patterson played last year tells me he’s going to take any NBA offer he can get. Of course, he played well in general, but he looked as if he were afraid of being injured and losing millions. I just kept waiting for him to “get mean” but it never happened. Spoiler alert, Pat: The NBA is MEAN.
I agree with Barry that Patterson may be affected by the number of big men in this year’s draft. The fact that Greg Monroe decided to stay at Georgetown didn’t get much attention. But it could have a huge impact on next year’s draft.
BTW, NBA Draft Express updated its mock draft yesterday and has Pat at No. 22 and Jodie at No. 44.