Kevin Love, C, UCLA Fr.
Last year Kevin Love was the most dominant freshman in the NCAA not named Beasley. He led UCLA to the Final Four, only to lose to the team that should have won the national title.
He has what I like to call the "Tyler Hansbrough Factor." His game doesn't look pretty, but it works. Love also possesses the kind of long range shooting that non-European big men crave.
However, there are some things holding him back that might make the difference. The most glaring problem is that he doesn't really have a position. He is short at 6-foot-10, which rules out playing center, and he is not quick or athletic enough to guard power forwards. Love also lacks the floor speed to fit in most transition offenses.
The verdict: Kevin Love has the potential to be a good player, however, don't expect the dominance he demonstrated in college.
OJ Mayo PG/SG Fr. USC
Now we come to one of the more controversial players in college last year. Many top colleges were recruiting Mayo before he made an out-of-nowhere call to USC.
Mayo was expected to bring USC basketball out of the shadow of cross-town rival, UCLA. Instead brought a first round loss in the tournament to Michael Beasley and Kansas State.
However, I think that Mayo suffers from reverse Ben Wallace syndrome. So many people feel he is overrated that he actually becomes underrated.
There are some aspects of his game that are vastly overlooked, such as his defense. During the game against Memphis on Dec. 4, Mayo was matched up against Derrick Rose, the man being projected by many as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Mayo held Rose to nine points, a ridiculous number coming from a man who averaged well in the 20s during the tournament.
The verdict: I think Mayo has a very high ceiling. If he can keep his attitude in check he can be great.
Derrick Rose PG Fr. Memphis
Finally there is Derrick Rose. While heavily recruited, he did not come in with the kind of hype Love and Mayo got.
Rose was viewed by many as a pass first. Playing alongside Chris Douglas-Roberts, they were one of the greatest backcourt duos in NCAA history, bar none.
Rose also came through in big games. During the humiliation of the aforementioned Kevin Love and the UCLA Bruins, Rose scored 25 points and added four assists and nine rebounds on top of that.
In fact, Rose would have led Memphis straight to the title had it not been for Mario Chalmers hitting a shot that will be replayed on ESPN Classic for years to come.
The verdict: Rose is everything he is hyped to be, and perhaps more. However, I do not think he should be picked No. 1 over Beasley in the draft.
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5 months ago
I'd pick Rose No. 1 in the draft. I have point guard bias.
5 months ago
Im not sure, I mean, there is no question I would pick either Rose or Beasley, but not sure which one. Probably Rose because he seems more matured.
5 months ago
I like Kevin Love a lot he played some great ball this past season at UCLA. However, I do fear that he might become the next Mark Madsen in the pros.... I hope I am wrong
5 months ago
Love's game is like a Monet compared to Hansbrough's ugly game. With that said I think he'll be a quality roster guy thanks to his advance skill set and I agree the Rose should be considered for the #1 pick. With the way the NBA is going a quality point guard is more of an asset to a team than a quality big. Who'd have thought Tyson Chandler and David West would be the focal points of power team in the west, noone until Chris Paul blew up their careers.
5 months ago
Very good article, but I have to disagree with the point you made about Kevin Love and him being too short. I mean, when since is 6'10 too short? Ben Wallace is 6'9, and he is one of the best shot blockers in the NBA and played well at center while in detroit. Amare Stoudamire is 6'10, and has been successful as both power foward and center. I believe that even Marcus Camby is 6'10, and he is probably the best shot blocker in the NBA today. Oo yea, and lets not forget Dwight Howard, he's 6'10 too. So yea, I think Kevin Love won't have any prob playing center at the NBA level.
from 5 months ago
Jeremy, I like that you're defending Kevin Love but you just compared him to 4 of the most athletic post players in the NBA. Love doesn't have close to the athleticism of any of those guys you mentioned. He will be alright in the NBA, although I think another year or two in college would suit him well. How hard do you think he has it at UCLA? Why not milk that as long as you can? Comparing him to Ben Wallace for height made no sense. Love isn't a shot blocker, nor will he be in the NBA. Amare Stoudemire is one of the most athletic players in the NBA at any position. Camby is also 6'11, closer to 7'0. Dwight Howard, well there's no need to even point out the differences between Love and D-Howard. Not one of those guys you named has close to the type of game Love has. Best case scenario, Love will be a Brad Miller type of player in the NBA, which isn't bad at all.
5 months ago
I like your analysis on Mayo. I watched this guy as a high school sophmore and junior, and he's the real deal. In college he had the burden of playing on a team that wasn't very good, with the expectations of being the next Lebron.
But when you evaluate his game, especially at the NBA level, he's got the gifts to be great. He's a great defender. He's a great passer. Most importantly, he's a great teammate. He get's blasted for being a prima dona, but that just isn't the case. I look for him to be a very solid NBA player that has the opportunity to be an All Star.
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