Five potential NBA draft sleepers
It is NBA draft time, and the teams are very excited. They think about getting the new guy on the block who will take them to the promised land.
Over the last few years, the draft has become about potential, potential, potential.
At the top of the draft, you hear the same names, guys like Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, D'Angelo Russell, Kristaps Porzingis (his stock is rising), Emmanuel Mudiay and Justise Winslow. They will likely become impact players because they have a lot of skill and talent.
There are several guys out there whose isn't as high, but when it is all said and done, teams will admit they made a mistake passing on them. They will fit in somewhere.
I am going to give you five guys capable of making noise in this draft, even though they will go in the middle of the first round or later.
If given the opportunity, these five guys will play with a little chip on their shoulder, out to prove that the experts and teams were wrong with their evaluations.
Down at Wisconsin, I hear the same talk about Frank Kaminsky. Is he athletic enough? Can he get up and down the floor? How will he do with a 24-second clock? I know one thing: He can shoot. Kaminsky can hit the jumper or produce pointsin the post. Keep an eye on his status as he is projected to go in the middle of the first round. He can surprise some people.
I think about Bobby Portis of Arkansas. He was the MVP of the SEC during the regular season, though he did not have a strong SEC tournament, struggling at times. He can really run up and down the court for a player his size (6-foot-10), and he is tough on the glass. Teams will push the ball at the next level, and he will help. He can also score around the basket.
If you want tenacity and a guy who fears nobody, look at Louisville's Terry Rozier. He had more pressure on him when Chris Jones was sent to the sidelines. He watches everything that his idol, Dwyane Wade, does. I am not saying he is Wade, but Rozier will not back down from anybody. He has to get more consistent with his shot, but keep an eye on Rick Pitino's former guard.
When you look at Tyus Jones of Duke, he is a winner. He got to cut down the nets at the Final Four in Indianapolis, showing leadership in the backcourt. Again look at the potential upside. Jones knows how to find open teammates, he makes his teammates better, and you saw what he can do under the pressure of the bright lights. He is only 6-foot-1, but he can get from Point A to Point Bvery quickly. Jones has improved his shot from the perimeter, and he has that winner's mentality that translates well at the next level.
Finally, Jerian Grant of Notre Dame had a special season. He helped the Irish win the ACC tournament, beating Duke and North Carolina in a span of less than 24 hours. Grant has great size for a perimeter player. He can attack the rim, make big shots and has a terrific feel for the game. He is a catalyst, and he knows about life in the NBA being the son of former pro Harvey Grant. He has a special amount of guts and heart, wanting the ball in his hands for the big shot late in games. I was very impressed by him.
These five guys have the potential to make some noise in the NBA, even if they hear their names called a little later in the first round come Thursday.
