Ranting of an Insane Platypus - 22nd April 2004 (post-draft edition #2)
Thursday 22 April 2004
Analysing the "shockers"
One went reasonably higher than expected, several went much lower than expected. Let's take a look at these players:
Ebony Hoffman
Most predicted she would go in the second round or sneak into late first but Hoffman ended up in the top 10. Hoffman is definitely a unique player in this draft - she's a big body (6'2", over 200 pounds) with good range. This combination of inside and outside play is probably what enticed Indiana to draft her. Coming out of high school, Hoffman was considered a top-ten prospect, but at USC she stagnated and appeared de-motivated. Various reasons have been given - her attitude, the coaching (very poor under Chris Gobrecht) but she has to find that motivation if she wants a career in the WNBA. Most agree that she'll have to drop at least 20 pounds in order to be effective in the pros. Hoffman has the talent but does she have the will? Obviously the Fever believe they can.
Kelly Mazzante
In hindsight, no one should be too shocked that the Mazz dropped except for the fact that for once, WNBA GMs didn't buy into the hype. In one of my unpublished mock drafts, I had her falling to New York in the second round which was one position ahead of where she actually went.
However I think Mazzante does have a place in the WNBA. Her quick shot release and decent size will land her a spot on the bench in the WNBA in the shooting specialist role. She may have to be more discriminating in her shot selection but there's no doubting her confidence in her shooting and her percentages may go up as number of open looks increases and individual defensive pressure on her decreases. She will have to work on strength so that she can get off her shot more easily and working in a few other offensive moves wouldn't hurt either.
Stacy Stephens
Stephens was projected by many to go early-mid second though earlier on in the season some thought she could go first. Stephens is one of those "good in college, not suited for the pros" players. She's strong and has good post fundamentals but has NO quickness whatsoever and is undersized for a post. Maybe if she was 6'4"/6'5" she'd have a much better chance of cracking the rotation in the W but short and slow is not a good combination. Some have compared her to Latasha Byears but I can't see the similarity. They're both strong but Byears is more athletic and mobile than Stephens. In the NCAA tourney, LSU ran circles around Stephens and I think this a portent of what is to come. I think her drop in position is justified and even she makes the roster, it will probably be because her salary is lower than higher round picks/veterans.
Tera Bjorklund, Giuliana Mendiola
Admittedly I don't know much about Bjorklund but generally slight finesse posts will find it hard to stick in the WNBA. Mendiola has to improve her conditioning drastically to make the WNBA. She already has the skills but would be outclassed physically by most WNBA players.
Looking at the Storm's (quiet) draft
Catrina Frierson was a bit of a surprise pick considering the Storm really needed a guard and Anne said she would look at a couple (some of whom were still available - like Tocarra Williams) but I like this pick. Ok she's injured and may miss most of the season but she could develop into a solid backup at the 3/4 and could be the forward depth that Jung Sun-Min wasn't. Frierson has a build suited towards the pros and also has a nice 15-17 foot jumper to go with her inside moves.
Speaking of Jung Sun-Min, that pick is looking worse than ever. She's got some game but Seattle could have used Coretta Brown more and Brown would have looked very nice on the team this year with Brondello unlikely to come back. I'll get over it though... when the end of the world comes.
Mercury trade speculation
DeForge for Brunson - DO IT. With DT and Penny on the team, Anna may not be so necessary anymore and reportedly the Merc and her negotiating team aren't seeing eye to eye on a new contract. Brunson isn't the nasty centre the Mercury needs but her rebounding and D would be defintely help out against the bruisers of the Western Conference. She will have to bulk up a bit though.
DeForge for any decent post player willing to bang works as well.
Tamecka Dixon AGAIN (for Wright & Pierson?) - Geez what's the preoccupation with this one? Dixon isn't a bad player but I don't feel she fits in with the Mercury well. Her scoring and passing would be useful but she's prone to offensive streakiness and inefficiency, and her defense is nothing special. I really feel the Merc need a better defender to complement DT in the backcourt. Also the presence of Dixon would ensure DT playing the point which is an idea I am not particularly enamoured with.
Clearing the logjam at the 4 is a good idea and Pierson is behind Adrian and Kayte in the depth chart.
Comments
Thanks as always for the analysis. Re your comments on Bjorklund: if "slight finesse posts" find the pros hard going, what does that say about the slight and notably bang-able (but taller) Ohlde at Minnesota?
Posted by: accommodatingly | Friday 23 April 2004
FWIW I have significant doubts over Ohlde as well.
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