2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? Washington St.'s Klay Thompson - June 9
Marijuana is not a Performance Enhancing Drug. Unless the performance you want to enhance is consumption of Doritos and watching of Harold and Kumar movies.
But does the marijuana arrest of Klay Thompson actually have any relevance in determining his NBA Draft stock? Is this a character concern, or just a college kid doing what college kids do? After all, it may not be long until even the U.S. joins Canada in making weed semi de-criminalized.
Thompson is a 6-6 185-pound guard and left Washington State after his junior year. He's from the Pacific Northwest, which is so gloomy dude; but also a place where everyone truly appreciates nature broham.
A Pullman police officer stopped Thompson in March for a reported headlight out. He smelled the odor of marijuana in the car. Thompson denied having the drug, and after a search warrant was obtained, the vehicle was impounded and 1.95 grams of marijuana was found.
"It's come up in every interview, but it's supposed to. I made a mistake," Thompson responded when asked if the pot question comes up in NBA Draft Combine grilling sessions.
"I expect teams to check up on it. It was a humbling experience, and I own up to it," Thompson added. "I learned a lot from it, I've grown tremendously from it, and I plan to never make that mistake again. And the teams have been pretty coherent in understanding that. And it feels good to get that off my chest.
"It was a bad judgement on my part."
Mychal Thompson, his father, was the first pick in the 1978 NBA draft, a star for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and a longtime NBA forward with the L.A. Lakers. So Klay should have an easier adjustment to the NBA than most draft prospects.
"I always go to him for advice, sometimes being my dad I feel like he is just on me, but that's just him having experience in the league," Klay said. "And I don't need to turn to anybody else because he was in the league for 12 years, and he's still around the game."
The biggest strengths in Thompson's game include catch-and-shoot, the three-ball, passing, moving well off the ball and controlling his momentum in the lane.
After the supposed "character issues," his biggest weaknesses are strength, endurance and his ability to attack the rim. He's also working on his explosiveness.
With the 2011 NBA Draft class being very thin on shooting guard prospects (amongst the many areas that this draft is very thin), Thompson is the second best behind Colorado's Alec Burks. He should get looked at anywhere from the late lottery to the early 20s. Thompson has met with a few teams including the Spurs, Pistons and Pacers.
Given that he has a famous athlete father, and a personal history of marijuana, it's natural to want to compare Thompson to the Bulls' Joakim Noah. However, that's inaccurate for a million reasons. Thompson said he modeled his game after Ray Allen and Kevin Martin. We see him more as a Rudy Fernandez type; Fernandez is a lengthy shooter who has been a valuable weapon off Portland's bench. Thompson has a similar game and will likely begin his NBA career in the same role, providing a team with an outside threat off the bench.
Where will he end up being taken?
"I hear sometimes late lottery/mid first round," Klay said at the combine.
Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
2011 NBA Offseason Winners - 12/23
2011 NBA Offseason Losers - 12/23
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/22
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/20
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/16
Chris Paul Trade Analysis - 12/15
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/14
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/10
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/9
Five Players Likely to Be Traded After NBA Lockout - 7/7
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southwest Division - 7/6
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Northwest Division - 7/5
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Pacific Division - 7/3
Cavaliers-Kings Trade Recap - 7/1
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Atlantic Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Central Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southeast Division - 6/29
2011 NBA Draft Trade Recaps - 6/25
2011 NBA Draft: Bobcats-Kings-Bucks Three-Way Trade - 6/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: How Kyrie Irving Compares to John Wall and Derrick Rose - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kemba Walker is the Most Undervalued Player in the Draft - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Derrick Williams a Power Forward or Small Forward? - 6/22
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Wait, Kansas' Marcus and Markieff Morris are Twins??? - 6/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Jordan Hamilton Using Yoga to Help His NBA Draft Stock - 6/18
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Tristan Thompson Benefits from Weak Draft Class - 6/17
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kawhi Leonard's Versatility is His Biggest Asset - 6/14
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - 6/13
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Where Does JaJuan Johnson Fit in the NBA? - 6/11
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins Made Right Decision in Entering NBA Draft - 6/10
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? - 6/9
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Nolan Smith Has Different Identity On and Off Court - 6/7
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Wall Mentoring Darius Morris - 6/5
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Brandon Knight Worth Third Overall Pick? - 6/2
Rumor: Cavs, T-Wolves, Pistons Discussing 3-Way Trade - 5/29
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Josh Selby Putting Kansas Behind Him - 5/28
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Marshon Brooks Rising Up Draft Boards - 5/26
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Alec Burks Connected to Bobcats - 5/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Combine Measurements - 5/21
Thunder Really Likes Kyle Singler? - 5/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Day 1 - 5/20
2011 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/16
2011 NBA Free Agents - 5/3
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25
2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG
2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23
2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)
2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports
2010-11 NBA Season Previews
2009 NBA Draft Grades
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
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Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? Washington St.'s Klay Thompson - June 9
Marijuana is not a Performance Enhancing Drug. Unless the performance you want to enhance is consumption of Doritos and watching of Harold and Kumar movies.
But does the marijuana arrest of Klay Thompson actually have any relevance in determining his NBA Draft stock? Is this a character concern, or just a college kid doing what college kids do? After all, it may not be long until even the U.S. joins Canada in making weed semi de-criminalized.
Thompson is a 6-6 185-pound guard and left Washington State after his junior year. He's from the Pacific Northwest, which is so gloomy dude; but also a place where everyone truly appreciates nature broham.
A Pullman police officer stopped Thompson in March for a reported headlight out. He smelled the odor of marijuana in the car. Thompson denied having the drug, and after a search warrant was obtained, the vehicle was impounded and 1.95 grams of marijuana was found.
"It's come up in every interview, but it's supposed to. I made a mistake," Thompson responded when asked if the pot question comes up in NBA Draft Combine grilling sessions.
"I expect teams to check up on it. It was a humbling experience, and I own up to it," Thompson added. "I learned a lot from it, I've grown tremendously from it, and I plan to never make that mistake again. And the teams have been pretty coherent in understanding that. And it feels good to get that off my chest.
"It was a bad judgement on my part."
Mychal Thompson, his father, was the first pick in the 1978 NBA draft, a star for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and a longtime NBA forward with the L.A. Lakers. So Klay should have an easier adjustment to the NBA than most draft prospects.
"I always go to him for advice, sometimes being my dad I feel like he is just on me, but that's just him having experience in the league," Klay said. "And I don't need to turn to anybody else because he was in the league for 12 years, and he's still around the game."
The biggest strengths in Thompson's game include catch-and-shoot, the three-ball, passing, moving well off the ball and controlling his momentum in the lane.
After the supposed "character issues," his biggest weaknesses are strength, endurance and his ability to attack the rim. He's also working on his explosiveness.
With the 2011 NBA Draft class being very thin on shooting guard prospects (amongst the many areas that this draft is very thin), Thompson is the second best behind Colorado's Alec Burks. He should get looked at anywhere from the late lottery to the early 20s. Thompson has met with a few teams including the Spurs, Pistons and Pacers.
Given that he has a famous athlete father, and a personal history of marijuana, it's natural to want to compare Thompson to the Bulls' Joakim Noah. However, that's inaccurate for a million reasons. Thompson said he modeled his game after Ray Allen and Kevin Martin. We see him more as a Rudy Fernandez type; Fernandez is a lengthy shooter who has been a valuable weapon off Portland's bench. Thompson has a similar game and will likely begin his NBA career in the same role, providing a team with an outside threat off the bench.
Where will he end up being taken?
"I hear sometimes late lottery/mid first round," Klay said at the combine.
Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
2011 NBA Offseason Winners - 12/23
2011 NBA Offseason Losers - 12/23
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/22
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/20
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/16
Chris Paul Trade Analysis - 12/15
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/14
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/10
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/9
Five Players Likely to Be Traded After NBA Lockout - 7/7
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southwest Division - 7/6
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Northwest Division - 7/5
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Pacific Division - 7/3
Cavaliers-Kings Trade Recap - 7/1
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Atlantic Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Central Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southeast Division - 6/29
2011 NBA Draft Trade Recaps - 6/25
2011 NBA Draft: Bobcats-Kings-Bucks Three-Way Trade - 6/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: How Kyrie Irving Compares to John Wall and Derrick Rose - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kemba Walker is the Most Undervalued Player in the Draft - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Derrick Williams a Power Forward or Small Forward? - 6/22
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Wait, Kansas' Marcus and Markieff Morris are Twins??? - 6/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Jordan Hamilton Using Yoga to Help His NBA Draft Stock - 6/18
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Tristan Thompson Benefits from Weak Draft Class - 6/17
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kawhi Leonard's Versatility is His Biggest Asset - 6/14
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - 6/13
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Where Does JaJuan Johnson Fit in the NBA? - 6/11
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins Made Right Decision in Entering NBA Draft - 6/10
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? - 6/9
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Nolan Smith Has Different Identity On and Off Court - 6/7
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Wall Mentoring Darius Morris - 6/5
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Brandon Knight Worth Third Overall Pick? - 6/2
Rumor: Cavs, T-Wolves, Pistons Discussing 3-Way Trade - 5/29
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Josh Selby Putting Kansas Behind Him - 5/28
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Marshon Brooks Rising Up Draft Boards - 5/26
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Alec Burks Connected to Bobcats - 5/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Combine Measurements - 5/21
Thunder Really Likes Kyle Singler? - 5/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Day 1 - 5/20
2011 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/16
2011 NBA Free Agents - 5/3
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home
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Pups
05-21-2013
01:51 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.184
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I like how the Wolves aren't even on here.
True
05-21-2013
07:22 am
xxx.xxx.xxx3.97
(total posts: 1)
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3
If the Bobcats got Noel AND Wiggins, not bad at all...
Rod Guidry in Sacramento
05-21-2013
02:42 am
xxx.xxx.xxx2.44
(total posts: 1)
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Say fellas, it is time to call the New Orleans team the Pelicans. It has been official since the end of the regular season. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS.
Da Gong Show
05-20-2013
11:28 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.193
(total posts: 1)
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3
The Minnewaukee Timberbucks?
03-10-2013
02:20 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 5)
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8
03-10-2013
02:20 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 5)
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8
03-10-2013
02:20 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 5)
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8
03-10-2013
02:19 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 5)
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7
v1iibv6dj
jle78ha9a
03-10-2013
02:19 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 5)
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8
03-10-2013
02:19 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.40
(total posts: 1)
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drose is a cap killer
02-14-2013
11:09 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.117
(total posts: 1)
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post draft winners/losers should be switched
Reno
10-09-2012
06:21 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx2.12
(total posts: 2)
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Reading this makes my decisions easier than tkanig candy from a baby.
Ralph
09-10-2012
02:48 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.154
(total posts: 1)
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Awsome submit and sthagirt to the level. I really do not know if this is certainly essentially the most beneficial put to question but do you men have any ideea in which to employ some specialized writers? Thanks
Ronnie
09-10-2012
02:08 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.138
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Come on, get it done!I have not watched the NBA since they left Vancouver. If they would be back, I would be back too.Miss going to the games a lot. NBA games were a lot more fan frieldny then the Canucks games but I would support both(and the Lions in summer/fall).
Claudia
09-10-2012
01:32 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.235
(total posts: 1)
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Above and Beyond! My only regret is not kninowg you at Jacksons birth. Its been an incredible journey for my son's first year and I cant thank you enough for all of our photo sessions, all of your mom to mom advice, our girlfriend to girlfriend chats, play dates with the babies and just the love and positive energy you give off. Thank you Stace for being YOU! <3And many thanks to my girl Dany had it not been for her we wouldnt be viewing or reading any of this
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2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25
2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG
2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23
2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)
2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft
2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports
2010-11 NBA Season Previews
2009 NBA Draft Grades
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
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