2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - June 19


Memphis Tigers' shooting guard/small forward Will Barton had a breakout sophomore season this year. He averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds per game, and earned Conference USA Player of the Year honors. As a result, the Baltimore native decided to leave school early and enter the 2012 NBA Draft. Even with those accolades, he remains a borderline first-round pick.

At the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Barton said he's been hearing his name discussed in the "[No.] 17 to early second-" round range. Like most college players leaving school early, Barton has higher expectations than that. "I feel like I'm a first-rounder, so that's what I'm shooting for," he stated.

One of the biggest concerns with Barton is his three-point shooting. He did raise his long-distance percentage from 26.5 percent as a freshman to 34.6 percent as a sophomore, partially because he cut down on his triple tries and tried to display his other offensive strengths, including attacking the basket and his steady mid-range game. "Staying consistent with my shot" is something Barton has been working to improve during this draft process.



When compared to other shooting guards pegged to be selected in the late first/early second round, Barton is at a major disadvantage in that area. Guys like Kentucky's Doron Lamb, John Jenkins of Vanderbilt, and France's Evan Fournier have proven to all be better outside shooters than Barton.

The 6'6" swing player is also rail thin, weighing in at 174 pounds at the Combine, which was the lowest number of the 60 participants. The fact that Barton couldn't even bench press 185 pounds once while in Chicago only magnifies his lack of strength which many feel will hinder his transition to the next level.



Still, Barton is hoping his many strengths (pardon the pun) outweigh some of his weaknesses. He is, by far, a better athlete than the three previously mentioned shooting guards and is much more capable of attacking defenders in one-on-one situations. "My versatility, ability to defend, rebound, create for myself, and create for others" is what Barton listed as his strengths. Because of that versatility, he compared his game to that of "Jamal Crawford, MarShon Brooks, and a young Larry Hughes."

So far, Barton has been on a whirlwind tour, working out for Boston, Miami, Cleveland, Golden State, Chicago, Memphis, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Denver. "I'm a competitive guy," Barton said of the draft-workout scenarios. "I like to compete. I like to get after it. That's what I do best. I thrive with stuff like that."

Thriving in those matchups in the final days leading up to the draft is the best way Barton can prove to some team that he is worthy of being a first-round pick.



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

James Harden Trade Analysis - 10/29
What Will the USA Basketball Team Look Like at 2016 Summer Olympics? - 8/15
Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - 8/10
Restricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/29
Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/28
2012 NBA Offseason Winners - 7/23
2012 NBA Offseason Losers - 7/21
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/13
Outstanding 2013 NBA Draft Trades - 7/12
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/10
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/6
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/4
Atlanta Hawks' Trades Recap - 7/3
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/2
2012 NBA Draft Winners - 6/30
2012 NBA Draft Losers - 6/30
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/28
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/27
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Perry Jones - More Risk or Reward? - 6/26
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - 6/25
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Vanderbilt to See Three Commodores Taken in NBA Draft - 6/22
Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - 6/21
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - 6/20
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - 6/19
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Baylor's Quincy Miller Made a Mistake by Entering NBA Draft - 6/16
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - 6/15
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Be a True NBA Point Guard? - 6/14
2012 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/30
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners - 3/19
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Losers - 3/18
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Five Players Likely to Be Traded - 3/8
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Claudia 09-10-2012 01:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx.235 (total posts: 1) 14     14 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 Mustafa 09-08-2012 05:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.81 (total posts: 1) 13     16 I have watched a few Hoya games the last few years, and have seen Summers play a bit. When wahcnitg him, he looked like he was on an NBA level. He is a poised defender and has a great post up game. I have also seen him get a lot of praise from announcers about his NBA readiness. He should go now, so there is no chance he can ruin it, for example if he got injured next year if he stayed, he would get drafted a lot later. Lisa 09-07-2012 07:13 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.12 (total posts: 2) 13     13 Why does this have to be the ONLY rleialbe source? Oh well, gj! Ebru 09-07-2012 05:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.28 (total posts: 1) 11     12 I think that this is how it should be done. If you rellay believe you are a great player out of high school then go to the NBA, but if you go to college you have to stay for at least two years. Colleges spend tons of money on recruiting and then there players are one and done. BigBlueFan 08-15-2012 08:49 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.59 (total posts: 2) 17     14 Never Mind somehow I missed him. BigBlueFan 08-15-2012 08:48 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.59 (total posts: 2) 11     12 Hey Walt are you forgeting Anthony Davis??? Logan 08-09-2012 11:34 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.205 (total posts: 1) 11     11 Gonna do one for dwight? Jay 07-28-2012 04:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.114 (total posts: 1) 17     20 I know that Ginobili is going back to the spurs but to have him 7th behind Iguodala, Smith and Jefferson is the dumbest thing I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!! This the same guy who tore threw the Team USA defense of James, Durant, and Bryant.... Jim Z. 07-23-2012 08:15 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.221 (total posts: 1) 11     12 Mid first round pick? The Sixers are going to be a playoff team next year. Miguel 07-23-2012 12:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.236 (total posts: 1) 25     27 How are the lakers not a winner? Steve Nash brings them to at least championship contender which they weren't a year ago. They also picked up Antwan Jamison for the league minimum which will give their front court a legitament reserve. One more good move could make them the favorites over OKC. CJ 07-23-2012 07:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 1) 45     23 I believe you are the only on one the planet that thinks Dallas didn't completely fail in this offseason. They basically rolled the dice and crapped out. Try mixing in a little reality with your opinions once in a while, but it's your site so we get what we pay for I guess. Geiger 07-21-2012 09:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.110 (total posts: 1) 12     13 While Houston did have bad signings and a suspect draft, the team did what it could to set its self up for the free agency period next year..Asik has shown signs of being a solid big Guy(as you fail to mention his MPG) and Lin, while being highly overrated, is a big name that will attract a player like JSmith, Harden, Bynum etc. I don't like their moves as of right now, but with two lottery picks and possibly two Max contracts signing on this might be one of the better offseasons of all time. Love the site, keep it up. Random bypasser 07-19-2012 12:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.60 (total posts: 2) 9     9 Also the nuggets need a star and Howard would be a perfect fit for them and they have shooters around him and they could still use their amnesty on Richardson Random bypasser 07-19-2012 12:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.60 (total posts: 2) 25     8 Wouldnt it make sense 4 the nuggets to trade for dwight howard Nuggets trade Wilson Chandler Andre Miller JaVale McGee 2014 1st round pick 2015 1st round pick 2015 2nd round pick 2017 1st round pick Magic trade Dwight Howard J.J. Redick Jason Richardson This makes sense because the nuggets drafted Evan Fournier(SG/SF) and Quincy Miller(SF) and have Jordan Hamilton(SF/SG) and Julian Stone(PG)(who the team is really high on) waiting in the wings. It also allows the magic to dump bad salary(Richardson,Redick) and still get some great players. Win win situation. eli 07-12-2012 11:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.133 (total posts: 1) 10     9 dont the wolves own one more 1st rounder from the jazz from the Al Jefferson trade? Pages: 1 23 4 5 6 7

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