2012 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.
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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   rossfelhofer 12-16-2011 01:16 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.43 (total posts: 1) 18     21 the clippers are not done in free agency yet, they are going to have to sign another big man A Chris Paul Fan 12-16-2011 12:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 1) 19     20 Chris Paul is a great player, I think he's the best PG in the NBA and capable of making any team into an instant playoff team. That said the Clippers gave up way to much for a player with bad knees who may leave in a two years. If they'd been able to keep Gordon or the draft pick then i'd like the deal a lot more. If Paul stays healthy and long term it'll make it a lot less lopsided. As of now i'd say it's a big win for the Hornets considering that Paul was leaving anyways and this was the best deal they could have gotten. Of course if Eric Gordon realizes that New Orleans is a crappy basketball market and leaves as soon as possible it'll make it much worse for the Hornets. David 12-10-2011 09:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2) 42     17 Glen Davis was traded to the Magic... Bass was on the Magic and got traded to Boston Yung Rapist Killa 07-09-2011 10:59 am xxx.xxx.xxx.189 (total posts: 1) 23     20 Lebron James trade? John L. 07-07-2011 01:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2) 22     23 "I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it?" So that they don't have to pay the luxury tax for that player. Which is eight figures for the likes of Walton/Haywood/Arenas. John L. 07-07-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2) 24     21 You forgot the most likely - Pau Gasol. The Lakers know they need to make a move, and Gasol wants out. Don't be shocked when he's sent to an Eastern Conference team like Atlanta or Orlando. Dave 07-07-2011 09:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2) 21     21 I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it? nycsportzfan 07-07-2011 05:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx.134 (total posts: 1) 25     23 I think it would be wise for the knicks to look into trying to obtain Chris Kaman, and going way of hte Mavericks and builidng like that.. Give em Landry Fields and toney douglas, and then u got Melo, Amare, Kaman, Billups, Shumpert, re-sign Shawne Williams, Turiaf, harrelson, re-sign ant carter, sign Deshawn Stevenson, rautins, and re-sign bill walker..THen u have more money after the season as well.. Kaman Amare Melo Shumpert Billups Shawne Williams(re-signed Turiaf Deshawn Stevenson(sign) Harrelson Ant Carter(re-sign) Rautins Bill Walker(re-sign) jgardner12 07-02-2011 01:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2) 21     21 Ahh did not know that part of the rule, thanks for clearing that up for me. David Kay 07-01-2011 04:51 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.17 (total posts: 1) 21     22 @jgardner12 The rule in 2005 stated a team cannot re-sign the player they cut... which is why I would be hesitant to cut Johnson especially with Crawford a free agent, suddenly you have no shooting guard. @waltair I believe the fifth year has an option on it, so I should have stated three-years, $21 million guaranteed waltair 06-30-2011 02:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 21     22 LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT waltair 06-30-2011 02:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 25     20 outlaw has 4 year 28 mil on his contract jgardner12 06-30-2011 01:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2) 30     21 While I understand staying loyal to your star, the hawks should defiantly use it on Johnson. JJ is a wonderful player and they want him in ATL but seriously the dude isn't worth it. I mean the money he has left is close to the amount that Wade took to stay in Miami.. Again while I understand the predicament a JJ led team isn't going to win anything so might as well admit your mistake of signing him and sign him if possible to a more in line contract.. Walter 06-30-2011 01:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 22     22 @Dave - Now I do. The only Allen error was in the header, hence it was an editing mistake on my part. David spelled Allan correctly everywhere else. Dave 06-29-2011 04:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.25 (total posts: 1) 21     20 You do know it's spelled A-L-L-A-N, right? Pages: 1 2 3 4 56 7

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