On what’s becoming one of my favorite sites, TheRookieWall.com, Kentucky backup big man Daniel Orton (a freshman) has finally appeared on a 2010 NBA Mock Draft, and in the first round at that — the 25th pick, to be exact. This despite the fact he has not officially declared nor hired an agent.
The Poor Man’s Commish had the rare opportunity and privilege to watch “D.O.” in a few private scrimmages last summer and, despite my thinking an extra year at UK would be good for him, I would have to agree.
Prior to the rumors swirling this week after UK got bounced from the Tourney, most draft experts such as NBAdraft.net or DraftExpress.com didn’t have him on their boards because, quite simply, they didn’t know if he was going to declare.
I’m guessing D.O. will indeed declare because of the impending 2011 NBA lockout. But even if he’s a raw talent, I can still see him as a solid pick because of his intangibles.
At 6′11″, not only does he run the floor well, but he also plays hard, is steadily improving on an upward slope, and is bulking up pretty fast. To top it all off, he’s spent nearly the entire past 12 months D’ing up Patrick Patterson mano-y-mano, and DeMarcus Cousins for about 9 months.
Most importantly, he listens to the criticisms and advice. He accepts the sarcastic needling of his coaches and trainers, too. He doesn’t complain and he’s gaining more and more moves down low, although he — like most youngsters — still needs to learn to play through disagreements with refs and just keep on grindin’.
Let’s forget for a moment that he’s 6′11″ and runs the floor with long strides. Isn’t his attitude something you’d want with a youngster you just added to your rec league team? It’s so hard to find guys like that these days. The more I think about it, the better a prospect he seems.
If he stays another year at UK, he’s a potential lottery pick in 2011. But with the lockout looming, it’s hard to blame him if he leaves early and is drafted maybe sixteen spots lower than fate had him destined for, had he waited.
I’m quite certain that, whatever happens, D.O. will not end up as one of the Top 15 Draft busts of all-time, also brought to you by TheRookieWall:
http://therookiewall.com/2010/04/01/nba-draft-the-15-biggest-busts-of-the-last-10-years/
(G.O.A.T. ALERT!!! Michael Jordan picked the 2nd and 4th worst busts of all time!)
Read the full article at: 2010 NBA Mock Draft: Final Four Edition | Bleacher Report
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