Let's see... on Kaman, from what I've seen... he's not big enough, certainly not strong enough and from what I read here recently... doesn't appear to be quick enough... I think the word the report used was... SLOW.

Forgive me if I don't share your enthusiam.

NBAdraft.net:
Strengths: Solid athlete who runs of the court well and is an above average leaper ... Post footwork is superb for a player his age and could be the best in college among NBA center prospects ... Has a nice assortment of low post moves when his back is to the basket ... Uncommon for most big men Kaman is capable of finishing around the basket with either hand ... Tough kid who enjoys physical contact in the lane ... Understands how to utilize the glass on his hook shot in the lane ... Extremely aggressive when it comes to getting position on the blocks ... Because of his aggressive play he draws a good number of fouls from his defender ... Decent shot blocker who uses his above average leaping ability and long arms

ESPN:
Chris Kaman
7-0, 255, C, Central Michigan (Jr.)
No prospect has risen higher in the past few months than Kaman, who went from part-time starter as a sophomore to averaging 22.4 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.2 blocks as a junior. He's more athletic than the typical 7-footer, able to run the floor and change hands, with a good assortment of offensive moves. Scouts love his footwork, considered rare for his age. The only negative is that he's still very raw.

First of all Don't post this NBA draft .net crap, that site is written by fans like you and me, for christ sakes they had us picking Hinrich with the 9th pick... LOL!!!

Next: The ESPN reports are bogus, and about the only reports you will get now that will agree with you. That was I am sure before his workouts, again the big knock on him was his level of competition so the numbers are fools gold, his division is worse than the HS division Lebron James played against.... ESPN also wrote the same things about that center from Western Kentucky who may never play again because of his bad foot, come on man!!! And if you read carefully that article closely ESPN is full of bull, I have yet to see a player who is Very raw with an assorment of low post moves!! hahaaa!!! please.... BS article

If the knicks take Kaman at 9, it will again show that the knicks don't know what the draft is about!!

Posted by Pike:

It's not like it's some of the highly touted Europoeans I've never seen play... I've seen Kaman play... he's okay... so so, nothing special. I'd rather have someone with more upside than simply a guy who could be a decent role player... and I don't see how anyone can compare him to Vlade.

To me, he'll never be quick enough to be a power forward and never strong enough to be a center. Sorry, maybe I'll be wrong about him... won't be the first time.

And don't forget pike, they say he is more athletic than the Typical 7 footer..LMAO..
Lets see.. the non - typical 7 footer..
Shaq,
Hakeem,
Ewing
Robinson
Duncan....

Now the Typical 7 footer
Travis knight
Doleac
Oestertag..
LOL....

nah I will take a pass on Kaman..

Posted by martin:

"Central Michigan center Chris Kaman is off to a slow start in workouts. According to several team sources who have seen him work out, he doesn't appear to have the quickness or toughness they thought he had.

... and I never saw the quickness... particularly, the toughness. He'd get manhandled by the better centers in this league and do you see him quick enough to guard some of the better power forwards? I don't. He's a poor man's Raef LaFrentz.... reminds me of Scott Pollard... if you want Scott Pollard, draft the guy.

[Edited by - Pike on 06/03/2003 15:08:48]

... the draft becomes more and more diluted every year... which is why players like Kaman can get drafted so high. Like tkf said, if I can't get a blue chip like Carmelo, I'd just assume take a shot on a guy with tremdous athleticism and upside potential.

We have enough players in the lower eschelon of the talent pool of this league.

hey mike that is my point as pike pointed out. lets be for real, getting players who are going to be OK players is not what we need, we can sign those guys(although by overpaying) any day of the week, but if we can't get that blue chip can't miss player, like the top 5 of the draft then we need to take a shot on a player that may become a Gem in a couple of years....

Kaman is not that type of player and neiher is sweetney for that matter...

hey, nobody wants a franchise player more than me. We have a bigger problem with this roster though. Its full of overpaid, old untradeable players. Drafting players like Sweetney, Kaman, Collison fills your roster with good young players making 1-3 mill a year. That gives you the flexibility to sign and trade for a star or move up in a draft. Nobody is giving up a pick that might produce a franchise player so they can get Kurt Thomas.

My point is that just because a pick doesnt produce a franchise player doesnt mean its not valueable.

We need players like Troy Murphy, Carlos Boozer, Tay Prince, Richard Jefferson, Zach Randolph, Jason Collins...We have something called Shanvis Eisleyspoon. Its 30, takes up half the roster and costs about $20 million a year (not including luxury tax).

Boy, can we use my man, Troy Murphy. Agree with you there... my prediction is, Kaman won't be able to tie Murphy's shoes.