UCLA is back in the Final Four, thanks to Arron Afflalo. He scored 15 of his 24 points in the second half, carrying the Bruins past a more-talented Kansas team. When Afflalo put his name into the draft pool last year, we didn’t think he was ready. It wasn’t even a matter of needing to get bigger/faster/stronger and there was no question his defense was on-point, but we needed to see more offense. Afflalo would have gotten drafted last year anyway, but probably as a second rounder.

Coming back for his junior season was the smartest thing he could have done. All year the guy has shown he’s a pro with the rock. He makes pro moves, stuff like drawing fouls and knowing how to get his shot in clutch situations. And he’s shown he can put his team on his back and take over. He’s been so good as a scorer this year that his defense isn’t even being mentioned as often. And when he wasn’t scoring yesterday, he was drawing the defense and hitting open teammates for shots. This summer he’s probably a Lottery pick if he leaves school, a late-first rounder at worst …

www.dimemag.com

the italin guy, bellineli i think his name is, torched the US and dwade in particular in the world championships or the olympics, one of the two. he's a good player and young (just turned 21)

Posted by BigSm00th:

the italin guy, bellineli i think his name is, torched the US and dwade in particular in the world championships or the olympics, one of the two. he's a good player and young (just turned 21)

I love RIP and Reggie Miller was great--but in general Im not a fan of skinny players. While the NBA is becoming more versatile I still think power skill players[guys who are put together with athletiscm] is the way to go. I'll stick with my Morris Almond pick. I bet he leads any summer league he plays in with all rookies in scoring and shows a fantasic consistent jumper-I can see that benelli can shoot it but I dont like his frame.
Two things I will add---he was recruited by Yale[which means he obviously is a high IQ guy] and look how he is put together
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/basketball/college/img9558503.jpg

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 03-25-2007 12:29 PM]

I like him a lot too. I'm really looking for a shooter that's a little taller, someone who can also shift to the 3 in the event Q goes down at points next season with the back problem. I think guys like Almond and Rudy Fernandez can do that but I'm not sure if Arron at 6'5" (and I think that's generous) can play the 3 in the NBA. I like his makeup though. He's strong mentally and physically and always seems to come up big at the end of games. If a guy like Almond is gone by the time we pick I consider Afflalo. Absolutely.