He was bothered by it late in the season, but no one ever considered a serious injury. I have no idea whether they were hiding anything. I think more than anything he wasn't drafted because he really didnt show improvement last year. I blame a good deal of that on the coaching, but I think a lot of NBA scouts question his attitude. But Gary Waters offense was very perimiter oriented, rarely attacked the basket and didn't really do much to help Herve develop an inside or post game.

I am biased. I go to Rutgers, am a huge Rutgers fan and have covered the team occasionally for the student radio station. I've seen a ton of Lamizana and only a couple games from Ariza. I know Lamizana has a lot of athletic talents and can at least play a role on the NBA level. I really think he can benefit from NBA coaching and become a better player than he was in college on this level. He can be an outstanding shotblocker from the forward position and he can really leap. However there are no guarantees with him. He is still raw (even after 3 college seasons) and maybe he will never get it. He's not exactly a natural for the game. I'm rooting for him though.

Ariza's probably a more of a natural. He seems to have the court sense, is probably a better one on one defender and can certainly handle the ball better. I don't know if he's as good an athlete as Lamizana or if he's more ready to contribute this year than Lamizana. But his upside is great and he's younger. Perhaps he's more likely to be a solid NBA guy. Maybe that gets him the spot.

Bottom line is both guys are no locks for anything. I'd love to get a look at both of them and see who shows more in the summer league. I think one thing we have to be happy about is Isiah seems to be bringing more talented young guys into the summer league roster than we've had in previous years. Don't count out Barret either. IF we can open up a spot for a PG (buy either moving Moochie or Frank) he may very well take it. I'd be he would've been the 2nd round pick if Ariza wasn't on the board.

[Edited by - VDesai on 06/27/2004 00:22:59]

Posted by BigSm00th:

I love how teams question Lamizana's attitude and heart when he plays on a hurt ankle for a few years and injures it and goes back in the games. Just because he doesn't showboat or act like a jackass doesn't mean he doesn't have heart. I'm interested in him, hopefully he's on the summer league team.

I think more or less he's a quiet guy...it's not that he lacks heart. But I do tend to agree he hasn't completely been serious about the game and getting better yet. He can take it a step further.