Interesting take from Marty Blake about Bogut and Granger (linked in the interview above):

Scout: MWC stars not NBA stars
By Iliana Limón
Tribune Reporter
February 22, 2005

Marty Blake, NBA scouting director, said Danny Granger and Andrew Bogut will both make fine professional basketball players, but he isn't dubbing them draft stars.

Blake was one of about two dozen pro scouts who watched Granger, New Mexico's all-everything senior forward, and Bogut, Utah's larger-than-life sophomore center, duke it out in The Pit on Monday night. He called it an exciting game with a dynamic Pit crowd, but added it paled in comparison to the talent players face on an average night in the NBA.

Without the elite competition, Blake said, fans are getting an inflated view of the Mountain West Conference's biggest studs.

"Granger's a great athlete, but don't let anybody tell you he's a first-round pick," Blake said. "I'm not saying he's not going to be a first-round pick, but there's going to be 26 Europeans with a lot of experience entering the draft this year, and you'll have five or six solid high school kids.

"I think he's an NBA player, but most of these college players have a long way to go."

Bogut, who posted a breakout performance in the summer Olympics for his native Australia, earned an equally harsh assessment.

"Bogut has got a great future, but he needs to stay in school," Blake said. "He'll get stronger and develop a better hook shot if he stays in school. He is not playing against people his size. There are no centers. This is a kid with tremendous international experience. He's no secret, which means he's expected to be a good player."

Blake has plenty of experience to back up his assessment. He is considered a pro scouting guru after 45 years working in the NBA, including 17 years as general manager of the Atlanta Hawks.

He said Granger is getting good publicity but would benefit from appearing in all-star games once his Lobo career is over.

Granger has been invited to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, an all-star event, Blake said, that has showcased past NBA stars Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Willis Reed.

Blake also expects Granger to earn invitations to the NBA's biggest draft camp in Chicago and another all-star game in St. Louis.

"He's going to have the opportunity to play the best players in the world," Blake said. "I hope he'll take the advice of most people and go play in these postseason events. They can really help him."

I have a feeling we are going to get a guy like this with the pick... probably around 10-12. I have no beef... We could use hardworking guys that play like every minute is their last. I'm so sick of hearing EVERY broadcast how TT is so talented and he only needs to be more consistant. I've been hearing this since he left Nova. Give me a guy like Udonis Haslem over TT anyday. His numbers are a little inflated playing between Shaq and Wade but his effort isnt. We could use some more substance and less style

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/dannygranger.asp

NBA Comparison: Eddie Griffin (smaller version)

Strengths: An extremely well-rounded wing...Can do just about anything on a basketball floor...Ferocious rebounder...Grabs the ball at its apex and isn’t shy to protect it with his elbows...Puts up monster numbers, even when facing constant double/triple teams...The unquestioned leader on the floor...Tremendous shot-blocker...Quick hands...Plays passing lanes very well...Always around the ball...Has all the physical tools, instincts, and intensity to be a shut-down defender...Plays with great intensity and passion...Has great range on his always-improving jumper...Has added the 3-pointer to his arsenal (almost 48% from beyond the arc)...Has a better post-up game than other wing players...Improving spot-up shooter...Runs the floor well...Decent ball-handler...Great finisher...Much better footwork (on both ends) than most players his size...Great build...Long arms...Has cut down on the stupid fouls that have plagued his game in the past...Still has some upside left...A gamer.

Weaknesses: Durability is a major concern...Back/knee problems have forced him to miss parts of the past three seasons...His perimeter skills need extensive polishing, since New Mexico requires him to play inside so much...Needs to become a much better passer...Doesn’t posses a great first step...Just an average athlete, nothing spectacular...Occasional inconsistencies at the foul line (due to a small hitch at the top of his free-throw stroke)...Sometimes forces his offense too much...Inflated stats because of the Mountain West’s lack of talent...The proverbial “jack of all trades, master of none”...Will have to accept being a role player on the next level...Stamina issues...Has never had a positive assist/turnover ratio.
Notes: Only player in college basketball to average over 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 2004-2005.

Danny Granger and New Mexico are on ESPN now.

Yeah, I know him. This guy was a LOTTERY pick 2 years ago until he hurt his knee. People compared him to the next Scottie Pippen and if you have seen him play, he does have many resemblences of his game. he came back and play *4* last year and almost came out, then decided to move back to 3 and get his degree. he hurt his knee again[torn meniscus] early in january and missed almost a month of this season.

this guy is one of only a few two way monsters in this draft. He's a better defensive and rebounding player than Graham because of his length. he still gets a lot of his shots on close range type plays, and that is tough because you dont know how that correlates to nBA basketball--

in terms of nBA body, talent and athletiscm, this is a top 10 talent on the board, there is no question about that


Im not big on guys like chris paul charlie Villenueva foreign players etc... guy siwth bodies that dont equate to the nBA. I do like hakim and continue to warm up to his talents, but i think he may be drafted top 5.

Gomes deserves some real consideration. They got him listed as a power fwd in some places. He's definately not a power/fwd. I really like this dude. His inside game is really nice and he has balanceed it with a nice outside, slashing game too. Lots of talent and he would make a nice Knick.

Sorry about the extra posts but what suprises me about Danny Granger is his three point percentage and his blocks per game.

Danny Granger and Gomes would be awesome pick ups in this draft.

[Edited by - enyspree on 03/12/2005 10:42:32]