At best he's Lamar Odom. At worst he's Eddie Griffin.

I would not doubt it. There are no sure fire NBA stars in this draft outside of Irving from Duke IMO. Patterson was a lottery pick and Jones is a MUCH better pro prospect than Patterson was. He is about the same height with more athleticism and more upside due to his age and skill sets. He does not posses the blue collar attitude of Patterson, but few players do IMO.

 

I disagree. He is no where near as mentally or physically as strong as Patterson was. I just don't think he gets "IT" or has "IT". But again, he will be 1st round and should go.

I disagree. He is no where near as mentally or physically as strong as Patterson was. I just don't think he gets "IT" or has "IT". But again, he will be 1st round and should go.

 

Probably so but he is still a much better prospect.

I disagree. He is no where near as mentally or physically as strong as Patterson was. I just don't think he gets "IT" or has "IT". But again, he will be 1st round and should go.

 

Hard to say what his ceiling is since he's only 19, but I think he can develop into a good, but not great, NBA player. Probably starter material, but at least a rotation guy.

No! However, a great kid he needs another year of maturity and to sharpen his skills!

Like others have said 5-7 range seems reasonable. He really needs to work on his right hand and being able to finish with it. Also someone needs to fix his freethrow shot because it is JACKED UP.

No! However, a great kid he needs another year of maturity and to sharpen his skills!

 

The bolded goes against everything I've heard about him from those that see him on a daily basis. :idunno:

Not top 5, but will be a lottery pick on potential alone.

 

After looking at the NBA draft updated list, the ones I see below him have more potential. Why overpay a potential good player, if he showed compassion and will + potential then maybe, but with him. NO WAY do i give him millions.

Thia draft is one of the weakest in recent memory so that is part of the reason he will go so high.

I don't think he plays above the rim at all. How often does he dunk? He scores on short jumpers and finger rolls off the glass. Nobody on this team plays above the rim.

 

Did you not see the UCONN or the Georgia game on the road (It may have been South Carolina)? He had dunks in traffic those games as in the Notre Dame game. Teams are forcing him to shoot jumpers now by not taking the shot fakes.

Thia draft is one of the weakest in recent memory so that is part of the reason he will go so high.

 

:thumb:

 

Which is why he probably should and would leave. But another year or two of college and he could be a lottery pick most years probably.

I disagree. He is no where near as mentally or physically as strong as Patterson was. I just don't think he gets "IT" or has "IT". But again, he will be 1st round and should go.

 

He has "IT" just like Lamar Odom has it. He is never going to be a Patterson or Chuck Hayes that will do whatever it takes to win, but he is going to be productive. He has the skill sets and athletic ability to be a solid NBA player and will be a top pick because of his potential. He is just as strong as Patterson was as a freshman. You are comparing junior Patterson to freshman Jones. Jones will get stronger the older he gets he is maybe 19 years old.

:thumb:

 

It's not his size alone. It is the combination of size and versatility. For a 6'8 guy, he has good range and can handle the ball well. And, as far as potential goes, consider how good the guy is right now as a college freshmen with all the flaws people have pointed out in his game.

 

NBA teams are going to draft him looking ahead to what he will be when he learns to go right, when he matures, and when he improves other aspects of his game. His potential is higher than most of the potential upcoming draftees.

 

It seems like UK fans often lose sight of two things when analyzing a player's draft potential.

 

1. The NBA drafts primarily based on potential.

2. The probable draft class. What great players will be entering the draft to drive Jones down the board?

 

I'd love to see him return for another year, and he undoubtedly could use another year to mature and improve and ready himself for the NBA. But, realistically, he isn't going to drastically improve his draft position.

:thumb:

 

It is not really that complex of an issue. Orton was drafted after averaging 3 points a game last season, so it have very little to do with current production as many believe... if that were the case Jimmer Frdette would be drafted #1.

 

If Jones can improve his jumper - which I believe he can - and ball handling he would be a worthy of the pick. I think it says more he is as maligned and flawed as he is yet averages 17 and 9.

:thumb:

 

It is not really that complex of an issue. Orton was drafted after averaging 3 points a game last season, so it have very little to do with current production as many believe... if that were the case Jimmer Frdette would be drafted #1.

 

If Jones can improve his jumper - which I believe he can - and ball handling he would be a worthy of the pick. I think it says more he is as maligned and flawed as he is yet averages 17 and 9.

 

:thumb::thumb::thumb:

As most in the thread have stated, it is all about potential. Obviously, those who doubt him as a top 5 draft pick see the lack of intensity and focus on the court plus the consistent errors/turnovers. Think about this. In spite of the weaknesses in him and his game, he is #5 in scoring and #1 in rebounding in the SEC - as a freshman. If he can do that with tons of room for growth in strength and in his game, you can see why he is in the top 5 of almost every NBA mock draft. It frustrates everyone to see how dominating he could be versus how he plays on each possession in a game. But the talent is there and that is what the NBA drafts. You can't teach talent. My biggest concern if I were an NBA team would be whether he is driven to get the most out of his talent. Will he be happy with his NBA check and not work to his potential? That would be my biggest fear of drafting him.

 

But to answer the question ... he will without a doubt be drafted in the top 10 and most likely in the top 5 of this year's draft.