I think you’re right about Psycho T., although let’s face it, the Pistons aren’t going to get what they really need (a sure-fire, quality NBA big) where they are drafting.

But more importantly, what’s wrong with jean shorts? I’m wearing a pair right now.

This article to me mirrors every single other anti-Hansbrough article that’s ever been written. The crux of the argument against him is that he’s undersized, not very athletic, his offensive game won’t translate to the big league, that energy isn’t that big of a deal, that his ridiculous FT numbers are a product of collegiate “superstar calls,” and that he can’t play defense.

Is he athletic enough? From Chad Ford’s Draft Insider:

Hansbrough measured a legit 6-foot-8¼ in socks and 6-9½ in shoes. He also had a surprising 6-11½ wingspan and a standing reach of 8-10 — one inch better than Blake Griffin…

But that’s just half the tale.

His vertical-jump numbers weren’t terrible, either. At 34 inches he matches up with the combine scores of Emeka Okafor, LaMarcus Aldridge and Nene. And better than Chris Bosh.

His no-step vertical was a little more troubling at just 27½ inches, but that equaled or bettered Carlos Boozer, Aldridge and Charlie Villanueva.

Lateral quickness? His 11.12 score was stellar for a big man. He bested Tyreke Evans, DeMar DeRozan, James Johnson and Earl Clark from this draft class. And he also was better than Amare Stoudemire, Bosh and Tyrus Thomas.

And his 3.23 three-quarter-court sprint? Another strong score for a big man. His numbers were better than Griffin, Jordan Hill, and Michael Beasley.

In fact, if you want a good comparison physically and athletically to Hansbrough, try Beasley, the No. 2 pick in the draft last year. They are within an inch and a few half-seconds of each other in virtually every category.

What does all this mean? We already know Hansbrough is a terrific basketball player. There was never a question about what he does on the court. The concern was always about his lack of size and athleticism.

Now that he has physically proved he’s a solid NBA-caliber athlete, will the objections to drafting him in the lottery start to fade?

So please, if you’re going to slag on the kid, please throw away your “not an NBA-caliber athlete” shit.

Offensively, he’s got a jump shot out to 16 feet easily, and his excellent FT% would indicate that he can continue to add range to his shot with work. The free throws? He got to the line a TON (the most attempts/makes in ACC history), but if you watched him at all, lots of those attempts were on and-1’s. He might be the best at making the bucket with contact that I’ve ever seen in college. Plus, he’s got fantastic footwork (which everyone knows; this has never been a knock on his game) in the paint and can finish with both hands.

Defensively— he played for the Phoenix Suns of the college world for 4 years. He was never really asked to be a half-court defender for any period of time at the collegiate level. So because he’s never had to do it, we just automatically say he can’t do it? If that were the case, people should have been saying the same thing for every prospect that ever came straight out of high school, from Europe, or anywhere else where we didn’t get to watch them play much defense. Athletically, as already noted, he clearly has the tools to be a good defender at the pro level. And don’t even get me started on that motor— he has more drive and determination than almost anyone I’ve ever seen on the court. Not to mention the 1000# chip on his shoulder he must be carrying into the NBA with all the people throwing out completely bunk arguments all the time on why he “can’t possibly be a good pro.”

Like Tim Tebow, who is just as horrifically annoying as Psycho-T, I think there is an anti-Hansbrough bias that is unbelievably fashionable right now that mostly stems from his personality. He’s that kid who tried way harder than you and always made you look bad in high school. He’s the super smart kid who STILL studies more than you, gets a better grade, and then rubs it in your face afterward. He’s an annoying, Alpha-Male pest.

So fucking what?

I say draft him – He may or may not be a starter –
He’s definitely someone that could come off the bench to produce – 4yrs of college you won’t have to worry about his work ethic or his defense. He’ll do whatever it takes to get better.

Don’t sleep on this guy
His college game & body type is very similar to Elton Brand.
Brand had the same knock against him – before he was drafted.

If Blair is still on the board, it wouldn’t make any sense to me at all to take Hansbrough over him. But if Blair’s gone? Maybe. Hansbrough’s floor is certainly much lower than his counterparts like Johnson, Clark, and Mullens. I wouldn’t be particularly excited about him, but he’d at least be a safe choice.

I’ve like Psycho T even before the combine measurements. A number of guys always have the “attitude/work ethic” problem. Seems to me that if you’ve got the talent on that kind of stage and the ability to move to the next bigger stage and people are questioning your “desire” it’s already been answered.

Guy was a player at one of the biggest programs, good background and you won’t have to worry about what he’s doing after the game or off-season and nor will you have to worry about his posse.

And I’ve got a news flash, Sheed ain’t coming back (either by Joe or because of too much money) and unfortunately neither is Dyess. Unless we get cut rate deals on some big starters, can you imagine Sheed with a 1yr deal on a mediocre team? I can. Look at last season. And then there’s the whole MCIAFI angle.

I’ll even take him over Blair.

I wouldn’t be too upset if the Pistons took Psycho-T, but I’m under no illusions that he’ll be anything more than an energy guy off the bench. The Oklahoma/UNC game made that pretty clear.

Turiaf is a good indication of his ceiling.

I wouldn’t take him over blair. But Blair won’t be there at 15. As for him wearing the red, white and blue? Sign me up. I’m not sure what his “floor” is, or how it’s “lower” then Johnson, Clark or Mullens (who looked like garbage every time i saw him play). I think David West is a good comp player in terms of accomplishments in college and then being over looked in the draft. I’d trade Maxamir for T tomorrow.

My reason for Blair over Hansbrough is solely on rebounding prowess. Using DraftExpress’ pace adjusted per 40 numbers to compare, Blair pulled down 18 rebounds/game, 8.1 offensive boards. Hansbrough’s numbers were 9.4 total, 3.5 offensive. That nails it for me.

But now that I look at it, these numbers are pretty clear. They suggest that Blair is every bit the scorer that Hansbrough is and Blair is on top in every other category. Add to that he’s only 20, 3 years younger. Didn’t mean to go on so long, just wanted to add some reasoning to my declarative statement above.

Also, Blair would be my choice with any pick after 3.

Joel – I thought I was pretty fair to Psycho T. I did say “the numbers don’t lie.”

where does the evidence that he won’t rebound come from, Pardeep?

My Pops was on a plane from NC to the D, sitting right behind the Psycho T himself 2 weeks ago, stoppin by Joey D’s shop for a test drive me thinks. would it be bad to pick up a 4-year guy from a great college program with great work ethic?

I love (and when I say love I mean hate) when people dog a guy who’s known for “hard work” because “everybody is supposed to work hard.”

Of course, back here in the real world, not everybody works hard.

Which is what makes guys like Psycho-T and McDyess stand out.

I don’t think Hansborough will be a star but I see him making a living in the NBA by routinely punishing lazier opponents.

Tyler Hansborough: Hustle-player/Good Free Throw Shooter/Hated By Almost Everyone.

Are we looking at a young Bill Laimbeer… but with a 34 inch vert?

If that’s the case, sign me up.

Yeah, he’s annoying. You have to address that in any conversation about him. Remember, he played on some great Carolina teams with great perimeter shooting … that helps operate in the post. Wayne Ellington/Danny Green makes a difference in having room to operate in the post.

To think Hansbrough could produce similar numbers offensively in the NBA is ridic. He’s athletic, he has some range, he works hard … but he’s undersized, isn’t real strong and doesn’t really block shots. He doesn’t shoot or rebound as well as Kevin Love and he isn’t as strong a post scorer, rebounder or shot blocker as Paul Milsap. If he’s a notch or two below those guys, he’s a rotation player on a good team. To think his ceiling is more than that … I just don’t see it.

I’m friends with a big UNC fan who knows her stuff and has watched everything this kid has ever done and she LOVES him as a basketball player. I’d take him, although I don’t see what the point is of having Maxiell, Hansborough and Amir all on one squad. I’d like to have one veteran PF for stability in the mix instead of 3 projects.

For people that enjoy in-depth draft coverage, here’s Ed Weiland’s (of hoopsanalyst) breakdown of this years crop of SG’s:

http://www.hoopsanalyst.com/0809ew9.htm

It’s a pretty long read, but I highly recommend it, along with all his other draft related breakdowns.

anything but terrence williams at number 15 is a disappointment. we need somebody with the capabilities of be a star. i think williams have potential to come in the nba and have a young vince carter coming out party!!!!!

Say no to Hansbrough and yes to Earl Clark.

I am absolutely convinced that he is gonna suck hard.

“Psycho T” is a shitty nickname.

But more importantly, what’s wrong with jean shorts? I’m wearing a pair right now.

Cut-offs? With a mesh tank top, knee-high socks and rollerskates?

I think Detroit needs a point guard, yes Sheed is leaving Detroit. But this draft is filled with point guards and Detroit minus well take one. Detroit lacks a true point guard, Stuckey just makes to many mistakes and would be better as a shooting guard.

Rip would need to be moved though, which could be hard with the extension he signed at the beginning of the season. Probably move him and Prince for a good center like Bosh or Amare. It would suck if Bosh or Amare left in 2010 though. I would bet they would sign a extension when they join the pistons.

Hell no to Blair. We do not need another undersized PF that had a good time in college.

I’m still friends with that kid.

Let’s see,a guy thats won every major college award, a national title,is 6’10" in shoes(last time I checked, they wore those in games),has a never ending motor, motivation, and desire.
And is at or near the top of every testing result at the NBA draft combine.
Naw, lets not draft this guy.
Lets draft a guy with a sleeping disorder because he has POTENTIAL!

Gimme some Blair. Let’s trade our pick + Amir to get him.

I’m kind of with rd. I mean, why always try to find a diamond in the rough? Why not just take a diamond? At least if it doesn’t pan out you don’t look quite as dumb as when you pick a nobody and he doesn’t pan out coughDarkocough.

Cut-offs? With a mesh tank top, knee-high socks and rollerskates?

NO, not like Reno 911, kind of baggy, knee-length jean shorts. And not the other parts. But never mind, today I’m in a suit.

A suit with jean shorts? And a denim tie?

Hansborough is to Sean May as Lawson is to Raymond Felton.

To think Hansbrough could produce similar numbers offensively in the NBA is ridic. He’s athletic, he has some range, he works hard … but he’s undersized…

No. Please see my above post. This is no longer a valid argument against the Annoying One. Anything else, fine, but the facts clearly show he’s not undersized. 6’10" is standard PF height. If he’s undersized, than so is Griffin, Jordan Hill, Dyess, Odom, Ty Thomas, Amare, and anybody else that’s 6’10" in shoes.

Ha! No, it’s a completely different outfit. And for the record, this is the most I’ve ever posted about how I dress, and I’m going to stop that now.

Hey Pardeep warned ya :)

And for the record, jean shorts with a suit and denim tie would be flippin awesome.

@TDP, Shinons, ToledoJoe:
Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?

MP: I loved that show.

Tobias Funke. Analrapist.
Amazing show.

Joel said
 "This is no longer a valid argument against the “Annoying One” . Anything else, fine, but the facts clearly show he’s not undersized. 6′10″ is standard PF height. If he’s undersized, than so is Griffin, Jordan Hill, Dyess, Odom, Ty Thomas, Amare, and anybody else that’s 6′10″ in shoes."
 

the last “Annoying One” we had playing here was Bill Lambeer, and I don’t think that turned out so bad.

we need to stop entertaining these dumb articles. the pistons front office cry every year that we need a impact player like lebron, like kobe, like wade and like the great jordan, but when one in their face they don’t grab him. i’ll repeat gp is not jumping on terrance williams bandwagon for no reason. jordan was not a great player in college but look what he did when he came in the nba. nobody knew kobe would be as good as he is,in the nba or he would have been the #1 pick when he was drafted.so in other the words don’t judge what he did in college, judge what he is capable of.

I have to disagree,Joe. For every HS player that has gone pro, and become all-stars, their are at least 20 that failed. Look at the stars of the NBA, almost every one of them lead their college team in scoring.If a kid can’t excel in college, how can you expect them to magically double their output in the pros?
Also, Jordon was a great player in college, on a team that won a national championship in 1982. He was drafted 3rd after Olajuwon and bowie. No one know how great he would become, but I think getting drafted 3rd over all shows he was held in high regard.
I don’t think you can go wrong drafting proven winners, on any level.

And more praise for T, this time from Sekou Smith, who I like reading quite a bit.

http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2009/06/22/psycho-t-brings-the-pain/

@ Craig: I saw that also. Guy has a non stop motor. I forget what the guy said but baskically “hard work” is a skill in the NBA and he has that skill. I still go with my take him vot.