Like many of you, one of the first things I did after hearing that the Pistons drafted Walter Sharpe was hit up YouTube. There was barely anything there, but earlier this week the University of Alabama-Birmingham’s athletic department uploaded a bona fide highlight reel. Considering Sharpe played only 12 games for UAB, I’m impressed. (Hat-tip: LanierFan)
All in all, Sharpe doesn’t hold a candle to Deron Washington when it comes to pure jump-out-the-gym-ness, but it’s easy to see why the Pistons were intrigued: he’s got a hell of a wingspan and a big body that looks like it can create space.
He admits that his defense needs work and his offensive game is a work in progress, but the tools are there. If he can bring that reckless energy at the three that Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson do at the four, I think Sharpe could surprise this year, especially considering Michael Curry is expected to place more trust in the team’s younger players than the previous regime.
I’ve been looking, but I haven’t been able to find any official measurements for Walter. I know he’s 6′9, but I’d like to see what his wingspan and standing reach are. Since he was forced to play the 4/5 for UAB he played a little heavier at 245, but he’ll be playing the 3 in the pro’s so I’d assume he drops to about 230 (his weight when he worked out for the Pistons) to get even quicker.
If he prooves to be a viable back up SF this year we’ll have so much length on our second unit big men…Sharpe/Maxiel/Amir… plus 2 big guards in Stuckey and Afflalo. If Sharpe can become an adequate defender we’ll have him (averaged almost 2 blocks per game in just 25 minutes), Maxi and Amir blocking everything in sight for the second unit.
Can’t wait to see this guy in the summer league. There was also a great article from Langlois on trueblue.com about Walter. From the highlight package he looks more like a 4 to me.
He’s got a pretty sweet stroke for a young guy. You don’t often see a stroke like that from a guy who noone really knew too much about…
nice quick release, almost Dell Curry-esque
Sharpe barely attempted any three’s in college. I don’t think that’s part of his game, so teams will be able to leave him alone a bit on the perimeter until his shooting improves.
Seems to have a decent midrange game to me.
UTEP, he looks like a 4 because he was playing a 4. Dumars said he’s really a SF, good shooting and ball handling skills.
“He’s good. Man, he’s good.”
I thought there was some comparison of his game to Lamar Odom? Looks like he can take bigger slower players of f the dribble easily, while at the same time could post up pretty much any small forward in the league.
If he’s as quick as he says he is, then he’ll present a unique mismatch to anyone except players built just like him.
I love how all those highlights are from two games. Looks like he dominated those games (including a clutch step-back with the clock running down against Kentucky).
His shooting stroke looks like it needs work. And Birdman’s right about him not attempting many three pointers (possibly because he was playing out of position). Plus, he’s a horrible free throw shooter.
He said that people compare his game to Lamar Odom and you can definitely see that from the hightlights. The tools are there. I think this is going to go down as a great pick.
I think after the LVSL the highlight reel for Sharpe will be considerably longer.
Nice highlight.
I wish Eastern Washington would of made a highlight reel of Rodney Stuckey when we drafted him last year. I had to wait an entire summer to actually see gameplay from him….ahhh, that was terrible.
Now every time I read about Walter Sharpe I’m going to have that highlight music in my head. It was catchy!
Yeah, the Palace needs to find a way for that song to play every time he enters the game.
That said, when an outlet pass makes your highlight reel, you’re hurtin’ for face time.
“Now every time I read about Walter Sharpe I’m going to have that highlight music in my head. It was catchy!”
I completely agree with you joejoejoe, I was digging the music too.
There is no range displayed whatsoever in these clips, save for the last 15 ft J with the shot-clock winding down. I don’t see anything in these few clips that would show me he Much rather see him at 4 anyhow since Sheed is garbage.
BK,
what matters to me is that Joe D saw him and liked him. Since Joe D has a verifiable track record with his late round picks I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. With that said, after the clip I like the kid. He showed some athleticism although I wouldn’t necessarily classify him as an upgrade just yet over Tay. He wasn’t afraid to take the shot from long range and didn’t look rattled or uncomfortable in the least. So far this looks like a good pickup.