Post by aar on Jan 21, 2011 11:45:09 GMT -5
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 225
Position: PG
Age: 20
College: Auburn
Bio: LaDaniel Graham was faced with an incredibly hard decision when he was being courted by various NCAA programs. Football or Basketball? Graham was a five-star recruit in both sports, as a star dual-threat quarterback/running back and a star point guard. After pleas from his mother, Graham chose the less physically demanding of the two sports and stuck with basketball, staying in-state to play for Auburn.
Graham has dominated SEC basketball at Auburn in his freshman and sophomore year, but the problem is that he has no help around him to compete for an NCAA championship and the team has finished 18-15 and 21-12 respectively.
Graham averaged 21.4 ppg and 5.4 apg as a freshman, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors and was a 2nd Team All-American as a sophomore, averaging 24.5 ppg and 4.6 apg.
Strengths: Strong as an ox and one of the best rebounders that you will see at the point guard position since Jason Kidd, especially on the offensive side of the court, he's a hustler. However, unlike Kidd, Graham's passing skills are suspect because he hasn't had anyone to pass the ball to. Graham is built like a running back and while 225 pounds may seem overweight, it is all muscle, the kid is a weight room warrior. Graham is also exceptionally quick for his size and he's good at driving against and posting up smaller defenders. He can pretty much get to the rim at will when his head's in the game. Graham is a decent perimeter defender and likes to body up on opposing players.
Weaknesses: His shooting game is unpolished and that scares teams away. He's so much bigger than opposing point guards in college that he can get to the basket at will and rarely has to shoot. It may be different in the NBA. That said, his 20-footer isn't awful. Graham doesn't have very big hands, so his steals are few and far between. He knows his strengths and will avoid shooting three pointers unless he's on an island. He's an unestablished passer, so he may only average around 6 or 7 apg early in his career.
Outlook: Graham is one of the more unique point guards, but his shooting game will worry teams. He has a great attitude and is always in the weight room, but he could use some of that time to work on his shooting mechanics instead. He could be the next Antonio Daniels, the next Baron Davis or simply an incredibly unique all-star banger of a point guard - time will tell.
Rookie Ratings:
B C+ B- C+ C+ B
