Jeff Goodman said on C's Stuff Live that Valentine does have some knee issues that are scaring some teams off. This is probably why he's falling in mocks, as he was considered a late lottery pick not long ago.
http://www.woelfelspressbox.com/blog-entry/15/valentine-not-fazed-by-knee-chatterSome draft analysts contend Valentine has two distinct flaws to his game: his defense and his athleticism. The skeptics contend he doesn’t play defense and will struggle defending the more athletic shooting guards and small forwards in the Association.
Valentine has heard about his supposed shortcomings and is seemingly letting it roll off his back. “The people who are saying this, are they watching my games? Or are they going off what others say,’’ Valentine said. “I think my defense is a little underrated, actually. It might not be great, but I can get out there and guard people.’’
An NBA player personnel director echoed Valentine’s sentiments. He scouted Valentine on several occasions this season and totally dismissed his alleged defensive liabilities. “I don’t ever remember writing down anything about him being a poor defender,’’ the NBA official said. “That’s a bunch of crap. He played for Michigan State, right? Michigan State players guard people.’’
A much more concerting issue facing Valentine as the draft approaches, some NBA officials say, is the status of his knees. There are some NBA teams that are legitimately concerned about whether Valentine can withstand the rigors of an arduous 82-game regular season and then postseason play. They contend he could possibly have a short NBA career.
Valentine said he had knee surgery in high school and then last December for torn cartilage. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo declared the latter to be “very minor’’ surgery. It was; Valentine missed only four games. Told that some NBA officials are weary about his knee, Valentine said nobody had brought up the subject to him before. “This is kind of catching me by surprise,’’ Valentine said. “I’ve had knee things throughout my career, but I never really missed many games. My injuries were very minor. I don’t have to do any more surgeries; I don’t have to take any precautions. There’s not anything holding me back. I’m healthy now, and I’ll continue to strengthen my legs and continue to take care of my body.’’
A veteran scouting director insists Valentine’s knee issues are legit, but it wouldn’t personally deter him from choosing him in the top half of the draft. “There are some (in the NBA) who think he’s slipping (in the draft) because of the knee issues; they’re worried about that,’’ the scouting director said. “Would I still take him? Absolutely?’’ Added another player personnel director, whose team is picking late in the lottery: “You have to check the knee stuff out, but I think he’ll be fine. He’s a ballplayer. He’ll be able to come in and play right away. He can play small forward, shooting guard and be a secondary ballhandler. And he plays both ends of the floor. I like the guy a lot.’’
Valentine, who has worked out for Utah (12th pick) and will work out for Milwaukee (No. 10), Orlando (No. 11) and Chicago (No. 14), said he doesn’t have a clue where’ll be drafted. Nor does he care. What he cares about is what transpires after the draft.
“I really don’t know where I’ll go,’’ said Valentine, who has been working out in L.A. “I want to accomplish things right away. I want to be an NBA All-Star and be an NBA champion. I just want to be the best player after the draft."
Steve Kyler
Word is Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine may have a fairly significant knee issue, so much so that one team sort of compared him to former Indiana Pacers All-Star Danny Granger, who came into the league with a degenerative knee condition and struggled every year to play 82 games. League sources said it’s still likely he will get drafted in the first round, but his stock looks to be a tough one to lock in with so many teams believing his knee will be a problem.
Topic: Valentine (Read 940 times)