Who is like Kenneth Faried? (Undersized from a small school)

[LooseCannon]

Last year, two of the concerns about Kenneth Faried as a prospect were that he came from a small school (Morehead State in the Ohio Valley Conference...how may people can even name which state Morehead State is in?) and that he was sufficiently undersized that some people doubted he had the strength to function as a power forward and might be a tweener who had to be able to function as a three occasionally to have value in the NBA.

Despite that, Faried turned in an excellent statistical season as a rookie.  Some would say he had the best rookie performance.

My question today (and I am fond of asking questions that ask about which players fit certain criteria rather than asking how people think about specific players) is: what players in the draft do you think will be undervalued because they are undersized and/or come from a small school/conference?

[rondohondo]

Drew Gordon is going to be a really good prime PJ Brown or Kurt Thomas type I think. Would love to get him in the second round he is strong and athletic. I think he is about 6'10 and grabbed 11 RPG last year

The C's have worked him out already

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8TGsKdbE3I

[mqtcelticsfan]

Despite that, Faried turned in an excellent statistical season as a rookie.  Some would say he had the best rookie performance.

Some must have missed Kyrie Irving's performance this year.

I agree with the Drew Gordon call. I also like Herb Pope, but although Seton Hall is a small school, his competition would be top notch.

[LooseCannon]

Despite that, Faried turned in an excellent statistical season as a rookie.  Some would say he had the best rookie performance.

Some must have missed Kyrie Irving's performance this year.

Well, there are also those who say that Kawhi Leonard smoked both Faried and Irving.

[arambone]

Quincy Acy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93wMetqLtD0&feature=related

[EDWARDO]

Despite that, Faried turned in an excellent statistical season as a rookie.  Some would say he had the best rookie performance.

Some must have missed Kyrie Irving's performance this year.

Well, there are also those who say that Kawhi Leonard smoked both Faried and Irving.

Not from a small school, but Draymond Green probably a guy we could target that would be Faried-ish. Doesn't blow you away as an athlete but knows how to play, a winner and very rugged. Very good shooter as well.  Not a huge upside, but a guy who will be in the NBA for a long time and could contribute to us right away.  By the way, contributing to the Celts as a rookie is different than contributing to the Nets as a rookie. You have to know how to play--- Green does.

[Bean_town fan]

Just because you go after an undersized, small school player like Faried, does not mean you're going to get Faried. That's why he's so [dang] special and such a surprise

[Galeto]

I doubt Green would be Faried-ish, in both good ways and bad.  He's nowhere near as active or athletic as Faried is so I can't see him being a terror in transition or gobbling up boards at a high rate like Faried did.  On the other hand, he's a much better shooter and passer.  The more I saw of him, the more I think he's capable of being a small forward.  He's got pretty good feet, fluidity and agility.

Gordon fits the Faried prototype at least statistically but I have my doubts he'll be able to rebound against size as effectively as he did at New Mexico.  Regardless, it's been long enough that the Celtics haven't had strong rebounders in the front court.  I'm sick and tired of bigs like Rasheed, Jermaine, Davis, Bass and Stiemsma who are below average rebounders.  They're also not just below-average rebounders on one end of the floor, they're below-average on both ends.  It tries the viewing soul.  Enough.

[EDWARDO]

I doubt Green would be Faried-ish, in both good ways and bad.  He's nowhere near as active or athletic as Faried is so I can't see him being a terror in transition or gobbling up boards at a high rate like Faried did.  On the other hand, he's a much better shooter and passer.  The more I saw of him, the more I think he's capable of being a small forward.  He's got pretty good feet, fluidity and agility.

Gordon fits the Faried prototype at least statistically but I have my doubts he'll be able to rebound against size as effectively as he did at New Mexico.  Regardless, it's been long enough that the Celtics haven't had strong rebounders in the front court.  I'm sick and tired of bigs like Rasheed, Jermaine, Davis, Bass and Stiemsma who are below average rebounders.  They're also not just below-average rebounders on one end of the floor, they're below-average on both ends.  It tries the viewing soul.  Enough.

Yes, their games are different. Think Green is a bit undersized, rugged and will rebound and will contribute at a high level as a rookie. In that way Faried-ish, but agree with your overall assessments of the differences in their games. Wouldn't be a sexy pick, but don't think you will get a bust there either. 

[dmopower]

Royce White from Iowa State fits that description. Questionable height. Small School. He could be the next Faried.

[Boris Badenov]

Jae Crowder fits the profile in terms of being small, and a hustle guy.

[Birdman]

Before the draft i told everyone Faried is a top 10 pick. Everyone laugh! Couldnt believe he went at 22. Hoping he would fall to Boston. Ben Wallace clone and I take that. I was so confident in Faried that i pick him in my 2 fantasy league keeper league, lol

[Global Celtic]

Jae Crowder fits the profile in terms of being small, and a hustle guy.

Incredible how Jae Crowder is Faried 2.0... but in a shooting guard body.

[LooseCannon]

Just because you go after an undersized, small school player like Faried, does not mean you're going to get Faried. That's why he's so [dang] special and such a surprise

I think every draft probably has guys who are undervalued because they are undersized or come from a small school.  You could point to a guy like Jeremy Lin, whose combo guard size and Ivy League school probably had something to do with him going undrafted.

I bring this topic up because I think that people are wrong when they say that Avery Bradley's height means he cannot be long-term starter at SG or who say that a big being 6'8" or shorter is a reason to automatically disqualify someone a possible first-round pick for the Celtics because the team needs height and length.

[KY Celts fan]

(Morehead State in the Ohio Valley Conference...how may people can even name which state Morehead State is in?)

Kentucky, baby! One of six Division 1 schools in my homestate, along with UK, Louisville, EKU, WKU, and Murray State.

I just blew your mind.