Robert Upshaw - the next Andre Drummond?

[BitterJim]

I'd like to see Danny take a flyer on Upshaw, but only with a second rounder. He screams "Larry Sanders", but I'm not sure whether it's 2012-2013 or 2014-2015 Larry Sanders

[Beat LA]

Does anybody know what drugs he was taking? Theres a far gap between weed and crack

Yeah, I've raised this point a few times, as well.  While I couldn't find out what it was exactly that he was smoking/snorting, I did see that he checked into the John Lucas rehab center in Texas, so that's not good.

[Beat LA]

I realize I may be in the minority here, but I'd rather draft someone who failed drug tests than someone who is involved with domestic violence calls.

Ditto.  They're both terrible, but in this case, drug use, especially if it's only weed, is clearly the lesser of two evils.  It's kind of sad that we've reached this point, though, quite honestly.  Now, are you talking about Sullinger, or someone else, like Adrian Peterson?

[Beat LA]

IMPORTANT:

Upshaw has not been measured in 4 years. It is indeed very possible, NAY likely that his wingspan has increased. I bet if Upshaw is measured at the combine with a 7'6'' wingspan and 9'5'' standing reach; he will be picked in the very late teens or early 20's. With the salary cap going up the dif in salary would be less of a hit.

Also an increase in length in 4 years would help account for him blocking 4.5 shots a game. Remeber he did not start and only played 23 mins a game.

Finally if CBS interviews him and likes him I'd be down with getting Upshaw....after we trade a player/s to get Myles Turner.

Where did you read that?  Do you have a link?

[Joe Green]

Upshaw got measured yesterday. He is an effin BEAST

-Robert Upshaw: The ex-Washington center helped himself in a big way measuring 6'10.75 without shoes with a 7'5.5 wingspan, 9'5 standing reach, and a 258.2 pound frame. Finishing as the 3rd tallest and heaviest prospect in attendance, Upshaw also posted the longest wingspan, highest standing reach, and biggest hands in terms of both length and width of any player measured here. His measurements compare favorably to Nene who measured 6'9.25 without shoes with a 7'4.5 wingspan and 253-pound frame coming out of Brazil in 2002. Upshaw's standing reach is right on par with players like Shaquille O'Neal, Brook Lopez, and DeMarcus Cousins as one of the top-25 in our database all-time. Needless to say, the Fresno State transfer who was dismissed from the program after only 19 games has outstanding size for the center position. Interestingly, Upshaw is actually lighter than he was when he was measured at the Amare Stoudemire Camp in 2011 when he stood 7' in shoes with a 7'4 wingspan and 264-pound frame. Very few teams question Upshaw's talent on the court. It's his history of off-court issues that is scaring many away at the moment. With that said, it is incredibly difficult it is to find player's in Upshaw's mold these days, so it won't be a surprise if someone decides to roll the dice and see if they can get him on the right track.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/#ixzz3a6NPKVnt
http://www.draftexpress.com

[BornReady]

He seems to be climbing up mock drafts and big boards after he tested well physically at the combine

Tbh I wouldn't pick him at 16 or 28
Definitely at 33 and 45 (but he will most likely be already taken)

Athletically he is no way near close to what Drummond was and Drummond was a freshman/younger
There are a lot of qs regarding him like he's drug problems, and being kicked out of 2 programs

I don't really care about the motor problems cuz sometimes guy's that are bigger like Drummond don't feel they need to play at a high intensity as it is too easy for them with their superior physical tools

However he's a true 7fter, can protect the rim, great rebounder, can score in the post, great long wingspan. Good mobility, he does pretty much everything u want from a C

[boscel33]

He will be in the league for fewer games than Fab Melo was.

Odds are - you are right. But what does Bobbi Potris do for us (currently slotted at 16) or Chris McCullah (at 28)? Do we need more bench level PF? We are not talking Blue Chip players here. We need to reach so we don't miss the next Gianis or Gobert... even with his warts Upshaw has enough potential to risk a mid to low pick.

I agree which is why at 16 I take Wood.  If nothing else fits, why not?  I think he is going to do very well in the NBA.

From NBADRAFT.NET:

"Overall: Wood is essentially your typical, talented power forward coming out of college ... Lots of skill, lots of talent, lots of athleticism, and good face-up game, but still needs to develop strength, a post game, more polished rebounding fundamentals, and more of a willingness to play inside in order to thrive in the NBA ... He shows a lot of promise as a face-up 4, and, unlike some talented college prospects, he has a great motor which makes him an excellent rebounder ... At age 19, Wood is very young for his class and has plenty of time to develop, but he has already put up great numbers in a solid conference at the college level ... He should garner a first round selection and perhaps flirt with the lottery …"

[D.o.s.]

I realize I may be in the minority here, but I'd rather draft someone who failed drug tests than someone who is involved with domestic violence calls.

Ditto.  They're both terrible, but in this case, drug use, especially if it's only weed, is clearly the lesser of two evils.  It's kind of sad that we've reached this point, though, quite honestly.  Now, are you talking about Sullinger, or someone else, like Adrian Peterson?

Yeah, that aspirin, it's a killer.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

His meausurements makes me want him to be drafted at #16 more. The kid has imposing size, something you ask for for a Center. He's git decent feel for the game that can be improved upon.

I understand the off court risk, but this is the time to try to swing for a homerun. Before being measured he was a 2nd round pick from mocks, now in draftexpress he's slated a #25, which is a huge jump. Is he a reach at #16? You bet it is, but he's got one of the most highest upside on that spot, just gamble and take a risk on the kid.

[Irish Stew]

I'm a big supporter of taking this player as opposed to WCS for the simple reason that we can actually get him, unlike WCS. He just doesn't have Drummond's incredible athleticism. He is going to continue to move up draft boards in the predraft process just the way quarterbacks do in the NFL draft because getting a NBA starting center outside of the top 10 is always a great thing.

[BDeCosta26]

I really like Upshaw as a player, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see us take him somewhere in the draft. To be honest, I think Ainge tries to trade up as far as he can for a falling Johnson/Turner/Mario kind of guy. If we do that and get a wing, or if we can't trade up at all, I think DA will use 28 or 33 to roll the dice with Upshaw.

His stock will rise a bit surely, but I still think most teams won't want to use a 1st rounder on him. Ainge might at 28 if he's pretty sure someone will at 31 or 32, but 2nd round picks have more flexible, less guaranteed contracts. Thing is, when you've 21 and you've only played less than 30 college games at two separate programs you got kicked off of, that's concerning. The multiple failed drug tests (reportedly for weed, but not confirmed) are a huge concern. Both places he was kicked out of said he had "multiple violations of team rules", something that is never a good sign. His maturity and commitment has been questioned multiple times. You can even see laziness in his best games.

Now, he's got enough talent that if he had played all year, he'd probably be right around 12-16. He's a truly elite rim protector, but he gets backed down in the post by guys smaller and weaker than him, he makes poor rotations and can't defend away from the paint, even though he's fairly mobile. His offense will be limited to P&R's and put-backs, especially at first, because he doesn't have much post game or much of a jump shot. He's quite flawed.

But still, he projects as a truly transcendent rim protector who has enough other skills to become a valuable player in this league. Considering our desperate need for a defensive presence at the 5, he could be the perfect guy to take a chance on if you feel confident you can keep him on the court and out of trouble. That's just the problem though, guys who have had THAT many issues before they even get to draft night don't often turn their behavior around. Take him as late as you can, but if it seems someone might take him before us at 33, I would probably pull the trigger at 28. Assuming the interview goes well, and it seems like he's not a lost cause

[Rosco917]

There is so much that we don't know about Upshaw. He's certainly not Andre Drummond, but he's not Fab Mello either. Fab Mello was so lost on the court, it was painful to watch.

There has to be some film on Upshaw somewhere, that can be put together so a logical decision can be made about his true talent level. His off court problems also need to be investigated, to get some reliable information as to just what actually happened. We've all done stupid things, and learned valuable lessons in life.

I don't think we should take him at 16. If we can't get WCS or Turner, Portis is interesting at 16.

As for Upshaw, I'm going to look at some film of him before I say he's Fab Mello.   

[slamtheking]

He will be in the league for fewer games than Fab Melo was.

Odds are - you are right. But what does Bobbi Potris do for us (currently slotted at 16) or Chris McCullah (at 28)? Do we need more bench level PF? We are not talking Blue Chip players here. We need to reach so we don't miss the next Gianis or Gobert... even with his warts Upshaw has enough potential to risk a mid to low pick.

at #33 or even #28 - worth the risk.  at #16, no.  if there at #28 I'd still prefer to take someone who's less risky since that's a guaranteed contract as opposed to #33 where it's not guaranteed and you can make him earn the next deal by working for it. 

I don't see this kid as the next Drummond or even Robin Lopez.  we'd be lucky if he became the next Perk but he's more likely to be the next Fab. 

Fab Melo was actually physically one of the best talents for his height/weight probably since Shaq.....and before anyone jumps down my throat watch highlights of him in college he moves like someone half his size and his footwork is extremely good, the only problem with him was he had the worse I.Q's basketball/intelligence I've ever seen in the NBA and was a true 7 footer with size unlike Howard(6'9) or Jordan (who is quite thin).

Upshaw is just a bad kid (kicked out of 2 programs) with very little athleticism, skills and movement...I wouldn't go near him the only big guy I'd take a chance on is Dakari Johnson as his playing time at Kentucky was very limited and showed flashes of potential ala Perk

Don't agree on Upshaw - but agree on Dakari. If we don't get Upshaw, I like Dakary as a consolation prize (;

I'd prefer Dakari personally -- less offcourt issues and more likely to achieve a Perk-level of usefulness than Upshaw who's a significant risk to be a Fab-level of uselessness.  Not saying Upshaw is the same player as Perk or Fab, just using them as relative levels of NBA success.

I don't get the Fab Melo comparison, at all...

Upshaw is already a better rebounder, and has better inside game and touch around the rim. He's got better feel for the game than Fab, who's obviously a novice on the court

again, just using Fab in terms of level of success in the NBA (as in the lack thereof).  I stated that I'm not saying he's the same player in terms of skills as Fab. 

[slamtheking]

I realize I may be in the minority here, but I'd rather draft someone who failed drug tests than someone who is involved with domestic violence calls.

I'd rather draft someone who didn't have either issue.

My viewpoint on the drugs --> this is a personal choice by the player and dumb one.  no one forces them on the players - if they take them, it's by their personal choice.  With that in mind, how stupid does a player have to be to choose to use drugs knowing that they will impact their future earnings both in draft selection and future contracts.  Anyone with an active braincell should be able to balance the pros and cons here and be smart enough to forego recreational drugs during their playing days. 

after they retire or are out of the league (having gotten as $ as they can), no one would care what they do. 

To me, risking that much future earnings over temporary highs shows incredible immaturity and just outright stupidity such that drafting said player would also constitute an act of stupidity

[Yoki_IsTheName]

He will be in the league for fewer games than Fab Melo was.

Odds are - you are right. But what does Bobbi Potris do for us (currently slotted at 16) or Chris McCullah (at 28)? Do we need more bench level PF? We are not talking Blue Chip players here. We need to reach so we don't miss the next Gianis or Gobert... even with his warts Upshaw has enough potential to risk a mid to low pick.

at #33 or even #28 - worth the risk.  at #16, no.  if there at #28 I'd still prefer to take someone who's less risky since that's a guaranteed contract as opposed to #33 where it's not guaranteed and you can make him earn the next deal by working for it. 

I don't see this kid as the next Drummond or even Robin Lopez.  we'd be lucky if he became the next Perk but he's more likely to be the next Fab. 

Fab Melo was actually physically one of the best talents for his height/weight probably since Shaq.....and before anyone jumps down my throat watch highlights of him in college he moves like someone half his size and his footwork is extremely good, the only problem with him was he had the worse I.Q's basketball/intelligence I've ever seen in the NBA and was a true 7 footer with size unlike Howard(6'9) or Jordan (who is quite thin).

Upshaw is just a bad kid (kicked out of 2 programs) with very little athleticism, skills and movement...I wouldn't go near him the only big guy I'd take a chance on is Dakari Johnson as his playing time at Kentucky was very limited and showed flashes of potential ala Perk

Don't agree on Upshaw - but agree on Dakari. If we don't get Upshaw, I like Dakary as a consolation prize (;

I'd prefer Dakari personally -- less offcourt issues and more likely to achieve a Perk-level of usefulness than Upshaw who's a significant risk to be a Fab-level of uselessness.  Not saying Upshaw is the same player as Perk or Fab, just using them as relative levels of NBA success.

I don't get the Fab Melo comparison, at all...

Upshaw is already a better rebounder, and has better inside game and touch around the rim. He's got better feel for the game than Fab, who's obviously a novice on the court

again, just using Fab in terms of level of success in the NBA (as in the lack thereof).  I stated that I'm not saying he's the same player in terms of skills as Fab.

With all due respect, Slam, I still disagree.

Upshaw has much better feel for the game than Fab. You give him 10 minutes on the floor and he will be a productive back up Center because he knows what he needs to do in there. Fab had amateur level of understanding the game with a pro body. Upshaw has the interior game that Fab never had, among other things.