Actually, he may be better than YOU realize. I for one, have been making the argument that Big Baby is a legit first rounder. Still believe that. Why? B/c (1) he has been working out for a lot of teams, intrigued by what he can do, (2) when you actually watch him play against big men not named Oden or Durant, I'll bet you see that Big Baby can hold his own (did so last year against Sheldon Williams, Josh McRoberts, Lamarcus Aldridge, etc.), (3) his weight is down, and teams are seeing a glimpse of what he can be, and (4) when you get right down to it, the Big Baby can do some things that 6'8-9", 280lb guys can't do (see: http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=682199). To your question above, I think comparing Glen to some of LSU's other big men, is sort of comparing apples to oranges. Shaq' --whole 'nother league. Tyrus and Stro' were high draft picks, but raw, athletic talents drafted on "potential". Truthfully, they're both role players who hadn't developed a refined game. Neither of them had the skills of Glen (i.e., the outside shot, dribbling and post moves) just athleticism--which the NBA often drafts on. Jabari Smith, taller but less talented late second rounder. The "closest" comparison may be Brandon Bass, as they were both SEC POYs, with less than "perfect" NBA bodies. But, I give the nod to Glen, b/c his weight actually helps him vs. Bass. Bass was a 6'7" ish 235 lb small power forward, with some perimeter skills. Glen can use his 280 lbs to clear space and get rebounds despite his vertical. I believe Glen can get similar stats to Tyrus and Swift in the pros, perhaps 8-9 ppg and 5-6 rpg. BUT, if he can continue to work on his weight and drop it down even to 270, a good comparison may be Carlos Boozer, at 6'9"ish 266lb, or Elton Brand, at 6'8" 255lb, who are both "short" power forwards that play somewhat below the rim, but really know how to use their weight on the blocks. Boozer is a real nice comparison considering that the Cavs picked Boozer up with the 35th pick in the second, now he's dominant. Brand was a lottery pick. I don't know if the previous poster is right about Glen rising, but skipping Minnesota meant Glen maybe felt he was better than the 11th pick in the second. The way I see it, some teams in the late first round make a lot of sense for Glen. Houston desparately needs a power forward to complement Yao (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/lopez/4904423.html). Philly has a few first round picks and also could use a power forward. Miami has an aging front line that may need some new blood. Washington also seems to like Big Baby (but probably more hoping he falls in the second--http://www.washingtonwizardsblog.com/2007/06/18/wizards-bring-in-five-hopefuls/). And, Glen worked out for NY who at 23 needs help down low (and everywhere else), and Detroit with a late first round pick could use a space eater down low to help another aging front court. I may just have the purple and gold colored glasses on, but I just have this feeling that Glen is going to surprise. He's certainly worth a late first round gamble in my mind considering what he's been able to do in college, his character and potential. Good luck Glen!
I don't know. I have to question your statement because if he can't hold his own against Durant and Oden, how can he hold his own against any good or great players in the NBA. There looks like a lot of IFs involved, he has yet to get his weight down to what you are referring too. I wish him luck but there are a lot of players who didn't finish school because they thought they were pro material and never made it in the pros.
Well, I said it when he first announced he was coming out: I thought/think Big Baby NEEDED another year in college. 1. To get himself in better shape. I'm reading more articles about personel guys from multiple teams that, while they applaud him for losing weight, they are concerned he can't keep it off--he's always losing weight and then putting it back on. 2. For a 6'9" post player, he plays "below the rim" too much. Sure, Barkley wasn't a "grab-the-rebound-and-go-right-back-up-and-dunk-it-type" either, but how many 6'9" guys do you know that always go up strong and have to bank it off the backboard to get it in the basket??? Sadly, just like Brandon Bass, I fear that Big Baby got some wrong information; fell in to the trap of people telling him he was in great shape to be a top draft pick and unfortunately, will probably see his pay checks resemble nothing like he thought they would... Hope I'm wrong, but I wonder if Big Baby is going to be a first round selection at all...
glen said he doesnt care where he's drafted or if he's drafted, he'd still think leaving "school" is the right decision.
While I tend to agree with the first statement, that he could have benefited from one more year, the reality is Glen is ready and wants to go to the NBA. I think coming back would have made sense, however, for different reasons. Next year's draft wouldn't have been as deep (this draft is one of the deepest in a long time), and another year playing in an SEC with a lack of big men (Noah, Horford, Morris, etc. all gone) for a LSU team that is bound to improve on a 17-15 record would have "sold" him better to scouts. The way I see Glen's season, remember, when the Nike summer camp kicked off last season, scouts were calling Glen a potential lottery pick... he came in at around 290 and was WOWing the scouts. Then, LSU had a not so great season, and Glen at times really looked lost on the court--not that he didn't have skills to dominate but that he was not applying those skills the right way. These doubts, along with his fluctuating weight, are what is holding him back now. I think coming back to address those doubts would have been beneficial. BUT, as Glen has said many times before, you can't help what's in your heart and he was ready to go. I don't think he was "advised" poorly at all--he knows full well his draft situation, and seems to have consulted with Brady and others to a much larger degree than Bass. And, if he's drafted in the second round like Bass, and has a harder road, he's doing what he's ready to do. So, good luck Glen.
It was clear based on the athletes in front of him at his position that he wouldn't go in the first round. It's pretty silly to argue otherwise.
