Indy wrote:I'm gonna have to disagree with you X. Noah is ferocious on the boards, and is one of the best ball handlers at 6'11" I've seen in the college game. Not to mention how good of a passer he is and the fact that his basketball IQ is incredible for a 1st year starter who is a sophomore. Noah is going to be an outstanding NBA player.
(Hey Jae, first Ike, then Danny, now Joakim.

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I made my comment 2 weeks ago, I think Gators had only just made Sweet 16....at that point he had consolidated himself as a 1st Rounder with a chance of going in the 10-20 range....normally 2 weeks don't mean much, but in Noah's case, he's played big & the media loves him....to tell you the truth, I hadn't seen much of him when I made my comment, but after the tourney run, I've seen a bit more of him....what I can say, he now appears to be a lock for lottery (although it's not the strongest draft either)....when I made my comment, he was definitely not a lock for lottery, only 1st Round....as far as his stock goes, it can't really get too much higher than it is now....looking at Noah's game, he's really flourished in Florida's system, & could be effective if put in the right situation in the NBA (a big if)....he seems to excel when he has the ball at the top of the key & is able to work from there by using his speed, quickness & long legs to get into the lane & either finish or dish it off....I do like Noah a lot, but I still think he needs at least another year of college....if he had a mid-range game then his transition might be easier....that being said, I don't think his stock can get any higher, so I couldn't fault him for bolting....
on a side note, what is your guys' take on UCLA's Hollins?!? like Noah, he's another guy who came out of nowhere & had a big Tourney that has really got his stock soaring....he wasn't even on draft radar before Tourney, now it seems like he's a 2nd Rounder, somewhere....although after seeing how high Frye went (I still don't like him) last year, I think if Hollins works out well (a big if) & at least one team falls for him, he could conceivably sneak into the Late 1st Round....he's a lanky, athletic big like Frye, & just like Frye, Hollins can shoot that mid-range jumper....he's not at Frye's level, but when you look at a few of the tools he has & NBA teams want big men who can play pick n' roll game, so he's a chance to be a big riser....Frye also had a mediocre college career....a few similarities, so I'm gonna call Hollins a poor man's Channing Frye
