By Craig E. Ganek - Freelance Scouting & Journalism - rcca@worldnet.att.net

KAREEM RUSH

Kareem Rush’s creativity from the wing and ability to keep defenses honest with his outside stroke consistently tormented collegiate coaches in trying to find a serviceable match-up. While Rush thrived on the hardwood with moments of All-American magic, consistent relapses on the Tigers injury list over-shadowed the dominance he displayed against virtually every opponent during his career. At the next level, his success may be completely dependent on his ability to adapt to the physical play and increased playing schedule. While Rush’s offensive game resembles Jerry Stackhouse’s inside-out play at the 2-spot, with a body-type similar to Richard Hamilton he’s in jeopardy of becoming another collegiate star that couldn’t find his niche…ala Calbert Cheaney.

Offensively, Rush has an arsenal of moves that will create havoc even against the elite defenders of the NBA. While he has the ability to score simply on his quickness and athleticism, the most impressive part of Rush’s game is his ability slice through defenses under complete control. From any spot on the floor, he’s a threat to penetrate with moves as smooth as “Clyde the Glide” and a quickness similar to Larry Hughes. Once he has a step on his opponent, Rush can either pull-up or take it all the way to the rack. While aerobatic “up-in-under” finishes highlighted most of his collegiate career, the frontcourt giants in the NBA will not allow a rookie to travel through the lane more than once without a trip to the floor. Rush has shown the skill to be a phenomenal interior passer when he desires, but expect him to attack the basketball with relentless determination to prove his skeptics he’s strong enough to compete at this level.

For a slashing wing, Rush’s ballhandling rivals most small forwards and has the potential to match the skills of Ray Allen and Kerry Kittles at shooting guard. What separates Rush from most collegiate scorers is an off-the-ball creativity that enables him to find easy scoring opportunities. He uses screens with the slyness of a crafty veteran, and can create separation from the defense by simply reading the spacing of his teammates. While these abilities will contribute to a team’s decision to draft Rush, expect him to adjust slowly to a half-court game that doesn’t necessary revolve around his ability to find an opening. Rush must consistently knockdown the wide-open 20 footer before he will ever become the integral part of a team’s offensive schemes. Similar to many of today’s younger stars, Rush’s outside stroke has developed mostly off of his own penetration and not from the conventional skip-pass or kick-out prominent in the NBA. Give Rush at least two years to adapt to the professional game and he will prove to be a more productive version of Morris Peterson.

While Rush will improve a teams offensive opportunities, his defense will determine the amount of time he spends on the floor. Rush may always struggle against the stronger small forwards on the block, and will need at least a year before he’s comfortable handling the nightly variety of athletes at shooting guard. Off the ball, Rush has the quickness to credit turnovers, but must improve his strength in order to withstand the double screens and low-post elbows absorbed by most perimeter defenders. On the glass, while Rush’s production will look good in the box score and occasionally provide a highlight worthy putback, opponents will attack the basket more incessantly against him if they feel they can push him straight through the basket.

In closing, players with Rush’s ability will not be given 3 or 4 years to develop into their position. To utilize his talents, Rush must learn to play both ends of the court at shooting guard, while adding the strength necessary to occasionally compete against the inside-out threats at small forward. While Rush is deserving of a mid 1st Round selection in this year’s draft, expect him to move up to a team lacking in scoring, or desiring a player who can create his own shot.

Kareem Rush’s projected 5th year averages: 16.5 pts. 4.5 reb. 3.5 ass. 37 % 3-pt

Dream Scenario I: The Indiana Pacers…With Reggie Miller’s retirement slowly approaching and a coaching staff unsure if Ron Artest is the long-term answer replacing Jalen Rose, the Pacers once crowded backcourt will soon be up for grabs. In addition, while their frontcourt is loaded with highflying youngsters, questions still remain at small forward as Al Harrington, Austin Croshere, and Jonathen Bender have struggled to take control of the position. In drafting Rush, the Pacers give themselves a realistic chance of filling at least one of those spots, or at least providing a scoring spark off the bench who can split time at either position. Rush could easily flourish in Isiah’s offensive schemes, as he’s more productive in a system where the offense is initiated off of pop-out screens for the 2 and 3s. While Indiana’s strength is shifting towards their young big men, Mr. Thomas has always made a point to run the offense through the wing.

Dream Scenario II: The San Antonio Spurs…With the unexpected departure of Derek Anderson, Danny Ferry’s 8 second 40-time, and Steve Smith’s best years behind him, the San Antonio Spurs desperately need a scoring threat who can create his own shot and knock-down the kick-out from the post. If Steve Smith returns next year, whom better to tutor Rush both on and off the court than a consummate professional who’s made a living as a combo Guard/Forward. Get them to trade up Mr. Duncan…Parker and Rush could be the backcourt that brings you back to the top.

Ed O’Bannon Scenario: The Los Angeles Clippers…With two picks in the top twelve and speculation Lamar Odom has worn out his welcome, the Clippers may draft the best athlete available to ensure stability in positions filled with unproven talent. While Quentin Richardson looks to be the answer at the wing, the Clippers wealth of young talent has drawn remarkable trade offers that leave only Brand and Miles unsusceptible to relocation. Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the make-up of Clippers three years from now, Rush needs to be drafted by a team determined to make him an integral part of their offensive game plan. While some players are better suited for competitive situations, competing for minutes and playing a free-lance style of offence that does not require his production could quickly frustrate and hinder his long-term development. Rush needs veteran leadership to ensure his success, and unfortunately, the Clippers can only offer the knowledge of Eric Piatkowski and Shawn Rooks.

DREW GOODEN

Drew Gooden's athleticism and attitude exemplifies the excitement that surrounds the new generation of NBA talent. While he clears the glass with an aggressive anticipation that resembles the NBA style of Kevin Garnett, his potential offensive production has GMs wondering how they can let him slide out of the top five. At 6-10, once Gooden realizes he has all the tools to warrant consistent match-up problems for opponents at small forward, expect teams to use him on the wing with the same spacing Kenyon Martin utilized in New Jersey and New York was never able to understand with Marcus Camby.

While Gooden’s offensive repertoire matured with each collegiate season, when the game was on the line he often resorted to attacking the basket with a relentless aggression and desire that has symbolized his game since High School. Gooden feels the most comfortable roaming the baseline and squeezing past defenders with the same agility and excitement as the much smaller, and often injured, Eddie Robinson. Add in a quick release fade-away along the baseline and offensive putbacks reminiscent of Chris Webber’s rookie campaign, and Gooden will have plenty of 16 to 20 point nights simply on his athleticism during his first season. On the block, he establishes himself quickly and does not waste time once he receives the ball to attack the basket or turn and shoot. Gooden does not have a vast array of moves down-low and was the most successful in college when he kept it simple. While he has the potential to have a body similar to Jermaine O'neal with some dedicated work and Oliver Miller's diet program, Gooden needs to realize that quick hoops and adding weight are only a small part of becoming a low-post threat.

Initially, Gooden will spend the majority of his time playing power forward as he slowly works into his future and potential all-star role at small forward. In comparison, while Kenyon Martin spent plenty of time this year at the 4-spot, he frequently was matched-up against the leagues top threes and taller more dominating twos. On the offensive end, Martin’s role at small forward has been an adjustment as his jumper limits his spacing, but New Jersey rarely left him off the floor as a result of his versatility. Gooden’s development will follow a similar path, but many scouts believe his jumpshot has the potential to mirror Antawn Jamison, or even Chris Webber’s production. While Gooden will probably never work the perimeter with the intention of creating space for a pull-up, expect Gooden to eventually knockdown the open jumper with consistency from the baseline and near the top of the key.

Defensively, Gooden will earn every ounce of his paycheck in the beginning of his career simply on the disturbance he creates with his off-ball defense. While displaying the agility found in most guards and a shot blocking prowess similar to the excitement created by Kenyon Martin, Gooden will have the opportunity to adjust to the NBA game quicker than most draftees. With the speed in today’s NBA, teams will sacrifice a youngster’s offensive development if he can contribute on the defensive end. In Gooden’s case, he has the potential and a unique ability to completely disrupt a team from the weakside. Matched up one-on-one, while Gooden will initially struggle to find his niche against the perimeter small forwards and overpowering frontcourt 4s, expect him to handle everybody from Devean George to Antonio McDyess by his second season without reluctance.

Drew Gooden’s projected 5th year averages: 16 pts. 9 reb. 2.5 blks. 48 fg.%

Dream Scenario: Miami Heat…With veteran players & coaches to develop under and minutes available alongside current and former NBA all-stars, Gooden would be able to ease into his role without the pressure of turning around a franchise. While Riley has burned plenty of bridges in Miami, one of his most overlooked coaching attributes is an ability to take on media and community criticism for his players and turning it into an “Us vs. The World” team unity. In addition, Riley establishes a deep-seeded loyalty with his players if they understand the importance of playing within their roles and are focused towards achieving the team’s goals. While many believe Gooden’s game will flourish with an up-tempo style of play, if he continues to develop the fundamentals of his game he has the potential to become a nightmare for opponents in the halfcourt. Gooden thrived at Kansas, as Roy Williams was able to utilize his remarkable athletic talent while developing the mental aspect of his game. Similar to Coach William’s system, Riley’s structured offensive schemes and emphasis on team defense will provide Gooden with a familiar coaching guidance necessary for a successful transition into the NBA. The current vibe in Miami has Riley contemplating between a complete rebuilding venture and attempting the patch-work roster magic necessary to give Alonzo one more chance. Gooden enables Riley to kill two birds with one stone, as he has the potential to become a consistent contributor before he turns 25, and immediately provides the Heat with a raw athlete in their frontcourt that they so desperately need. Selecting Gooden would require Riley to trade-up in the draft, but believe me, there are no untouchables on that roster.

Ed O’Bannon Scenario: Denver Nuggets…While Gooden should be given credit for the development and maturity he displayed over his collegiate career, Kansas and Coach Williams provided a stable background for this process to take place. In Denver, the current situation has the Nuggets organization in disarray, and in desperate need of drafting an individual dedicated to completely turning around the direction of the franchise. While Gooden has the potential to develop into a dominating force at either forward spot, his evolution as an NBA player will be brought along slower than other draftees. Gooden desperately needs veteran leaders, who have first hand knowledge of what it takes to be successful at this level. The Nuggets do not provide this leadership, and Gooden’s the type of player that may unknowing pattern his game around the selfish play that often surrounds teams in this situation. With Antonio McDyess’s continuing request for a change of address, expect Gooden to slip in and out of Denver’s draft plans as he provides insurance for a frontcourt that houses Donnell Harvey and Juwan Howard.