Mikhail Torrence

[teej]

Per Bonnell:

Right now the Charlotte Bobcats have no picks in the June 24 draft. Don't be surprised if that changes between now and draft night.
I'm at the NBA's draft combine in Chicago, and I hear the Bobcats are at least subtly investigating what it would cost to trade in -- maybe late into the first round, but more realistically into the second. If they do acquire a pick -- and it's not that hard to trade into the second round -- a name to keep in mind is Alabama point guard Mikhail Torrance.

Torrance said at a media session today that he's scheduled for a job interview here with Bobcats management. That makes some sense. He's a big kid for his position -- roughly 6-5 -- who can play some at either guard spot but has demonstrated the decision-making and defense to be a pro point guard.

Bobcats coach Larry Brown likes to have at least one reserve point guard who is big and can slide over to shooting guard in a pinch. Torrance roughly fits that description and with Raymond Felton entering unrestricted free-agency, this team isn't as deep at the point as it once appeared.

Draftexpress has Torrence as pick 52 overall. Some others in his mold are Armon Johnson (Nevada), Terrico White (Miss.), Alexey Shved (Russia), and our boy from last year, Greivis Vasquez (Marylad).

Any interest in these guys? I like Vasquez...

[G-Force]

Saw that article earlier as well. So I'm guessing there's a high chance that they may purchase a pick. I like that M. Torrence is on the radar. He's pretty decent all around. I saw some highlights of the guy. He has great size (at 6'5) with speed, seem good controlling the game/passing and decent shooter, there could be potential there.

Its good news to me... I'm excited to see young talent on the Bobcats and hope they do pick up a draft pick.

[SWedd523]

Per Bonnell:



Draftexpress has Torrence as pick 52 overall. Some others in his mold are Armon Johnson (Nevada), Terrico White (Miss.), Alexey Shved (Russia), and our boy from last year, Greivis Vasquez (Marylad).

Any interest in these guys? I like Vasquez...

Of the guys you listed, and some other projected late first/early second guys, I'd have them listed as such:

1. Avery Bradley (I can't stress enough how vaunted his defense is. He's just a serious perimeter defender and has all of the talent in the world to fit the Russell Westbrook mold. I said it before and I'll say it again. LB would absolutely love Bradley.)

2. Mikhail Torrance (Great dribbler with both hands and in P&R situations. Great athlete with good measurables. DX compares him to Rodney Stucky in both build and abilitiy. I think that's a good comparison)

3. Alexey Shved (He hasn't really done much, but he has so much potential that it's insane. I'd be nervous about taking him, especially after our last Euro not panning out so far. He would also be a project, a guy we left overseas and then brought over in a few year. That pushes his value down as we need a guy who can step in and provide immediately)

4. Matt Bouldin (tremendously efficient offensive player. Great ball control, great passer, great shooter. Overall great poise on the offensive end of the floor. Not the greatest defender, though it's more of a quickness thing because he definitely works hard. In a team setting like ours, he'd be a solid piece.)

5. Greivis Vasquez and Armon Johnson (Vasquez is small, slow, weak defender, and doesn't have a great attitude. While he was a great college player with a high BBIQ, I just don't think his game won't translate very well to the next level. Johnson is a fantastic athlete and can score with the best of them, but his defense is weak and he doesn't have a very good shot. Both things are fixable with his athleticism, but I don't know if he has the intelligence to do it.

[ohara831]

Either Vasquez or Torrence would be a good pick up. Vasquez does have a higher PPG and Assist avg, and he is 6'6 compared to Torrence who is 6'5. Dont know about the BBIQ of Torrence, but Vasquez has a good reputation for high BBIQ. Vasquez also played against higher caliber competition in the ACC vs the SEC. But given that Torrence is rated higher on draft boards than Vasquez, there must be something that Torrence brings that Vasquez does not. I would not cry if either one lands in a Bobcats uniform.

[SWedd523]

I could also be said that Vasquez had a better team as well. He's horribly small and has short arms so he can't compensate for being unathletic.

Torrance is a better ball handler, better shooter, better defender, and better athlete. He may be an inch shorter but his wingspan and other measurables are better. Vasquez does have a knack for being a big game performer, and is definitely a fighter with high BBIQ, but I wouldn't expect him to make much of a splash in the NBA.

[Toocool]

What we need more out of everything is a guy who can hit an outside shot. Right now, the only ones I actually don't cringe when they take a 3 is Diaw (but he does it rarely), DJ, Felton, Jack and Crash.

Our other 1-4's don't even look very capable from long range.
Hendo, slowly working on his mid/three range.
UPS, very slow and awkward jumper, and isn't that consistent.
TT, can hit a 3...on rare occasions
Graham, generally doesn't hit
Hughes, horrible shooter, very streaky

So I would pick the guy with the better outside shot ...or atleast have a solid outside shot.

[teej]

Hughes is decent from 3. And Graham got a lot better over the course of the season, to the point where I was excited when he shot...and not like that, Amour...