In the initial projection article we took a look at some internet mock drafts. NBA Draft.net had Damion going to the Kings at 24, NBA Draft Press had James going to the Cavs at 30, My NBA Draft had DJ falling into the second round.
Fast forward a month and projections have changed for the athletic forward. Draft Express now has DJ going to the Heat with the 13th pick in the second round.
NBA Draft Press has moved Damion up two spots from 30 to 28 since its April update.
And finally, DJ’s biggest interweb mock draft supporter, NBA Draft.net, has Damion out of the draft altogether. That’s either due to Damion not signing with an agent, or NBA Draft.net thinking, as some folks think, that James will struggle finding a position or even a niche when he makes the jump to the League.
The good news for James is that the League Office has made some format adjustments to this year’s NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago two weeks from now. Instead of game situation intensive 5 on 5 style workouts, a format that is likely to expose Damion’s weaknesses, the League will switch to a format comprised of light skill workouts, physical testing, and player interviews.
In other words, James won’t have to worry about playing in NBA scrimmages that would reveal his lack of a true position, low basketball IQ, and inability to handle the ball and get his own shot against true small forwards and shooting guards. Instead, James will be tested on what he does best, running, jumping, and shooting. Mike Mamula made millions of dollars because he tested well running, jumping, and lifting.
The little I’m hearing on the subject is that Damion is about 50/50 right now on coming back and that’s mainly because no one has told him definitively that he’ll be a first round pick. If he gets a first round indication from a couple of NBA personnel folks, he’s gone. If the second round stuff lingers as it has for the last couple months, I’d expect James back in Austin to make a run for it all. Time will tell.
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Black Scholes said:
May 11th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Character and work ethic.
Irrespective of the draft, long-term I like James’ chances to make it in the league.
MIA said:
May 11th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Dude needs a kick in the pants.
Vasherized said:
May 11th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Handles, man. Handles.
BOC said:
May 11th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Vasherized hit it. Hard to make it in the bigs when you can’t consistently dribble. I absolutely love James and hope he gets paid, I’d just never draft him…
TaylorTRoom said:
May 12th, 2009 at 3:58 am
“In other words, James won’t have to worry about playing in NBA scrimmages that would reveal his lack of a true position, low basketball IQ, and inability to handle the ball and get his own shot against true small forwards and shooting guards”
How does he compare to Josh Howard?
longhornmatt said:
May 12th, 2009 at 7:04 am
“How does he compare to Josh Howard?”
Not well. At all.
He will play in the league, but it’s probably going to be in a Renaldo Balkman/Malik Rose/Eduardo Najera type role.
andy said:
May 12th, 2009 at 8:19 am
could he bulk up to the size of a brandon bass?
I just don’t see him having the skill level to play SF or SG…
Steve Nebraska said:
May 12th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Brandon Bass isn’t something you shoot for. It’s not physical with Damion, it’s mental/skill set, as far as the NBA is concerned. If he was just a little taller, I think Andre Kirilenko would be the guy I’d tell him to try and emulate.
Petey said:
May 12th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I hope he comes back.