Let's start the Monday roundup by checking in with updates on DC and JS in their NBA draft work outs. DC recently sat down with Slam Online and gave his perspective on going through the process. He didn't share anything new but I still like hearing his takes on Ben Ball because he sounds like Coach Howland talking up hoops:
"You learn a lot of things by staying in college for four years," Collison says. "This isn’t to take away anything from these guys who play one or two years, there’s a lot of talent out there, but me being a senior I can tell you there’s so much to learn playing those extra years. Most people aren’t a fan of staying, but if you look at a guy like Brandon Roy, he got the most out of his time at Washington and now he’s succeeding at the next level. You’re ready to come in and play right away as a senior."
Collison also pointed to his tenacious defense as a major add-on to his NBA resume. Long considered one of the better backcourt defenders in the country, the senior has averaged at least 1.6 steals per game for each of the last three seasons. Playing a position where Collison says, "most people don’t play defense," the fact that he has excelled so much on this end of the floor has been a source of intrigue for many NBA teams.
According to Collison, during a recent workout with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a member of the Cavs coaching staff inquired as to which aspect of his game Collison takes more pride in, offense or defense.
"That right there speaks volumes for itself because for another person to see that I’m good on both sides is important," Collison says. "My defensive ability is definitely going to help me in this next process; I think a lot of teams are interested in working me out because of that. Teams want to know how good my defense is and how can it translate to the next level."
DC also talked about having no regrets for coming back for his senior year:
Even though the Bruins fell short in their post season run, Collison is quick to say he has no regrets in deciding to stay for another year. While the elusive national championship stayed as such, the senior said he was able to learn even more about the ability to lead a team and when need be, put it on his shoulders. "I learned how to be battle tested," he says. "I think it got me ready. I know a lot of people think there are a lot of point guards this year that are ahead of me right now; that’s perfectly fine, but I’m going to play with a chip on my shoulder in order to make me the best I can be for the draft." I know I am going to sound like a broken record but I will keep repeating every time I share an article on DC. Any team that will be lucky enough to get him in the first round will not only get someone who is going to be a very good player on the court, they are going to get someone who will develop into a great leader both on and off the court. In addition to DC, JS is also going through his workouts. He recently stopped by in Milwaukee to work out with LRMAM's current team. The Bucks scouting director was impressed. The Journal Sentinel in Milwaukee had this on JS's workout with the Bucks:
Shipp thought he had a good workout.
"It went pretty good," he said. "I did a lot of good things today."
Said Bucks director of scouting Billy McKinney, "I like the fact that he shoots the ball real well and is a good defender. He's a guy that I thought kind of got lost in the UCLA system when you talk about (Jrue) Holiday and (Darren) Collison and other players. (Shipp) is not blessed with tremendous quickness and speed, and that's one thing people will look at why he would slip into the second round or possibly be a free agent. But he can make a team at any level."
JS also talked about having no fear with game on the line:
"[I]'m one of those players, I want the ball at the end of the game. I'm going to take the tough shot. I practice trick shots all the time. It was even better because it was for the game, but I have fun doing that."
JS made that comment when he was asked about this shot:
UCLA Basketball Josh Shipp Game Winning Shot against Cal (via uclafan11)
Looks good every time I watch it.
Sure hope JS ends up someone in the second round if not gets signed by a great team. As McKinney said he might not be blessed with the quickness, speed and the athletic ability of other kids in the draft but you can't question his heart. Just like DC he is a proven Ben Ball warrior.
GO BRUINS.