Milwaukee Bucks select Tobias Harris with 19th overall selection
by Frank Madden on Jun 23, 2011 9:17 PM CDT
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PrintHours after trading down nine spots to #19, the Bucks surprised many by selecting 18-year-old Tennessee freshman forward Tobias Harris, passing on Marshon Brooks and Jordan Hamilton among others. Measuring a shade under 6'8" in shoes and weighing 223 pounds, Harris was the #6 recruit in the high school class of 2010 and played both forward positions for Bruce Pearl as a freshman, scoring in double figures in 31 of 34 games. He was ranked #9 in Jonathan Givony's Top 100 prospects and #14 by Chad Ford, and worked out for the Bucks on June 21 in the same workout that featured Brooks and Chris Singleton.
However, the pick will likely disappoint many who were hoping for either an athletic scorer or proven shooter, and despite his youth no one seems to think Harris has the kind of star potential the Bucks so desperately need. Instead, Harris has the kind of versatile, smart game that you would normally associate with a college senior. So while he may be boring, he's very unlikely to fail as an NBA player. Consider DX's scouting report:
When projecting Harris to the next level, his jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none skill-set allows scouts to pencil him into a number of different roles offensively, many of which blur the lines between the small forward and power forward positions. Harris's lack of elite athleticism and size raises some questions about his defensive potential and one-on-one scoring ability at the next level, but he's extremely crafty, plays within himself, and has a maturity about him that is uncommon in a player who won't turn 19 until July.
Hit the jump for more on Harris.
Harris projects as a small forward or undersized four in the NBA, which has earned him the dreaded tweener label from some, though he has also slimmed down since the season ended and surprised many with a 37.5" vertical at the pre-draft camp in Chicago. He's maintained that he'll be a three in the NBA, and his work to slim down while trying to add explosion is likely evidence of that--he claims he's gone from 14% to 8% body fat since the season ended.
You didn't see that kind of athleticism from Harris at Tennessee, though it's also easy to underestimate the value of his excellent feel for the game. Like the rest of the Bucks, he'll need to improve his long distance shooting (30% as a freshman), though as the youngest college player in the draft he also has plenty of room to mature. Moreover, Harris has a reputation as a tireless worker and with an excellent IQ, which explains why some have compared him to a more offensively-oriented Shane Battier. That should serve him well as he battles for minutes in a muddled forward rotation.
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As i stated on the draft blog
I love this pick, seems like a nice kid that will be a good team player, not be thinking about getting out of Milwaukee at first opportunity.
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
A Better Hobson
Seems like JH and SS have really wanted to add a point-forward to this team for some time, and based off of all of the scouting reports, they got a guy who could have a high-ceiling as a lock-down defender that lives in the rotation as an eventual starter for years to come; he’ll just need a year or two before he starts getting real minutes.
This team wants to win now though, and I really don’t think JH is done making moves. I think the unsung win of the trade today was Udrih, who could easily fill the Ridnour role for the team next year, but could also start if a deal for Jennings comes along that gives the Bucks a legit option at PF. He played starters minutes the last three season in SAC, and if they get someone like Gasol or even Al Jefferson to pair with Bogut and score 20+ points a night, this team still has the potential to get on track and be scary for a few seasons in the east. With Jackson and the Prince, you have two wings who can match up and defend the hell out of D-Wade and LeBron, and I have a feeling that the moves today put the Bucks a trade away from being in full-fledged “win now” mode again, while still adding the youngest player in the draft who could prove to have some big upside down the road. Just have to believe that JH isn’t done shaping this roster, and still shaved a lot of dead weight money off the books today, making a savvy business decision for the 3rd draft day in a row. Still on the bandwagon….for now.
Reminds me of
a less athletic but more charismatic Josh Smith
I like the trade and everything
It is just really dishearting liking the NBA so much when on a year to year basis, the Bucks have almost no shot at competing against the major markets. Teams like the Mavs give us hope because they win playing team basketball, but really teams like the Celtics and the Lakers that have big payrolls, rabid fanbases, and players that want to come and play for them really crush all hope year after year. Sure we can get rid of the players that are just medicore and may end up on Skiles bench, but does that give us hope for getting anyone else?
I always like shooting for the highest upside guys in the draft since we will never accomplish much in FA. When we draft guys like this Harris, who might be solid a role player but never help us get in the championship, I just feel like a drone in a never ending cycle of mediocrity.
At least in the NFL, there is a great parody (sp?) in which the Packers have a chance every year. In the NBA, the Bucks are never going to get to the finals unless they win the lottery in a unique year or at least luck out. I know its depressing but honestly, rooting for a team like the Bucks is depressing.
I tend to very strongly agree with your sentiment about shooting for the stars in the draft… and though moving from 10 to 19 changes my perspective on that front some, I still might need convincing on this one.
by Alex Boeder on Jun 23, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
agreed this is a poor pick
That," says LeBron, "is for everyone that watches me play. They witness something special. You're all a witness.
the last time...
the bucks picked a tennesse guy, it was Marcus Haislip. I can’t get over that
Another cheerful message
Good night Brew Hoopers
So you went to sleep without knowing that the Celtics drafted E’Twaun Moore at 55?? What a truly reckless way to go to sleep.
by Alex Boeder on Jun 23, 2011 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Also: Lakers and Mavericks select Chukwudiebere Maduabum and Targuy Ngombo respectively. Just something to dream about.
by Alex Boeder on Jun 23, 2011 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I selected Yttrium with the 59th pick
And I do not care that it is a rare-earth transition metal.
by Dan Sinclair on Jun 23, 2011 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
The thing I like about Harris
is that he seems to exhibit excellent body control near the hoop. A downside is that nearly all of his shots came from his right hand, no matter where he was in relation to the basket.
An interesting prospect. It’ll be worth it if Captain Jack fills the role that we expected Salmons and Maggette to fill.
http://twitter.com/WhalesLarry ...but only if you want to see someone still trying to figure Twitter out.
by Mitchell Maurer on Jun 23, 2011 11:14 PM CDT reply actions
I think the pick is a cop out not a knock on the kid
but taking a guy like this puts no pressure on Skiles to adjust his mentality or rotations or find minutes for the kid, he will be riding the pine, not sure he gets a chance to even make a go of it
That," says LeBron, "is for everyone that watches me play. They witness something special. You're all a witness.
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