(Lance): Well, Homer, the last time I interviewed you was mid-June, a couple weeks before the 2007 NBA draft. So I will start off by getting your thoughts on some selections in that draft.
(Homer): Ok, sounds good to me.
(Lance): Last time I asked you who you thought the number one pick should be: Kevin Durant or Greg Oden. You said Greg Oden. Some people are starting to wonder what if Portland would have selected Kevin Durant, would they be a top team in the West. Many also feel Greg will be injury-prone throughout his career. Do you still think Portland made the right selection?
(Homer): Oh absolutely, Lance. Portland has skilled perimeter players already. They are missing that center that can dominate in the middle, that can play well on both sides of the floor. Greg provides great defense in the lane. He is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker and he also can contribute on offense with pick and rolls and he would draw attention in the post, so his teammates up top could have more opportunities to make plays. Kevin Durant is a great individual player, but Greg makes his teammates better. Once Greg gets healthy, I’m sure he will show why he was selected number one.
(Lance): What players from this past draft have surprised you the most? And which ones have disappointed you the most?
(Homer): The players that have surprised me the most are Daequan Cook and Jason Smith. Cook surprises me because I thought his style of play and Pat Riley’s system would conflict, but Daequan has held his own when he is in Riley’s rotation. Smith has been a hustler and most of all has played tough down low. Before the season his willingness to be physical down low came into question. He has been quite impressive so far. The players that have disappointed me the most so far are Acie Law, Marco Belinelli and Al Thornton. Law disappoints me because he hasn’t been playing his style of ball and it has hindered his game. Hopefully he’ll ease into his comfort level and make the most of his opportunities on the floor. Belinelli disappoints me because he is letting coach Nelson’s public comments about him get to him personally. Before the season he looked great, but now he looks like a totally different player. Thornton’s basketball IQ is not very good; he has a lot to learn. He is struggling with his shot selection, he hasn’t passed the ball well, and he looks lost on the court.
(Lance): Ok, let’s talk about some NBA prospects. A few weeks ago you were telling me about John Riek, the 19-year-old postgraduate player at Winchendon Prep. There have been mixed feelings on him, whether he should go play in college, or enter the NBA draft. What do you think he should do?
(Homer): Well, Lance, I have had the chance to watch him play several times, and he has skills and potential, but he still needs a lot of work. I definitely believe it would be in his best interest to pick a good hoops college and develop his skills there for awhile. If he entered the NBA this year, I think his short-term gain would be long-term pain, playing wise.
(Lance): Lately I have heard some scouts and college coaches talking about O.J. Mayo’s struggles on the court. Is his stock starting to fall?
(Homer): O.J. has a ton of talent, but he is starting to show more weaknesses as the season progresses. He has had a tough time creating opportunities in the lane being shut down by NBA big men prospects, so that brings some things into question. Also his fatigue level hasn’t been very high; he has been getting tired quickly playing back-to-back nights. He is going to have to show he can handle that otherwise NBA teams will pass on him. O.J. doesn’t always make good decisions on the floor and it affects his team. So I would say that his stock has fallen some.
(Lance): As of right now who do you think would be the number one overall pick be for the 2008 NBA draft?
(Homer): Right now I would say Michael Beasley would be the top pick. He has played excellent and he will be a star in the NBA. His attitude is what hurts him.
(Lance): You mentioned that you felt O.J. Mayo’s stock has fallen. Are there any other players whose stocks you think have fallen?
(Homer): Yes, Roy Hibbert went from a guaranteed top-ten selection to late lottery or possibly mid-first round. He is definitely not the same player from last year. Hasheem Thabeet went from a most likely top-twenty selection to late first round. He hasn’t improved his game much.
(Lance): Whose stocks would you say are rising?
(Homer): Definitely Jason Thompson at Rider University. He will probably be this year’s Rodney Stuckey, a player coming from a smaller program, making the big leap in the draft. Trent Plaisted at BYU went from not rally being talked about to now being able to go as high as 15. Jerryd Bayless, who we all knew was extremely talented, but I didn’t expect him to do what he is doing at Arizona so fast. He is now on the radar and could be drafted as high as number 5.
(Lance): People ask me this question a lot, so I will ask you. Who do you think the most underrated players in college are?
(Homer): I have five that I think are really underrated: Reggie Williams at VMI, Courtney Lee at Western Kentucky, Dionte Christmas at Temple, Eric Maynor at VCU, and Brian Roberts at Dayton. These five players are not only very talented, but they are the key pieces to their teams and I don’t think they get enough credit for what they do on the court.
(Lance): What international player would you take first in the draft: Nicolas Batum or Danilo Gallinari?
(Homer): Right now at this point I would take Danilo Gallinari first. I think he is a little more consistent and complete.
(Lance): Name a college player from each position that you like watching the most.
(Homer): PG- Jerryd Bayless, SG- Eric Gordon, SF- Donte Greene, PF- Michael Beasley, C- Kosta Koufos.
(Lance): Name two underclass players that nobody really talks about, but you think will have people talking in the future.
(Homer): Ryan Thompson who is the younger brother of Jason Thompson at Rider. At shooting guard he averages 14.7 ppg, 7.5 rbs, and 4.2 ast. He will be the go-to guy after his brother graduates; he has a lot of upside. Grant Maxey, a sophomore forward at Jackson State, averages 15.4 ppg, 6.4 rbs, and 2.2 ast. He is versatile and plays good all-around basketball.
(Lance): It’s funny you mentioned Grant’s name; we went to the same high school. He was a very good player, but I thought his slender frame would hinder him, but it hasn’t yet.
(Homer): To me he has some similarities with Richard Hamilton, I think he can compete even if he doesn’t put on more weight.
(Lance): When I look at Chris Lofton I feel he has Daniel Gibson potential, then other times I see him as J.J. Redick not contributing to his team much. What type of NBA player do you see Chris Lofton playing like?
(Homer): I think starting out he’ll probably be in the same situation as J.J. but I think he could eventually be a Delonte West-type player.
(Lance): You are in your seventeenth year as a basketball scout. How long do you plan to scout for?
(Homer): I keep telling myself I’ll stop when it’s not fun for me anymore. But there is a good chance I’ll stop after my twentieth year. I’ll have to wait and see when it gets to that point.
(Lance): Well as always it’s good talking hoops with you. Thank you for the interview and take care.
(Homer): Thank you, Lance, it’s always a pleasure. Enjoy your year!
