With the NBA Draft fast approaching, and the Early Entry List set, it's time to examine more in depth some of the players who could be available for each of the Pacers three picks. (I am operating under the assumption Dallas will be sending us their 2nd round pick this year, not next, to complete the Shawne Williams deal. June 1st is the final deadline for Dallas to decide.)
Obviously, the Pacers 1st Round pick is the most exciting and has the most potential for value. As we need a lot of improvement in all areas, I will be looking at players who should be available for all three picks. My plan is to post two profiles a day, for 2nd rounders, until the Draft Lottery on May 18th. After the team's first round position is finalized, I'll begin profiling 1st Rounders.
These profiles cover players I believe have some value to offer the Pacers next season and in the future. These profiles are not intended to advocate for one player over another, just examine their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss in some detail what they have to offer. For each profile I provided Ten Important Statistics to guide the discussion. When discussing how each player can help the Pacers I will try to specifically reference the team needs I identified in Setting the Table for the Pacers Summer. Here is who we will be looking at today:
Sylven Landesberg - SG - 6'6" 185 lbs. - University of Virginia
| Pts/40 | Reb/40 | Ast/40 | Stl/40 | eFG% | 3PT% | FT% | FTA/40 | A/TO | Pts/POS |
| 21.5 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 47.0% | 38.3% | 81.0% | 6.6 | 1.26 | 1.09 |
Strengths -
- Landesberg has good size for an NBA wing.
- He has above average ball-handling ability, and is very good off the dribble. He uses this ability to get to the free-throw line at a high rate and is a terrific free throw shooter.
- He is a consistent jump shooter with his feet set, off the dribble and coming off screens.
- Landesberg is a good rebounder for his position. He has also shown flashes of being a very capable playmaker and using his penetration abilities to create shots for his teammates.
- Landesberg played his two college seasons under different coaches, with completely different offensive styles. His freshman year he played in an up-tempo full court offense. His second year the team's offense was much slower and more deliberate. It is to his benefit to have learned and played in both different offensive styles.
- Some highlights:
Weaknesses -
- While he has the good size, his speed, quickness and leaping ability are very average by NBA standards.
- His average athleticism makes it difficult for him to finish effectively around the basket.
- He doesn't get a lot of elevation on his jumpshot, which may make it difficult to get it off against NBA defenders.
- Landesberg has the ability to be an effective defender but right now, exhibits very poor fundamentals.
How he can help the Pacers -
- Landesberg is a very talented and confident offensive player, and could be a significant talent upgrade at the end of the Pacers wing rotation. He will probably need a year or two to work on his fundamentals, adjust to the speed of the NBA game, and adjust to the complimentary role he will be playing in the NBA.
- He can provide scoring punch off the bench. He can handle the ball, create his own shot or shots for others, or work off the ball as a spot up shooter. If the team could somehow merge his DNA with Dahntay Jones they would have a pretty complete shooting guard.
More Information -