Grizzles get the pick they wanted.......

[Greenhead22]

Roberts goes to Sonics, then to Grizzlies

By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com

Lawrence Roberts didn't look at one online mock draft before Tuesday's NBA draft. He didn't ask his agent, Eric Fleisher, where he might go or which team could select him.

The former Mississippi State forward simply didn't want to know. He wanted to believe what he said before the draft: "I can just work hard, and it'll pay off. I know something will work out."

Roberts was proven right when the Seattle SuperSonics selected him with the 55th pick, then traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies for second-round picks in 2006 and 2007, and cash considerations.

"He's got great hands, he has the ability to get deep in the post, he can rebound," said analyst Jay Bilas, on the ESPN telecast. "He can get inside and score. He does have a chance (to make it), because he knows how to play."

By the time Roberts concluded his two-year career at State, he had set himself apart from many who had come before him. Since transferring from Baylor after his sophomore season, he racked up the accolades.

For the 2003-04 season, he was named SEC player of the year and an All-American after averaging 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds for the conference regular season champion Bulldogs. The season ended, and Roberts applied for early entry into the NBA's draft. But when he learned he wouldn't likely be a first-rounder, he returned to MSU.

As a senior, he earned first-team All-SEC status, averaging 16.9 points and 11 rebounds. In practice, he worked on his perimeter game, trying to become more than just a rebounder.

Roberts said teams responded favorably to his athleticism, lauding his ability to play above the rim. He thought he compared well to the other forwards.

"As far as the workouts are concerned, you can't tell me they are that much more skilled than me," he said.

Still, it's his rebounding that gives him his best shot at making a team.

"If you can find a niche like that, you can make it," said Tony Barone Jr., director of scouting for the Memphis Grizzlies, prior to the draft. "All the other stuff can fall into place if you have a certain attribute."

Barone, whose team didn't then have a second-round pick, raved about Roberts before the draft. He called him a "rebounding monster" and ridiculed teams for questioning Roberts' height.

"All that matters is he goes and gets it," said Barone, who now hopes the Grizzlies will be the beneficiary.

[rebelduckaholic]

I know they are losing some players this year but the Grizzlies have enough fowards to share some.