|
TDR Interview: Taking 15 with Lester Hudson
Article: Lester Hudson... Boom or Bust?
Strengths: Has legit NBA three point range on his jumper that he can make with regularity … Even more impressive is Hudson’s ability to create off the dribble where he can literally take one or two dribbles from anywhere on the perimeter and pull-up with pressure and score successfully … Much of this due to his quality shooting mechanics which are comprised of a quick release and the uncanny ability to slightly fade back while he releases the ball at the peak of his jump shot … This generally means that if you give him any space he needs little time to get the shot off … Athletically, he has good quickness and decent leaping ability … This really helps him when rebounding the ball where his numbers are better than most centers in his conference … Despite his scoring ability and confidence Hudson remains an unselfish player who isn’t a gunner … Does a great job of letting the game come to him … Defensively, he moves very well laterally and possesses quick hands to disrupt passing lanes … Moves exceptionally well without the ball in his hands, a rarity for most shooters … Makes excellent use of shooting off screens from behind the three point line … Gets decent separation from his defender through the use of his explosive first step and change of speed dribbles … Makes good decisions with the ball once he gets into the lane and consistently looks for open teammates on drive and dish situations … Creative scorer who has the confidence to do a great deal of complicated moves on the perimeter, whether it’s taking step back three point shots or using power dribbles proceeded by a soft pull-up jumper … Solid free throw shooter …
Weaknesses: Tweener to a degree in that he is a shooting guard in a point guard’s body … Being outside the realm of a power conference will naturally lead some to point out his level of competition, but to Hudson’s credit he has played well against Memphis, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State … Lacks the experience and various point guard qualities that most scouts like to see in a combo guard - factors such as controlling tempo and learning how to involve teammates offensively are key components of running an offense properly … Defensively, Hudson tends to gamble too much searching for steal opportunities, whether its overplaying passing lanes or using his hands to take swipes at the ball … This over aggressiveness often leads to his assignment getting open, as Hudson is out of position … Needs to stay consistently focused on defense mentally and, more importantly, apply heavy pressure using his footwork, not his hands … Can get so consumed in scoring that he doesn’t first secure the ball after receiving it, which leaves him vulnerable to quick strips … Because of his body type Hudson lacks the height to convert his shots in traffic and, more importantly, looks out of his comfort zone … Age wise, there are some issues about how much more he can improve - although a junior, Hudson will be 24 by the time the NBA pre-season begins …
Matthew Maurer - 2/26/08
BIOGRAPHY If you have additional information you would like to contribute to any player profile (i.e. missing stats, biography), please click here. Please be aware that you must have a verifiable source.Statistics | ||||||||||||||||||
SEASONS |
GP |
FG% |
3PT% |
FT% |
SPG |
BPG |
RPG |
APG |
PPG |
|||||||||
2004-05 SW Tennessee C.C. |
28 |
51.5 |
37.1 |
67.2 |
2.0 |
0.3 |
6.6 |
2.7 |
13.9 |
|||||||||
2005-06 SW Tennessee C.C. |
31 |
46.1 |
32.1 |
67.5 |
2.4 |
0.2 |
5.7 |
3.0 |
17.5 |
|||||||||
2006-07 Tennessee-Martin |
Did Not Play Academically Ineligible |
|||||||||||||||||
2007-08 Tennessee-Martin |
33 |
46.4 |
38.8 |
83.4 |
2.8 |
0.7 |
7.8 |
4.5 |
25.7 |
|||||||||
2008-09 Tennessee-Martin |
32 |
44.9 |
35.5 |
88.1 |
2.3 |
0.6 |
7.9 |
4.2 |
27.5 |
|||||||||
DIV I Totals |
65 |
45.7 |
37.2 |
85.7 |
2.6 |
0.7 |
7.8 |
4.4 |
26.6 |