If anything he's a more traditional fit at the 4 in college. He's a tweener in the sense that he doesn't project as a prototypical 4 (Zach Randolph) due to lack of size/strength/post game or 3 (Kevin Durant) as he hasn't yet developed the ball skills. Fortunately for him: positions aren't as relevant in today's NBA game. As has been said before, CJL needs to shoot 1000 elbow jumpers/day during the offseason. He has the size/athleticism to be a match up nightmare at the next level IF he can develop a very reliable jump shot and work on his ball-handling.

He has improved quite a bit during the course of the season and is the primary reason our games are bearable to watch at this point.

[Edited on March 1, 2012 at 9:38 AM. Reason : ^beat me to it and much more succinctly]

3/1/2012 9:37:22 AM

Come on people, is Shawn Marion a tweener in the NBA, does it really even matter?

3/1/2012 9:43:24 AM

Hopefully he realizes that next year we'll be a better team and have more national exposure. Even with the talent we have coming in he will lose hardly any minutes, and will be even more effective with the focus not just on him and ZO.

He seem to really like it here at NC State and love the school growing up, but all that can go out the door if someone get in his ear about money (see Josh Powell).

bulk up, work on jump shoot, work on conditioning (cramps), and profit $texas next year.

3/1/2012 9:50:31 AM

If Gottfried can recruit 3-4 McDonalds All-Americans to an NC State program that hasn't been to a tournament in 6 years, I'm sure he can convince Leslie to stay.

3/1/2012 9:51:50 AM

^^^...it impacts whether Leslie stays or goes. So yes, it matters for us. Also, Shawn Marion is not really a tweener.

3/1/2012 10:00:27 AM

Y'all can't tell me this face is going to leave Gott behind!

3/1/2012 10:05:50 AM

Quote :

"Come on people, is Shawn Marion a tweener in the NBA, does it really even matter?"

Come on Banjo, shut-up.

3/1/2012 10:11:04 AM

^ No.

It's not silly at all to think that he will declare this year regardless of whether or not the TWW "experts" think that he is ready.

Despite all of the logic that you all can spit out, he could easily be intrigued and declare.

3/1/2012 10:20:25 AM

You citing Shawn Marion as a reason CJL could declare is whats stupid.

We all know CJL could declare...but he really is in a tough place as a player looking at the NBA. He still relies on his athleticism to get the majority of his points in college. He won't be able to do that in the NBA. He's also not tall enough to get by on that "big man with potential" label that gets guys like Ed Davis and Brandan Wright drafted.

He's a SF in the NBA unless he goes through some radical body transformation during the offseason. Which means that he needs to develop, at the very least, a decent mid-range jumpshot. He also needs to get a better handle on the ball.

3/1/2012 10:33:12 AM

He needs to work on a lot of things. I'm afraid if he goes now, he'll bounce around the D-league for a bit before spending the rest of his career putting up mediocre number on some mid-tier Euro league team. Even if he stays for 3-4 years and improves the weak points of his game, I still have my doubts that he can be an effective NBA player. How will he score? He's too small to bang in the post, and he still can't shoot to save his life. His best chance is probably to work like hell on his defense and become a Corey Brewer type who can guard 1-4 on any given night. I don't see him ever becoming a 15 ppg at the next level.

3/1/2012 10:53:21 AM

Quote :

"I don't see him ever becoming a 15 ppg at the next level."

I wouldn't go that far. Plenty of players have drastically improved their shots at this level. If he does that, he could be a very solid NBA SF.

3/1/2012 11:10:07 AM

42 guys in the league currently score that much. Do you really see CJ becoming a top 50 offensive player in the league? I don't.

3/1/2012 11:43:49 AM

I don't right now. But he has the size and athletic tools. Just needs to improve his shot.

3/1/2012 11:53:14 AM

I would just like to say that the one alley oop last night was ridiculous. Dude jumped from like halfcourt and dunked it.

3/1/2012 12:23:13 PM

perfect pass from brown too, who was about a step behind half-court when he threw it.

3/1/2012 12:24:12 PM

What's even more amazing is that leslie was the one that started the break with a rebound or steal or something. I can't remember which.

3/1/2012 12:28:23 PM

It was a steal. He actually came over from the guy he was defending to steal the ball to Brown and then flew down the court. I dint think he would be able to get to the rim the way he did. It was pretty amazing to see.

3/1/2012 12:33:24 PM

that play was amazing. There were some ESPN top 10 plays that weren't even close to as impressive as that... can't believe that didn't make it

3/1/2012 12:39:18 PM

there a clip of that on youtube yet? amazing play.

3/1/2012 12:48:40 PM

he also had some great blocks last night as well.

3/1/2012 12:55:18 PM

He's definitely been a monster for us these past few games. Him and Brown give us a chance to make a run in the ACC tournament.

3/1/2012 1:44:48 PM

Alley-oop play starts at about 0:58

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgzIDm3GRag&feature=player_embedded#!

3/1/2012 2:43:40 PM

just from watching, i don't think there's any way that leslie leaves.

but apparently people think he will?! what a bad decision that'd be.

3/1/2012 7:43:02 PM

the worst case scenario is him making bank in Europe, chillin in the Mediterranean for the summer. I mean, who would want to do that?

3/1/2012 8:31:31 PM

^^I wouldnt be surprised with his play at the end of the season, may not be smart, but powell left after just a good tourney round

3/1/2012 8:37:07 PM

the nba wants guys that it can rely on, not guys that are capable of getting hot and making easy buckets look hard.

someone explain this to leslie!

3/1/2012 8:41:01 PM

hopefully gott will convince him he needs to spend the summer working on a consistent jump shot, but never doubt the irrational decision making of 20 year old kids

[Edited on March 1, 2012 at 8:43 PM. Reason : .]

3/1/2012 8:42:52 PM

Quote :

" but Powell left after just a good tourney round"

Powell left after Hodge stole his girlfriend and the limelight. He clearly had an issue with Hodge as leader of the team.

I don't know of any personality conflicts with Leslie.

[Edited on March 1, 2012 at 9:14 PM. Reason : 2]

3/1/2012 9:08:43 PM

speculation

3/2/2012 4:27:43 PM

Which part?

3/2/2012 4:42:12 PM

powell has definitely been quoted saying that he didnt like how everyone here was focused on just one guy (meaning hodge)

hodge's wife is his high school gf so I seriously doubt theres any validity to the rest

3/2/2012 4:47:35 PM

I don't think he'll declare because I think he would go higher next year, not because of some sense of loyalty.

3/2/2012 4:51:48 PM

Maybe Hodge "banged" instead of "stole" Powell's girl.

Referencing this tweet from Hodge back in October:

Quote :

" #youknowiloveyouwhen I passed up on re-getting Ciarra digits because I told you of our past encounter frosh yr when JP was dating her #guilty"

[Edited on March 2, 2012 at 4:53 PM. Reason : 2]

3/2/2012 4:52:40 PM

ha, I completely forgot that I originally posted that

message_topic.aspx?topic=448513&page=13#15052477

3/2/2012 4:57:59 PM

Powell was better than Hodge his sophomore year.

Although Powell does stink in the NBA, he's managed to hang around on a roster a lot longer than Hodge did too.

Powell was a stud, it's pretty well sourced that his family took money so he couldn't return for his junior year after he realized he wasn't a first round pick. Sucks. We could have been a top 5 team the next year with Powell back. (finished 8th nationally in kenpom even without him and were a 2 or 3 seed drawing a blank)

3/2/2012 5:37:30 PM

well, if CJ comes back, he will def be the focal point of our offense.

3/2/2012 6:50:54 PM

Quote :

"6.C.J. Leslie, So., NCSU: Odds are, the lanky forward will leave. But considering the way he’s improved under the guidance of Mark Gottfried’s staff, Leslie could be a lottery pick with more seasoning. He’ll need a big postseason performance to feel fully secure about going in the first round. "

via Tudor's article in the N&O

3/6/2012 12:59:41 PM

i think CJL will stay. i think he will dominate next year and be a 1st team All ACC'er. then i think he will be a lottery pick next year.

3/6/2012 1:28:21 PM

if i'm gottfried i'm compiling a video of every time this season that leslie has stumbled over his own feet and then thrown up a shot that got swatted. people that are ready to get paid lottery money don't do things like that.

it's not sour grapes either, if a kid should leave then he should leave, but leslie should stay one more year.

3/6/2012 1:35:08 PM

if there's even a risk of being a second round pick, a player should stay. but who knows what he'll do.

3/6/2012 2:21:49 PM

true, except for the risk of coming back, tearing your acl, and losing it all

3/6/2012 2:25:56 PM

yeah but its not football, career enders are few and far between in college.

In football you go as soon as someone is willing to pay you.

3/6/2012 2:28:48 PM

^

^^Robbie Hummel is the only recent example of that. even Kenyon Martin shattered his leg and was still a high pick

[Edited on March 6, 2012 at 2:43 PM. Reason : .]

3/6/2012 2:42:32 PM

Number 1 overall even

I think with CJ, the only reason he should go is to get the clock ticking towards free agency, which is where the real money is. But I feel the value he'd gain from another year of seasoning FAR outweighs that. He is still incredibly raw.

3/6/2012 2:45:53 PM

if leslie is playing that long of a game, he should stay all 4. i doubt he is though, and really when the short game can net you so much money, i wouldn't be either.

3/6/2012 3:35:02 PM

In any other year I figure he's gone, but we do need to remember this year is different because more people cam back last year because of the lockout uncertainty. This year will be packed with people for the draft in all likelyhood.

There are some stupid pics here http://nbadraft.net/2012mock_draft but it gives you an idea of some of the talent that is/could be available this year.

[Edited on March 6, 2012 at 4:00 PM. Reason : And that doesn't list a lot of underclassmen that could decide to jump]

3/6/2012 3:58:36 PM

^ Whoa, Ryan Harrow ahead of CJL in their 2013 draft

but yeah, i get your point, these guys are kinda throwing darts at a board, but it is definitely helpful as far as getting a list of who's available. and CJL sneaking into the first round this year is a bit of a stretch to say the least after looking at everyone on the 2012/2013 lists. he's not strong enough yet to play inside in the NBA, and his ball handling and jump shot are too raw to play outside. but another year or two and he should be able to improve all three of these areas dramatically.

3/6/2012 4:12:23 PM

Good article on his pro prospects

Quote :

"Last time we checked in on C.J. Leslie, he was in the middle of an up-and-down freshman campaign under Sidney Lowe that ended with North Carolina State finishing below below-.500 for the third time in 15 years. Opting to stay in school despite Lowe's resignation, Leslie has had a much more efficient season for the Wolfpack for first-year Head Coach Mark Gottfried. One of the most gifted athletes at the power forward position in the college game, the questions surrounding Leslie's NBA potential remain largely unchanged, despite the fact that he's been significantly more productive in a number of areas as a sophomore. As we noted in our last report, Leslie's biggest strength as a prospect is his impressive blend of length, quickness, and explosiveness. He gets up the floor as well as any player his size in the country and while he lacks significant strength, he has the quick second jump to be an effective rebounder on both ends of the floor and when dialed in can make a major impact defensively. Despite his merits as an athlete, his ability to consistently make the most of those assets is inconsistent at best at this juncture and is the most significant limiting factor on his impact in the college game and upside as a pro. The young forward may still struggle at times with his approach to the game, but he has shown improvement in some areas. Getting most of his looks in simple catch-and-finish situations last season, or in transition, where he truly excels, Leslie has become a more prominent fixture in North Carolina State's offense, seeing significantly more opportunities to create his shot in one-on-one situations than he did as a freshman, both on the perimeter and in the low post. Lacking significant polish on the block, Leslie relies on his ability to face-up and beat his defender to the basket in close quarters. He has little trouble finding his way to the rim or getting his shot off when he uses a simple drop-step, but doesn't always have the fundamentals, footwork, counter-moves, and aptitude for using fakes to regularly capitalize on the looks he does create for himself. Often making a move and elevating off-balance as soon as he sees daylight, Leslie still manages to score 43.9% of his shot attempts in the post according to Synergy Sports Technology, a near 11% improvement from last season and a testament to just how valuable his athleticism is at the high-major level. Leslie's propensity to take tough shots around the basket limits his efficiency to some degree, but his athleticism makes him a more than capable finisher around the rim, especially when he's getting the ball with a running start in transition or pulling down an offensive rebound for a put-back. On the whole, Leslie is most efficient when his teammates are creating shots for him, even if he has shown some budding skills in the post. Away from the rim, Leslie is still in the early stages of his development out on the perimeter. His ball-handling ability remains unpolished, even if he uses straight line drives effectively when he faces up down low, thanks to his tremendous first step. Mostly guarded by power forwards at the NCAA level, Leslie doesn't need to make too many fancy moves to simply blow by his defender from the high post in isolation situations, which is a significant part of N.C. State's half-court attack. To make the full conversion to playing on the perimeter, and to be able to begin his moves outside the 3-point line rather than at the elbow, Leslie will need to continue to shore up his ball-handling skills and decision making ability, which could have a huge impact on his effectiveness in the half-court. As a jump shooter, Leslie hasn't made much progress, but he's been significantly more discerning with his shot selection. While he's still making less than 30% of his jumpers, he's not forcing the issue as frequently as he did last season and has shown marked improvement at the foul line, even if he is still only shooting 62% from the charity stripe. Only having made three 3-pointers on the season through 29 games, Leslie obviously still has a ways to go before he can be asked to play out on the perimeter full time. Playing more like a power forward that he did last season, Leslie has found a way to be more productive and efficient despite his lack of polish, something he did not manage to do last season. If he's going to be successful at the next level, he'd be well served to show a more consistent motor running the floor, be more aggressive crashing the glass, or look to refine his face up game significantly, as questions remain about where he fits offensively. Possessing all the physical tools necessary to be successful on that end of the floor, Leslie would benefit from playing a role that would allow him to capitalize on his athleticism in transition while affording him a chance to develop a comfort level as a face-up scorer from the midrange. Defensively, Leslie is limited to some degree by his lack of bulk, but is mostly inhibited by his inconsistent motor. By no means is he an incapable defender, as he's been terrific for stretches, using his length to block shots at the rim and his quickness to deny dribble penetration, but he has not consistently competed with an intensity that let him get the most out of his abilities. Taking possessions off, not always looking to rebound his area, and not contesting his match-up's short-range shots at all on occasion, the sophomore does not make the most of his tremendous length and quickness off the floor. If the light bulb does come on, his upside on this end of the floor is significant, but that still hasn't happened up until this point in his career. Moving forward, it will be Leslie's work ethic and approach to the game that dictates how the early part of his career unfolds. With North Carolina State firmly on the bubble after four straight losses, Leslie's ability to get his team into the tournament and his play in March will be significant, as he's had some strong outings for the Wolfpack in recent weeks even if his team has not been winning games. A potential early entrant, Leslie's draft stock is bound to his upside, and in the right situation with the right group of teammates and coaches at the next level, he could really make a team happy considering where he's likely to be picked. At just 20 years old, Leslie clearly has some maturation and a long career ahead of him, and considering his strengths and weaknesses, is an intriguing a boom or bust prospect to consider in the 20-40 range. From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz1oRaW1kzu http://www.draftexpress.com "

3/7/2012 10:09:31 AM

Very thorough write up, with some compelling reasons to stay. I think he'll stay one more year for Gott, and then leave.

As long as he doesn't fuck it up this weekend.

[Edited on March 7, 2012 at 10:14 AM. Reason : ]

3/7/2012 10:13:54 AM

20-40 range this year.

1-20 range next year.

I think he stays, for that reason alone.

3/7/2012 10:33:20 AM