Some Post Draft Day Thoughts

Winners:

Blazers: Everyone is giving Portland an A+. I give them an A-. Yeah they got Oden...but that didn't take a stroke of genius. But they did have a great draft. Rudy Fernandez could be a potential steal down the road. Byars, Kaponen, and Green are late prospects....heck, even McRoberts isn't a bad pick for how low they got him. As far as the Knicks trade....I've never been a huge fan of Zach Randolf, but the guy can really score and is a legit 24/10 guy! His defense and shotblocking are suspect (ok, non-existent) but thats whats so great about drafting Oden. I think they could've been a formidable frontcourt...with Aldridge still getting plenty of minutes. And Francis has a relatively bad contract himself and Frye is overrated. In the end though, I guess they are taking a half step back for now to improve in the future.

Warriors: If this move gets KG, then this is move gets an A+++! However, if it doesn't...its just a B. It's nice to get rid of J-Rich's contract but he's still a good player. I would've liked this move better if it wasn't B.Wright though. He has nice upside....but of all the top 10 guys, this guy has the biggest bust potential. Still, if Wright can thrive anywhere, it might be in G.S.'s uptempo style where his athletcism will outshine his lack of real basketball skills....and they don't really need J-Rich with all their wings. Like the Bellini pick though. Maybe I'll upgrade to a A-.

Celtics: People clown on Ainge no matter WHAT he does. if he drafted for himself, he'd get critcized for keeping the team too young again. now that he finally brings in a veteran star in Ray Allen and he gets heat for not keeping the pick. We have to remember, the Celts play in the JV league called the Eastern conference. Yeah this team isn't a championship team, but its enough to make some noise in the East. People that haven't seen Al Jefferson this year, have never seen him, he's a legit threat in the post. And Rajon Rondo is a PG who I think will have a sleeper of a season (make note: late sleeper pick in fantasy bball!). Jesus Shuttlesworth will spread the defense for Pierce and Rondo and give more room to Jefferson as well, and Jefferson's post play and Pierce and Rondo's ability to slash will give Allen some open looks as well. I honestly wouldn't be shocked if this team not only made the playoffs but won a round or two. Heck, in the East, you can't count anyone out from making the Finals.
And lets not forget, Ainge in the process dumped the bad contract of Wally, who is hurt every year, and also picked up two very nice sleeper picks in the second round in Pruitt and Big Baby. Both have a good shot of making the team which is nice. People are clowning on Ainge but I actually give the guy a B+/A-.

Btw, I like Seattle's move too......cept I don't love Jeff Green. I see how his game might compliment Durant's well.....still, when youre trying to rebuild a franchise, you try to get superstars first, not complementary role players. Corey Brewer has much more upside than Green, and he might even have a higher floor as well cuz of his defense. Good idea....but wrong pick IMO.

Joakim Noah: Most of the lottery picks are going to really bad teams. Noah gets to go to the Bulls and should fit in well. But the real reason he's here is his sweet suit.





Not as great as people think:

Hawks: Can't hate on the Horford pick...he should be a really good one. Still, I have a feeling Conley will be great. And the thing is, the dropoff from Conley to Acie Law is pretty big. I loved Acie in college, but he's not an NBA all-star type talent. I think they get a B, but heck, I'll give em an B+ just for not screwing things up as usual.

Oden's Sense of Humor: Ok, it was a nice surprise that behind that 47 year old face is a young goofy guy with some personality. But since then, its just gone way overboard. Every damn interview, the guy tries to say something funny. I think he's trying to be like Shaq....but he's not as funny as Shaq.

"uh....why did the chicken cross the road?"


"this joke blows."


What Oden needs is a dose of "Jamie Fox" conscience.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0t8gCtw0ISI


Not as bad as people think:

Knicks: I think people are just used to bashing Isiah without thinking about it now. When you hear Isiah made a trade, you naturally cringe at the thought of his next ridiculous move. But this one isn't bad at all. The Knicks get a LEGIT 20/10 guy that can definitely put up points without giving up much at all. Franchise struggled through injuries and could hardly earn consistent mins even when playing and he still has 2 years of a bad contract. Frye....might be one of the most overrated players in the NBA. He's a soft C that can shoot outside....whoopdeedoo. Curry and Zach sounds very soft in the defense department, but they are very good low post scorers....and Zach has range too. Not a killer move but not deserving of the ridicule Isiah is getting. However, I guess Zach moving to NYC might be dangerous. He could get into trouble, or maybe he gets fat eating at all the nice restaurants and sitting there all night at Scores.


Honorable mentions :

Spurs: Geez, I hate the Spurs organization. They keep getting decent to good finds late in drafts and Tiago might be another one. This guy has semi entered the draft for the past 2-3 years and always talked about as a top 15 pick. The Spurs get him at 28 and then get a decent athletic SF in Marcus Williams.
Sixers: Just a nice draft overall. Couldn't move up....but with where they were picking, they picked up some nice potential with all their picks.
Nets: For taking a risk on Sean Williams. He fits their system perfectly. Yeah he's HIGH risk, but he's also HIGH reward. Considering how many people bust per year, this is a nice gamble at pick 17.


Losers:

Yi Jianlian: The guy and his representatives did EVERYTHING they could to not get drafted by Milwaukee....and they drafted him anyways! haha. That sucks.

"I wonder if they eat Chinese people in Milwaukee?"

Lakers: It pains me to say it....but I think the biggest losers are my very own Lakers. Javaris is a decent pick at 19...but its a loss in the sense that although the top 18 or so had a different order, there was noone that "slipped" to 19. Everyone I wanted was gone and Javaris was the only logical pick. (Though Rudy Fernandez might be the better pick as well.) Still, can't hate on the pick.....but then things get bad, ...SUN YUE? Are you kidding me! His highlight was him standing there dribbling for 5 seconds and then passing it. His scouting report says if he fills out, his upside is Luke Walton. FREAKING LUKE WALTON? Thats sad if your UPSIDE is Luke Walton....oh and btw, we also happen to HAVE LUKE WALTON ALREADY!

"Gimme the ball damnit! I'm the Chinese Luke Walton damnit!"

Then we get Pau Gasol's younger, not as good, less athletic brother. I don't like hearing we got a player LESS athletic than Pau Gasol.

"Gyeah, I'd like to see Pau do this!"

Honestly, both second round picks sounds like a ploy to sell tickets (large asian community in LA and the hype of having Pau's brother). And the other reason the Lakers are a big loser is they did nothing to get significantly better. No trades. Drafted a raw 19 yr old PG and 2 stiffs that likely won't make the NBA. Yeah, thats gotta make Kobe REALLY excited about next year. The Lakers can say goodbye to Kobe now.

2007 NBA Mock Draft v.2

Ok, here's an updated and final mock draft before the real draft later this week!

1. Portland Trailblazers: Greg Oden, C, OSU: The Blazers have one of the best young nucleuses (or is it nuclei?) in the L, with last years rooks Roy, Aldridge, and Rodriguez (aka Spanish Chocolate) and also nice young potential in Webster, Outlaw, and Jack. Pritchard has been high on Durant all year, and hey could use a SF and supposedly Durant had an amazing workout. Still, Oden is the likely pick.

2. Seattle Supersonics: Kevin Durant, SF, Texas: Will go down as one of the best draft consolation prizes ever (yes, even better than Sam Bowie at #2). The most talented and versatile college talent I’ve ever seen. Expect scoring titles and all-star games in the near future.

3. Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford, PF, Fla: After measuring bigger than expected and a series of great workouts, it seems Al Horford is fast becoming the consensus #3 guy in the draft. Although they could desperately use a PG and Conley would be a good pick here, Knight has said repeatedly he will take the best player available.

4. Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley Jr, PG, OSU: Memphis seems high on Horford and Conley…so whichever of the two that is here will likely be taken here.

5. Boston Celtics: Corey Brewer, SF, Fla: Ok, this one is pretty speculative. All of a sudden Phoenix is working out players that are going in the top 10. A trade imminent? Boston seems to make the most sense as they have been shopping their pick and it also seems this all may be tied in with Minnesota and KG. My guess is they work out a deal using Marion instead of Amare and draft Brewer who would be a great fit in their system. If there is no trade, Brewer is still a great pick here and a good fit as if they can’t make a trade, they would likely shop Pierce very soon after.

6. Milwaukee Bucks: Brandan Wright, PF, UNC: The Bucks are glad Wright falls into their lap. Though eventually will likely be a PF, with his slight frame Wright can slide right into the starting SF spot and give the Bucks a nice young (though a little on the soft side) frontcourt with Bogut, Charlie V, and Wright.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Yi Jianlian, C, China: Yi is tricky as he is apparently not working out for certain teams (and Minnesota is one of those teams) which makes it difficult to predict where he’ll go. So its hard to say they’ll take Yi when he won’t even work out for them. Jeff Green is the safe pick here but if I’m about to lose KG, I’m looking for some upside here. Yi has a lot more upside than Green and I think he will be the pick here….or at least he should be.

8. Charlotte Bobcats: Joakim Noah, PF/C, Fla: The Bobcats could go for an athletic do it all SF like Wright, especially if they lose Gerald Wallace. But I think Jordan will like that Noah will bring some size and energy to the frontcourt.

9. Chicago Bulls: Spencer Hawes, C, Washington: The Bulls have a ton of young talent, but they need a C, and more specifically a C with some low post scoring skills.

10. Sacramento Kings: Jeff Green, SF, Georgetown: For a team that needs a lot of help, Jeff Green is one of the more polished players in the draft.

11. Atlanta Hawks: Acie Law, PG, Texas A&M: One of my favorite players in college last year. This guy is a clutch gamer that carried his team on his back many times. Since it looks like the Hawks might go for Horford at #3, Acie seems like the logical pick here.

12. Philadelphia 76ers: Julian Wright, SF, Kansas: A do it all point forward type with a ton of skills, intangibles, and a ton of potential. Well, he has all the skills except shooting….but if the gets his jumper down, he will be the whole package. Philly really needs a PF desperately, but with no PF’s in this range, Wright’s versatility is nice and will be a nice complement to more specialists and perimeter oriented SFs Korver and Carney.

13. New Orleans Hornets: Nick Young, SG, USC: I had Young here in my old mock draft predicting his stock would rise. Now a lot of mocks have Nick Young in this exact spot…so no need for me to change my mind now.

14. Los Angeles Clippers: Javaris Crittenton, PG, G.Tech: Cassell is getting old and that Livingston injury looked REALLY BAD. So drafting a PG here makes sense. They could go with Thornton if they can move Maggette, but as that is kinda speculative, I’ll say they take Javaris here.

15. Detroit Pistons: Rodney Stuckey, SG, E.Washington: Another of my secret picks that was exposed. I said Stuckey’s stock would rise and had him going at #16, but now suddenly most mock drafts have him at 15…which makes sense. An explosive combo guard in the mold of Wade, Gordon, Foye, etc. The Pistons could use the scoring and Chauncey is getting up there in age.

16. Washington Wizards: Al Thornton, SF, FSU: Thornton has been moving up the boards due to his athleticism and workouts. This is more a value pick more than anything.

17. New Jersey Nets: Sean Williams, PF, BC: Another guy that I thought would go in this range and now some mock drafts have him here also. The only problem with Williams is his off-court issues….which may be enough to scare off some GMs. Not sure what the Nets think of him…but they could definitely use a player like him.

18. Golden State Warriors: Jason Smith, PF/C, Colorado: The Warriors are a team on the rise and are pretty good at every position. Smith will give them some frontcourt depth and will fit in with the Warriors uptempo style.

19. Los Angeles Lakers: Thaddeus Young, SF, Georgia Tech: Ok, this is MY pick. So far all the picks have been what I think each team will do…but as a Laker fan, I’m reserving the right to make this pick myself. I’ve had my eye on Young for a while now. This is really an upside pick more than anything. This guy was a top 3-4 player in his high school class behind Oden and Durant. He has great athleticism and can shoot outside as well. While still very raw both on offense and defense, his athleticism gives him great potential. Anyways, SF is a great area of need for the Lakers and Young is a great compliment to Luke Walton. Young is very raw but has great athletcism, quickness, agility and a ton of upside. Luke is very polished and has great unathletcism, mind-blowing slowness, and no upside whatsoever.
    

20. Miami Heat: Gabe Pruitt, PG, USC: The Heat need to get younger and more athletic at the PG and SF spots.

21. Philadelphia 76ers: Tiago Splitter, C, Brazil: The Sixers need a PF badly and this is a good value pick here.

22. Charlotte Bobcats: Morris Almond, SG, Rice: Bobcats need some athleticism at SG where they play Carroll or Morrison. Morrison is a total bust and Almond is not only more athletic, but a better shooter as well.

23. New York Knicks: Wilson Chandler, SF, DePaul: Almost every mock draft has Dequan Cook here. ESPN thinks Chandler may have gotten a promise from Isiah and the Knicks…..and the thing is…I’m gonna believe it. Say what you will about Isiah the GM, he’s terrible. BUT Isiah has proven himself in the scouting department, having drafted guys like Tmac, Camby, Damo, and promising guys like Ariza, Frye, Nate Robinson, and David Lee late in drafts. Last year everyone clowned on Renaldo Balkman…but even he turned out pretty decent. Chandler is a raw athlete with a lot of potential and to me it makes sense that Isiah would lock him up here.

24. Phoenix Suns: Rudy Fernandez, PG, Spain: For the past 2 years the Suns have been using the draft to cut payroll. I think the Suns will willingly throw their picks into a trade offer to move up to #5. If not, they will likely go international and keep them overseas to save cap space.

25. Utah Jazz: Marco Belinelli, SG, Italy: The Jazz’s only weakness seems to be at SG. Marco seems like the pick, he’s a SG, pretty athletic, can shoot, and most importantly….he’s white.

26. Houston Rockets: Glen Davis, PF, LSU: After the Howard/James trade, the Rockets could use some depth at PF. The Rockets are supposedly high on Nick Fazekas, but I think Davis is the better pick. He has conditioning issues, but also is better inside than Nick and has more upside. A Yao/Nick frontcourt would just be too slow and a defensive liability.

27. Detroit Pistons: Josh McRoberts, PF, Duke: Once considered a lottery prospect, this is not a bad value this late in the draft. Has a lot of skills and talent…and not a bad athlete either. Just doesn’t seem to have “it”. Still would provide good depth backing up the aging Cwebb and Sheed.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Jared Dudley, PF, Boston College: Reminds me of a less athletic, not as good Robert Horry….which isn’t bad. He can be a good role player, especially on a team like the Spurs and he is a smart player with good intangibles, plays hard, and can shoot from outside.

29. Phoenix Suns: Daequan Cook, SG, OSU: Again, I think the Suns aren’t gonna pick here….but IF they do, Cook is a great value pick at this point. Offensively very talented but had an up and down year. If he went back to school and entered next year’s draft he’d likely go much higher. Barbosa and Cook could become a scary backcourt in the future. Or they’ll pick some international guy they can stash somewhere and not have to pay.

30. Philadelphia 76ers: Taurean Green, PG, Fla: Again, the Sixers have so many picks, if they can’t trade to move up in the draft, they will likely have to take an international guy they can stash overseas as well. However, I have them drafting Tiago at 21 who they can stash overseas if need be. Green is a solid pick here as they have no good backup PG.