Aright guys, I'm back from Greece so I'm going to give my thoughts on the draft.
Atlanta-For the first time since they got Smith and Childress, the Hawks made the right picks on draft night. Horford gives them a low post option that can score (opposed to guys who can only score garbage points like Williams and Pachulia), and Law gives Atlanta a real PG. I love the draft simply because of Law. Acie has become severly under appreciated since he missed the lay-up during the tourney. Law could be the player that helps Atlanta into the playoffs.
Boston-Ray Allen will make the team better, but not much and as much as I love Jesus Shuttlesworth, he was not worth giving up the 5th pick (plus West and Wally). Pruitt and Davis are decent picks, but the C's could have gotten better value (atleast in the case of Davis)
Charlotte-Getting JRich sounds like it was MJ's call. Not a bad move, but giving up the the $10 million trade exemption was probably a little much. I lik Jared Dudley a lot and think he will be a good energy player off the bench. I also like Davidson, but Charlotte already has several servicable big men (Okafor,Brezec,May, Hergmann).
Chicago-Noah and Gray are Paxson/Skiles types picks; solid defenders who were winners in college. If I'm Chicago, I wud've taken Spencer Hawes instead. He might not be fully ready this year (though I'd think he is), but down the road, he provides more offense than Noah will. Noah is basically a taller Ben Wallace with some offense (butnot much). Gray could develop into a decent player, but he's not that athletic so I don't expect him to start. JamesOn Curry is an interesting pick. IMO he could be the new Jannero Pargo; not a regular rotation player, but delivers on offense when called upon.
Cleveland-No draft picks, IMO should have tried to get into the draft.
Dallas-For a team with no first round picks, Dallas made out pretty well. Fazekas should be in the rotation next year, and is a very nice compliment to Dirk. He should not be a starter, but he will help when it's tme to take Diop/Dampier out. Terry could develop into a nice backup to Howard, but right now there is no time for him. Sebutis will probably go back overseas, but could contribute in a couple years.
Denver-No picks, big mistake for a team that needs toughness
Detroit-Stuckey had a promise from Detroit and is a good pick. He should fill the role that Detroit expected Flip Murray to fill. I like Aaron Afflalo, but after taking Stuckey I question the pick. Two different players, and Stuckey can handle te ball, but both are better suited to play the 2. Solid picks, but I would've drafted either a true PG or a PF after taking Stuckey.
Golden State-The Warriors had the best draft of any team that did not get Oden or Durant. Brandon Wright fell because of his weight (6'11, only 200 lbs), but is a perfect fit for Nellie ball, and should mke the rotation right away if not start (not to menion talent wise he's the 3rd best prospect). IMO Belinelli will b a top 5 player in this draft within the next three years. Lasme is another guythat could make the rotation because of his speed and shot blocking. The thing with this draft, is the Warriors got 3 really good players, and all 3 fit their system (as well as fill needs). Even if Pietrus (who wants to play alongside Tony Parker), and Matt Barnes (who earned a pay check) don't resign, Belinelli is good enough to make Warrior fans forget about both plus JRich, and Wright an Lasme can give the Warriors offense inside without slowing the pace.
Houston-You either really like this draft, or you hate it. I hate it. I love Brooks as a player, but Houston needed a guy who could make an impact now. With Mike James, Rafer Alston, Kirk Snyder, Luther Head, and Shane Battier there's no minutes at guard. The Rockets did need a PF so landry does fill a need, but better PFs were available. Josh McRoberts would have been a perfect fit for Rick Adlemen's high post system.
Indianapolis-Never heard of Stanko Baric, but apparantly he's a shot blocker with a jump shot. Could develop into an interesting pick.
LA Clippers-The Clippers had a very good draft. Al Thornton was one of, if not the, best athlete in the draft and could signal a Corey Maggette trade. Jared Jordan is an interesting pick. He led the country in assists last year, and is a great PG just not very athletic (nor does he have a great shot). However, with Cassell's age and Livingston's injury find himself as the starting PG come the start of the season. Decent draft for the Clips.
LA Lakers-Sun Yue was a wasted pick in the 2nd and will probably never play in the NBA, other than that I like who the Lakers drafted provided they give Crittenton and Gasol sme freedom on offense. Crittenton has the size and defense that Jackson likes, but he's not the ideal PG on offense for the Triangle. If you give him freedom, he can be very good. Marc is nowhere near as good as Pau and never will be, but he's a true center so he does havea future in the NBA.
Memphis-If they can get rid of Chucky Atkins and Damon Stoudamire, the Grizz have two very good young PGs in Conley and Kyle Lowry. Lowry is a geat penetrator and defender, but he can't (or doesn't like to) take over games. Conley proved in college that when is big buddy is out, he can carry an offense. If everybody stays healthy, the Grizz could be back in the playoffs.
Miami- Daquan Cook is a nice player, but if the Heat wanted a SG, I personally would have gone with either Morris Almond or Derrick Byrars because they can contribute right away. Also a side note, from what I've read, eat fans had no idea who Jason Smith is/was. I'll talk about him when I get to Philly, but he's a very good player, he just didn't fit Miami's needs.
Milwaukee-Hated the Yi pick for 3 reasons. 1)He doesn't want to be there. 2)They've got Villanueva and Bogut. 3)I think he'll be bust. I do however, love the pick of Ramon Sessions. With both Boykins and Williams being FAs he could be the starter. If Willams is resigned as expected, he'll be a great backup. The main thing with the Bucks is avoiding injuries, Last year Redd,Simmons,Williams,and Villanueva all missed significant time.
Minnesotta-Corey Brewer was a solid pick,and should be the starting 3 next season. He will probably be Minny's best defender on the wing (which might be sad considering he's rookie). Richard was a surprising pick; not a bad prospect, but as the case with most 2nd rounders, was not a value pick.
New Jersey-Williams is great shot blocker and is a great player for their transition game, but he's not a low post threat (again he's at his best running), and he does not deserve to be rewarded for his behavior while at BC.
New Orleans-Julian Wright was a good value pick, but I'm surprised they didn't try to trade him to Washington for the rights to Nick Young (who I think fills more of a need for NO than Wright does). Haluska will make the team due to his shooting.
New York-When you add in the aquisition of Zach Randolph and getting rid of Francis, the Knicks had a decent day. I personally think that Nichols was a better pick than Chandler(mainly due to Chandler being a very raw player and a guy who wil need to develop his game into that of a SF), but we'll see. Isiah is traditionally a great drafter, but Chandler and Nichols might have a tough time finding PT (unless some more trades occur)
Orlando-Pretty much a wasted pick. Rakovic will never play for Orlando.
Philadelphia-Very good draft. Thad Young could develop into a star. He's got great potential, a high B-ball IQ, good offense/defense, and is versitile. Jason Smith is still developing a back-to-the-basket game, but is a very good shooting big man, and is also very intelligent. He should be a starter. Derrick Byars was prbably the steal of the draft, though do to the swingmen Philly already has, it might have been smarter to have kept Koponen. Hill was also a great pick and should provide offense right away. All 4 players should be in the 6ers rotation.
Phoenix-Alando Tucker was a great pick, DJ Strawberry was a great pick. However YOU DO NOT TRADE THE RIGHTS TO RUDY FERNANDEZ, and if you do, you get something more than cash back in return. Fernandez is going to be great, and Phoenix will regret that move. Despite giving away Fernandez, the Suns got a player that should help right away (Tucker) and a guy that could (Strawberry).
Portland-With the last 2 drafts alone, Portland probably created a dynasty for themselves. Adding Oden to Roy,Aldridge, Jack, and Rodriguez made them a very good team in a couple years. But getting Rudy Fernandez gives them unreal talent. Koponen is a ver good prospect, but will be overseas (and is very attractive trade bait). McRoberts was a great pick because he adds passing from the 4/5, and is also a very good ball handler. Green will be the 3rd PG, but he can still bring 3 point shooting off the bench. Oh yeah, they got Channing Frye as well. Blazer fans, you might be meh for a couple years as Oden develops, but you've just locked up multiple championships.
Sacramento-I really like Spencer Hawes and think he'll be a perenial All-Star, pretty much a young Brad Miller (the guy who was an All-Star for Indy and SacTown, not the guy everybody wants traded now)
San Antonio-Tiago Splitter was a great pick who fell because of a complicated buy out sitution (the same reaso why he hasn't entered the draft the last two seasons). If he comes over this year, great. Marcus Williams was also a great pick and could prove to be a steal. Should spend the year on the bench to learn behind Finley and Bowen, but has the talent to play right now.
Seattle-Great draft. Sam Presti (30 years old) realized he needed to rebuild, so not only did he get Kevin Durant, but he also got Jeff Green. Now a lot of people question getting Green because he and Durant are both SFs, but I don't see an issue. Both can play 3 positions (2,3,4), and their games are great compliments to each other. Getting Delonte West was also a great move. If Presti makes a couple minor trades, and continues to build in the draft and not waste picks (I'm looking at the old regime for drafting Sene last year) this rebuilding should not take long at all.
Toronto-Tried real hard to trade into the first to get Marco Belinelli, but couldn't. In the end, they got Giorgos Printezis. While in Greece, I got to see him play, and he's pretty good. He's still a couple years from being NBA ready, but he looks like he could be a steal.
Utah-Morris Almond was a great pick. He's the type of SG the Jazz need,great defender with a mid range game.
Washington-If DeshawnStevenson and Jarvis Hayes leave, Nick Young is the starting SG, if one of them stays, he's the 6th or 7th man. As I said with NO, I'm shocked they didn't do a trade for Julian Wright (who is a better fit for what Washington needs just as Young is a better fit for what NO needs). McGuire was also a nice pick.
Atlanta-For the first time since they got Smith and Childress, the Hawks made the right picks on draft night. Horford gives them a low post option that can score (opposed to guys who can only score garbage points like Williams and Pachulia), and Law gives Atlanta a real PG. I love the draft simply because of Law. Acie has become severly under appreciated since he missed the lay-up during the tourney. Law could be the player that helps Atlanta into the playoffs.
Boston-Ray Allen will make the team better, but not much and as much as I love Jesus Shuttlesworth, he was not worth giving up the 5th pick (plus West and Wally). Pruitt and Davis are decent picks, but the C's could have gotten better value (atleast in the case of Davis)
Charlotte-Getting JRich sounds like it was MJ's call. Not a bad move, but giving up the the $10 million trade exemption was probably a little much. I lik Jared Dudley a lot and think he will be a good energy player off the bench. I also like Davidson, but Charlotte already has several servicable big men (Okafor,Brezec,May, Hergmann).
Chicago-Noah and Gray are Paxson/Skiles types picks; solid defenders who were winners in college. If I'm Chicago, I wud've taken Spencer Hawes instead. He might not be fully ready this year (though I'd think he is), but down the road, he provides more offense than Noah will. Noah is basically a taller Ben Wallace with some offense (butnot much). Gray could develop into a decent player, but he's not that athletic so I don't expect him to start. JamesOn Curry is an interesting pick. IMO he could be the new Jannero Pargo; not a regular rotation player, but delivers on offense when called upon.
Cleveland-No draft picks, IMO should have tried to get into the draft.
Dallas-For a team with no first round picks, Dallas made out pretty well. Fazekas should be in the rotation next year, and is a very nice compliment to Dirk. He should not be a starter, but he will help when it's tme to take Diop/Dampier out. Terry could develop into a nice backup to Howard, but right now there is no time for him. Sebutis will probably go back overseas, but could contribute in a couple years.
Denver-No picks, big mistake for a team that needs toughness
Detroit-Stuckey had a promise from Detroit and is a good pick. He should fill the role that Detroit expected Flip Murray to fill. I like Aaron Afflalo, but after taking Stuckey I question the pick. Two different players, and Stuckey can handle te ball, but both are better suited to play the 2. Solid picks, but I would've drafted either a true PG or a PF after taking Stuckey.
Golden State-The Warriors had the best draft of any team that did not get Oden or Durant. Brandon Wright fell because of his weight (6'11, only 200 lbs), but is a perfect fit for Nellie ball, and should mke the rotation right away if not start (not to menion talent wise he's the 3rd best prospect). IMO Belinelli will b a top 5 player in this draft within the next three years. Lasme is another guythat could make the rotation because of his speed and shot blocking. The thing with this draft, is the Warriors got 3 really good players, and all 3 fit their system (as well as fill needs). Even if Pietrus (who wants to play alongside Tony Parker), and Matt Barnes (who earned a pay check) don't resign, Belinelli is good enough to make Warrior fans forget about both plus JRich, and Wright an Lasme can give the Warriors offense inside without slowing the pace.
Houston-You either really like this draft, or you hate it. I hate it. I love Brooks as a player, but Houston needed a guy who could make an impact now. With Mike James, Rafer Alston, Kirk Snyder, Luther Head, and Shane Battier there's no minutes at guard. The Rockets did need a PF so landry does fill a need, but better PFs were available. Josh McRoberts would have been a perfect fit for Rick Adlemen's high post system.
Indianapolis-Never heard of Stanko Baric, but apparantly he's a shot blocker with a jump shot. Could develop into an interesting pick.
LA Clippers-The Clippers had a very good draft. Al Thornton was one of, if not the, best athlete in the draft and could signal a Corey Maggette trade. Jared Jordan is an interesting pick. He led the country in assists last year, and is a great PG just not very athletic (nor does he have a great shot). However, with Cassell's age and Livingston's injury find himself as the starting PG come the start of the season. Decent draft for the Clips.
LA Lakers-Sun Yue was a wasted pick in the 2nd and will probably never play in the NBA, other than that I like who the Lakers drafted provided they give Crittenton and Gasol sme freedom on offense. Crittenton has the size and defense that Jackson likes, but he's not the ideal PG on offense for the Triangle. If you give him freedom, he can be very good. Marc is nowhere near as good as Pau and never will be, but he's a true center so he does havea future in the NBA.
Memphis-If they can get rid of Chucky Atkins and Damon Stoudamire, the Grizz have two very good young PGs in Conley and Kyle Lowry. Lowry is a geat penetrator and defender, but he can't (or doesn't like to) take over games. Conley proved in college that when is big buddy is out, he can carry an offense. If everybody stays healthy, the Grizz could be back in the playoffs.
Miami- Daquan Cook is a nice player, but if the Heat wanted a SG, I personally would have gone with either Morris Almond or Derrick Byrars because they can contribute right away. Also a side note, from what I've read, eat fans had no idea who Jason Smith is/was. I'll talk about him when I get to Philly, but he's a very good player, he just didn't fit Miami's needs.
Milwaukee-Hated the Yi pick for 3 reasons. 1)He doesn't want to be there. 2)They've got Villanueva and Bogut. 3)I think he'll be bust. I do however, love the pick of Ramon Sessions. With both Boykins and Williams being FAs he could be the starter. If Willams is resigned as expected, he'll be a great backup. The main thing with the Bucks is avoiding injuries, Last year Redd,Simmons,Williams,and Villanueva all missed significant time.
Minnesotta-Corey Brewer was a solid pick,and should be the starting 3 next season. He will probably be Minny's best defender on the wing (which might be sad considering he's rookie). Richard was a surprising pick; not a bad prospect, but as the case with most 2nd rounders, was not a value pick.
New Jersey-Williams is great shot blocker and is a great player for their transition game, but he's not a low post threat (again he's at his best running), and he does not deserve to be rewarded for his behavior while at BC.
New Orleans-Julian Wright was a good value pick, but I'm surprised they didn't try to trade him to Washington for the rights to Nick Young (who I think fills more of a need for NO than Wright does). Haluska will make the team due to his shooting.
New York-When you add in the aquisition of Zach Randolph and getting rid of Francis, the Knicks had a decent day. I personally think that Nichols was a better pick than Chandler(mainly due to Chandler being a very raw player and a guy who wil need to develop his game into that of a SF), but we'll see. Isiah is traditionally a great drafter, but Chandler and Nichols might have a tough time finding PT (unless some more trades occur)
Orlando-Pretty much a wasted pick. Rakovic will never play for Orlando.
Philadelphia-Very good draft. Thad Young could develop into a star. He's got great potential, a high B-ball IQ, good offense/defense, and is versitile. Jason Smith is still developing a back-to-the-basket game, but is a very good shooting big man, and is also very intelligent. He should be a starter. Derrick Byars was prbably the steal of the draft, though do to the swingmen Philly already has, it might have been smarter to have kept Koponen. Hill was also a great pick and should provide offense right away. All 4 players should be in the 6ers rotation.
Phoenix-Alando Tucker was a great pick, DJ Strawberry was a great pick. However YOU DO NOT TRADE THE RIGHTS TO RUDY FERNANDEZ, and if you do, you get something more than cash back in return. Fernandez is going to be great, and Phoenix will regret that move. Despite giving away Fernandez, the Suns got a player that should help right away (Tucker) and a guy that could (Strawberry).
Portland-With the last 2 drafts alone, Portland probably created a dynasty for themselves. Adding Oden to Roy,Aldridge, Jack, and Rodriguez made them a very good team in a couple years. But getting Rudy Fernandez gives them unreal talent. Koponen is a ver good prospect, but will be overseas (and is very attractive trade bait). McRoberts was a great pick because he adds passing from the 4/5, and is also a very good ball handler. Green will be the 3rd PG, but he can still bring 3 point shooting off the bench. Oh yeah, they got Channing Frye as well. Blazer fans, you might be meh for a couple years as Oden develops, but you've just locked up multiple championships.
Sacramento-I really like Spencer Hawes and think he'll be a perenial All-Star, pretty much a young Brad Miller (the guy who was an All-Star for Indy and SacTown, not the guy everybody wants traded now)
San Antonio-Tiago Splitter was a great pick who fell because of a complicated buy out sitution (the same reaso why he hasn't entered the draft the last two seasons). If he comes over this year, great. Marcus Williams was also a great pick and could prove to be a steal. Should spend the year on the bench to learn behind Finley and Bowen, but has the talent to play right now.
Seattle-Great draft. Sam Presti (30 years old) realized he needed to rebuild, so not only did he get Kevin Durant, but he also got Jeff Green. Now a lot of people question getting Green because he and Durant are both SFs, but I don't see an issue. Both can play 3 positions (2,3,4), and their games are great compliments to each other. Getting Delonte West was also a great move. If Presti makes a couple minor trades, and continues to build in the draft and not waste picks (I'm looking at the old regime for drafting Sene last year) this rebuilding should not take long at all.
Toronto-Tried real hard to trade into the first to get Marco Belinelli, but couldn't. In the end, they got Giorgos Printezis. While in Greece, I got to see him play, and he's pretty good. He's still a couple years from being NBA ready, but he looks like he could be a steal.
Utah-Morris Almond was a great pick. He's the type of SG the Jazz need,great defender with a mid range game.
Washington-If DeshawnStevenson and Jarvis Hayes leave, Nick Young is the starting SG, if one of them stays, he's the 6th or 7th man. As I said with NO, I'm shocked they didn't do a trade for Julian Wright (who is a better fit for what Washington needs just as Young is a better fit for what NO needs). McGuire was also a nice pick.
