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Authored by J.T. Magee - 29th May, 2006 - 8:09 pm
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Merry Christmas, Raptors Fans
The Raptors might not be playing good basketball right now, but there are plenty of things for Toronto fans to be thankful for this holiday season.
A Melo Behind The Superstars
Carmelo Anthony has never been one of the league's most efficient offensive players.
A Melo Behind The Superstars
Carmelo Anthony has never been one of the league's most efficient offensive players.
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With the Draft Lottery coming and going, the rumors will also come and go. And come again. And go again. And keep coming until David Stern?s arrives at the podium in New York City.
Hats off to the Toronto Raptors , who are only going to irritate their fans by having the A.J. Smith of the NBA not saying anything worth believing. Bryan Colangelo will keep pursed lips until he tells the messenger who they want on June 28th. Everything regarding who the Raptors pick is ranging from LaMarcus Aldridge to Andrea Bargnani to Rudy Gay to even Brandon Roy. I can?t clarify any of these rumors because they are bound to come up until the draft rolls around.
Before I get into my analysis of these rumors, I must clarify something in Version 2.0. I was pretty unclear when I said I was researching the Draft on the net and came across some information. Part of that is true, but part of it isn?t. I was originally contacted by David Thorpe, the well-renowned coach at 5 Star Pro Training Center in Clearwater, FL. After that email, Draft Express printed an article about a trip their President, Jonathan Givony, went on there. I apologize for any misconception and in no way was I trying to paraphrase what they say. Here is the link to that article: DraftExpress
In the coming months, a lot is going to change. Players will have workouts with teams and more reports will come out as to how well they fared. There will be a lot of movement in this draft, so absolutely nothing is set in stone. Last year, there was a bit of an idea as to how the top five picks would pan out, even with the trade between Portland and Utah. In this draft, if there?s a trade, it will shake up the entire draft.
Over in Europe, the playoffs are over for one of this year?s draft prospects. Sergio Rodriguez scored just nine points on 4 of 11 shooting, dished out six assists and committed two turnovers in Adecco Estudiantes? 85-70 loss to Unicaja Malaga. He scored 20+ points in the first two playoff games for Estudiantes, but it was not enough to help them get past one of the best teams in the ACB, Spain?s top league. This likely means Rodriguez could be coming over to the U.S. for private workouts relatively soon.
Rudy Fernandez scored just six points but helped his team get past Gran Canaria. He added three rebounds and three assists. It was a quiet game for him considering the production he has put across the board this season for DKV Joventut. Tiago Splitter scored seven points, grabbed seven rebounds, three offensive and added a steal in helping give Tau Ceramica/Vitoria a 2-1 lead over Fran Vasquez?s team, Akasvayu Girona. Splitter may be pulling out of the draft after all, but until it is announced, he is still in RealGM?s mocks because he?s a better prospect and still has the chance to be in the Lottery.
Over in Italy, Bargnani scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds in front of the Raptors? brass, helping Treviso in their win over Armani Milano, the former team of Clippers? rookie James Singleton.
My take on Bargnani to Toronto? I?ll let Chris Bosh handle that. In an interview with The Fan 590, a sports radio station in Toronto, Bosh said, as reported in the Toronto Sun by Mike Koreen on Thursday: "He can really shoot the ball, but like I said before, I think we have plenty of talented big guys who play the finesse four spot. I think we need to get more of a banger."
Translation: We are not taking Bargnani. He is a power forward and not a small forward, like Chad Ford is apparently saying. If Bargnani is drafted as a small forward by any team, they are making a mistake of drastic proportions. Not Darko Milicic proportions, but Nikoloz Tskitishvili proportions.
In regards to the next pick, it is being reported that LaMarcus Aldridge is saying he wants to be drafted by the Bulls. He hasn?t been quoted on that, but he would be a great fit in Chicago. They could use a 4/5 that can score the ball near the basket and free up the perimeter for the likes of Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni. But will he even be there by the time they pick?
There is some headway coming out of Portland about Atlanta and whom they are liking. John Canzano of the Oregonian is reporting Hawks? scouts really like Randy Foye out of Villanova. Foye could play alongside Joe Johnson, but he isn?t the natural point guard the Hawks should be craving. Atlanta may trade down in order to get a PG as well as pick up a back up big man. Teams like the Knicks and the Hornets are possibilities.
In Version 2.0, I only addressed the first round picks and what those teams are going to do. In the next few days, RealGM will present an article on each team that will be on what teams will be looking at, no matter where they draft. There will be one a day for each team leading up to the draft. We will only offer assurances for the first round because the second round is even more of a crapshoot than the first, especially this year.
1. Toronto Raptors : LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Texas, 7/19/85.
Even though the rumors are the Raptors are going to go after Bargnani, at the end of the day, they will most likely pick Aldridge. He is the 4/5 that they need the most. He has talent on offense and the ability to keep up with the guards on a fast break. Once he fills out, he could become Toronto?s center of the future for a long time to come. He, Bosh and Villanueva would become one of the hardest frontcourts to guard. There was some inconsistency at Texas against tougher competition, but he has the tools to be a very effective center on both ends of the floor.
If the rumors are true, that Aldridge only wants to play for Chicago, then it means that Toronto and Chicago may be swapping places, similar to when the Raptors and Warriors swapped positions with Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison. It remains to be seen who they may be trading, if any players are involved from both teams, but either way, Aldridge makes out a winner. He?d be a better fit alongside Bosh because he would get more efficient touches on offense because of Bosh?s inside-outside game.
A couple of options, besides Bargnani, are Gay and Roy. Gay would become the prolific small forward they would want to pair with Bosh for years to come. Roy would be the balanced shooting guard who can come in immediately and bring some scoring and would allow the Raptors to go big with him running the point in spot minutes. But at the end of the day, the Raptors need a center and Aldridge is their answer.
With Aldridge, the Raptors can go big or small and play him, Bosh and Villanueva at the same time. They would be a nightmare to match up with on defense and with Joey Graham and whomever they acquire as their point guard, it?s the type of team who can become a legit Atlantic Division Champ for many years to come. Aldridge is certainly a step in the right direction. Now, if only they could find a home for Rafael Araujo. (If he started to use the Air Alert program at the end of the season, he could easily become a defensive factor, but oh well. Good luck to the man who got picked over Andre Iguodala.)
2. Chicago Bulls : Andrea Bargnani, PF, Benetton Treviso, 10/27/85.
Chicago needed scoring from their power forwards and centers in their series against the Miami Heat . They had to go small in order to get some sort of offensive production, which hurt them on the inside and trying to defend the drives of Dwyane Wade. They need a decent shot blocker who can put up the points on the offensive end. Say hello to Signore Bargnani.
He is the player that can come in and contribute immediately. He won?t be a factor for more than 30 minutes a game, but in the 20 minutes he does play, he will put the points up on the board in many ways. He can shoot from outside and has the handle to get to the hoop. His dribbling ability to help free up shots for the Bulls? guard and Nocioni. He has a lot of potential and, because he has the perimeter game of a small forward, would benefit from many open looks both outside and in. But once he adds some more muscle, he will play power forward for many years to come.
If the Bulls drafted him, it would be an excellent move on their part and yet another stellar draft for GM John Paxson. It would give Chicago a balanced lineup on both ends of the floor and a big frontcourt to counteract the small frontcourt. Unfortunately, that would likely mean the end of Luol Deng as a Bull. Deng could come in for either Bargnani or Nocioni, but may be better offering his offense for a team in need of a 3 who has a great midrange game. New Orleans, maybe?
3. Charlotte Bobcats : Rudy Gay, SF, Connecticut, 8/17/86.
While Charlotte desperately needs perimeter scoring, they also needed a dependable shooting guard. They waived Kareem Rush and made due with Felton and Matt Carroll, an undrafted free agent. They will need to address their SG woes at some point in time. They may go for Roy, who would be a nice compliment to Felton and Gerald Wallace. But he isn?t as proven on defense as Wallace, so they opt for Gay.
Gay, who has one of the biggest upsides in this entire draft, saw his stock dip and rise during his sophomore year at UCONN. He was a bit inconsistent and very unselfish on offense despite being the Huskies? best overall player. He has the defense to contribute immediately and is an immediate full-court threat on both sides of the ball. Coming into the draft, he?s the type of player who can see his stock rise dramatically to the point where he could possibly become the #1 pick. Alongside Wallace, Gay would be the small forward and Wallace the SG.
Wallace is a strong swingman and even played power forward at times, but he is shorter than his listed 6?7?. If he can develop a more consistent J over the summer, develops a handle and a more all-around offensive game, the Bobcats have the chance to make the playoffs for the first time in their young history, pending they all stay healthy.
With Gay, a lineup of Felton, Wallace, Gay, Okafor and Brezec is hard for any team to match up with, and with Sean May coming off the bench, they have many options. This team really does have the chance to make the playoffs next year if everyone stays healthy. They were in a lot of close games but just couldn?t pull it out, lie all young teams. With the development of Okafor and Wallace, this team can become a defensive nightmare for every East team to deal with.
4. Portland Trailblazers: Tyrus Thomas, PF, LSU, 8/17/86.
With three potential Blazers off the board, it means Portland has a couple of options: either Thomas or Roy. Morrison could be an option, as well. Each possesses something the Blazers need, but at the end of the day, Portland likes Thomas? shot blocking and potential too much to pass up.
Thomas has the ability to alter shots on defense and become a great transition player alongside Sebastian Telfair. He won?t be a factor on offense immediately, which is one of the reasons Portland may be hesitant to draft him. But they need an electric player who can sell tickets and become a focal point on both sides of the ball in a few years. And Thomas is that player. One down side, he was injured in each of his two years at LSU, which many teams will look at.
He has the jumper to contribute somewhat while learning all aspects of the game under one of the best defensive coaches in the NBA. Head Coach Nate McMillan will like his toughness and the fact that even though he is often outweighed; he will still find a way to make a play on defense. He could use his athleticism to collect offensive rebounds and help get the transition game jump-started. He has the potential to become a great player after playing organized ball for just a few years and Portland would fall in love his the way he hustles to make plays. But can he stay healthy?
I like Morrison, especially to Portland, but they have two young small forwards who deserve more playing time in Travis Outlaw and Viktor Khryapa. They don?t possess the offense that Morrison has, but they have Martell Webster, who will become more of an offensive threat next year. He was playing great at the end of the season and has a bright future ahead of him. As for Roy, many would question why Portland would go for another shooting guard when they drafted Webster last year and have Juan Dixon and Jarrett Jack, a combo guard McMillan loves, coming off the bench. Well, it?s because of the recent success of Phoenix and Dallas.
With all the hype going into how two offensive-minded teams made the Western Conference Finals, it deserves some explaining. Both teams have a plethora of talented swingmen and two great forwards in Nowitzki and Marion. Both teams are built around them and their speed has killed teams all year long. Teams may start to go for smaller lineups and this would be the year to do it. If Roy were a Blazer, it would give McMillan many, many options to go to. Telfair-Roy-Webster, Jack-Roy-Outlaw, and so on and so forth. All play defense and know how to play the game, even though they each have a different route in playing.
They wouldn?t lose with Roy or Morrison, but Thomas possesses too much potential to pass up. He has the ability to become an 11 rebound, 3 blocks per game type player, which is very rare for anyone in today?s NBA. Drafting Thomas may mean the end for Zach Randolph in Portland, but it also could be a wake-up call for him. Hopefully, they can coexist and become a great 1-2 punch at the PF spot.
5. Atlanta Hawks : Marcus Williams, PG, Connecticut, 12/3/85.
As much as GM Billy Knight says he isn?t going to draft a point guard, he just cannot pass up Williams in this draft. He made a mistake that everyone in the city of Atlanta will remember right up until Paul is announced as a member of the Hall of Fame. This year, as much as Knight wants to draft for talent, with all the bigger swing players he adores off the board, he accepts Williams.
Although I feel Rondo can become the more complete point guard, Williams, right now, is the exact player he?s going to be in ten to fifteen years: a great pass-first point guard who can use his left hand deceptively to get his shot off. He can run the floor and played with athletes at UCONN. Atlanta has athletes but better ones at every position except center. With this Hawk team, he has the chance to help get them back into the playoffs after a long hiatus.
The way this draft is shaping up, the athletes Knight may have wanted to covet are all gone. He may like Bargnani, Thomas, Gay and Aldridge, but after that, only Morrison fits the bill. Is he the athletic 6?8? player Knight has been drafting? No. After him, there?s Roy, Brewer and Rodney Carney. But with the emergence of Josh Smith, the improved play of Josh Childress and the amount of money Joe Johnson has coming to him, Knight must realize that he has to draft or acquire a point at some point this off season. Johnson can only do so much, Tyronn Lue is a better backup and Royal Ivey is a poor man?s version of Rondo.
If the Hawks do trade down, they will most likely pick one of the other point guards available, specifically either Rondo or Rodriguez. But with Williams, they have a surefire point guard who can do enough to get by on offense and has the distribution skills to make life easier on Johnson, make shots easier for Smith to get and heads-up plays for Chilldress to complete. If they can sign a power forward who excels closer to the basket and is great in transition (Chris Wilcox), they have a chance to be a very deep team, both in the backcourt and frontcourt, with Zaza Pachulia hustling for offensive rebounds and steals and David Andersen coming over from CSKA Moscow.
It?s all on Knight, and until more information comes out from Atlanta as to who they want, it?s either Williams, possibly Rondo or Rodriguez or one of the high profile athletes if they fall, like Thomas. But Williams is the right pick and has the potential to become a borderline All-Star and a chance to lead the NBA in assists in his roik year because of the athletes he would be surrounded with.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves : Adam Morrison, SG/SF Gonzaga, 7/20/84.
The way this draft is shaping up, Minnesota may not be able to acquire the likes of Gay, who would be a nice compliment to Ricky Davis on the wing and to Kevin Garnett on defense. They could go after someone like Patrick O?Bryant, but he may not be able to come in and give the 5 spot the production that is desperately needed. They are in need of a true point guard, as well, but with Marko Jaric and Troy Hudson signed for another couple of years, they may just opt to re-sign Marcus Banks. At this point for the Timberwolves, it?s better to just draft the best player available and in this case, it?s Ammo.
Morrison has the ability to help take the scoring load off Garnett and Davis. He is an efficient shooter who can get his shot up over many of the players that are going to guard him. He is not the best defender in the first round and never will be, but he has the length and tenacity to compete to become a decent defender and he would be playing under a defensive-minded coach in Dwane Casey. He can also come in and contribute immediately, which would only convince Garnett that they are serious about winning now.
On the downside to this pick, he duplicates what Davis and their Lottery pick last year, Rashad McCants, are: scorers. Minnesota wouldn?t have a shortage of players that could get them points, but by having to play two out of the three of them at the same time hinders what the Timberwolves can do. Each of their best attributes on the court is to put the ball in the hoop by any means. Davis can shoot it and drive, same with McCants. But Morrison has more of a complete outside game and Minnesota can use that to help ease the woes of Garnett. And Morrison is a player that wants to win at any costs, which will only bode well with Garnett.
Overall, Minnesota probably wants Gay, but their fate lies in Charlotte?s hands. If they take Gay, then Minnesota will likely go with Morrison, like they do here. If they go with Morrison, they go with Gay, who would be a very nice compliment to both Garnett as well as McCants. In this case, Morrison is the pick and the right pick. He has the potential to be a little more than a scorer, but his career in the NBA will rely solely on his ability to put the ball in the bucket, especially near the end of the game. It?s a good thing, because Morrison has had a lot of practice doing so.
7. Boston Celtics : Patrick O?Bryant, C, Bradley, 6/22/86.
Boston really wants Marcus Williams. They were playing shooting guard Tony Allen behind Delonte West near the end of the season. Dan Dickau is coming back from an Achilles injury, but it remains to be seen how effective he is playing many minutes coming off an injury. It?s reported that they want Williams and he is a good point to be gunning? for. They could also reach for the potential-laden Rondo. But because of a recent hiring, they opt for a center that can compliment both Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins for many years to come.
O?Bryant, at just 19, has the tools to be a very effective center and has shown a great learning curve while trying to adapt to his big but young body. He?s an inside player first and foremost, but more of an offensive threat than Perkins is right now, which speaks volumes for how good O?Bryant is and can be, considering Perkins has a 20-20 game under his belt. He did have a tough time against athletic players at Bradley, even those about five inches smaller than him. That could be trouble since the NBA is chalk-full of athletic power forwards and centers. He has age and a lot of potential on his side, so anything is possible.
But it?s the hiring of new assistant coach Clifford Ray that has me intrigued. It means that if Boston were to draft O?Bryant, he would have the chance to work with one of the most underrated and best big man coaches in the entire NBA. The Knicks have two good coaches themselves in Mark Aguire and Herb Williams, but Ray?s rap sheet speaks for itself.
Besides working with Dwight Howard and teaching him a variety of go-to moves and rebounding techniques that helped him average over ten in his sophomore season, Ray has worked with a lot of NBA teams. He started with the Dallas Mavericks , then went on to the Nets, Warriors (a team he formerly played for) and then the Magic. He helped them all in rebounding and the development of their big men. I wanted to put up some stats to back this up, but it is very hard to find NBA stats from previous seasons. All I know is, after watching Howard become the player he was this year, I knew a lot of that had to do with Ray. And now Boston has the chance to make their bigs better, which could end up including O?Bryant if he?s picked.
Boston wants Marcus Williams, but since he?s off the board, drafting O?Bryant to work under Ray and beside both Perkins and Jefferson could help give Boston the front-line they?ve been craving. If he can show the improvement with Boston he showed at Bradley over the season, there?s no telling how good he could be.
8. Houston Rockets : Brandon Roy, SG, Washington, 7/25/84.
At first, Houston was probably looking at going after someone like Shelden Williams at this spot. They were probably thinking he could fill a void coming off the bench to give Yao Ming more touches on offense and provide some interior defense. But the way this draft is shaping up, they just can?t pass on Roy and that means no Mike James to Houston, as well.
Roy is one of the most, if not the most, complete player in the draft. He can do everything: play solid man-to-man defense, shoot it, take it to the rack, post up, pass and the list goes on and on and on. While Roy was good at a lot of things last year for Washington, including being the best player in their game against UCONN in the NCAA Tournament, he doesn?t stand out in one major area. Thomas has shot blocking. Redick has lights-out shooting. Aldridge has the post-up game. But Roy, who could?ve gone in the Top 5 or even 3, doesn?t have that one area he stands out in. It could be leadership, but aside from that, there isn?t an area that gives you an incentive as to why he?s exactly in the NBA. He just knows how to ball and does it with great succession.
Houston just drafted Luther Head last year, but Roy compliments him well. Both can handle the ball, but Head is more of a shooting guard (why couldn?t he tear it up with his solid midrange game last year?) and Roy can play the point. When they are on the court, they would be a nice backcourt for T-Mac to play with. Both can make plays for teammates and both can hang around the perimeter for open opportunities. With Roy, head Coach Jeff Van Gundy has a legit all-around talent at the SG position, something he?s been pining for in the last few years.
Another possibility is a small forward. There aren?t many that could be drafted this high. By small forward, I mean legit 3s, like Shawne Williams. A small forward would give T-Mac a chance to move back to the SG spot, the same place where he led the league in scoring when he was with Orlando. But in this draft, Roy makes too much sense to pass up. They would have a second or even third ball handler on the court at all times. If given the chance, Houston could return to the playoffs with Roy as their starting shooting guard and he can show everyone that his hard work has paid off.
9. Golden State Warriors : Ronnie Brewer, SG/SF/PG, Arkansas, 3/21/85.
Golden State is in a bit of a trickier situation. Their big men were absolutely terrible last year. Troy Murphy averaged a double-double last year, but about half of his points came from the 3-point line or the perimeter. It could be a good thing, but he spent way too much time hanging around the arc. Adonal Foyle never figured it out. Andris Biedrins is still about a year and a half away from being the banger and pick & roll center they envisioned him as. (He?s definitely not a bust, no matter what people say, as he is still one of the youngest players in the NBA.) Ike Diogu, their rookie last year, had to get a lot of minutes out of position at the center and looked very bad during that span. He was mismatched and too short to contend with centers despite his 7?2? wingspan on his 6?7? body. So why is the big man area being brought up?
There isn?t anyone worth drafting at this spot for the Warriors. O?Bryant is gone. They need help immediately and someone like Tiago Splitter could give it to them, but he may pull out of the draft. Even if he were in the draft, he might not even come over until the ?07-?08 season. Shelden Williams is too much like Foyle. More athletic, but won?t be able to give the Warriors the help they need. So they have a chance to build for the future and the perfect guy for them is Brewer.
Brewer is an underrated defender, averaging over 2 and a half steals a game last year for the Razorbacks. He can handle the rock and could even play point for the Warriors alongside Baron Davis for the next couple years. He doesn?t have a shot, but it can be improved on despite the metal bar in his right arm from a traffic accident when he was a kid. His free throw percentage did improve each season, but his field goal percentage dipped. Regardless, Brewer is the type of versatile player that can come in and give both sides of the ball some help. The Warriors would draft him for one reason and one reason only: to play beside Monta Ellis.
Ellis somehow fell into the second round. He reportedly had a bad showing at the Chicago Pre-Draft camp and his stock fell, but he has the all-around scoring capabilities of a Lottery pick. He?s undersized for a SG and he can play a bit at the point. But the drafting of Brewer gives him a very nice guard to play aside. Ellis can guard the point guards (he caused Deron Williams to have a lot of trouble bring the ball up the court whenever they played) while Brewer can guard the shooting guards. On offense, Brewer can run the point and Ellis can play off the ball; somewhere he?s more comfortable playing right now. By the time Ellis? PG skills and Brewer?s shot develops, Golden State will have a very nice backcourt to work with for many years to come.
Wait, so if they draft Brewer, what happens to Jason Richardson? He?d still be a Warrior, as both Brewer and Ellis would be coming off the bench for a while. But GM Rod Higgins and Chris Mullin have not done a great job building around him and Richardson deserves a chance to make a run at the playoffs. He could do it in Golden State still, but they don?t have the frontcourt to help him right away. I would hate to see Richardson leave the Warriors, but he deserves at least one run in the playoffs and at this point, it?s not going to be with Golden State.
With Brewer, the Warriors have a chance to have a solid backcourt to go along with Diogu and Biedrins for many years to come.
10. Seattle Supersonics : Tiago Splitter, PF/C, Tau Ceramica/Vitoria, 1/1/85.
The Sonics have a couple of options at this point. They could go for immediate help with someone like Shelden Williams, but with the cast development and the impending emergence of Wilcox, the Sonics may just want to go for someone on the wing. There are no rumors out about Rashard Lewis being dealt, but if there were one Sonics player who could get a lot of value, it would be him. There are a lot of teams who could use his scoring, including New York, New Orleans, Charlotte and so on and so forth. There are some decent swingmen available, but the big man they would go after at this point would be Splitter.
As much as I think the Sonics will trade out of this draft, Splitter presents an interesting option. He could pull out, become Tau?s go-to guy in the post once Luis Scola leaves for San Antonio in the summer and enhance his stock to the point where he could be considered a Top 5 pick. But with Seattle, he has the chance to actually be drafted, get the playing time he deserves and come over to Seattle when power forward Nick Collison becomes a restricted free agent. Collison is a banger with some of the best hands in the NBA, but Splitter can play both power forward alongside either Robert Swift or Johan Petro or play center with Wilcox. He?s a faster-then-expected 4/5 and that helps him get many easy chances near the hoop.
He isn?t as gifted offensively as someone like Aldridge, but he does have more offensive skills than Thomas. Splitter is a banger and is willing to take the contact in the post. He has become more consistent when given the minutes and has been in many big-game situations with both Tau and his national team, Brazil. He was on the team that took the U.S. into overtime back in 2002 and he was on the national team that won the Gold Medal in the FIBA Americas Games. He can come in immediately, but at the same time, he could play over in Spain, then come over to play for the Sonics, like their second round pick from last year, Mickael Gelabale, is doing right now.
With Splitter, Seattle would have a formidable frontcourt for many years to come, but that?s if he stays in the draft. I believed that he was and still think that he?s going to, but the closer the days get, the more I think he may pull out, but if he feels that the best decision for himself is to pull out, play for Tau as their go-to man in the post and become a possible Top 5 pick in ?07, then by all means, he should go for that. But since he?s still in the draft, he presents Seattle with a nice option: someone who wouldn?t need as much development as other rookies in this draft yet someone who could come in and still have room to grow on both ends of the floor.
11. Orlando Magic : Rodney Carney, SG/SF, Memphis, 4/5/84.
Maurice Ager reportedly outplayed Rodney Carney at a workout for New Orleans (held in Edmond, Oklahoma). But Carney still possesses the things that Orlando needs out of their shooting guard: size, long range shooting, a lot of athleticism, and lockdown capabilities.
Other options here include Ager, Randy Foye and Mardy Collins. But Carney has the ability to sell tickets and help Orlando get into the playoffs next year. I could go on, but I felt I addressed this pick enough in Version 2.0.
12. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets: Randy Foye, SG/PG, Villanova, 9/24/83.
After reading about the workout Foye was involved in along with Ager, Carney and Hassan Adams, I am convinced that the Hornets could be eyeing Foye. He talked about them like he really, really wanted to play on the team. Gotta take it with a grain of salt because he could say the same thing about other teams he works out for, but he talked about the way Hornets Coach Byron Scott ran things in New Jersey and how he liked that team. He mentioned that Scott was helping them win after so many losing seasons and the same could be said about Scott?s tenure in New Orleans so far.
He possesses the scoring capabilities the Hornets may want if they let Speedy Claxton walk in the summer. He may be a bit small for the SG spot, but the NBA may be getting smaller and this is the draft to start focusing on that potential league-wide transition. Foye could become a legit scoring option for New Orleans and has the attitude Scott likes in his players.
13. Philadelphia 76ers : Mardy Collins, SG/PG, Temple, 8/4/84.
Collins is an intriguing prospect. He isn?t the most athletic guard, nor is he the fastest. That only means bad workouts, which test for a player?s agility and quick decisions. Collins isn?t the type to succeed in these workouts nor is he going to be the greatest one-on-one player. But any team drafting him already knows this. He is a team player and can make a lot happen without forcing the issue.
He?s a solid defender and the type of guard who can play alongside Iverson without taking away any of his offensive touches. Although Iguodala is the future of the franchise, Collins is a very nice complimentary player. Most people feel that someone that is drafted in the Lottery should have a lot of potential and be able to do a lot of things. Collins may not have the potential that someone like Carney has, but he?s an unselfish team player and that?s something every team needs. Especially a 76ers team that was lacking ball movement in their offense.
14. Utah Jazz : Maurice Ager, SG, Michigan State, 2/9/84.
This is where the shake up of this draft starts. While Ager may be considered a mid-to-low end first round pick, his recent workout with the Hornets has me intrigued. He has the long arms to play defense. He has the range on his jump shot to be effective from the arc immediately. He has the ability to get to the rack and play inside against players his size or a bit bigger than him. He can rebound. All of these traits factor into what the Jazz are going to look at for their draft pick.
There are a lot of questions when it comes to Utah. Should they go for a complimentary big like Williams, or go for a scoring threat like Redick? At this point, neither. C.J. Miles, their second round pick last year, has the shooting touch to be a nice gunner for them in a few years, but he doesn?t have a starter?s game. Ager has the experience, size and range to help Utah and Head Coach Jerry Sloan, who may be coaching his last year with the Jazz, on both ends of the floor.
With Ager, they have the chance to get back to the playoffs in the deep West, something they?ve been missing for the past couple of years. Just like Elton Brand, Andrei Kirilenko needs to be seen by the general masses. What a better way to do it than in the playoffs against a team like Dallas or Phoenix, with Ager running at the 2 spot for them.
On May 28, the Jazz worked out Shelden Williams, O?Bryant, Hilton Armstrong and Saer Sene. It would have been interesting to see how well all four competed against each other and it may shake up the draft even more than already anticipated.
15. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets: Cedric Simmons, PF/C, North Carolina State, 1/3/86.
Simmons has Lottery potential. He possesses the shot blocking ability and body to become an efficient rebounder and all-around defensive 4/5 in the NBA for years to come. His offensive skill set is pretty raw right now, but he does have the potential to become a go-to scorer in the post, as evident by his game against Williams and Duke. Granted, it?s just one game, but it was one of the few games where he was given opportunities to have a one-on-one situation down low.
The offense in New Orleans, the Princeton offense, is the same one that Simmons had to play under at N.C. State. He wasn?t a great success in it, but he knows enough of it to come in and contribute a bit for Scott. Former Hornets center Chris Andersen was never a great offensive threat in his offense, but he found a way to get around 20 minutes a game because of his rebounding and shot blocking capabilities. Simmons is in the same boat, but with a lot more potential and less hair.
If the Hornets drafted him, he would be considered one of the steals of this draft in a couple of years. It may be too early to say that now, but he has that type of potential to become a legit shot blocker and a Defensive Player of the Year in the NBA for a long time. On top of that, he would be hand-fed easy buckets by Paul, which would make his offensive capabilities inflated because his points would be over or around ten a game.
16. Chicago Bulls : Shelden Williams, PF/C, Duke, 10/22/83.
If Chicago goes with offense with their first pick, they won?t be expecting a player of Williams? caliber to fall this far. But Williams has the interior defense and a bit of offense mixed in there to compliment both Bargnani and Tyson Chandler.
I will be the first to admit that I am personally not a big fan of Williams, but that doesn?t mean I don?t think he can become a steady pro for many years in the NBA. He?s a pure (sorry for the pun) bull under the basket. He will bang until he either gets in position for the block or tough rebound. He has the long wingspan to contend on defense immediately. Some players with long wingspans, like Diogu of the Warriors, tend to fail at center because players can reach over them and tip the ball away from them. But Williams has enough bulk and height to contend with this aspect and can legitimately play the 5. Some centers may be able to shot over him, but his long arms could, at the least alter those shots.
Williams may not possess the potential of a Lottery pick, but he?s a hard worker and knows what to do around the basket. He has been in many clutch situations and has a lot of game experience compared to other power forwards and centers in this draft. If he were to fall this far, there?s no telling how good he could be coming off the bench for Chicago for the next few years. This Bulls team is in win-now mode and Williams can help them do just that.
17. Indiana Pacers : Quincy Douby, SG/PG, Rutgers, 5/16/84.
There are going to be a lot of questions for the Pacers to answer this upcoming off-season and in the draft. What are they going to do with Peja Stojakovic? What are they going to do with Jamaal Tinsley now that Anthony Johnson showed he can score 40 on an All-NBA defender? What are they going to do with Jermaine O?Neal, if anything?
Heading into the draft, they will look to fill a couple of needs, depending on who is there. They could go after someone like Hilton Armstrong, who is a capable defender and was just starting to come into his own at UCONN. They could go for another swingman, like Rudy Fernandez, and let Peja walk, although signs point to Indiana re-signing him. They could go after some scoring help, which is what they do with Douby.
Even though they still may have Stephen Jackson manning the 2 for another few years and Johnson for a couple as well. They have Jamal Tinsley, who they will probably try to shop this off-season but fail to deal him because of his injuries and contract, even though he has one of the sickest handles in the NBA. They have Sarunas Jasikevicius, one of the best point guards in the NBA who failed to make the necessary adjustments in order to become the PG Indiana signed him to be. That is why they draft Douby.
Douby has the all-around skills to play both positions. He won?t even be a full-time point guard, but he has the ability to play the point for around 5-10 minutes a game immediately. He has unlimited range on his jumper and can get to the basket in a variety of ways. He is compared to Redick in many instances because both can shoot it from everywhere and both are around the same size. But that is where the comparisons end. Douby is more of an all-around player and because of the fact he?s shown more point guard skills he has the chance to log a lot more minutes than Redick during games.
With Douby, Indiana would have a lot of punch off their bench with both he and Danny Granger. They would become the future of the franchise and provide the versatility to play with a lot of players at the same time, which would only help Indiana?s cause to get back to where they were a couple of seasons ago.
18. Washington Wizards : Hilton Armstrong, PF/C, Connecticut, 11/25/84.
Washington needs frontcourt help. As much as Haywood can clog the middle, they needed more from him offensively. Same with Etan Thomas and Michael Ruffin. Andray Blatche is still a couple of years away, and he may be groomed into being a small forward off the bench. Peter John Ramos is still a project and may never become the big center they want him to be. So at their pick, the Wizards decide to go with the skinny but strong Armstrong.
He doesn?t quite have a lot to offer offensively, but he has a lot more than all three of the Wizards? center combined. It may not be saying a lot, but he does have a decent jumper out to around 15 feet. He may be able to shoot farther out than that, but he would mostly be used as an inside presence and a pick & pop player for Gilbert Arenas. He has the defensive capabilities that Haywood has and can become a solid role player off the bench for Washington for a while.
Other options here include the glut of point guards still left on the board to play alongside Arenas, but the player that would compliment him the most, Brewer, is off the board. They could go for someone like Fernandez, who is a big SG/SF that could come in a fit right into the high-speed offense that Washington runs. But Armstrong presents too much defense and a better offensive game than the centers they have to pass up. He won?t be able to stretch out the defense like a Paul Davis could, but he has a lot better defense. And because he was a late-bloomer, he still has a bit of improvement ahead of him.
19. Sacramento Kings : Sergio Rodriguez, PG, Adecco Estudiantes, 6/12/86.
The Kings are in a tricky situation. Depending on who they draft, it could dictate what they do in free agency. They could go after someone big, like the rising Alexander Johnson, but the power forwards they have are battle tested and Johnson wouldn?t see the floor for a while. They could go after a swingman like Fernandez or even Redick, but the improvement of Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia over the season may take that away. They could use some more scoring off the bench, but the player they wanted to take is off the boards. So that leaves one position that needs to be filled both now and in the future: point guard. Why not go after a lottery-level point in Rodriguez?
Rodriguez has all the talent that someone like Rondo or Farmar does. He can get anywhere on the court that he wants to and has improved his decision-making. He used to make only highlight reel passes and still tends to do that, but he?s gotten better at picking his spots to do it. He has the handle to protect the ball from his opponent and can get to the hoop on either side. He has a left hand, but when I was in Spain and after watching many clips of him, I see that he still goes to his right hand too much. He uses his left hand to set up his right, but can use his left when he wants to. It may hurt him in the NBA, but it didn?t hurt Marcus Williams and he?s considered by many to be a Top 5 pick in this draft.
His biggest weakness, and it?s a big one, is his man-to-man defense. Like I wrote in Mock Version 1.03, he has the tools to be a capable defender, but he can?t even guard decent European point guards. Maybe it has improved since I saw him back in December, but it takes a lot of work to improve that type of defense. If he can show teams when he comes over to the States that it has improved, he has the chance to raise his stock to as high as the late Lottery.
For Sacramento, they get a kid who has a very bright future ahead of him. He will need to add a lot of torso muscle, but he has the ability to succeed Mike Bibby and the Kings wouldn?t miss a beat. He has a lot of potential but must show that he can adapt to a different style of basketball. If he can do that, then the sky?s the limit for Rodriguez.
20. New York Knicks : Rajon Rondo, PG, Kentucky, 2/22/86.
GM Isiah Thomas likes very athletic players and he has the chance to grab one in Rondo.
The Knicks currently have a glut at the PG spot, but Thomas wouldn?t pass up on a talent like Rondo. He has the defense, the handle and the speed that the Knicks have been craving at the point guard spot. They have Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis and Nate Robinson; all point guards who have the type of game that is relatively similar to Rondo. But Rondo is unselfish, often looking for teammates. That may be due to the fact he has a J that is similar to a 60-year-old man down at the local YMCA. But Rondo possesses enough potential that, if he can turn that J into a consistent shot by changing his mechanics, he has the chance to become one of the best, if not the best, point guard to come out of this draft.
It?s saying a lot for someone that gets drafted behind a Spaniard and a more traditional point in Williams that they can eventually be better than those two. But he has the talent and abilities to take a team over the top. Besides his defense, his rebounding ability cannot be matched by any of the point guards in this year?s crop. Rondo has a 19 rebound game under his belt and simply has a nose for the ball. That only means success on both ends of the floor.
Either way, the Knicks need to find a way to get back to the winning days they haven?t had since former GM Scott Layden traded away Patrick Ewing. Rondo would become a key piece to the future of the franchise. Thomas is trying to build for an athletic, fast-paced offense and there?s no better point to help lead the way than Rondo.
21. Phoenix Suns : Rudy Fernandez, SG/SF, DKV Joventut, 4/5/85.
Phoenix?s lack of depth in the backcourt has been evident all season. They?ve gotten by, but in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals really showed that they need another guard to help spell the likes of Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa and even Raja Bell, who wasn?t even in the lineup. The Suns would love to trade up for someone like Marcus Williams, but the teams in the Lottery don?t need the players Phoenix would be willing to pawn off in a trade. A team like Atlanta could use the multiple picks, but because of the trade that sent Joe Johnson to the Hawks for two draft picks and Boris Diaw, these two teams may not be trading for a while. So the Suns look to add a swingman that wasn?t there last week in Rudy Fernandez.
Fernandez was one of the most consistent prospects in the entire draft. He can do it all on both ends of the floor. He can score by shooting it from outside or taking it to the hole by driving past his opponents. He is one of the most fluid athletes in the draft and can make a play out of a broken situation. Although he needs to add a bit of muscle to his body, he can in and contribute immediately to a championship-caliber team in need of more depth on the perimeter.
With Fernandez, the Suns could shore up their perimeter woes that are being exposed against the Dallas Mavericks . He is currently leading DKV Joventut in the ACB playoffs against Unicaja Malaga, a legit Euroleague team. He is gaining the experience in clutch situations needed for someone the Suns want to draft. He can provide enough shooting to get on the floor and has a high basketball IQ to play at least 15-20 minutes off the bench for the Suns.
He?s not available for workouts right now, but teams can see hi when it matters the most: in the playoffs. No matter what level of competition a draft prospect is competing in, the fact the fact that they are contributing for a playoff team speaks for itself. I f he were drafted by Phoenix, they would get a player they could develop in the system Head Coach Mike D?Antoni has installed to great succession. He wouldn?t take anything away on offense and would provide exceptional perimeter defense. If he can add muscle and learn the little details of the system, he can blossom into the Suns? future starting shooting guard.
22. New Jersey Nets : Jordan Farmar, PG, UCLA, 11/30/86.
When the Nets? playoff run ended against the heat, they were in need of bench help. Usually that comes with the addition of free agents, but because the Nets have two lower-end draft picks, they have the chance to add two quality players for both the present and the future. Either way, the Nets are drafting for both a backup point guard as well as a big man that can come off the bench and provide a spark off the bench on either side of the ball. Because of the back-to-back picks, they can easily be flip-flopped. Just based off of what the Nets could use immediately, the Nets wouldn?t pass up for a floor general who loves to push the tempo and can play solid defense.
Farmar has the ability to play immediately. He may look a bit small for an NBA PG, but he has the tools to give opposing point guards fits. He played in an uptempo offense at UCLA, but most of that was due to the fact that he likes to play at a high speed. He played off the ball a bit too much for a future NBA point guard, but that was because Head Coach Ben Howland liked freshman Darren Collison a lot.
With the Nets, Farmar can become the future point guard and learn under a future Hall of Famer in Jason Kidd. He won?t get a lot of playing time immediately, but over the course of the season, he can earn it because Head Coach Lawrence Frank will want to rest Kidd for the playoffs and Farmar is the perfect replacement for him. His shot selection is a bit shaky, but he is a better shooter than Kidd is. He won?t ever be the Hall of Famer Kidd is, but he has the chance to learn a great offense and play with one of the most underrated centers in the league (Nenad Krstic) for years to come.
23. New Jersey Nets : Alexander Johnson, PF/C, Florida State, 2/9/83.
Here is the other pick the Nets will be going after. With Johnson, they get a very athletic power forward that can come in and help the team, who are in a win-now mode. After working out for the Nets, Nets GM Ed Stefanski was quoted in the New York Post liking Johnson, saying, ?he?d be a guy we would have to look at.?
If the Nets drafted Johnson, he would have the chance to get a lot of playing time in a small frontcourt. New Jersey has no real power forward and has struggled filling that position since they traded away Kenyon Martin. Although he was too inconsistent last year, he has been getting a lot of positive reviews in his workouts and has boosted his stock to the point where he might not be there by the time the Nets pick.
Johnson wouldn?t be asked to do much on offense, which would only help him develop his offensive skill set while getting minutes fighting for rebounds, running the floor and becoming a dependable weak-side shot blocker. If he can show teams his offense and consistency have improved, he has the chance to become one of the few rookies to get over 20 minutes a game and the Nets are a perfect situation for him.
There is no real reason as to why the Nets would take Farmar over Johnson. They could easily be flipped around. It may be more of a team-need thing because the Nets do need a point guard to play behind Kidd. Jacque Vaughn is a steady defender, but he can?t quite run the show like Farmar could once he gets aquatinted with the system. All rookies have to make adjustments, but Farmar is the type that can play decent defense and control where everybody needs to be. Johnson would be either the first or second big man off the bench, depending on who they go after in free agency. But the Nets acquire two solid players who can come off the bench and provide a spark, even if it?s just for ten minutes or so at the beginning of the season.
24. Memphis Grizzlies : Paul Davis, PF/C, Michigan State, 7/22/84.
Memphis is reportedly in the running for a combo-guard at this position. They want someone who can definitely play both the point and shooting guard. There are a couple of players still available who can do that, including Guillermo Diaz. But the Grizzlies need just as much from the frontcourt as they do from the backcourt. With Lorenzen Wright becoming a free agent and Jake Tsakilidis coming into his own for about ten games, Memphis could use some help on either side of the ball to allow Pau Gasol some more freedom.
With Davis, it counteracts their pick from last year, Hakim Warrick. Warrick?s offense is still developing but he has the body to play steady defense for many positions. The same goes for Davis, but on offense. He is one of the most, if not the most, fundamentally sound power forward/centers in this entire draft. He has the softest touch on his jump shot and the ability to get it off from either the high-post or low-post. Unfortunately for Davis, offense is all the Grizzlies are going to get right now.
They have one of the best defensive teams but struggled to get points on the board when Damon Stoudamire went down for the season with a knee injury. Davis can provide enough offense to get by for around fifteen minutes of the game. He?s not the greatest rebounder, but he has the tools to become one. Working with a defensive-minded coaching staff can help him become a better all-around player. If he can figure out how to track the ball when it goes up in the air, he has the chance to become a pleasant surprise for Gasol and co.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers : J.J. Redick, SG, Duke, 6/25/84.
Amazingly, Redick somehow falls to the Cavaliers in this mock. A lot of team, and I mean a lot, could?ve use his shooting from outside. He will have a long career in the NBA because of his amazing shot. But he slipped this far because some of the teams that could have used his shooting, are likely to opt for more all-around swingmen. Redick is one of the hardest workers in this entire draft and improved his handle each season he was at Duke. He probably won?t play the point for the first five years or so in his career, but his basketball IQ is one of the highest in this draft and that?s just what the Cavaliers need.
With the Cavs, Redick could provide ten points off the bench for LeBron James and company. That?s including two 3-pointers a game, due to the fact he can get open looks off James and Larry Hughes? drives to the hoop. Cleveland had their shooter in Luke Jackson, but he has been hurt in each of his two seasons with the club. His best game was when he hit three 3-pointers against the Lakers at L.A. in the fourth quarter. But Redick doesn?t have Jackson?s track record for injuries and that would make him a viable candidate for the Cavs? first shooter off the bench, no offense to Damon Jones, the self-professed greatest shooter in the world.
For some reason, it is difficult seeing Redick falling this far. Because of the way the draft has been shaping up, teams are drafting for both best player available as well as team need. Redick?s shooting would have gotten them in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat . The Cavs are doing a solid job at building around James. With Redick, they could complete the puzzle.
26. L.A. Lakers : Guillermo Diaz, SG/PG, Miami, 11/30/85.
The Lakers impressed everyone by giving the Suns a run for their money in the first round of the playoffs. But their lack of depth at the small forward spot and shooting woes from both the post and from Smush Parker hurt their chances in Game 7. Parker is not a set shooter and it?s Phil Jackson?s fault for trying to make him one in the last few games.
They got as far as they needed to with the incomplete lineup they had. They were missing Chris Mihm?s offense, even if he would have been on the court less than Devean Geroge. But they could not match up with the Suns? perimeter players and with Diaz falling as far as he did, the Lakers can add the scoring they need as well as one of the best athletes in the draft.
Not many 6?2? combo guards can jump four feet in the air. Nate Robinson?s vertical is the same as Diaz?s, but Diaz is four inches taller and more of a point guard. He has the chance to score a lot with the lineup the Lakers would put on the floor. He would have open lanes to drive and opportunities for open looks from the outside thanks to Kobe Bryant. He has the potential to become an all-around scorer and distributor in the NBA and the Lakers would be one of the best fits for his talents.
The Lakers could opt for size here if they decide to deal Chris Mihm. There are rumors going around that he is the one to go after Kwame Brown?s performance without him in the lineup. My opinion? Brown should go before Mihm, but he might not get the fair value that Mihm could get. They have Ronny Turiaf, a hustler on the offensive glass, who is due to come off the bench next year and provide good interior play.
With Diaz, the Lakers wouldn?t have to worry about Parker?s inexperience shooting set shots. He can create for himself as well as for other teammates and has the potential to become quite the scorer for the Lake Show for years to come.
27. Phoenix Suns : Saer Sene, C, RBC Verviers-Pepinster, 5/12/86.
With the Suns addressing the need on the perimeter with the multi-talented Fernandez, who has an 8 steal game under his belt, they could go for a high risk, high reward player in Sene. The Suns? interior has been hurting all year thanks to unfortunate injuries to Amare Stoudemire, Kurt Thomas and Brian Grant. They found their future All-Star center in Diaw, but they could use some shot blocking off the bench. James Jones was all over the place in Game 2 and has always had the ability to block shots, but he?s not the type of guy who can hang around the basket and wait for opposing guards to drive and attempt a lay-up over him. Sene is that player.
For a player who had three double-doubles in Belgium as well as a 7?8? wingspan, the Suns can safely gamble here. He won?t get much playing time immediately or even in his first year with the Suns. He would get more time than both Pat Burke and Skita, so that?s saying something about him. Apparently, he has the ability to block shots and is very aggressive on both ends of the floor. He?s definitely a player worth taking a chance on and could develop into their next Steven Hunter with better hands. If that happens, he could have a long career in the NBA. But there?s a reason why someone 7 feet tall is so far down the board.
He rarely got any playing time in Belgium for RBC. In Belgium. Maybe it was the coach?s fault. Maybe he just didn?t show the progression throughout the season. There could be a lot of factors as to why he only averaged a little over 12 minutes a game. In Belgium. There?s a reason why he?s considered a bubble first round pick, but there?s a reason why he got those 12 minutes as well.
At this point, it?s a risky pick, but aren?t risks worthwhile at 27? He has the international experience that a lot of the Suns have. He won?t contribute offensively right away, but most projects don?t. If the Suns picked him, he would be working beside a future MVP in STAT and a workhorse who could show him the ropes when it comes to interior defense and rebounding in Thomas. It?s a gutsy move, but it could pan out for Phoenix. At this point, why not?
If he is at the Reebok Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy, I will definitely be on the lookout for him.
28. Dallas Mavericks : P.J. Tucker, SG/SF/PF, 5/5/85.
The Mavericks have found their niche: they can play small ball with anyone in the NBA and they can play big with Nowitzki and Diop. They have turned themselves into quite the defensive team thanks to Head Coach Avery Johnson, even though they aren?t displaying it in their series against the Suns. They were sixth in the NBA in rebounding, but they could always use more help. They could also use a player who can play inside and help back up Nowitzki if needed. Tucker is that player.
He can play inside and can be a success; depending on the team he gets drafted by. He would be a nice fit for Dallas because he could play the 4 spot alongside Nowitzki and help him on the boards. He is a solid rebounder and has a nose for the ball on both the defensive and offensive glass. He?s not the tallest forward and never will be, but he can get off the floor quickly and is bulky enough to get a decent amount of playing time alongside someone like Nowitzki. He?s a one-on-one player offensively, which could take away from what the Mavericks want to do. But can and must adjust his game enough to help his team win, just as long as he doesn?t lose his focus for the board at the same time.
With Dallas, Tucker has the chance to come off the bench and provide some rebounding muscle, even if he?s only around 6?5?. He wouldn?t disappoint, but he does have his work cut out for him. He has the game of a power forward but the body of Bonzi Wells. He is not that quick compared to other players who are around his size (Ager, Adams). He will have to prove that he can play against a variety of players heading into the draft. If he can show enough versatility and show teams he can play the 4 spot in certain situations, he has a chance, if selected by Dallas, to help them immediately. After all, they are one of the teams that have revolutionized small ball. What a better way to serenade the ceremonies by having Tucker come off the bench here and there at power forward.
29. New York Knicks : Shawne Williams, SF, Memphis, 2/16/86.
Well, GM Isiah Thomas gets his man later than he expected.
Williams definitely has the Lottery talent. That?s never been questioned. What is questionable is where he goes in the draft. NBAdraft.net has him in the top half of the first round, while DraftExpress has him in the second round. It?s very hard to gauge where his stock lies until word comes out as far as how his workouts have been going. After looking at previous workouts and scheduled workouts, Williams has only had two: one with the Bulls and one with the Lakers. He could have others that are being kept under lock & key, but considering he has only worked out for two teams could be good and bad. It is odd that he worked out for the Bulls considering the dilemma they are going to have this summer at the 3 spot.
Williams has all of the tools for a small forward Thomas covets. He?s athletic, he can score from both inside and outside and has the range on his j out to the NBA 3-point line. He has been compared to Rashard Lewis and it?s a favorable comparison. Both have the same body types and the game to boot. Williams has the All-Star potential that landed Lewis in the All-Star game a couple of years ago. But he doesn?t have his consistency.
If Williams were still here, Thomas would not hesitate to pull the trigger. He needs a little more time to develop and a year at Memphis would?ve helped him. Since he?s signed an agent, he?s in the draft for good. If the Knicks get their way, they have two very athletic players that compliment Jamal Crawford and could become the future of the Knicks along with Crawford.
As far as what the Knicks want, I have no clue. They have a lot of young players and mixed talent, so who they draft will definitely be the shaping of their roster for next season. Thomas has not been very successful in acquiring the type of players Head Coach Larry Brown wants. He found a gem in Qyntel Woods, who looked to be one of the only, if not the only, Knick hustling on defense for steals and deflections. But he will probably be gone this summer, which would give Williams a chance to grow into a Lewis-type player, even if he?s already 20-years-old.
30. Portland Trailblazers: James White, SG, Cincinnati, 10/22/82.
White is the type of ready-now player Nate McMillan wants. He was quoted as saying he wants someone who can come in and contribute immediately. They definitely need that type of player. While White wasn?t the player he could?ve become at both Florida and Cincinnati, he?s a late bloomer who has the athleticism to compete in the NBA and the shot to compliment that athleticism.
There aren?t many guys who can dunk through their legs from the free throw line. But that doesn?t translate to the game itself and White had some problems here and there which mainly dealt with consistency. He could be one one night and off the next. He really improved his consistency scoring the ball, which is evident by his 16.3 points per game and double-digit point total in 29 of his 33 games. He is an underrated passer and can get it in the right position when needed. He won?t ever be a point guard in the NBA, but he knows how to pass, which a lot of athletic players can?t say.
The Blazers may not need the backcourt help, but they can go small by playing someone like White alongside Webster and Telfair. This pick really depends on who they draft with their #4 pick.
If the Blazers want to win now, then why would they go after Thomas? He?s a defensive minded power forward who could help sell tickets due to his ability to get up and down the court and makes big plays on either side of the ball. He is definitely a couple of years away on offense and they could use all the help they can. It?s hard to improve when most of the team is returning and that same team was last in the NBA in points scored per game. Thomas can help allow minimal points on defense and White could help them get those points on offense.
J.T. Magee was recently interviewed on Sports Bloggers Live, an AOL Sports affiliate. New shows air each Monday at 7 PM ET and can be found on iTunes as well. To hear the segment he brilliantly filled up with his great insight on the draft, follow the link or download it off iTunes:
http://us.video.aol.com/audio.full.adp?pmmsid=1653501
Any comments, compliments, complaints or grievances can be sent to: Magee@realgm.com |
