Post by Haberino on Jul 26, 2011 14:16:43 GMT -5
1. Timberwolves- Wilt Chamberlain C 7'1'' 275 21 A- D C+ B A- A
Post TC: Wilt Chamberlain C 21 7'1'' 275 A- D B- A- A A
Even more obvious now than it was then. Some really awesome prospects came after Wilt, but this is a big man who enters BBS with some of the best ratings around, and a chance to make an All-League team in his first season. According to his preseason sim, he's on his way to be excellent just about everywhere, and I'm expecting Wilt to put up unprecedented numbers once he hits his prime.
Grade: A
2. Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers - Hal Greer SG 6'2'' 175 21 B- B B- B C+ A
Post TC: Hal Greer SG 21 6'2'' 175 B- B+ B B+ C+ A
When I look at Greer's insane starting ratings and his +3 TC, I'm tempted to regard him as the kind of guy who in most other years would go number 1. However, while the sample size must be considered, his preseason stats tell a different story. The B handling grade seems to be the result of a high numerical rating in the less important passing rating; he did 2.6 turnovers despite not being a focal point offensively. His scoring and percentages were also horrible. So while it's clear the Lakers have a franchise piece in time, Greer's game needs a lot of RC and AC attention to make sure he's more than just a flawed star in his prime. Still, in a re-draft, the lowest I could see him going is third.
Grade: A-
3. Philadelphia 76ers Hot Rod Hundley SG 6'4'' 185 23 B- B- B- B- C A
Post-TC: Hot Rod Hundley SG 23 6'4'' 185 B- B B B C A
Hot Rod was the clear number three pick, and he's on his way to a really nice career. But like Greer, his turnovers look too high for a move to PG, and as a scoring guard, Hundley will need time. At 23, you'd like his game to be a bit more developed, but he looks like he has big potential, and hopefully Blue camps his offense. There's still plenty of time, but I'm not expecting too hot of a rookie season.
Grade: B+
4. Miami Heat- Woody Sauldsberry C 6'8'' 220 23 B D+ D+ B+ B A
Post-TC: Woody Sauldsberry C 6'8'' 220 23 B D+ D+ B+ B- A
Insane wanted the big, and it's always nice to get a shotblocker with potential. His notes made clear he's a solid player, but didn't make him sound altogether that promising. I agree with taking him over a big coming in with C defense, but trading down looked like a better option. And while I'd maybe take Lennie and Langston over Woody, he still has promise, and shotblocking bigs with high strength are always serviceable. With low jumping, I imagine Woody's also a pretty good inside scorer. I think he'll be an above average big, but the TC was awful and he doesn't look like a number four pick.
Grade: B-
5. Indiana Pacers Bailey Howell PF 6'8'' 220 20 A- C C C B A
Post-TC: Bailey Howell PF 6'8'' 220 20 A- C C C B A
I pretty much avoid bigs in this mold unless they're established as beast scorers who can block at least more than a shot a night. Bailey's a good inside and midrange scorer, and a solid rebounder, but he's undersized and looks to be atrocious on defense. He also shot a low percentage in preseason. Biggie should check his defense at SF; good inside scoring and rebounding at PF become elite at SF if the guy can hang with the athletes there. His handles must be near 100, so if he becomes an efficient scorer, he'll be a great inside option, but I'm convinced his only chance to be a star is at the 3. It would also be really dumb to pair him with Durrell in the frontcourt.
Grade: B
6. Portland Trail Blazers- Lavelle Langston PG 6'1'' 165 21 C A- C+ B+ D+ A
Post-TC: Lavelle Langston PG 6'1'' 165 21 C A C+ B+ D+ B
Langston's going to be an above average starting PG. I think what remains to be seen is whether he is a lethal scorer, or just an excellent shooter. The turnovers will be low and the percentages will be high, that's for sure. But wings who don't score inside and don't rebound tend to get bullied in matchups against elite PGs. I think CC would be wise to scout Rickey Francis and attempt to, through RCs and ACs, mold Langston in that fashion. If he's a volume scorer, then he could be a superstar. Otherwise, he's a very nice PG prospect, but not an elite one.
Grade: B-
7. Boston Celtics- Rayford Wells SF 6'6'' 190 21 C+ B C- B- C A
Post-TC: Rayford Wells SF 21 6'6'' 190 C+ B+ C- B C B
The Celtics sort of needed a prospect to rescue them here, or at least revitalize the franchise. Unfortunately, Wells' TC means the new GM has his work cut out for him. He has time, and his own picks, on his side, but if he's trying to get a head start, it will have to come in the return he gets for Kenny Irish, because Irish is a role player. His notes suggest he's got a place as a fifth starter or backup 2/3 regardless of potential, but anything beyond that is questionable. He had a +2 TC, but the potential dipped to B, and his game is a long ways off from being a building block piece. Still, wings who can shoot and block shots are always of high value, so this guy is worth camping and developing.
Grade: C-
8. Utah Jazz - Lennie Rosenbluth SF 6'4'' 190 24 C B+ A- C A- B
Post-TC: Lennie Rosenbluth SF 24 6'4'' 190 C+ A- A C A- B
Some +3 TCs are just better than others. For a do-it-all wing, developing that C+ inside scoring and jumping to A-/A in outside/handles, a +3 TC means the path to superstardom. And while Lennie has one massive, odd flaw (an excellent three point shooter will never shoot 40% from the stripe), everywhere else he looks like a force. He gets blocks and steals, is an amazing handler, rebounder, and three point shooter. JAH made an excellent pick, although I do think Lennie was obviously a better prospect than the two guys before him. As an aside, I tried pretty hard to get this guy, and would have taken him had I dealt for Dan's pick prior to his selection.
Grade: A+
9. Golden State Warriors - George Bon Salle PF 6'8'' 220 22 C+ C D+ C+ B+ A
Post-TC George Bon Salle PF 6'8'' 220 22 C+ C D+ C+ A- A
Congratulations to the Warriors for drafting a PF who can rebound and shoot free throws. It's really pathetic the Game makes no effort to move his pieces for expiring and firsts and rebuild properly. When you try to rebuild with decent pieces, you end up with the ninth pick and a power forward who can rebound and shoot free throws. Game's MO is to narrowly avoid getting CYd. That's not very good for the league.
Grade: C
10. Toronto Raptors - Larry Friend SF 6'4'' 185 22 B B+ C- C+ C- B
Post-TC: Larry Friend SF 22 6'4'' 185 B A- C- C C- C
I'm sort of torn on this pick. The notes made him look like a safe bet to be an option scorer, a plus for defensive stats, and a long-term starter at SG. But the rebounding is low and the percentages weren't there in TC. Time will tell, but with camp treatment, I still think DJ has a fourth or fifth starter in Friend.
Grade: B
11. Washington Wizards - Jim Krebs C 6'8'' 230 22 B C+ C- C+ C+ B
Post TC: Jim Krebs SF 22 6'8'' 230 B B- C- A- C+ A
The Wizards made an excellent pick here. Krebs' excellent TC (the rise to A potential and improved outside rating is as good as you can hope for late in the lotto) compounded with John's shrewdness in moving Krebs to the 3 make this guy a whole new prospect. Time will tell if he can develop into a plus player, but his ratings are high and the potential seems to be there. Nice late lotto drafting.
Grade: A-
12. Atlanta Hawks - Win Wilfong SG 6'2'' 185 24 C+ C+ C+ B+ C A
Post-TC: Win Wilfong SG 24 6'2'' 185 C+ C+ B- B C B
I liked his notes, and everyone wants a cheap wing who can block and steal. But his TC sucked and at 24, I doubt he's developing much more of a game. Could be a serviceable backup, but he looks like a typical hit-or-miss ultra-athletic prospect who didn't pan out.
Grade: C
13. Charlotte Bobcats - Dick O'Neal SG 6'2'' 185 22 C B+ C+ B C B
Post-TC: SG 22 6'2'' 185 C A- B- B+ C+ B
O'Neal looks great. He had a +4 TC that makes his game look stacked. He shot great percentages in preseason. Time will tell if he's still developing, but if he shoots good percentages, has low turnovers, rebounds well, and can develop inside, he'll be one of the top players in this class. Heatflash made a stink about making sure he got O'Neal, so kudos to him for knowing he'd made a good pick.
Grade: A
Post TC: Wilt Chamberlain C 21 7'1'' 275 A- D B- A- A A
Even more obvious now than it was then. Some really awesome prospects came after Wilt, but this is a big man who enters BBS with some of the best ratings around, and a chance to make an All-League team in his first season. According to his preseason sim, he's on his way to be excellent just about everywhere, and I'm expecting Wilt to put up unprecedented numbers once he hits his prime.
Grade: A
2. Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers - Hal Greer SG 6'2'' 175 21 B- B B- B C+ A
Post TC: Hal Greer SG 21 6'2'' 175 B- B+ B B+ C+ A
When I look at Greer's insane starting ratings and his +3 TC, I'm tempted to regard him as the kind of guy who in most other years would go number 1. However, while the sample size must be considered, his preseason stats tell a different story. The B handling grade seems to be the result of a high numerical rating in the less important passing rating; he did 2.6 turnovers despite not being a focal point offensively. His scoring and percentages were also horrible. So while it's clear the Lakers have a franchise piece in time, Greer's game needs a lot of RC and AC attention to make sure he's more than just a flawed star in his prime. Still, in a re-draft, the lowest I could see him going is third.
Grade: A-
3. Philadelphia 76ers Hot Rod Hundley SG 6'4'' 185 23 B- B- B- B- C A
Post-TC: Hot Rod Hundley SG 23 6'4'' 185 B- B B B C A
Hot Rod was the clear number three pick, and he's on his way to a really nice career. But like Greer, his turnovers look too high for a move to PG, and as a scoring guard, Hundley will need time. At 23, you'd like his game to be a bit more developed, but he looks like he has big potential, and hopefully Blue camps his offense. There's still plenty of time, but I'm not expecting too hot of a rookie season.
Grade: B+
4. Miami Heat- Woody Sauldsberry C 6'8'' 220 23 B D+ D+ B+ B A
Post-TC: Woody Sauldsberry C 6'8'' 220 23 B D+ D+ B+ B- A
Insane wanted the big, and it's always nice to get a shotblocker with potential. His notes made clear he's a solid player, but didn't make him sound altogether that promising. I agree with taking him over a big coming in with C defense, but trading down looked like a better option. And while I'd maybe take Lennie and Langston over Woody, he still has promise, and shotblocking bigs with high strength are always serviceable. With low jumping, I imagine Woody's also a pretty good inside scorer. I think he'll be an above average big, but the TC was awful and he doesn't look like a number four pick.
Grade: B-
5. Indiana Pacers Bailey Howell PF 6'8'' 220 20 A- C C C B A
Post-TC: Bailey Howell PF 6'8'' 220 20 A- C C C B A
I pretty much avoid bigs in this mold unless they're established as beast scorers who can block at least more than a shot a night. Bailey's a good inside and midrange scorer, and a solid rebounder, but he's undersized and looks to be atrocious on defense. He also shot a low percentage in preseason. Biggie should check his defense at SF; good inside scoring and rebounding at PF become elite at SF if the guy can hang with the athletes there. His handles must be near 100, so if he becomes an efficient scorer, he'll be a great inside option, but I'm convinced his only chance to be a star is at the 3. It would also be really dumb to pair him with Durrell in the frontcourt.
Grade: B
6. Portland Trail Blazers- Lavelle Langston PG 6'1'' 165 21 C A- C+ B+ D+ A
Post-TC: Lavelle Langston PG 6'1'' 165 21 C A C+ B+ D+ B
Langston's going to be an above average starting PG. I think what remains to be seen is whether he is a lethal scorer, or just an excellent shooter. The turnovers will be low and the percentages will be high, that's for sure. But wings who don't score inside and don't rebound tend to get bullied in matchups against elite PGs. I think CC would be wise to scout Rickey Francis and attempt to, through RCs and ACs, mold Langston in that fashion. If he's a volume scorer, then he could be a superstar. Otherwise, he's a very nice PG prospect, but not an elite one.
Grade: B-
7. Boston Celtics- Rayford Wells SF 6'6'' 190 21 C+ B C- B- C A
Post-TC: Rayford Wells SF 21 6'6'' 190 C+ B+ C- B C B
The Celtics sort of needed a prospect to rescue them here, or at least revitalize the franchise. Unfortunately, Wells' TC means the new GM has his work cut out for him. He has time, and his own picks, on his side, but if he's trying to get a head start, it will have to come in the return he gets for Kenny Irish, because Irish is a role player. His notes suggest he's got a place as a fifth starter or backup 2/3 regardless of potential, but anything beyond that is questionable. He had a +2 TC, but the potential dipped to B, and his game is a long ways off from being a building block piece. Still, wings who can shoot and block shots are always of high value, so this guy is worth camping and developing.
Grade: C-
8. Utah Jazz - Lennie Rosenbluth SF 6'4'' 190 24 C B+ A- C A- B
Post-TC: Lennie Rosenbluth SF 24 6'4'' 190 C+ A- A C A- B
Some +3 TCs are just better than others. For a do-it-all wing, developing that C+ inside scoring and jumping to A-/A in outside/handles, a +3 TC means the path to superstardom. And while Lennie has one massive, odd flaw (an excellent three point shooter will never shoot 40% from the stripe), everywhere else he looks like a force. He gets blocks and steals, is an amazing handler, rebounder, and three point shooter. JAH made an excellent pick, although I do think Lennie was obviously a better prospect than the two guys before him. As an aside, I tried pretty hard to get this guy, and would have taken him had I dealt for Dan's pick prior to his selection.
Grade: A+
9. Golden State Warriors - George Bon Salle PF 6'8'' 220 22 C+ C D+ C+ B+ A
Post-TC George Bon Salle PF 6'8'' 220 22 C+ C D+ C+ A- A
Congratulations to the Warriors for drafting a PF who can rebound and shoot free throws. It's really pathetic the Game makes no effort to move his pieces for expiring and firsts and rebuild properly. When you try to rebuild with decent pieces, you end up with the ninth pick and a power forward who can rebound and shoot free throws. Game's MO is to narrowly avoid getting CYd. That's not very good for the league.
Grade: C
10. Toronto Raptors - Larry Friend SF 6'4'' 185 22 B B+ C- C+ C- B
Post-TC: Larry Friend SF 22 6'4'' 185 B A- C- C C- C
I'm sort of torn on this pick. The notes made him look like a safe bet to be an option scorer, a plus for defensive stats, and a long-term starter at SG. But the rebounding is low and the percentages weren't there in TC. Time will tell, but with camp treatment, I still think DJ has a fourth or fifth starter in Friend.
Grade: B
11. Washington Wizards - Jim Krebs C 6'8'' 230 22 B C+ C- C+ C+ B
Post TC: Jim Krebs SF 22 6'8'' 230 B B- C- A- C+ A
The Wizards made an excellent pick here. Krebs' excellent TC (the rise to A potential and improved outside rating is as good as you can hope for late in the lotto) compounded with John's shrewdness in moving Krebs to the 3 make this guy a whole new prospect. Time will tell if he can develop into a plus player, but his ratings are high and the potential seems to be there. Nice late lotto drafting.
Grade: A-
12. Atlanta Hawks - Win Wilfong SG 6'2'' 185 24 C+ C+ C+ B+ C A
Post-TC: Win Wilfong SG 24 6'2'' 185 C+ C+ B- B C B
I liked his notes, and everyone wants a cheap wing who can block and steal. But his TC sucked and at 24, I doubt he's developing much more of a game. Could be a serviceable backup, but he looks like a typical hit-or-miss ultra-athletic prospect who didn't pan out.
Grade: C
13. Charlotte Bobcats - Dick O'Neal SG 6'2'' 185 22 C B+ C+ B C B
Post-TC: SG 22 6'2'' 185 C A- B- B+ C+ B
O'Neal looks great. He had a +4 TC that makes his game look stacked. He shot great percentages in preseason. Time will tell if he's still developing, but if he shoots good percentages, has low turnovers, rebounds well, and can develop inside, he'll be one of the top players in this class. Heatflash made a stink about making sure he got O'Neal, so kudos to him for knowing he'd made a good pick.
Grade: A
