Post by Jordan on Aug 19, 2011 0:56:09 GMT -5
1. Los Angeles Lakers -Jerry West PG 6'2'' 175 21 B+ B B B+ C A
Whoever ends up with the first selection has the only easy decision in the draft. Jerry West is going to be one of the best point guards in the league for at least the next decade. The Lakers are one of the few teams in the lotto that do not need a PG at this point in time, but you can’t pass up on West. Look for Guy Rodgers to be on the move before TC. The Lakers will finally be able to seriously compete again for the first time in a long time with their all West Virginia born backcourt of Jerry West and Hal Greer.
2. Detroit Pistons- Willie Merriwether SG 6'3'' 199 22 C+ B+ C C D+ A
The Pistons are an interesting position with the number two pick. I don’t think there is a clear cut second guy and any of six or seven other players could be taken here. It does not look like there is anything close to a potential franchise player available with the second pick. This huge talent drop off may make this draft have the largest talent drop off from pick one to two in league history. Merriweather is certainly not the safest pick at number two, but he likely has the best shot at becoming an allstar of prospects left. The Pistons once had a great run with Tracy Parker. They may be able to do that again with Merriweather.
3. Charlotte Bobcats - Bob Boozer PF 6'8'' 215 22 B+ C C- B- B A
I don’t see Boozer making it past the fourth pick regardless of who is drafting. He is the safest pick after West, and his A potential will make GMs think he has much more to offer. Boozer will be a longterm starter at PF and will provide a well rounded game. I don’t think he will be a dominant big man though. The Bobcats will not need him to be a dominant big man. With Bob Hopkins already in place, the Bobcats will have one of the better and more underrated frontcourts for a long time.
4. Portland Trail-Blazers – Johnny Green SF 6'5'' 205 25 A D+ D+ C B+ B
The Blazers are in the first season of another rebuild without much to build a franchise off of. One of the first things I always look for in that situation is a guy that can be a #1 scoring option. Green looks like he will be capable of doing that from Day 1. Green’s incredible scoring potential combined with his good handles make him a very appealing prospect. However, he is a major hole on defense. This hole will help the Blazers continue to tank while they add additional talent. I think that is a smarter move than taking a PG who may hurt the rebuilding effort a lot more from the start.
5. Boston Celtics - Al Attles PG 6'0'' 175 23 B C B+ B C+ A
The Celtics already have a good start to their rebuild with Woody Sauldsberry and Adrian Smith. They need another impact player and Attles is that. Some GMs could have Attles as high as #2 on their draft list. I have him sliding because of the recent success of so many teams running an outside focus. It is unlikely a team with Attles will ever have an option of doing that. In addition to not being able to run an outside focus, Attles will never be very efficient if you use Repole’s rankings. If you take all of that into account, Attles may not even crack your top 7.
6. Atlanta Hawks - Dick Barnett SF 6'4'' 190 22 C+ B+ C+ B C A
Outlawz is rebuilding again. He is yet to put in an effort like he has in previous version of bbs, which is a major reason for his lack of success. Barnett may be a steal at pick 6. Any of five to seven guys could go from pick two to eight depending on preference. Barnett is possibly the second most well rounded player in the draft. He is a nice guy for the Hawks to begin their rebuild with.
7. Houston Rockets (selection made by UTAH for HOU) - Bumper Tormohlen C 6'8'' 230 22 C+ D+ D+ A- B+ B
Some GMs may think the draft talent starts to fall off here. There are a few prospects with A potential left, but none of them have the best notes. Tormohlen sounds like he will be an immediate fixture at center for whatever team that drafts him. No he isn’t a player that will put up even 15 a night, but he will be a great defender and produce defensive stats. He may not have the sexiest ratings, especially with B potential, but he will likely be a top 5 player in this draft.
8. Washington Wizards - Gene Guarilia PF 6'6'' 220 22 B- D C A- B B
The Wizards were very fortunate to have Kenny Sears reup. This allows the Wizards to go several directions. Adding a PG prospect would make a lot of sense because Alex Milner is less than stellar. The only PG worth this pick is John Barnhill and he is not a good match next to Si Green. This makes Gene Guarilla the next best prospect on the board. He isn’t an ideal fit because neither Guarilla or Sears is suited for center, but he is a better prospect than Vern Baggenstoss.
9. Miami Heat (from Golden State Warriors) -Vern Baggenstoss C 7'1'' 215 22 C+ D+ D+ A- B- B
The Heat also do not need a PG prospect which will allow Barnhill to fall another pick. Baggenstoss fits an immediate needs for the Heat and their outside focus. He is touted as a good post defender and rebounder. It is only nice to get blocks from your big men, but if you have a starter that can slow down some of the big men elite in the league then that player will be just as valuable. Baggenstoss fits that mold.
10. Utah Jazz – Bobby Smith SG 6'4'' 190 22 C B+ D+ C C A
The Jazz finished off the season very hot and have run an outside focus for multiple seasons under jah now. Barnhill again does not fit the team despite their lack of a great PG. Bobby Smith is a project and may not amount to anything. Nevertheless, he is only player left worth this pick that fits Utah’s system.
11. Toronto Raptors – John Barnhill PG 6'1'' 180 21 B- C C+ B+ C A
DJ would get incredibly lucky if Barnhill fell to him. He is probably going 2 or 3 picks late at this point and that is a huge slide in such a weak draft. Barnhill will likely be a longterm staple in DJ’s next longterm meaningless playoff dynasty.
12. Phoenix Suns - Tom Hawkins SF 6'5'' 210 22 A- D+ C- B- C+ B
Hawkins sounds like a great fifth starter or supersub. He should be a good scorer for a long time. The Suns do not necessarily need him, but there are no big men really worth this pick to fill their need their.
13. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat) - Paul Neumann PG 6'1'' 175 21 C+ B B C+ D+ B
The suns got incredibly unfortunate to draw the last two picks of the lotto. There aren’t any players left at this point that really fit any type of need for the team moving forward. Neumann is probably the 13th best prospect in the draft so taking him makes sense. He may never pass the Suns current starter, Dick Groat, at PG though. The Suns are probably best suited to move the 12 and 13 for a veteran and to compete for another season or two.
Whoever ends up with the first selection has the only easy decision in the draft. Jerry West is going to be one of the best point guards in the league for at least the next decade. The Lakers are one of the few teams in the lotto that do not need a PG at this point in time, but you can’t pass up on West. Look for Guy Rodgers to be on the move before TC. The Lakers will finally be able to seriously compete again for the first time in a long time with their all West Virginia born backcourt of Jerry West and Hal Greer.
2. Detroit Pistons- Willie Merriwether SG 6'3'' 199 22 C+ B+ C C D+ A
The Pistons are an interesting position with the number two pick. I don’t think there is a clear cut second guy and any of six or seven other players could be taken here. It does not look like there is anything close to a potential franchise player available with the second pick. This huge talent drop off may make this draft have the largest talent drop off from pick one to two in league history. Merriweather is certainly not the safest pick at number two, but he likely has the best shot at becoming an allstar of prospects left. The Pistons once had a great run with Tracy Parker. They may be able to do that again with Merriweather.
3. Charlotte Bobcats - Bob Boozer PF 6'8'' 215 22 B+ C C- B- B A
I don’t see Boozer making it past the fourth pick regardless of who is drafting. He is the safest pick after West, and his A potential will make GMs think he has much more to offer. Boozer will be a longterm starter at PF and will provide a well rounded game. I don’t think he will be a dominant big man though. The Bobcats will not need him to be a dominant big man. With Bob Hopkins already in place, the Bobcats will have one of the better and more underrated frontcourts for a long time.
4. Portland Trail-Blazers – Johnny Green SF 6'5'' 205 25 A D+ D+ C B+ B
The Blazers are in the first season of another rebuild without much to build a franchise off of. One of the first things I always look for in that situation is a guy that can be a #1 scoring option. Green looks like he will be capable of doing that from Day 1. Green’s incredible scoring potential combined with his good handles make him a very appealing prospect. However, he is a major hole on defense. This hole will help the Blazers continue to tank while they add additional talent. I think that is a smarter move than taking a PG who may hurt the rebuilding effort a lot more from the start.
5. Boston Celtics - Al Attles PG 6'0'' 175 23 B C B+ B C+ A
The Celtics already have a good start to their rebuild with Woody Sauldsberry and Adrian Smith. They need another impact player and Attles is that. Some GMs could have Attles as high as #2 on their draft list. I have him sliding because of the recent success of so many teams running an outside focus. It is unlikely a team with Attles will ever have an option of doing that. In addition to not being able to run an outside focus, Attles will never be very efficient if you use Repole’s rankings. If you take all of that into account, Attles may not even crack your top 7.
6. Atlanta Hawks - Dick Barnett SF 6'4'' 190 22 C+ B+ C+ B C A
Outlawz is rebuilding again. He is yet to put in an effort like he has in previous version of bbs, which is a major reason for his lack of success. Barnett may be a steal at pick 6. Any of five to seven guys could go from pick two to eight depending on preference. Barnett is possibly the second most well rounded player in the draft. He is a nice guy for the Hawks to begin their rebuild with.
7. Houston Rockets (selection made by UTAH for HOU) - Bumper Tormohlen C 6'8'' 230 22 C+ D+ D+ A- B+ B
Some GMs may think the draft talent starts to fall off here. There are a few prospects with A potential left, but none of them have the best notes. Tormohlen sounds like he will be an immediate fixture at center for whatever team that drafts him. No he isn’t a player that will put up even 15 a night, but he will be a great defender and produce defensive stats. He may not have the sexiest ratings, especially with B potential, but he will likely be a top 5 player in this draft.
8. Washington Wizards - Gene Guarilia PF 6'6'' 220 22 B- D C A- B B
The Wizards were very fortunate to have Kenny Sears reup. This allows the Wizards to go several directions. Adding a PG prospect would make a lot of sense because Alex Milner is less than stellar. The only PG worth this pick is John Barnhill and he is not a good match next to Si Green. This makes Gene Guarilla the next best prospect on the board. He isn’t an ideal fit because neither Guarilla or Sears is suited for center, but he is a better prospect than Vern Baggenstoss.
9. Miami Heat (from Golden State Warriors) -Vern Baggenstoss C 7'1'' 215 22 C+ D+ D+ A- B- B
The Heat also do not need a PG prospect which will allow Barnhill to fall another pick. Baggenstoss fits an immediate needs for the Heat and their outside focus. He is touted as a good post defender and rebounder. It is only nice to get blocks from your big men, but if you have a starter that can slow down some of the big men elite in the league then that player will be just as valuable. Baggenstoss fits that mold.
10. Utah Jazz – Bobby Smith SG 6'4'' 190 22 C B+ D+ C C A
The Jazz finished off the season very hot and have run an outside focus for multiple seasons under jah now. Barnhill again does not fit the team despite their lack of a great PG. Bobby Smith is a project and may not amount to anything. Nevertheless, he is only player left worth this pick that fits Utah’s system.
11. Toronto Raptors – John Barnhill PG 6'1'' 180 21 B- C C+ B+ C A
DJ would get incredibly lucky if Barnhill fell to him. He is probably going 2 or 3 picks late at this point and that is a huge slide in such a weak draft. Barnhill will likely be a longterm staple in DJ’s next longterm meaningless playoff dynasty.
12. Phoenix Suns - Tom Hawkins SF 6'5'' 210 22 A- D+ C- B- C+ B
Hawkins sounds like a great fifth starter or supersub. He should be a good scorer for a long time. The Suns do not necessarily need him, but there are no big men really worth this pick to fill their need their.
13. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat) - Paul Neumann PG 6'1'' 175 21 C+ B B C+ D+ B
The suns got incredibly unfortunate to draw the last two picks of the lotto. There aren’t any players left at this point that really fit any type of need for the team moving forward. Neumann is probably the 13th best prospect in the draft so taking him makes sense. He may never pass the Suns current starter, Dick Groat, at PG though. The Suns are probably best suited to move the 12 and 13 for a veteran and to compete for another season or two.
