Post by Akomplice on Oct 23, 2011 15:49:03 GMT -5
1 Golden State Warriors -Walt Hazzard
C+ C+ B B C A
C+ B B+ B+ C A
Hazzard thus far into the season has shown some flashes of brilliance and plain ole ugly play at times. However you can see why Hazzard was taken with the first overall pick in this draft. Hazzard has shown the ability to grab rebounds and ignite fast breaks, averaging four boards a game. His offensive game still needs work and he needs to get his turnovers in check, but the Warriors have shown that they plan on working with him to make him one of the elite point guards down the road.
2 Miami Heat -Nate Thurmond
C+ C- D- B B+ A
B- C- D B+ A- A
Coming off a weak preseason some were questioning whether or not Spencer is manipulating players to inflate their stock, those talks have quickly ceased in regards to Thurmond. Thurmond is off to a good start for the Heat averaging a double double right out of the gate. 15 points and 11 boards a game and two blocks a game on solid percentages. When looking at the future of this team you can help but envision the twin tower potential of both Thurmond and Bellamy. In what will a rebuilding effort for the Heat, they have two big men that will make it an easy transition.
3 Milwaukee Bucks - Larry Jones
B+ C+ D+ C+ C A
A- B C B+ C A
One of the most impressive rookies thus far into the season, their owner has made it no secret that Jones is here ready to dominate the league. Jones is playing with a very talented and young team in Milwaukee therefore he doesn't have to contribute in the same fashion as some of these other high picks and that's why he is shining. The Bucks have Lee, Wilkens and DeBusschere who are all showing him the ropes. Jones is averaging 18/5/2 on excellent percentages for a rookie. However what's most impressive is that the Bucks are off to a 12-4 start and this team with Jones will only get better.
4 San Antonio Spurs - Gus Johnson
A- C D+ C+ A- B
A- C D B- A- B
Coming into this draft Gus Johnson was older than most of the class, therefore a lot of scouts expected him to make an immediate impact but also have limited potential to really get better. Good thing for Johnson is that he was already pretty damn good and he is the reigning rookie of the month award winner. We are starting to see the Spurs climb out of hole that they were in the past few years and Gus has a lot to do with that. He is averaging 20/10 at the small forward position, beasting right out of the gate. The Spurs are hoping that Sims, Gus and Harding can lead the Spurs in the future while Perkins and Davidson keep them afloat for the time being.
5 Detroit Pistons - Joe Caldwell
A- C- C+ B C A
A- C C+ B C A
We finally get to our first rookie who isn't starting for their respective team, Joe Caldwell. Caldwell really improve at all during his training camp and have stud JJ Erving already at the small forward spot. Caldwell in limited minutes in this season is averging 7.4 points and 2.4 boards a game on decent percentages. Injuries and a lack of talent is making this team head straight back into the lottery. The Pistons have been trying to land talent for either Erving or Caldwell but thus far haven't been able to land any enticing packages for either one of these players.
6 Charlotte Bobcats - Eddie Miles
C+ B+ C C+ C- A
C+ A- C B- C- A
Miles landed with the Bobcats and this is another team that has young talent all over the place. While it's a bit surprising to see him getting minutes over Comley, Miles has contributed solid stats so far. 11.7/4.6/2.4 and solid percentages for a rookie Miles has helped this team to a 6-12 record. The Bobcats came away with Miles and Barnett to reshape this team in the offseason. With Boozer, Barnett, Miles has some real nice youth in place already. This team needs to find a way to land a point guard and center, but we look forward to see the growth of Miles.
7 Washington Wizards - Jerry Sloan
B- C+ C- A- C+ A
B- B C- A C+ A
The Wizards have gotten off to a rough start this season and Sloan has been a part of that. The Wizards are a team that's looking at a complete overhaul of the team and Sloan's play has suffered because of that. We have to believe that their trying to pump up the trade value of Guerin and Rooks in order to land something that can help them moving forward. Sloan is averaging 35 minutes a game, but he hasn't really shown the desire to shoot the ball all that much. He is averaging 8/7 on the season with a few steals and assists. Down the road we expect him to continue being a point forward for this team who will need his services.
8 Phoenix Suns - Rod Thorn
B C- C+ B C A
B- C C+ B+ C A
Sitting behind Donovan Beals, Thorn has been able to sit back and learn the game behind him this year. Seeing just under ten minutes a game Thorn has made a small but minimal impact thus far. Six points a game, a rebound, 1.6 assists, a steal and shooting the ball well. You like to see him showcase his all around game and hope that as the minutes increase. The Suns have a lot of young talent all over the roster and Beals contract is up at the seasons end, we expect Thorn to trying and compete for this starting job next year.
9 Memphis Grizzlies - Ira Harge
B- C- D+ B B B
B- C- D+ A- B A
Harge was off to a solid start in this season before injuries put him on the sidelines for quite some time. Harge was averaging 11/6/2.6 a game coming off the bench for the Grizzlies. When Alf's corpse probably retires after this season Harge will probably become the center for this team who love his shot blocking skills. The Grizzlies are off to a rough start, though they expected this from their squad. Don Nelson is masquarading as the number one option for this team right now, so they desperately need to add an impact player via free agency or the draft. Harge will be out for another five weeks for this team, who knows what they will look like by the time he comes back.
10 Portland Trail Blazers - Gerry Ward
B- B+ C C+ C B
B A- C C+ C C
Ward is seeing thirty four minutes a game for this guard driven team. Ward is averaging 16 points a game, 5.5 boards, 3.6 assists a game. However looking at his percentages they really leave a lot to be desired, 39% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. You love the outside shooting but he has to find a way to get the shooting from inside the arc down pat to really become effective. He doesn't play a lot of defense so they really lean on him for his scoring. Blazers are off to a 5-8 start but will get center Ray Felix back who can help provide some low post scoring so keep an eye on Ward's percentages moving forward.
11. Lakers - Jerry Greenspan
B+ C C B+ C B
B+ C+ C A- C B
Team Jerry West selected Greenspan with the 11th pick and weren't really sure what to expect of him. Greenspan right now is starting at small forward and is really the fifth option on this team. 11 points and five boards is what he is averaging right now at the moment, but he is only shooting 39% from the field. The Lakers have Kerr down in the middle, Hopkins down in the middle and Greenspan is trying to find his way. With West and Greer on the wings we would expect Greenspan to get it together over the course of time because this team has a lot of talent, it just happened click yet.
12. Warriors - Tom Hoover
B C D+ B- B+ B
B+ C D+ B+ B+ B
Hoover slipped in the draft a few picks according to some scouts, who knows really. However coming into this season Hoover has made his mark for the Warriors averaging 12/10 thus far. However he has been force feed so far into the season and his percentages are less than stellar, 33% from the field is just flat out bad. Moving forward the Warriors are hoping to take the pressure off him and not making him an option, their hoping he will see better looks instead of forcing the ball. Hoover has nice ratings and should only get better moving forward, the Warriors seem to want to make him better.
13. Suns - Freddie Crawford
B C+ B- B- C+ B
B- B- B B+ C+ C
The jack of all trades shooting guard was the final pick in this draft lottery heading to the Suns. Crawford is only seeing fourteen minutes a game, but he has shown that he can do a little bit of everything and be quite versatile for this team moving forward. 4.5 points, 2.4 boards, 1.5 assists and mixed shooting percentages. Crawford will be a nice sixth man off the bench for most of his career probably due to his versatility to play three positions.
C+ C+ B B C A
C+ B B+ B+ C A
Hazzard thus far into the season has shown some flashes of brilliance and plain ole ugly play at times. However you can see why Hazzard was taken with the first overall pick in this draft. Hazzard has shown the ability to grab rebounds and ignite fast breaks, averaging four boards a game. His offensive game still needs work and he needs to get his turnovers in check, but the Warriors have shown that they plan on working with him to make him one of the elite point guards down the road.
2 Miami Heat -Nate Thurmond
C+ C- D- B B+ A
B- C- D B+ A- A
Coming off a weak preseason some were questioning whether or not Spencer is manipulating players to inflate their stock, those talks have quickly ceased in regards to Thurmond. Thurmond is off to a good start for the Heat averaging a double double right out of the gate. 15 points and 11 boards a game and two blocks a game on solid percentages. When looking at the future of this team you can help but envision the twin tower potential of both Thurmond and Bellamy. In what will a rebuilding effort for the Heat, they have two big men that will make it an easy transition.
3 Milwaukee Bucks - Larry Jones
B+ C+ D+ C+ C A
A- B C B+ C A
One of the most impressive rookies thus far into the season, their owner has made it no secret that Jones is here ready to dominate the league. Jones is playing with a very talented and young team in Milwaukee therefore he doesn't have to contribute in the same fashion as some of these other high picks and that's why he is shining. The Bucks have Lee, Wilkens and DeBusschere who are all showing him the ropes. Jones is averaging 18/5/2 on excellent percentages for a rookie. However what's most impressive is that the Bucks are off to a 12-4 start and this team with Jones will only get better.
4 San Antonio Spurs - Gus Johnson
A- C D+ C+ A- B
A- C D B- A- B
Coming into this draft Gus Johnson was older than most of the class, therefore a lot of scouts expected him to make an immediate impact but also have limited potential to really get better. Good thing for Johnson is that he was already pretty damn good and he is the reigning rookie of the month award winner. We are starting to see the Spurs climb out of hole that they were in the past few years and Gus has a lot to do with that. He is averaging 20/10 at the small forward position, beasting right out of the gate. The Spurs are hoping that Sims, Gus and Harding can lead the Spurs in the future while Perkins and Davidson keep them afloat for the time being.
5 Detroit Pistons - Joe Caldwell
A- C- C+ B C A
A- C C+ B C A
We finally get to our first rookie who isn't starting for their respective team, Joe Caldwell. Caldwell really improve at all during his training camp and have stud JJ Erving already at the small forward spot. Caldwell in limited minutes in this season is averging 7.4 points and 2.4 boards a game on decent percentages. Injuries and a lack of talent is making this team head straight back into the lottery. The Pistons have been trying to land talent for either Erving or Caldwell but thus far haven't been able to land any enticing packages for either one of these players.
6 Charlotte Bobcats - Eddie Miles
C+ B+ C C+ C- A
C+ A- C B- C- A
Miles landed with the Bobcats and this is another team that has young talent all over the place. While it's a bit surprising to see him getting minutes over Comley, Miles has contributed solid stats so far. 11.7/4.6/2.4 and solid percentages for a rookie Miles has helped this team to a 6-12 record. The Bobcats came away with Miles and Barnett to reshape this team in the offseason. With Boozer, Barnett, Miles has some real nice youth in place already. This team needs to find a way to land a point guard and center, but we look forward to see the growth of Miles.
7 Washington Wizards - Jerry Sloan
B- C+ C- A- C+ A
B- B C- A C+ A
The Wizards have gotten off to a rough start this season and Sloan has been a part of that. The Wizards are a team that's looking at a complete overhaul of the team and Sloan's play has suffered because of that. We have to believe that their trying to pump up the trade value of Guerin and Rooks in order to land something that can help them moving forward. Sloan is averaging 35 minutes a game, but he hasn't really shown the desire to shoot the ball all that much. He is averaging 8/7 on the season with a few steals and assists. Down the road we expect him to continue being a point forward for this team who will need his services.
8 Phoenix Suns - Rod Thorn
B C- C+ B C A
B- C C+ B+ C A
Sitting behind Donovan Beals, Thorn has been able to sit back and learn the game behind him this year. Seeing just under ten minutes a game Thorn has made a small but minimal impact thus far. Six points a game, a rebound, 1.6 assists, a steal and shooting the ball well. You like to see him showcase his all around game and hope that as the minutes increase. The Suns have a lot of young talent all over the roster and Beals contract is up at the seasons end, we expect Thorn to trying and compete for this starting job next year.
9 Memphis Grizzlies - Ira Harge
B- C- D+ B B B
B- C- D+ A- B A
Harge was off to a solid start in this season before injuries put him on the sidelines for quite some time. Harge was averaging 11/6/2.6 a game coming off the bench for the Grizzlies. When Alf's corpse probably retires after this season Harge will probably become the center for this team who love his shot blocking skills. The Grizzlies are off to a rough start, though they expected this from their squad. Don Nelson is masquarading as the number one option for this team right now, so they desperately need to add an impact player via free agency or the draft. Harge will be out for another five weeks for this team, who knows what they will look like by the time he comes back.
10 Portland Trail Blazers - Gerry Ward
B- B+ C C+ C B
B A- C C+ C C
Ward is seeing thirty four minutes a game for this guard driven team. Ward is averaging 16 points a game, 5.5 boards, 3.6 assists a game. However looking at his percentages they really leave a lot to be desired, 39% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. You love the outside shooting but he has to find a way to get the shooting from inside the arc down pat to really become effective. He doesn't play a lot of defense so they really lean on him for his scoring. Blazers are off to a 5-8 start but will get center Ray Felix back who can help provide some low post scoring so keep an eye on Ward's percentages moving forward.
11. Lakers - Jerry Greenspan
B+ C C B+ C B
B+ C+ C A- C B
Team Jerry West selected Greenspan with the 11th pick and weren't really sure what to expect of him. Greenspan right now is starting at small forward and is really the fifth option on this team. 11 points and five boards is what he is averaging right now at the moment, but he is only shooting 39% from the field. The Lakers have Kerr down in the middle, Hopkins down in the middle and Greenspan is trying to find his way. With West and Greer on the wings we would expect Greenspan to get it together over the course of time because this team has a lot of talent, it just happened click yet.
12. Warriors - Tom Hoover
B C D+ B- B+ B
B+ C D+ B+ B+ B
Hoover slipped in the draft a few picks according to some scouts, who knows really. However coming into this season Hoover has made his mark for the Warriors averaging 12/10 thus far. However he has been force feed so far into the season and his percentages are less than stellar, 33% from the field is just flat out bad. Moving forward the Warriors are hoping to take the pressure off him and not making him an option, their hoping he will see better looks instead of forcing the ball. Hoover has nice ratings and should only get better moving forward, the Warriors seem to want to make him better.
13. Suns - Freddie Crawford
B C+ B- B- C+ B
B- B- B B+ C+ C
The jack of all trades shooting guard was the final pick in this draft lottery heading to the Suns. Crawford is only seeing fourteen minutes a game, but he has shown that he can do a little bit of everything and be quite versatile for this team moving forward. 4.5 points, 2.4 boards, 1.5 assists and mixed shooting percentages. Crawford will be a nice sixth man off the bench for most of his career probably due to his versatility to play three positions.
