Post by nova on Jun 8, 2011 12:40:22 GMT -5
1. New Jersey Nets - Bob Petit PF 6'9'' 205 22 B+ C- C- B- A- A
The battle to be selected #1 overall seems to be between the Bobs. The edge goes to Petit because of his age. At 22, he enters the league with more upside and youth, making him more appealing to GM's. Petit has mesmerized teams with his ability. Simply put, he'll be a superstar and a franchise player. The Nets desperately need that sort of player, and adding Petit gives them a legitimate cornerstone. They already have a solid core in Ryan Miller, Lamont McGee, and Gabe Simon, but they're missing a star, and Petit gives them that.
2. Detroit Pistons - Bob Cousy PG 6'1'' 175 26 B+ C A- A- C+ A
The Pistons, while preferring to go younger, really can't pass up Cousy here. He is simply too good. Cousy enters the league with massive amounts of hype, and immediately becomes one of the league's premier PG's. Cousy's all-around ability has scouts raving, and while he's not much of a 3 point shooter, GM's and scouts are still convinced he's a franchise PG and has several all-star games ahead of him. Tracy Parker is a great talent, and adding Cousy gives the Pistons a fantastic 1-2 punch in the backcourt.
3. Orlando Magic - Dolph Schayes C 6'8'' 200 26 B+ C C+ C+ A B
The Magic already have a plethora of young talent - Jason Robinson, JJ Erving, Tanner Thompson, and Douglas Washington. Especially on the wings, Erving and Thompson seem fit to lead them into the future. What they really need is a playmaker up front or at PG. With Cousy gone, that leaves Schayes as the logical choice. Schayes is an absolute phenom. A very good scorer and one of the best rebounders to ever enter the BBS, Schayes immediately helps this Magic team and vaults them to a potential playoff contender. With the development of their youth and the presence of Schayes, the Magic could be dangerous in a season or two.
4. Phoenix Suns - Red Kerr C 6'9'' 230 22 B C D C B+ A
With a new GM in town, Phoenix has a new gameplan, and it involves a rebuild. Ethan Talley is an intriguing young guard, but is raw, and it makes more sense for them to do a long-term rebuild, and thus someone like Red Kerr, with seemingly a good deal of upside, would be a perfect fit. Kerr is a solids corer and rebounder as is, but at 22, he has a lot of room for improvement. Good young big men are not easy to get ahold of, and thus the Suns will grab their center of the future and hope he becomes a Schayes-like player.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Richie Guerin SG 6'4'' 200 22 B+ C+ B B+ D+ B
The Grizzlies have a trio of exciting young players in Omar Green, Marvin McLeod, and Cameron Claxton, and they add another dynamic young talent here in Guerin. While they don't necessarily need a PG, Guerin's game might be too intriguing to pass up. His slashing ability has impressed people around the league, and if he can develop an outside shot, he'll be a hell of a player. Another option is Ed Macauley, but with Guerin, they get some trade flexibility while also going younger, and arguably still taking the best player available.
6. Atlanta Hawks - Togo Palazzi SF 6'4'' 205 22 C+ A- C- B- C A
The Hawks are a team in an interesting situation. They've got a plethora of good young talent, but none of them are stars or franchise pieces right now. There are none of those types of players left at this point either, and thus they are forced to take the best player left. At this point, Palazzi seems to be the most logical choice. Macauley is better, but he's older, and they already have a trio of young PF's. Palazzi has an interesting game and could have the potential to be a terrific swingman. Not an ideal pick for the Hawks, but they'll have to make the best of their situation.
7. Golden State Warriors - Ed Macauley PF 6'8'' 205 26 B+ C D+ B+ B B
The Warriors are a team without a direction. They're nowhere near being a contender, and yet they don't seem to want to rebuild. They've had two losing seasons in a row, and thus need to win by 2026, so a long-term rebuild is out of the question. Thus, adding immediate talent is the way to go, and they might be lucky to get Macauley at 7. GM's love youth, and so the fact that Macauley is 26 and not dominant at anything, but good at a handful of things, might lead him to slip to 7, where the Warriors should be happy to get him. He won't make them a playoff contender, but he'll get them closer to being a winning team.
8. San Antonio Spurs - Slick Leonard SG 6'3'' 185 22 C B- B- B C A
The Spurs have a great young big in Durell Valentine, and will look to add the most intriguing young prospect left at this pick to pair alongside him and that will be Slick Leonard. He is raw, but seems to have a good deal of upside, making him a solid pick at this point. Leonard will likely never be a great scorer, but with his passing and defense, he could be a very solid starter, and at this point, that's a solid pick-up.
9. Dallas Mavericks (from Pacers) - Paul Arizin SF 6'5'' 200 26 B- B+ C+ B C+ B
The Mavericks are in an interesting situation. They've got an exciting young trio of players in J.D. Quincy, A.J. Perkins, and Cam Adams. It's almost surprising that they're in the lottery with this group. They're not far off from being a playoff team, and with the young prospects seemingly gone, they'll go for the most impactful talent left, and at this point, aside from 31 year old Bobby Cook, that is Arizin. He has no real weaknesses and if he has some upside left, he's a big steal at this point. They don't need another SF, but Arizin seems to be the best player left at this point. If nothing else, he has the most value of anyone left and could bring in nice value in a trade.
10. Dallas Mavericks - Vern Mikkelsen C 6'8'' 240 26 B- C C A- B+ B
With back-to-back picks, the Mavs are in a great position. They could trade down and acquire more assets, pair them together for a talented post player, or hang onto them and add two good players about to enter their prime. Mikkelsen is a good addition at this point; the Mavs need post talent, and Mikkelsen seems ready to start. He's an immediate upgrade over their current bigs, and with Arizin, he should help push them into the playoffs. The Mavs will be a team to look out for if they can re-sign Quincy and Adams and if they use these draft picks well.
11. New York Knicks - Dick Rosenthal SF 6'5'' 205 24 C+ C+ C- B- C A
At this point, there is an evident drop-off in terms of youth and the talented players in their mid-20s. The Knicks, much like the Hawks, have some very talented young players. Christian Gola and Jayson O'Keane have played very well together and could be one of the league's best big man duos soon enough. Rosenthal seems to be the most logical pick, as many scouts are convinced he could be a very good player. He's the epitome of a hit-or-miss player, and at this point in the draft, the Knicks will take a flyer and hope he pans out, because if he does, he's better than any of the other options out there, and even if he doesn't, they're not missing out on anything special.
12. Atlanta Hawks (from Thunder) - Larry Foust C 6'9'' 220 26 B- C D+ B B B
With their second lotto pick, the Hawks don't really have great options. With Rosenthal off the board, there doesn't seem to be a young player that warrants being taken here. Therefore, they try to get the most value out of the pick and take Foust, an impactful post player, hoping that he can improve and become a starting caliber big man. If he further develops, he gives them even more trade flexibility with their frontcourt. With two lotto picks and a lot of young talent, the Hawks may want to consider trading up, as what they really need is a top tier talent and not more supporting players, but if they stay here, Foust is the most logical pick.
13. Washington Wizards - Bobby Cook SG 5'10'' 155 31 B+ A- C+ C C+ C
The Wizards have been a huge disappointment this season. They've got a lot of talent, and young talent to boot. Raskauskas, Campbell, and Mack are an exciting trio of players, and they've got other talented players on the roster, but it just hasn't clicked for some reason. They're not too far away from being a contender, they just need to make one or two moves and coaching adjustments. Thus, they're in the rare position where using a pick on a 31 year old isn't a bad thing. Bobby Cook may be old, but he's likely also the favorite to win ROY. He's a 25/5/5 player upon entering the league. He may only perform at that level for 4 or 5 years, but that's all the Wiz need, and he'd be a nice addition to their team.
The battle to be selected #1 overall seems to be between the Bobs. The edge goes to Petit because of his age. At 22, he enters the league with more upside and youth, making him more appealing to GM's. Petit has mesmerized teams with his ability. Simply put, he'll be a superstar and a franchise player. The Nets desperately need that sort of player, and adding Petit gives them a legitimate cornerstone. They already have a solid core in Ryan Miller, Lamont McGee, and Gabe Simon, but they're missing a star, and Petit gives them that.
2. Detroit Pistons - Bob Cousy PG 6'1'' 175 26 B+ C A- A- C+ A
The Pistons, while preferring to go younger, really can't pass up Cousy here. He is simply too good. Cousy enters the league with massive amounts of hype, and immediately becomes one of the league's premier PG's. Cousy's all-around ability has scouts raving, and while he's not much of a 3 point shooter, GM's and scouts are still convinced he's a franchise PG and has several all-star games ahead of him. Tracy Parker is a great talent, and adding Cousy gives the Pistons a fantastic 1-2 punch in the backcourt.
3. Orlando Magic - Dolph Schayes C 6'8'' 200 26 B+ C C+ C+ A B
The Magic already have a plethora of young talent - Jason Robinson, JJ Erving, Tanner Thompson, and Douglas Washington. Especially on the wings, Erving and Thompson seem fit to lead them into the future. What they really need is a playmaker up front or at PG. With Cousy gone, that leaves Schayes as the logical choice. Schayes is an absolute phenom. A very good scorer and one of the best rebounders to ever enter the BBS, Schayes immediately helps this Magic team and vaults them to a potential playoff contender. With the development of their youth and the presence of Schayes, the Magic could be dangerous in a season or two.
4. Phoenix Suns - Red Kerr C 6'9'' 230 22 B C D C B+ A
With a new GM in town, Phoenix has a new gameplan, and it involves a rebuild. Ethan Talley is an intriguing young guard, but is raw, and it makes more sense for them to do a long-term rebuild, and thus someone like Red Kerr, with seemingly a good deal of upside, would be a perfect fit. Kerr is a solids corer and rebounder as is, but at 22, he has a lot of room for improvement. Good young big men are not easy to get ahold of, and thus the Suns will grab their center of the future and hope he becomes a Schayes-like player.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - Richie Guerin SG 6'4'' 200 22 B+ C+ B B+ D+ B
The Grizzlies have a trio of exciting young players in Omar Green, Marvin McLeod, and Cameron Claxton, and they add another dynamic young talent here in Guerin. While they don't necessarily need a PG, Guerin's game might be too intriguing to pass up. His slashing ability has impressed people around the league, and if he can develop an outside shot, he'll be a hell of a player. Another option is Ed Macauley, but with Guerin, they get some trade flexibility while also going younger, and arguably still taking the best player available.
6. Atlanta Hawks - Togo Palazzi SF 6'4'' 205 22 C+ A- C- B- C A
The Hawks are a team in an interesting situation. They've got a plethora of good young talent, but none of them are stars or franchise pieces right now. There are none of those types of players left at this point either, and thus they are forced to take the best player left. At this point, Palazzi seems to be the most logical choice. Macauley is better, but he's older, and they already have a trio of young PF's. Palazzi has an interesting game and could have the potential to be a terrific swingman. Not an ideal pick for the Hawks, but they'll have to make the best of their situation.
7. Golden State Warriors - Ed Macauley PF 6'8'' 205 26 B+ C D+ B+ B B
The Warriors are a team without a direction. They're nowhere near being a contender, and yet they don't seem to want to rebuild. They've had two losing seasons in a row, and thus need to win by 2026, so a long-term rebuild is out of the question. Thus, adding immediate talent is the way to go, and they might be lucky to get Macauley at 7. GM's love youth, and so the fact that Macauley is 26 and not dominant at anything, but good at a handful of things, might lead him to slip to 7, where the Warriors should be happy to get him. He won't make them a playoff contender, but he'll get them closer to being a winning team.
8. San Antonio Spurs - Slick Leonard SG 6'3'' 185 22 C B- B- B C A
The Spurs have a great young big in Durell Valentine, and will look to add the most intriguing young prospect left at this pick to pair alongside him and that will be Slick Leonard. He is raw, but seems to have a good deal of upside, making him a solid pick at this point. Leonard will likely never be a great scorer, but with his passing and defense, he could be a very solid starter, and at this point, that's a solid pick-up.
9. Dallas Mavericks (from Pacers) - Paul Arizin SF 6'5'' 200 26 B- B+ C+ B C+ B
The Mavericks are in an interesting situation. They've got an exciting young trio of players in J.D. Quincy, A.J. Perkins, and Cam Adams. It's almost surprising that they're in the lottery with this group. They're not far off from being a playoff team, and with the young prospects seemingly gone, they'll go for the most impactful talent left, and at this point, aside from 31 year old Bobby Cook, that is Arizin. He has no real weaknesses and if he has some upside left, he's a big steal at this point. They don't need another SF, but Arizin seems to be the best player left at this point. If nothing else, he has the most value of anyone left and could bring in nice value in a trade.
10. Dallas Mavericks - Vern Mikkelsen C 6'8'' 240 26 B- C C A- B+ B
With back-to-back picks, the Mavs are in a great position. They could trade down and acquire more assets, pair them together for a talented post player, or hang onto them and add two good players about to enter their prime. Mikkelsen is a good addition at this point; the Mavs need post talent, and Mikkelsen seems ready to start. He's an immediate upgrade over their current bigs, and with Arizin, he should help push them into the playoffs. The Mavs will be a team to look out for if they can re-sign Quincy and Adams and if they use these draft picks well.
11. New York Knicks - Dick Rosenthal SF 6'5'' 205 24 C+ C+ C- B- C A
At this point, there is an evident drop-off in terms of youth and the talented players in their mid-20s. The Knicks, much like the Hawks, have some very talented young players. Christian Gola and Jayson O'Keane have played very well together and could be one of the league's best big man duos soon enough. Rosenthal seems to be the most logical pick, as many scouts are convinced he could be a very good player. He's the epitome of a hit-or-miss player, and at this point in the draft, the Knicks will take a flyer and hope he pans out, because if he does, he's better than any of the other options out there, and even if he doesn't, they're not missing out on anything special.
12. Atlanta Hawks (from Thunder) - Larry Foust C 6'9'' 220 26 B- C D+ B B B
With their second lotto pick, the Hawks don't really have great options. With Rosenthal off the board, there doesn't seem to be a young player that warrants being taken here. Therefore, they try to get the most value out of the pick and take Foust, an impactful post player, hoping that he can improve and become a starting caliber big man. If he further develops, he gives them even more trade flexibility with their frontcourt. With two lotto picks and a lot of young talent, the Hawks may want to consider trading up, as what they really need is a top tier talent and not more supporting players, but if they stay here, Foust is the most logical pick.
13. Washington Wizards - Bobby Cook SG 5'10'' 155 31 B+ A- C+ C C+ C
The Wizards have been a huge disappointment this season. They've got a lot of talent, and young talent to boot. Raskauskas, Campbell, and Mack are an exciting trio of players, and they've got other talented players on the roster, but it just hasn't clicked for some reason. They're not too far away from being a contender, they just need to make one or two moves and coaching adjustments. Thus, they're in the rare position where using a pick on a 31 year old isn't a bad thing. Bobby Cook may be old, but he's likely also the favorite to win ROY. He's a 25/5/5 player upon entering the league. He may only perform at that level for 4 or 5 years, but that's all the Wiz need, and he'd be a nice addition to their team.
