Post by Jordan on Jul 5, 2011 19:50:30 GMT -5
1. Milwaukee Bucks – Bill Russell C 6'9'' 220 21 B D+ B B+ A- A
Some GMs have posted about their belief that Heinsohn will be end up a better player than Russell. I am not in that corner and I doubt anyone would take Heinsohn over Russell at #1 if they were given the opportunity. The Bucks really solidify their frontcourt for the foreseeable future with this pick. Russell and current rookie Maurice Stokes will undoubtedly be the best defensive frontcourt in the league for a long time. Russell likely bring more immediate success to the Bucks than previous retro #1 selections Bob Petit and Elgin Baylor. I would expect Russell to be at least 18 10 and 2 as a rookie. He will also likely lead the Bucks back to the playoffs. If the Bucks can add a young star PG, broph may have a dynasty on his hands.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers- Tom Heinsohn PF 6'8'' 225 22 B C C+ A- B A
CC tore down his defending Eastern Conference Champion roster after a slow start and didn’t get many longterm pieces when he did so. The Cavs really need a top two selection to make the Julian Rooks trade worth it and at this point they have one. Heinsohn will likely be a future allstar and at least a top 2 scoring option on any team. Whatever teams get a top two pick should hold onto either Russell or Heinsohn for as long as they can.
3. Washington Wizards - Sam Jones SF 6'5'' 200 23 B C C+ B C+ A
Sam Jones is the easy pick at #3 in this draft. I think he definitely behind the top two for several reasons. The main reason being that it is unlikely he will be a good player at any position other than SF. I also believe that he is easily ahead of the rest of the draft. Having said that, I do not think Jones will end up being one of the five best players in this draft. If Jones turns out as good as his notes allude, he could be the next Anthony Randolph. To get that quality of player at #3 in a draft is insane. The Wizards do not have much talent elsewhere on the roster. A longer rebuild with Jones as the centerpiece is not a bad start.
4. Miami Heat - Si Green SG 6'2'' 188 22 C+ B+ B- C+ D+ A
The Heat have managed to tank their way to a top 5 pick despite having some good players on their roster. In my opinion, the fourth pick in the draft has to be Si Green. His notes say he has big potential and he is by far the best guard in this draft. I don’t believe in drafting for need this high in the draft, but Green also fills a need for the Heat for next season.
5. Golden State Warriors - Willie Naulls C 6'7'' 230 22 B C+ D C B+ A
I think there is a drop off in talent after the top 4. However, I do not think this is a four man draft. The Warriors have a lot of scoring already in place with Trobow and Harrison, but neither player provides much defense. This makes Naulls a poor fit because is another poor defending, scorer. He is the next best prospect in my eyes so that is why I have him going fifth. The Warriors would likely be better off taking one of the more riskier big man prospects or Bob Hopkins.
6. Phoenix Suns (from Los Angeles Lakers)- Bob Hopkins C 6'8'' 215 22 B D+ C- A- B B
The Suns are one of the better teams in the league at this point. Adding an immediate impact big man like Bob Hopkins would be a huge addition to the team. He will be a great compliment to Dolph Schayes and make them one of the best teams in the league next season. The Suns could really use a SG or SF but I don’t think anyone left is worth this high of a selection.
7. Utah Jazz - Phil Jordon C 6'10'' 210 23 C+ D+ C- B C+ A
The Jazz were neglected for a long stretch recently and the roster shows that. Jack Twyman should provide them with a very good piece and scoring option for the future, but a lot more needs to be done. Harrison Barnes is too old for this team and should be moved to a contender for a couple of picks. The same can be said for Sefa Faafeu. The Jazz need to get a good player with this pick and I’m not sure who that is at this point in the draft. I am a fan of Phil Jordon and think he will be a good player in this league, but he is 23 and has raw ratings. There may be better options out there.
8. Boston Celtics - Chester Webb SG 6'3'' 200 22 C+ B C- C+ D A
The Jazz are another team that needs a lot of help. The team only has one definite long term piece in JT Irish. At this point, the Celtics need big man talent but most of it is gone. Chester Webb is probably a reach to some people at this point but I think he will be a viable starter. The Celtics may be better off taking a risk on Morris Taft or Jerry Bird though.
9. New Orleans Hornets (from Portland Trail Blazers) - Bob Burrow C 6'8'' 235 22 B- D+ D+ A- C+ B
The Hornets have three great pieces in place and are position to add three more nice players. This draft has incredible big man talent so the Hornets should come away with at least one big man out of the three lotto picks they have. Burrow is the best prospect left at this point and is a good for the Hornets. They already have good rebounding with O’Keane and Baylor at PF and SF. Burrow also provides defense and shot blocking which are needs.
10. Denver Nuggets - Morris Taft PF 6'9'' 200 21 B- D+ D+ C+ C+ A
The Nuggets have a lot of role players on their roster but lacks a player that appears to be a star or likely to become a star. Morris Taft sounds like a boom or bust prospect. It is always hard to take a risk on a guy like that but it may be the risk the Nuggets need to take.
11. New Orleans Hornets -Hal Lear PG 6'0'' 163 22 C B D+ B+ C- A
Hal Lear is by far the most interesting prospect of this draft. Any PG with D+ handles is obviously a red flag, but I think it is obvious he is going to be a very good player. The Hornets already have a great PG in Julian Rooks. They also have three lottos. This allows them to take a gamble on a guy that could be the steal of the draft. The Hornets could also look into playing him at SG or backup PG/SG.
12. New Orleans Hornets (from Philadelphia 76ers) - Jerry Bird PF 6'6'' 220 21 B- C+ D C+ C A
The Hornets may want to go with a more conventional big man with this pick but no one left has the potential of Bird. He may end up playing SF, which would be a longterm problem with Elgin Baylor on the roster. Bird does have the ability to play SG if someone would want to risk moving him there. That may be a move the Hornets could consider doing with this pick.
13. Indiana Pacers - Ron Sobie SG 6'3'' 185 23 C+ A- C C+ C- A
The Pacers have a good starting five, but they have poor depth. The team is also very old. Sobie may have turnover concerns but he is one of if not the best talent left.
Some GMs have posted about their belief that Heinsohn will be end up a better player than Russell. I am not in that corner and I doubt anyone would take Heinsohn over Russell at #1 if they were given the opportunity. The Bucks really solidify their frontcourt for the foreseeable future with this pick. Russell and current rookie Maurice Stokes will undoubtedly be the best defensive frontcourt in the league for a long time. Russell likely bring more immediate success to the Bucks than previous retro #1 selections Bob Petit and Elgin Baylor. I would expect Russell to be at least 18 10 and 2 as a rookie. He will also likely lead the Bucks back to the playoffs. If the Bucks can add a young star PG, broph may have a dynasty on his hands.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers- Tom Heinsohn PF 6'8'' 225 22 B C C+ A- B A
CC tore down his defending Eastern Conference Champion roster after a slow start and didn’t get many longterm pieces when he did so. The Cavs really need a top two selection to make the Julian Rooks trade worth it and at this point they have one. Heinsohn will likely be a future allstar and at least a top 2 scoring option on any team. Whatever teams get a top two pick should hold onto either Russell or Heinsohn for as long as they can.
3. Washington Wizards - Sam Jones SF 6'5'' 200 23 B C C+ B C+ A
Sam Jones is the easy pick at #3 in this draft. I think he definitely behind the top two for several reasons. The main reason being that it is unlikely he will be a good player at any position other than SF. I also believe that he is easily ahead of the rest of the draft. Having said that, I do not think Jones will end up being one of the five best players in this draft. If Jones turns out as good as his notes allude, he could be the next Anthony Randolph. To get that quality of player at #3 in a draft is insane. The Wizards do not have much talent elsewhere on the roster. A longer rebuild with Jones as the centerpiece is not a bad start.
4. Miami Heat - Si Green SG 6'2'' 188 22 C+ B+ B- C+ D+ A
The Heat have managed to tank their way to a top 5 pick despite having some good players on their roster. In my opinion, the fourth pick in the draft has to be Si Green. His notes say he has big potential and he is by far the best guard in this draft. I don’t believe in drafting for need this high in the draft, but Green also fills a need for the Heat for next season.
5. Golden State Warriors - Willie Naulls C 6'7'' 230 22 B C+ D C B+ A
I think there is a drop off in talent after the top 4. However, I do not think this is a four man draft. The Warriors have a lot of scoring already in place with Trobow and Harrison, but neither player provides much defense. This makes Naulls a poor fit because is another poor defending, scorer. He is the next best prospect in my eyes so that is why I have him going fifth. The Warriors would likely be better off taking one of the more riskier big man prospects or Bob Hopkins.
6. Phoenix Suns (from Los Angeles Lakers)- Bob Hopkins C 6'8'' 215 22 B D+ C- A- B B
The Suns are one of the better teams in the league at this point. Adding an immediate impact big man like Bob Hopkins would be a huge addition to the team. He will be a great compliment to Dolph Schayes and make them one of the best teams in the league next season. The Suns could really use a SG or SF but I don’t think anyone left is worth this high of a selection.
7. Utah Jazz - Phil Jordon C 6'10'' 210 23 C+ D+ C- B C+ A
The Jazz were neglected for a long stretch recently and the roster shows that. Jack Twyman should provide them with a very good piece and scoring option for the future, but a lot more needs to be done. Harrison Barnes is too old for this team and should be moved to a contender for a couple of picks. The same can be said for Sefa Faafeu. The Jazz need to get a good player with this pick and I’m not sure who that is at this point in the draft. I am a fan of Phil Jordon and think he will be a good player in this league, but he is 23 and has raw ratings. There may be better options out there.
8. Boston Celtics - Chester Webb SG 6'3'' 200 22 C+ B C- C+ D A
The Jazz are another team that needs a lot of help. The team only has one definite long term piece in JT Irish. At this point, the Celtics need big man talent but most of it is gone. Chester Webb is probably a reach to some people at this point but I think he will be a viable starter. The Celtics may be better off taking a risk on Morris Taft or Jerry Bird though.
9. New Orleans Hornets (from Portland Trail Blazers) - Bob Burrow C 6'8'' 235 22 B- D+ D+ A- C+ B
The Hornets have three great pieces in place and are position to add three more nice players. This draft has incredible big man talent so the Hornets should come away with at least one big man out of the three lotto picks they have. Burrow is the best prospect left at this point and is a good for the Hornets. They already have good rebounding with O’Keane and Baylor at PF and SF. Burrow also provides defense and shot blocking which are needs.
10. Denver Nuggets - Morris Taft PF 6'9'' 200 21 B- D+ D+ C+ C+ A
The Nuggets have a lot of role players on their roster but lacks a player that appears to be a star or likely to become a star. Morris Taft sounds like a boom or bust prospect. It is always hard to take a risk on a guy like that but it may be the risk the Nuggets need to take.
11. New Orleans Hornets -Hal Lear PG 6'0'' 163 22 C B D+ B+ C- A
Hal Lear is by far the most interesting prospect of this draft. Any PG with D+ handles is obviously a red flag, but I think it is obvious he is going to be a very good player. The Hornets already have a great PG in Julian Rooks. They also have three lottos. This allows them to take a gamble on a guy that could be the steal of the draft. The Hornets could also look into playing him at SG or backup PG/SG.
12. New Orleans Hornets (from Philadelphia 76ers) - Jerry Bird PF 6'6'' 220 21 B- C+ D C+ C A
The Hornets may want to go with a more conventional big man with this pick but no one left has the potential of Bird. He may end up playing SF, which would be a longterm problem with Elgin Baylor on the roster. Bird does have the ability to play SG if someone would want to risk moving him there. That may be a move the Hornets could consider doing with this pick.
13. Indiana Pacers - Ron Sobie SG 6'3'' 185 23 C+ A- C C+ C- A
The Pacers have a good starting five, but they have poor depth. The team is also very old. Sobie may have turnover concerns but he is one of if not the best talent left.