Post by Jordan on Sept 17, 2011 10:46:29 GMT -5
1. New Jersey Nets - John Havlicek SG 6'5'' 203 21 B- B+ C+ B C A
Havlicek is the clear cut #1 prospect in this draft. He seems a bit raw compared to some of the other alltime greats that have recently come into the league, but I would not be concerned. The guy is going to be a monster. Since the Nets have last years 6th pick York Larese, Havlicek isn’t the best fit. However, anyone outside of Indiana wouldn’t be concerned with that. If Nanz manages to land Havlicek, he is off to a great start with the Nets, but the team still has a long way to go before competing again. Havlicek will be a top 3 SG for a signification part of his career.
2. Indiana Pacers (from San Antonio Spurs) -Walt Bellamy C 6'11'' 225 22 B D+ D B B+ A
Biggie finds himself in a great spot since the Spurs decided to not even try this year. Depending on how the lotto turns out, he may have to draft with strategy. I’m not convinced Bellamy is the #2 guy, but he is definitely in consideration. Outside of him, you have Don Kojis, Don Nelson, and Kevin Loughery. All three are wing players. If Biggie is picking twice between 2 through 5, I think taking Bellamy is the right move to build a more rounded base. He probably won’t be an elite center, but he will be a very good one that scores 20+ppg. It is never a bad thing to have one of those guys. Should Biggie pass on Bellamy, Greg and DJ will be thrilled since both have always tried to build around good big men.
3. Dallas Mavericks -Don Nelson SF 6'6'' 210 21 B C C B+ B A
Greg would love to add Bellamy or Havlicek. He already has a good young core with Tom Sanders, Dick Barnett, and Willie Merriweather. Merriweather is going to be a star and Sanders is going to be solid. Barnett is definitely the weakest link. This allows Greg to choose between Kojis or Nelson. I think I prefer Kojis at this point, but Greg has always drafted more polished players. Nelson definitely is that. I think Nelson will be a good player, but I think he will be what Habes thought Lucas would be. A guy who is good at everything, but not a standout anywhere. I’d rather risk this pick on Kojis if that is the case.
4. Toronto Raptors -Don Kojis SF 6'4'' 202 22 B- B- C- B- B- A
This season marked the second time in this version of BBS that DJ won less than 30 games. While that may impress some, I think a lot of GMs could care less. The Raptors are consistently average with no shot of making it out of the first round. The team is a complete nonfactor and DJ is too difficult to trade with for most GMs to even try anymore. DJ has a couple of above average pieces in Lloyd and Cole. I’m sure he has all 3 of the previous picks significantly ahead of Kojis because they are safer, but they are all gone. I like Kojis a lot and think he will be a very good player if he gets the proper RC/AC attention. The Raptors don’t have the personnel to run an outside offense right now, which makes Kojis a viable pick over Loughery. I wouldn’t be surprised if DJ took Loughery to attempt an outside offense and just because he also looks safer.
5. Indiana Pacers - Kevin Loughery SG 6'3'' 190 21 C+ A- C B- C A
Biggie adds a second immediate starter with this pick. Even if Loughery doesn’t develop much, he will likely be an option scorer. The Pacers may be in the best position they have been in a long time with Bellamy, Loughery, and McNeill. Hopefully, they can finally have some success.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder -Tom Meschery PF 6'6'' 215 23 B- C D+ C+ C+ A
The Thunder are a season or two away from being a great team. There are three or four players Aaron could draft here. This pick is key to the type of team he wants to build. I easily like Meschery the most of the guys that are left so I would take him regardless. The PF class is awful, but this guy sounds like Tom Heinsohn without the rebounding. Since the Thunder already are getting significant shot blocking from their SF, Horace Walker, they do not need it out of both of their big man positions. I think Meschery may end up being one of the top 3 players in this draft and will be a great compliment next to Walker. The Thunder will still need to find a go to scorer somewhere down the road though.
7. New Orleans Hornets - Ray Scott C 6'9'' 215 23 B- C C- B+ B- A
Ray Scott will likely be a lot higher on a few teams draft boards. This is a mistake. Most of my concerns about Scott came down to one sentence in his notes. “Scott is more of a jump shooter then a post scorer.” This sentence combined with his ratings make me think about Mel Hutchins. The guy is going to be a plus defender and great midrange guy, but will he ever develop enough to shoot and score enough to be worthy of this pick? That is something I don’t want to risk the #7 pick on the find out. With enough attention through RCs and ACs, he will be a good center, but again I don’t know if I’d want to spend that time on him if I have other prospects around.
8. Denver Nuggets - Bill Smith SF 6'5'' 190 20 C- B D B- A- B
I’m going off the days when I had Kwan Xi, but Greeme has always wanted a guy with this type of skill set. I don’t see how Smith will ever be anything more than a role player, but Greeme has already taken his first step towards running an outside offense by acquiring Quinn Barnes. Smith also won’t win many games next year and allow Greeme to tank. The Nuggets are going to really need a top 3 pick or to steal someone in FA.
9. New York Knicks (from Washington Wizards) - Jackie Crawford PG 6'2'' 182 20 C A- C+ B C- A
Skillz likes to think of this pick as a consolation prize in an otherwise lost season. I’ve never understood that theory. If your team isn’t good enough to compete, then getting some other late lotto to replace yours really doesn’t replace the time or value your team just did. I’m sure Outlawz wanted entirely too much for the NYK 1st, but the fact remains Skillz is picking 9th when he could have been picking 3rd. Despite all of this, Skillz gets lucky here. Crawford fits his team. Skillz will promote this guy as the next Ricky Francis or Lavelle Langston if he can shoot at all. He will RC and AC the shit out of him. Crawford may go higher based off that potential. I don’t see him being that type of player though. Adding a top 3 pick next year will be essential to the Knicks return to contention.
10. Atlanta Hawks (from New York Knicks) -Bill Bridges C 6'6'' 230 22 C D+ D+ B B+ A
The past 3 or 4 drafts have gotten thin after the top 7 to 9 pickss. Lucky for Outlawz, there are a few more talented prospects in this draft. Outlawz has assembled a talented team, but this pick present little value compared to what he could have gotten by trading it to Skillz. Bridges will be a good role player for the Hawks.
11. Phoenix Suns -Larry Comley SG 6'5'' 210 22 B B C- B- C+ B
Comley is going to be at least a good backup wing. He isn’t a need for the Suns at this point because they have Justin Ferguson as a backup. Nevertheless, he is the best prospect left IMO. If the Suns want to a big, Patterson is the best big left but he isn't near Comley as a prospect.
12. Atlanta Hawks (from Miami Heat) Larry Siegfried SG 6'3'' 190 22 C+ A- B- C C B
The Hawks don’t need anyone with this pick. Outlawz will probably try to package his two late lottos for something of value. I don’t see why anyone would want to be stuck picking this late in the lotto. Siegfried may be a longterm backup for the Hawks if they lose Palazzi.
13. Milwaukee Bucks George Patterson C 6'8'' 235 21 C C D+ B B B
Patterson can “block and steal” which is always something you like to have in your big men. Patterson probably won’t be much of a player outside of his ability to do that and grab 8 rebounds, but he could be a good backup for the Bucks.
Havlicek is the clear cut #1 prospect in this draft. He seems a bit raw compared to some of the other alltime greats that have recently come into the league, but I would not be concerned. The guy is going to be a monster. Since the Nets have last years 6th pick York Larese, Havlicek isn’t the best fit. However, anyone outside of Indiana wouldn’t be concerned with that. If Nanz manages to land Havlicek, he is off to a great start with the Nets, but the team still has a long way to go before competing again. Havlicek will be a top 3 SG for a signification part of his career.
2. Indiana Pacers (from San Antonio Spurs) -Walt Bellamy C 6'11'' 225 22 B D+ D B B+ A
Biggie finds himself in a great spot since the Spurs decided to not even try this year. Depending on how the lotto turns out, he may have to draft with strategy. I’m not convinced Bellamy is the #2 guy, but he is definitely in consideration. Outside of him, you have Don Kojis, Don Nelson, and Kevin Loughery. All three are wing players. If Biggie is picking twice between 2 through 5, I think taking Bellamy is the right move to build a more rounded base. He probably won’t be an elite center, but he will be a very good one that scores 20+ppg. It is never a bad thing to have one of those guys. Should Biggie pass on Bellamy, Greg and DJ will be thrilled since both have always tried to build around good big men.
3. Dallas Mavericks -Don Nelson SF 6'6'' 210 21 B C C B+ B A
Greg would love to add Bellamy or Havlicek. He already has a good young core with Tom Sanders, Dick Barnett, and Willie Merriweather. Merriweather is going to be a star and Sanders is going to be solid. Barnett is definitely the weakest link. This allows Greg to choose between Kojis or Nelson. I think I prefer Kojis at this point, but Greg has always drafted more polished players. Nelson definitely is that. I think Nelson will be a good player, but I think he will be what Habes thought Lucas would be. A guy who is good at everything, but not a standout anywhere. I’d rather risk this pick on Kojis if that is the case.
4. Toronto Raptors -Don Kojis SF 6'4'' 202 22 B- B- C- B- B- A
This season marked the second time in this version of BBS that DJ won less than 30 games. While that may impress some, I think a lot of GMs could care less. The Raptors are consistently average with no shot of making it out of the first round. The team is a complete nonfactor and DJ is too difficult to trade with for most GMs to even try anymore. DJ has a couple of above average pieces in Lloyd and Cole. I’m sure he has all 3 of the previous picks significantly ahead of Kojis because they are safer, but they are all gone. I like Kojis a lot and think he will be a very good player if he gets the proper RC/AC attention. The Raptors don’t have the personnel to run an outside offense right now, which makes Kojis a viable pick over Loughery. I wouldn’t be surprised if DJ took Loughery to attempt an outside offense and just because he also looks safer.
5. Indiana Pacers - Kevin Loughery SG 6'3'' 190 21 C+ A- C B- C A
Biggie adds a second immediate starter with this pick. Even if Loughery doesn’t develop much, he will likely be an option scorer. The Pacers may be in the best position they have been in a long time with Bellamy, Loughery, and McNeill. Hopefully, they can finally have some success.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder -Tom Meschery PF 6'6'' 215 23 B- C D+ C+ C+ A
The Thunder are a season or two away from being a great team. There are three or four players Aaron could draft here. This pick is key to the type of team he wants to build. I easily like Meschery the most of the guys that are left so I would take him regardless. The PF class is awful, but this guy sounds like Tom Heinsohn without the rebounding. Since the Thunder already are getting significant shot blocking from their SF, Horace Walker, they do not need it out of both of their big man positions. I think Meschery may end up being one of the top 3 players in this draft and will be a great compliment next to Walker. The Thunder will still need to find a go to scorer somewhere down the road though.
7. New Orleans Hornets - Ray Scott C 6'9'' 215 23 B- C C- B+ B- A
Ray Scott will likely be a lot higher on a few teams draft boards. This is a mistake. Most of my concerns about Scott came down to one sentence in his notes. “Scott is more of a jump shooter then a post scorer.” This sentence combined with his ratings make me think about Mel Hutchins. The guy is going to be a plus defender and great midrange guy, but will he ever develop enough to shoot and score enough to be worthy of this pick? That is something I don’t want to risk the #7 pick on the find out. With enough attention through RCs and ACs, he will be a good center, but again I don’t know if I’d want to spend that time on him if I have other prospects around.
8. Denver Nuggets - Bill Smith SF 6'5'' 190 20 C- B D B- A- B
I’m going off the days when I had Kwan Xi, but Greeme has always wanted a guy with this type of skill set. I don’t see how Smith will ever be anything more than a role player, but Greeme has already taken his first step towards running an outside offense by acquiring Quinn Barnes. Smith also won’t win many games next year and allow Greeme to tank. The Nuggets are going to really need a top 3 pick or to steal someone in FA.
9. New York Knicks (from Washington Wizards) - Jackie Crawford PG 6'2'' 182 20 C A- C+ B C- A
Skillz likes to think of this pick as a consolation prize in an otherwise lost season. I’ve never understood that theory. If your team isn’t good enough to compete, then getting some other late lotto to replace yours really doesn’t replace the time or value your team just did. I’m sure Outlawz wanted entirely too much for the NYK 1st, but the fact remains Skillz is picking 9th when he could have been picking 3rd. Despite all of this, Skillz gets lucky here. Crawford fits his team. Skillz will promote this guy as the next Ricky Francis or Lavelle Langston if he can shoot at all. He will RC and AC the shit out of him. Crawford may go higher based off that potential. I don’t see him being that type of player though. Adding a top 3 pick next year will be essential to the Knicks return to contention.
10. Atlanta Hawks (from New York Knicks) -Bill Bridges C 6'6'' 230 22 C D+ D+ B B+ A
The past 3 or 4 drafts have gotten thin after the top 7 to 9 pickss. Lucky for Outlawz, there are a few more talented prospects in this draft. Outlawz has assembled a talented team, but this pick present little value compared to what he could have gotten by trading it to Skillz. Bridges will be a good role player for the Hawks.
11. Phoenix Suns -Larry Comley SG 6'5'' 210 22 B B C- B- C+ B
Comley is going to be at least a good backup wing. He isn’t a need for the Suns at this point because they have Justin Ferguson as a backup. Nevertheless, he is the best prospect left IMO. If the Suns want to a big, Patterson is the best big left but he isn't near Comley as a prospect.
12. Atlanta Hawks (from Miami Heat) Larry Siegfried SG 6'3'' 190 22 C+ A- B- C C B
The Hawks don’t need anyone with this pick. Outlawz will probably try to package his two late lottos for something of value. I don’t see why anyone would want to be stuck picking this late in the lotto. Siegfried may be a longterm backup for the Hawks if they lose Palazzi.
13. Milwaukee Bucks George Patterson C 6'8'' 235 21 C C D+ B B B
Patterson can “block and steal” which is always something you like to have in your big men. Patterson probably won’t be much of a player outside of his ability to do that and grab 8 rebounds, but he could be a good backup for the Bucks.
