Post by Jordan on May 21, 2012 22:27:12 GMT -5
This draft class is the first one I can remember that does not identify who the top player is or what group of players should be considered for the top. As a result, we should have a very interesting draft this offseason. Given the limited insight of where players should be drafted, GMs are likely to have very different lists. The result will be picks being made more on need more than it has been in the past.
1. Michael Cooper SG 6'5'' 170 21 C+ C+ C+ B C+ A
I don’t think there is any one guy you can say is the clear cut number one. Under the right circumstances, Cooper could go quiet a few picks lower. I really like him though so I have him #1. He may not be an allstar, but there is a chance no one from this draft will be. Although the league is flooded with talent at the wings, Cooper will provide a different skill set then most. This will create value for him even with the amount of talented wings out there. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he is close to moving up in grades across the board. That may be a little too optimistic, but he sounds really good. Cooper will be at least a third option. Being a stats defender gives him a big boost in my book as well. I’ve had a team without stats defenders for awhile. It isn’t fun. It also doesn’t seem to translate to as much success as a team with stats defense does either. My biggest concern is the fact that he has good passing ability and only C+ handles. Even though the notes say he is a “solid ball handler”, I have some doubts about that. There shouldn’t be a longterm issue with handles though.
2. Bernard King SF 6'7'' 205 20 A- C D+ C C A
Not having King number one goes against my logic from last season. I wasn’t sold on Dantley last season but I thought he’d be a premier scorer and that was enough. Once again, I’m not sold on King but I think he will be an elite scorer. Unlike last year, this probably makes King the big favorite to go #1 because of the lack of talent otherwise. He sounds like he will eventually be a 30ppg guy in an inside or balanced offense. I would just like him to have some skill other than scoring. Since King also has a handling problem, I had to take him off the top of the board. This doesn’t mean I wouldn’t take him #1, but I’m probably a lot more concerned then what many will be. King does remind me of Johnny Green though.
3. Marques Johnson SF 6'7'' 218 21 B+ C+ C B- C A
Depending on the GM, Johnson could go #1. Of the first three players I’ve mentioned, he is probably the safest to be have value in 4 years. Johnson will score and probably have a stl+blk/topg ratio above one. Those are qualities that are always valuable. The question is how much more will he do than that or how good will he be at doing it? If Johnson has some potential I’m not expecting, he will be a really nice player and probably the most valuable guy from this draft. I think it is more likely he is a safe pick that won’t end up as one of the 4 or 5 most valuable players though. He will probably be just another wing. This may not warrant him the #3 spot for many, but it shows you what I think of this draft. I also prefer safety to risk in this type of ranking.
4. Jack Sikma C 6'11'' 230 22 C+ B D+ B B+ A
I would imagine most GMs will have Sikma higher. He has nice notes. I am just not a fan of outside shooting big men. I would likely have him lower based on just my thoughts. However, I try to take into account what other GMs would think in these ranking because how someone else is going to value a player effects how I will ultimately value him as well. Since Sikma can score and rebound well, he will have value in the league. At the moment, there is a lack of players who can provide that much in the frontcourt, which gives him even more value. The known lack of blocks obviously hurts his value. From the past few drafts, I’ve come to realize this hurts players values in my opinion more than others because players who clearly will do nothing but score and maybe rebound continue to go high.
5. Cedric Maxwell SF 6'8'' 205 21 B+ C C- B- C+ A
I like Maxwell a lot. He sounds like he is going to be a great wing. However, he doesn’t seem to have a 3 point shot to speak of. While this isn’t a fatal flaw, it really hurts him in my book. If you are comfortable with committing a top draft pick to a wing who will at best be suited as your #2 scorer in an inside focus, then Maxwell is probably your guy. I wouldn’t want to go down that road if I can avoid it. Maxwell should provide some defensive stats and plus rebounding, which will be a nice boost. He seems like a guy who will be good but not good enough to be elite IMO. If he becomes a B rebounder or better, he could be quite valuable though. I’m guessing Maxwell will end up at SG in an inside focus. Before drafting Maxwell, questions on his strength need to be answered though. Poor comments there would send him way down this board.
6. Norm Nixon PG 6'2'' 170 22 C+ C+ B B+ D A
Nixon seems to be a solid all around PG at worst. This makes him at least a safe pick with the potential to be a nice surprise. Although last years draft was PG heavy, I would imagine Nixon would be the fourth best PG out of that draft at worst. He could just as easy end up the second best if he were in last years draft. This doesn’t really matter that much for this years draft value though. It will affect how he is valued after a TC or two, which is important to me. Given the amount of wing talent already in the league and in this draft, players at positions with less talent get bumped up this draft board. Nixon is certainly an example of this.
7. Wayne Cooper C 6'10'' 220 20 C+ C- D+ A- B B
For some GMs, this may be too high for a guy who is purely blocks, defense, and rebounding, but I wouldn’t have a problem with it. There is never a shortage in demand for guys with this skill set. If you put ACs and RCs into the Cooper, you will get at least a fair return on your investment. You definitely can’t say that about many other players, wings in particular.
8. Terry Tyler PF 6'7'' 215 21 B- C D+ A C+ B
I love Tyler’s notes except for the fact he is not a good rebounder. As a result, he may be the rare case I would think about ACing a player in rebounding. Tyler sounds like a shut down defender as well as a stats defender. There have been few players with that skill set, but all of them seem to be on successful teams come the playoffs. This gives Tyler a boost on this draft board. Tyler will likely have the ability of shutting down a player in the playoffs.
9. T.R. Dunn SG 6'4'' 192 22 B C C A- C+ A
His notes say he is a fifth starter type. While that may be the case, I think he will be easily more valuable than a fifth starter. Dunn reminds me of Don Chaney earlier in his career. His only real flaw is his lack of an outside shot. Since you aren't drafting Dunn to be a stud scorer, this doesn't hurt his value all that much IMO. Someone looking for a great role player is going to be happy with this guy.
10. Kent Benson C 6'10'' 235 22 B- C- D+ B- B- A
I'm not sure how Benson is a "very good balanced C", but his notes say he is. I think that comment along with A scouted potential will get someone earlier than pick ten. Benson sounds like he will provide some scoring along with a stl+blk/topg ratio above one. If Benson becomes a good rebounder, he will be a valuable player. Definitely worth the risk at this point.
11. Eddie Jordan PG 6'1'' 170 22 C+ C+ C+ A D+ B
Jordan reminds me of Arvesta Kelly. If he has good handles, then Jordan will be a PG a talented team can go far with.
12. Walter Davis SG 6'6'' 193 23 B B C+ C+ D+ A
Davis would normally go higher on this board, but I like what a lot of the role players in this draft have to offer. I'm confident Davis will be a nice bench scorer at worst. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up better than two of the wings I have in the top 5. I just don't see the need to risk a high lotto pick on a wing who may have handling concerns given the talent available.
13. Kenny Carr PF 6'7'' 220 22 B C D B- B+ B
Carr has "nice upside" so he makes the board. However, he sounds like the new Goo Kennedy. Players in Goo's mold have their place. I just prefer to not waste high draft picks on them.
14. Otis Birdsong SG 6'3'' 190 21 B+ B C C D+ A
Birdsong is a very interesting player. He is similar to Davis because he could go much higher and end up much better than the wings I have in the top 5. Birdsong falls this far because of his lack of midrange, D, and rebounding. There is too little value for wings who only provide scoring at this point.
15. Mark Landsberger PF 6'8'' 215 22 B- D D B+ A- B
Landsberger will be a nice backup big. He may even be a backup at the 5/4/3. If he is given enough minutes, Landsberger may be one of the leagues leading rebounders. Due to his lack of shot blocking ability, I doubt he ever gets those minutes though. Nevertheless, the lack of big men who can rebound and contribute positively elsewhere will give him value. I wouldn't expect to ever get a 1st back out of him though.
1. Michael Cooper SG 6'5'' 170 21 C+ C+ C+ B C+ A
I don’t think there is any one guy you can say is the clear cut number one. Under the right circumstances, Cooper could go quiet a few picks lower. I really like him though so I have him #1. He may not be an allstar, but there is a chance no one from this draft will be. Although the league is flooded with talent at the wings, Cooper will provide a different skill set then most. This will create value for him even with the amount of talented wings out there. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he is close to moving up in grades across the board. That may be a little too optimistic, but he sounds really good. Cooper will be at least a third option. Being a stats defender gives him a big boost in my book as well. I’ve had a team without stats defenders for awhile. It isn’t fun. It also doesn’t seem to translate to as much success as a team with stats defense does either. My biggest concern is the fact that he has good passing ability and only C+ handles. Even though the notes say he is a “solid ball handler”, I have some doubts about that. There shouldn’t be a longterm issue with handles though.
2. Bernard King SF 6'7'' 205 20 A- C D+ C C A
Not having King number one goes against my logic from last season. I wasn’t sold on Dantley last season but I thought he’d be a premier scorer and that was enough. Once again, I’m not sold on King but I think he will be an elite scorer. Unlike last year, this probably makes King the big favorite to go #1 because of the lack of talent otherwise. He sounds like he will eventually be a 30ppg guy in an inside or balanced offense. I would just like him to have some skill other than scoring. Since King also has a handling problem, I had to take him off the top of the board. This doesn’t mean I wouldn’t take him #1, but I’m probably a lot more concerned then what many will be. King does remind me of Johnny Green though.
3. Marques Johnson SF 6'7'' 218 21 B+ C+ C B- C A
Depending on the GM, Johnson could go #1. Of the first three players I’ve mentioned, he is probably the safest to be have value in 4 years. Johnson will score and probably have a stl+blk/topg ratio above one. Those are qualities that are always valuable. The question is how much more will he do than that or how good will he be at doing it? If Johnson has some potential I’m not expecting, he will be a really nice player and probably the most valuable guy from this draft. I think it is more likely he is a safe pick that won’t end up as one of the 4 or 5 most valuable players though. He will probably be just another wing. This may not warrant him the #3 spot for many, but it shows you what I think of this draft. I also prefer safety to risk in this type of ranking.
4. Jack Sikma C 6'11'' 230 22 C+ B D+ B B+ A
I would imagine most GMs will have Sikma higher. He has nice notes. I am just not a fan of outside shooting big men. I would likely have him lower based on just my thoughts. However, I try to take into account what other GMs would think in these ranking because how someone else is going to value a player effects how I will ultimately value him as well. Since Sikma can score and rebound well, he will have value in the league. At the moment, there is a lack of players who can provide that much in the frontcourt, which gives him even more value. The known lack of blocks obviously hurts his value. From the past few drafts, I’ve come to realize this hurts players values in my opinion more than others because players who clearly will do nothing but score and maybe rebound continue to go high.
5. Cedric Maxwell SF 6'8'' 205 21 B+ C C- B- C+ A
I like Maxwell a lot. He sounds like he is going to be a great wing. However, he doesn’t seem to have a 3 point shot to speak of. While this isn’t a fatal flaw, it really hurts him in my book. If you are comfortable with committing a top draft pick to a wing who will at best be suited as your #2 scorer in an inside focus, then Maxwell is probably your guy. I wouldn’t want to go down that road if I can avoid it. Maxwell should provide some defensive stats and plus rebounding, which will be a nice boost. He seems like a guy who will be good but not good enough to be elite IMO. If he becomes a B rebounder or better, he could be quite valuable though. I’m guessing Maxwell will end up at SG in an inside focus. Before drafting Maxwell, questions on his strength need to be answered though. Poor comments there would send him way down this board.
6. Norm Nixon PG 6'2'' 170 22 C+ C+ B B+ D A
Nixon seems to be a solid all around PG at worst. This makes him at least a safe pick with the potential to be a nice surprise. Although last years draft was PG heavy, I would imagine Nixon would be the fourth best PG out of that draft at worst. He could just as easy end up the second best if he were in last years draft. This doesn’t really matter that much for this years draft value though. It will affect how he is valued after a TC or two, which is important to me. Given the amount of wing talent already in the league and in this draft, players at positions with less talent get bumped up this draft board. Nixon is certainly an example of this.
7. Wayne Cooper C 6'10'' 220 20 C+ C- D+ A- B B
For some GMs, this may be too high for a guy who is purely blocks, defense, and rebounding, but I wouldn’t have a problem with it. There is never a shortage in demand for guys with this skill set. If you put ACs and RCs into the Cooper, you will get at least a fair return on your investment. You definitely can’t say that about many other players, wings in particular.
8. Terry Tyler PF 6'7'' 215 21 B- C D+ A C+ B
I love Tyler’s notes except for the fact he is not a good rebounder. As a result, he may be the rare case I would think about ACing a player in rebounding. Tyler sounds like a shut down defender as well as a stats defender. There have been few players with that skill set, but all of them seem to be on successful teams come the playoffs. This gives Tyler a boost on this draft board. Tyler will likely have the ability of shutting down a player in the playoffs.
9. T.R. Dunn SG 6'4'' 192 22 B C C A- C+ A
His notes say he is a fifth starter type. While that may be the case, I think he will be easily more valuable than a fifth starter. Dunn reminds me of Don Chaney earlier in his career. His only real flaw is his lack of an outside shot. Since you aren't drafting Dunn to be a stud scorer, this doesn't hurt his value all that much IMO. Someone looking for a great role player is going to be happy with this guy.
10. Kent Benson C 6'10'' 235 22 B- C- D+ B- B- A
I'm not sure how Benson is a "very good balanced C", but his notes say he is. I think that comment along with A scouted potential will get someone earlier than pick ten. Benson sounds like he will provide some scoring along with a stl+blk/topg ratio above one. If Benson becomes a good rebounder, he will be a valuable player. Definitely worth the risk at this point.
11. Eddie Jordan PG 6'1'' 170 22 C+ C+ C+ A D+ B
Jordan reminds me of Arvesta Kelly. If he has good handles, then Jordan will be a PG a talented team can go far with.
12. Walter Davis SG 6'6'' 193 23 B B C+ C+ D+ A
Davis would normally go higher on this board, but I like what a lot of the role players in this draft have to offer. I'm confident Davis will be a nice bench scorer at worst. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up better than two of the wings I have in the top 5. I just don't see the need to risk a high lotto pick on a wing who may have handling concerns given the talent available.
13. Kenny Carr PF 6'7'' 220 22 B C D B- B+ B
Carr has "nice upside" so he makes the board. However, he sounds like the new Goo Kennedy. Players in Goo's mold have their place. I just prefer to not waste high draft picks on them.
14. Otis Birdsong SG 6'3'' 190 21 B+ B C C D+ A
Birdsong is a very interesting player. He is similar to Davis because he could go much higher and end up much better than the wings I have in the top 5. Birdsong falls this far because of his lack of midrange, D, and rebounding. There is too little value for wings who only provide scoring at this point.
15. Mark Landsberger PF 6'8'' 215 22 B- D D B+ A- B
Landsberger will be a nice backup big. He may even be a backup at the 5/4/3. If he is given enough minutes, Landsberger may be one of the leagues leading rebounders. Due to his lack of shot blocking ability, I doubt he ever gets those minutes though. Nevertheless, the lack of big men who can rebound and contribute positively elsewhere will give him value. I wouldn't expect to ever get a 1st back out of him though.
