Post by gp on Jun 7, 2010 3:26:34 GMT -5
2001 BBS Lotto Grades
1. Orlando Magic - Pau Gasol PF 21 7'0''
Draft Ratings: B C C B- C+ A
Current Ratings: B+ C C B B A
Evaluation:
Outlawz took a bit of heat for taking the Spaniard standout with the top overall pick but not many are doubting this pick now. Later, he flipped Gasol to Chicago in a blockbuster deal for Glenn Robinson. As of now, Gasol is in the race for the rookie of the year award and 1st team All-Rookie Team. And with 'A' rated potential to grow, Gasol looks like a perennial All-Star and All-BBS First team selection for many years to to come.
Grade: A
2. Denver Nuggets - Gilbert Arenas PG 6'3'' 191 1
Draft Ratings: B B C+ C C- A
Current Ratings: B B+ C+ C+ C- A
Evaluation:
Nanz was fortunate to have the favored No. 1 pick in Arenas fall to him at the second slot yet Arenas hasn't enjoyed Gasol's success as of yet. His turnover ratio will make him a liability but can be fixed possibly through his development. Arenas and Kobe Bryant make Denver a force to be reckoned with for the next 4 years at least and it will be interesting to see if Arenas really becomes a consistent 30 ppg scorer.
Grade: A
3. Golden State Warriors - Joe Johnson SG 6'8'' 225 20
Draft Ratings: B- B C+ C C A
Current Ratings: B- A- C C C B
Evaluation:
CC wasn't able to get Gasol and Arenas but luckily felt he got a franchise-type player in Joe Johnson at the No. 3 spot. However, some have doubts that Johnson will fit that mold after his first training camp. Although, Johnson went up to grades in his outside ratings, his handling went down in addition to his rebounding and defense being unaffected. Most importantly, his potential to get better might not be as good as scouts believed. Perhaps, a move to point guard is needed to regenerate some interest in JJ and his trade value in the future.
Grade: B
4. Los Angeles Lakers- Eddy Curry C 6'11'' 285
Draft Ratings: B C- D C+ C+ A
Current Ratings: B C- D C+ B- A
Evaluation:
GMs around BBS were interested to see how the rest of the draft would shake up after the top 3 picks, and starting with the Lakers pick, it indeed lived up to that billing. Curry became the first high school big man to be taken after a spectacular draft combine which convinced Styro enough to take him at No. 4. Although, he's only gotten better in one grade at rebounding, Lakers management believes they have a young teenage gem in Curry who can only get better.
Grade: B
5. Detroit Pistons - Gerald Wallace SF 6'7'' 215 19
Draft Ratings: B C C- B C+ A
Current Ratings: B+ C C- B+ C+ A
Evaluation:
Andy is building quite a team up in Detroit where he adds a nice swingman in Gerald Wallace to round the top 5. While, there hasn't been dominant small forwards or shooting guards that been effective inside scorers yet, possibly Wallace may start to be the exception. His improvements in his inside game and defense will garner him to be a great core player for Paul Pierce and Jamaal Magloire. Wallace seems to be the best wing taken in the top 10 so far.
Grade: B+
6. Washington Wizards - Tyson Chandler C 7'1'' 235 18
Draft Ratings: C+ D+ D+ B- B A
Current Ratings: C+ C- D+ B+ B B
Evaluation:
Following the departure of Bill Wennington, the Wizards filled the void in the middle adequately with Chandler. Thus far, the platoon of Nazr Mohammed and Chandler hasn't generated the results Jah has wanted as Washington is currently only getting 3 and half blocks per game. Mehmet Okur, who was taken four picks later, and generally not known for his shotblocking abilities is getting more blocks than Chandler at this point. Yet, Chandler should still be a solid starter but will probably never be an elite big man.
Grade: B-
7. Boston Celtics - Jason Richardson SG 6'6'' 220 20
Draft Ratings: B C+ C C+ C A
Current Ratings: B+ C+ C+ C+ C B
Evaluation:
From picks 7-10, BBS analysts could argue there was a slew of potential busts starting with Richardson. Although his inside scoring and handles went up, his scoring doesn't look too great for the second worse team in the Eastern Conference at this point. To become a solid wing player, Richardson may need to develop his outside jumper more and the Celtics must hope his upside is greater than indicated right now.
Grade: C+
8. Chicago Bulls - Kwame Brown PF 6'11'' 270 19
Draft Ratings: C+ D+ D+ B- B- A
Current Ratings: C+ D+ D+ B- B B
Evaluation:
Although he had no notes whatsoever but a solid scouting report, Play took a chance on Kwame at No. 8 and seemed to have gotten burned. Several GMs ripped the pick early on but waited to see if Kwame really would live up his high expectations. Some big boards had Kwame as low as No. 16 yet he ends up with a top 10 selection. Brown is not a total loss but seems to be destined for a backup big man role.
Grade: C
9. Golden State Warriors - Richard Jefferson SF 6'7'' 222 21
Draft Ratings: C+ B- C B C A
Current Ratings: B- C+ C B C B
Evaluation:
Jefferson is another player that GMs were split on early in their evaluation period. No one questioned his athleticism or scoring ability, but many were concerned how good he really was gonna be. Either way, the Warriors spent their second lotto pick on Jefferson, who responded by switching his inside and outside scoring grades and his potential dropping a grade. Jefferson like Johnson may benefit from a move from small forward to shooting guard to improve their stock.
Grade: C+
10. Toronto Raptors - Mehmet Okur C 6'11'' 249
Draft Ratings: B- B C C+ C+ B
Current Ratings: B- B C B B- B
Evaluation:
Undoubtedly, Okur looks like a deserving top 5 pick right now. With the exception of possibly Curry and Wallace, Okur looks like a better proposition than several players espicially the three taken ahead of him in this draft. The Turkish big man moved up in two grades in his defense and 1 grade in his rebounding plus his scoring and potential remained unchanged. DJ was fortunate to have Okur drop from the first nine picks of the lotto.
Grade: B+
11. Golden State Warriors - Samuel Dalembert C 6'11'' 250 20
Draft Ratings: C+ C- D+ B+ B- B
Current Ratings: C+ C- C- A- B- B
Evaluation:
Another Warriors pick here with the selection of the Haitian center Dalembert. Like Chandler, Dalembert has yet to show his shotblocking prowess although his post defense may be as good as advertised. Either way, Dalembert looks like a decent pick outside the top 10 and could be a starting big in the league for a while if his scoring gets into the double digits mark.
Grade: B
12. Golden State Warriors - Zach Randolph PF 6'9'' 253 20
Draft Ratings: B+ C+ D+ C B+ B
Current Ratings: A- C+ D C A- A
Evaluation:
The Warriors concluded their lotto picks with a bang as they bagged their best player in Randolph. After the aid of a couple RCs, Randolph has transformed into the best young big in the Western Conference. Randolph is also the leading candidate for the rookie of the year honors as he ranks in the top 10 in points around the league and leads his club in rebounding and blocks.
Grade: A
13. Detroit Pistons - Brendan Haywood C 7'0'' 268 21
Draft Ratings: B- C- D+ B- B- B
Current Ratings: C+ C- D+ B- B- B
Evaluation:
Haywood is another pick that perplexed some scouts as many expected him to be a mid-round pick. Nonetheless, the Pistons grabbed Haywood at No. 13 hoping to pair him alongside Magloire and provide some shotblocking. Although, he's only playing 20 minutes a game, Haywood still hasn't provided that spark and went down inside during training camp. Currently, he looks to be a back up big man and could even end up behind Eddie Griffin and Tony Battie in their rotation.
Grade: C+
14. Washington Wizards - Troy Murphy PF 6'11'' 245 21
Draft Ratings: C A- D+ C A- B
Current Ratings: C A- C- C+ B+ B
Evaluation:
Jah could not leave Murphy on the board at No. 14 and "said he would kill himself" if he passed him up. So far, Murphy has basically stayed the same with exception of going down a grade in rebounding and going up in handles. Although a decent pick by many standards, the Wizards really needed could have benefited with another wing defender like Shane Battier or Bobby Simmons.
Grade: B-
1. Orlando Magic - Pau Gasol PF 21 7'0''
Draft Ratings: B C C B- C+ A
Current Ratings: B+ C C B B A
Evaluation:
Outlawz took a bit of heat for taking the Spaniard standout with the top overall pick but not many are doubting this pick now. Later, he flipped Gasol to Chicago in a blockbuster deal for Glenn Robinson. As of now, Gasol is in the race for the rookie of the year award and 1st team All-Rookie Team. And with 'A' rated potential to grow, Gasol looks like a perennial All-Star and All-BBS First team selection for many years to to come.
Grade: A
2. Denver Nuggets - Gilbert Arenas PG 6'3'' 191 1
Draft Ratings: B B C+ C C- A
Current Ratings: B B+ C+ C+ C- A
Evaluation:
Nanz was fortunate to have the favored No. 1 pick in Arenas fall to him at the second slot yet Arenas hasn't enjoyed Gasol's success as of yet. His turnover ratio will make him a liability but can be fixed possibly through his development. Arenas and Kobe Bryant make Denver a force to be reckoned with for the next 4 years at least and it will be interesting to see if Arenas really becomes a consistent 30 ppg scorer.
Grade: A
3. Golden State Warriors - Joe Johnson SG 6'8'' 225 20
Draft Ratings: B- B C+ C C A
Current Ratings: B- A- C C C B
Evaluation:
CC wasn't able to get Gasol and Arenas but luckily felt he got a franchise-type player in Joe Johnson at the No. 3 spot. However, some have doubts that Johnson will fit that mold after his first training camp. Although, Johnson went up to grades in his outside ratings, his handling went down in addition to his rebounding and defense being unaffected. Most importantly, his potential to get better might not be as good as scouts believed. Perhaps, a move to point guard is needed to regenerate some interest in JJ and his trade value in the future.
Grade: B
4. Los Angeles Lakers- Eddy Curry C 6'11'' 285
Draft Ratings: B C- D C+ C+ A
Current Ratings: B C- D C+ B- A
Evaluation:
GMs around BBS were interested to see how the rest of the draft would shake up after the top 3 picks, and starting with the Lakers pick, it indeed lived up to that billing. Curry became the first high school big man to be taken after a spectacular draft combine which convinced Styro enough to take him at No. 4. Although, he's only gotten better in one grade at rebounding, Lakers management believes they have a young teenage gem in Curry who can only get better.
Grade: B
5. Detroit Pistons - Gerald Wallace SF 6'7'' 215 19
Draft Ratings: B C C- B C+ A
Current Ratings: B+ C C- B+ C+ A
Evaluation:
Andy is building quite a team up in Detroit where he adds a nice swingman in Gerald Wallace to round the top 5. While, there hasn't been dominant small forwards or shooting guards that been effective inside scorers yet, possibly Wallace may start to be the exception. His improvements in his inside game and defense will garner him to be a great core player for Paul Pierce and Jamaal Magloire. Wallace seems to be the best wing taken in the top 10 so far.
Grade: B+
6. Washington Wizards - Tyson Chandler C 7'1'' 235 18
Draft Ratings: C+ D+ D+ B- B A
Current Ratings: C+ C- D+ B+ B B
Evaluation:
Following the departure of Bill Wennington, the Wizards filled the void in the middle adequately with Chandler. Thus far, the platoon of Nazr Mohammed and Chandler hasn't generated the results Jah has wanted as Washington is currently only getting 3 and half blocks per game. Mehmet Okur, who was taken four picks later, and generally not known for his shotblocking abilities is getting more blocks than Chandler at this point. Yet, Chandler should still be a solid starter but will probably never be an elite big man.
Grade: B-
7. Boston Celtics - Jason Richardson SG 6'6'' 220 20
Draft Ratings: B C+ C C+ C A
Current Ratings: B+ C+ C+ C+ C B
Evaluation:
From picks 7-10, BBS analysts could argue there was a slew of potential busts starting with Richardson. Although his inside scoring and handles went up, his scoring doesn't look too great for the second worse team in the Eastern Conference at this point. To become a solid wing player, Richardson may need to develop his outside jumper more and the Celtics must hope his upside is greater than indicated right now.
Grade: C+
8. Chicago Bulls - Kwame Brown PF 6'11'' 270 19
Draft Ratings: C+ D+ D+ B- B- A
Current Ratings: C+ D+ D+ B- B B
Evaluation:
Although he had no notes whatsoever but a solid scouting report, Play took a chance on Kwame at No. 8 and seemed to have gotten burned. Several GMs ripped the pick early on but waited to see if Kwame really would live up his high expectations. Some big boards had Kwame as low as No. 16 yet he ends up with a top 10 selection. Brown is not a total loss but seems to be destined for a backup big man role.
Grade: C
9. Golden State Warriors - Richard Jefferson SF 6'7'' 222 21
Draft Ratings: C+ B- C B C A
Current Ratings: B- C+ C B C B
Evaluation:
Jefferson is another player that GMs were split on early in their evaluation period. No one questioned his athleticism or scoring ability, but many were concerned how good he really was gonna be. Either way, the Warriors spent their second lotto pick on Jefferson, who responded by switching his inside and outside scoring grades and his potential dropping a grade. Jefferson like Johnson may benefit from a move from small forward to shooting guard to improve their stock.
Grade: C+
10. Toronto Raptors - Mehmet Okur C 6'11'' 249
Draft Ratings: B- B C C+ C+ B
Current Ratings: B- B C B B- B
Evaluation:
Undoubtedly, Okur looks like a deserving top 5 pick right now. With the exception of possibly Curry and Wallace, Okur looks like a better proposition than several players espicially the three taken ahead of him in this draft. The Turkish big man moved up in two grades in his defense and 1 grade in his rebounding plus his scoring and potential remained unchanged. DJ was fortunate to have Okur drop from the first nine picks of the lotto.
Grade: B+
11. Golden State Warriors - Samuel Dalembert C 6'11'' 250 20
Draft Ratings: C+ C- D+ B+ B- B
Current Ratings: C+ C- C- A- B- B
Evaluation:
Another Warriors pick here with the selection of the Haitian center Dalembert. Like Chandler, Dalembert has yet to show his shotblocking prowess although his post defense may be as good as advertised. Either way, Dalembert looks like a decent pick outside the top 10 and could be a starting big in the league for a while if his scoring gets into the double digits mark.
Grade: B
12. Golden State Warriors - Zach Randolph PF 6'9'' 253 20
Draft Ratings: B+ C+ D+ C B+ B
Current Ratings: A- C+ D C A- A
Evaluation:
The Warriors concluded their lotto picks with a bang as they bagged their best player in Randolph. After the aid of a couple RCs, Randolph has transformed into the best young big in the Western Conference. Randolph is also the leading candidate for the rookie of the year honors as he ranks in the top 10 in points around the league and leads his club in rebounding and blocks.
Grade: A
13. Detroit Pistons - Brendan Haywood C 7'0'' 268 21
Draft Ratings: B- C- D+ B- B- B
Current Ratings: C+ C- D+ B- B- B
Evaluation:
Haywood is another pick that perplexed some scouts as many expected him to be a mid-round pick. Nonetheless, the Pistons grabbed Haywood at No. 13 hoping to pair him alongside Magloire and provide some shotblocking. Although, he's only playing 20 minutes a game, Haywood still hasn't provided that spark and went down inside during training camp. Currently, he looks to be a back up big man and could even end up behind Eddie Griffin and Tony Battie in their rotation.
Grade: C+
14. Washington Wizards - Troy Murphy PF 6'11'' 245 21
Draft Ratings: C A- D+ C A- B
Current Ratings: C A- C- C+ B+ B
Evaluation:
Jah could not leave Murphy on the board at No. 14 and "said he would kill himself" if he passed him up. So far, Murphy has basically stayed the same with exception of going down a grade in rebounding and going up in handles. Although a decent pick by many standards, the Wizards really needed could have benefited with another wing defender like Shane Battier or Bobby Simmons.
Grade: B-
