Thursday, June 24, 2010

Return of the dead guy...

You may have noticed that I've been less of a presence around here than normal lately. There are myriad reasons for this that include, but are not limited to a new job, a neck injury that made sitting at a computer a little slice of hell, long stretches of therapy at the gym and, of course, apathy. Well, nothing can shake me out of that apathy like one of my (and TJ's) favorite "events" of the year...the NBA Draft.

I love the NBA Draft and, frankly, I like to think I'm pretty good at evaluating much of the talent in each year's Draft. Part of this comes from watching tons of college basketball. However, there is another ingredient that comes from having played thousands upon thousands of hours of basketball over the last 20 years. Just two years ago, I told you that Michael Beasely was soft (check), would eventually end up as a small forward (check) and that the player he reminded me most of was Wayman Tisdale. Look at those stats. Pretty comparable aren't they? Now, if Michael Beasley starts a second career as a music producer, we all might need to start worrying about his long term health. Now, I don't mean to come off as arrogant on this topic. I was just trying to make my point. I've certainly had plenty of misses over the years (Reece Gaines represent!) but I'm confident that my successes far outweigh my failures. Now where's my cushy professorship at the University of Hawaii?

This year's Draft promises to be unique for one (actually two) very different reason(s): The biggest free agency period in league history is a week away AND there are a number of teams shedding salary due to a terrible economic climate in the NBA that could very well lead to a lockout. What does this mean? It means that you'll see far more trades of (it's already started) significant players and picks than is standard for the NBA Draft. It also means that this Draft that is low on bankable and recognizable stars will get a shot of excitement. Hell, I'm already excited.

5 guys I Love (well, like a lot):

John Wall: Freak athlete, long arms, immediately fastest guy in the league, unselfish, better than average passer, and a chance to become an elite defender. Downside: His jumpshot isn't a jumpshot. It's basically a set shot and that shit will not fly in the NBA. That's teachable though. Nobody will be able to guard him in the open court.

Evan Turner: The draft's most versatile player and a guy who could immediately make nearly any NBA team better due to this. His jumpshot needs work but he's big, skilled and can get into the lane. He's also shown an ability to create for himself and others. Super tough. Downside: Does his fractured back have long term durability implications?

Damion James: He won't ever be a star but he'll rebound at a high rate and defend multiple positions for 10+ years. If he ever develops a 3 point shot, I could see him becoming a James Posey type. Downside: Never took the next step to be a star while at Texas.

Darrington Hobson:
Kind of a poor man's Evan Turner. Super versatile, big and very skilled with the ball, carried New Mexico to a great season last year. Downside: Lacks great athleticism or else he'd be a top 10-15 pick. (I'd like to see the Magic grab him).

Avery Bradley: He had an up and down freshman year at Texas but much of that was due to the composition of a veteran laden (and very up and down) Texas team. He's not really a point or a two (then again neither is Russell Westbrook) but he's got elite athleticism and he's already a terrific perimeter defender. It's been proven that athletic guys who can create off the dribble can find a role for themselves in today's NBA. Bradley is no different. Downside: What position?

5 Guys I Don't Like:

Derrick Favors: Extremely raw, somewhat underwhelming year at Georgia Tech, did a lot of whining through his agent during the workout process.

Gordon Hayward: Sorry, I don't see it. He's
an average athlete, has no bulk and isn't a good shooter. I know that everyone says he had "an off year" shooting the ball last year but shooting 29% from 3 is what it is. And what that is, is terrible. He reportedly shot terrible in workouts as well.

Solomon Alabi: Not just because he's a Nole either. He's got all the tools but he was never, ever dominant at FSU. He's still very raw and he's soft to boot. I wouldn't go near this guy. He's got Sam Dalembert written all over him.

Hassan Whiteside: I've never seen him play but he's supposed to have serious attitude issues and not be very coachable either. He's said to have Marcus Camby like ability but that's a long way away for a guy who played at Marshall. Did I mention he played at Marshall? Yeah well, that too. His adjustment to the NBA will take a while, if he lasts long enough.

Al-Farouq Aminu: Besides being the ugliest player in the Draft, he's also a man without a position. A little too small to be a 4 and not nearly a good enough shooter or handler to be a 3. He has great long term potential if he can become proficient enough offensively to be a 3, but I have my doubts on that one.

5 Guys Who I Can't Predict at All:

Demarcus Cousins: Will he be a 20-10 guy and an eight time All-Star or will he be convicted of running a 5 state marijuana ring? Both?

Ed Davis: Everything you want in a 4, on paper. He has too show at least some level of consistency though. I want to love Ed Davis but he's not making it easy.

Greg Monroe: Super skilled with a motor that revs about as fast as TJs, and he's a very average athlete. He's somewhere between Lamar Odom and Vlade Divac in both size and skills. Will this translate at the next level or will he get dunked on constantly and become a running joke?

Wesley Johnson: I like Wes but not as the third pick in the Draft. He can't create for himself off the dribble at all. That's something I like in my small forwards. I'd love Johnson at the 7th pick but 3 is just too high for a guy with as many holes in his game as Johnson. Again, I like Johnson a lot but he's going to go too high in this Draft.

That's all bitches. See you in the comments.

103 comments:

Mark said...

Another guy I like: Eric Bledsoe. Going to be a very good PG in a couple years.

There are some 2nd round guys and sleepers I like but I'll save those for later. Who's excited?

T.J. said...

CHEEZ DOODLEZ!!!

T.J. said...

Gotta love the Blazers firing their GM an hour ago.

T.J. said...

Stern's doing schtick?

Mark said...

The Blazers are idiots. Pritchard won't be out of a job for long.

rob said...

who's the 5th guy you can't predict at all? i nominate mr. truck. or dave. i can't figure out either one.

Mark said...

Greg. I thought I had him figured. Last weekend shot that to shit.

Mark said...

That's the right pick personnel wise for NJ. If it works out that frontline will be sick. He's got to become more skillful though.

Mark said...

TJ's boy is going 4th now? I guess Corey Brewer is on the block.

T.J. said...

Who's the moron with a dying blackberry on draft night? This guy.

Mark said...

Wesley's got slacks!

Mark said...

Those pants are fucking amazing. I need a pair.

Shlara said...

Just leaving the wiz draft party. Got a nice John wall tshirt.

Mark said...

Aminu to the Clips? Yeah, why not. Let's put him and Blake Griffin on the floor together. You always need two athletic forwards that can't shoot.

As for Greg Monroe...he's definitely an upgrade over Kwame.

Mark said...

These non-prescription glasses that are ruling the NBA Draft need to go. Like now.

Mark said...

"Monroe a great pick for Detroit. Monroe best center on the board. Very skilled. Reminds me of Vlade Divac." - Chad Ford.

Seriously Hawaii...holla at your boy.

T.J. said...

Jazz. White dude. Say whaa??

Mark said...

Hayward to the Jazz. Of course. I bet he's the second highest selling jersey in Utah by summer league.

rob said...

that's just too easy

Mark said...

Never realized how good Hayward's left is. I like him more now. A little. And as I type that, Bilas compares him to Luke Jackson...ewwwww.

zman said...

His pants are better than the guy behind him with the extra-long cream pants.

zman said...

http://twitpic.com/1zn627

Mark said...

Paul George was my 5th guy I couldn't predict. He's got some Joe Johnson potential in him. Motor and toughness may be an issue though. I like his skills a lot though.

Mark said...

Pryzbilla 2.0!

Mark said...

Aldrich to the Thunder? I like it. He'll be a solid defensive presence for a thin OKC frontline and he'll be a good screen setter for Durant. Sam Presti might be the NBA's best GM.

Shlara said...

Sam Presti is also the NBA's hottest GM

rob said...

yaveeay!

rob said...

or zaveeay

Mark said...

If Henry could develop some off the dribble game, he could have a little Paul Pierce in him. Underrated athlete, strong body, good shooter. It all hinges on his handle development.

Mark said...

Ed Davis. I guess the Raptors aren't pretending they can keep Bosh.

Shlara said...

I love that they love Wall

Mark said...

I didn't realize Patterson was a legit 6'9". He'll be a good faceup 4 with Yao or even Scola. Could be like some of the undersized 4s ( Millsap, Landry, etc) that have seen so much success of late.

Mark said...

There's a lot to love, Shlara.

Mark said...

Larry Sanders...Ft Pierce represent!!!

rob said...

larry sanders! caa represent. cal bowdler just jumped off his couch.

T.J. said...

Scott Skiles is gonna want to marry Larry Sanders.

Mark said...

Two white wings go in the top 20. One has to fail, right?

T.J. said...

Gottlieb just told me Rainman is a slightly taller Chris Mullin.

rob said...

luke babbitt 'asks no quarter and gives none'. sounds like a badass.

Mark said...

Last year the Twolvres took nothing but PGs. This year it's nothing but SFs. I don't think David Kahn fully understands the NBA Draft.

Mark said...

Apparently Babbit is going to be traded to Portland for Martell Webster. Interesting.

Shlara said...

JVG needs a stylist.

Mark said...

Seraphin is a stash guy. Bulls don't want to pay a rookie this year. It's all about cap space.

Shlara said...

Can they show us Sam Presti while OKC is on the clock?

rob said...

i think seraphin's a wiz stash. they got chi-town's #17 with hinrich, right?

T.J. said...

Stop drafting Kentucky players.

Shlara said...

Is Pritchard still working tonight?

Mark said...

James Anderson went to the perfect team. He'll play off their stars and get tons of open looks.

T.J. said...

Much like Bilas, I have manlove for James Anderson.

T.J. said...

Enjoy the MCL tear Eric Bledsoe.

Mark said...

Shlara -- Yes. Pritchard is still running the Blazers draft.

Mark said...

If he doesn't die, Bledsoe to the Clips is a nice move. Anderson is limited off the dribble but he'll fit in great with the Spurs.

T.J. said...

Does US Weekly ever NOT declare a Cameron Diaz movie "exhilirating"? Rob?

rob said...

sometimes they call them 'delightful'. or 'fucking juvenile', in the case of 'something about mary'.

Shlara said...

I like it when the announcer says "Cruise is at his Jerry Maguire best"

Like they are trying to distract us from the fact that Cruise is bat-shit crazy.

Mark said...

I don't get the attraction to Elliot Williams. No real position, no outstanding skill.

T.J. said...

Lower your Thetan level missy.

rob said...

lock your doors, teej. they know where you live.

Mark said...

I enjoyed the Jerry Maguire quote to. That's supposed to attract us?

And if JVG is surprised that Pritchard got canned, he probably needs to read articles on the NBA more often. This isn't about Oden. There's a power struggle in Portland and Pritchard lost.

rob said...

stuart scott's command of the english language must make his high school teachers proud.

T.J. said...

The fact the Twolves listed Darko as their starting center says all you need to know...

Mark said...

That's exactly the point, Rob. They've seen TJs place and want no part of it.

Trevor Booker? Okay. He fits the Millsap/Landry archetype.

T.J. said...

Wait, the Hawks didn't hire Bryce's dad?

Mark said...

You don't want to hear this TJ but Darko had a solid second half in Sota.

rob said...

here's something random for the assembled audience: i interviewed earle bruce's brother this morning for a sales job i'm trying to fill.

T.J. said...

Lalalalalalalalalalalala...

Mark said...

This Drew's kid plays at UNC. Not very well mind you, but he does play.

Mark said...

How old was that guy, Rob?

T.J. said...

Booker is bringing thunder dunk to Fun Street. BOOKER SMASH.

rob said...

he was experienced, mark

Mark said...

Booker's going to the Wiz. I like it.

Mark said...

So is the hooker who lives down the street from my office, Rob, but I wouldn't hire her.

rob said...

poor dumb kid just proved his ignorance on national television. his family weeps in a doublewide somewhere.

Mark said...

I just had a draft of own. Fred Funk went #1. Johnathon Walker went #2.

T.J. said...

Who the hell is Kenneth Turan and why do I care about his movie film recommendations?

T.J. said...

Month Pete is still in the league, eh? Good for him.

T.J. said...

Fuck you auto correct.

mayhugh said...

I just dozed off during that Durant interview...

Mark said...

A Father named Roscoe and a son named Quincy is my kind of family.

T.J. said...

Here's a thought...make more trades.

T.J. said...

Hawks have the Crawford market cornered.

Mark said...

Jay Bilas just kissed Jordan Crawford on the mouth.

T.J. said...

Greivis in the hizzy!

Mark said...

Nice look for the Maryland fan.

rob said...

greivis from the uecker seats.

T.J. said...

Have we discussed how fucking awful these hats are?

rob said...

that makes two guys who lost to the tribe drafted in the first round.

rob said...

teejay would like all these flat-brimmed punks to get off his lawn

Mark said...

The Orlando Maguc select...Christian Drejer.

T.J. said...

Stop
Taking
Kentucky
Guys

Mark said...

Must Improve: Conditioning.

Dud we mention that he's 6'9"? motherfucker.

mayhugh said...

I enjoyed the pick - got to see another J-Wall highlight.

But, yeah, sucks for you, Mark. Sorry 'bout that.

Mark said...

They have to stop now. All the Kentucky guys are gone.

Mark said...

Lazar Hayward? Is this the NBDL Draft?

rob said...

svg not exactly giving a ringing endorsement here

Mark said...

There's one upside to the Magic's draft. Tonight is the last night I have to see Fran Vasquez's name listed for the Magic under Last 5 Drafts.

T.J. said...

A young Dunkin' Dutchman?

Mark said...

Potential 2nd rounders I like: Devin Ebanks, Willie Warren, Hobson, Tiny Gallon, Armon Johnson and Gani Lawal.

I liked the Dexter Pittman pick and I like Whiteside in this spot, by the way.

Mark said...

Straight cash homey.

Mark said...

Milwaukee's cooking up a nice little offseason.

T.J. said...

RAUTINS...get excited TR...

Mark said...

Rautins could be a nice fit in D'Antoni's system.

Mark said...

I forgot to mention Lance Stephenson on the list of 2nd rounders. If he can even get a decent J he could be lethal. He's big, strong and is fantastic at creating off the dribble. Kind of an asshole though.