For the most part this year’s NBA Draft proceeded in expected form. Oden was picked first by the Portland Trail Blazers, Durant second by the Seattle Supersonics, and Al Horford third by the Atlanta Hawkes. Nobody was surprised by the top ten, with the possible exception of Jeff Green going fifth (wasted pick by the Boston Celtics. He wasn’t the best player available at the five spot).
Past the top ten, I was a little surprised to see some players get drafted higher than they were projected (some deservedly so, some not). Both Acie Law of Texas A&M and Thaddeus Young of Georgia Tech were chosen before Julian Wright of Kansas or Al Thornton of Florida State. Law is a hard working, defensive minded point guard, but his shot his weak, he lacks the athleticism necessary to guard NBA PG’s, and many question his ability to run an offense. Young is a project. A lot of potential there, but he needs some work. Wright and Thornton are both sure things; proven athletes and scorers. I was also a little surprised to see Sean Williams, a center out of Boston College, go 17th. He’s a tremendous athlete that can score and defend the basket, but he’s a head case. He got kicked off the team midway through last season after some legal problems. It’s a big risk to take when there are many other good players on the board.
It was also shocking to see Javaris Crittenton drop to 19. The Lakers got a steal. I’d say he has the most potential of any PG in the draft (with the possible exception of Conley). He’s big and athletic, and can score. His understanding of the game needs to develop, but he’s still young.
The luck of the night goes to Philadelphia, who ended up with Derrick Byars (Portland picked him 42nd and traded him for practically nothing). He’s an all around scorer who was projected to go in the first round by many mock drafts. I predict he’ll be the Michael Redd of 2007.The Golden State Warriors also made out like bandits in their trade for Brandon Wright, the 8th overall pick, to the Charlotte Bobcats for Jason Richardson, a solid but overpaid shooting guard, and the rights to Jermareo Davidson (who?). Wright has a good future ahead of him, assuming he strengthens his work ethic, while Richardson is in the twilight of a less than illustrious career. Wright will fit in perfectly with the Warriors fast-paced, offensive minded style, and will provide some big man scoring punch to compliment guard Baron Davis.
I was a little bummed that the rumored three way trade between the T-wolves, Suns, and Hawks didn’t go through (Garnett was to go to Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire to Atlanta, and the 3rd and 11th picks to Minnesota). I would have liked to see Garnett play with Nash and on a winning team. With the 3rd, 7th, and 11th picks the Timberwolves could have begun the rebuilding process, focusing on young players. With Horford, Brewer (old Florida teammates) and possibly a Julian Wright added to the Foye-McCants duo, MN would have been on the way to a solid starting line. I just hope for McHale’s sake that he wasn’t the one to screw it up.
Alright, I’m done with basketball for at least a little while (sorry Drew).
I like the way you think with Crassel and his women, P Corcs. That could make for a funny post. Maybe next week…
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for reading.
2 comments:
I'm left hanging a little bit. I need more insight on Brewer and how he is going to fit into the Wolves offense and what you think will happen with Garnett now that the draft has come and gone w/o a blockbuster trade. Maybe one more basketball post on Monday?
You're the man Grub daddy!
P.S. With June running down, who is the next reader of the month???
Groobs! I think I agree with P Corcs. One more basketball posting would be completely fine with me.
As you know, I was also upset with the absence of a big trade between Garnett and the Suns. That would have been sweet and I think the suns missed out on a 2008 Championship.
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