Post by KruPaxson on Dec 18, 2006 12:07:15 GMT -5
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics
The Celtics coming off a very nice season had the 25th overall pick and drafted forward Lee Nailon who is able to play the 3 and 4 spots. A player who has a knack for the basket but lacks defensive presence will be a solid role player for Boston and maybe at best a spot starter. Heshimu Evans was their late second round selection who is a project type player as time will tell with this pick.
Overall Draft Grade: C
Miami Heat
The Heat going into the draft had the 4th and 5th picks in the draft. Already having prospect PG Mike Bibby the Heat saw no need to keep the 5th overall pick as it projected to be another PG and dealt it away to the Hawks for future picks. Heat grabbed sharp shooting Richard Hamilton who will immediately jumpstart their offense. Later in the first they grabbed big man Obinna Ekezie who arguably was the best big man available but is rather undersized as a center. With the 2nd overall selection in the 2nd round they drafted another big man in Evan Eschmeyer who might in face be better than Ekezie. The heat needed big men and instead of trading away the 5th they should have tried to trade up a spot to have locked up Marion or AK instead of making desperation picks on Ekezie and Eschmeyer as there was better talent on the board but they needed big men.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets had a late first rounder and drafted a need player but also the best available player. Jumaine Jones was a solid first round selection as he shows promise to over take the incumbent starting SF spot. Jumaine standing at 6’8 posses quality handles to go along with a nice outside shot but it will be a little bit of time until he reaches his full potential but NJ should provide a nice spot to grow. Roberto Bergersen their 2nd round selection is the type of player that he doesn’t do anything particularly bad but then again he does nothing particularly well either but they needed a backup for the weak kneed Allan Houston.
Overall Draft Grade: C+
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have a small window of opportunity left with Patrick Ewing and Kevin Willis starting in the front court so what not better to do then to draft a pure potential big man out of High School to learn under their tutelage. Leon Smith is no lock to be a talent as he is raw talent and very undisciplined. Leon is young and stupid and NY might not be the best place for him to be. Hopefully Willis and Ewing can take this young man under their wings and make him into the player he could be.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic drafted Andre Miller with their first overall selection a move that indicates AI will be playing the 2 position. Dre gives them a floor leader that will take care and distribute the ball. The Orlando Magic front office must have been so excited to land Miller that they went out to Disney Land after that selection. As the Magic passed up Leon Smith, Dion Glover, Lee Nailon, Michael Ruffin, Gordon Giricek, Wang Zhi-Zhi to draft the unknown Rico Hill. Kidding aside the Magic had to do their homework on this guy in order to draft him because he has been overseas in Europe playing ball for F'nlabrada. What I don’t like is they got the same exact player in Smith as they did in Hill a whole round later. Smith in fact is even a better rebounder than Hill so why Draft Hill in the first round???
Overall Draft Grade: C-
Philadelphia 76ers
What’s not to love about getting a total stud in Shawn “The Matrix” Marion. The guy does it all as he shows an inside/out game with the ability to run the floor, great rebounder, and an absolute beast on the defensive end. Quincy Lewis was also another great pickup in the early 2nd round as he will be a solid backup player for Shawn Marion in a SF spot that was vacant on the Sixers squad.
Overall Draft Grade: A
Washington Wizards
The Wizards were in Purgatory as they selected Jeff Foster. In a already loaded front court they add more depth which is never a bad thing but they are still without a floor general to lead this team which posses a great deal of talent. I would have liked to see them draft Mo Pete because of the fact he would have actually been a contributor to this team backing up Walker where Foster will most likely sit on IR and will not develop. The Wiz could have also looked to move up to the 5-8 spots to have possibly locked themselves up with a PG. It’s sad that the below average Rickey Moore, a desperation pick in the 2nd round, will be seeing more floor time than their first round pick.
Overall Draft Grade: D-
Boston Celtics
The Celtics coming off a very nice season had the 25th overall pick and drafted forward Lee Nailon who is able to play the 3 and 4 spots. A player who has a knack for the basket but lacks defensive presence will be a solid role player for Boston and maybe at best a spot starter. Heshimu Evans was their late second round selection who is a project type player as time will tell with this pick.
Overall Draft Grade: C
Miami Heat
The Heat going into the draft had the 4th and 5th picks in the draft. Already having prospect PG Mike Bibby the Heat saw no need to keep the 5th overall pick as it projected to be another PG and dealt it away to the Hawks for future picks. Heat grabbed sharp shooting Richard Hamilton who will immediately jumpstart their offense. Later in the first they grabbed big man Obinna Ekezie who arguably was the best big man available but is rather undersized as a center. With the 2nd overall selection in the 2nd round they drafted another big man in Evan Eschmeyer who might in face be better than Ekezie. The heat needed big men and instead of trading away the 5th they should have tried to trade up a spot to have locked up Marion or AK instead of making desperation picks on Ekezie and Eschmeyer as there was better talent on the board but they needed big men.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets had a late first rounder and drafted a need player but also the best available player. Jumaine Jones was a solid first round selection as he shows promise to over take the incumbent starting SF spot. Jumaine standing at 6’8 posses quality handles to go along with a nice outside shot but it will be a little bit of time until he reaches his full potential but NJ should provide a nice spot to grow. Roberto Bergersen their 2nd round selection is the type of player that he doesn’t do anything particularly bad but then again he does nothing particularly well either but they needed a backup for the weak kneed Allan Houston.
Overall Draft Grade: C+
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have a small window of opportunity left with Patrick Ewing and Kevin Willis starting in the front court so what not better to do then to draft a pure potential big man out of High School to learn under their tutelage. Leon Smith is no lock to be a talent as he is raw talent and very undisciplined. Leon is young and stupid and NY might not be the best place for him to be. Hopefully Willis and Ewing can take this young man under their wings and make him into the player he could be.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic drafted Andre Miller with their first overall selection a move that indicates AI will be playing the 2 position. Dre gives them a floor leader that will take care and distribute the ball. The Orlando Magic front office must have been so excited to land Miller that they went out to Disney Land after that selection. As the Magic passed up Leon Smith, Dion Glover, Lee Nailon, Michael Ruffin, Gordon Giricek, Wang Zhi-Zhi to draft the unknown Rico Hill. Kidding aside the Magic had to do their homework on this guy in order to draft him because he has been overseas in Europe playing ball for F'nlabrada. What I don’t like is they got the same exact player in Smith as they did in Hill a whole round later. Smith in fact is even a better rebounder than Hill so why Draft Hill in the first round???
Overall Draft Grade: C-
Philadelphia 76ers
What’s not to love about getting a total stud in Shawn “The Matrix” Marion. The guy does it all as he shows an inside/out game with the ability to run the floor, great rebounder, and an absolute beast on the defensive end. Quincy Lewis was also another great pickup in the early 2nd round as he will be a solid backup player for Shawn Marion in a SF spot that was vacant on the Sixers squad.
Overall Draft Grade: A
Washington Wizards
The Wizards were in Purgatory as they selected Jeff Foster. In a already loaded front court they add more depth which is never a bad thing but they are still without a floor general to lead this team which posses a great deal of talent. I would have liked to see them draft Mo Pete because of the fact he would have actually been a contributor to this team backing up Walker where Foster will most likely sit on IR and will not develop. The Wiz could have also looked to move up to the 5-8 spots to have possibly locked themselves up with a PG. It’s sad that the below average Rickey Moore, a desperation pick in the 2nd round, will be seeing more floor time than their first round pick.
Overall Draft Grade: D-