Post by KruPaxson on Dec 18, 2006 13:12:14 GMT -5
Central
Atlanta Hawks
GM Bill Bendernagel doesn’t look like a mover and a shaker but in fact he is. Bender dealt away franchise all league PG Gary Payton for young up and coming PF Shareef Abdul Rahim. So what did bender need to complete his team? A PG! What did he do about since his pick didn’t fall lotto? He took a proactive approach and traded up for the 5th overall pick at a reasonable deal. This landed him the super athletic Steve Francis out of Maryland and just in case Francis wasn’t ready to hold the spot light quite yet Bender purchased an insurance policy in Charlie Ward. Francis is the perfect fit in Atlanta to pair him up with the young and exciting Isiah Rider.
Overall Draft Grade: B+
New Orleans Hornets
Traded away all of his picks to try and make a run deep into the post season but failed in his quest for a finals appearance. This team is 1 yr older but not 1 yr wiser as he continues to make irrational moves such as drafting James Bullock to replace Vinny Del Negro? Why release Del Negro when you have no cap space and could have dealt him to a team easily for 2nd round pick.
Overall Life Grade: F
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls executed their plans to perfection the past season in their rebuilding effort. They landed the #1 overall pick to select PF Elton Brand. A move questioned by some was drafting HS guard Jamal Crawford over Andre Miller. Crawford who is reported to have grown another inch since declaring for the draft is now standing at 6’7 something Bulls GM Dave Krupinski was intrigued about for his future PG. The Bulls also grabbed another first round pick which landed Wang Zhi-Zhi a 7 footer who can shoot from the outside. Wang is a soft center but provides for difficult match ups for other teams and has the potential to be a pretty good player. In the second round the Bulls shocked the world again as they passed up on more solid picks such as Evan Eschmeyer, Francisco Elson, Quincy Lewis, Jermaine Jackson, and Rodney Buford only to select the high flying Melvin “Helicopter” Levett out of Cincy. Levett is a promising prospect that could wind up being better than some lotto selections. Jamel White and sharp shooting Trajan Langdon were also late second round picks for the Bulls as well.
Overall Draft Grade: A+
Cleveland Cavs
The Cavs selected Mo Pete with their first overall selection but I would have much rather seen them take Kenny Thomas with this pick as The Big Dog seems to have the 3 spot locked up for years to come as well as Stack having the 2 spot. Tracey Murray is more than a capable backup for each. Thomas would have fit in well in the front court providing a nice change of pace from Juwan Howard but then again arguably it can be said Thomas is just a smaller Junk-yard Dog. This pick is more of a luxury pick rather than a need pick but this is no fault of the Cavs. Vonteego is a nice 2nd round pickup that again could amount to something or not.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Detroit Pistons
Well some might say he didn’t draft anyone but his draft picks aquired him some serious talent in his title run. Otis Thorpe and Dennis Rodman cost him a 2nd. His first round pick was also dealt away. Trade your draft picks for the likes of Grant Hill, Eddie Jones, Sam Cassell, etc.
Overall Draft Grade: A
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers didn’t have a first due to their acquisition of Kevin Garnett could have landed them Dre Miller. In the long run it should pay dividends as the Pacers look strong to being a top lotto pick while still having the best player in the league. Sometimes the best picks are the ones not taken
Overall Draft Grade: B
Milwaukee Bucks
It was in their best interest to trade away their first this season as it did not project high and left the Heat with a below average big man. Bucks won out in this deal as the same goes for the Bucks as it did for the Pacers.
Overall Draft Grade: B
Toronto Raptors
The Raps were ( ) that close to landing Elton Brand but the Bulls backed out of the deal only for the Raps to select Andrei Kirilenko. AK along with T-Mac provide a very explosive duo for years to come. Raps also selected two more big men in Todd MacCulloch and Francisco Elson. This gives the Raps some flexibility for lineups and also for trade bait. MacCulloch could surprise some people as he was a value pick at the 19 spot.
Overall Draft Grade: B+
Atlanta Hawks
GM Bill Bendernagel doesn’t look like a mover and a shaker but in fact he is. Bender dealt away franchise all league PG Gary Payton for young up and coming PF Shareef Abdul Rahim. So what did bender need to complete his team? A PG! What did he do about since his pick didn’t fall lotto? He took a proactive approach and traded up for the 5th overall pick at a reasonable deal. This landed him the super athletic Steve Francis out of Maryland and just in case Francis wasn’t ready to hold the spot light quite yet Bender purchased an insurance policy in Charlie Ward. Francis is the perfect fit in Atlanta to pair him up with the young and exciting Isiah Rider.
Overall Draft Grade: B+
New Orleans Hornets
Traded away all of his picks to try and make a run deep into the post season but failed in his quest for a finals appearance. This team is 1 yr older but not 1 yr wiser as he continues to make irrational moves such as drafting James Bullock to replace Vinny Del Negro? Why release Del Negro when you have no cap space and could have dealt him to a team easily for 2nd round pick.
Overall Life Grade: F
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls executed their plans to perfection the past season in their rebuilding effort. They landed the #1 overall pick to select PF Elton Brand. A move questioned by some was drafting HS guard Jamal Crawford over Andre Miller. Crawford who is reported to have grown another inch since declaring for the draft is now standing at 6’7 something Bulls GM Dave Krupinski was intrigued about for his future PG. The Bulls also grabbed another first round pick which landed Wang Zhi-Zhi a 7 footer who can shoot from the outside. Wang is a soft center but provides for difficult match ups for other teams and has the potential to be a pretty good player. In the second round the Bulls shocked the world again as they passed up on more solid picks such as Evan Eschmeyer, Francisco Elson, Quincy Lewis, Jermaine Jackson, and Rodney Buford only to select the high flying Melvin “Helicopter” Levett out of Cincy. Levett is a promising prospect that could wind up being better than some lotto selections. Jamel White and sharp shooting Trajan Langdon were also late second round picks for the Bulls as well.
Overall Draft Grade: A+
Cleveland Cavs
The Cavs selected Mo Pete with their first overall selection but I would have much rather seen them take Kenny Thomas with this pick as The Big Dog seems to have the 3 spot locked up for years to come as well as Stack having the 2 spot. Tracey Murray is more than a capable backup for each. Thomas would have fit in well in the front court providing a nice change of pace from Juwan Howard but then again arguably it can be said Thomas is just a smaller Junk-yard Dog. This pick is more of a luxury pick rather than a need pick but this is no fault of the Cavs. Vonteego is a nice 2nd round pickup that again could amount to something or not.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Detroit Pistons
Well some might say he didn’t draft anyone but his draft picks aquired him some serious talent in his title run. Otis Thorpe and Dennis Rodman cost him a 2nd. His first round pick was also dealt away. Trade your draft picks for the likes of Grant Hill, Eddie Jones, Sam Cassell, etc.
Overall Draft Grade: A
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers didn’t have a first due to their acquisition of Kevin Garnett could have landed them Dre Miller. In the long run it should pay dividends as the Pacers look strong to being a top lotto pick while still having the best player in the league. Sometimes the best picks are the ones not taken
Overall Draft Grade: B
Milwaukee Bucks
It was in their best interest to trade away their first this season as it did not project high and left the Heat with a below average big man. Bucks won out in this deal as the same goes for the Bucks as it did for the Pacers.
Overall Draft Grade: B
Toronto Raptors
The Raps were ( ) that close to landing Elton Brand but the Bulls backed out of the deal only for the Raps to select Andrei Kirilenko. AK along with T-Mac provide a very explosive duo for years to come. Raps also selected two more big men in Todd MacCulloch and Francisco Elson. This gives the Raps some flexibility for lineups and also for trade bait. MacCulloch could surprise some people as he was a value pick at the 19 spot.
Overall Draft Grade: B+