Post by KruPaxson on Dec 18, 2006 17:49:07 GMT -5
Golden State Warriors
You never quite know what the Warriors are up to. Are they acquiring depth to win or to unload, are they trying to win now, or are they rebuilding? One thing is for sure they looked at potential in this draft. Jonathan Bender was a player that everyone hoped to slip through the cracks in the mid first round. A 7 footer that can play 3 positions and shoot the ball is tough to find especially at the young age of 18. He will sit behind Jimmy Jackson in the DC until the journey man is dealt because he is playing too well and his trade value is high or if he wears out his welcome…1 of the 2 always seems to be for JJ. It’s been a popular statement but you can never have enough depth in your front court and the Warriors took the best big available in Michael Ruffin. Although without their own draft pick this season I am surprised a deal wasn’t made to move up in this draft or instead of taking Bender get a more NBA ready player.
Overall Draft Grade: C+
LA Clippers
With a great run to the Western Conference Finals there isn’t much this team needs to add to their arsenal but with this most likely being Chris Mullin’s last season what not better to draft then a young promising SG. Dion Glover has great size and ability to be a great SG in the NBA although there are questions with him coming off a knee injury in college. Kidd and Glover will be great rebounding back court that will provide plenty of opportunities for the fast break. Glover also provides motivation and competition for another youthful SG in Tyrone Nesby.
Overall Draft Grade: B
LA Lakers
Well we all know Kobe wants the ball in his hands at all times and what better to give him then a counter part that will play tough defense and will score when needed. Devean George could slide right into the starting rotation over Jon Barry with a nice training camp. If not he is being groomed as their future starting 3. No other guy left in the draft would have been a better fit for the Lakers.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Phx Suns
Probably the most disappointing team last season was the Phx Suns. A team loaded with talent with C-Webb, Ceballos, Finley, Spoon, Barry, and Mighty Mouse. The Suns only managed a 6 seed and a first round exit. The Suns however mostly due to inactivity managed to keep their own pick and drafted some serious team needs. Calvin Booth is the Anchor that the Suns missed a season ago and maybe Booth will only be worth 6 fouls a game but that’s 6 fouls a game they didn’t have last season to give. They also added soft touch shooting Scott Padgett to the front line who could spill some minutes for Webber every so often.
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Sacramento Kings
Lumley, Lumley, Lumley. As many times as I’ve said your name is about as many first round draft choices you have in the next 15 years. It’s a miracle you landed Gary Payton + a first last season which is the first trade you’ve ever made where you actually received a first and didn’t give up 3. You know you are in trouble when the only player you have on your roster that is under the age of 30 is Eric Montross. Luckily you added another player under the age of 30 by drafting Mike Batiste who wasn’t even the best man available in the late second round although you needed the big man via draft because you didn’t even have cap space. Other teams received high draft grades by trading their firsts because they players they received in return helped them out now and will also continue to help them out more than what their draft pick would have. The same could be said for the Kings as Todd MacColloch was drafted in that slot. So basically you received Mookie Blaylock for Todd Macolloch and a 2004 first round pick. The trade looks great now although the 2004 could come back to bite you.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Seattle Supersonics
Pigs are Maf Maf’s best friends as they can dispose of bodies in a matter of seconds and if I told you how I knew this information I would have to feed you to a pig. Well Pig killed this draft in a matter of seconds as well by dealing his lotto bound pick for Larry Hughes and 2 first round picks. His pick wound up being Steve Francis a player who is 2 yrs older and 2 inches shorter than the better defensive player Hughes. Not to mention he also grabs a pick this season which is projected to be a lotto pick. Also Pig one of the few GM’s to keep up with the draft board in the second round paid off as well as he drafted a potential gem in DeAndre Hulett. Hulett is known for his high flying ability and was former teammates with Jason Richardson in highschool. Hulett has a very nice inside out game but is more known for his scoring than his shooting. It is reported that Hulett possess a 40in vertical.
Overall Draft Grade: A+
You never quite know what the Warriors are up to. Are they acquiring depth to win or to unload, are they trying to win now, or are they rebuilding? One thing is for sure they looked at potential in this draft. Jonathan Bender was a player that everyone hoped to slip through the cracks in the mid first round. A 7 footer that can play 3 positions and shoot the ball is tough to find especially at the young age of 18. He will sit behind Jimmy Jackson in the DC until the journey man is dealt because he is playing too well and his trade value is high or if he wears out his welcome…1 of the 2 always seems to be for JJ. It’s been a popular statement but you can never have enough depth in your front court and the Warriors took the best big available in Michael Ruffin. Although without their own draft pick this season I am surprised a deal wasn’t made to move up in this draft or instead of taking Bender get a more NBA ready player.
Overall Draft Grade: C+
LA Clippers
With a great run to the Western Conference Finals there isn’t much this team needs to add to their arsenal but with this most likely being Chris Mullin’s last season what not better to draft then a young promising SG. Dion Glover has great size and ability to be a great SG in the NBA although there are questions with him coming off a knee injury in college. Kidd and Glover will be great rebounding back court that will provide plenty of opportunities for the fast break. Glover also provides motivation and competition for another youthful SG in Tyrone Nesby.
Overall Draft Grade: B
LA Lakers
Well we all know Kobe wants the ball in his hands at all times and what better to give him then a counter part that will play tough defense and will score when needed. Devean George could slide right into the starting rotation over Jon Barry with a nice training camp. If not he is being groomed as their future starting 3. No other guy left in the draft would have been a better fit for the Lakers.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Phx Suns
Probably the most disappointing team last season was the Phx Suns. A team loaded with talent with C-Webb, Ceballos, Finley, Spoon, Barry, and Mighty Mouse. The Suns only managed a 6 seed and a first round exit. The Suns however mostly due to inactivity managed to keep their own pick and drafted some serious team needs. Calvin Booth is the Anchor that the Suns missed a season ago and maybe Booth will only be worth 6 fouls a game but that’s 6 fouls a game they didn’t have last season to give. They also added soft touch shooting Scott Padgett to the front line who could spill some minutes for Webber every so often.
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Sacramento Kings
Lumley, Lumley, Lumley. As many times as I’ve said your name is about as many first round draft choices you have in the next 15 years. It’s a miracle you landed Gary Payton + a first last season which is the first trade you’ve ever made where you actually received a first and didn’t give up 3. You know you are in trouble when the only player you have on your roster that is under the age of 30 is Eric Montross. Luckily you added another player under the age of 30 by drafting Mike Batiste who wasn’t even the best man available in the late second round although you needed the big man via draft because you didn’t even have cap space. Other teams received high draft grades by trading their firsts because they players they received in return helped them out now and will also continue to help them out more than what their draft pick would have. The same could be said for the Kings as Todd MacColloch was drafted in that slot. So basically you received Mookie Blaylock for Todd Macolloch and a 2004 first round pick. The trade looks great now although the 2004 could come back to bite you.
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Seattle Supersonics
Pigs are Maf Maf’s best friends as they can dispose of bodies in a matter of seconds and if I told you how I knew this information I would have to feed you to a pig. Well Pig killed this draft in a matter of seconds as well by dealing his lotto bound pick for Larry Hughes and 2 first round picks. His pick wound up being Steve Francis a player who is 2 yrs older and 2 inches shorter than the better defensive player Hughes. Not to mention he also grabs a pick this season which is projected to be a lotto pick. Also Pig one of the few GM’s to keep up with the draft board in the second round paid off as well as he drafted a potential gem in DeAndre Hulett. Hulett is known for his high flying ability and was former teammates with Jason Richardson in highschool. Hulett has a very nice inside out game but is more known for his scoring than his shooting. It is reported that Hulett possess a 40in vertical.
Overall Draft Grade: A+