Post by GP on Aug 1, 2007 21:59:07 GMT -5
Galo Pesantes
BBS Senior Staff Writer
Since the inaugural 1998 draft, there have been seven rookie drafts which have produced several studs and duds. However, it is time to acknowledge which are already established busts and sleepers of their respective drafts.
Top 10 Sleepers since 1999 Draft
1- Travis Outlaw F 2003 BBS Draft Selected #24 New Orleans Hornets
One of the last great moves made by former GM Chris Martinez was drafting this youngster from community college late in the 2003 draft. Outlaw, 21, has freakish ability and size for his position in addition to his great inside scoring ability and defensive capabilities. While still being very young and room to grow, Outlaw is the all-time best bargain pick in BBS draft history.
2- Delonte West G 2004 BBS Draft Selected #18 Denver Nuggets
Maybe not as low profile as Outlaw, but West was certainly overlooked for others in the point guard hevy draft (Devin Harris, Sebastian Telfair, Chris Duhon, Jameer Nelson). Still, West has managed to become one of the best, youngest point guards in the league. And keep in mind, he is only 24 years old with potential to get better.
3- Roko Ukic G 2005 BBS Draft Selected #27 San Antonio Spurs
Could be argued for the top spot in this list with his play this year. Ukic, 21, is only two years removed out of the draft and playing behind another point guard, Chauncey Billups but still managed to break out this season to win the starting point guard job. Still very young, could become the best point guard in the West at his age very soon.
4- Dahntay Jones G 2003 BBS Draft Selected #44 Seattle Sonics
Back then they did not want him, now he's hot and they all want him. No, he's not Mike Jones but Dahntay is playing well enough to make the money Mike makes. This former Duke product dropped all the way to the second round where the Sonics took him. Since then hes changed addresses but has become a hot commodity, espicially since hes only 25.
5- Smush Parker G 2002 BBS Draft Selected #17 Utah Jazz
Some thought Hornets GM nova was nuts when he signed Smush for max dollars this past off-season. Then Parker started to blow up and never look back. Parker is now one of the league leaders in assists and steals while almost averaging 19 points a game. And like Jones, he is only 25.
6- Jared Jeffries F 2002 BBS Draft Selected #19 Chicago Bulls
Another guy that was seemingly overlooked by many teams and taken by GM Dave Krupinski in the middle of the first round in 2002. The former Stanford standout then established himself in the ATL and earned himself a big raise this past off-season. Jeffries shoots a high percentage, rebounds well, and plays good defense for his size.
7- Francisco Elson C 1999 BBS Draft Selected #32 Toronto Raptors
One of the better overlooked big men dropped all the way to second round to the Raptors. The shotblocker has managed to stay in team's rotations for strong defense and decent rebounding. For a second round pick, Elson became intregal for the Raptors championship wins.
8- Jason Maxiell F 2005 BBS Draft Selected #45 Orlando Magic
Dropped the lowest of all sleepers on the list, Maxiell has established himself as a shot blocking machine and rebounder. In addition, Maxiell is only 23 while standing 6'7 and making only the second round minimum. Surely, after next season, Maxiell will get a raise from some grateful team for his services.
9- Guillermo Diaz G 2006 BBS Draft Selected #38 Dallas Mavericks
This former Miami Hurricane was a another second round pick who was not expected to even crack into the Mavs rotation this year. However, Diaz has exploded to lead the team in assists, steals, and minutes played. He has also won two rookie of the month awards and only 22 years old.
10- Ousmane Cisse C 2001 BBS Draft Selected #28 Indiana Pacers
Perhaps the most overpaid sleeper on the list was still overlooked in the 2001 draft. Indy GM duce took a chance on the kid and never looked back. Cisse developed into a great rebounder and adequate shot blocker coming out of high school. Now with the Wolves, Cisse is still only 23 and although he is overpaid, does a nice job of filling in at the starting center spot.
Just Missing The Cut-- Honorable Mentions:
Jarvis Hayes F 2003 BBS Draft Selected #18 Memphis Grizzlies
Yaroslav Korolev F 2005 BBS Draft Selected #26 Phoenix Suns
DeShawn Stevenson G 2000 BBS Draft Selected #20 Seattle Sonics
Eddie Griffin F 2001 BBS Draft Selected #15 San Antonio Spurs
Craig Smith F 2006 BBS Draft Selected #42 Denver Nuggets
Jarrett Jack G 2006 BBS Draft Selected #33 Minnesota Timberwolves
BBS Senior Staff Writer
Since the inaugural 1998 draft, there have been seven rookie drafts which have produced several studs and duds. However, it is time to acknowledge which are already established busts and sleepers of their respective drafts.
Top 10 Sleepers since 1999 Draft
1- Travis Outlaw F 2003 BBS Draft Selected #24 New Orleans Hornets
One of the last great moves made by former GM Chris Martinez was drafting this youngster from community college late in the 2003 draft. Outlaw, 21, has freakish ability and size for his position in addition to his great inside scoring ability and defensive capabilities. While still being very young and room to grow, Outlaw is the all-time best bargain pick in BBS draft history.
2- Delonte West G 2004 BBS Draft Selected #18 Denver Nuggets
Maybe not as low profile as Outlaw, but West was certainly overlooked for others in the point guard hevy draft (Devin Harris, Sebastian Telfair, Chris Duhon, Jameer Nelson). Still, West has managed to become one of the best, youngest point guards in the league. And keep in mind, he is only 24 years old with potential to get better.
3- Roko Ukic G 2005 BBS Draft Selected #27 San Antonio Spurs
Could be argued for the top spot in this list with his play this year. Ukic, 21, is only two years removed out of the draft and playing behind another point guard, Chauncey Billups but still managed to break out this season to win the starting point guard job. Still very young, could become the best point guard in the West at his age very soon.
4- Dahntay Jones G 2003 BBS Draft Selected #44 Seattle Sonics
Back then they did not want him, now he's hot and they all want him. No, he's not Mike Jones but Dahntay is playing well enough to make the money Mike makes. This former Duke product dropped all the way to the second round where the Sonics took him. Since then hes changed addresses but has become a hot commodity, espicially since hes only 25.
5- Smush Parker G 2002 BBS Draft Selected #17 Utah Jazz
Some thought Hornets GM nova was nuts when he signed Smush for max dollars this past off-season. Then Parker started to blow up and never look back. Parker is now one of the league leaders in assists and steals while almost averaging 19 points a game. And like Jones, he is only 25.
6- Jared Jeffries F 2002 BBS Draft Selected #19 Chicago Bulls
Another guy that was seemingly overlooked by many teams and taken by GM Dave Krupinski in the middle of the first round in 2002. The former Stanford standout then established himself in the ATL and earned himself a big raise this past off-season. Jeffries shoots a high percentage, rebounds well, and plays good defense for his size.
7- Francisco Elson C 1999 BBS Draft Selected #32 Toronto Raptors
One of the better overlooked big men dropped all the way to second round to the Raptors. The shotblocker has managed to stay in team's rotations for strong defense and decent rebounding. For a second round pick, Elson became intregal for the Raptors championship wins.
8- Jason Maxiell F 2005 BBS Draft Selected #45 Orlando Magic
Dropped the lowest of all sleepers on the list, Maxiell has established himself as a shot blocking machine and rebounder. In addition, Maxiell is only 23 while standing 6'7 and making only the second round minimum. Surely, after next season, Maxiell will get a raise from some grateful team for his services.
9- Guillermo Diaz G 2006 BBS Draft Selected #38 Dallas Mavericks
This former Miami Hurricane was a another second round pick who was not expected to even crack into the Mavs rotation this year. However, Diaz has exploded to lead the team in assists, steals, and minutes played. He has also won two rookie of the month awards and only 22 years old.
10- Ousmane Cisse C 2001 BBS Draft Selected #28 Indiana Pacers
Perhaps the most overpaid sleeper on the list was still overlooked in the 2001 draft. Indy GM duce took a chance on the kid and never looked back. Cisse developed into a great rebounder and adequate shot blocker coming out of high school. Now with the Wolves, Cisse is still only 23 and although he is overpaid, does a nice job of filling in at the starting center spot.
Just Missing The Cut-- Honorable Mentions:
Jarvis Hayes F 2003 BBS Draft Selected #18 Memphis Grizzlies
Yaroslav Korolev F 2005 BBS Draft Selected #26 Phoenix Suns
DeShawn Stevenson G 2000 BBS Draft Selected #20 Seattle Sonics
Eddie Griffin F 2001 BBS Draft Selected #15 San Antonio Spurs
Craig Smith F 2006 BBS Draft Selected #42 Denver Nuggets
Jarrett Jack G 2006 BBS Draft Selected #33 Minnesota Timberwolves