04/20/24
June 28, 2006
Toronto picks first in a wide-open NBA Draft: I've looked at numbers of drafts and scenarios and have yet to find anything consistent. Andrea Borgnani goes first to Toronto in one draft, fourth in another and seventh in another. I saw one draft where Adam Morrison dropped to my Houston Rockets at eighth. Tyrus Thomas, Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay seem to be the hot names going into tonight (7 PM EST, ESPN).
posted by chemwizBsquared to basketball at 11:21 AM - 45 comments
LIDJ, according to this Sportsnet mock draft, your wish will come true!
posted by Spitztengle at 12:39 PM on June 28, 2006
I rarely see consistency in mock drafts aside from when a player such as Lebron is a lock at #1. That being said, Fox Sports published this article NBA draft could turn out bad for business discussing how the nba mandated absence of high school players is reducing fan interest in the draft itself. I'm on the flipside. I'm glad that the majority of the players, aside from foreign born draftees, taking part in tonight's draft are those who I've actually seen play or that I have at least followed statistically. And with "NBA ready" high schoolers enrolling for at least a year, I'm even more excited for the upcoming college season.
posted by gradys_kitchen at 12:52 PM on June 28, 2006
Those mock drafts are being exposed for the guess-work they actually are. I haven't seen one that agreed with another through three picks yet. I think the Raptors pick Bargnani (previously, I thought this was a ruse, but they really seem crazy high on this guy) and that's all I think. I think this is one of those drafts that four years from now people look back on and cringe. There are going to be gems and busts a plenty. I will try to remember that I too have no idea who's going to be the best coming out of this class.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:53 PM on June 28, 2006
I don't really follow basketball too closely but how is this Borgnani chap any different than Darko Milicic? Phenoms lighting up the Euro leagues. Is Darko ever likely to be a good NBA player, has he been behind better players and no floor time or what? I think Toronto needs to get a sure-thing good player not gamble on an odds-on great one.
posted by rumple at 12:54 PM on June 28, 2006
PS, I think it is very tempting for Toronto, for marketing reasons, to pick an Italian, there is a huge Italian community there. But, that reminds me of the Vancouver grizzlies taking Bryant Reeves -- and the manager who shall remain nameless gloating on TV of the marketing tie-ins: Big Country = B.C. = British Columbia. How lame is that? For chrissakes, nothing markets your team like winning a few games.
posted by rumple at 12:56 PM on June 28, 2006
Well, unlike Darko (who was basically 17, remember), Bargnani is 20 and has played pro-ball for two years in a competitive Italian league (not the Croatian league where Darko played). He also went from bench-to starter-to best player over the course of the season. So he has that rapid improvement thing. Honestly, it appears they're two different stories. And (though I am loathe to admit it) Darko is but 21 - he could still become a player. It's not like he's fat and golfing yet.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:05 PM on June 28, 2006
Couldnt agree with you more Grady!!!
posted by skins fan at 01:07 PM on June 28, 2006
Yeah, we talk about Darko like he's Dominique Wilkins or something, 52 years old & looking to catch on with one more team for one last kick at the can, unaware that the game passed him by a long time ago. I'm still holding out for Darko. I genuinely hope he comes through in the NBA. He seems like a good kid who got mismanaged for a while. The Raptors? They're going to draft the Italian kid, even if they manage to trick someone into trading up. And it might even be the right choice. Hey, whaddya want, optimism is free.
posted by chicobangs at 01:09 PM on June 28, 2006
NBA Mocks are the worst of the Bunch, so who knows. By the same token, there's alot of guys to like in this draft. I'd also be happy with Rudy Gay, Morrison, etc... For the lack of High Schoolers, I keep hearing this is a deep draft. P.S. Darko is a great addition for the Magic. Many missed it, but he finished the season well, and just knowing he'll see some floor time next year will only make him work harder in the offseason. I saw one fantasy site say they expected him to average 14 points and 7 boards per game next year. I think that's optomistic, but as previously mentioned, optomism is gratis. 14 and 7 out of a 3rd scorer is solid production and would be a good start to the redemption of the Human Victory Cigar.
posted by LostInDaJungle at 01:24 PM on June 28, 2006
OK, I'm convinced, get the Italian. Think of the pizza tie-ins. Meantime, on the rest of the draft, I have nothing to say, except, who was the big roly-poly guy in the college game last year who was quite good. From somewhere in Louisiana I believe? Is he draftable? That would also tie in with pizza.
posted by rumple at 01:26 PM on June 28, 2006
you're right, rumple, the big roly-poly guy is from LSU. he decided to stay in school unlike his teammate, tyrus thomas. his name escapes me at the moment so let me go look..........
posted by ksb122 at 01:40 PM on June 28, 2006
.......glen davis
posted by ksb122 at 01:41 PM on June 28, 2006
Aka Big Baby Davis, aka "I make Robert Traylor look like a sound pick."
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:52 PM on June 28, 2006
Henceforth "Roundaldo" Thanks!
posted by rumple at 01:55 PM on June 28, 2006
One thing I can promise is that somebody will take a "Paul Pierce" fall into the draft. In the 2002 draft it was Caron Butler (a decent player but by no means a superstar). Last season it was Danny Granger (see Butler). This year my hat is off for either Rudy Gay or Marcus Williams. Morrison won't fall past Portland. Bargnani will probably be first or amongst the first 5 picks. Everyone loves Brandon Roy and Tyrus Thomas. Randy Foye is being called "The next Dwyane Wade" for goodness sake. LaMarcus Aldridge is a big man, and no big man falls in a draft. If Gay gets past Charlotte, he could fall to the key spot in this draft: 8th. I think that Houston is the key spot. Houston needs a shooter, an enforcer or a point guard to compliment Yao and T-Mac. Depending on Houston's pick, the draft could shape up 1000's of ways. Houston don't screw up this draft like you have the past couple (where you didn't have the 1st pick).
posted by chemwizBsquared at 02:40 PM on June 28, 2006
I would just like to see Cleveland get someone to compliment LeBron better than what they have now.
posted by jojomfd1 at 03:20 PM on June 28, 2006
...somebody will take a "Paul Pierce" fall into the draft... I disagree. Pierce was considered a top 5 pick going into the draft. His slide to the 10 pick was shocking. Considering how fluid the mock drafts have been for this draft, and how there isn't a consensus #1 pick, I doubt anyone would be surprised if any player slid to #10. Now if someone slid completely out of the lottery, that would be interesting. Some people are calling this a strong draft. Others are calling it weak by citing a lack of HS players. I think this draft will be kinda meh unless some deals go down. Impact wise this draft will probably end up like the '00 draft, no superstars, but a deep group of role players.
posted by lilnemo at 03:26 PM on June 28, 2006
no love for big baby, weedy? he may make robert traylor look good but he sure made lamarcus aldridge (top five pick cough, cough) look baaaaad in the tourney.
posted by ksb122 at 04:32 PM on June 28, 2006
Telfair traded to Boston for the #7 and Dickau. Its been rumored for about a week, and Andy Katz is saying its a done deal. Not that he hasn't been wrong before.
posted by lilnemo at 04:45 PM on June 28, 2006
Can somebody explain to me how Telfair goes 13 two years ago, disappoints in Portland, loses his job to Steve Blake and now he's worth a 7 pick?!?! More recent reports seem to indicate Ratliff is part of the deal as well. Another Blazer who lost his starting job last season...
posted by Venicemenace at 06:08 PM on June 28, 2006
If the Celtics unload LaFrentz as reported, that's a win and enough of a reason to pull the trigger. Otherwise, I don't understand how Williams isn't as good of an option at PG as Telfair may be. I haven't seen Telfair enough to discount his skill, but Williams spent the last two years developing at Connecticut and not sitting on the bench injured in Portland with no positive experience since high school.
posted by YukonGold at 06:39 PM on June 28, 2006
That Knicks/Bulls trade just keeps getting funnier with age.
posted by YukonGold at 06:43 PM on June 28, 2006
Telfair and Ratliff for the #7 and Lafrentz. Ratliff goes to a team on the cusp of playoff contention, and the Celts dump Lafrentz. As for Telfair, he did go #13, but was projected as going lower. Lots of people thought that jumping from preps to pros would be too much for a pg. He has sat for stretches (averaging 24 mpg and 68 Games a season so far), but has shown improvement. Personally, I'd like to see a better AST/TO rate (currently 1.96). But you've got to factor in McMillan's coaching style (how many times did he waffle between Ridnour and Daniels?) before you penalize him for inconsistency. Rivers wants to run, and Telfair can definitely do that, but how that meshes with a shooter like Pierce remains to be seen.
posted by lilnemo at 06:46 PM on June 28, 2006
Raps take Bargnani. Shocker. Aldridge goes to the Bulls. Shouldn't a guy that big have a bit more post game? I like his size, but he sure seems to get pushed around in the paint.
posted by lilnemo at 06:49 PM on June 28, 2006
Yeah, Yukon, the LaFrentz bit is the nice part (otherwise I'm totally with you Venice); Ratliff and Raef are essentially the same salary for the next two years, but Raef gets another $11 million in 2009. I have no idea if Theo can be a servicable NBA center in the East, but Raef was not an inside presence and the Celtics don't need outside shooters. On preview: thanks for making me feel a bit better, 'nemo.
posted by yerfatma at 06:50 PM on June 28, 2006
The 'Stache goes to Charlotte. There are hippies in Portland furiously squeezing their hacky-sacks right now. Solid pick, if he plays alongside Okafor, and Wallace they should more than make up for his defensive missteps. God knows Charlotte needed perimeter scoring. your welcome yerfatma.
posted by lilnemo at 06:53 PM on June 28, 2006
What about it?
posted by yerfatma at 06:55 PM on June 28, 2006
Stop the presses. Dick Vitale just made some sense! "These seven footers play like they're six-five. They don't rebound..." Amazing. ...and I wish that was "all [Steven A.] would say about" anything. Awful.
posted by YukonGold at 06:57 PM on June 28, 2006
Blazers getting a little trade crazy? Clearly, this calls out for the campfire.
posted by yerfatma at 06:57 PM on June 28, 2006
Tyrus Thomas drafted fourth by the Blazers. Yahoo has him traded to the Bulls with Khryapa and "future considerations" for Aldridge. Meh.
posted by lilnemo at 06:57 PM on June 28, 2006
Blazers getting a little trade crazy? Nope I think they're restocking the cupboards to Nate's liking. Clearly, this calls out for the campfire. indeed.
posted by lilnemo at 06:58 PM on June 28, 2006
Holy crap the Hawks actually did pick Shelden fifth. Every year theres a team that comes through on a promise.
posted by lilnemo at 07:03 PM on June 28, 2006
Clearly, this calls out for the campfire. yerfatma has a room setup
posted by YukonGold at 07:03 PM on June 28, 2006
Hmm. Does Roy slip to 7 so the Blazers get their man, or do the Wolves snatch him up? yerfatma has a room setup Linky?
posted by lilnemo at 07:05 PM on June 28, 2006
https://spofi.campfirenow.com/91f93 Needed the guest access.
posted by YukonGold at 07:06 PM on June 28, 2006
What number will JJ be since 4 is taken by Battie?
posted by Dukedevils242 at 11:08 PM on June 28, 2006
Danny Ainge is happy. Not sure I buy his line about thinking his Round 2 pick was a potential Round 1 pick gag two years in a row.
posted by yerfatma at 07:27 AM on June 29, 2006
Boston will give Telfair a true chance to develop. Just like we did with Chauncey Billups? That still pisses me off.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 08:31 AM on June 29, 2006
take heart, celtic fans, it could have been worse. word out of houston is that the rockets are going to trade rudy gay (#8 pick) and stromile swift to the grizzlies for...drumroll please...shane battier. huh? battier's career numbers are only a fraction better that swift's. looks like an even trade to me, i guess the rockets just threw in the #8 pick in the draft to "sweeten" the deal.........or something...
posted by ksb122 at 08:44 AM on June 29, 2006
Yea! We got Redick.
posted by LostInDaJungle at 11:02 AM on June 29, 2006
That still pisses me off. Funny because it doesn't piss me off one bit.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 11:36 AM on June 29, 2006
Why would a benevolent God take Len Bias and leave you?
posted by yerfatma at 12:20 PM on June 29, 2006
Why would a benevolent God take Anyone and leave G Dub Shrub? (His "rap" name.)
posted by LostInDaJungle at 12:39 PM on June 29, 2006
Toronto sent Ol' Hairless to Milwaukee for TJ Ford and cash. And eyebrows.
posted by yerfatma at 11:44 AM on July 01, 2006
Redick in blue! Gooooo Magic!