Do think the bulls would draft Miles and then sign MacGrady as a FA? Since they both play the three, MacGrady would be standing in Miles way of developing two or three years down the road. If the Bulls feel sure about signing MacGrady, I do not see them drafting Miles. ------------------
If the Bulls draft Miles, I think they will set their sights on signing Eddie Jones. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
No Worries, that may be true, but McGrady did not play the three this year whenever he started. That was Vince's spot. He is versatile enough to play at least three positions, and placing him at the two would not be awkward at all. Keep in mind Miles is just a kid, and in due time will probably build some muscle on that scrawny 6"9" frame and enable him to play some 4. Azim da Dream ------------------ True champions do not take their failures to heart and never let success go to their heads.
McGrady is more of a SG than an SF, he's really skinny. Carter is really an SG, but was forced to play SF because TMac couldn't. The plan was after this year, when TMac continued to put on some muscle, he'd be switched back to SG. Miles won't play the 4 in the NBA. Not because he's too skinny (which he is...he'd have to put on about 40 pounds to be average for an NBA PF....maybe Shawn Kemp could help him?) but because of his ballhandling and penetrating skills. I think he'll be the reverse of Garnett, who starts at 4, but when matchups switch around, drops down to the 3, he'll start as a 3, but play 4 for slots (like how the Rockets use Walt at times). ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Don't be suprised to see Chicago take Miles at 4, not matter what free agents they can get. First off TMac is so versatile that he could play sg or even pg and Miles could end up the same way. Miles has the potential to be a superstar down the road. And when a player has that much potential and upside, you have to really consider drafting him. No matter who you already have or who you might get. ------------------
And when a player has that much potential and upside, you have to really consider drafting him. No matter who you already have or who you might get. So, what you're saying is "Don't expect Chicago to pass on a player who has potential comparible to maybe a Steve Francis"? ------------------
Come one aelliott, that's a bit hard on Chicago. They HAD to take Brand with the 1 pick, he was just that damn good in college (And he turned out to be a decent pro) - sure Francis might have a higher upside, but not all players reach their upside, and some don't even go close!! Anyway, on anoher note, why do half the draft posts insist we trade away Cato for a higher pick? And then with that higher pick we draft someone who has "potential". I mean as far as I can see, if you want potential, Kelvin Cato is it. He's got good size, he's athletic with long arms and good shot blocking timing, and he plays center. Now finding all those things combined in a player is not the everyday (As evidenced by teams like Phoenix who have been searching for a center for years!!) - just give Cat oa chance to develop and you may well be surprised!! Or we could trade him for Darius Miles and then next year when Darius has not put up phenomenal numbers there will be people deciding who to trade him for.... Rebuilding means exactly that! We gotta let our younger guys develop and that's not going to happen by switching them every year!! ------------------
If the rockets are as high on Darius Miles as it appears they are could they be waiting to make a trade on the day of the draft to get him. The Magic would like to get a center, so send Cato and #9 for their #5. The bulls look as if they are set to draft Miles at #7. However, if the rockets make this trade before the draft the bulls will probably draft him at #4. The Rockets know it takes stars to win chapionship not just good players. They will do anything it takes to move up and get a player if they feel that they will become a superstar. ------------------
The reason Cato keeps getting brought up in trade speculation is because the rockets apparently are unhappy with his work ethic and devotion. Cato has a good upside but he will never be a star. Miles could be. ------------------
I am in 100% agreement with Aelliott on this. Jerry Krause deserves any type of criticism that is given to him on this. I never thought for a minute that Brand would go #1; that came as a surprise to a lot of people in the media, television stations, etc. I was interested to see what Krause would do b/c he was touted as some stud draft man talking about he found Scottie Pippen etc etc etc. I still remember Kenny Smith on TNT sitting in the Bulls media area saying they were going to draft Lamar Odom, then BANG Elton Brand is wearing a Bulls cap. Brand is serviceable and solid but has no where near the star potential that Francis and Odom do. As a Rockets fan, I am extremely grateful the draft went this way b/c had Krause come to his senses and taken Francis, he would not be in a Rockets uni today. The sequence of events were a stroke of luck for the Rockets and really opened the door to acquire a young, potential franchise player. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
If you guys would really look at the draft and the needs of the Rockets, you would see that the guy for Houston is DeMarr Johnson. And I'll give reasons why: 1. He a true 6'9 2. He can shoot the ball 3. He can handle the ball 4. He's only 20 yrs old 5. He has major college playing experience 6. He played for a coach that stressed "D" Talk about helping in the frontcourt. This allows Houston a multiple of combinations. He could slide into the backcourt with Steve or Cuttino or he could play the 3 while Steve, Cuttino and Shandon rotate. He'll definitely contribute before Darius would. Not knocking Darius's ability but let's keep it real, KG was the only High Schooler that came into the league and took respect from everyone else. Kobe has finally gotten to that level after four years. He has only played against high school players. Everyone in college was the star of their H/S team. DeMarr played on the #1 Team in America. He was Tested night in and night out. That's why he's the better fit. Oh, by the way Cincinnati would have won the Nat'l Chmpionship had Kenyon not gotten hurt. ------------------
Come one aelliott, that's a bit hard on Chicago. They HAD to take Brand with the 1 pick, he was just that damn good in college (And he turned out to be a decent pro) - sure Francis might have a higher upside, but not all players reach their upside, and some don't even go close!! What do you mean? It's exactly what Chicago deserves. They didn't have to draft Brand. Sure he was a good college players, but so what? Wayman Tisdale was an even better college player than Brand, but that doesn't necessarily translate to NBA greatness. All you have to do is watch Francis play once and you know he's a special, special player.Players with his quickness, leaping ability, passing and ball handling skills don't come alone too often. Brand will be a good solid NBA player, but he'll never approach the level that Francis can reach. I personally think that if a team has a shot at a guy that special, then they're an idiot to pass. Francis wasn't too much of a risk. I can't think of any other PG that had his combination of athletic ability and basketball skills that ended up being a bust. Typically, the busts are guys with athletic ability, but limited bball skills or vice versa. The original post that I was replying to made the comment that a team couldn't pass on a player with such potential. I just pointed out that Chicago had done just that. You're comments sound like you'd also pass on the potential for more of a sure thing, so you're pretty much making my point for me. ------------------
aelliott, do you think Chicago will pass up on Miles this time? I don't think so, unless Mihm is still on the board, but then again, I suspect that (Mihm) is just a smoke screen.
From what I saw of Dermarr... He looked made Horry look aggressive. I like Horry, but Acknowledge this as his weakness. Maybe Dermarr will step inside the three point line or maybe he won't. ------------------ "You've got 6 fouls, use them well" -Derrick Coleman
aelliott, do you think Chicago will pass up on Miles this time? It all depends on how the first 3 picks fall and who Chicago thinks they have a chance to land through free agency. Their problem is going to be that with all their cap room and lottery picks in the last couple of years, people are going to start expecting results. Chicago might be forced to draft for need, rather than for the best available player. If they're not convinced that they'll land McGrady or Jones, then they almost have to grab a SG (Alexander?) at #7 (assuming they got a center at #4). Miles would be enticing to them, but under this scenario, they'd have a servicable front court and nothing in the back court. I think they'd have to do something to address the backcourt. ------------------
The Bulls will not take Miles @ 4. They will play their cards & go for a guy they feel will make an instant impact come tip off & Miles although he has shown to be very talented & impressive in Draft camps will not be considered an impact drafted player @ 4. Just based on his weight & competition level in High School. If he is still around at 7 the Bulls will pull the trigger but they wouldn't want to pass on a sure thing college player at 4. Don't get me wrong I respect the hell out of D Miles & think he will go in the top 10 & will probably be a winner in the next 4 years or so, but this draft is deeper than people give it credit for & almost all of the top 10 teams have glaring needs & will probably be taking too big of a risk by grabbing up Miles. Unless you have more than 1 top 10 picks & Bulls take him at 7. ------------------
aelliott, These are very close to my own thoughts. I do think that the Bulls will make Tracy MacGrady an offer that Toronto will not want to match or better. BTW IMO, the 3 is the postion that best matches MacGrady's skills (since he is a good rebounder, he is a good shot blocker, and his range does not go out to the 3 point line). If the Bulls are smart, they will pass on Mihm and just take the best non 4 or 5 on the board. No matter what they do this in the draft and FA market, they will still get a top 5 lottery pick next year. Next year's centers are as good if not better than Mihm. If they wait to next year for their 5, I see the Bulls using their first two picks (#4 and #7) on the 1, 2, or 3 positions. If the Bulls feel that MacGrady is a lock to sign with them, I can see them going after the 1 and 2 position in the draft with their first two picks. All of this is predicated on, the bulls being smart enough to wait for their 5, which I do not think they are. I see them taking Mihm at #4 and then taking the best talented 1, 2, or 3 with the 7th pick. I don't think they will pick a 3 since they will go after MacGrady. That narrows it down to a 1 or a 2 witht he 7th pick. I think they will choose either Alexander or Barkley, depending on who they feel is the better long term prospect. I also do not see Darius Miles going in the the top 10 picks. He has great potential, but he is not even the highest rated HS player in his class (like Kobe or KG) and it is unknown how well he will adapt to the NBA lifestyle and it will be several years down the road before he actually contributes to the team. What if Darius never develops an outside shot? He could then be the next, taller Roderick Rhodes and certainly not worthy of a top 10 pick. ------------------
If the Bulls still are a very bad team next year, expect Jerry Krause and/or Tim Floyd to be looking for jobs over the summer. I can't imgain their owner satisfied with another trip to the lottery. The Bulls trashed their team with this very summer in mind, they wanted the big name free agents(Duncan, Hill, Jones, McGrady) and the multiple draft picks to make an improvement and perhaps help woo the top FA's. If they don't improve too much they are, in a word, screwed. They've no choice but to go for broke this summer and if it fails, a fall to mediocrity should soon follow. And if Krause passes on Miles at both #4 and #7 I would be shocked. ------------------ Its only my opinion. Feel free to disagree.
Puedlfor, You say that the Bulls' owner won't be satisfied with another trip to the lottery, and if they don't improve, they're screwed. Then you say that you would be surprised if they pass on Miles. If you are looking for immediate results, you don't draft a high school player who won't be able to really help the team for 3-4 years. You draft the players that you need that have college experience. And with the 4th and 7th picks the Bulls could get the top center and, possibly the best PG in the draft. ------------------ The Wizard when asked about his WWJD bracelet: "It's my good luck charm. It stands for 'Walt Williams Just Doin' it'."
I'll agree that drafting a high schooler will not get them an immediate impact, but they still have two picks among the top 7, and can probably afford to burn one on a high school prospect, especially if T-Mac to Chicago is as done a deal as some columnists say. They still have six picks in the top 35 to get depth and at least one impact player. Add in one top tier FA(T-Mac) and one or two second tier ones and they can afford to let a player like Miles develop for a year or two. ------------------ Its only my opinion. Feel free to disagree.
