If you could have anyone from the draft this year...

Aldridge.

T-Mac's back isn't getting any better and moving him back to two guard to chase around smaller players is a recipe for disaster.

 

Aldridge.

The # 1 need on the team is a real power forward. It will make the game so much easier for Yao AND Tmac. We can always get guards.

I also like JJ Reddick, if we can get him by trading for another pick. Dude is a sick shooter and a winner.

Would love to trade Swift for NJ pick(s) and do just that.

 

Basically he's richard jefferson lite...he's been an average shooter at best for the first 3 years and his senior year, his shot has been falling. I don't see him taking too many 3 pointers in the NBA, but this guy is very atheletic. I always love 4 year college players. On a side note, we should pick up reddick or sheldon williams if they're still available. Williams will be a better version of Antonio Davis in his prime. Reddick is actually pretty atheletic and he is FAST! At 6'4 and with that shooting touch, you can bet his game will at least somewhat translate in the NBA. And no, he will not be another Steve Kerr or Tradjan Langdon. Langdon was very slow in college and was scoring only around 18 per game. Reddick is averaging 27-28 and is the main focus.

 

With a healthy Yao and Tmac, it would be all any NBA team could do to defense them, that is going to leave the perimeter open like 7/11, all night long. Our stars need a stone cold shooter to make the D pay for any double team.

And you can be weak on D yourself if you outscore your man every night.

Who in this draft can shoot? JJ, baby , JJ

 

There is no question that you go with Aldridge. As was previously posted, TMac is not going back to the 2, so that takes Gay out of the running. I do not see any 1s out there that blow me away either. That leaves drafting a 2 or a 4. At the SG I would consider Carney as a guy to compliment TMac and Yao. Aldridge though is going to be a beast. I really believe he is going to be in the Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire class of bigs when all is said and done. The moment he is drafted Aldridge will be a factor on D and he already has a good J for his size/position. The only problem with drafting LaMarcus is that once his deal is done in a few seasons we would probably have to trade him or yao to stay under the cap.

 

ALRIGHT LETS DRAFT RUDY AND HAVE A BACKCOURT LINEUP OF GAY/HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHEN WE WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP HERE WE COME MONTROSS PARADE!

 

No question about it, eh?

In this kind of, "Pick anybody you want!" situation I am a big Rudy Gay fan. He would be quick and versatile enough to handle whichever the more difficult SG-SF matchup would be thus leaving T-Mac without the burdon of having to do that like we currently are asking him to do. SG-SF positions can be pretty interchangeable anyways with the right personnel. No, not right now with midget David Wesley playing SG out of necessity, but I mean if we took a versatile, athletic and tall player like Gay moving T-Mac technically back to the 2 could realistically work. The NBA is all about matchups, not labels.

I like Aldridge but I don't know if he's going to be an immediate impact kind of player. You could probably argue the same about Gay but I really believe his kind of game translates very well to the next level. Aldridge plays good defense but I doubt he will become the defensive force you are suggesting right away---that only big man with the potential to do that is probably Shelden Williams.

Not to mention, we still don't know what is going to happen with Swift. What if he becomes more consistent and we decide to hang on to him? Howard is regressing and on a lengthy contract in his 30's, nobody is going to trade for him. If we end up having two starter-calibur PF's going into the draft it's not feasible to take another player that plays the same position.

 

what about jj reddick? if we end up making the playoffs jj is a more realistic pick... ps that way we can finally get a shooter whos not 30+

 

reddick's future nickname in the nba will be dolly parton.

 

The more I see of JJ Redick, the more I like him. He's tied with Adam Morrison for the NCAA scoring lead right now.

He was ice cold at the Dean Dome earlier this week to seal the game for Duke.

 

You're right, it's all about matchups, but who is going to match up with the SGs? As good as Rudy is, is he good enough/quick enough to keep up with the Ray Allens, Kobes? I don't think he would be quick enough defensively to guard them full time, and I don't see TMac ever going back to SG.

Rudy Gay would definitely be worth a top pick, but I personally think there are some holes we need to address. A real PF, a real SG (no more combo guards).

As for Swift, that is a pretty big "if" in my opinion. I've finally come to the realization that Stro might not turn out to be anymore of a 20-25 minute role player off the bench.

The Rockets haven't had a good PF in years, a PF that can rebound consistently, block shots, and put the ball in the basket when needed. I hope the Rockets don't pass up on one because we have Swift/Howard. Swift could probably be dealt at anytime. His contract is short and cheap.

 

You're right, we clearly do have holes but the biggest hole we have HAS to be at SG. This 6'1" David Wesley crap is getting ridiculous. We need an upgrade desperately. Is Gay quick enough to effectively defend SG's on the next level? I really think he is, he's got all the tools needed to become a lock-down kind of player. He's quick, has great footwork and hands in addition to possessing great instincts.

An upgrade at PF would do us well too, but I would think as long as we have both Swift and Howard on the roster, selecting a PF in the draft would become our secondary option. Aldridge is a monster that could help us a lot, but he's obviously not going to be playing any SG.

But as is usually the case, it may end up coming down to simply selecting the best player available. In all likelyhood, when that time comes both of these guys will already be wearing some other team's ball cap already.

 

As much as I like Rudy Gay, I'd have to say LaMarcus Aldridge.

The Rockets have lacked a good rebounding PF since CB and before that OT. Aldridge has the skills to be a good defender and has a variety of shots (his jump hook is great) to help with low block scoring.

 

I've seen the future....and his name is Adam Morrison. That guy is going to be a star in the NBA.

He's Larry Bird all over again. He has the attitude to match his skills.

 

I caught the 2nd half of the Villanova-UConn game last night and other than Duke, I have never seen one college team that has as much talent as UConn.

With that being said, I was a little disappointed with Rudy Gay's performance but I could tell this guy has the potential that everyone talks about. I am eagerly anticipating UConn's game with West Virginia this Saturday as I am hoping to see not only a great game but a great game from Gay. BTW - the best player in last night's game, IMO, was the Ray kid from Nova. He was making NBA three's

 

Found this site, "about.com" and they had a 2006 Mock Draft - take it for what it is worth...BTW, anyone know anything about Andrea Bargnani?


If you've got any info on players (college, high school or foreign) or just feel like venting on the NBA Draft, drop me an email at probasketball.guide@about.com. To stay updated every time there's a fresh version of the mock draft, sign up for About.com's Basketball Newsletter delivered every Thursday. And don't forget to vote in our NBA Draft Polls at the bottom of every page!

Updated 2/05/06
2006 NBA Draft Order Based on Current Standings

1. Charlotte Bobcats -- Adam Morrison, SF, Gonzaga

2. Atlanta Hawks -- LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Texas

3. Chicago Bulls -- Tyrus Thomas, PF, LSU
(From New York)

4. Toronto Raptors -- Rudy Gay, SF, Connecticut
(Pick goes to Charlotte if not in Top 16)

5. Houston Rockets -- Andrea Bargnani, PF, Italy

6. Portland Trailblazers -- Shelden Williams, PF, Duke

7. Boston Celtics -- Rajon Rondo, PG, Kentucky

8. Orlando Magic -- Rodney Carney, SG/SF, Memphis

9. Sacramento Kings -- Tiago Splitter, C, Brazil

10. Seattle Sonics -- Josh Boone, PF, Connecticut

11. Chicago Bulls -- Mardy Collins, PG/SG, Temple

12. Golden State Warriors -- Jason Smith, C, Colorado St.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves -- Shawne Williams, SF, Memphis
(Pick goes to L.A. Clippers if not in Lottery)

14. Utah Jazz -- J.J. Redick, SG, Duke

15. Washington Wizards -- Taj Gray, PF, Oklahoma

16. Indiana Pacers -- Nick Fazekas, PF/C, Nevada

17. Philadelphia 76ers -- Maurice Ager, SG, Michigan State

18. New Orleans Hornets -- Ronnie Brewer, SG, Arkansas
(From Milwaukee)

19. New Orleans Hornets -- Paul Davis, PF, Michigan State

20. New York Knicks -- Corey Brewer, SF, Florida
(From Denver via New Jersey via Toronto if outside Top 6)

21. Phoenix Suns -- Guillermo Diaz, PG, Miami
(From L.A. Lakers via Boston via Atlanta)

22. New Jersey Nets -- Hilton Armstrong, PF/C, Connecticut

23. Memphis Grizzlies -- Marco Belinelli, SG, Italy

24. Cleveland Cavaliers -- Rudy Fernandez, SG, Spain

25. New Jersey Nets -- Marcus Williams, PG, Connecticut
(From L.A. Clippers)

26. L.A. Lakers -- Randy Foye, PG/SG, Villanova
(From Miami)

27. Phoenix Suns -- Justin Williams, PF/C, Wyoming

28. Dallas Mavericks -- Paul Millsap, PF, Louisiana Tech

29. New York Knicks -- Glen Davis, PF, LSU
(From San Antonio)

30. Portland Trailblazers -- Matt Haryasz, PF, Stanford
(From Detroit via Utah if outside Lottery)


link: http://probasketball.about.com/od/nbadraft/l/bl_mockdraft_a.htm

 

^ This is from nbadraft.net so take it with a grain of salt. Seems like another big man from overseas though.

Averaging 11ppg 5rpg

So will the Bobcats have 2 of the top 4 picks?

 

for some reason it seems like the rockets are going to blow this pick

 

I'm still unsure (although many people in here have made convincing arguments)...but read this about JJ Reddick from Bill Simmons' mailbag session ( http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060217 ):

If he does have that kind of confidence and it translates into the NBA, then that means we have to take a good look at him. A VERY long look.

 

Andrea Bargnani is being touted as a Nowitski like player.