Wild Cards: Pau Gasol, Nate Huffman, S.Battier These guys could move up or down in the draft. No big deal right? But they ( and a few other guys) are integral to what comes before and after them. They are the Wild Cards. If they move, then some surprising available delights await some teams picking lower. For example: Bradley, Jefferson, Richardson may move down considerably. So may Woods and Wallace. Mmmmmmmm. But if some franchises ( Golden State, Chicago, and a couple others) really don’t think these wild cards are starter material, then some teams (like Houston) will get some awfully nice talent in the 12 to 25 range. Both Gasol and Huffman come highly regarded and both could get early calls in the 7 to 15 range. Gasol, a seven foot and a decent ball carrying SF, wows them in Spain with spectacular (well, spectacular in Europe, anyway) slam damns and some improbable shot taking angles. Ready to play, he will be acclimatized more than several recent and most past European additions. Huffman is a big seven footer who would mold nicely in a Raef LaFrentz frame and has experience up his ying-yang with steady play in Israel and several tournaments across Europe. Houston wooed him last year but he wanted to stay another year. That year did not hurt him. Shane Battier is kinda a different story, in that his stock rises and falls so frequently during a single day that he begins to look a lot like the Dow Jones. But some speculators have him as high as first and as low as fifteenth. He comes boxed and wrapped to suit up, is probably the most prepared athlete “maturity-wise” to start a career in the NBA than any of his draftee contemporaries. He has a great attitude and is coachable. A leader. Great enthusiasm for the game, during the game. His big downside is that he is average (or slightly above) in all the skills but excels in none. He is a little too slow of foot, and that coupled with the 82 game schedule could prove to be a liability. If he goes high that will move some people down. If he drops down past towards the double digits, there will be pick trading back and forth that will make last year look like a garden party. My guess is that Chicago will gobble him up early. Question Marks: Kwame Brown, DeSagana Diop Both these rising High Schoolers could break the mold and the NBA franchises may just start robbing the cradle a little early this year. These are certainly two of the brighter stars (with Eddie Curry) to come out of the Readin’-Riten’-Ritmatic leagues. Personally I do not think any of them have the maturity to handle the pros very well right now. But money talks and it’s hard to handle the argument that millions of dollars are there for the asking. The present skill ability is questionable however. I don’t know where these scouts put their heads when it comes to talent assessment lately. Kwame was supposed to be heading staright for college which, in my mind would have made him a superstar in two or three short years. Diop I have a little less faith in. Both will not be helped by early entry. But the point is, these guys may be inserted early picks and that will move some guys like Richardson, Haywood, Cook, Johnson, Wallace into some respectable range. Likewise if Brown and Diop don’t go in the first six, they may drop to double digits themselves. These guys are smack dab in the world of the Real Big Question: “Do you trust NBA franchise fickelness?” that is sweeps the league every year from March Madness to Summer sell-off. No one can talk out of both sides of their moutrhs as fast as NBA scouts. Rule #1. Never underestimate an NBA team’s ability to drop a big one on ya when you least expect it. #2. Don’t believe your own agent or the media he buys. #3. See previous two rules. Dropping Fast: Gilbert Arenas, Loren Woods These guys are two of the many that have had some radical changes in their status recently. Arenas was hyped past the absurd the weeks following his tournament showing. It then leveled out and stayed respectable for a while. But the reality of the situation is that he is a small guard (6 foot 3 inches and shrinking) who, despite his talent, will have trouble against a lot of the NBA prototypical points and off guards. You must be an exceptional phenom like Answer I-Man to disprove the theory and Gil isn’t. Some scouts like his moves and field general eyes, but he dropping so fast that he will likely end up in the second round without any further effort. Loren Woods likewise has slowly ebbed away from the hype machine. I don’t know, I think a lot of these other draftees have such good agents or press/media contacts (especially in the larger regions) that guys like Woods get buried pretty quick. His downside is his weight. Ralph Sampsenesque physiques don’t last long in this new NBA game. Especially in the crash bang world of the Western Conference. Personally, I would grab him if available and throw meat and potatoes at him all season, and hope some of it either sticks to him or hits his open mouth! I like his defensive game and he showed he can score. He is nonassuming, can flash to the glass, carries the ball well for a pivot man. I think I would like to see him in the four spot with a big beefy five as a teammate. Regardless, his stock is dropping. He may drop all the way and stop long enough in the early teens to surprise some franchise. CD would be happy. ------------------
OP, I'm a little puzzled. Huffman has been around awhile. He played in the CBA here in Boise year before last. I think he is a free agent. ------------------
oeilpere, Who do you want the Rockets to draft? If you don't know who specifically, do you have a preference in what position they draft for? I wouldn't mind Woods or Gasol on this team at all. I don't know enough about Huffman to have an opinion of him. As for Shane Battier, I'm not very high on him. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited May 22, 2001).] [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited May 22, 2001).]
Duh ......... You are right. \ I got carried away while reading something from a friend of mine on some particular players that were scouted within the last three weeks. I saw Huffman's name and because I was pretty high on him last year I just wrote him in the article. BTW, his scouting report was exemplery! Here he is: Played two seasons of college basketball at Lansing Community College and later transferred to Central Michigan University (1995-97). Played pro in 1997-98 with CBA's Idaho Stampede. In 1998-99 was signed as non-national newcomer in the Spanish ACB League of Baloncesto Fuenlabrada. In 1999-00, moved to Israel at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Scouted heavily by NBA including Texas teams in 2000. But decided to spend year in Europe for 2000-2001 serason. Accomplishements: Led Mid-Atlantic Conference in rebounding (11.0), 8th highest in NCAA Division I. Has been JUCO All America in 1994-95 and member of the MAC Conference 1st Team in 1996-97. Won the 1999-00 Israeli National Cup and Championship. Played the 2000-01 Israeli League All-Star Game. Named the 2000-01 FIBA Suproleague MVP, won the 2000-01 Suproleague Competition. Sorry for confusion by sticking him a Draft Article. ------------------
If they can move up to single digits they should take the best available Center. The talent available for the SF position is very deep and I would take best available SF on my second pick. If they can't move to single digits I would take best avaialable SF with the first (13) pick. And the subsequent second pick I would go to Europe for Gasol. the third, if available I would use in a trade, or settle obligation(s). Well, in the land of milk honey and everyone with a media hype staff on retainer it is hard to look at someone who appears as bland as Battier and see "great things". But he is the quintessential "all-round" player. he has a game intensity similiar to Super Mario(well, not screaming crazy like Mad Max, but intense), better focus than most pros, excellent physical shape, and everything he does ( lateral movement, ball carrying, shot selection) is average or slightly above (passing for instance) average. he is s teady player, coachable and well liked. He is in essence an RT type player. But he has no flash, no sizzle, no gaping wide open GeeHaw after he dunks. Actually he doesn't dunk that often. All of which doesn't sell him much I guess. I don't know if he would be my first pick but definitely a grabber at #13. But we won't get the chance .... he will be in Chicago or Washington(who may trade down) by the time #13 rolls around. ------------------ [This message has been edited by oeilpere (edited May 22, 2001).]
What center is available at in the single digits not available at 13? Other than Diop, and Curry if you call him a center, not really anyone. It's looking as if Woods will be there at 13 or very close to it. Outside Woods, the next best center prospect is Haywood, who probably would be there at 18. On a related note, are any teams looking at dropping talented players because of what will be available at their pick. For example, for Vancouver, with a possibility for Chandler, Randolph, White, etc. at their pick, would they drop Swift, who dissapointed them this season? Or in Cleveland, if they can get Diop, would Mihm become expendable? ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited May 22, 2001).]
Any chance Tyson would be available at 13 ? He was once compared to KG. And, if he were available, would the Rockets take him ? ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
I'm not evaluating Battier based on his entertainment appeal, but I do think he is overrated by some. Still, I would love him on this team, and he would be a steal at 13. ------------------
What is great about Gasol? I've never watched him play and his numbers seem ok, but again, they're overseas numbers. I know he's 7 feet and can shoot, but then we said that about Damn Lanky, too, and he had problems even getting garbage minutes. Of course Lanky could improve over time, I'll give him that. Is there anything else that you maybe know about Gasol that you like? ------------------ "I encourage you to take a look. His rhythmic meter and usage of alliteration is sublime, as is his boldly dark but refreshing subject matter, which rivals that of Byron or Shelley"-- this statement was actually made by a guy who won our fantasy basketball league (fadeaway). We're not worthy.
Is it just me or is half the draft field going to be the next Dirk Nowitzki/Kevin Garnett? ------------------ If you want it you got it, You just got to believe, Believe in yourself, Cause it's all just a game, We just want to be loved
DoD, He's not my first choice, but agile 7 footers who can shoot are never a bad thing, especially considering the new rules. 7 footers with all around skills will be an important part IMO to any team. Also, with the new rules, it will be easier to hide his defensive deficiencies. You could compare him to Langhi, but to me they are 2 different players, and you could even move Gasol to the 4 if Rudy goes small ball against the zone. I've seen a little bit of video of him, and he was impressive, but that could be attributed to the lack of competition. For every Nowitzki or Peja there is a Marco Jaric. The question is do you want to take that chance, and I for one would. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited May 22, 2001).]
Sorry guys, but I want a sure thing in the small forward position from this draft..... Battier would be great! A better option might be to ship our #13, #18 and a player (Cato, Williams or Collier) to Vancouver for their #6. They are desperate to cover Detroit and would still get a solid pick at #13. With #6 we can do better than Battier....Joe Johnson, etc. Thoughts??? ------------------
The real question is is Dream gone. If so, we need some beef in the middle. What kind of trade would that take? Would the Clips give up #2 for #13, #22 and Cato or Williams or both? (I don't think this would pass the cap rules, but.....) Out like Reagan's memory..... ROCKET!!! ------------------
Oeilpere, thanks so much for the info. Just for clarification, are you saying that CD would take Woods at the #13 if available, given a player higher on the wish list is not? Who are they so anxious to trade up into single digits for? Center or SF? Will they keep the #13 if they can't move up in the lottery, or deal it away with the others? Any word on their feelings on Terence Morris? If he were available at the #22 and the Rockets had dealt away their other picks, would they take him? Thanks again for the info. I live for oeilpere posts. ------------------
It's not you BGM... it seems every foreign player has a small following by someone, and they hype that person up to be the next Nowitski (the last truly succesful overseas player pickup). I get tired of hearing it. I personally am very wary of Gasol, and I think I would base my entire opinion of his game on any workouts or camps he plays in, because it seems that overseas basketball is too different from the NBA to really get a read on him. ------------------ "I'm just a poster, and I want a piece of everyone's ass." HeyPartner And the truth shall set you free...
The last successful overseas pickup? Do you consider Hedo Turkoglu and Tsakalidis busts? ------------------
Turkoglu is pretty good, of course too early too pronounce him a good player. Jake hasn't shown much yet, but again is still very young. I think he meant stars. ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
And once again, at 13, I think you can pick up a very talented player, not just a project type guy. Speaking of projects, what about Chandler at 13 if he is there ? ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
What he said. Turkoglu is decent as a bench player, but I wouldn't call him good. I guess "successful" was the wrong word to use, but I would say that Nowitski was the last foreign player to develop into the type of teamate that the organization was hoping for. Tsikaldis might get there, as might Turkoglu, but they certainly aren't there yet. ------------------ "I'm just a poster, and I want a piece of everyone's ass." HeyPartner And the truth shall set you free...
LOL No Kidding! Ya like every High Schooler who can carry a ball high, bound close to the foul line, stick his tongue out when he slams is the next MJ. ------------------
