NBA Draft Lottery (UPDATE: Rockets to pick 8th overall)

Throw Atlanta as another team that will probably go big or PG. They've loaded up with Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Josh Childress, and Joe Johnson.

I see Bargnani, Morrison, Thomas, and Aldridge as pretty much top 4 locks. If O'Bryant and a PG (either Foye or Marcus Williams) go in front of us, that still leaves us with either Gay or Roy. I think we're in a fairly good spot - worst case scenario would be Rodney Carney, which wouldn't be so bad at all.

 

My Mock

1. Toronto-Adam Morrison
2. Chicago-LaMarcus Aldridge
3. Charlotte-Brandon Roy
4. Portland-Tyrus Thomas
5. Atlanta-Marcus Williams
6. Minnesota-Randy Foye
7. Boston-Andrea Bargnani
8. Houston-Rodney Carney
9. Golden State-Patrick O'Bryant
10. Seattle-Rudy Gay
11. Orlando-Ronnie Brewer
12. New Orleans-Shawne Williams
13. Philadelphia-Mardy Collins
14. Utah-Shelden Williams

 

Here's how I'd picture it going

1. Toronto - Aldridge
2. Chicago - Thomas
3. Charlotte - Morrison
4. Portland - Barganini
5. Atlanta - Roy
6. Minnesota - Gay
7. Boston - M. Williams
8. Houston - BPA

I'd love to have Roy or Gay, but I'm not counting on either dropping to us.

 

why has bargnani been hyped up all of a sudden? did he have a monster game recently?

 

His stock jumped once Toronto got the #1 pick as he seems to be a favourite of theirs. Whether or not Toronto will take the risk on him with said #1 pick is a different story. Here's hoping that they do.

Whatever drops Roy or Gay to us.

 

As I think about it, I bet we pick up Foye if none of the guys above are available. Foye strikes me as the best of the rest, even though I don't especially want him. It might put a damper in our quest to sign Mike James for the MLE though.

 

Number 8 has been good to us...



I have a good feeling about this...

 

We're not going to take a pg in the draft. Think about it...

Who are we targeting with our MLE? James, Spanoullis, Cassell... all point guards. We need to get taller and more athletic.

Why would you want a rookie running the point, probably the most experience dependent position?

 

Bonzi Wells, said T-Mac on the radio the other day.

 

They can't trade James unless its a SnT, in which case couldn't take place until after the draft.

 

I added after you responded: Why would you want a rookie running the point, probably the most experience dependent position?

Also I seriously doubt a guy like Bonzi is going to take the MLE, especially after his work in the playoffs. His attitude would be nice though. I'd just rather get a pg with experience and draft a young jumper.

 

Why would Hawks pick another SG with the money spent on Joe Johnson last year?

 

They're the Hawks. Last time they were competitive, Dikembe Mutombo was in his prime.

 

An argument I've heard is that they don't need a true pass-first PG with Johnson on the floor. They just want someone who can bring the ball down for Johnson, so he doesn't have to do it every time. The same is said of us with T-Mac.

You raise a very valid point about whether Roy would be appropriate, but I don't think it's out of the question that they pick him up. Take a look around a Hawks board; I didn't think it up myself.

 

WOW....I WAS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well not about the rockets...sorry...atleast one of my teams got in. I wish there was Oden to take...not that he would want to come up here.

 

Would anyone here give up Swift to swap picks with the Hawks?

 

I'd say maybe. Maybe "Yes", or maybe "Hells Yes".

 

How many teams are under the cap? Which ones of those may offer him a deal? I don't know, just curious.

I could see the Rockets drafting a PG if it was a type like Mardy Collins and he graded well for the position. Truly more of a SG/PG combo.

Also, I don't think Shelden Williams is out of the picture quite yet...the guy was a beast in college. Maybe you trade down and get a future first round pick, say from Philadelphia.

 

exactly. atlanta is the x-factor in the draft. bargnani, morrison, thomas, and aldridge will go top 4 because all top 4 teams may take any of those top 4 players.

will the hawks go for best player available? (gay or roy), or for need? (williams or foye).

i can see something like this working out:

tor - bargnanni (jonesing for him)
chi - aldridge (fills need)
cha - morrison (compliments gerald wallace on the wing)
por - thomas (replacement for randolph)
atl - gay (take best available and look to make a trade over the summer)
min - roy (could use a big but none worth taking)
bos - rondo (ainge...need i say more?)
hou - carney (makes the most sense)

 

Who would start at SG?

Luther Head? No.

What if Rodney Carney doesn't pan out and JVG doesn't like him like he doesn't like Stro? You'll have Luther Head starting who is a liability due to his height.

Oh yeah, JVG doesn't start rookies unless there's a whole bunch of injuries. Think JVG just started forgetting about his liking for vets? I doubt it.

Who is our back-up PG? Spanoulis? Even JVG said he doesn't think he is ready.

BTW, the PG position isn't the hardest to learn under JVG. Luther Head, John Lucas III, and Brunson all did well. Except Luther is better off at the back-up SG spot, because he's a spot-up shooter.

Do you truly expect Carney to take the starting SG spot that easily? Wow... it was easy for Stro to get the starting PF spot. Basically what you're saying here is you want Luther to start for the whole next season.