Sit Down Class, Your Grades Are In . . .

<u>Atlanta -</u> Atlanta really had a tough break. Their team was ravaged by the common drafts, and it wasn’t that strong to begin with. With a high rookie pick, the general manager was looking to add a player like Kwame Brown to his depleted roster. Unfortunately as the season progressed his pick dropped lower and lower until he was sitting at No.4, looking in at the best talent in the draft. Seeing that he wouldn’t be able to grab a sure-fire superstar, the General Manager made a choice and traded the No. 4 rookie pick to the Boston Celtics. Going into the draft, the Hawks had holes to fill at both guard positions and at center. Acquiring some semblance of a bench would also be a big priority for Atlanta. With all that in mind, let us take a look at his picks.

Brendan Haywood - Haywood is the big 7 footer from North Carolina. With undeniable athleticism and an NBA body he seemed destined to be a great NBA center. The problem is that Haywood is unmotivated and has poor post moves. If someone could light a fire under his ass, he could turn out to be a decent defensive center. But until then, I believe there were better players available, and I am not in favor of this pick. Grade = C

Jeryl Sasser - Sasser is a 6’7” point guard who may remind you of a young Ron Harper. He’s athletic, and a good ball-handler. He’s also a ball-hound with quick hands and feet. I love this pick, Atlanta got a definite steal in Sasser, if he turns out like I expect then Atlanta has a heck of a steal on their hands. Grade = A

Overall : I don’t like the acquisition of Haywood, but I could see where he might turn out to be a serviceable big man, but I am enthralled with the Sasser pick. Grade = B +

<u>Charlotte -</u> Charlotte was decimated more than most from the common drafts. In the end all that was left was a bunch of bench warmers and the No. 5 pick in rookie draft. The GM then traded down in the draft and in the process acquired the No. 9 an 11 rookie picks from the Sonics. Turning right around he parlayed the No. 9 and 11 picks and turned them into the No. 2 pick in the draft. The Hornets had needs to fill at every position on the floor, they have literally no one. With that in mind, let us take a look at their draft choice.

Kwame Brown : With the second pick in the draft the Charlotte Hornets selected Kwame Brown out of Glynn Academy. Brown and Griffin were 1-2 terms of talent and with Griffin gone at No. 1, Brown was the logical choice. He’s a 6-11 PF with ball-handling and a good shot. He’s already got an NBA body and should be able to play immediately. It was the logical choice, but he may be the best player in this draft. Grade = A

Overall : Charlotte got an impact player, but they still lack depth. Grade = B+

<u>Chicago -</u> Chicago was staring at the No. 3 rookie pick in midseason, when they pulled off a trade that sent Larry Hughes to the Bulls and which sent their rookie pick in return to the Jazz. With Larry Hughes added to a roster that already included Jamal Mashburn and Marcus Fizer, the Bulls finished the season far better than they started it. The Bulls then traded surprising young point guard Jamal Crawford and entered the draft set at the 2,3 and 4 positions but needing a good point and a decent center. Unfortunately, all the Bulls had was the 39th pick in the draft, in other words the very last pick.

Jeff Trepagnier - Trepagnier is the super-athletic shooting guard out of USC. He’s got a decent shot and plays above-average defense. The problem is that Trepagnier is only 6’3” and may have problems in the pros dealing with the taller SG’s, and he may have to switch to the point in the pros and that may be a difficult transition. Grade = B -

Overall : The Bulls made the best out of a bad situation, getting a possible impact player with the last pick in the draft, whether or not he can transition to the point remains to be seen, but if not he should provide a spark off the bench for the rebuilding Bulls. Grade = B -

<u>Cleveland -</u> Cleveland went into the draft on the outside looking in at the playoffs. With holes to fill at the PF and PG positions, Cleveland was well set to fill those holes and contend next year with two draft picks, No. 10 and No. 27. At those draft picks, you’re pretty much out of reach of the star players, and what's left is to draft for best available, though wise GM’s will keep a head’s up and notice where a player might fit on his team.

Tyson Chandler - Chandler is a freak athletically. He’s 7 ft, with an outside jumper and is a pretty good shot-blocker. He’s very gifted, and could easily be a star in this league, except for one thing. Chandler is a natural center, his skill set is that of a center and he would play center except that he’s apparently on the Callista Flockhart diet. He is way, way too skinny to play in the post w/o getting broken in half, and he doesn’t have the ball handling skills or lateral quickness to play SF. Coming to a team like the Cavs, Chandler will have to become the main scoring threat for Cleveland if they want to improve. Chandler might become a good player, but I would not stake my team on it. Grade = D

Alvin Jones - Cleveland with the 27th pick took Jones, a project center out of G-Tech. He’s essentially a shot-blocker, he’s not terribly great at man defense, and his offense scares small children. I think there were better players available at this point for the Cavs to take, and players who would’ve been better for the team. Grade = C

Overall : The Cavs got one of the premier talents in the draft with Chandler, whether or not he pans out is another manner. Alvin Jones is also a major project. Grade = INC

<u>Denver</u> Denver came into the draft having traded the No. 1 overall rookie pick in a deal that landed them Latrell Sprewell, Danny Fortson and Antonio Davis. He moved Fortson for Robert Horry and a few picks, but the Nuggets are still set at pretty much all the positions except the point and the small forward position. The Nuggets had two picks in the first round with their highest pick being at No. 7. Surprisingly, the Nuggets have also managed to construct a half-way decent bench.

Joe Johnson - Johnson is the silky smooth forward out of Arkansas. With a good shot, great ball-handling and better court vision Johnson has the ability to play anyone of three positions. Johnson should come in and start immediately for this team at either the point or the small forward position. I think this was an excellent pick for the Nuggets. Grade = A

Omar Cook - Cook is a straight baller. He has handles out the wazoo, and he must have eyes in the back of his head to make some of the passes he made. He’s got quick hands on defense, but could be overpowered by larger guards. Still, he should make an immediate contribution for the Nuggets. Grade = B

Overall : I like what the Nuggets did with their draft, they got a versatile player and a pure point. They still lack some talent though, and they did trade away the No. 1 pick. Grade = B+

<u>Detroit</u> Detroit really didn’t have any big needs going into the draft besides shoring up their front line a little. Most of their other positions are solidly held in place by pretty good players, which is a good thing, because all they had to upgrade was a mid-first round pick.

Troy Murphy - Murphy played his college ball at Notre Dame and averaged 20 pts and 10 reb over his three years in college. He has a deadly jumper, but will bang under the basket and isn’t afraid to out mustle the competition. He’s also a little off-kilter in the head, unique would be the appropriate word. I like this pick for the Pistons, Murphy gives them versatility off the bench and can score a little bit when needed. Grade = B+

Overall I think the Pistons did pretty good with their pick. They got a player who will come in and be a valuable contributor for their team. I think under the circumstances, they did about as well as could be expected. Grade = B

<u>Golden St. -</u> The Warriors came into the draft in much the same fashion as the Nuggets, except they didn’t get to fleece anyone who traded for their pick. They had needs across the board with pretty much no one besides Chris Mills and Ricky Davis who were worth noting. They needed help, and they needed help very badly, though any help would probably only slightly alleviate the hurting. With that woeful scenario in place, let us examine the draft picks that were made.

Jamaal Tinsley - Tinsley was nicknamed the ‘Abuser” in college for the way he toyed with his opponents with the ball, once dribbling through a man’s legs to draw a foul on him. He has a good shot, and lightening quick hands. And he would’ve been available later in the draft, this was a reach. The Warriors were in dire straights taking a point guard like Tinsley, who needs to have complementary players to thrive was a mistake, in my opinion. Grade = D

Gerald Wallace - Wallace is a mind-blowing athlete in the Dominque Wilkins mode. Except that Wilkins would punish teams with his deadly mid-range jumper, while Wallace merely punishes the people sitting in the front row with dangerous ricochets. What’s worse is not hat his jumper is shaky, its that his form is so bad that he might never have a decent jumper. The survival rate of 6’7” SFs w/o jumpers is pretty low, and though he might catch on like Darvin Ham as a hustle player off the bench, the Warriors needed much more than Darvin Ham. Grade = C

Overall : The Warriors went into this draft needing a whole lot of help, they did not come close to getting it. Grade = D

<u>Houston -</u> Houston didn’t have any needs heading into the draft, except maybe the acquisition of another center. However, in a draft day deal Houston acquired the No. 5 pick in the draft for KVH putting them in the enviable position of adding an impact player to an already good team. With Francis, Nowitzki and Carter along with a lottery player, this team could be a factor, if they add the right player.

Shane Battier - If you don’t know who Battier is, you’ve been under a rock for the past year. He will make an immediate impact for the Rockets next year with his defense. The Rockets didn’t need another star within their galaxy, what they needed was a good, hard-working role-player and that’s exactly what they got. Superb pick. Grade = A

Michael Bradley - Bradley had only one really good year in college, but what a year it was. He scored at will, posting an unreal FG% in the process. He rebounded pretty well, but for a 6-11 guy, didn’t block many shots. I think he could see some valuable minutes for the Rockets at C, but i think they would’ve benefited more form a defensive-minded center. Grade = B -

Overall : The Rockets got the perfect player for their team with their first pick, and their second pick may be a decent role-player for them. I think they could’ve done better with the second pick, but the great first pick cancels that out. Grade = A -

<u>Indiana -</u> Indiana had a surprisingly good season considering that most of their original players were playing for other teams, but behind the resounding play of Jonathan Bender and the tough inside work of Tyrone Hill and Jeff Foster among others the Pacers managed to sneak into the playoffs before falling in five games to the Nets. The Pacers front court is pretty much set, though acquiring more of a scorer at the 4 wouldn’t be a problem. Where Indiana had problems was with their back court. They had pressing needs at both guard positions and hoped to address one of them with a mid-first round pick.

Richard Jefferson - Jefferson is a 6’8” wingman who is possessed of incredible athletic ability and terrific defensive instincts. His problem is that his shot is average, at best. It tends toward the erratic side, and he may be more well-suited to coming off the bench as a defensive stopper. Grade = B -

Overall : Jefferson might see some time at the shooting guard for the Pacers, but most of the year, he’ll probably be stuck behind Bender at the three. He could turn into a valuable player, but only if he develops a consistent shot. Grade = B -

<u>Miami -</u> Like many of the teams that went without a GM for much of the year, Miami found itself devoid of anything beyond castoffs. Entering the draft with the No. 2 overall pick, they traded it in a curious deal to the Hornets. This left a team in desperate need of a star player hoping that one would slip to their pick at 11, a precarious position at best. With that in mind, let us consider their draft picks.

Jason Richardson - Richardson will be one of the premier athletes in the NBA the second he steps on the court. He is also a pretty good shot-blocker and rebounder, but his raw, primal athleticism is what separates him from the pack. If he had a jumper, it would separate him even farther, as it stands, his jumper is off and on and without that jumper, the 6’4” Richardson might have trouble exploiting his athleticism versus the big physical defenders in the pros. He would be best served going to a team that has a good point to set him up, but that is not the case here. Grade = C

Samuel Dalembert - Dalembert probably has the perfect NBA body. He’s 6’11” with a mind-boggling 7’7” wingspan, he’s also a terrific athlete and blocks shots well. His offensive game is underdeveloped, and he has a tendency to get into foul trouble, however if he can correct those problems, he will be a formidable force. Grade = B-

Overall : The Heat, in hindsight, probably shouldn’t have traded the No. 2 pick, they got decent enough players, but they passed up the chance to get a star. Both Richardson and Dalembert will probably be good pros, but still. Grade = C +

<u>Minnesota -</u> Unlike the real NBA, in the sim league, the Minnesota T’Wolves actually had a first round draft choice in the rookie draft. With an excellent team stocked at every other position, Minnesota’s only need would have been at C, or to take the best available player.

Jason Collins - Collins was part of Stanford’s tall front line that included his brother Jarron, though Jason is the superior player of the two he has had injury problems. Collins has a good jumper, out to the college three-point range and he will hit the boards. His post game could use work but he will play hard, scrappy defense, if he doesn’t get hurt. Grade = B -

Overall : I can’t really fault the T’Wolves, they had a need at center, and they filled it with the best one available. Nothing exceptional about it one way or the other. Grade = B

<u>Orlando -</u> Orlando went into the draft with only the halfway decent player being Cliff Robinson. However they had three draft picks with which to complement him, and they would need to do so as they had major holes at every position except SF.

Pau Gasol - Gasol is the 7’1” swing man from Spain who dribbles like a guard, can run the floor well and is a pretty good passer and will finish with authority when he gets the chance. He will start on this team, and though he may have adjustment problems at first, he will be an impact player in this league. That the Magic were able to pick him up this late is a steal. Grade = A

Trenton Hassel - I won’t lie, I think Trenton Hassel will have a long and productive career in the NBA. He’s a pure scorer with a nose for the basket, and decent size. He doesn’t have great defense, and I wouldn’t write home about his athletic ability, but he has a nose for the basket and will shoot at any chance he has. From where he was drafted, this was a steal as well. Grade = A

Raul Lopez - I don’t know much about Lopez, except that he’s a big point guard and that he’s under contract in Madrid until 2007, but not in the sim league. I wouldn’t expect him to make an immediate impact, but he should be a solid point for the Magic in the future. Grade = B+

Overall : The Magic clearly had the best draft in the league, it is the exemplar by which I am judging the other drafts. The Magic got one bona fide star, a good complementary player and a solid prospect with only one high pick. This was a great draft. Grade = A+

<u>Philadelphia -</u> Philadelphia spent much of the year as the best team in the East and is currently in the conference Finals, one victory away from triumph and advancement on to the Finals, so it hardly seems fair that they would have a lottery pick does it? They went into the draft knowing that they would lose both Camby and Olajuwon to the common draft at the end of the season, so they needed to get some size.

Loren Woods - Loren Woods was probably the best center in the draft. He’s got decent jumper and will block shots. He won’t rebound too terribly well, but that can be compensated for. The big problem is that he has a suspect back that might go out on him, and people question his demeanor and whether or not he’s mentally strong enough to play in the rough NBA. That though is not a concern in the sim league. Grade = B -

Kedrick Brown - Ah, yes, the ultimate mystery. Everyone who saw him was awed, and he was so impressive that he got into the lottery in the real draft. I don’t know what to think, every time I think he might be a star, I keep thinking that he’s a 6-7 JUCO PF, and those don’t often turn out to be as good as advertised. But if he lives up to his potential, the Sixers GM has himself a steal. Grade = INC

Kirk Haston - Haston left Indiana early and jumped straight to the NBA. He’s got a pretty good jumper, but I wouldn’t say anything for any of his other attributes at all. Grade = C

Overall : The Sixers came into this draft looking for size, and came out pretty well, especially if the Brown pick pans out. I don’t like the Haston pick, but he was drafted late enough, and he’ll be buried on the Sixers roster. Grade = B+

<u>Phoenix -</u> The Suns had no one to speak of on their roster, and the one player who was making his presence felt was traded in a very lopsided deal to the Spurs. Without Rogers, the Suns had no youth, no talent, but they did have the No. 3 pick in the draft to help them out. The Suns had holes to fill at every single position, and then some they wouldn’t find the ultimate answer in this draft, but they could get some talent.

Eddy Curry - He’s been compared to Shaq, but we all know that’s bogus. However, he’s still a physically strong center and a potentially dominating presence in the middle, something the Suns sorely lacked. There are concerns about his attitude and whether or not he can stay in shape, but if he does, then watch out. This was a no-brainer pick.Grade = B

Tony Parker - Parker is a French point guard who plays for Paris Basket Racing(obviously it loses something in the translation). He was rumored at one point to be going as high as the middle of the first round, he went at the tail end of the first round. I have not seen him play, but apparently he is athletic and can run a team pretty well. Grade = INC

Overall : No great debate was needed for the Suns GM. He made the obvious picks. Grade = B

<u>Portland -</u> Portland didn’t need anything at all. Though they might consider trading away that bum Paul Pierce, I heard he still likes Boston . . .

Zach Randolph - Randolph is the offensively gifted forward out of Michigan St. Standing 290 lbs if he weighs an ounce, Randolph can get inside position at will, and uses that effectively as he has very good post moves. Randolph has had a checkered past, and it should be interesting to see how he respond to the “tutelage” of such level-headed good Samaritans as Shawn Kemp and Rasheed Wallace. I hope he enjoys sitting. Grade = B -

Overall : They could’ve used a point guard or a center, but they took a player who plays the position they have the most strength at. Grade = B -

<u>Sacramento -</u> Sacramento had the last two picks of the first round, and could not expect to get any real contributors with them. That’s fine, because the only position they really could have used help at was the center position, but considering the Kings closed out the center on an unbelievable hot streak, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem

Gilbert Arenas - This was a steal. Arenas is a pure basketball player with an ability to get an open shot, and the ability to drain that shot when he gets it. He won’t get off the bench much his first year, but when he does he should be able to score. Grade = A

Ousmanne Cisse - Cisse is a beast of a rebounder who’s last-name is a clear misnomer. He however apparently has a knee injury, and might not contribute any next year. He will definitely take a few years of seasoning before he makes an impact, but when he does he’ll make it on the defensive glass. Grade = INC

Overall : Considering what picks the Kings had, they did remarkably well. They might not have gotten stars, but they did get two solid bench contributors for the next couple of years. Grade = A

<u>Seattle -</u> Seattle, despite ending the season on a tear, finished on the outside of the playoffs. After the season, they traded Penny Hardaway and picked up rising star Keyon Dooling. With Dooling in the fold, Seattle will be looking for some size to complement their excellent swingmen. Seattle had the 5th pick in the draft, but in a draft day deal traded it to the Rockets for Keith Van Horn and a later rookie pick. Though they wouldn’t be able to pick up a premier center, they might still be able to pick up a decent big man late in the draft.

Stephen Hunter - Hunter is 7’, 230lbs of athletic center who left DePaul early for the NBA draft. Unfortunately, he’s a pretty big project with suspect defense and poor offense. He wasn’t a terrific rebounder, but if he improves a bit, he could be a pretty good center. Grade = B +

Overall : Seattle got themselves an athletic center who might be a productive player in a year or two. Grade = INC

<u>Toronto -</u> The Toronto Raptors - now under new management. The Raptors were a trading machine in the 2nd season, in the process moving farther and farther down in the rookie draft. They had needs at most positions for either a decent starter or for some decent bench players. Unfortunately they only had a late first-rounder with which to improve.

Joe Forte - Forte was something of a risky pick. He’s a smaller player, but he’s not terribly quick or athletic and his outside shot isn’t a sure thing. He is a scorer though and has an ability to put points on the board, but that was against inferior college competition, not against the big, physical guards of the NBA. Grade = B -

Overall : Toronto needed a lot of help in this draft, but didn’t have the opportunity to get much. Forte will help some, and may step in and start, but I don’t know how much help he’ll be. Grade = B -

<u>Utah -</u> The Utah Jazz were one of the hardest teams to figure out this season. Starting with a lot of depth, that depth was moved to acquire a couple star players. When that didn’t pan out, the star players were moved to acquire more depth, in some cases, in the reverse deal which brought them to Utah. All of this wheeling and dealing left the Jazz with two lottery selections, No. 8, and No. 12. It seems that one of the top teams in the Western Conference shouldn’t get two lottery picks to get that much better, but the Jazz will.

Sagana Diop - Diop is the 7’ 300 lbs Senegalese center who jumped straight from high school to the pros. He’s a defensive maestro who can rebound, block shots, and had a surprisingly good offensive game, he averaged 8 assists per game his senior year. He’s not a stick, like most players who jump early to the pros, so he should see immediate time for the Jazz. Grade = A

Vladimir Radmanovic - Radmanovic is the Yugoslavian forward who came out of nowhere and dazzled scouts in every camp he attended, and every workout he participated in. While I question the forward heavy Jazz taking another one, Radman could turn out to be a pretty good player for them and could facilitate the moving of some of their older players. Grade = B +

Overall : The Jazz had a great draft, especially for such a solid playoff team. They got two players who will play for them immediately, without giving up too much. Grade = A

<u>Vancouver -</u> The Vancouver Grizzlies were coming off a season where they had gone into the season with easily the most talented starting line-up in the game. Unfortunately the grand experiment was a failure, and the Grizz general manager decided to inject some new blood into the line-up by trading for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Vancouver had holes to fill at the SF and C positions.

Eddie Griffin - Griffin may well be the most talented player in this draft. A preeminent shot-blocker with great offensive and defensive skills. He might have problems in the Derrick Coleman mode, but that isn’t an issue in this sim. Grade = B

Overall : The Grizzlies ended up with maybe the most talented player in this draft. It was a no-brainer pick. Grade = B

<u>Washington -</u> The Washington Wizards were perhaps the quietest team in the league this year, however with the end of the season came a storm of change in the most stable team in the league. Heading into the draft, the Wizards had needs at the SF and center position.

Terence Morris - Morris may be one of the most unpredictable players in the draft. He’s got the talent to be a lottery pick, however his demeanor and inability to perform as a team leader caused him to slip in the minds of most GM’s. If Morris performs to his ability, the Wizards will have a major steal on their hands. Grade = A

Overall : The Wizards were in need of a SF after the Croshere acquisition didn’t pan out. They got one of the most physically gifted ones in the draft. Morris will immediately start for the Wizards and bring good offense, good help D. This was a good pick. Grade = B +

[This message has been edited by Puedlfor (edited July 04, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Puedlfor (edited July 04, 2001).]