2009 NBA Draft Thread

[hawkeyecub]

but they were all better defenders than blair, too, so it evens out.

 

yeah but defense doesn't translate to the nba if you're a lazy fatass; if you can't get off the couch without gasping for breath then you're probably not going to guard an nba power forward.

 

well, i think work ethic is subjective. robert traylor was pretty much an identical player in college. if traylor's talent in lieu of work ethic put him in blair's class alone.....well, you can't teach talent.

 

No Traylor was not even close to the rebounder Blair was. Blair is statistically the best rebounder in college history.

 

traylor wasn't close? huh?

 

but seriously, where is your link for rebounding statistics?

 

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

[Magnetic Curses]

omg it's laurens.

[hawkeyecub]

Danny Green is a great pick for the Cavs. He'll be in their rotation and will improve that team.

 

I've just gotten back to the computer, and I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. Is this the Cavs' pick or is it going to Phoenix?

 

My understanding is it's Cleveland's.

 

He's a perfect fit for them. Great perimeter defender who can shoot from deep.

[Cubswin11]

The Suns just love taking the crappy half of the brother-brother duos.

[TruffleShuffle]

analyst mentions white guy with floppy hair was teammate of ricky rubio.

 

30 seconds later, stuart scott: "had a pretty good teammate over there... guy by the name of ricky rubio"

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Danny Green is a great pick for the Cavs. He'll be in their rotation and will improve that team.

 

I've just gotten back to the computer, and I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. Is this the Cavs' pick or is it going to Phoenix?

 

My understanding is it's Cleveland's.

 

He's a perfect fit for them. Great perimeter defender who can shoot from deep.

 

That's what I'm seeing now too. Great pick, non-guaranteed money, similar skillset to Young, and saving money on the foreign 1st rounder lets them have more flexibility in free agency. Nicely done, Danny Ferry.

[Magnetic Curses]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

[hawkeyecub]

Ford says what we were saying earlier with Blair. It's like getting Parker at 29 and Ginobli late in the second. These guys just fall in their lap.

 

He said Summers, Jerbeko and Budinger all had 1st round grades so that's quite a haul in the 2nd round. EDIT: Apparently Budinger is headed to Houston

 

Of course Goran Suton is going to the Jazz.

Edited June 26, 2009 by hawkeyecub

[Magnetic Curses]

kind of like getting sean may at any pick in the draft.

[hawkeyecub]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

 

And look at how far he is from all of them by percentage. Then look at where any of those guys are in defensive rebound percentage.

 

They had another article that showed him as the best overall rebounder in college history. Rebounding is one of the highest translated stats from NCAA to NBA.

[Vanilla Ice]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

That's a huge difference in rebounding percentage between Blair and the others.

[Magnetic Curses]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

 

And look at how far he is from all of them by percentage. Then look at where any of those guys are in defensive rebound percentage.

 

They had another article that showed him as the best overall rebounder in college history. Rebounding is one of the highest translated stats from NCAA to NBA.

 

we'll see how he does. i'm betting he does just as well as any other undersized power forward who physically dominated college players.

[Magnetic Curses]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

That's a huge difference in rebounding percentage between Blair and the others.

 

yeah, but look who they are. not exactly bill walton, shaquille o'neal, and tim duncan.

[Vanilla Ice]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

That's a huge difference in rebounding percentage between Blair and the others.

 

yeah, but look who they are. not exactly bill walton, shaquille o'neal, and tim duncan.

Yeah, but nobody is saying that Blair is Walton, Shaq, or Duncan

[Guest]

Blair is a good pick outside the lotto. Not all short, wide guys are going to have the poor success that Traylor had in the NBA. Blair's game is more advanced, he has a better work ethic and his rebounding will translate well. But when you get into the 20s and into the 2nd round, he's an amazing value.

 

Way better value than Taj Gibson.

[SpongeWorthy]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

 

And look at how far he is from all of them by percentage. Then look at where any of those guys are in defensive rebound percentage.

 

They had another article that showed him as the best overall rebounder in college history. Rebounding is one of the highest translated stats from NCAA to NBA.

 

we'll see how he does. i'm betting he does just as well as any other undersized power forward who physically dominated college players.

 

That's pretty dumb. The spectrum of undersized power forwards ranges from training camp fodder to all time NBA greats.

[Magnetic Curses]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

That's a huge difference in rebounding percentage between Blair and the others.

 

yeah, but look who they are. not exactly bill walton, shaquille o'neal, and tim duncan.

Yeah, but nobody is saying that Blair is Walton, Shaq, or Duncan

 

i was being a little facetious.

[Magnetic Curses]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

 

And look at how far he is from all of them by percentage. Then look at where any of those guys are in defensive rebound percentage.

 

They had another article that showed him as the best overall rebounder in college history. Rebounding is one of the highest translated stats from NCAA to NBA.

 

we'll see how he does. i'm betting he does just as well as any other undersized power forward who physically dominated college players.

 

That's pretty dumb. The spectrum of undersized power forwards ranges from training camp fodder to all time NBA greats.

 

o yeah? well, i think ur dumb, too.

 

but seriously, most of them have been bad.

[Keener98]

The people comparing James Johnson to Tyrus Thomas really have no idea wtf they are talking about.

[SouthSideRyan]

No.

 

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=580

 

impressive. tracy smith, aleks maric, sean may. kind of makes you wonder why he went where he did, eh?

That's a huge difference in rebounding percentage between Blair and the others.

 

yeah, but look who they are. not exactly bill walton, shaquille o'neal, and tim duncan.

Yeah, but nobody is saying that Blair is Walton, Shaq, or Duncan

 

Hawkeye seems to think he's all 3 rolled into 1.

[hawkeyecub]

The people comparing James Johnson to Tyrus Thomas really have no idea wtf they are talking about.

 

Really? I think you have no idea wtf you're talking about. I'd love to hear you explain though.

 

Because that's one of the guys his statistical translations compare him to. It's also a guy scouts have compared him to. He's more of an undersized 4 than a 3. His main skill is his athleticism. Johnson is stronger, Thomas was a better shot blocker.

 

Oh and there's this gem from Chad Ford: 'The Bulls have wanted Johnson for a while. He's a good athlete who can play the 3 and the 4 on both ends of the floor. His game needs to develop, but when he gets going, he's something. He reminds me a little of Chicago's Tyrus Thomas in one way -- he'll play great one minute and have his coach pulling his hair out the next. With Thomas on the trade block, Johnson may ultimately be his replacement.'

 

But yeah Ford has no idea wtf he's talking about. Neither do the other scouts who've made that comparison. And you know what, the translated numbers have no idea wtf they're talking about either.

 

If Thomas is on the block it makes sense. But then they take Tyrus Thomas without the upside later in the 1st round is just puzzling.

Edited June 26, 2009 by hawkeyecub

[hawkeyecub]

Yeah, but nobody is saying that Blair is Walton, Shaq, or Duncan

 

Hawkeye seems to think he's all 3 rolled into 1.

 

I think he's better than those 3 combined into 1. You left out Barkley and Rodman.

 

No I just think he's a sure thing to be a beast on the boards and will be a starter soon. Wouldn't be surprised to see him starting alongside Duncan later on this year. And then everyone will again talk about what geniuses the Spurs are for finding a later pick who's a stud.

[Keener98]

The people comparing James Johnson to Tyrus Thomas really have no idea wtf they are talking about.

 

Really? I think you have no idea wtf you're talking about. I'd love to hear you explain though.

 

Because that's one of the guys his statistical translations compare him to. It's also a guy scouts have compared him to. He's more of an undersized 4 than a 3. His main skill is his athleticism. Johnson is stronger, Thomas was a better shot blocker.

 

Oh and there's this gem from Chad Ford: 'The Bulls have wanted Johnson for a while. He's a good athlete who can play the 3 and the 4 on both ends of the floor. His game needs to develop, but when he gets going, he's something. He reminds me a little of Chicago's Tyrus Thomas in one way -- he'll play great one minute and have his coach pulling his hair out the next. With Thomas on the trade block, Johnson may ultimately be his replacement.'

 

But yeah Ford has no idea wtf he's talking about. Neither do the other scouts who've made that comparison. And you know what, the translated numbers have no idea wtf they're talking about either.

 

If Thomas is on the block it makes sense. But then they take Tyrus Thomas without the upside later in the 1st round is just puzzling.

 

1st off hes 6 8 255lbs and can handle the ball. He was a point guard in HS, and has been said to have some of the best handles of anyone in this draft. His offensive game is so much farther ahead than Tyrus Thomas's right now. JJ is alot tougher, and not afraid to go inside and bang around with people, unlike Tyrus. James Johnson already has a mid range jumper, unlike Tyrus Thomas. Really they are very different types of players. Just read this scouting report of him and tell me he sounds like Tyrus Thomas.

 

Strengths: Extremely skilled and versatile forward … Great physical package, combining size, strength, athleticism and an impressive 7’1 wingspan … His frame is very nicely developed, with strong shoulders and a wide base …He has a very refined scoring touch and knows how to put the ball in the basket … Proved that he is very comfortable handling the ball in all situations, including in transition while going full speed and still keeping his head up, looking to make plays … Has shown that he excels in a point forward role, where he can use his playmaking ability to create for teammates and himself … He has advanced moves off the dribble; hesitation, crossover, spins, in& outs as well as nice ability to make a second counter move … Has a lot of confidence in his outside shot, and proved that he has range beyond the college 3 … … Operates nicely out of the triple threat, where he utilizes a good shot fake as well as long jabs that get the defender off balance … His game is extremely potent out of the mid to high post where he can face up and attack or back people down … He is very comfortable going to and finishing with both hands … Using his size and length while attacking, he is able to protect the ball and finish with extreme efficiency … He’s good at keeping his balance while attacking contact, which gives him a good chance to convert in traffic and against help defense … Has become very confident operating on the block with his back to the basket … His wide base allows him to get good position, where he can seal and receive the ball very deep … He has nice patience inside, a variety of moves and extremely good footwork which makes him a difficult match up … Can effectively turn to both shoulders … Uses a nice spin move, where he covers a lot of ground but can still keep his balance … Is very aggressive going to the glass, and likes crashing the O glass … Has improved his stats across the board in his sophomore season …

 

 

Thats from draft.net. Look its easy to compare him to Tyrus Thomas since he went to the Bulls, but they arent the same type of player at all. His ball handling skills by themselves seperate him from TT so much that its laughable. Nevermind the fact hes 40-50lbs bigger, has an outside shot, and will mix it up down low.

 

Oh and the comparison from Chad Ford give me a break. He says he reminds him of TT in 1 WAY! And that 1 way has nothing to do with the talents of either player, hes talking about how both seem to take plays off. Well almost all college players, and NBA players take plays off. Again he wasnt comparing their actual GAME!

[bukie]

I don't always agree with him, but Bill Simmons writes one funny draft diary.

 

My favorite excerpts:

4:57: In desperate need of a point guard, Sacramento takes … Tyreke Evans. It's as if these GMs are trying to hurt me. I feel physically ill.

 

Tyreke's weaknesses, according to our ESPN.com Draft Card: "Can be selfish … over-dribbles … lacks consistent range on his jump shot … not a super explosive leaper … poor shot selection." They left out, "Not a natural point guard," and "drove a getaway car during a drive-by shooting but was not charged by police."

 

4:58: Shaking my head.

 

4:58: Still shaking my head.

 

4:58: Bilas loves the pick but says, "He's a little bit ball-dominant, he needs to have the ball in his hands, and he's not a good shooter." Ball-dominant … isn't that a nice way of calling someone a ball hog? Where is my Jay Bilas Thesaurus?

 

...

 

6:30-6:50: Sorry, I was eating leftover pasta during this stretch. The CliffsNotes version: Darren Collison to New Orleans; Victor Claver to Portland (yet another talented foreign player for the Blazers to stash); a bumpy Shaq interview with Lisa Salters that Shaq started by sending his condolences to the Jackson family; Omri Casspi (the Israeli Matt Harpring) to Sacramento; B.J. Mullens (this year's token white center who will bounce around for eight years without ever making a dent) to Dallas; Rodrigue Beaubois (the French Leandro Barbosa) to the Zombies; and Taj Gibson to Chicago. The highlight: Gibson getting this year's "Must Improve: Shooting in traffic" graphic instead of Tyreke Evans.

[imb]

"Coach told me I would be the point guard and I didn't know what to do." - Tyreke Evans