NBA Lottery, Take I
Uncategorized May 23rd. 2007, 5:35pm
(Because we loved it so much, we’re breaking the lottery into two posts. There will be another later today.)
Where to start with the terribly exciting NBA draft lottery? The unlucky Celtics, who went from exhilaration to depression in the opening of an envelope? They got fucked and we found it funny. Couldn’t happen to a nicer GM. We’re in the minority, but we can’t see Danny Ainge taking Yi Jianlian.
The Phoenix Suns? No lottery pick for them, but strangely, they’re not too depressed. That’s odd - they just lost all bargaining power to trade away $16 million man Shawn Marion. Do you think someone’s going to take Marion, the 21st and 29th picks for a Top 5 choice?
The Memphis Grizzlies? Ah, nobody cares about those guys, anyway.
But enough about the losers.
Winners? Portland, obviously. Still think they’ll grab Kevin Durant, no matter what Chad Ford tells you. Everyone keeps saying the Blazers will deal Zach Randolph away to make room for Oden … but uh, who is going to want a black hole with an affinity for trouble and an $84 million contract? Durant gives you this lineup: last year’s No. 1, LaMarcus Alridge, Randolph, and Durant, with Brandon Roy and Sergio Rodrigeuz in the backcourt. Looks like a sixth seed out West to us.
Atlanta is in position to do some damage, seeing as it has some great trade bait (Marvin Williams, either Josh), plus the 3rd and 11th pick. To everyone who wants Mike Conley at three - no point guard has left after his freshman season and immediately been a factor in the NBA. Chris Paul had two years. It’s simply too high for Conley. Even if we think he’s the next Tony Parker, three is a reach, especially with so much talent and size on board. Can live with him at 11 … after you get a power forward like Al Horford or Brandan Wright.
And finally, Seattle. Let the conspiracy theorists run wild with this - we don’t think Durant OR Oden will wind up with the Sonics if this team does not have a coach, general manager, or home city in the coming weeks. As much as fans don’t want to believe agents can have a say in these matters, we’ll refer you to Steve Francis forcing his way out of Vancouver, and Kobe Bryant winding up with the Lakers.
Is the First Pick a Money Maker? (CNBC)
Portland on a Cloud (ESPN)
20 Responses to “NBA Lottery, Take I”
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May 23rd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
If the Blazers select Durant, they are essentially acknowledging that the Joel Przybilla/Jamaal Magloire hybrid is a championship center. Even Bill Cartwright thinks that’s a stretch. Who, exactly, plays center for the Blazers? Aldridge? Randolph?
Instead of reaching to be provocative, why not examine a more interesting query — namely, how are the Sonics going to handle the Rashard Lewis situation with Durant in camp? A 7-foot center complements everybody (which is why the Blazers would be foolish not to take Oden), but two 6-foot-10 small forwards might constitute a glut. Rather than let Lewis walk, why not arrange a sign-and-trade with Portland, taking Randolph and a draft pick? Seattle gets an inside-outside combo in Allen/Durant and Randolph, Portland gets:
Oden
& Aldridge
& Lewis
& Roy
& Jack
Sick.
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:10 pm
For the whole college year I thought Durant should have been the number one pick, but the last couple weeks I changed my mind. Oden not only gives you post player that can score but he IMMEDIATELY gives you a rebounding and shot blocking prescence. Not too many guys you can say that about. Durant still needs to show me something defensively before I go crazy about him..Oden’s the choice..
Oh and someone call me when conley can make a jump shot..I just dont get the hype on him..
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:14 pm
No.Chance.The.Blazers.Take.Durant.
But even more preposterous is the notion that Sergio Rodriguez is somehow better than Jarrett Jack, and would start over Jack.
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Not a big fan of Jack. I can see Rodriguez playing the Ron Harper role on this team - solid point guard who doesn’t turn it over and runs the break well.
Like Jack as a combo guard … not so much as a PG. Probably just me, though.
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:38 pm
On Conley, Jr.: would someone explain to me why they would take Conley over Acie Law IV in the PG rankings?
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Guesses, SN:
-Conley has a slightly better jumper
-His stop-n-go game in the tourney was unstoppable
-Led his team to Final 4
-more of a pure point than Law
-lefty and his game looks like Tony Parker
Law, while a good lead guard, looks to score more. I dont see that as a problem, and somebody’s going to get a steal.
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:47 pm
I can’t see the Blazers passing on Oden… but they’ll need to trade either Pryzbilla or Randolph to make room.
Probably just wishful thinking, but as a T-Wolves fan knowing that we need size… and that McHale is to stupid to trade Garnett… we should offer Ricky Davis for Pryzbilla and then hopefully pick up someone like a Cory Brewer to replace Davis.
When he tries Davis is a good #3 (and he gets into enough trouble that Portland should love him) and with a true center the T-Wolves should at least get back into the 1st round.
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
You are not the only one who isn’t high on J. Jack- forget a small forward (Udoka plays his Bowen role fine and is a “glue” guy), the thing holding this instantly scary Blazers team back is the PG. I would love for them to make a run at a quality vet PG who can take this team where it needs to go while teaching Sergio how to play D and stay focused throughout the long season.
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Atlanta is in a great position to get much better given their picks and the pieces they already have…but they are run by one of the worst GMs around. It would be fun to see what even a competent GM would do but you know Billy Knight is going to screw things up one way or another.
Oh, and Portland takes Oden.
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:31 pm
They have to take Oden, or Sam Bowie will be spinning in his grave. Oh , wait… Even if Oden is Olowakandi (sp? who cares) (though I highly doubt it) no one will ever question the pick. pLus as many have said you just don’t pass on a 7-footer as athletic as Oden is. Not to mention we all saw how good he can be on the big time college stage against two fellow lottery picks. A stage Kandi never even sniffed.
On the Conley/Law debate I like Conley more down the road as he can get to the basket at will. But I think Law is just that guy you want on your team. He’s not really great at anything but he’s good at everything. I’m hoping he drops to 15 for Detroit (though unlikely) and spends a few years under Mr. Big Shot before taking over the reigns.
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:32 pm
But really, aren’t we all just waiting until “Lost” starts tonight? I know I am.
http://screeningjock.blogspot.com/
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Someone at TBL needs drug-tested. There is absolutely no way the Blazers pass on a guy that can slow down Amare Stoudamire and Tim Duncan inside for a carbon copy of two guys that can barely sniff the playoffs - McGrady and Garnett.
Please put the dope away and think rationally. Of course, it’s always possible that the Blazers are smoking the same stuff and will make that colossal mistake.
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:37 pm
If Portland was in the East they would take Durant. I can’t see them doing anything but draft Oden since they’re in the West. It just makes zero sense if you have to compete against Yao, Boozer, Amare, Camby, Garnett, and Duncan.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:12 pm
TBL: OK. Thanks. I don’t think you can take Conley at 3 as well, and he’s not going to slip to 11 for the Hawks. Law will probably still be there. Conley will go someplace else before that. Honestly, I like Conley, but I think Law had to do more with less, and I’d go with him.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I agree with statement that Portland could get away with drafting Durant in the East. A dominating scorer could probably take you far in the east (See Cavs), but in the West, you need a lot more than just a 25 PPG guy.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:47 pm
” everyone who wants Mike Conley at three - no point guard has left after his freshman season and immediately been a factor in the NBA. Chris Paul had two years.”
umm stephon marbury out of Ga. Tech ? 15.8 ppg to go with 7.8 assists? and the wolves made the playofffs for the first time in their history..
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Exactly. Happened 14 years ago. One in 14 years. And he had KG to work with.
May 23rd, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Hey! I care about the Grizzlies! (Not that I’m anybody)
I want anyone not named Al Horford. Thanks.
Anyone else think there will be a trade storm like last year?
May 24th, 2007 at 1:21 am
Since the whole NBA is still in “what the fuck just happened?” mode after the lottery it’s a pretty safe bet that this wll be a busy year.
Memphis needs to stop their crying and realise that since the Hawks are picking ahead of them they essentially have the third pick - Atlanta always screws the pooch on draft day that’s why they pick in the top eight every friggin’ year.
May 24th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Durant is not just a scorer. The dude has so much heart, I don’t doubt he’ll be a top notch player on a perennial playoff team…
That said, anyone that thinks Pritchard has made up his mind yet is full of baloney. And anyone thinks that the Blazers will wait to see if they can unload a player to choose between the two is also full of baloney and doesn’t know Pritchard. He’ll take the best player available and let the coach figure out how to win with the talent…