I’m waiting for a conference call with my bosses at home, so I’m reading some more about the draft (I’m obsessed) in the meantime.
Reading the Great Draft Debate ’08: Simmons and Ford make their lottery picks.
Since they’re doing in-depth analysis and comedic jabs, I’ll do my own of what they say (less of the funny, unfortunately)
Bill Simmons on Michael Beasley:
Beasley is a superb scorer and rebounder, but from what I’ve seen, he doesn’t give you anything else — he’s the kind of guy who puts up a 27-12 and gives up a 26-11 on the other end. He doesn’t seem to have any leadership qualities whatsoever. Do you honestly see him leading an NBA champion some day?
Think about Kobe in 1996 when he got drafted out of high school. We could have said the same back then (and maybe could say it now, ouch). Kobe took a while before he became the noted defender he is now as well. Mike Beasley IS 19 YEARS OLD.
(I am a Beasley fan, by the way, but not against Rose. I think they’ll both be fine)
One thing that stood out for me with Beasley is that he has a negative rep for being immature and a big joker, but when asked about it he said something like “Yeah, I’m a little immature sometimes, but what do you expect? I’m 19. I act like a normal 19 year old because that’s what I am”.
To me, that’s mature. Seriously.
About Kevin Love, I think he will prove to be fine athletically. He has a 35 inch vertical, he’ll get in better shape and lose more weight/get stronger, and he seems like someone who kicks ass, a bruiser with skills and brain. Carlos Boozer (seems amazing he was a 2nd rounder now, especially when he had a fabulous college career) isn’t the greatest athlete ever either, but people seem to think he’s good. Kevin Love, if he’s black, people don’t complain as much, honestly I believe that.
About Derrick Rose:
I loved Derrick Rose at first sight. He’s a great and selfless teammate; he’s a franchise point guard entering a league in which point guards have become inordinately valuable; he’s got a great name (never underestimate the value of a great name); he was the best player on an extremely successful college team; and in short, after watching him a few times, I would have bet my life on him making multiple All-Star appearances (barring injury).
I agree. I kind of feel like a good name, as retarded as that sounds (of course, Blink backs me up on this too) really makes a difference. Joe Smith, Bimbo Coles, didn’t work out so well for those guys did they?
Anyway, my perspective on the Warriors in the draft (8 hours away!)
I want the Warriors to pull a major trade, but it’s really not going to happen. Realistically. But I’m hoping. Kevin Love. OJ Mayo. Michael Beasley (it’d be like Webber/Nelson Part 2).
Here’s what will likely go down:
Kosta Koufos: heard he got really good workouts, but what bothers me most is that he’s not an aggressive player. Some snippets from Draft Express’ stats analysis of him:
- Kosta Koufos and DeAndre Jordan all struggled to find the open man out of double teams.
- (Free Throws Attempted Per 40 Mins) Kosta Koufos ranks last of all the centers, a surprising number for a player with his plethora of skills on the offensive end.
Jason Thompson: A lot of people are saying the Warriors like him a lot. He’s got good size, but went to a small school, and so a lot of people thinking he’s a reach at 14. If the Warriors like him a lot though, they WILL pick him, Don Nelson does not give a crap. He drafted Latrell Spreewell in 1992. I was 11 and listened to it on the radio. I remember Jim Barnett (I think) had to go to the bathroom or something and then when he came back everyone talked about Spree, with no one really knowing a whole lot on him.
2 years later. Spree was a superstar.
Anyway, I’d rather they reach and get Thompson because Nelson is a supreme talent evaluator, and if they get him, that means he knows something.
Good player on both sides of the ball, can shoot, athletic. I’d be fine with this pick, he’d probably be better than people think of him now if he starts with the Warriors. Maybe I’m thinking Latrell again.
The truth is I trust any pick made by Don Nelson. (ignore Chris Mullin as GM, though Chris is getting better for sure)
If as Chad Ford says about the Grizzlies:
If that’s the case, why is he trying to give away the No. 5 to anyone who’ll take Brian Cardinal in a deal?
Marco + #1 for the #5 + $10M trade exception + Brian Cardinal. The Custodian comes home where it all started! Warriors get Kevin Love.
And on the Warriors:
The other guy I like for them is Chris Douglas-Roberts, a really quirky offensive player who will succeed only with a specific kind of coach: Someone who loves isolation matchups and pitting good one-on-one players against guys who have no chance of guarding them. You know, someone exactly like Don Nelson.
I like the Douglas-Roberts pick. Don’t mind it for the same reasons as with Brandon Rush.
Russell Westbrook: Just watch the video and let your jaw drop:
Tags: Basketball, derrick rose, don nelson, draft, kevin love, michael beasley, nba, warriors
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