Joe gets cleaned up for draft day
Draft Dodging - Part I
That annual NBA exercise in guessing, the 2001 NBA Draft, is once again upon us. Coming up on June 27, this year's model promises even more mystery, as there is no consensus number one pick out there. This is a draft full of future promise, as no less than five high schoolers are expected to be taken with the first 10 picks of the draft. Rumor has it that many teams are looking to trade their number one pick. So, are there any Kobe Bryants or Kevin Garnetts out there? Well, Joe doesn't pretend to know much about those prospects - but I'll lay out a road map to this draft based on what I've seen and heard thus far. Part I will deal with the draft itself - who's out there, what teams are looking to draft them, and how the whole thing may (or may not) play out. Part II will deal specifically with the Nets and their potential draft day moves.
The Teams
Wow, this is not a deep draft by any means...Anyway, who are the lucky lottery winners hoping and praying to draft the next Michael or Shaq and save their franchise? Let's review the list of the most needy, i.e. the Top 10 teams. Because let's face it - any pick after 10 is a crapshoot anyway. By all accounts, the Washington Wizards, holders of the first pick, may be looking to deal, especially if Sir Michael Jordan decides to follow through on the rumored comeback attempt. The Clippers pick at #2, and they once again find themselves looking at drafting another Darius Miles - young buck with tons of potential but no immediate payback. Same holds true for #3 Atlanta - they've got too many young players already. At four and five are two teams who, despite the odds, managed to fall backwards in the draft - Chicago and Golden State. Both teams have too many needs to mention. The Grizzlies at #6 are so bad they need a transplant to another city, for crying out loud. The Nets, picking 7th, we'll deal with in part II. Cleveland in the 8th spot has many needs and 2 first round draft picks (the other at #20). Detroit and Boston, rounding out the top 10, are two once-proud franchises hoping for a serious shot in the arm, a la Bird and Hill. Here's the brief rundown of needs by team.
1. Washington Wizards - Need nothing if Michael returns, right? If they don't trade the pick for veterans, will pick best available player. And that is...??
2. Los Angeles Clippers - Young, talented, & another high draft pick - watch out, Lakers. Could use a big-time center or another forward.
3. Atlanta Hawks - Younger still, they've got talent at the guard and center. A big man, center or forward, would be a great help. But could also deal for a vet.
4. Chicago Bulls - Should yell "Do over!!" as bad as they've been since Michael left. Need everything and anything. Should be interesting to see what the fat man does.
5. Golden State Warriors - Need a faster Marc Jackson with this pick. Or anyone who can help out, anywhere. The drop to #5 could set the franchise back once again.
6. Vancouver (?) Grizzlies - Another team with needs everywhere. When you consistently reach the levels of suck, everything is open for discussion...
7. New Jersey Nets - Stay tuned.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - They need to find scorers, everywhere. Almost anyone is a possibility here.
9. Detroit Pistons - Need another scorer to take the pressure off of Stackhouse. Or anyone who can contribute consistently for new coach Rick Carlisle.
10. Boston Celtics - How the mighty have fallen. Needs: everything. How about a nice point guard who can actually play or a big scoring center?
The Players
Have I mentioned that this is not a deep draft? It appears that any player taken in the first 8 or 10 spots could turn out to be the pick of the draft - the potential of prospective draftees is that hard to measure. Once again, I'll try to point out the top 10 or so players to be drafted, with the caveat that this is no exact science. Feel free to write in and disagree with my list, but please don't hold me to anything. I'd sooner be able to pick the winning lottery numbers than be able to accurately predict an NBA draft, even in the first 10 spots. Here are the players that come highly rated, and potentially top 10 material, in no particular order but position:
Centers: Eddie Curry, HS; Sagana Diop, HS; Loren Woods, Arizona; Michael Bradley, Villanova; Brendan Haywood, North Carolina.
Forwards: Eddie Griffin, Seton Hall; Kwame Brown, HS; Tyson Chandler, HS; Shane Battier, Duke; Zack Randolph, Michigan State; Richard Jefferson, Arizona; Troy Murphy, Notre Dame.
Guards: Jamaal Tinsley, Iowa State; Jason Richardson, Michigan State; Joe Forte, North Carolina.
The Outlook
How deep is this draft, you say? About as deep as one of George W. Bush's speeches, says Joe. Anyway, let's play mix and match, just for fun (and let's assume no trades, which is as ridiculous as any assumption you make in Economics):
1. Washington Wizards - Eddie Griffin, F. Jordan can't pass him up.
2. The Los Angeles Clippers - Eddie Curry, C. Great pick.
3. Atlanta Hawks - Kwame Brown, F. Pretty soon Hawks will have "Under 21" lineup.
4. Chicago Bulls - Tyson Chandler, F. Best on the board, and Bulls can wait...
5. Golden State Warriors - Sagana Diop, C. Warriors need tall bodies, best one left.
6. Vancouver (?) Grizzlies - Jason Richardson, G. Trendy pick, what the hell...
7. New Jersey Nets - Suspense is killing you, right?
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Troy Murphy, F. Surprise everyone here, looking for the next Bird.
9. Detroit Pistons - Zack Randolph, F. Pistons excited to take him, another Michigan State alum.
10. Boston Celtics - Jamaal Tinsley, G. The point guard they desperately need...
So that wraps up Part I for now - I'll try to update these guesses if and when I hear any news of note. Look for Part II of Draft Dodging, where Joe will focus solely on the Nets and their misery.
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