draft review 200.... seven

A team-by-team report on the biggest night in the NBA in a long, long time....

ATLANTA - Thank GOD. They're not falling apart... for now. They did the best thing possible, unless Stoudemire was really coming there. What happened? Who knows. If the Hawks really were the ones to pul the plug on that deal, that's awful. I doubt it was them; I'd like to think the Suns blinked at giving up Amare. I was worried there for a while, though. Imagine if the Hawks turned down a chance to grab Amare, THEN took Yi with that pick. That might have killed the franchise for good. I half-expected to read the news atricle later:

"Former ESPN Page 2 intern Kevin Cott was found dead today after apparently jumping off the Stone Mountain monument. He was found with a ripped picture of Amare Stoudemire and was last seen wearing a 1986 Dominque Wilkins throwback and drinking heavily."

But, they stayed to their senses, I guess, and made the best of it. I think they can start Horford, go small, and be very interesting in the East next year. We'll always wonder... maybe Billy Knight isn't all bad, but more like Elgin Baylor, harassed by terrible owners.

BOSTON - This had to be the most controversial move of the night. I think it's okay. Most are skeptical. If they want a scorer to help out Pierce, they can't do much better. There's no one at that spot who could come in and score like this immediately. They also managed to get someone who can let Pierce stay at the three, and they got rid of Wally. Not bad. They also didn't have to give up Gerald Green or Theo Ratliff's contract. Also good. Then, they drafted Gabe Pruitt and Big Baby David in the second round. So they're not so bad off. That threesome of Pierce, Jefferson, and Allen is better than any trio they've had in the past 15 years. They can make the playoffs next year. It's up to the younger guys to see how far they go.

CHARLOTTE - Despite what certain writers said, I don't know why they would ever want Brandan Wright, with Okafor and May there. They need a center or an off guard who can score. They got that in Jason Richardson. Nice move. Their chances of landing Rashard Lewis or Vince Carter aren't that great, so why not get a wing this way? Jared Dudely was a nice pick later. They might lose Gerald Wallace, but they've got people coming in.

CHICAGO - Noah doesn't answer their post scoring, yes, but maybe there's something to this. We know Memphis was torn between him and Conely for their pick. Is he part of a deal for Gasol? It could happen. So I'll hold off on judging them.

They got a nice pick in the second roung with Pitt's Aaron Gray. He dropped because they think he's slow, but he's the only real center they have now.

CLEVELAND - Do they make a deal for Wally and Rashard Lewis now? They could try. They need shooters.

DALLAS - Nick Fazekas is good, and now they don't ahve to spend cash on people like Austin Croshere and Keith Can Horn just to back up Nowitzki. But they could use a real post scorer...

DENVER - Meh. They got Iverson. They need to be healthy and hope it's enough.

DETROIT - Stuckey and Afflalo are a big help to the bench. They could really use a true center soon, but they'll probably go one more year with older big guys.

GOLDEN STATE - See Charlotte. I like this move. And the Italian shooter, Bellinelli, could be a steal. Now they can go big if they want, and there's no pressure on him right away.

HOUSTON - Really don't understand Aaron Brooks after they just picked up Mike James. Carl Landry helps, but they could have used a big man more.

INDIANA - What to do now.... (blow it up?)

LA CLIPPERS - Everyone is wondering why they took Al Thornton, even if he is a value, when he plays like Magette. I would've gone with Nick Young or Stuckey, but maybe they have something planned. They did get a nice backup point late in Jared Jordan. Do they have enough at center, though?

LA LAKERS - Crittendon is a tall point. That makes sense. Marc Gasol is big. Makes sense. Sun Yue is intersting wing and could be a big draw here. Makes sense all around. Too bad no one is paying attention here to these guys, who are not named Kobe.

MEMPHIS - Conley was nice. They need to make the Gasol to Chicago trade happen. If they can get Noah, Thomas, and Selfosha, they'll have the most athletic team in the league. I don't know if they'll win anything, but they'll be fun to watch.

MIAMI - I thought they wanted a point, but whatever. Crittendon, Law, and Stuckey were gone. Daquean Cook can play next to Wade, I suppose. That's not such a hard task.

MILWAUKEE - Forget what Yi says or how tough it will be to get him there. His style alone is making Mailwaukee look dumb. He's a seven footer who likes to stay outside and shoot, and we don't know if he can rebound or play D yet. Umm.... isn't that just like Charlie Villanueva?

Bad pick, Milwaukee. Bad on several levels. I do like getting depth at the point later, but this made no sense.

MINNESOTA - Brewer and Chris Richard, two Gators, offer immediate help. But do they really want help now, or do they want to make the KG trade work?

NEW JERSEY - Nice move in picking up Sean Williams. They always need post help. Do they now make a big deal to get that last piece?

NEW ORLEANS - Most had them pegged for Nick Young, but Julian Wright was too good to pass up. He can be a great part of this team, and it won't matter much if Peja can ever be healthy.

NEW YORK - I sincerely doubt that Randolph and Eddy Curry will be able to not kill each other this year. It's too hard to have two low post guys getting the ball anymore; usually, like in Toronto or Utah, they have contrasting styles. And where do they play David Lee? Strange trade all around, until you remember that Isiah is in control. At least they got rid of Steve Francis. Maybe they'll just send Zach along later, if he doesn't stab anyone.

ORLANDO - No picks. Too bad their last management team was completely stupid and ditched Gooden and Varejao too quick, then drafted a guy who didn't even bother playing for them. That set off a bad chain of events that led to them shakily investing in Darko and trading away more picks. But if they can land Rashard Lewis and keep the Human Victory Cigar at a decent price, they'll be in good shape.

PHILLY - Ah, yes, the hometowners. They made quite a splash, didn't they? Everyone thought they had Al Thornton down for sure. Then they took the first surprise in Thaddeous Young. I don't think he's much different from Thornton or even any worse. Perhaps teh Sixers realized they couldn't get any decent four man at that spot, so they waited and took the guy with the most potential. Okay. Reasonable move, especially considering that the only decent big guy left, they got anyways with a lower pick.

Still....

I don't know.

This was, for the most part, a good draft. It seemed like teams really knew what they were doing, for once. Very few teams messed up. People questioned the Celtics and Knicks for trades, the Bucks for taking Yi, and that's about it. The only real draft question most people had was, you guessed it, the Sixers. They weren't overly upset. It wasn't a dramatic surprise. Young was rated in the top ten earlier this year, but slipped a little after Green and others moved up.

So, you could say, they were tunfairly scrutinized, being the onyl team peopel could talk abotu because most made good picks. And people weren't even dissing them that much. So it's not like this is another SB move (the official mascot of this blog)... I just hate being the team that raises eyebrows. That always makes me nervous.

Oh well. I like Young, although I will (as I'm sure ohter Sixers fans will) be closely monitoring Young's career compared with Thornton. I don't know if Al would be that better, and they're both wings and unlikely to ever be real four men. Smith can play right away, though we'll see if he has the muscle.

But why trade that last pick? I wanted Big Baby Davis for some muscle. They wanted to dump it. Fair enough. Derrick Byars was a steal in the second round and I think he's got a good chance to stick. So does Herbet Hill, a natural four with good size.

I just wonder what the deal is with taking a wing (and then another late) when they just spent money and/or draft picks on Rodney Carney, Kyle Korver, Willie Green, and Louis Williams. All of those guys figure into theri plans, or at least, I thought they did. The other wing spot is clearly dominated by Iggo... so... why all the wings? Are they stockpiling athletic 6-7 guys for a reason? For now, I'm suspicious.

PHOENIX - I don't care how much your owner is a dick, or how much you hate bringing in rookies. Your team is not as deep as you think, and some of those later round guys could help. I like Tucker here, but they could have also gone for shooters or true points and decided to do nothing. Frustrating.

PORTLAND - I already made the case on Oden vs. Durant. When it was clear they wanted Oden and also wanted Zach out badly, I could understand. But Channing Frye and cap relief? They couldn't do better? They still have no small forward. They did make some nice picks late with Kopponen, McRoberts, and Fernandez. I gues they think free agents are going to come play with Oden. Maybe. Still have to wait on these guys.

SACRAMENTO - Yeah, yeah, everyone's made the joke abotu taking the next Brad Miller when they have the first, and he's going downhill. But really, they needed a big guy. They've got loads of young wings. Unless they know for sure that Artest is going. And even so... this made enough sense... but they have a lot to consider.

SEATTLE - I like this move. I was in favor of them moving Ray for young guys. In Jeff Green they get a guy who can be the perfect complement to Durant. I know they have a bunch of small forwards now, but I expect Sczerbiak to be moved again, and Durant could play a couple positions. I think they might even start the season with him at off guard. Don't really understand bringing in Delonte West, who's a good backup but not any better than the guys they have, unless they're trying to make a bigger deal. And Rashard Lewis is definetly gone now, but that's all part of the process. At least they got the two forwards to build around.

SAN ANTONIO - Tiago Splitter has been mentioned in draft rumors for years. He slipped because of contract issues, but then again, the Spurs don't need him yet. They've drafted well with late overseas picks, and in the next few years, they'll keep brining him in. And unlike Parker or Ginobli, he's a known commoditty. Damn you, Spurs. Marcus Williams has a chance to make it as a wing; they're getting old outside.

TORONTO - No picks, save for anotehr European they mgith use someday. Rumored to be signing Jason Kapono, who's not worth THAT much. I think they go after Gerald Wallace the hardest.

UTAH - Needed defense and shooting at the two. Got shooting with Morris Almond, will likely get defense in free agency.

WASHINGTON - Without any killer big guys left, they pick up even more offense with Nick Young. Nice move. If Blatche or their first rounder last year (perichevo? Pericheov?) ever develops, maybe they'll finally have that post presecne.