This Thursday will mark the 2008 NBA draft. After a year of research and analysis, 30 teams will attempt to acquire the next Kobe Bryant. At this point, the only sure thing appears to be Michael Beasley and Derek Rose. (not necessarily in that order) Now given the fact that the "experts" are wrong a lot more often than they're right, it's interesting to hear the justification for their choices--and second guess them. I'm always intrigued by the guys they seem to have missed. How was Carlos Boozer still available at number 35? Or Michael Redd at number 55? Would you believe Samaki Walker and Todd Fuller (who?) were drafted before Kobe?
This past season saw Chris Paul single handedly elevate the New Orleans Hornets to another level. Suddenly, 5 of the top 10 teams in this years draft want a point guard. The point is without a doubt the most difficult position for making the transition from college to the pros. There is a list a mile long of players in the rec leagues around the country that were at one time can't miss point guards in the NBA. For every Chris Paul and Deron Williams there are a dozen Sebastian Telfairs.
I heard a very interesting comment while watching the game on Tuesday night. Mark Jackson pointed out that the reason players are limited to 3 seconds in the paint at both ends of the floor, is because that's where the game is won and lost. I'm old school. A basketball team is built from the inside out. The athleticsm of a point guard may be fun to watch, but at the end of the day, the objective is to win the game, and that's not going to happen in the backcourt. Without the pieces already in place, no point guard is going to drastically change your basketball team. Ask Mark Cuban. Case in point: the 3 best point guards in basketball, watched the Championship on television. One couldn't even make the playoffs.
There are a number of 7 footers in this draft that are potential game changers. Some may not be ready to step in now and some may never develop into All-Stars, but most have too much upside to be ignored. In a previous blog, I had Brook Lopez going to Seattle at number 4. It appears the Sonics are one of the teams looking to acquire a point guard (I have no idea why), and Lopez is now rumored to be the 1st intelligent decision Michael Jordan will make. Kosta Koufos, Roy Hibbert, and DeAndre Jordan are also worth the risk. Again I'll say it--you can't teach 7 feet.
Between me and the scouts, one of us is going to look like an idiot, but over the last 3 years, my record is better than theirs. I'm playing with the house's money.
As always, we appreciate your stopping by. Got 2 cents? Leave it for us.
Consecutive Playoff Streaks
Comments (26)
First of all I think its weird they are having this huge event on a Thursday. The NFL gets it right by putting it on the weekend.
Roy 4 Cassidy | 06/21/08, 02:31 AM
Report Offensive CommentI feel ya on the old school style Holly, but in this specific case I think Rose is the better pick over Beasley for the Bulls, dont you?
Roy 4 Cassidy | 06/21/08, 02:33 AM
Report Offensive CommentYes, since they originally thought Beasley was a power forward, only to discover he's only a 3, Rose is probably the better choice.
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 06/21/08, 07:54 AM
Report Offensive CommentPlease teams be stupid and pick a guard instead of Lopez so he can drop to #9 or the Cats can trade up for him
Good blog,please never mention Chris Paul again in an nba draft blog, bad memories for not trading up, anyway i agree 100 percent with u execpt that I hope there stupid and do what ESPN.COM thinks there going to do
Ny | 06/21/08, 08:39 AM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog, Hllywd, but don't you think it's a little early to give up on Bassy Telfair? Also, the transition for point guards in being made easier by some teams with a superstar wing player. If you read the article in SI about point guards in the draft this week, you would understand that the role PGs play on a team with a player such as Kobe and LeBron is becoming smaller and smaller. They are no longer expected to create everything for the offense as the wing player can also do that now.
I'm sorry, but I respectfully disagree with you that teams are made from the inside out. Trust me when I say this, one good point guard changes everything for a team. Just ask Byron Scott. Granted, Chandler is a force, but CP3 is what makes that team go. His leadership, decisions-making, and tough play all help the Hornets tremendously.
I, personally, have Brook Lopez going at #3 to the T'Wolves. They already have Foye who is a combo guard (as is Mayo, Gordon, Westbrook, and Jerryd Bayless. Koufos will turn into another Mehmet Okur and Hibbert will be a bust. DeAndre may turn into something though. And, sorry, I left a whole lot more than just two cents.
G.O.A.T. | 06/21/08, 09:30 AM
Report Offensive CommentThanks G.O.A.T---Chris Paul is without a doubt the exception, not the rule; as are the Kobe's and LeBrons. I mentioned "unless the pieces are already in place." Teams have looking for a Chris Paul for 15 years. I need better odds than that. Lopez to the T-Wolves was the original plan. Now they are leaning toward Jerryd Bayless. At the end of the day, name a contender without a man in the middle.
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 06/21/08, 09:47 AM
Report Offensive CommentThe Lakers had Pau Gasol, and I'm not even sure if he counts. That softie needs to play tougher. Of course, he was manhandled by Garnett and Perkins, and the Celtics ended up winning. Nonetheless, I get your point.
G.O.A.T. | 06/21/08, 09:56 AM
Report Offensive CommentThat's because he isn't a center. He's a 4. They probably would have faired with Bynum.
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 06/21/08, 10:22 AM
Report Offensive Comment"faired better"--sorry
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 06/21/08, 10:22 AM
Report Offensive CommentOuch! - Did you have to remind me of Todd Fuller?
Thugmeister | 06/21/08, 11:38 AM
Report Offensive CommentGreat blog Hllywd...the recent issue of SI has the Bucks selecting Joe Alexander while Kevin Love is still available and so is Eric Gordon. If Love is available for the Bucks, they should take him.
DYHARD SI DOUG HEFERNAN | 06/21/08, 11:47 AM
Report Offensive CommentGood post, Hllywd... except it would be "fared better"... ;-)
I've just been arguing the same thing recently:
http://www.fannation.com/throwdowns/show/184657
Bigalke | 06/21/08, 12:11 PM
Report Offensive CommentGreat blog Hllywd...the recent issue of SI has the Bucks selecting Joe Alexander while Kevin Love is still available and so is Eric Gordon. If Love is available for the Bucks, they should take him.
dyhard needs two Lambos | 06/21/08, 11:47 AM
The Bucks will mess it up yet again... can you say Bogut? Yi? D'oh!!
Bigalke | 06/21/08, 12:12 PM
Report Offensive CommentThe Bucks will mess it up yet again... can you say Bogut? Yi? D'oh!!
Bigalke | 06/21/08, 12:12 PM
Couldn't have said it better myself, since the scouting report on Alexander lists him as a "project" not ready for prime time.
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 06/21/08, 12:24 PM
Report Offensive CommentHllywd...I will give you more than a few cents on this one.
First of all, since Portland's last GM (John Nash) passed on both Chris Paul and Deron Willams some 3 years ago, can everyone please STOP mentioning their names??? Too damn painful!
As it is right now, it is clear to everyone that Portland is one true PG away from being a serious contender.
About this upcoming draft, I think the only sure things are Rose Augustin, and Love. Why?
We know Rose is a pure PG blessed with size, speed, athleticism, skills, smarts, etc...
As for Love, we should have a good idea by now of what he can and cannot do. He seems to have all the skills to be an "old school" post player, but he is likely to be too short and slow to do so.
Likewise for Augutin. He is a true PG with court vision, speed, good athleticism, and smarts. But again, he is small even by PG standards. So the question is...is he more of a Chris Paul (damn, I did it again!) or a Telfair? We'll find out.
Other than the seven footers who will be assigned as a center by default, I think most of the top guys are combo players with undefined roles at this point (Beasley, Mayo, Westbrook, etc...)
I look forward to Thursday since Portland's Kevin Pritchard always make things interesting on draft day.
There...that should be equivalent of a couple of bucks. =)
Odenator...I'll be baack! | 06/21/08, 12:41 PM
Report Offensive CommentThanks Odenator, unlike most of the teams with the early 1st round picks, the Blazers have the pieces in place. They are in fact a point guard away from becoming a contender-- but the Knicks...the T-Wolves...the Sonics? Half the freakin' draft wants a point guard. And it's all just a knee-jerk reaction to the success of the Hornets. Another reason Paul was in fact the MVP. He transcends conventional wisdom.
Hllywd: Old Schoolin' | 06/21/08, 01:25 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog Hllywd. I agree with you, and that's why, if I'm the Wolves, I wouldn't even be looking at Mayo right now. It's either Love or Lopez.
Denis24: Dream > Redeem | 06/21/08, 01:33 PM
Report Offensive CommentYou impress me with your knowledge of basketball, Hllywd.
Good blog.
no name at all | 06/21/08, 01:53 PM
Report Offensive Comment...its gonna be a great draft for big men......and like you say, you cant teach 7 feet....and this years crop have good offensive skills. not many stiffs....
privateer | 06/21/08, 02:10 PM
Report Offensive CommentHey! You get all of these comments, but the last group blog (mine) had none!
Cheezhead | 06/21/08, 02:24 PM
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