| Winners And Losers Of Draft Night Authored by Andrew Theodosi - June 29, 2006 - 2:17 pm
The draft was filled with surprises, ranging from Marcus Williams’ drop to Portland’s six trades to the Rudy Gay deal.
Winners
New Jersey Nets:
#22 – Marcus Williams
#23 – Josh Boone
#54 – Hassan Adams
The Nets had a great night, drafting three potential immediate contributors. They quickly selected Williams after his free-falling, Williams is a true point guard who will shine with Jason Kidd’s tutelage. Like Kidd, Williams pushes the break – look for even more gravity-defying alley-oops this season as Williams is a vastly underrated passer.
Next pick, the Nets selected UConn Huskie (teammate of Williams) Josh Boone. Continuing the trend, Boone is an athletic big man who runs the floor well. He is a solid rebounder and provides some interior defense for the Nets with his rebounds.
Hassan Adams could quite possibly be the steal of this draft, selected at 54 – Adams provides the Nets with another slasher who is in great athletic shape. Adams does not have the highest basketball IQ and often misuses his physique, but with Jason Kidd directing the show – look for some great dunks from this kid. The Nets could have had the greatest night out of all NBA teams, and much praise goes to Rod Thorn for his picks.
Memphis Grizzlies:
#24 – Kyle Lowry
#45 – Alexander Johnson
Eventual acquisition of Rudy Gay
First and foremost, Jerry West made another amazing move with the trade of Shane Battier for Rudy Gay. Rudy Gay possesses possibly the highest skill level out of anyone in the draft and has sky-high potential.
Kyle Lowry is a great PG prospect considering the injury of Stoudemire and possible departure of Bobby Jackson. His speed is TJ Ford-esque and his first step is great, allowing him to get to the basket when he wants. Lowry’s excellent court vision and willingness to make the extra-pass could prove to be invaluable for a team that struggles to understand the concept of “getting the ball to your best player when he’s shooting 50+%.
Memphis traded a future second round pick for chiseled big-man Alexander Johnson. He could live in the NBDL next season, but has the potential to move his way up the Memphis depth chart and into backup PF role. Lorenzen Wright leaving could lead to more playing time for Johnson.
Chicago Bulls
Trade: #2 (LaMarcus Aldrige) to Portland for #4 (Tyrus Thomas) + Viktor Khryapa
Trade: #16 (Rodney Carney) + cash to Philadelphia for #13 (Thabo Sefolosha)
With the first trade, the Bulls got the guy they had been targeting all along in Tyrus Thomas and they squeezed out the long Viktor Khyrapa from Portland. Thomas provides intensity that the Bulls frontcourt so deeply lacks, he also provides some athleticism. Thomas will be able to contribute immediately, with the brunt of it focusing around his defensive abilities – however, look for Thomas to continue improving with his great work-ethic.
The Bulls got the other guy they wanted, Thabo Sefolosha. The first Swiss player to ever enter the league, Thabo brings some great assets to the table. His defensive abilities combined with the fact that he is a big two-guard erase a lot of worries about the defensive backcourt of Hinrich/Gordon. He has the chance to be a great role-player for the Bulls, they can only hope; Josh Howard-esque.
Honorable Mention: Utah Jazz (Ronnie Brewer @ 14, Dee Brown @ 46 + Paul Millsap @ 47). The Jazz got three NBA-ready prospects. Brewer could be considered a steal, Dee Brown works well with Deron Williams and Paul Millsap lead the NCAA in rebounding for three consecutive years.
You’ve read about the winners, here are the possible losers of NBA Draft Night 2006
New York Knicks
#20 – Renaldo Balkman
#29 – Mardy Collins
Would a list about GM mistakes be true without the inclusion of the New York Knicks and Isiah Thomas? The Knicks reached for little-known South Carolina defensive tweener. Considered a hybrid of Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest, the Knicks need Balkman to live up to the expectation and actually contribute. His averages are extremely weak, at less than 10 points per game and only six rebounds per game in a weak conference. Great hustle player who will dive for the loose balls, but when looking at the players he was picked around – he was a reach, despite what was said about Phoenix's interest.
Mardy Collins was a good pick from Isiah, but the inclusion on Balkman is too hard to ignore for the Knicks.
News just in states the Suns were expected to pick Balkman at 21 or 27.
Washington Wizards
#18 – Oleksiy Pecherov
#47 – Vladimir Veremeenko
Star player Gilbert Arenas was recently talking about how he wanted the Wizards to build a contender around him or he will strongly consider opting out of his contract. The Wizards go against that and draft two foreigners who won’t contribute for a while. Pecherov is considered a typical European prospect, tall, shooter and not someone who spends his time in the paint. He needs a few years before he can reach his potential, and there’s the strong possibility that he will be left overseas this season. Pecherov has the chance to be a solid player but the pick rallies against the need of Washington. Veremeenko is another reach and will likely never contribute to the Wizards. They would have been much smarter to have drafted, say; Quincy Douby and Hassan Adams
Dishonorable Mention: Phoenix Suns (Traded Rondo and Rodriguez for cash). The Suns needed money, true, but they passed on numerous backups to Nash. James White would have also been a great fit
Best Undrafted Free Agent: Mike Gansey
Biggest Reach: Saer Sene or Renaldo Balkman
Biggest Steal: Marcus Williams
Most Lopsided Deal: Sergio Rodriguez for cash
Most Underrated Pickup: Ronnie Brewer for Jazz or Bobby Jones for Philadelphia |
