J2's Draft Preview

[J2]

In what appears to be one of the deepest drafts in league history, many teams are set to pick up some nice young talent. Once the top talent's gone, things get a bit chaotic, which makes this draft a hard one to predict, but hey, I'll do it anyway. So, without further ado...


#1 Grizzlies - SG Vince Carter
No surprises here. In a draft full of developmental players, Vince Carter is the only 100% surefire prospect available. We saw what his cousin Tracy McGrady was able to do with the Kings last season, and the Grizzlies are hoping that VC will do the same for them one day. One minor issue though - Vince hates Canada, so could this be the end for the "Vancouver" side of the "VanMemphis" Grizzlies?


#2 Portland Trail Blazers - PF Dirk Nowitzki
Another no-brainer. With a 7'6" Monstar named Shawn Bradley at the center position, the opportunity to add a 7' Power Forward to play alongside him is just too good to pass up. With Bradley providing the defense/rebounding and Nowitzki adding the scoring, the Blazers will have a very formidable frontcourt for seasons to come.


#3 Indiana Pacers - SF Paul Pierce
He ain't no Stacey Augmon, but he'll do. The rebuilding Pacers are in drastic need of a true scorer and leader, and Paul's definitely going to be able to provide that one day. Like Augmon, he's completely lacking in one offensive category (JPS instead of Augmon's 3PS), but unlike Augmon, his defensive skills are currently sitting at average (though word is that he has a keen eye for creating turnovers). Still, he's exactly what GM PaulyP needs.


#4 Toronto Raptors - C Brad Miller
While the Indiana native is a bit miffed that the Pacers will pass on him in favor of Pierce, GM Soundwave couldn't be happier. His love for big men is well-known, and now he'll have the opportunity to draft one tailor-made for his type of offense. Somewhat similar to the Hawks' Vlade Divac, Miller's noted for his skills as a rebounder and his potential as a passer, ball handler, post defender, and - get this - three-point shooting. Yes, Miller's a versatile big man with a shooting touch, meaning that between Finley, Billups, Miller, and the still-developing Tim Thomas, the Raptors could boast one of the most multifaceted and dangerous offenses ever seen in Sim League one day.


#5 Cleveland Cavaliers - SF Antawn Jamison
The Cavs are a bit of an enigma, showing characteristics of both a rebuilding and contending team. Antawn Jamison's a good fit for this squad, filling an important need at Small Forward, helping out Williams & Campbell with rebounding, and providing a bit of inside-outside game to compliment Steve Nash and (if he returns) Eddie Jones. One good camp from Jamison and one inked contract from Jones could leave no question as to what Cleveland is - a playoff contender.


#6 Chicago Bulls - PG Mike Bibby
I don't think the Bulls could ask for a better result than Mike Bibby falling to them at #6. With longtime star PG Darrell Armstrong in the last year of his contract, the need for a new floor general is a big one for Chicago. Bibby fills this role perfectly, and - unlike last season's lotto pick Kelvin Cato - is young enough to grow side-by-side with franchise player Kobe Bryant, giving the Bulls a lethal one-two punch once these two get in sync.


#7 Phoenix Suns - SF Rashard Lewis
Speaking of young guys, here's 18-year-old Rashard Lewis. Now I admit, this is a bit of a reach. I actually think the the Suns will look to trade this pick, as there's no standout, "must-have" player for them at this spot. So why Lewis? Well even though they already have a near-identical player in KVH, the Suns are one of the few teams who can afford to draft Rashard and let him develop off the bench. Once he does, the Suns can then move Jemaine O'Neal (who will have finally realized some of his potential by then) to C, and trot out a sizable, interchangeable, and offensively threatening forward combo of KVH/Lewis. Add that to star guard Allen Iverson, and that will be an absolute nightmare for opposing teams to defend.


#8 Los Angeles Lakers - SG Larry Hughes
New GM cchris has some work to do, as the once-formidable LA Lakers are now decidedly rebuilding around young PF Kevin Garnett. Larry Hughes is a very good choice to star alongside KG, as he's a solid two-way guard who can actually contribute a little bit now, as he fills an immediate need (Chris Mills is more of an SF). KG can also serve as a bit of a mentor to the 19-year-old Hughes, showing him how to find success in the NBA the same way he had to. It's a good start to a new day in LA.


#9 Grizzlies - PG Jason Williams
LoCo can't believe his luck. First he hits the jackpot with Vince Carter, and then at #9 he gets the opportunity to draft the answer at a position that's been his bane for a while now - Point Guard. While he just might average as many turnovers as assists, "White Chocolate" Williams will help turn turn the Grizzlies into one of the flashiest, most exciting young teams in the league. Expect a ton of highlight hookups between VC and Jason Williams in the near future.


#10 Utah Jazz - SG Ricky Davis
The Jazz are pretty damn happy with their luck as well. At a time when they could really use a good Shooting Guard, they land a lotto pick in a draft loaded with them. Ricky Davis is an ideal pick for them, as his offensive game looks to be solid, and his defensive game is serviceable as well. He's basically a poor man's Paul Pierce, and a good fit to play alongside Tim Duncan & Stephon Marbury.


#11 Atlanta Hawks - SG Bonzi Wells
Yet another perfect fit, the Hawks end up with the second-most capable perimeter defender in the draft - and he looks to be a capable scorer, which only sweetens the pot for GM WigNosy. The Hawks are a squad with young talent everywhere but the SG spot, making Bonzi a no-brainer at this spot.


#12 New York Knicks - SG Cuttino Mobley
The Knicks are a bit of a skeleton crew, with Larry Johnson and longtime Knick George McCloud as the only bright spots on the Robinson-less Knicks. Unfortunately for the Knicks, this is the exact point when the quality of the talent available shifts - the guys who are left are now smaller, less athletic, and not as all-around talented as their peers. Fortunately for the Knicks, Cuttino Mobley is right here. This guy has the ability to hit from anywhere. A true "pocket rocket," he's basically a smaller Glen Rice. "Small" is exactly why he's not a top pick, though. At 6'4", he's really not the ideal height for a Shooting Guard, and his defensive abilities aren't good enough to slow down speedy Point Guards. Still, he'll be a dangerous player when open, and could eventually provide the young offense punch that the Knicks will need.


#13 Philadelphia 76ers - C Raef LaFrentz
The Sixers are another team under new management, as Prince Amour will step in as the new GM. He'll have a lot of work to do, as the Sixers are another team in desperate need of something. It's a good thing, then, that the second-best Center in the draft falls to the very end of the lottery. It's easy to see why LaFrentz isn't as highly regarded as Brad Miller - he's not as athletic, nor is he as strong a rebounder. He's also not even close to being the kind of ballhandler that Miller is. What he does have is a more well-rounded offensive game and much better defensive capabilities. Strangely enough, he also mirrors Vlade Divac, who spent 6 seasons in Philly. Prince Amour would love to see LaFrentz reach the same level of stardom that Divac reached as a Sixer.

That does it for the lotto picks. Keep an eye out for bonus coverage, and don't forget to leave comments!

[LoCo89]

Dec 6, 2014 19:32:54 GMT -6 J2 said:

In what appears to be one of the deepest drafts in league history, many teams are set to pick up some nice young talent. Once the top talent's gone, things get a bit chaotic, which makes this draft a hard one to predict, but hey, I'll do it anyway. So, without further ado...


#1 Grizzlies - SG Vince Carter
No surprises here. In a draft full of developmental players, Vince Carter is the only 100% surefire prospect available. We saw what his cousin Tracy McGrady was able to do with the Kings last season, and the Grizzlies are hoping that VC will do the same for them one day. One minor issue though - Vince hates Canada, so could this be the end for the "Vancouver" side of the "VanMemphis" Grizzlies?


#2 Portland Trail Blazers - PF Dirk Nowitzki
Another no-brainer. With a 7'6" Monstar named Shawn Bradley at the center position, the opportunity to add a 7' Power Forward to play alongside him is just too good to pass up. With Bradley providing the defense/rebounding and Nowitzki adding the scoring, the Blazers will have a very formidable frontcourt for seasons to come.


#3 Indiana Pacers - SF Paul Pierce
He ain't no Stacey Augmon, but he'll do. The rebuilding Pacers are in drastic need of a true scorer and leader, and Paul's definitely going to be able to provide that one day. Like Augmon, he's completely lacking in one offensive category (JPS instead of Augmon's 3PS), but unlike Augmon, his defensive skills are currently sitting at average (though word is that he has a keen eye for creating turnovers). Still, he's exactly what GM PaulyP needs.


#4 Toronto Raptors - C Brad Miller
While the Indiana native is a bit miffed that the Pacers will pass on him in favor of Pierce, GM Soundwave couldn't be happier. His love for big men is well-known, and now he'll have the opportunity to draft one tailor-made for his type of offense. Somewhat similar to the Hawks' Vlade Divac, Miller's noted for his skills as a rebounder and his potential as a passer, ball handler, post defender, and - get this - three-point shooting. Yes, Miller's a versatile big man with a shooting touch, meaning that between Finley, Billups, Miller, and the still-developing Tim Thomas, the Raptors could boast one of the most multifaceted and dangerous offenses ever seen in Sim League one day.


#5 Cleveland Cavaliers - SF Antawn Jamison
The Cavs are a bit of an enigma, showing characteristics of both a rebuilding and contending team. Antawn Jamison's a good fit for this squad, filling an important need at Small Forward, helping out Williams & Campbell with rebounding, and providing a bit of inside-outside game to compliment Steve Nash and (if he returns) Eddie Jones. One good camp from Jamison and one inked contract from Jones could leave no question as to what Cleveland is - a playoff contender.


#6 Chicago Bulls - PG Mike Bibby
I don't think the Bulls could ask for a better result than Mike Bibby falling to them at #6. With longtime star PG Darrell Armstrong in the last year of his contract, the need for a new floor general is a big one for Chicago. Bibby fills this role perfectly, and - unlike last season's lotto pick Kelvin Cato - is young enough to grow side-by-side with franchise player Kobe Bryant, giving the Bulls a lethal one-two punch once these two get in sync.


#7 Phoenix Suns - SF Rashard Lewis
Speaking of young guys, here's 18-year-old Rashard Lewis. Now I admit, this is a bit of a reach. I actually think the the Suns will look to trade this pick, as there's no standout, "must-have" player for them at this spot. So why Lewis? Well even though they already have a near-identical player in KVH, the Suns are one of the few teams who can afford to draft Rashard and let him develop off the bench. Once he does, the Suns can then move Jemaine O'Neal (who will have finally realized some of his potential by then) to C, and trot out a sizable, interchangeable, and offensively threatening forward combo of KVH/Lewis. Add that to star guard Allen Iverson, and that will be an absolute nightmare for opposing teams to defend.


#8 Los Angeles Lakers - SG Larry Hughes
New GM cchris has some work to do, as the once-formidable LA Lakers are now decidedly rebuilding around young PF Kevin Garnett. Larry Hughes is a very good choice to star alongside KG, as he's a solid two-way guard who can actually contribute a little bit now, as he fills an immediate need (Chris Mills is more of an SF). KG can also serve as a bit of a mentor to the 19-year-old Hughes, showing him how to find success in the NBA the same way he had to. It's a good start to a new day in LA.


#9 Grizzlies - PG Jason Williams
LoCo can't believe his luck. First he hits the jackpot with Vince Carter, and then at #9 he gets the opportunity to draft the answer at a position that's been his bane for a while now - Point Guard. While he just might average as many turnovers as assists, "White Chocolate" Williams will help turn turn the Grizzlies into one of the flashiest, most exciting young teams in the league. Expect a ton of highlight hookups between VC and Jason Williams in the near future.


#10 Utah Jazz - SG Ricky Davis
The Jazz are pretty damn happy with their luck as well. At a time when they could really use a good Shooting Guard, they land a lotto pick in a draft loaded with them. Ricky Davis is an ideal pick for them, as his offensive game looks to be solid, and his defensive game is serviceable as well. He's basically a poor man's Paul Pierce, and a good fit to play alongside Tim Duncan & Stephon Marbury.


#11 Atlanta Hawks - SG Bonzi Wells
Yet another perfect fit, the Hawks end up with the second-most capable perimeter defender in the draft - and he looks to be a capable scorer, which only sweetens the pot for GM WigNosy. The Hawks are a squad with young talent everywhere but the SG spot, making Bonzi a no-brainer at this spot.


#12 New York Knicks - SG Cuttino Mobley
The Knicks are a bit of a skeleton crew, with Larry Johnson and longtime Knick George McCloud as the only bright spots on the Robinson-less Knicks. Unfortunately for the Knicks, this is the exact point when the quality of the talent available shifts - the guys who are left are now smaller, less athletic, and not as all-around talented as their peers. Fortunately for the Knicks, Cuttino Mobley is right here. This guy has the ability to hit from anywhere. A true "pocket rocket," he's basically a smaller Glen Rice. "Small" is exactly why he's not a top pick, though. At 6'4", he's really not the ideal height for a Shooting Guard, and his defensive abilities aren't good enough to slow down speedy Point Guards. Still, he'll be a dangerous player when open, and could eventually provide the young offense punch that the Knicks will need.


#13 Philadelphia 76ers - C Raef LaFrentz
The Sixers are another team under new management, as Prince Amour will step in as the new GM. He'll have a lot of work to do, as the Sixers are another team in desperate need of something. It's a good thing, then, that the second-best Center in the draft falls to the very end of the lottery. It's easy to see why LaFrentz isn't as highly regarded as Brad Miller - he's not as athletic, nor is he as strong a rebounder. He's also not even close to being the kind of ballhandler that Miller is. What he does have is a more well-rounded offensive game and much better defensive capabilities. Strangely enough, he also mirrors Vlade Divac, who spent 6 seasons in Philly. Prince Amour would love to see LaFrentz reach the same level of stardom that Divac reached as a Sixer.

That does it for the lotto picks. Keep an eye out for bonus coverage, and don't forget to leave comments!

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[J2]

Player Profile: Al Harrington

Thanks to superstars like Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal, Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett, we're starting to see a slight shift in the ages of NBA hopefuls. Unfortunately, it stands to reason that some of these players will be guys who rush in before they're ready, thus creating a bit of a problem for both them and the teams who draft them. Al Harrington seems to be one of those guys. A 6'9" Forward from New Jersey, the 18-year-old Harrington has been described by some scouts as "rawer than the meat on the deer I shot yesterday," "an enigma," and "risky business."

Harrington's potential is his main selling point, the same as the rest of his teenage peers. Lean and athletic, scouts think he will be able to slip his way past bigger, slower defenders to score inside one day. That day is still a long way off though, as the only ability he has that can be described as "NBA-ready" is his 3-Point shooting. Other than his potential as an inside-outside threat, his overall role as a NBA player remains up in the air. Scouts have noted that his raw athleticism may eventually serve him well defending the post and on the boards, and reports are that there's a glimmer of keen ball awareness, which could result in him becoming a surehanded player (always a bonus for a post player) and a ballhawk on defense. Such talents are a good ways off from being realized however, and scouts have noted that he may have to put many extra hours in the gym to see any significant progress.

Size is also a factor, as one GM has said that "This league is getting bigger, no doubt. What used to be slightly above-average height for a position is now the absolute lowest height you want, lest you run into a mismatch. Size is becoming every bit as important as talent." At 6'9", Harrington fits the bill as a pure Forward, but scouts have warned that trying him at Small Forward is asking for trouble, as he's noted for having "zero aptitude as a perimeter defender" and "will only ever be able to guard inside the key." 6'9" is also less than ideal for a Power Forward, as one scout has noted. "Kid's gonna take his licks for a long time before he figures things out, and even then he'll get shoved around more than you'd like at that position."

With all that said, what is his value to the team that drafts him? One scouting report has concluded that "Harrington - barring stellar training camp performances - won't be worth much until his 3rd or 4th season, and most teams would rather have a clearer sense of value heading into RFA. There's a very high chance of him never becoming a full-time starter at this level, and only bringing value off the bench as a 3-point threat. It's not unreasonable to think he'll become a lesser version of Cliff Robinson, but even with that in mind, he's definitely a long-term prospect. He'd be best served on a team that can afford to be patient. They'd be best served by not being in desperate need of him once his rookie deal expires, thus lowering the chance of a potential bad deal."

[J2]

Nov 25, 2014 13:04:17 GMT -6 Inner_GI said:

Why is it so hard to find a PG that has above 70 Handling and Passing?

Why indeed? The "PG problem" is one that many teams have had to face as of late. Whereas other positions have seen a steady flow of talent, the PG position has been marked by exceptional youngsters, declining veterans, and nothing in between. It would seem as if the PG position hasn't truly blossomed yet...but let's take a quick look at the "other" PGs available in this draft, and see what they can bring to the table.

Damon Jones

Who Is He?
Jones, a 6'3" guard out of Houston, is already a skilled 3-point shooter. The days of starting 6'3" Shooting Guards appear to be over, but guards like Damon keep the "combo guard" role alive. Already an above-average ballhandler, Damon seems to be best served as a perimeter scorer off the bench. His range starts at the 3-point line, and will look to advance further inside the more he grows as a player. He also can hold his own on the defensive end.
What's His Problem?
Despite having nice ballhandling skills, Damon's actual passing skills are sub-par. Even with improvement, it's likely that once Damon gets the ball, no one else will touch it. He's also the worst athletically out of the four other PGs, having a peculiar lack of strength despite being the tallest. He also lacks the ability to create turnovers.

Tyronn Lue

Who Is He?
Lue already possesses a nice shooting touch that even carries over to the free-throw stripe. Like Damon, he is expected to excel at 3-point shooting. He's also an impressive athlete, combining lightning-fast quickness with impressive strength and vertical leap for his size (6').
What's His Problem?
Lue is quite raw, athleticism and shooting being his only notable skills as of now. Everything else will need time to develop. While not as good as Damon is now, Lue shows roughly the same potential in the same areas, with two added bonuses - inside shooting and creating turnovers. While he eventually may be able to create turnovers on the defensive end, he's certain to give the ball right back on the next possession. While marginally better than Jones in the passing department, Lue's lack of ballhandling skill means that he'll have to shoot as soon as he touches the ball to get the best results.

Rafer Alston

Who Is He?
Also known locally as the popular streetballer "Skip To My Lou," Alson's quick, and can surprise you with his vertical leap. At 6'2", he's the most well-rounded of this group, showing potential in all the premier areas for a PG. His multifaceted skill set is no doubt due to his playground roots, and it'll be interesting to see if he and fellow draftee Jason Williams can bring the street style to NBA stadiums.
What's His Problem?
Alston is the textbook definition of "raw." There is absolutely nothing that he can do now at the NBA level. To put it simply, he is the single most high-risk player in this draft, and maybe in the league's history. If he fulfills just half of his potential, he could become the type of mid-level PG that's currently missing in this league. But he also has so far to go that he may just be maturing into a capable bench player at the very end of his rookie contract. He also has a surprising lack of stamina and strength, being even weaker than Damon Jones in that regard. It's clear that his transition to the NBA will take a very long time before it's complete.

Earl Boykins

Who Is He?
The most "NBA-ready" of these four in terms of shooting, Boykins has the skill to hit the jumper or long ball with ease. Athletically, he's very impressive, possibly edging out Lue as the best. His vertical is shockingly good, his stamina is equal to Lue & Jones, and he's already one of the quickest players in the league. He's also the best defender of this group, meaning that he can at least attempt to play defense at the NBA level...though he may not succeed.
What's His Problem?
He's 5'5". This, unfortunately, negates his status as the third-best PG in this draft, and turns his minor flaws into glaring weaknesses. Unlike Damon, Boykins has no hope of filling the combo guard role, as he will 100% be at a severe height disadvantage. Defensively, his only hope is to clog the passing lanes, pester opposing players, and create turnovers, as he simply has no hope of doing anything else defensively. Just getting open will also be hard for Boykins. All this could be salvaged if Boykins possessed passing skill, like NBA star Muggsy Bogues, but his ballhandling and passing abilities are about on level with Alston's, but unlike Alston, his passing potential is limited.

So are these the players who can help solve the "PG Problem?" I think the answer is a bit more complicated. As we see from this group, as well as others, the winds are changing. Not only are PGs seemingly staying put in terms of height as the rest of the NBA grows taller around them, but the rise of a flashier, fast-paced style has encouraged young PGs to trade in their "floor general" status for a bigger slice of the scoring pie. There are a few passers left, but those will be highly sought after, and the ones left with those skills will either be raw, limited, or both. So it's not actually a "problem" as much as it is a paradigm shift. The age of the scoring PG seems to be dawning, and it's up to GMs around the league to adjust accordingly. These players' NBA success will depend on it.