Post by Jayda on Jan 23, 2024 8:17:28 GMT -8
1 Orlando Magic - Andrei Kirilenko
- I love AK47 as a player and will be a stud on defense. Will his offense grow enough to warrant the 1st pick overall, nobody knows yet? I do think he will end up a great player and very useful, could see him being a better Robert Horry. Don’t think hell end up the best player from this draft though.
Grade: B+
2 Minnesota Timberwolves (from Hornets) - Elton Brand
- Minnesota gave up a lot of assests to draft Elton Brand. I don’t think Brand will be worth it, unless his defense and handling improve or the notes were a troll. He does however fit the best out of the available players for the TWolves. With that being said there were plenty of other players who probably be better players in this league, but this pick was solely based on need.
Grade: B-
3 Los Angeles Lakers (from Hornets, Timberwolves) - Manu Ginobili
- Manu was first on my big board. I think he will end up the best player out of this draft class. Manu just seems like he had the least number of flaws and a great base to start from. If Manu is camped early he might end up winning ROTY, just depends on how the PGs do. Great pick by the Lakers, had luck on his side with the first two picks falling the way they did.
Grade: A
4 New York Knicks - Baron Davis
- BDiddy is one of a kind. He has the athleticism and size to dominate most PGs in the league. Baron will come in from day one and start and not only start but play very well. He is another player who could end up the best player from this draft when it is all said and done. I expect him to contribute right away and help the Knicks turn it around very soon.
Grade: A
5 Charlotte Hornets (from Nuggets) - Ron Artest
- Another fantastic pick here. With whats left I do believe him or another guy was BPA. Artest will have a good career. Not sure his upside is enough to say he could end up the best from this class, but he will be consistently locking up opposing small forwards. If he can get his offensive game to catch up with his defensive game he will be a perennial all-star.
Grade: B
6 Denver Nuggets (from Hornets, Lakers) - Richard Hamilton
- Sorry Braz, but I think you made the wrong pick here. If I was you I would’ve went Shawn Marion. Don’t get me wrong Rip will be a great scorer, and will help your team win some games. I just think Marion will and can contribute in many different ways. Again, RIP will be a 20ppg guy for nearly his entire career. Camp that 3pt shot and maybe he can get to 25ppg.
Grade: C+
7 Detroit Pistons - Shawn Marion
- The Matrix falling this far was surprising to me. He looks like a more developed AK47 with better offense. I understand the blocking and stealing ability puts AK over Marion which is why I thought Marion should’ve went top 4. Either way Andrew got a steal and should be thanking the nimrods picking before him.
Grade: A+
8 New York Knicks (from Jazz) – Corey Maggette
- To be honest Andy could’ve gone a wing first then a PG here and I wouldn’t have been mad at him. I do think Maggette will be a very good player and a great scorer on the wing. I think his plus rebounding will be a huge advantage for the Knicks and with both of these picks the Knicks had in the top 10 their team has been greatly improved.
Grade: B
9 Charlotte Hornets (from Blazers, Rockets) – Steve Francis
- Only the second PG taken in the draft and he is another athletic big guard. These types of guards seem to be the new wave in the league with the addition of Francis and Davis to the likes of Jason Kidd. I do think he was the best player left. Considering how much the Hornets gave up for Francis he better a top 3 PG when it’s all said and done.
Grade: B- (Accounting for the package he gave up)
10 Washington Wizards – Lamar Odom
- I think this was a really good pick, considering what was left. Last guy worth a damn with A potential. I do think it could backfire if his handles aren’t fixable. Not gonna lie this is who I wanted at 11, but didn’t expect him there anyways. I think he is the best player available with the biggest upside. Defense looks subpar but the rebounding at SF will make up for it.
Grade: B
11 Milwaukee Bucks (from 76ers, Pacers) – James Posey
- James Posey is a consolation prize for the Bucks. Traded away defensive stud Robert Horry to get younger. They made this trade because Pippen took a dookie on Horry for the second straight year in the playoffs. Posey probably wont get the stocks that Horry did or even the boards, but I do think he will bring more scoring. Solid pick, there was one other player for consideration in terms of needs for the Bucks but they liked the defense Posey brings.
Grade: B-
12 Atlanta Hawks (From Buls) - Jason Terry
- This was another great pick. The theme from this draft is good picks aside from a few in my honest opinion. JET will be a very good player in this league for a very long time. Him being at PG makes him very good, if he wasn’t I still think he would contribute. Hawks traded a future for JET and the pick was all about him being a homer, but I do believe it was the correct pick at this spot.
Grade: A-
13 Los Angeles Clippers – Wally Szcerbiak
- The last pick in the lotto, Wally World. I do believe if Wally stayed one more season he might’ve ended up a top 5 pick next season. He will be a legit scorer for a long time as long as camps come quickly. Clippers need to add as much firepower as possible for them to get better. I think Wally could end up averaging 20 ppg very fast if given the time and a little love from TC. I do think he was the BPA at 13.
Grade: B
