2009 NBA Draft Preview

[Joel]

Re: 2009 NBA Draft: The bottom of the first round

kinda off topic

but let's say JJ was to stay another year at NC State. and put up about or even a little higher numbers than he did his freshmen year. where do you guys think he would go in this years draft.

Second overall, behind Blake Griffin.

This is partly a comment on how weak the draft is this year, and partly a comment on the terrific potential of Hickson.

 

[Zog]

Re: 2009 NBA Draft: The bottom of the first round

I would love to get Terrence Williams. He's very athletic and Pitino said that if they didn't need him at SF he would be the starting PG because his ball skills and passing are so good. If he could become a good 3-point shooter he would be an absolute steal as the 30th overall pick.

 

[camakazee]

Re: 2009 NBA Draft: The bottom of the first round

DeJuan Blair is someone I would like... He's slotted to go right before us in some of the mocks out there right now...He's a bit undersized, but he's a a tremendous rebounder, and is more in that Millsap mold than Darnell Jackson mold...

I'm not in any kind of "know" with this situation, but I can almost assure you that DeJuan Blair doesn't enter the draft this year. First, he's listed at an extremely generous 6'8" some places, and 6'7" on ESPN. I've seen him on campus several times and can tell you he's probably about 6'6.5" with shoes on. He's an absolute monster, but this isn't the first time a player his size has turned heads at the college level (Craig Smith, Marco Killingsworth, etc.). I just don't think he has the size to become anything other than a 3rd or 4th big in the NBA. A third big is obvious not an awful thing, but I see it as his ceiling. While the kid is a beast, I think the adjustment from stocky PF in college to the NBA may be one of the most difficult ones to make. It's very difficult to ask players like Blair, who guarded 6'9" 205 lb Devin Ebanks earlier today at West Virginia, to guard players like Duncan, KG, Bosh, and Aldridge who use their size advantage to shoot over the top of smaller players.

While I still think he could carve a niche out for himself in the NBA, I see Blair as a 4-year player, possibly getting a first round nod at the end of his college career. Best case scenario: Jason Maxiell, Craig Smith. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see him becoming as good as Paul Millsap has been. Also, in order for him to play high quality minutes in the NBA, he needs to learn to watch his foul troubles and develop a better outside-of-the-paint game. Ultimately, for him to do this, I think at least one more year of college is necessary.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I merged the draft preview "MVP" started... there was some great stuff in here.

I'm amazed how much a name can influence whether or not I like a player. I have a natural disinclination for Cole Aldridge, eventhough his skill-set would be perfect for the Cavs. I hear the name "Cole Aldridge" and I think of a pasty-faced blue-blood wearing a seersucker jacket on a yacht.

Then, I picture a one-dimentional shooter with the name "Dionte Christmas" joining the Cavs, and I can barely contain my excitement... I'd be screaming "Merry F'n Christmas!" after every three.

 

[MYoung23]

Cavaliers need size no.1 and then an athletic wing defender that can make shots.

Right now, I dont foresee any first round worthy size dropping to the Cavaliers. If they all come out Aldrich, Jordan, Mullens andThabeet are likely gone before the Cavaliers likely draft range of 27-30. Jordan has a chance of falling since I think he will get Patrick O'Bryant comparisons and I dont think AJ Ogivly fits here.

Unless a player is just too good to pass up the Cavaliers dont need yet another undersized PF.

I like Evan Turner's versatility on both ends and I think he will get even better. If Gerald Henderson continues to shoot the ball like he has been recently I would take him because of his athleticism, ability to defend and do a bit of everything. He reminds me of Bobby Phills.

Terrence Williams cant shoot. He hasnt shot the ball well in 4 years of college and any wing on the Cavaliers with James has to be able to spot up and make shots and that is the most glaring hole in Williams' game. At 6'5 you couldnt him at PF like you could some other guys in this draft.

Also, if a really talented combo guard with size falls I would take them like Willie Warren if he came out

 

[MYoung23]

I merged the draft preview "MVP" started... there was some great stuff in here.

I'm amazed how much a name can influence whether or not I like a player. I have a natural disinclination for Cole Aldridge, eventhough his skill-set would be perfect for the Cavs. I hear the name "Cole Aldridge" and I think of a pasty-faced blue-blood wearing a seersucker jacket on a yacht.

Then, I picture a one-dimentional shooter with the name "Dionte Christmas" joining the Cavs, and I can barely contain my excitement... I'd be screaming "Merry F'n Christmas!" after every three.

Good thing his name is Cole "Aldrich" then lol

 

[Randolphkeys]

Good thing his name is Cole "Adrich" then lol

Add-rich?!? Are you making this up to make me hate him even more? That is the name of a man who sips mint julips, compains about his recalcitrant yardman and calls his chambermaid "indignant."

 

["MVP"]

Add-rich?!? Are you making this up to make me hate him even more? That is the name of a man who sips mint julips, compains about his recalcitrant yardman and calls his chambermaid "indignant."

Cole AlDRICH. But I see where you are coming from. A name like Dexter Falcons doesn't scream NBA, but a name like Willie Warren is a great NBA name.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Cole AlDRICH. But I see where you are coming from. A name like Dexter Falcons doesn't scream NBA, but a name like Willie Warren is a great NBA name.

"Aid-Rich"? Are you sure this time?!? That is horribly snooty, like a fat tax break to the top 1% of the population and riding your butler like a donkey.

BTW: A man by the name "Dexter Falcons" would probably win the dunk contest and kick the pee out of your sister's dirt-bag ex-husband, all in one night. Sign me up, and I'll take Dionte Christmas in the second round.

 

[NarlCavs]

Since this isn't shaping up to be the strongest draft and the odds are so slim any quality big will be there when the Cavs pick, it should be draft the best player available for the Cavs. It's better to add talent than reach based on position. Some players will always slip on draft night and hopefully one drops to the Cavs.

Agree with MYoung that size and an athletic wing are the 2 main areas to target.

 

[Damage]

Draft Talk

I know draft talk is usually fodder for bad teams. Being a fan of the Browns, draft talk usually begins after week 3. But I am interested in everyone's thoughts as to who you would like for the Cavs to target in the draft. I think it's safe to say Andy is a lock for our future C, which I am completely fine with. Personally, i would like for us to focus on a back up PG. Boobie and Delonte are hybrid guards. This is not taking anything away from those 2 (especially Delonte, who has definitely earned his starting spot), but I wouldn't hate grooming a true pg.
Darren Collison would be my pick. Great defender who is lightning quick. Not the best shot in the world but would be a great addition.

 

[Sir Charles Barkley]

Re: Draft Talk

I still think we should draft a center, despite how well andy has been playing. Someone that can shoot the midrange shot ala Z would be nice to draft and develop.

 

[Soda]

Re: Draft Talk

Amare or CB4.

 

[The Oi]

Re: Draft Talk

Wether it be a PF or a Center, I think we should take the best available big with our pick. Only problem is, it will most likely be a project given that we'll be picking last.

 

[CBBI]

Re: Draft Talk

I think someone like Jerome Jordan out of Tulsa would make sense at the bottom of the 1st round.

He's a project offensively, but he's athletic and has legitimate center size.