2009 NBA Draft Thread

[brothers1759]

Draft express compares him to Ronnie Price.

I think he is a combo of Rondo and Gilbert Arenas (just not as good of a shooter).

Before we go comparing the guy to Rondo, it would be nice to see him make a PASS somewhere in that video.

How can you honestly compare a guy whose entire "mixtape" shows him coming off screens and launching 3's to Rajon Rondo???

Either you didn't watch the video or have never seen Rajon Rondo play....which is it?

JR Smith was a decent comparison the way he was running off screens and shooting, although he seems less explosive and more "smooth" then Smith.

BTW - Is it the "mixtape" time of year already? It feels like just yesterday I was watching grainy pixelated Nathan Jawai videos.....Omer Asik mixes set to 80's rap.....and vids of Serge Ibaka shooting 3's in front of crowds of literally HUNDREDS of people....oh the memories.....

The kid looks like he might have some talent....but for one, you have no idea who he's playing against.

Second point.....no one EVER makes a "mixtape" with clips of a guy MISSING shots. You ONLY see the makes. No offense, but even I could probably put together a mixtape of myself playing, and if I only put in my best moves and all the times I launched 3's with 2 guys in my face and the shot went in....it would look impressive.

Mainly because you never see the 5 times I turned the basketball over trying to split a double on a pick and roll or the 4 airballs I launched before I finally made that 3 while being doubled 3 steps behind the arc.

Granted, I am being dramatic and overexagerating here.....but it's only to really make a point.

That point is - EVERYONE looks good in their "mixtapes". No one makes "mixtapes" of guys turning the ball over and playing lackadaisical defense.....or not hustling....or missing shots....even to 25 year old Michael Jackson songs.....just doesn't happen.:chuckles:

 

[TruBuckeye22]

I was hoping at some point in the video everyone would break into the thriller dance.

 

[Man Called X]

Before we go comparing the guy to Rondo, it would be nice to see him make a PASS somewhere in that video.

How can you honestly compare a guy whose entire "mixtape" shows him coming off screens and launching 3's to Rajon Rondo???

Either you didn't watch the video or have never seen Rajon Rondo play....which is it?

JR Smith was a decent comparison the way he was running off screens and shooting, although he seems less explosive and more "smooth" then Smith.

BTW - Is it the "mixtape" time of year already? It feels like just yesterday I was watching grainy pixelated Nathan Jawai videos.....Omer Asik mixes set to 80's rap.....and vids of Serge Ibaka shooting 3's in front of crowds of literally HUNDREDS of people....oh the memories.....

The kid looks like he might have some talent....but for one, you have no idea who he's playing against.

Second point.....no one EVER makes a "mixtape" with clips of a guy MISSING shots. You ONLY see the makes. No offense, but even I could probably put together a mixtape of myself playing, and if I only put in my best moves and all the times I launched 3's with 2 guys in my face and the shot went in....it would look impressive.

Mainly because you never see the 5 times I turned the basketball over trying to split a double on a pick and roll or the 4 airballs I launched before I finally made that 3 while being doubled 3 steps behind the arc.

Granted, I am being dramatic and overexagerating here.....but it's only to really make a point.

That point is - EVERYONE looks good in their "mixtapes". No one makes "mixtapes" of guys turning the ball over and playing lackadaisical defense.....or not hustling....or missing shots....even to 25 year old Michael Jackson songs.....just doesn't happen.:chuckles:

I had planned on a Sasha mixtape showcasing all of his errors. I just hate doing video editing.

 

[brothers1759]

I had planned on a Sasha mixtape showcasing all of his errors. I just hate doing video editing.

Sounds good....just sync it up with "Oops I Did It Again" by Britney Spears and I think you'll have viral video magic on your hands my friend!:chuckles:

 

[Randolphkeys]

Draft Express on Cavaliers needs:

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/NBA-Coverage/#NBA-Team-Needs-Central-Division-3247

Cleveland Cavaliers 66-16
Draft Picks #30 and #46

Draft History:
2008- PF/C- J.J. Hickson (#19)
2007- None
2006- SG- Shannon Brown (#25), PG/SG- Daniel Gibson (#42), PF/C- Ejike Ugboaja (#55)

Depth Chart:

PG: Maurice Williams/ Daniel Gibson
SG: Delonte West/ Wally Szczerbiak*/ Tarence Kinsey*
SF: LeBron James/ Sasha Pavlovic/ Jawad Williams*
PF: Anderson Varejao*/ Joe Smith*/ J.J. Hickson/ Darnell Jackson
C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas*/ Ben Wallace/ Lorenzen Wright*

After another post-season collapse, the Cavaliers are at a crossroads. During the regular season, Mo Williams took some pressure off of LeBron James and was a solid second option, but he could not deliver in the clutch and vanished during the post-season. Similarly, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao do not comprise a championship frontcourt, pointing towards another glaring hole in the Cavaliers rotation. While the organization will count on its young players, particularly J.J. Hickson, emerging as solid options, the team is at a crossroads with LeBron James’s free agency looming and just one year left to convince their star that a championship team can be assembled.

Unfortunately, there is little chance of landing a difference maker in this draft. That said, the Cavaliers roster has a lot of holes that can be addressed given their somewhat poor draft position. Bench depth, primarily fortifying their post rotation should be a top priority. After all, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joe Smith, Ben Wallace, and Lorenzon Wright aren’t getting any younger. A perimeter shooter with size would not hurt, either, as Wally Szczerbiak and Sasha Pavlovic came up empty throughout the season. Cleveland has more pressing concerns this summer, but they could add a rotation player or two if they make some wise choices in a few weeks. More likely, though, their salvation will have to come via free agency and trades.

First Round Candidates: Omri Casspi, Marcus Thornton, Danny Green

 

[The Voice]

NBA Draft.net has us taking Taj Gibson and Robert Dozier.

 

[Rick Astley]

I'm scared of what DX what have in their mocks. They're almost accurate. They foresaw the Hickson pick.

 

[mAo_mAo]

I had planned on a Sasha mixtape showcasing all of his errors. I just hate doing video editing.

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No need. Someone beat you to it already.

 

[mAo_mAo]

Draft Express on Cavaliers needs:

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/NBA...-Division-3247

Quote:
Cleveland Cavaliers 66-16
Draft Picks #30 and #46

Draft History:
2008- PF/C- J.J. Hickson (#19)
2007- None
2006- SG- Shannon Brown (#25), PG/SG- Daniel Gibson (#42), PF/C- Ejike Ugboaja (#55)

Depth Chart:

PG: Maurice Williams/ Daniel Gibson
SG: Delonte West/ Wally Szczerbiak*/ Tarence Kinsey*
SF: LeBron James/ Sasha Pavlovic/ Jawad Williams*
PF: Anderson Varejao*/ Joe Smith*/ J.J. Hickson/ Darnell Jackson
C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas*/ Ben Wallace/ Lorenzen Wright*

After another post-season collapse, the Cavaliers are at a crossroads. During the regular season, Mo Williams took some pressure off of LeBron James and was a solid second option, but he could not deliver in the clutch and vanished during the post-season. Similarly, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao do not comprise a championship frontcourt, pointing towards another glaring hole in the Cavaliers rotation. While the organization will count on its young players, particularly J.J. Hickson, emerging as solid options, the team is at a crossroads with LeBron James’s free agency looming and just one year left to convince their star that a championship team can be assembled.

Unfortunately, there is little chance of landing a difference maker in this draft. That said, the Cavaliers roster has a lot of holes that can be addressed given their somewhat poor draft position. Bench depth, primarily fortifying their post rotation should be a top priority. After all, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joe Smith, Ben Wallace, and Lorenzon Wright aren’t getting any younger. A perimeter shooter with size would not hurt, either, as Wally Szczerbiak and Sasha Pavlovic came up empty throughout the season. Cleveland has more pressing concerns this summer, but they could add a rotation player or two if they make some wise choices in a few weeks. More likely, though, their salvation will have to come via free agency and trades.

First Round Candidates: Omri Casspi, Marcus Thornton, Danny Green

If we want to have a solid and immediate contributor Casspi is off the list.

http://www.haaretz.com
/hasen/spages/1090923.html

Basketball / NBA / Casspi headed for Europe en route to NBA
By Haaretz Sports Staff

Maccabi Tel Aviv's Omri Casspi is expected to play for a European team next year even if he is picked in the first round of the NBA draft, according to sources close to the player.

The 2.05-meter small forward is currently in talks with various teams including the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trailblazers, but none have promised him a place on their roster next season, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported yesterday.
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Although the 20-year-old impressed scouts at training camps in the U.S., franchise officials believe another year of seasoning in Europe would benefit him. "When I came here I wanted to make it to the NBA, but I'm an open-minded guy," Casspi told the Sacramento Bee.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune yesterday speculated that while the Bulls are considering choosing Casspi in the first round, management would rather trade their 26th place pick with another team.

Casspi has announced his eligibility for the NBA draft twice before, yet withdrew on both occasions because he was not guaranteed a first-round pick.

 

[DJTJ]

AJ PRICE.. second round and can actually shoot...

 

[Bob Loblaw]

If we want to have a solid and immediate contributor Casspi is off the list.

http://www.haaretz.com
/hasen/spages/1090923.html

I don't really expect an immediate contributor from such a low pick. It could happen but odds are against it. If we can get the rights to a good talent that may be the best case scenario. You don't have to pay the guaranteed contract unless he becomes really good overseas and wants to come over.

 

[Wulfgar1224]

Where the Cavs are slotted in the draft, it is going to be tough for them to acquire anything but a role player. I don't have high expectations for the draft.

 

[camakazee]

I had planned on a Sasha mixtape showcasing all of his errors. I just hate doing video editing.

Plus you would have to slap one of these on it just to save your ass...

Warning: Sasha Pavlovic spin moves may induce vomiting, comas, general discomfort, irritable bowels, and swine flu, as well as miscarriages in pregnant women. Xsabre is personally not responsible for any of these side effects in addition to any anger felt from witnessing the ensuing turnover after said spin move.

 

[demondeacs13]

As someone who loathes UNC, I would still love me some Danny Green or Wayne Ellington. They are both quite athletic and can definitely score the ball. Wayne can flat out shoot it from anywhere on the floor. I think picking up one of these guys is a real possibility.

 

[kriegs]

Where the Cavs are slotted in the draft, it is going to be tough for them to acquire anything but a role player. I don't have high expectations for the draft.

Doesn't mean which role player they get won't be important.