Hairy Midget

Did the Orlando Magic get the two best players out of the 2004 draft?

JNice

It is possible, but I doubt it. I'm fairly certain that we got the best player out of the draft. I would expect there will probably be at least a couple others who become better than Nelson. Most likely we got 2 out of the 5 best players. Definitely a good draft for Orlando, FINALLY.

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Hairy Midget

I just can't think of any guard from that draft that I'd trade Jameer for, and I can't think of any NBA player I'd trade Howard for.

deanwoof

I agree with Howard. However, depending on what a team needs, these guys could be interchangable IMO:
Ben Gordon
Devin Harris
Andre Iguodala
Chris Duhon
Delonte West

With us, we needed someone else to step up and score. That's why Jameer Nelson fits so well. Gordon is just pure offense but cant' really handle the PG duties. Harris is similar to Nelson as they both are scoring type point guards. I think Jameer has a better shot. For overall talent, would go with Iguodala. His defense is tremendous. However he can't really create his own shot. Duhon is a pass first type of PG; someone who will run the offense. West is the defensive PG/SG. He's averaging over a block a game at the PG spot. Nelson is just overall the better one I think, with no real ONE AREA he is great at except putting the ball in the hole.

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lw32

Not sure exactly what you mean, as you mention that Iguodala is the best overall talent and then you mention that Nelson is the best overall. Bit confusing, were you comparing Nelson to West when you mentioned him as the "better one overall?"

As for me, give me Iguodala as top guard, in a heart beat. Surprised Livingston wasn't mentioned, but I understand he hasn't really performed as of yet.

Nelson a top 2? I wouldn't agree. Josh Smith, Okafor, Gordon and Iguodala are all better as of right now. Deng could be debatable too. And with some unproven talent, Livingston, Telfair, Jefferson, I'd say it's doubtful that Nelson makes it, although he's turning out to be quite a steal.

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Charles Barkley: "I think it would have been an insult if they put Bird on me. He was the worst defensive player ever."

"Stanley's idea of a balanced meal is a Big Mac in each hand" -- then Orlando Magic GM Pat Williams on overweight Magic first round draft choice Stanley Roberts

deanwoof

Iggy is by far the best overall talent of the guards. BUT Orlando doesn't need him as we have a crapload of 6'6"-6'8" type guys. Plus he can't score on the same level as Jameer.

Nelson is really a scoring PG. Not a 1. Not a 2. You know, one of "those" guys. What has Josh Smith proven? That he can jump out of the gym to block shots and dunk. Okay. That's not really better IMO. Okafur is solid, but he's been hurt all year. He has regressed from last year significantly.

Of the PGs, I meant Nelson is better overall (Duhon, West). Telfair and Livingston havent really shocked anybody yet, except that they shouldn't have been lottery picks.

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lw32

Why wouldn't we need him, we might have a few 6'6''-6'8'' players, but Stevenson (kept in for arguments sake, 6'5''), Turkoglu (also kept in, 6'10''), Hill and Augmon. I wouldn't agree that that's a crapload though. Especially when you consider the quality. Augmon is old, Hill is still questionable due to consistant injuries, Stevenson and Turkoglu don't fit your argument, but I guess you were including them. Neither player would start on a quality squad. I'm still scratching my head as to why we don't need him. Even if your argument was true, and we did have a ton of "those" players, we would still need Iguodala because when it comes down to it, it's quality not quantity.
As for Josh Smith, sure he hasn't shown an all-around game, but if you'd take Nelson over Smith I'd be shocked. Smith is a good defender, one year removed from HS and has shown great ability. He can rebound for a swingman, and play solid D. If Atlanta would give him more minutes, he'd probably produce more offense.
As for Okafor, he hasn't regressed, he's been injury-riddled. I think it's a bit hasty. Even if you don't take into account injuries, his numbers are not necessarily low enough to warrant the label "significantly regressed."
It really depends on what type of point guard you're looking for, but what exactly has Nelson shown that West or Duhon haven't? Sure Nelson scores more than Duhon, but Duhon is a better "point guard" in every sense of the word. He plays better defense, hustles and knows how to run a team. Nelson does hustle, but his defense is not as good, and I don't think he has the same point guard ability. As for West, it's debatable. Both him and Nelson are having great seasons.

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Charles Barkley: "I think it would have been an insult if they put Bird on me. He was the worst defensive player ever."

"Stanley's idea of a balanced meal is a Big Mac in each hand" -- then Orlando Magic GM Pat Williams on overweight Magic first round draft choice Stanley Roberts

cambyblockingyou

When i watch Harris I think he could be something special. but you're right, Nelson probably will be top 5 in this draft; what a talent. 10 rebounds tonight, wow.

X-Factor

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