It's been a very long day, between deciding between Thad Young or Al Thorton, to finding a potential starter at PF this year, we can miracously breath and say "Billy King did a good job this draft", or at least, I can say that.
#12th overall-Thaddeus Young (Georgia tech):
He's 6'8, he's explosive, he can post you up, he can shoot the mid-range J. He's looking like a Glenn Robinson to me, which isn't all that bad, unless you want to remember his feud with Jim O'Brien in 2004 lol. His youth and talent has me excited, he and Iguodala will make a fine pair. Maybe even better then Al Thorton/Iggy, we'll see. Grade: A-.
#21 overall-Jason Smith (Colorado):
At 7'0, he has a solid post-up game, and he's a very passionate player. He's a solid rebounder as well. Just what this team needed, mental toughness, he has the potential to be a very good player and the desire to be a very good player. Grade:A.
#38 Overall-Kyrylo Fesenko (International):
Another 7 footer, seems to have solid body. We'll wait for him to develop. Big men don't grow on trees, neither do international players, besides, he couldn't be any worse then Edin Bavacic, and he had a good season last year internationally I believe Grade: B+ (Nice to see these guys pick up in the International department).
#42 overall-Derrick Byars(Vanderbilt):
His versatility and quicknesss as a combo guard made him one of the more interesting prospects in the draft. I have no idea why he dropped so far, but quite frankly, I don't really care. His skillset and raw talent is worth the selection, We're not the Atlanta Hawks, this is only our 4th swingman/guard right? Grade: B+
Overall: I loved the draft, we picked 4 talented and young players, combined with the youth we already have on the roster, we can certainly hope for everyone's development and a nice and solid year. Final Grade: A. Props to ya Billy, you allowed a 76ers fan to rest peacefully, at least, on this draft night.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HKF
The Sixers are going to be one of the 3 worst teams in the NBA this year. Just saying...
Thad Young- Decent prospect with some upside. As I have stated before I would rather have had Thornton or Wright because of their inside presence. Young is a good shooter with good form and has pretty good athleticism. Showed tentativeness or limited ability in his post game. Needs to desperately improve his rebounding, only averaged 4 boards at GT, inexcusable for a 6'7 guy with good build. Handle needs to be developed. Probably not going to be able to play big minutes for a year or two. Grade: C+
Jason Smith: Big guy that is willing to run the floor and rebound. Has some offensive post game and gets hustle baskets off rebounds and such. Good value at 20 and at a position of need for the Sixers. Grade: B+
Kyrylo Fesenko: Who the hell knows. Like the idea of getting big guys and letting them develop overseas. Maybe he can turn out like the Spurs big guys. Grade: B
Derrick Byars: Very good shooter who has good size. Plays decent defense and has an ok handle but isn't someone you want handling the ball for long periods of time. He is a very good value at 42 but at a position we are stocked at, some I am kind of torn on this one. He'll have to compete with Korver and Green for the instant offense role off the bench at 2/3 spot. Grade: B
Overall: B/B-
Really wish we could've moved up into the top 8. From all media accounts BK was really trying to, so I guess the effort was there. This draft netted us one instant contributor (Smith), two projects (Young and Fesenko), and bench player (Byars). How the projects develop will determine final grade of this draft.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
I love the Thad Young pick and would have picked him before Thornton or Wright too. If the Sixers were a contending team, then Thornton would be the better pick, but the Sixers aren't. Thornton can help now, but Young is a lot younger (around 4.5 years) and he is a hard worker, making it more likely that he will achieve his potential (though it still isn't for certain). I feel that Young and Iggy will make a great duo on the wings (and probably the most athletic pair in the league).
Jason Smith seems like a good pick, as he is a player with good pro potential and he fits a team need. He apparently had a great workout for the Sixers, which is probably why they traded up one spot for him. He seems like a good complement to Dalembert too. Kind of wary about giving up a second round pick to move up one slot but I guess it couldn't be helped, plus second round picks are crapshots anyway.
I'm wasn't a fan of the Petteri Koponen trade at first because I felt that he would be a great pick to stash away in Europe and then come overseas when Miller is gone. However, I guess that the management is confident in Louis Williams (who did play well in limited minutes last year). Byars seems like a solid pick. Not too much upside, but I feel like he is a better fit for the team right now instead of Willie Green (who I hope the Sixers can trade away sometime soon).
Herbert Hill, from what I have read, seems like a good sleeper who is better than Randolph. I'm not too familiar with him, but according to Hollinger's ratings, he was the #16 college player in the draft this year (depending on how much you believe in them). Seems like a good gamble for a late 2nd round pick anyway.
Overall, I am satisfied. I'm hesitant to give individual scores for each player, but it seems that we were able to get good value for all of out picks, so I give the overall draft a A-.
You guys comfortable in giving up Daequan Cook + more for Jason Smith?
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The starting lineup for YOUR Knicksfan's legends Ghost's Dungeon Legends Baseball draft.
1. CF: Tyrus Cobb
2. 2B: Pete Rose
3. 1B: Mark McGwire
4. C: Mike Piazza
5. 3B: Cal Ripken JR
6. SS: Miguel Tejada
7. RF: Mel Ott
8. LF: Darryl Strawberry
9. DH: Dave Winfield
Starting Rotation and Closer
1. Walter Johnson 2nd winningest RIGHTY ever
2. Warren Spahn Winningest LEFTY ever
3. Phil Niekro Knuckle em up
4. Dwight Gooden A stud before the drugs
5. John Clarkson won 51 games in 1 season. 278 in 8 seasons. 300 game winner.
CL: Trevor Hoffman
Herbert Hill was pretty good for Providence. He reminds me of Steven Hunter a little bit. Long and lean, plays with good energy. He put some real nice games in the Big East against good competition so he has a shot to win some spare playing time.
I don't know too much about Young, but considering both BEEZ and Coates were sold on him, I very much respect the pick.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Lennon
Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it.
I think it took place right after the draft was over.
__________________ Who cares about a championship drought?:
My teams will never win a championship anyway, so why don't you discuss everything else at my forum? Good idea, right? Yeah, I thought so. It's called.. Booing Santa Claus. See you there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rollins
“The average is the borderline that keeps mere men in their place. Those who step over the line are heroes by the very act. Go.”
I don't know too much about Young, but considering both BEEZ and Coates were sold on him, I very much respect the pick.
That's the same thang I was thinking Ras. I dont watch college ball and I know those 2 do. When I heard them call out Thad Young....I thought to myself well that's who Coats and Beez were sold on so I was happy......
p.s. plus it gives me something to hold over on them if he doesnt pan out LOL ....i kid, i kid
I was going over Thad Young information when I came to a podcast with a trainer Young worked with before the draft, Tim Grover. Grover compared Young to Andre Iguodala, explaining that both of them were like sponges just waiting to learn and who listen to what others have to say. He also praised Young's length, athleticism, and competitiveness. Sounds good.]
In the same podcast, Grover said that Hill has great fundamentals for a big man and can be a presence on the floor without scoring or with the ball in his hands.
I honestly think Billy King is scared to let talent develop overseas. Its like hes ok with us being allergic to Euro's. Have we ever had one with much consequence here
I honestly think Billy King is scared to let talent develop overseas. Its like hes ok with us being allergic to Euro's. Have we ever had one with much consequence here
Do Toni Kukoc or Mutombo count? They were somewhat short term stayers and tested vets.
Whoever compared Thad to Glenn Robinson is dead wrong. They're not similar at all.
And the guy who mentioned that Thad's rebound numbers for a guy with his build weren't solid obviously didn't see him towards the start of the year. He was Reggie Miller skinny in high school. He's around 210-220 now due to all of the work he's done throughout the end of the season/workouts now. Most of the muscle he's put on has been due to his training after the season ended. He was very scrawny coming into GT and at the start of the season. He was also defending perimeter players at times, didn't help him rebounding. I'm not worried at all about his rebounding.
He needs to improve his handle, but if you've been following Thad for the last 2 years you'll notice the amazing improvements he's made on his long range shot. Form has been corrected, and it's very smooth and much more accurate now. He's a hard worker, no doubt he'll improve his handle with time. During HS he showed a quick first step and the ability to penetrate off the dribble at times off various cross overs, GT didn't allow him to take players off the dribble. He was restricted to the mid range game, being fed in the post or shooting long shots. The ball was always in Crittenton's hands. It still needs work though.
Thad is a very solid prospect. Wright would have been the only other player I would have considered at the position, but he's too similar to Iggy. Same weaknesses and same strengths. Wouldn't have been a great match together.
As for Thornton, he's a decent player but I'm glad we stayed away from him. His basketball IQ raises questions. See how he does out in LA.
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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
Sixer fan's draft analysis
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