Post by Galo on Jul 29, 2023 8:39:32 GMT -8
63' Top 20 Review/Grades
1 Minnesota Timberwolves – Isiah Thomas
PG 6'1'' 180 20 B C B+ B+ C A
Notes- Elite inside, handling and quickness. Good jumpshot and steals.
Analysis- In this scenario, Isiah fit the criteria to be selected as the No. 1 pick for Minny and the second draft under Beastly since his return. I like this pick but not sure how he fits in the rest of the backcourt with Mo Cheeks and Larry Drew also there. Would have loved to see them trade down to get Nance and more assets but wasn’t meant to be. Personally, I don’t love point guards that can’t shoot 3s but if Isiah is close to Shaun Livingston status, he should be a top 5 PG in the league at his peak.
Grade- B+
2 Dallas Mavericks (from Kings) – Fat Lever
SF 6'3'' 170 21 B C+ B B B A
Notes: Can play PG. Elite quickness. Good jumpshot, steals and strength.
Analysis: Fat would have been my No. 1 pick so for Dallas to get him at #2 is winning in my book. You’re going to have to camp his handles undoubtedly and his defense isn’t great but he’s going to be invaluable that he’ll be a triple double threat and be a major plus in the rebounding category. I’ve heard the MRR comparison but seeing how Lever was in past BBS versions, I think he’ll be an elite player here still.
Grade: A
3 Toronto Raptors- Larry Nance
PF 6'10'' 205 22 B C C B+ C+ A
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot, handles, quickness, steals and post defense. Solid blocks and strength
Analysis: After Spencer’s comments, Nance solidified his spot in the top 3 of the draft after some initial mocks had him lower. He should be a great starter from day 1 as he’s a 2-way player that will give you the production at PF or even SF if needed. Braz and Raptors brass should be fortunate to jump up a slot to grab Nance.
Grade: A-
4 Dallas Mavericks – Buck Williams
PF 6'8'' 215 21 B C- C- B B+ A
Notes: Elite strength. Good inside scoring, handles and steals. Solid rebounding.
Analysis- Best big in the draft behind Nance by far. Dallas coming away with Fat and Buck in the top 4 is a major coup for them. Buck will join the goggled Kurt Rambis in the Mavs frontcourt in addition to last year’s lotto pick Danny Ainge. As long as Brian camps Buck’s blocks right away, he should be star level big in this league.
Grade: A-
5 Chicago Bulls (from Nuggets)- Sleepy Floyd
PG 6'3'' 170 21 B- C+ B- C+ C- A
Notes: Good inside scoring, handling and quickness. Solid jumpshot and steals.
Analysis- Sleepy feels like Fat-lite (pun intended). Again, not a great shooter at point guard but will have volume and has good handles to start. His boards and defense to start are a little subpar but he should get you some stocks. As long as he has high potential, Sleepy could be a nice PG for a long time.
Grade: B+
6 New Jersey Nets – Tom Chambers
PF 6'10'' 220 22 B B+ C- C+ C A
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot, 3 point shot, handles and post defense.
Analysis – Tom had great notes coming in and was the right pick at No. 5 but still surprised Greeme took him due to his defensive grade to start. His post defense should be good but Chambers feels like he projects at SF long term for me especially with good handles. I think he’ll be an A-/A- scorer in no time and easily 25-30 points a game.
Grade: A-
7 New York Knicks (from Wizards)- Mark Aguirre
SF 6'6'' 232 22 B+ C+ C+ C+ C A
Notes: Elite inside scoring. Good jumpshot. Solid handling, quickness and strength.
Analysis – Ironically, Sargo picked #7 last year as well and took the big man from Purdue, JBC. I like Aguirre a lot – very underrated and helped the Pistons win 2 chips in real life. Should be a fantastic scorer but wonder how his defense will hold up long term. Aguirre should be a really wing when it said and done especially if he has 3PTers in his game.
Grade: B+
8 New York Knicks – Ronaldo Blackman
SG 6'6'' 190 22 B B C- C+ C A
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot and handles. Solid 3 point shot. Mediocre steals.
Analysis: Back to back picks here for the Knicks and another great scorer coming off the board in Rolando Blackman. Not sure how many more wings New York needs but this classic Mike building a war chest of assets to compile a greater team. Blackman will joined Aguirre and No. 25 pick Larry Sprrigs along with Adrian Dantley in the big apple.
Grade: A-
9 Milwaukee Bucks- Alton Lister
C 7'0'' 240 23 C C- D B+ B B
Notes: Elite strength. Good post defense. Solid blocks, jumpshot and rebounding.
Analysis: Solid pick here for Andy. You have to think Lister will develop good blocks and the rest of his game has a good starting point. The Bucks are still going through a rebuild and badly need a young big alongside Clarence Kea and Rich Kelley. I like Lister – should be a nice pro.
Grade: B
10 Philadelphia 76ers- Sam Williams
PF 6'8'' 210 22 B- C- C- B- C+ B
Notes: Solid inside scoring, jumpshot, blocks and steals.
Analysis: Not a big fan of this pick – sorry Jeff! I had Williams a lot lower in my projections and liked other guys like Woolridge or even Vincent or Higgins who went later. Decent notes maybe he’ll be serviceable as a stocks guy if he blows up in TC but just have a question mark here in the top 10.
Grade: C+
11 Detroit Pistons- Herb Williams
C 6'10'' 242 23 C+ D+ C- B+ C+ B
Notes: Elite strength. Good handling. Solid blocks and inside scoring.
Analysis: Like this pick for Habes – elite strength on a big to start with solid block and good handles – not much more you can ask for. Feel like I remember Herb was a beast in a previous retro BBS. Anyway, you get Herb to B+/A- boards and now you’re cooking with gas as they say.
Grade: A-
12 LA Lakers- Danny Schayes
C 6'11'' 235 22 C+ C C- B+ B- B
Notes: Good jumpshot, post defense and strength. Solid inside scoring and strength.
Analysis – Good pick for Nanz at this spot towards the end of lotto. Mediocre blocks is a little tough but maybe he can develop that part of his game. Schayes does have good handles and rest of his game looks solid. Should be a good big if develops right.
Grade: B+
13 Utah Jazz- Orlando Woolridge
SF 6'9'' 215 22 A- C C C+ C B
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot, handles and quickness. Elite jumping.
Analysis – I like this pick as the as first major decision for Rex in his return. Woolridge projects as very good 6th man to me in BBS – and maybe can make it as a SG. His obvious knocks are lack of 3PT shot and defense but he should have good volume and handles to offset that a bit. I like the pick and the fit in Utah.
Grade: B
14 New Orleans Hornets – Jay Vincent
SF 6'7'' 220 22 B C C- B+ C+ B
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot, handles, quickness and post defense. Solid strength. Mediocre rebounding.
Analysis – Fresh off getting his tooth yanked off in the dentist chair, Jah chose the 6’7 Vincent out of Michigan State, where he won an NCAA title with Magic Johnson. Vincent seems like a strong mid round pick – probably could be a good 5th starter and what you need to win games at the backup 3 spot.
Grade: B
15 Minnesota Timberwolves (from Heat)- Rod Higgins
SF 6'7'' 200 21 C+ B+ C- B- C B
Notes: Elite jumpshot. Good handles. Solid 3 point shot.
Analysis – Twolves take Higgins here and it’s the right pick at this point. Elite jumper should make him serviceable from the wing spot along with good handles. You wonder about Higgins’ volume and potential but you can’t do much worse here outside of lotto.
Grade: B
16 Milwaukee Bucks (from Sonics)- Albert King
SF 6'6'' 190 22 B- B- C- B C B
Notes: Good inside scoring and jumpshot. Solid handles and quickness.
Analysis – Interesting selection here for Milwaukee. Kind of a tweener wing in King here with some nice volume and jumper – if you +8 3PT shot and his jumper continues to develop – maybe you’ve got a B/A- wing at some point? I think if King develops well, he could be a decent to above/average SG in this league.
Grade: B
17 Boston Celtics (from Grizz via Hornets) – Darnell Valentine
PG 6'1'' 183 22 C B- B- B C- B
Notes: Good jumpshot. Solid handles, quickness and steals.
Analysis – The Celtics traded in to get Valentine here at #17. Boston has shuffled point guards in recent years and they get the best one left after the top 3 in the class were chose early in the lotto. Valentine has a good base and maybe Boston will get lucky with one of the crazy point guard TCs but would have loved Gurdmundsson at this point but understand the need for the C’s.
Grade: B-
18 LA Clippers - Petur Gudmundsson
C 7'2'' 260 23 C+ C D+ B B B
Notes: Elite strength. Good jumpshot and post defense. Solid rebounding and handling.
Analysis – Like this pick a lot for Game in the start of the Clippers rebuild. Gudmundsson has mediocre blocks but the rest of his game is there – elite strength, nice jumper and post defense – solid boards and handles. Surprised Gudmundsson dropped to 18 personally – I think he should be better than a handful of guys taken before him and could be a steal this point.
Grade: B+
19 Houston Rockets- Sam Clancy
PF 23 6'6'' 238 C+ C- C- C+ B+ C
Notes: Mediocre blocks. Good Strength. Solid handles. Solid Jumpshot
Analysis – Broph took quite a swing here for the undersized PF Sam Clancy out of Pittsburgh. Personally, not a big fan of his pick but understand the intentions. Seems like he’s good all around and maybe can be serviceable at some point. Not sure how much potential he has in the tank though and mediocre blocks. Would have a preferred a couple other guys here like Verhoeven but see where the Rockets are shooting for.
Grade: C
20 Cleveland Cavaliers- Kenny Dennard
PF 6'8'' 220 23 B- C C- B- C+ B
Notes: Solid inside scoring, jumpshot, handles, quickness and steals.
Analysis – Seems like a solid pickup. Typically, Svedda doesn’t miss on these late 1st selections if he sees something. Dennard seems like a good backup at the moment but maybe can get minutes at SF if he develops right. Feel like you do a whole lot worse here than Dennard so like the Cavs new rookie.
Grade: B-
1 Minnesota Timberwolves – Isiah Thomas
PG 6'1'' 180 20 B C B+ B+ C A
Notes- Elite inside, handling and quickness. Good jumpshot and steals.
Analysis- In this scenario, Isiah fit the criteria to be selected as the No. 1 pick for Minny and the second draft under Beastly since his return. I like this pick but not sure how he fits in the rest of the backcourt with Mo Cheeks and Larry Drew also there. Would have loved to see them trade down to get Nance and more assets but wasn’t meant to be. Personally, I don’t love point guards that can’t shoot 3s but if Isiah is close to Shaun Livingston status, he should be a top 5 PG in the league at his peak.
Grade- B+
2 Dallas Mavericks (from Kings) – Fat Lever
SF 6'3'' 170 21 B C+ B B B A
Notes: Can play PG. Elite quickness. Good jumpshot, steals and strength.
Analysis: Fat would have been my No. 1 pick so for Dallas to get him at #2 is winning in my book. You’re going to have to camp his handles undoubtedly and his defense isn’t great but he’s going to be invaluable that he’ll be a triple double threat and be a major plus in the rebounding category. I’ve heard the MRR comparison but seeing how Lever was in past BBS versions, I think he’ll be an elite player here still.
Grade: A
3 Toronto Raptors- Larry Nance
PF 6'10'' 205 22 B C C B+ C+ A
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot, handles, quickness, steals and post defense. Solid blocks and strength
Analysis: After Spencer’s comments, Nance solidified his spot in the top 3 of the draft after some initial mocks had him lower. He should be a great starter from day 1 as he’s a 2-way player that will give you the production at PF or even SF if needed. Braz and Raptors brass should be fortunate to jump up a slot to grab Nance.
Grade: A-
4 Dallas Mavericks – Buck Williams
PF 6'8'' 215 21 B C- C- B B+ A
Notes: Elite strength. Good inside scoring, handles and steals. Solid rebounding.
Analysis- Best big in the draft behind Nance by far. Dallas coming away with Fat and Buck in the top 4 is a major coup for them. Buck will join the goggled Kurt Rambis in the Mavs frontcourt in addition to last year’s lotto pick Danny Ainge. As long as Brian camps Buck’s blocks right away, he should be star level big in this league.
Grade: A-
5 Chicago Bulls (from Nuggets)- Sleepy Floyd
PG 6'3'' 170 21 B- C+ B- C+ C- A
Notes: Good inside scoring, handling and quickness. Solid jumpshot and steals.
Analysis- Sleepy feels like Fat-lite (pun intended). Again, not a great shooter at point guard but will have volume and has good handles to start. His boards and defense to start are a little subpar but he should get you some stocks. As long as he has high potential, Sleepy could be a nice PG for a long time.
Grade: B+
6 New Jersey Nets – Tom Chambers
PF 6'10'' 220 22 B B+ C- C+ C A
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot, 3 point shot, handles and post defense.
Analysis – Tom had great notes coming in and was the right pick at No. 5 but still surprised Greeme took him due to his defensive grade to start. His post defense should be good but Chambers feels like he projects at SF long term for me especially with good handles. I think he’ll be an A-/A- scorer in no time and easily 25-30 points a game.
Grade: A-
7 New York Knicks (from Wizards)- Mark Aguirre
SF 6'6'' 232 22 B+ C+ C+ C+ C A
Notes: Elite inside scoring. Good jumpshot. Solid handling, quickness and strength.
Analysis – Ironically, Sargo picked #7 last year as well and took the big man from Purdue, JBC. I like Aguirre a lot – very underrated and helped the Pistons win 2 chips in real life. Should be a fantastic scorer but wonder how his defense will hold up long term. Aguirre should be a really wing when it said and done especially if he has 3PTers in his game.
Grade: B+
8 New York Knicks – Ronaldo Blackman
SG 6'6'' 190 22 B B C- C+ C A
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot and handles. Solid 3 point shot. Mediocre steals.
Analysis: Back to back picks here for the Knicks and another great scorer coming off the board in Rolando Blackman. Not sure how many more wings New York needs but this classic Mike building a war chest of assets to compile a greater team. Blackman will joined Aguirre and No. 25 pick Larry Sprrigs along with Adrian Dantley in the big apple.
Grade: A-
9 Milwaukee Bucks- Alton Lister
C 7'0'' 240 23 C C- D B+ B B
Notes: Elite strength. Good post defense. Solid blocks, jumpshot and rebounding.
Analysis: Solid pick here for Andy. You have to think Lister will develop good blocks and the rest of his game has a good starting point. The Bucks are still going through a rebuild and badly need a young big alongside Clarence Kea and Rich Kelley. I like Lister – should be a nice pro.
Grade: B
10 Philadelphia 76ers- Sam Williams
PF 6'8'' 210 22 B- C- C- B- C+ B
Notes: Solid inside scoring, jumpshot, blocks and steals.
Analysis: Not a big fan of this pick – sorry Jeff! I had Williams a lot lower in my projections and liked other guys like Woolridge or even Vincent or Higgins who went later. Decent notes maybe he’ll be serviceable as a stocks guy if he blows up in TC but just have a question mark here in the top 10.
Grade: C+
11 Detroit Pistons- Herb Williams
C 6'10'' 242 23 C+ D+ C- B+ C+ B
Notes: Elite strength. Good handling. Solid blocks and inside scoring.
Analysis: Like this pick for Habes – elite strength on a big to start with solid block and good handles – not much more you can ask for. Feel like I remember Herb was a beast in a previous retro BBS. Anyway, you get Herb to B+/A- boards and now you’re cooking with gas as they say.
Grade: A-
12 LA Lakers- Danny Schayes
C 6'11'' 235 22 C+ C C- B+ B- B
Notes: Good jumpshot, post defense and strength. Solid inside scoring and strength.
Analysis – Good pick for Nanz at this spot towards the end of lotto. Mediocre blocks is a little tough but maybe he can develop that part of his game. Schayes does have good handles and rest of his game looks solid. Should be a good big if develops right.
Grade: B+
13 Utah Jazz- Orlando Woolridge
SF 6'9'' 215 22 A- C C C+ C B
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot, handles and quickness. Elite jumping.
Analysis – I like this pick as the as first major decision for Rex in his return. Woolridge projects as very good 6th man to me in BBS – and maybe can make it as a SG. His obvious knocks are lack of 3PT shot and defense but he should have good volume and handles to offset that a bit. I like the pick and the fit in Utah.
Grade: B
14 New Orleans Hornets – Jay Vincent
SF 6'7'' 220 22 B C C- B+ C+ B
Notes: Good inside scoring, jumpshot, handles, quickness and post defense. Solid strength. Mediocre rebounding.
Analysis – Fresh off getting his tooth yanked off in the dentist chair, Jah chose the 6’7 Vincent out of Michigan State, where he won an NCAA title with Magic Johnson. Vincent seems like a strong mid round pick – probably could be a good 5th starter and what you need to win games at the backup 3 spot.
Grade: B
15 Minnesota Timberwolves (from Heat)- Rod Higgins
SF 6'7'' 200 21 C+ B+ C- B- C B
Notes: Elite jumpshot. Good handles. Solid 3 point shot.
Analysis – Twolves take Higgins here and it’s the right pick at this point. Elite jumper should make him serviceable from the wing spot along with good handles. You wonder about Higgins’ volume and potential but you can’t do much worse here outside of lotto.
Grade: B
16 Milwaukee Bucks (from Sonics)- Albert King
SF 6'6'' 190 22 B- B- C- B C B
Notes: Good inside scoring and jumpshot. Solid handles and quickness.
Analysis – Interesting selection here for Milwaukee. Kind of a tweener wing in King here with some nice volume and jumper – if you +8 3PT shot and his jumper continues to develop – maybe you’ve got a B/A- wing at some point? I think if King develops well, he could be a decent to above/average SG in this league.
Grade: B
17 Boston Celtics (from Grizz via Hornets) – Darnell Valentine
PG 6'1'' 183 22 C B- B- B C- B
Notes: Good jumpshot. Solid handles, quickness and steals.
Analysis – The Celtics traded in to get Valentine here at #17. Boston has shuffled point guards in recent years and they get the best one left after the top 3 in the class were chose early in the lotto. Valentine has a good base and maybe Boston will get lucky with one of the crazy point guard TCs but would have loved Gurdmundsson at this point but understand the need for the C’s.
Grade: B-
18 LA Clippers - Petur Gudmundsson
C 7'2'' 260 23 C+ C D+ B B B
Notes: Elite strength. Good jumpshot and post defense. Solid rebounding and handling.
Analysis – Like this pick a lot for Game in the start of the Clippers rebuild. Gudmundsson has mediocre blocks but the rest of his game is there – elite strength, nice jumper and post defense – solid boards and handles. Surprised Gudmundsson dropped to 18 personally – I think he should be better than a handful of guys taken before him and could be a steal this point.
Grade: B+
19 Houston Rockets- Sam Clancy
PF 23 6'6'' 238 C+ C- C- C+ B+ C
Notes: Mediocre blocks. Good Strength. Solid handles. Solid Jumpshot
Analysis – Broph took quite a swing here for the undersized PF Sam Clancy out of Pittsburgh. Personally, not a big fan of his pick but understand the intentions. Seems like he’s good all around and maybe can be serviceable at some point. Not sure how much potential he has in the tank though and mediocre blocks. Would have a preferred a couple other guys here like Verhoeven but see where the Rockets are shooting for.
Grade: C
20 Cleveland Cavaliers- Kenny Dennard
PF 6'8'' 220 23 B- C C- B- C+ B
Notes: Solid inside scoring, jumpshot, handles, quickness and steals.
Analysis – Seems like a solid pickup. Typically, Svedda doesn’t miss on these late 1st selections if he sees something. Dennard seems like a good backup at the moment but maybe can get minutes at SF if he develops right. Feel like you do a whole lot worse here than Dennard so like the Cavs new rookie.
Grade: B-
