Post by 13rock on May 18, 2020 0:47:45 GMT -8
#1
Los Angeles Lakers - Gilbert Arenas, PG, Arizona (So.)
Actual Pick
Phoenix Suns - Pau Gasol, PF/C, FC Barcelona (Spain)
From 1997 to 1999 and in 2001 the team with the third worst record in the NBA made the jump to the #1 overall pick. Those are fact! Those selections include booms and busts; Tim Duncan, Michael Olowokandi, Elton Brand and Kwame Brown.
The Phoenix Suns’ selection was easy with Baron Davis earning All-League and All-Defense honors in his age twenty-one season. Gasol was the safest pick of this draft class and saw his defense and rebounding improve in training camp.
FINAL GRADE - A+ (Includes winning the lottery)
#2
Projected Pick
Orlando Magic - Pau Gasol, PF/C, FC Barcelona (Spain)
Actual Pick
Los Angeles Lakers - Gilbert Arenas, PG, Arizona (So.)
Gilbert Arenas started at Grant High School in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles where his #25 is retired.
"I told him once, 'You're Elgin Baylor,' " said Arenas' high school coach, Howard Levine. "And he looked at me like I was crazy. I said, 'To me, Baylor and Jerry West were like gods. They're why I do what I do. You're that for a lot of people now.”
Arenas was going to be a Laker. Being back in Los Angeles and teaming up with “BFF” Larry Hughes led to a massive progression in training camp. The lowest scoring team in the league last season needed this!
FINAL GRADE - A+
#3
Projected Pick
Phoenix Suns - Joe Johnson, SF, Arkansas (So.)
Actual Pick
Orlando Magic - Joe Johnson, SF, Arkansas (So.)
The Orlando Magic thought they would be selecting either Gilbert Arenas or Pau Gasol...
Johnson went to the University of Arkansas after earning Mr. Basketball honors in 1999 while at Little Rock Central High School. In his freshman season, Johnson was voted SEC Newcomer of the Year, Co-Freshman of the Year and second team All-SEC.
His sophomore season saw a slight decline in scoring but he’s been motivated put that behind him. Johnson significant work into his perimeter game this training camp.
FINAL GRADE - B
#4
Projected Pick
Portland Trail Blazers - Tony Parker, PG, Paris Basket Racing (France)
Actual Pick
Portland Trail Blazers - Gerald Wallace, SF/PF, Alabama (Fr.)
Tony Parker was going to go #4 to Portland and rounding out a young trio with Rip Hamilton and Al Harrington. The Trail Blazers did not have a point guard under contract and Parker was the best available player on the board.
Portland must have been in attendance at the ABCD Camp prior to Wallace’s lone season at Alabama. National recruiting analyst Brick Oettinger called Wallace one of the finest high school prospects ever. "He is the best combination of athletic ability, basketball skill and intangibles that I've ever seen in a wing forward. I once wrote the same words about Michael Jordan as a wing guard. Wallace runs the floor, hits the three and plays every possession like it's his last. Nobody has put on a show like him in nearly two decades."
Wallace should become an elite defender and is already Portland’s best PF.
FINAL GRADE - B-
#5
Projected Pick
Seattle Super Sonics - Tyson Chandler, C, Dominguez HS (CA)
Actual Pick
Seattle Super Sonics - Tyson Chandler, C, Dominguez HS (CA)
The Sonics were 25th in the league in blocked shots and 23rd in opponent field goal percentage. Adding a potential elite defender and shot blocker was exactly what was needed. Chandler also saw improvement in his scoring in training camp.
Tony Parker was higher on my board but the need that Chandler fills moved him ahead.
FINAL GRADE - B+
#6
Projected Pick
Dallas Mavericks - Gerald Wallace, SF/PF, Alabama (Fr.)
Actual Pick
Dallas Mavericks - Tony Parker, PG, Paris Basket Racing (France)
Dallas ended the slide of Tony Parker and he had to be the selection despite Jason Kidd being on the roster. Having too much talent at a position is a great problem to have.
Parker’s unexpected shooting improvement will make the Mavericks’ backcourt rotations very interesting.
FINAL GRADE - A+
#7
Projected Pick
San Antonio Spurs - Zach Randolph, PF, Michigan State (Fr.)
Actual Pick
San Antonio Spurs - Zach Randolph, PF, Michigan State (Fr.)
Randolph came to Michigan State regarded as arguably the top recruit in the nation despite several off the court issues that put his college eligibility at risk. This included numerous SAT attempts, being unable to play as a junior due to a suspension for being in possession of stolen guns. Randolph needed the year in college under a strong coach like Tom Izzo.
“I had the papers,” Randolph said. “I was about to enter the draft. But I told my mom I would go to college for a year. That was the best thing that I did.”
“I’m thrilled for Zach Randolph,″ Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. This was a great value for the Spurs.
FINAL GRADE - B+
#8
Projected Pick
Atlanta Hawks - Troy Murphy, PF, Notre Dame (Jr.)
Actual Pick
Atlanta Hawks - Samuel Dalembert, C, Seton Hall (So.)
Observing the Hawks very fast outside focus this past season it seemed like them looking for a stretch 4/5 was obvious. The selection of Dalembert drew some very early praise but he showed very little progress in training camp.
There were far more talented prospects available when the Hawks were on the clock.
FINAL GRADE - C
#9
Projected Pick
Milwaukee Bucks - Jason Richardson, SG, Michigan State (So.)
Actual Pick
Milwaukee Bucks - DeSagana Diop, C, Oak Hill Academy (VA)
At the time of the projection Rashard Lewis was still a Milwaukee Bucks and Jason Richardson looked like the best prospect available. The Bucks also already had a solid young center on their roster in Rasho Nesterovic!
There were more talented players available, this wasn’t a need and Diop showed minimal improvement in training camp.
FINAL GRADE - F
#10
Projected Pick
Washington Wizards - Richard Jefferson, SF, Arizona (Jr.)
Actual Pick
Portland Trail Blazers - Eddy Curry, C, Thornwood HS (IL)
Richard Jefferson appeared to be the best player available in the projection for the Wizards.
The Trail Blazers were sold on Eddy Curry’s post game and traded up from #13 with the #21 overall pick and a future 2nd. That looks to be a great move after Curry produced 15 PPG on 64.7% shooting in just 18 minutes per game in the preseason.
FINAL GRADE - B+
#11
Projected Pick
Toronto Raptors - Shane Battier, SF, Duke (Sr.)
Actual Pick
Toronto Raptors - Jason Richardson, SG, Michigan State (So.)
Jason Richardson was an outstanding value after sliding to the Raptors with the 11th selection. He had a difficult time in training camp but Tom Izzo knows he will put in the work to be a good pro.
“J Rich came in and played a role. He made sacrifices. I couldn't sit there and promise him a starting job. He wanted to win a championship. He left us with two Final Fours and one national championship.”
FINAL GRADE - B
#12
Projected Pick
Boston Celtics - Eddy Curry, C, Thornwood HS (IL)
Actual Pick
Boston Celtics - Shane Battier, SF, Duke (Sr.)
Shane Battier ended his college career as arguably the greatest Duke basketball player ever. There were still questions about his potential despite his leadership and exceptional defensive. Battier took his game to another level in training camp even after Coach K challenged him earlier this year.
“He (Coach K) was always on me to shoot more. I’ve always been a team player, a guy who wants to move the ball. I had never been offensive-minded. He would just continue to harp on me. When I became a junior, after Trajan had graduated and Elton Brand left, William Avery left, he used to call me over the summer and say, ‘Are you ready to average 20 points a game?’ And if I hesitated for a second, he would hang up on me.”
FINAL GRADE - A-
#13
Projected Pick
Philadelphia 76ers - Samuel Dalembert, C, Seton Hall (So.)
Actual Pick
Washington Wizards - Richard Jefferson, SF, Arizona (Jr.)
The Wizards traded back and were able to select the same player projected to them at their original pick. Jefferson needs to find his way into the rotation but this was a great value.
FINAL GRADE - B+
