Post by the original michael on May 21, 2020 6:20:43 GMT -8
2001 Draft Re-Do (Lottery Addition)
Why did the Suns take Gasol number one? Why did Eddie Griffin fall so far in the draft?
It’s questions like this that fuel the hot takes around the league during the league's down time. Wait, who am I kidding? There is no down time here. The takes are always hot off the press.
Conversations and debates like this often gravitate toward the debate of a draft pick’s potential versus ability to contribute right away. Is the player worth the risk? What's the player look like "under the hood" of those gaudy or ugly ratings?
Most of us are looking ahead to the 2002 draft with the likes of Yao Ming and Amare Stoudemire, but the past is usually an indicator on how the future will turn out. Let's take a look at the 2001 draft, yet again...
1. Phoenix Suns- Gilbert Arenas
Actual Pick: Pau Gasol
Gilbert Arenas is the pick at #1 in the re-draft. Arenas had a rough first sim, but has really come on the last two sims for the Los Angeles Lakers. He's now averaging over 20PPG and his turnovers are manageable at 3.1 per game. Oh, and Agent 0 is top 5 in the league in steals per game, despite having that ugly ugly C- defensive rating. Under the hood, he's more than capable as a defensive player. The question for the Suns: could Baron and Arenas have existed? Yes.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Pau Gasol
Actual Pick: Gilbert Arenas
After having negotiations with both the Lakers and Suns for their picks, I knew both teams were high on Gasol. I'm not sure if the Lakers would have preferred Gasol over Arenas if they had the opportunity, and I guess we will never know. Gasol has been able to score somewhat efficiently for the Phoenix Suns this season, but his rebounding, shot blocking, and handles need work. Gasol turns the ball over at a high rate for a big man. Should he correct that, he's going to be a great player in this league. No doubt about it.
3. Orlando Magic- Joe Johnson
Actual Pick: Joe Johnson
No change here. Joe Johnson was the obvious pick at the time and is even more of an obvious pick after the first training camp. The man proclaimed as "Iso Joe" is averaging 23.2PPG on .481 .804 .451 shooting. Very impressive for a rookie. He also cares care of the rock, limiting his turnovers to under 2 a game. Joe Johnson is the cornerstone of the Orlando Magic franchise. Great pick by Forky and crew down in Orlando.
4. Portland Trail Blazers - Tony Parker
Actual Pick: Gerald Wallace
Don't get me wrong. Gerald Wallace looks good. But, he's no Tony Parker. Parker had a tremendous training camp, seeing his outside shot improve from C to B- for the Dallas Mavericks. As a rookie, one could argue that he is out performing future Hall of Famer, Jason Kidd. The Dallas Mavericks have themselves an absolute stud and it would have been cool to see him and Eddy Curry team up in Portland for years to come.
5. Seattle Super Sonics- Gerald Wallace
Actual Pick: Tyson Chandler
I wavered back and forth between Zach Randolph and Gerald Wallace here for the Seattle Supersonics, but ultimately, ended up going with Gerald Wallace. Wallace may never be a superstar, but he'll be a hell of a player. He blocks shots, rebounds, swipes the ball and shoots a decent percentage. If Wallace is able to improve that jump shot, the league will be put on notice. He's a menace.
6. Dallas Mavericks - Zach Randolph
Actual Pick: Tony Parker
Zach Randolph to Mavericks by default. Does he fit with their roster? Not really, but he's arguably the best player available. The question is, does he play SF or PF? He can't block, but the man can score the basketball at a high rate and rebounds nicely. He started off the season at SF for the Spurs, but has since moved over to the PF position. I think he can survive there if he has an elite defensive big next to him. Oh wait, the Spurs have Alonzo Mourning now. So yah, I think they are fine.
7. San Antonio Spurs- Eddie Griffin
Actual Pick: Zach Randolph
Eddie Griffin is low key one of my favorite players in this draft, especially after his training camp. Man, the Magic get a ton of shit from other GMs in the league, but they did crush this draft. Eddie Griffin is a walking double double (nearly), while getting close to 2 blocks per game. He has a great jump shot and even can hit the open 3 once in a while. Similar to Zach Randolph, the Magic need to decide where to play Griffin; SF or PF. However, I think his elite blocking makes the choice clear. He's a PF.
8. Atlanta Hawks - Eddy Curry
Actual Pick: Samuel Dalembert
Near 100 inside Eddy Curry. Wooooof. The man loves big macs and scoring in the paint. He has rebounding and blocking shots, however, neither are completely lost. With camps and some luck, he could turn out to be an average rebounder and blocker, which would elevate Curry to All Star status with that amazing ability to score the basketball inside. Curry and Wallace fit very nicely in Portland as Wallace can make up for the lack up blocks at the SF position.
9. Milwaukee Bucks - Samuel Dalembert
Actual Pick: Desagna Diop
Chipper is a good GM and an even better guy. He was trying to hit a home run here with the Diop pick, but struck out. For now. Diop will never be a star, but can contribute as a rotational big man. He's basically a poor mans Samuel Dalembert. If chipper wants to make the league eat some crow, he better do what I'm doing right now, and get to writing some articles to improve Diop.
10. Portland Trail Blazers (from Wizards) - Tyson Chandler
Actual Pick: Eddy Curry
Tyson looks the part. He's a 19 year old big with B inside, B defense and C+ rebounds. So why did he fall 5 spots in the draft re-do? Under those ratings, he is bare boned and ugly! He's averaging .7BPG and 6.8RPG in 21.2MPG for the Sonics. Here's one positive I will say about Tyson...ready? Tyson probably still has elite potential and with camps; key word - WITH CAMPS, he can become a very good big man in this league. The Sonics need to pump some RCs and ACs into him prior to the next training camp. I'd focus on his strength, rebounds, and shot blocking. I love Tyson in real life and want to see him become elite in this league.
11. Toronto Raptors - Jason Richardson
Actual Pick: Jason Richardson
J-Rich goes at the same slot, #11, in the re-draft. He's an OK prospect. He's not elite and will never be elite, but can be a serviceable wing. His D rebounding is disgusting and is even worse if you consider how high his jumping is. With some ACs and some luck, he may turn out to be a 17-20PPG guy, but I doubt he turns into much more. Again, that D rebounding is DISGUSTING I tell you.
12. Boston Celtics - Troy Murphy
Actual Pick: Shane Battier
I like Troy Murphy as a player, specifically a SF in this league. He can score outside and rebound at a high rate for a big man, yet alone a wing. However, the Warriors have a similar player already in Dirk Nowitzki. I think both players are SFs in this league. Troy Murphy should have a very long career here and be a guy who can eventually contribute on a championship roster. Will he ever be a superstar? Highly doubtful, but at this point in the draft, you'll take quality starters without hesitation.
13. Washington Wizards (from Sixers via Trail Blazers)- Vladimir Radmanovic OR Mehmet Okur
Actual Pick: Richard Jefferson
His stats are horrendous so far this season. Richard Jefferson is averaging 4.2PPG in 23.6MPG for the Washington Wizards. The Wizards are also stacked at the wing position already with the likes of Predrag Stojakovic, Michael Redd, and Wally Szczerbiak. At draft time, he looked like the best available player name-wise, for sure. I struggled with who to put in this last spot in the lottery for the Wizards in the re-draft and decided on going with Vladimir Radmanovic or Mehmet Okur. Vlad Rad looks like he'll be a super serviceable wing man in this league. He'll never be an All-Star. Okur, on the other hand, is an interesting player. I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I hate bigs who can't block and Okur can not block the shot. However, with the lax positional rules, his skill set might fit him better at SF. He can score outside, can rebound nicely and his handles don't appear to be terrible, despite the D+ rating. The question would be is he quick enough for SF?
