Draft Of Confusion
Tuesday's the day the lottery Nets find out their fate. Don't expect them to win a 1, 2, or 3 draft slot, but hey, you never know, as the New York State Lottery commercials go.
So let's suppose the Nets are drafting out of a mid-level (say #10) spot. Who would be there for the Nets to take? And more importantly, will the pick remain the Nets pick, or will it be moved for a player or players to hasten the rebuilding effort?
If you consult the Mock Drafts around the internet, well, there are never any definitives, but mostly they say the Nets will grab a big man. Let's hope there isn't an Ed O'Bannon in there somewhere.
Right now, the leader in the Mock clubhouse is a 6' 11" freshman forward from LSU named Anthony Randolph. He's said to have a world of talent, but he's skinny, he lacks fundamentals and he's got issues with shot selection. Does this sound like the kind of project that Rod and Kiki would want (actually, it does sound like Kiki, strangely enough - perhaps Kiki thinks he can train him to be the next Dirk Nowitzki).
Another favorite seems to be DeAndre Jordan from Texas A&M, a 7' 0" center. And again, he's a freshman with some of the same issues as Randolph. His upside comparison is Andrew Bynum, though, so that got my attention. Another good athlete who could be boom or bust (but really, that seems like most of the players in this draft).
How about a foreigner, G/F Nicolas Batum from France and the Euroleague? He's 6' 8" and he's been compared to Rudy Gay, with plenty of upside. Sound like the wing player the Nets need?
What about a point guard? You can find 5' 11" sophomore from Texas DJ Augustin on a few lists as well. That would allow the Nets to trade Marcus Williams, but any time you give me a PG that's 5' 11", well, I get the jitters...
Or my current favorite, UCLA freshman F Kevin Love. This 6' 9" brute with the high basketball IQ is not only talented, but fun to watch. He's a big who doesn't make any news or highlights, but just plays the damned game. Isn't it time for someone like that?
Other top nominees for the #21 pick (from the Mavs) include sophomore Marreese Speights, a 6' 10" F/C from Florida, Georgetown's 7' 2" senior center Roy Hibbert, and 7' 0" C Robin Lopez from Stanford.
There's much more to come on this draft - certainly, there will be a world of changes to the Mock Drafts once the drafting positions are settled. Of course, the Nets always need toughness, a shooter, another lively big, and now perhaps even someone who can defend AND score. Who knows what changes lurk behind the minds of Rod Thorn and Kiki Vandeweghe?
It's all confusing right now, since the Nets could just as easily trade their top pick as use it.
Check in again after Tuesday.
-Joe
So let's suppose the Nets are drafting out of a mid-level (say #10) spot. Who would be there for the Nets to take? And more importantly, will the pick remain the Nets pick, or will it be moved for a player or players to hasten the rebuilding effort?
If you consult the Mock Drafts around the internet, well, there are never any definitives, but mostly they say the Nets will grab a big man. Let's hope there isn't an Ed O'Bannon in there somewhere.
Right now, the leader in the Mock clubhouse is a 6' 11" freshman forward from LSU named Anthony Randolph. He's said to have a world of talent, but he's skinny, he lacks fundamentals and he's got issues with shot selection. Does this sound like the kind of project that Rod and Kiki would want (actually, it does sound like Kiki, strangely enough - perhaps Kiki thinks he can train him to be the next Dirk Nowitzki).
Another favorite seems to be DeAndre Jordan from Texas A&M, a 7' 0" center. And again, he's a freshman with some of the same issues as Randolph. His upside comparison is Andrew Bynum, though, so that got my attention. Another good athlete who could be boom or bust (but really, that seems like most of the players in this draft).
How about a foreigner, G/F Nicolas Batum from France and the Euroleague? He's 6' 8" and he's been compared to Rudy Gay, with plenty of upside. Sound like the wing player the Nets need?
What about a point guard? You can find 5' 11" sophomore from Texas DJ Augustin on a few lists as well. That would allow the Nets to trade Marcus Williams, but any time you give me a PG that's 5' 11", well, I get the jitters...
Or my current favorite, UCLA freshman F Kevin Love. This 6' 9" brute with the high basketball IQ is not only talented, but fun to watch. He's a big who doesn't make any news or highlights, but just plays the damned game. Isn't it time for someone like that?
Other top nominees for the #21 pick (from the Mavs) include sophomore Marreese Speights, a 6' 10" F/C from Florida, Georgetown's 7' 2" senior center Roy Hibbert, and 7' 0" C Robin Lopez from Stanford.
There's much more to come on this draft - certainly, there will be a world of changes to the Mock Drafts once the drafting positions are settled. Of course, the Nets always need toughness, a shooter, another lively big, and now perhaps even someone who can defend AND score. Who knows what changes lurk behind the minds of Rod Thorn and Kiki Vandeweghe?
It's all confusing right now, since the Nets could just as easily trade their top pick as use it.
Check in again after Tuesday.
-Joe
posted by Joe Netsfan at 8:32 AM
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