Post by themouth on Jul 6, 2015 15:33:36 GMT
It's been four seasons since the 2036 rookies entered the league. Where are they now ? Are the best prospect from the draft now superstars ? Who are the busts and who are the steals ? Here's an article about all of them. Spoiler alert : it's definitely a great draft.
*** THE (SUPER)STARS ***
#1 Michael Porter SG 23 6'8'' 211 B- A- C B C B
2040 stats with the Orlando Magic : 25.2ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, .454 FG%, .415 3P%
It was a small surprise to see Porter go with the 1st pick, but he has proved his value since. His rookie stats (22.9ppg, .467 FG%, 7.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.8spg) were great and he was an All Star in his sophomore year. It may look like he did not improve but he did : he's now worth 25ppg in a 50 wins team. Great from three point range too. One of the biggest attractions in the first RFA-less free agency.
#3 Pee Wee Kirkland PG 25 6'0'' 189 B+ C+ A- B+ D+ C
2040 stats with the Memphis Grizzlies : 19.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 6.7apg, 1.9spg, .452 FG%
Kirkland went from being a good point guard as a rookie (12.9ppg, .411 FG%, 7.4apg) to being one of the best ones in the league in his third season (22.1ppg, .462 FG%, 7.4apg), when he was invited to the All Star Game. Just like Porter, he showed this season that he can be an important player in a playoffs team (48-34). Resigned for a ridiculously low salary ($53M/5 years).
#5 Eddy Terrell PG 23 6'9'' 212 C+ A- A B- C- B
2040 stats with the Milwaukee Bucks : 18.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 5.1apg, 1.8spg, .2.4bpg, 470 FG%, .424 3P%
The only issue with Terrell is to know where to play him. The Bucks never figured it out and they had him backup half the team, with such success that he won back to back 6MoY awards. A terrific stats defender, the best in the league right now, named to the All-Defensive Team in 2037 and 2038. A great scorer, deadly from three point range, with a huge assists/turnovers ratio (3.4) and a surprizingly high number of rebounds. Maxed by the Bucks, and deserves every dollar.
*** THE ALMOST STARS ***
#2 Chris Webber PF 23 6'10'' 238 B D+ C+ A- B- B
2040 stats with the Chicago Bulls : 19.8ppg, 10.6rpg, 3.5apg, 2.2bpg, .452 FG%
Statistically Webber is a (super)star, but I'm gonna wait for him to play in a better team than the terrible Bulls (26-56) to grant him this status. As many big men, he had a slow start in the league : 11.7ppg, 8.8rpg, 1.7bpg in his sophomore year. His trade to Chicago and mentoring by David Robinson helped him a lot and he's gonna be a dominant player in a few years. Another great attraction in the FA.
#4 Drazen Petrovic SG 24 6'5'' 208 C+ A- C A- C- B
2040 stats with the Dallas Mavericks : 17.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.4apg, 2.1spg, .473 FG%
Petrovic is not considered as a (super)star because his scoring is a bit disappointing. He's having his best offensive year though and his percentages are OK for a shooter, plus the Mavericks are centered around inside star Karl Malone so it's not perfect for Petrovic. He's a great defender, one of the best man-to-man defender in this draft class. Loses a bit too many balls. It will be interesting to see what happens in FA, some teams will probably max him.
#7 Javone Bess SF 23 6'6'' 221 B A- D+ B C B
2040 stats with the Denver Nuggets : 17.5ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1spg, .453 FG%, .484 3P%
Bess is not that far from being a bust. Because his scoring was way better in his sophomore year (21.4ppg, .465 FG%) and still better in his third year (19.3ppg, .465 FG%) than now, and he's greatly outscored by his younger teammate Allan Houston (23.0ppg, .458 FG%). That's a bit strange as his offensive ratings are great, maybe he's not helped by the outside focus, even if he's 1st in the league in 3P%. Also testing FA - what a nice year for rebuilding teams with cap space.
*** THE "I GUESS THAT'S OK" PLAYERS ***
#8 Shawn Bradley C 24 7'6'' 248 B- D+ D+ B+ B- C
2040 stats with the Golden State Warriors : 6.4ppg, 10.6rpg, 3.4bpg, .398 FG%
Bradley is as great as expected when it comes to blocks (3rd in the league) and as bad as expected in offense. The difference between him and a bust is that he gets a lots of rebounds (thanks 7'6" height). A valuable player to have, but not the best 8th pick ever. Resigned for so cheap ($6M/2 years) that he looks almost like a steal.
#10 Isaiah Rider SG 23 6'5'' 215 B- A- C C+ C B
2040 stats with the Los Angeles Lakers : 16.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 3.1apg, .442 FG%
Rider can score, that's for sure. In a terrible team (29-53) with no teammate over 14ppg. Percentages are not huge, and he can't really defend. That's really weak for a top 10 pick. He will test FA and could be a nice catch.
#12 Jakob Poeltl C 23 7'0'' 235 C+ D C- B+ B+ B
2040 stats with the Utah Jazz : 4.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.7bpg, .411 FG%
Poetl is essentially a poor man's Bradley. Great rebounder, OK rebounder, doesn't try to score, but absolutely awful on the free throw line (.482, even worse than teammate Ben Wallace). He asked fot a bit too much on resignings ($32M/4 years) and will be a FA target for contenders.
#13 Steve Smith SF 23 6'8'' 208 B- B+ C+ B C B
2040 stats with the Los Angeles Lakers : 10.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.2spg, .451 FG%
#22 Arturas Gudaitis C 23 6'10'' 253 B- C+ D+ B- C+ C
2040 stats with the Los Angeles Lakers : 5.2ppg, 5.1rpg, .480 FG%
The Lakers roster was full of "I guess that's OK" players. Smith can score a bit (he only played 23.8mpg), pass and defend better than Rider, he should be a nice roleplayer for the rest of his career. Gudaitis is almost a steal, not because of his mediocre ratings, but stats are great (he played only 15.7mpg) : in 36mpg he would average 11.9ppg and 11.7rpg. And he resigned for cheap ($3.6M/2 years).
*** THE BUSTS ***
#6 Lenny Cooke SF 22 6'7'' 222 A- C C B C C
2040 stats with the Memphis Grizzlies : 9.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.0spg, .480 FG%
Cooke is still a very interesting player, but he's not the potential superstar sold in the draft notes. Maybe he had a terrible potential - this risk was the reason why he went only 6th in the first place. Anyway, he switched teams twice in his career and never played even 25mpg. He's not a scorer despite his A- inside, not great in any other domain. Maybe he needs to find the right place. FA will be crucial, as a rebuilding team will probably overpay for him.
#9 Terrell Brandon PG 24 6'0'' 180 C+ B- B B+ D+ C
2040 stats with the Detroit Pistons : 4.0ppg, 2.8apg, .412 FG%
Brandon is not a bust as the 9th pick in the draft, he's a bust as the rookie of the year from a great rookie class. He was really great in his first season (16.6ppg, 6.9apg, 2.0spg, .430 FG%), still very good in his second one (15.2ppg, 7.8apg, 2.1spg, .417 FG%) and then he became a back-up to Sam Cassell. Great defender, good passer, but he did not improve since his RoY award. Too bad, and he still asked $60M/years !
#11 Milan Adam SF 24 6'9'' 235 B- B- C- C B- C
2040 stats with the Minnesota Timberwolves : 5.5ppg, 2.6rpg, .500 FG%
Milan is not a bust, but it was a bet in the first place, and it did not really pay for Dae. Milan can't defend or pass, but he's great when he comes to score and rebound on small minutes. In 36mpg he would average 18.9mpg and 8.9rpg ! But he played only 10.5mpg this season. Will someone try and start him next year ?
#15 Rick Fox SF 24 6'7'' 230 C C+ C B C C
2040 stats with the Indiana Pacers : 3.2ppg, 2.9rpg, .425 FG%
#16 Kenny Anderson SG 24 6'1'' 168 B- C B- C+ C- C
2040 stats with the Cleveland Cavaliers : 1.5ppg, 1.1apg, .403 FG%
#17 Yannis Morin C 23 6'10'' 217 C+ C- C+ C+ C B
2040 stats with the Chicago Bulls : 1.4ppg, 2.1rpg, .286 FG%
Not a lot to say about these top 20 players. Fox (3.2ppg in 17.5mpg) can't score, but at least he can defend a little. Anderson played only 4.1mpg this year, while he was paid $2.6M. And Morin only managed to play 7 games in the worst team in the league !
*** THE STEALS ***
#20 Rodney Rogers PF 24 6'7'' 250 B- B C- A- C+ C
2040 stats with the Utah Jazz : 6.0ppg, 4.3rpg, .429 FG%
Rogers has incredible ratings for a 20th pick. He's a great defender, both stats (0.9bpg, 0.5spg in 18.4mpg) and man-on-man, he can score a bit and rebound. A nice roleplayer, maybe more a small forward though. Resigned for extremely cheap ($5.5M/2 years).
#21 Dale Davis PF 23 6'11'' 230 C+ D+ C- A- B+ B
2040 stats with the Boston Celtics : 7.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.8bpg, .445 FG%
Davis is the 2nd biggest steal in this 2036 draft. He had an incredible 2038 season : 13.8ppg, 9.7rpg, 3.4bpg and a spot on the All-Defensive 2nd Team ! He played less this year but he's still an extremely valuable young defensive big with maybe some potential left. The Celtics valued him enough to resign him for $37M/4years.
#26 Klym Artamonov PG 22 6'1'' 169 C+ B- A- A- D+ B
2040 stats with the Atlanta Hawks : 16.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 7.9apg, 2.7spg, .432 FG%
Artamonov is not listed among the stars is because he's mainly a steal, THE steal of this draft. Ever heard of a player selected in 26th who averages 15.7ppg, 8.6apg and 2.5spg, with only 1.4topg, in his third season ?? WOW. Artamonov is a top passing/defensive point guard, maybe the best in the league after Payton. He's also strangely good on offense despite mediocre ratings. Max contract incoming.
#29 Luc Longley C 24 7'2'' 265 C C- D+ B B- C
2040 stats with the Denver Nuggets : 3.1ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.2bpg, .385 FG%
#6_Rnd2 Brian Williams C 24 6'11'' 242 C+ C- D- B B- C
2040 stats with the Sacramento Kings : 5.1ppg, 3.8rpg, .441 FG%
#undrafted Ervin Johnson C 24 6'11'' 245 C C- F+ B+ B C
2040 stats with the Houston Rockets : 4.4ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.5bpg, .424 FG%
Yep, a lot of acceptable defensive big men at the bottom of the draft. By the way, was Ervin really undrafted ? I don't think so, but I can't find his history on the forum.
*** THE PLAYERS NOBODY CARES ABOUT ***
#14 Billy Owens SF 23 6'9'' 220 C+ C- C B B B
2040 stats with the Sacramento Kings : 4.2ppg, 3.7rpg, .431 FG%
#18 Lazar Adam C 26 6'11'' 230 C+ D+ D- B- B+ C
2040 stats with the Minnesota Timberwolves : 4.2ppg, 4.9rpg, .404 FG%
#19 Calbert Cheaney SF 23 6'7'' 209 B- C C- B C- C
2040 stats with the San Antonio Spurs : DNP
#23 Gabriel Tsakalidis SF 25 6'8'' 231 C+ B- C- C C- D
2040 stats with the Atlanta Hawks : 1.4ppg, .370 FG%
#24 Bruce Bowen SG 24 6'7'' 193 C C+ C- A- D B
2040 stats with the Atlanta Hawks : 2.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.0spg, .386 FG%
#25 Bryon Russell SF 24 6'7'' 225 C B D B C+ C
2040 stats with the Charlotte Hornets : 3.0ppg, 3.1rpg, .473 FG%, .458 3P%
#27 George Lynch SF 24 6'8'' 220 C+ D+ D+ B- C+ C
2040 stats with the Miami Heat : DNP
*** THE (SUPER)STARS ***
#1 Michael Porter SG 23 6'8'' 211 B- A- C B C B
2040 stats with the Orlando Magic : 25.2ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, .454 FG%, .415 3P%
It was a small surprise to see Porter go with the 1st pick, but he has proved his value since. His rookie stats (22.9ppg, .467 FG%, 7.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.8spg) were great and he was an All Star in his sophomore year. It may look like he did not improve but he did : he's now worth 25ppg in a 50 wins team. Great from three point range too. One of the biggest attractions in the first RFA-less free agency.
#3 Pee Wee Kirkland PG 25 6'0'' 189 B+ C+ A- B+ D+ C
2040 stats with the Memphis Grizzlies : 19.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 6.7apg, 1.9spg, .452 FG%
Kirkland went from being a good point guard as a rookie (12.9ppg, .411 FG%, 7.4apg) to being one of the best ones in the league in his third season (22.1ppg, .462 FG%, 7.4apg), when he was invited to the All Star Game. Just like Porter, he showed this season that he can be an important player in a playoffs team (48-34). Resigned for a ridiculously low salary ($53M/5 years).
#5 Eddy Terrell PG 23 6'9'' 212 C+ A- A B- C- B
2040 stats with the Milwaukee Bucks : 18.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 5.1apg, 1.8spg, .2.4bpg, 470 FG%, .424 3P%
The only issue with Terrell is to know where to play him. The Bucks never figured it out and they had him backup half the team, with such success that he won back to back 6MoY awards. A terrific stats defender, the best in the league right now, named to the All-Defensive Team in 2037 and 2038. A great scorer, deadly from three point range, with a huge assists/turnovers ratio (3.4) and a surprizingly high number of rebounds. Maxed by the Bucks, and deserves every dollar.
*** THE ALMOST STARS ***
#2 Chris Webber PF 23 6'10'' 238 B D+ C+ A- B- B
2040 stats with the Chicago Bulls : 19.8ppg, 10.6rpg, 3.5apg, 2.2bpg, .452 FG%
Statistically Webber is a (super)star, but I'm gonna wait for him to play in a better team than the terrible Bulls (26-56) to grant him this status. As many big men, he had a slow start in the league : 11.7ppg, 8.8rpg, 1.7bpg in his sophomore year. His trade to Chicago and mentoring by David Robinson helped him a lot and he's gonna be a dominant player in a few years. Another great attraction in the FA.
#4 Drazen Petrovic SG 24 6'5'' 208 C+ A- C A- C- B
2040 stats with the Dallas Mavericks : 17.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.4apg, 2.1spg, .473 FG%
Petrovic is not considered as a (super)star because his scoring is a bit disappointing. He's having his best offensive year though and his percentages are OK for a shooter, plus the Mavericks are centered around inside star Karl Malone so it's not perfect for Petrovic. He's a great defender, one of the best man-to-man defender in this draft class. Loses a bit too many balls. It will be interesting to see what happens in FA, some teams will probably max him.
#7 Javone Bess SF 23 6'6'' 221 B A- D+ B C B
2040 stats with the Denver Nuggets : 17.5ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1spg, .453 FG%, .484 3P%
Bess is not that far from being a bust. Because his scoring was way better in his sophomore year (21.4ppg, .465 FG%) and still better in his third year (19.3ppg, .465 FG%) than now, and he's greatly outscored by his younger teammate Allan Houston (23.0ppg, .458 FG%). That's a bit strange as his offensive ratings are great, maybe he's not helped by the outside focus, even if he's 1st in the league in 3P%. Also testing FA - what a nice year for rebuilding teams with cap space.
*** THE "I GUESS THAT'S OK" PLAYERS ***
#8 Shawn Bradley C 24 7'6'' 248 B- D+ D+ B+ B- C
2040 stats with the Golden State Warriors : 6.4ppg, 10.6rpg, 3.4bpg, .398 FG%
Bradley is as great as expected when it comes to blocks (3rd in the league) and as bad as expected in offense. The difference between him and a bust is that he gets a lots of rebounds (thanks 7'6" height). A valuable player to have, but not the best 8th pick ever. Resigned for so cheap ($6M/2 years) that he looks almost like a steal.
#10 Isaiah Rider SG 23 6'5'' 215 B- A- C C+ C B
2040 stats with the Los Angeles Lakers : 16.2ppg, 5.9rpg, 3.1apg, .442 FG%
Rider can score, that's for sure. In a terrible team (29-53) with no teammate over 14ppg. Percentages are not huge, and he can't really defend. That's really weak for a top 10 pick. He will test FA and could be a nice catch.
#12 Jakob Poeltl C 23 7'0'' 235 C+ D C- B+ B+ B
2040 stats with the Utah Jazz : 4.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.7bpg, .411 FG%
Poetl is essentially a poor man's Bradley. Great rebounder, OK rebounder, doesn't try to score, but absolutely awful on the free throw line (.482, even worse than teammate Ben Wallace). He asked fot a bit too much on resignings ($32M/4 years) and will be a FA target for contenders.
#13 Steve Smith SF 23 6'8'' 208 B- B+ C+ B C B
2040 stats with the Los Angeles Lakers : 10.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.2spg, .451 FG%
#22 Arturas Gudaitis C 23 6'10'' 253 B- C+ D+ B- C+ C
2040 stats with the Los Angeles Lakers : 5.2ppg, 5.1rpg, .480 FG%
The Lakers roster was full of "I guess that's OK" players. Smith can score a bit (he only played 23.8mpg), pass and defend better than Rider, he should be a nice roleplayer for the rest of his career. Gudaitis is almost a steal, not because of his mediocre ratings, but stats are great (he played only 15.7mpg) : in 36mpg he would average 11.9ppg and 11.7rpg. And he resigned for cheap ($3.6M/2 years).
*** THE BUSTS ***
#6 Lenny Cooke SF 22 6'7'' 222 A- C C B C C
2040 stats with the Memphis Grizzlies : 9.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.0spg, .480 FG%
Cooke is still a very interesting player, but he's not the potential superstar sold in the draft notes. Maybe he had a terrible potential - this risk was the reason why he went only 6th in the first place. Anyway, he switched teams twice in his career and never played even 25mpg. He's not a scorer despite his A- inside, not great in any other domain. Maybe he needs to find the right place. FA will be crucial, as a rebuilding team will probably overpay for him.
#9 Terrell Brandon PG 24 6'0'' 180 C+ B- B B+ D+ C
2040 stats with the Detroit Pistons : 4.0ppg, 2.8apg, .412 FG%
Brandon is not a bust as the 9th pick in the draft, he's a bust as the rookie of the year from a great rookie class. He was really great in his first season (16.6ppg, 6.9apg, 2.0spg, .430 FG%), still very good in his second one (15.2ppg, 7.8apg, 2.1spg, .417 FG%) and then he became a back-up to Sam Cassell. Great defender, good passer, but he did not improve since his RoY award. Too bad, and he still asked $60M/years !
#11 Milan Adam SF 24 6'9'' 235 B- B- C- C B- C
2040 stats with the Minnesota Timberwolves : 5.5ppg, 2.6rpg, .500 FG%
Milan is not a bust, but it was a bet in the first place, and it did not really pay for Dae. Milan can't defend or pass, but he's great when he comes to score and rebound on small minutes. In 36mpg he would average 18.9mpg and 8.9rpg ! But he played only 10.5mpg this season. Will someone try and start him next year ?
#15 Rick Fox SF 24 6'7'' 230 C C+ C B C C
2040 stats with the Indiana Pacers : 3.2ppg, 2.9rpg, .425 FG%
#16 Kenny Anderson SG 24 6'1'' 168 B- C B- C+ C- C
2040 stats with the Cleveland Cavaliers : 1.5ppg, 1.1apg, .403 FG%
#17 Yannis Morin C 23 6'10'' 217 C+ C- C+ C+ C B
2040 stats with the Chicago Bulls : 1.4ppg, 2.1rpg, .286 FG%
Not a lot to say about these top 20 players. Fox (3.2ppg in 17.5mpg) can't score, but at least he can defend a little. Anderson played only 4.1mpg this year, while he was paid $2.6M. And Morin only managed to play 7 games in the worst team in the league !
*** THE STEALS ***
#20 Rodney Rogers PF 24 6'7'' 250 B- B C- A- C+ C
2040 stats with the Utah Jazz : 6.0ppg, 4.3rpg, .429 FG%
Rogers has incredible ratings for a 20th pick. He's a great defender, both stats (0.9bpg, 0.5spg in 18.4mpg) and man-on-man, he can score a bit and rebound. A nice roleplayer, maybe more a small forward though. Resigned for extremely cheap ($5.5M/2 years).
#21 Dale Davis PF 23 6'11'' 230 C+ D+ C- A- B+ B
2040 stats with the Boston Celtics : 7.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.8bpg, .445 FG%
Davis is the 2nd biggest steal in this 2036 draft. He had an incredible 2038 season : 13.8ppg, 9.7rpg, 3.4bpg and a spot on the All-Defensive 2nd Team ! He played less this year but he's still an extremely valuable young defensive big with maybe some potential left. The Celtics valued him enough to resign him for $37M/4years.
#26 Klym Artamonov PG 22 6'1'' 169 C+ B- A- A- D+ B
2040 stats with the Atlanta Hawks : 16.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 7.9apg, 2.7spg, .432 FG%
Artamonov is not listed among the stars is because he's mainly a steal, THE steal of this draft. Ever heard of a player selected in 26th who averages 15.7ppg, 8.6apg and 2.5spg, with only 1.4topg, in his third season ?? WOW. Artamonov is a top passing/defensive point guard, maybe the best in the league after Payton. He's also strangely good on offense despite mediocre ratings. Max contract incoming.
#29 Luc Longley C 24 7'2'' 265 C C- D+ B B- C
2040 stats with the Denver Nuggets : 3.1ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.2bpg, .385 FG%
#6_Rnd2 Brian Williams C 24 6'11'' 242 C+ C- D- B B- C
2040 stats with the Sacramento Kings : 5.1ppg, 3.8rpg, .441 FG%
#undrafted Ervin Johnson C 24 6'11'' 245 C C- F+ B+ B C
2040 stats with the Houston Rockets : 4.4ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.5bpg, .424 FG%
Yep, a lot of acceptable defensive big men at the bottom of the draft. By the way, was Ervin really undrafted ? I don't think so, but I can't find his history on the forum.
*** THE PLAYERS NOBODY CARES ABOUT ***
#14 Billy Owens SF 23 6'9'' 220 C+ C- C B B B
2040 stats with the Sacramento Kings : 4.2ppg, 3.7rpg, .431 FG%
#18 Lazar Adam C 26 6'11'' 230 C+ D+ D- B- B+ C
2040 stats with the Minnesota Timberwolves : 4.2ppg, 4.9rpg, .404 FG%
#19 Calbert Cheaney SF 23 6'7'' 209 B- C C- B C- C
2040 stats with the San Antonio Spurs : DNP
#23 Gabriel Tsakalidis SF 25 6'8'' 231 C+ B- C- C C- D
2040 stats with the Atlanta Hawks : 1.4ppg, .370 FG%
#24 Bruce Bowen SG 24 6'7'' 193 C C+ C- A- D B
2040 stats with the Atlanta Hawks : 2.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.0spg, .386 FG%
#25 Bryon Russell SF 24 6'7'' 225 C B D B C+ C
2040 stats with the Charlotte Hornets : 3.0ppg, 3.1rpg, .473 FG%, .458 3P%
#27 George Lynch SF 24 6'8'' 220 C+ D+ D+ B- C+ C
2040 stats with the Miami Heat : DNP
