Post by getbeard on Jan 13, 2015 21:14:10 GMT
After a long season of tanking for some teams, it is finally time to find out what all the losing and tears has resulted in for these teams.
Grades are based off of who was available at time of selection, team needs, etc.
2029 NBADSL Draft
1. Indiana Pacers Select: C Kareem Abdul-Jabar
The prized possession of this years draft, and possible future GOAT candidate landed in the hands of new Pacers GM Hambergler. KAJ instantly gives Ham one of the premier franchise building blocks in the league to build around. His offensive game is already refined coming into the league, and doesn't seem to have a major weakness on either end of the floor. Pacer fans should be chanting "M-V-P" sooner than later.
Draft Grade: A+
2. Brooklyn Nets Select: SF Stanley Johnson
Not the obvious choice, but Stanley brings a big boy frame and big boy skills into the league. Should develop into a successful scorer, with the NBA ready size to make an impact day 1. Defensively he should match-up well with most SF's in the league, and should be one of the top rebounding wings in the game from day 1. Huge risk pick here, but if it pays off the GM could look like a genius. I am not convinced, though, that is what will happen.
Draft Grade: B-
3. Philadelphia 76ers Select: PG Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah will come into the league as one of the top PG prospects we have seen in years. Philly's Christmas season rolled into the new year and they are still receiving presents nearly 3 weeks from Christmas Day. They need a PG, and a franchise face type guy, in the worst way, and were hand delivered one at the #3 spot in the draft. Isaiah will bring a very balanced game to the league, and though it needs some developing, he is primed and ready to be one of the most complete PG's in the league. Scoring from inside and out, to go with good handles and solid defense should lead the '6ers in the right direction.
Draft Grade: A+
4. Los Angeles Lakers Select: PF Larry Nance
Nance is a sound all-around player who does what is asked of him in his big man role. Solid inside game that in the right system could peg him as a 2nd or 3rd option player pending development. His defensive game is strong too, and though he seems to have a bit of a wirey frame, if he is too fill out could become a dominant defender. Could also develop into a 10 board per game guy if he can fill that frame out. LA needs bigs, so Nance seemed to be the best fit at this spot.
Draft Grade: B
5. Utah Jazz Select: C Zhou Qi
A team that has been on a downward spiral for the last few season went for value on this pick. Zhou Qi is an intriguing prospect, and if allowed to stay the 2 extra years in China, could be an animal both size wise and skill wise upon his return. Problem for the Jazz, is time isn't really on their side. After a couple seasons in the dumpsters, gmgreggor may not be on the heat seat yet, but is definitely approaching it. May have been a better use of pick to go after a guy who can come in and start his development and impact in the league right away, but if he can extend his life as a GM until Zhou returns, it may turn into a good fit.
Draft Grade: B-
6. San Antonio Spurs Select: PF Tom Chambers
The Spurs have a gaping hole at PF, and need scoring badly after finishing the season near the bottom of the league in terms of PPG. Chambers will need a lot of work defensively and on the glass, but will have Joel Embiid by his side, possibly the best rim protector and glass cleaner in the league, so he will have plenty of help on that end of the floor. The question for Tom will be if he can develop that side of his game enough to not totally rely on help, and if his scoring volume will equate to be enough to make up for his deficiencies there. Solid pick in terms of filling needs, but not sure Chambers will have what it takes to become starting worthy at this point. This may be a wait and see scenario.
Draft Grade: C+
7. Washington Wizards Select: PF Orlando Woolridge
Similar type of prospect to what we see from Chambers. Scoring will be there, but the rest of his game falls behind. Washington seems to be building around Bill Walton and Emmanuel Mudiay at the moment, and they have a lot of gaps to fill in around those 2. Question will be similar to Chambers, will Orlando ever develop enough defensively that he is startable? Unlike Chambers, he wont have a Joel Embiid by his side to make teams pay for trying to pick on him, and the overall team defense of Washington is not very good. Will really need a strong first few TC's in order for Orlando to become a worthy pick in this spot, with a couple other guys available that could help sooner and provide better all around games.
Draft Grade: C
8. Golden State Warriors Select: SG Jelani Hewitt
Now Jelani has all the makings of a star. Should come in and be an elite scorer before you blink an eye. He brings an attitude to the Warriors that they need, and should fit in with Andrew Harrison and JBC to form a balanced, explosive offense. I also believe the Warriors to be a great fit because of the Jelani's attitude stipulation. Most players on the current roster are replaceable, and I'd project Jelani to become the best player on this team sooner than later. It would suck for them to lose JBC or Harrison because of this selection, but at the end of the day I'd say Jelani projects to be a superstar, which aren't easy to come by and worth that risk.
Draft Grade: A-
9. Indiana Pacers Select: C Jean Marc Christ Koumadje
Lots of work to do for this prospect. About as raw as they come. What is not raw, though, is his size. A beast of a man standing 7'4", could develop into a defensive stopper specialist. Could turn into a decent fit alongside the GOD Kareem, and take pressure off of him defensively. Thought this was an odd spot to take him though, now having Indiana drafting 2 centers in the first 10 picks of the draft. Would have liked to see them go for a less risky, more talented pick here to slide in next to Kareem, but there strategy is clearly not to compete right away, so they'll have time to see if JMCK can develop into something worthwhile. A bit of a reach pick here though.
Draft Grade: C
10. Nuggets Select: SF Albert King
Seems to be an all-around prospect with some potential. If he can develop into a minimum of a b-/b- scorer, which is totally possible, he should develop into a great role player, and could easily grow further from there into a nice starter caliber player. Kind of surprised with this pick here considering the Nuggets 2 best players are both also SF's. Unless they are trying to move those guys, or King, not sure where King fits into the Nuggets scheme.
Draft Grade: C+
11. Grizzlies Select: PG Cedi Osman
Cedi is kind of a sleeper in here, without draft notes. I really like his size and rookie ratings though. Tough to tell how true the scouted potential. Should be a good shooter and ball handler. Defense isn't great, but good enough to develop into something solid, plus his size will likely have him outplaying some of his ratings any way. Could be a nice addition for the Grizz if he develops properly, at the very least should be a solid bench guy who should probably succeed at both PG and SG.
Draft Grade: B
12. Charlotte Hornets Select: SF Kelly Tripucka
Like this pick a lot here for Hornets, Kelly fell out of top 10 and will come into the league with a chip on his shoulder. Actually liked Kelly over a couple comparable guys who have been selected before him, namely Albert King. Nice talent dropping to the end of the first round and Hornets capitalized picking up a wing who seemed destined to be a complete scorer, and who has some signs of a defensive game to go with it. Nice pick for the Hornets, who already have a fairly deep roster in terms of young talent.
Draft Grade: B+
13. Charlotte Hornets Select: PF Buck Williams
Again, the Hornets swoop in and take a guy who I noticed free falling down the draft board. Buck seems to be one of the more ready made big prospects in this draft. He's a bit undersized, but should develop into a solid rebounder and post scorer. May struggle against some of the bigger PF's in the league but looks like he should be able to hold his own defensively in most match-ups. 2 solid pickups for the Hornets at the end of the lotto.
Draft Grade: B
Grades are based off of who was available at time of selection, team needs, etc.
2029 NBADSL Draft
1. Indiana Pacers Select: C Kareem Abdul-Jabar
The prized possession of this years draft, and possible future GOAT candidate landed in the hands of new Pacers GM Hambergler. KAJ instantly gives Ham one of the premier franchise building blocks in the league to build around. His offensive game is already refined coming into the league, and doesn't seem to have a major weakness on either end of the floor. Pacer fans should be chanting "M-V-P" sooner than later.
Draft Grade: A+
2. Brooklyn Nets Select: SF Stanley Johnson
Not the obvious choice, but Stanley brings a big boy frame and big boy skills into the league. Should develop into a successful scorer, with the NBA ready size to make an impact day 1. Defensively he should match-up well with most SF's in the league, and should be one of the top rebounding wings in the game from day 1. Huge risk pick here, but if it pays off the GM could look like a genius. I am not convinced, though, that is what will happen.
Draft Grade: B-
3. Philadelphia 76ers Select: PG Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah will come into the league as one of the top PG prospects we have seen in years. Philly's Christmas season rolled into the new year and they are still receiving presents nearly 3 weeks from Christmas Day. They need a PG, and a franchise face type guy, in the worst way, and were hand delivered one at the #3 spot in the draft. Isaiah will bring a very balanced game to the league, and though it needs some developing, he is primed and ready to be one of the most complete PG's in the league. Scoring from inside and out, to go with good handles and solid defense should lead the '6ers in the right direction.
Draft Grade: A+
4. Los Angeles Lakers Select: PF Larry Nance
Nance is a sound all-around player who does what is asked of him in his big man role. Solid inside game that in the right system could peg him as a 2nd or 3rd option player pending development. His defensive game is strong too, and though he seems to have a bit of a wirey frame, if he is too fill out could become a dominant defender. Could also develop into a 10 board per game guy if he can fill that frame out. LA needs bigs, so Nance seemed to be the best fit at this spot.
Draft Grade: B
5. Utah Jazz Select: C Zhou Qi
A team that has been on a downward spiral for the last few season went for value on this pick. Zhou Qi is an intriguing prospect, and if allowed to stay the 2 extra years in China, could be an animal both size wise and skill wise upon his return. Problem for the Jazz, is time isn't really on their side. After a couple seasons in the dumpsters, gmgreggor may not be on the heat seat yet, but is definitely approaching it. May have been a better use of pick to go after a guy who can come in and start his development and impact in the league right away, but if he can extend his life as a GM until Zhou returns, it may turn into a good fit.
Draft Grade: B-
6. San Antonio Spurs Select: PF Tom Chambers
The Spurs have a gaping hole at PF, and need scoring badly after finishing the season near the bottom of the league in terms of PPG. Chambers will need a lot of work defensively and on the glass, but will have Joel Embiid by his side, possibly the best rim protector and glass cleaner in the league, so he will have plenty of help on that end of the floor. The question for Tom will be if he can develop that side of his game enough to not totally rely on help, and if his scoring volume will equate to be enough to make up for his deficiencies there. Solid pick in terms of filling needs, but not sure Chambers will have what it takes to become starting worthy at this point. This may be a wait and see scenario.
Draft Grade: C+
7. Washington Wizards Select: PF Orlando Woolridge
Similar type of prospect to what we see from Chambers. Scoring will be there, but the rest of his game falls behind. Washington seems to be building around Bill Walton and Emmanuel Mudiay at the moment, and they have a lot of gaps to fill in around those 2. Question will be similar to Chambers, will Orlando ever develop enough defensively that he is startable? Unlike Chambers, he wont have a Joel Embiid by his side to make teams pay for trying to pick on him, and the overall team defense of Washington is not very good. Will really need a strong first few TC's in order for Orlando to become a worthy pick in this spot, with a couple other guys available that could help sooner and provide better all around games.
Draft Grade: C
8. Golden State Warriors Select: SG Jelani Hewitt
Now Jelani has all the makings of a star. Should come in and be an elite scorer before you blink an eye. He brings an attitude to the Warriors that they need, and should fit in with Andrew Harrison and JBC to form a balanced, explosive offense. I also believe the Warriors to be a great fit because of the Jelani's attitude stipulation. Most players on the current roster are replaceable, and I'd project Jelani to become the best player on this team sooner than later. It would suck for them to lose JBC or Harrison because of this selection, but at the end of the day I'd say Jelani projects to be a superstar, which aren't easy to come by and worth that risk.
Draft Grade: A-
9. Indiana Pacers Select: C Jean Marc Christ Koumadje
Lots of work to do for this prospect. About as raw as they come. What is not raw, though, is his size. A beast of a man standing 7'4", could develop into a defensive stopper specialist. Could turn into a decent fit alongside the GOD Kareem, and take pressure off of him defensively. Thought this was an odd spot to take him though, now having Indiana drafting 2 centers in the first 10 picks of the draft. Would have liked to see them go for a less risky, more talented pick here to slide in next to Kareem, but there strategy is clearly not to compete right away, so they'll have time to see if JMCK can develop into something worthwhile. A bit of a reach pick here though.
Draft Grade: C
10. Nuggets Select: SF Albert King
Seems to be an all-around prospect with some potential. If he can develop into a minimum of a b-/b- scorer, which is totally possible, he should develop into a great role player, and could easily grow further from there into a nice starter caliber player. Kind of surprised with this pick here considering the Nuggets 2 best players are both also SF's. Unless they are trying to move those guys, or King, not sure where King fits into the Nuggets scheme.
Draft Grade: C+
11. Grizzlies Select: PG Cedi Osman
Cedi is kind of a sleeper in here, without draft notes. I really like his size and rookie ratings though. Tough to tell how true the scouted potential. Should be a good shooter and ball handler. Defense isn't great, but good enough to develop into something solid, plus his size will likely have him outplaying some of his ratings any way. Could be a nice addition for the Grizz if he develops properly, at the very least should be a solid bench guy who should probably succeed at both PG and SG.
Draft Grade: B
12. Charlotte Hornets Select: SF Kelly Tripucka
Like this pick a lot here for Hornets, Kelly fell out of top 10 and will come into the league with a chip on his shoulder. Actually liked Kelly over a couple comparable guys who have been selected before him, namely Albert King. Nice talent dropping to the end of the first round and Hornets capitalized picking up a wing who seemed destined to be a complete scorer, and who has some signs of a defensive game to go with it. Nice pick for the Hornets, who already have a fairly deep roster in terms of young talent.
Draft Grade: B+
13. Charlotte Hornets Select: PF Buck Williams
Again, the Hornets swoop in and take a guy who I noticed free falling down the draft board. Buck seems to be one of the more ready made big prospects in this draft. He's a bit undersized, but should develop into a solid rebounder and post scorer. May struggle against some of the bigger PF's in the league but looks like he should be able to hold his own defensively in most match-ups. 2 solid pickups for the Hornets at the end of the lotto.
Draft Grade: B
