Before I go into the meat, let me state how disgusted I am with all of this media focus on the #1 pick overall pseudo-controversy. If Michael Beasley gets picked first, I invite you all to call me a complete moron. Anyone who can read through the lines or is not in complete denial knows that Derrick Rose is being selected #1 by the Bulls. The real story is: Derrick Rose gets selected. What happens to Kirk Hinrich?
Okay, let's get down to business.
Trade #1: New Orleans trades the 27th pick to Portland for cash considerations:
The Scuttlebutt: All right, I just wanted to say "scuttlebutt" (credit: John Thompson). Portland is to "draft day trade" as Craig Bolerjack is to "NCAA Tournament upset". New Orleans trading this pick makes sense - they're no longer rebuilding and they are better served re-signing their free agents (i.e. Jannero Pargo). I'm still trying to make sense from the Portland side. They nearly have a full roster with Rudy Fernandez already on the way. Not to mention, they had four picks, including three in the top 36 prior to pulling the trigger on this deal. Originally, Serge Ibaka would've been a great stash pick at #27; however, ESPN is reporting that Ibaka's agent is informing teams that the player intends to stay in Spain until 2010-11 and to not select him in the first round. If you have not done so, check out his YouTube video and simply admire the lift he gets on a jumpshot.
Trade #2: Denver trades the 20th pick to Charlotte for a future, protected first-round pick
Scuttlebutt: This trade means two things, at least in my view of things. First, the point guard that Denver wanted (Mario Chalmers) will not be on the board at pick #20. Second, Charlotte traded for this pick in order to acquire a center, because many of the bigs will be going between picks 13 and 27. This also means that Brook Lopez is likely getting drafted in the top eight, and selecting a center at 9 would be an immense reach.
Trade #3: Indiana trades the rights to Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto for the rights to TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the 17th pick.
Scuttlebutt: The obvious is that O'Neal and Ford wanted a change of scenery. In my humble opinion, Indiana earned amazing value for this pick. They still have the 11th and 17th picks in addition to solidifying the point guard position. Not to mention, Nesterovic has an expiring contract ($8.4M), which may be appetizing in future deals. O'Neal and Bosh sounds beastly, but how many games will they play together? If the answer is 60 or more, then you have to like the Raptors prospects in the Eastern Conference.
Additionally ...
Five teams are interested in the 5th pick, including New York, who's willing to offer a package including windex-man David Lee. Not too bad for a guy who won't fit into Mike D'Antoni's plans.
Showing posts with label Portland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portland. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Was the NBA Draft Lottery Drawing Rigged?
In a word, YES. When the drama unfolded and all the cards were shown, the teams who had been [most] accused of tanking games on purpose in order to improve draft position all finished three spots below what the percentages suggested. Memphis. Boston. Milwaukee. In a night, two of these teams' outlooks have changed.
First, let's take a look at Memphis. Yesterday, they dreamed of Gasol and Oden occupying the paint and imagined defense as a mandatory activity. Tonight, they get the 2nd pick among those not named Oden or Durant. At this point, they'd be happy to get their hands on the likes of Al Horford.
Second, there's Boston. I can't feel sorry for the Celtics. In early March, there was Celtics GM Danny Ainge breaking every tampering rule imaginable by talking it up with Kevin Durant's mother. Then, there was the actual Celtics, who not only shut Paul Pierce down at all the right times (all the times if you owned him in both of your fantasy leagues, but that's another story for another day), but also benched starters such as Ryan Gomes in the 4th quarter of a close game. They lost.
Third, there's Milwaukee. Now, Milwaukee could have been accused of tanking, but they had every fathomable injury occur to their best players. They were more of a mix of bad and unfortunate. In all reality, the third spot is not that much different than the sixth in this specific draft and when considering that it would be nearly impossible to trade into a top 2 position. In fact, the Bucks will save some coin in the process.
As for teams who gained the top 3 picks, they all tried to win games late in the season. The operative word is "tried".
Portland, who won the draft lottery, began placing firm building blocks for the future late this season as Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge (prior to his bout with dehydration and further issues), and Sergio Rodriguez all played well.
Seattle struggled with a full roster. They barely mustered up enough courage to take the court when Ray Allen was sidelined at season's end. In the games I watched, they didn't show signs of tanking. Conversely, they didn't have to show signs of throwing games to be awful. The likely selection of Kevin Durant will have an effect on Seattle's ownership having more pull within the city, as he becomes an instant draw in addition to Mr. Shuttlesworth.
I happened to watch as many Atlanta games as nauseatingly possible this season and while they were a very bad team, the team resembled a helpless child when Joe Johnson wasn't around and it's nearly impossible to feign that level of cluelessness. As much as Atlanta wanted to keep its pick, they badly wanted a top 2 pick. The third pick overall means plenty of research needs to be done by the Hawks brass and last year's research led to reaching for Shelden Williams with the 5th pick. They wanted the no-brainer pick and instead, they will have to act with a look forward to the future to determine which of its young core it wants to retain. The rookie contracts of Josh Smith, Josh Childress, and Salim Stoudamire come to an end in 2008, as do those of Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, and Lorenzen Wright.
So there you have it. That's the lesson for the day. Don't sit your best players in the 4th quarter just to get a higher pick for the following year. The NBA (i.e. the karma police) will get even and make sure your fans think your organization is cursed.
First, let's take a look at Memphis. Yesterday, they dreamed of Gasol and Oden occupying the paint and imagined defense as a mandatory activity. Tonight, they get the 2nd pick among those not named Oden or Durant. At this point, they'd be happy to get their hands on the likes of Al Horford.
Second, there's Boston. I can't feel sorry for the Celtics. In early March, there was Celtics GM Danny Ainge breaking every tampering rule imaginable by talking it up with Kevin Durant's mother. Then, there was the actual Celtics, who not only shut Paul Pierce down at all the right times (all the times if you owned him in both of your fantasy leagues, but that's another story for another day), but also benched starters such as Ryan Gomes in the 4th quarter of a close game. They lost.
Third, there's Milwaukee. Now, Milwaukee could have been accused of tanking, but they had every fathomable injury occur to their best players. They were more of a mix of bad and unfortunate. In all reality, the third spot is not that much different than the sixth in this specific draft and when considering that it would be nearly impossible to trade into a top 2 position. In fact, the Bucks will save some coin in the process.
As for teams who gained the top 3 picks, they all tried to win games late in the season. The operative word is "tried".
Portland, who won the draft lottery, began placing firm building blocks for the future late this season as Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge (prior to his bout with dehydration and further issues), and Sergio Rodriguez all played well.
Seattle struggled with a full roster. They barely mustered up enough courage to take the court when Ray Allen was sidelined at season's end. In the games I watched, they didn't show signs of tanking. Conversely, they didn't have to show signs of throwing games to be awful. The likely selection of Kevin Durant will have an effect on Seattle's ownership having more pull within the city, as he becomes an instant draw in addition to Mr. Shuttlesworth.
I happened to watch as many Atlanta games as nauseatingly possible this season and while they were a very bad team, the team resembled a helpless child when Joe Johnson wasn't around and it's nearly impossible to feign that level of cluelessness. As much as Atlanta wanted to keep its pick, they badly wanted a top 2 pick. The third pick overall means plenty of research needs to be done by the Hawks brass and last year's research led to reaching for Shelden Williams with the 5th pick. They wanted the no-brainer pick and instead, they will have to act with a look forward to the future to determine which of its young core it wants to retain. The rookie contracts of Josh Smith, Josh Childress, and Salim Stoudamire come to an end in 2008, as do those of Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, and Lorenzen Wright.
So there you have it. That's the lesson for the day. Don't sit your best players in the 4th quarter just to get a higher pick for the following year. The NBA (i.e. the karma police) will get even and make sure your fans think your organization is cursed.
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