|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on May 28, 2005 16:20:21 GMT -5
Yes, if the players Ainge has on his list are gone at 18, he could use it to take a gamble on a player he deems worthy of the gamble. Last year, he was sold on Al Jefferson, but when he showed videos of Big Al to Doc, he wasn't thrilled about the kid. Ainge can sense talent better than a lot of people, and he could see that vast potential in Jefferson where most GM's picking in front of us last year, couldn't. 14 teams picked in front of us last year. I imagine Toronto (who picked Araujo), Cleveland (who picked Luke Jackson), Golden State (who picked Biedrins), Seattle (Robert Swift), and Utah (Kris Humphries) would love to go back in time and take Al Jefferson instead of the players they've took. Not that those players they took can't turn out to be good players down the line. But none of those players have the big and bright future that Big Al has.
Ainge has yet to take a european prospect. Not that he needs to, nor should he force himself to take one, just for the sake of drafting a european.
|
|
|
|
Post by ferbo on Jun 4, 2005 13:18:34 GMT -5
Interesting. Antoine Wright of Texas A&M has risen all the way to #7 in NBADraftCity's current thing.
Amazing. That program ahs sucked for years (I know. Alma mater). Made a big turnaround under a new coach this year. I'm still intrigued.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Jun 4, 2005 15:01:19 GMT -5
I have read good things good things about Wright.
Also, check out Webster climbing as well. Charlie V is even looking like a lock for the lottery.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 4, 2005 16:14:31 GMT -5
So many players seem to be on the rise and lottery bound. Word is that even Monta Ellis may go in the lottery. Villanueva, Garcia, Simien (all collegiates who I would love having) have been impressing the scouts so that are on the move upwards. Ike Diogu, who many had going toward the end of the first round/early second round, is now on the rise and could slip into the early 20's. Only a few prospects have been falling, most notably Chris Taft. We should be able to get ourselves a very good player at 18.
|
|
|
|
Post by ferbo on Jun 4, 2005 18:45:39 GMT -5
Of the 60 guys currently projected by NBADraftNet to go in the draft, only half of them are college juniors or seniors. Rest are underclassmen, HSSrs, or internationals.
Of the 30, more than half are projected for the second round.
Not that I see anything sinister about that. But does show the trend. I can't believe that guys that young are as well schooled in fundamental, team basketball as older guys who have 3-4 years of college.
|
|
|
|
Post by Celtic17 on Jun 4, 2005 19:30:41 GMT -5
Good point ferbo! ! !
Flat-out tallent is a key, due to up-side. You can teach fundamentals, not speed and heart. IMO
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Jun 4, 2005 22:49:23 GMT -5
Taft is lazy, and portrayed by his collegient play. Hope he is not around at #18.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 5, 2005 2:24:27 GMT -5
Ok, we know that Chris Taft has a world of talent, is athletic, has good size, and is skilled in the post--but he's lazy and not determined. Do any of you think Doc can work with him and motivate him to be a relentless player?
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Jun 5, 2005 22:39:07 GMT -5
Doc is a great motivator. Taft, I don't know.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 5, 2005 23:43:46 GMT -5
Honestly, the Pitt games I've caught, Taft didn't seem like a lazy player. Granted, he should have had better rebounding numbers, but overall, I got the impression that he was a tough player who was excellent in the post.
|
|
|
|
Post by ferbo on Jun 9, 2005 20:38:51 GMT -5
What do Bruce Bowen, Joe Johnson, Chauncey Billups, and Ben Wallace have in common, besides being in the playoffs and playing prominent roles?
|
|
|
|
Post by ferbo on Jun 9, 2005 21:00:29 GMT -5
To fully appreciate what DA did last year, go to the Cs home page, to draft, and look up draft history, going all the way back to the 1940s!!!!!!!!!! Likely the best draft in Cs history, in terms of taking people who wind up playing.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 9, 2005 22:00:43 GMT -5
And we still haven't really seen what Justin Reed can do. And also, keep in mind that Ainge didn't have much time to really scout the prospects with a tooth and comb like how he would have liked.
So far, we've gotten good players in both drafts he's been in charge of. What can he do for us this year--we'll see in 2 1/2 weeks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Jun 9, 2005 22:28:00 GMT -5
As far as drafting, Danny knows what he is doing and I expect him to find another starter for our run to #17.
Ferbo, all those players were given up on when Gaston owned the team. And Pitino was the coach. Alot of these players look better than they are, because of the "team" structure they are on.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 10, 2005 1:02:37 GMT -5
If there's one thing Ainge is good at when looking over players, its their ability to play the game. Some players are just good at shooting, but offer nothing else. Ainge doesn't seem to fall for these players--these one dimensional players. If you look at all our draftees since Ainge's got here, they all offer a lot of things. I think drafting Banks wasn't his aspiration, but because so many people around him where advising him of his amazing physical gifts, he went after Banks (plus he knew that our PG situation was in trouble). But look at Perkins--he's showing defensive promise and strong rebounding potential. And in high school, he was a strong scorer, so he may still be able to make a niche for himself on the offensive end. Brandon Hunter was the 56th pick, so you can't really expect magic from a spot that late in the draft. But I really liked Hunter because of his toughness and I thought he could have been a very key performer for us. Not only is he a tough rebounder, but he's a scrappy scorer in the paint. Not one dimensional at all. But he's with the Magic now, so we can forget about him.
Al Jefferson--well, what else can I say about this kid which hasn't already been said a million times before? He's a star in the making, on the offensive, as well as defensive, side of the court. Plus, he's showing leadership qualities. Ainge really lucked out with this pick.
Delonte West and Tony Allen are multi-dimensional. They are versatile players who have good offensive abilities as well as being solid defenders. And then Justin Reed, who is causing Pierce frustration in practice. He should be getting more playing time next year, and we'll see more of his overall abilities.
|
|
