2007 NBA Draft

[footylover18]

You truly believe 22 players are told hey guys, let's throw this game.

That's laughable.

Can you imagine someone like Nathan Buckley being told hey Bucks throw this game.

His reaction?

Mate, it's very naive to think that the only way to tank is by telling players to play crap. There are millions of ways to sabotage your team from the coachs box. Bad tactics, resting semi-injured players who would otherwise play if the team were in the finals hunt, sending players for season ending surgery to plan for next season etc etc. Tanking is a lot more sophisticated than you might think.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

Why should teams be rewarded for being crap ?
The NBA and AFL are professional, money making competitions. Its not Auskick.

The NBA has a great system and the sooner its brought to the AFL, the better.

That's the spirit, who cares if some teams are so shit they can't compete to make the competition more even and enjoyable.

I means it's so much fun seeing Memphis get blown away by 30 points every night.

 

[Stiffy_18]

He said that when we were already stuffed, hardly making a big call there, when no matter what he said the reason we were shit was because we didnt have the players to win games.

But answer this one simple question with a one word team answer.

Who needed/deseved the #1 pick more, Memphis or Portland?.

IMHO, neither. Memphis are a better team than they showed this year. They didn't have Gasol for a LONG time and without him they are what they showed this year. With him, they are a play off contender in the west.

Portland is stacked with young guns so they got the lucky bounce. Boston are also stacked with young talent so its not like they truly deserved Oden. They are also better than what they showed.

 

[matty p]

Could Portland and Seattle do a straight swap Randolph for Lewis? Would suit both teams.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

Clearly there is no perfect system, but at least the lottery system helps keep the integrity of the league intact. Obviously both the Celtics and Grizzlies were unlucky to not get a top 2 pick and Portland got very lucky, but even with the non-lottery system teams can get lucky and land the #1 pick, the Spurs landed TD due to a season long injury to David Robinson.

So how is the league better off for Portland getting the #1 pick?

Boston can survive with pick 5 no doubt.

But Memphis?

They desrved/needed the #1 pick and instead they end up with pick 4 and already behind the 8 ball of 3 teams already with far better lists than their own.

I truly don't see how that makes the NBA a better competition.

It makes it worse.

 

[footylover18]

So how is the league better off for Portland getting the #1 pick?

Boston can survive with pick 5 no doubt.

But Memphis?

They desrved/needed the #1 pick and instead they end up with pick 4 and already behind the 8 ball of 3 teams already with far better lists than their own.

I truly don't see how that makes the NBA a better competition.

It makes it worse.

Memphis had their superstar out for half the season, their record isn't reflective of the talent they have on their books. It's not like Memphis have a crap pick, they have the chance to pick the 4th best player in the nation, and if they do suck again next year then they'll get another top pick. Very rarely is the fate of one franchise turned on it's head with a single pick, yes this seems to be one of those years where the top pick itself could turn a franchise around, are Memphis unlucky not get the pick sure, but that's life. If they truly do have a bad team, they'll get another top 5 pick next yr and maybe another the year after that and they'll be able to start BUILDING a team.

You're basing your argument on the unfortunate luck Memphis had this year. It's only a debate since the top pick this year is so valuable, like I said it's rare that a single pick is so valuable. Memphis will have the chance to build their team through the draft over the next few yrs.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Didn't Memphis make the play-off last year? Its not like they were in desperate need of getting a superstar.

If they paired Oden with Gasol they would have pissed it into the play-offs next year. Even the way they are now, they are a chance to get into the play-offs, in the WEST!

I think Memphis is similar to San Antonio all those years ago when they got Duncan. They are NOT as bad as theor record suggests.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

IMHO, neither. Memphis are a better team than they showed this year. They didn't have Gasol for a LONG time and without him they are what they showed this year. With him, they are a play off contender in the west.

Portland is stacked with young guns so they got the lucky bounce. Boston are also stacked with young talent so its not like they truly deserved Oden. They are also better than what they showed.

I think you are rating Boston and Memphis too kindly.

Memphis have more than a few broken veterans and not much depth.

Boston has young players, but that doesnt neccesarily make them a good side.

I really think this system of draft isnt one that cares about making a league more competitive and even.

Because in those areas is fails badly.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

If Seattle ever needed a time to get some luck, this was it. And if the NBA ever needed a team to get a top two pick, it was Seattle in this draft.

Could singlehandedly shape the direction of the franchise now. Magnificent.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I think you are rating Boston and Memphis too kindly.

Memphis have more than a few broken veterans and not much depth.

Boston has young players, but that doesnt neccesarily make them a good side.

I really think this system of draft isnt one that cares about making a league more competitive and even.

Because in those areas is fails badly.

Oh please. Both Memphis and Boston still have a chance to select elite talent. You might not get Shaq but Chris Bosh is still a pretty nice piece.

Healthy Memphis is still a play off contender in the loaded west. In the east they woudl piss it in. West said they need a rebounder and an interior defender. They pick up Horford and pair him with Gasol and they are much better team already. A solid FA signing and they are play-off team.

Boston has so much young talent. In other words, if they want to get better now, they have teh trading currency to do so. I am pretty sure Indiana would be interested in some of your pieces for a Jermaine O'Neal. JO and Pierce = play-offs. Not to mention other youngsters that will continue to grow and get better.

Plus pick 5 is nothing to sneeze at. I wish Kings could have pick 5 in this draft. I know I would be bursting from joy and you lot are much better placed that we are in terms of development of young players.

 

[john21]

Could Portland and Seattle do a straight swap Randolph for Lewis? Would suit both teams

i like this a lot, but my gut instinct reckons that Randolph will be involved in a deal to get portland Mike Conley.

Someone on RealGM mentioned Randolph to Bulls for pick 9?

 

[Stiffy_18]

i like this a lot, but my gut instinct reckons that Randolph will be involved in a deal to get portland Mike Conley.

Someone on RealGM mentioned Randolph to Bulls for pick 9?

For any deal to happen you need to match salaries. Zach has a HUGE salary and I don't see Chicago giving up some of their core for Zach who also has character issues. Something Skiles doesn't look upon too well.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

i like this a lot

Of course you would, any Portland fan would. Aldridge is already in place, and Randolph is a headcase, albeit a talented one. Rashard Lewis is a stud with no character or behaviour issues, coming off a career season and right in his prime.

 

[john21]

Of course you would, any Portland fan would.

actually im a spurs fan, just jumping on the portland bandwagon

shard averaged 22.6 points and 6.6 boards last season in 60 games

Randolph averaged 23.7 and 10.1 boards in 68 games.

Sure Randolph has a few issues off court, but their talent on court is equal, if not in favour of Randolph

 

[DoubleA]

Wow Boston really cant take a trick.

 

[Back Pocket Rocket]

What would Seattle be looking for if they trade Lewis. I'd love him at the Spurs but we wouldn't have anything that they want other then the untouchable big 3!

 

[john21]

What would Seattle be looking for if they trade Lewis. I'd love him at the Spurs but we wouldn't have anything that they want other then the untouchable big 3!

dont need him either. lol

 

[Back Pocket Rocket]

dont need him either. lol

Sure, our small fowards are all pensioners!

 

[eastaugh36]

Bring in the NBA system and you could have Hawthorn getting the number 1 pick over Richmond.

That'll make the league more equal

On paper Richmond ARE as good as Hawthorn. Other factors come into it. There's no way that list is bad enough to be 0-8. So why reward them with a guaranteed pick1 just because they can't get their side playing well together?

 

[Thewlis Dish]

actually im a spurs fan, just jumping on the portland bandwagon

shard averaged 22.6 points and 6.6 boards last season in 60 games

Randolph averaged 23.7 and 10.1 boards in 68 games.

Sure Randolph has a few issues off court, but their talent on court is equal, if not in favour of Randolph

You can't measure everything in just points and rebound stats.

Randolph is a very, very gifted player, but all things considered, a straight up trade for Lewis would favour Portland hugely.

 

[Hodges]

Man I cant believe Portland won! Thats crazy stuff. I reckon they will definately look to trade Zach off. When Zach want playing last year, Aldridge stepped up big time to average about 20/10. Has good post moves. Adding Oden to that mix is just perfect. Aldridge is too skinny to guard the bigger 4's but Oden can take that job now.

Where was Roy playing last year? Was it the 2 spot? I think there point guard was Jarret Jack (dont quote me on that though), so they still need to upgrade that position. Apart from that they have the makings of a dynasty.

What teams would want to take Zach off their hands? Seattle as mentioned might be one - having Allen, Lewis and Durant on the same team probably wouldnt work. Would Lewis fit in to Portland? I remember there being some talk of him losing interest in the game last season. From what I have heard he isnt the best guy to have in the locker room.

 

[GeeCat]

Man, the West just got alot tougher.

Atlanta would be stupid to draft Conley at #3. He is not the 3rd best prospect out there - they need to take one of the bigs on offer and either look at a guy like Acie Law at #11 or find their PG through FA/trade. Worse come to worse, trade down.

Happy for Seattle to settle with Durant - not too many franchises needed that one more than anything else at the moment. Durant will thrive in an uptempo offense alongside a bomber like Ray. Oh, and there's the writing on the wall for Shard.

Portland will be ridiculous in 3 years time - Oden, Roy, Aldridge...Jon Barry suggested they trade the pick for veteran help (he was serious).

 

[Stiffy_18]

Man, the West just got alot tougher.

Atlanta would be stupid to draft Conley at #3. He is not the 3rd best prospect out there - they need to take one of the bigs on offer and either look at a guy like Acie Law at #11 or find their PG through FA/trade. Worse come to worse, trade down.

Happy for Seattle to settle with Durant - not too many franchises needed that one more than anything else at the moment. Durant will thrive in an uptempo offense alongside a bomber like Ray. Oh, and there's the writing on the wall for Shard.

Portland will be ridiculous in 3 years time - Oden, Roy, Aldridge...Jon Barry suggested they trade the pick for veteran help (he was serious).

He is ****ed up! Thats what he is!

Opportunity to draft a potential HOF center comes along once in a life time. You don't trade that for veteran help. Even Jon Barry should know that

 

[Hodges]

Someone over on Realgm mentioned this potential trade:

Zach and Jack to Milwaukee for pick 6 and some other player.
Buckes would then have:

Mo(if re-signs)
Redd
Charlie V
Zach
Bogut

And would have 2 good bench players in Jack and Charlie Bell.

What do you think? Would this be possible for Portland? They should be able to get Conley with this deal.

 

[GeeCat]

^ I don't know why Milwaukee do that (and this is forgetting the inevitability of contracts).

They still have a chance to pick up a nice big to add to the Bogut/Charlie V frontcourt. That, or a swingman to replace BSizzle.