2004 NBA Draft Thread

[mattyc2422]

NBA Draft 2004 thread.

I suppose it's about time we got one of these started with the Expansion Draft on Wednesday and the Draft on Friday our time.

Plus, I had nowhere else to post this.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...tories/MYSA062004.1C.spursdraft.1a4d5069.html

If the Spurs are unable to get the one or two players they have targeted, they likely will again try to trade out of the first round, where players receive guaranteed contracts, and preserve their salary-cap room for free agency. For now, this season's priority is re-signing Manu Ginobili. Bruce Bowen and Hedo Turkoglu also are free agents.

"Unless we think there's someone there everybody has missed on, we're going to probably try to get rid of it," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "If there is a young kid we think has the potential to be in this league down the road, we would probably consider it against what we thought we would need for signing free agents like Manu. But the hard part is you don't know what the cap is until July 15."

Player personnel directors for three other teams think the Spurs like Anderson Varejao, a 6-foot-10 forward from Brazil, and Viktor Khryapa, a 6-foot-9 Ukrainian forward, though one Western Conference official cautioned that after the lottery picks, this year's draft is particularly difficult to predict.

 

[Carmelo Anthony]

Deng hasnt really shown he wants to play for the Bulls...and my general feeling is that he would rather play for the Wizards.

Stock up : Iguodala, Gordon, Livingston.

Rumour is Livingston might goto the Clippers at #2.. and wont fall further than #4. Gordon has been smashing everyone in workouts..and Iguodala has also been great.

Josh Smith recorded a 39.5 inch vertical in Pheonix.

Luke Jackson has also elevated himself to a lottery chance.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Might as well sticky this bitch and use it as our base for the next week. Going to be plenty of posts, although not much interest for supporters of teams who can actually play the game.

 

[Presti_is_god]

Any Aussies a chance this draft???

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Presti_is_god
Any Aussies a chance this draft???

Nah, but we will have an impact next year.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

May as well do some predictions for the upcoming draft (if you can think up any other categories, go for it).

Best Player: Dwight Howard. Believe he has more scope than Okafor.

Best Steal: Chris Duhon. Likely to go second round, but is better than that.

Biggest Bust: Andre Iguodala. Has Darius Miles written all over him. All athlete, no baller.

Most overhyped: Robert Swift. I like his game, but he isn't a lottery pick, or even worth a top 20 pick. Will make it, but shouldn't be taken early.

 

[mattyc2422]

I'm disappointed Nate Robinson pulled out. He woulda been Speedy Claxton without the chinadoll aspect.

Ah well.

Looking forward to seeing where Kevin Martin goes. Build like Rip Hamilton, arms like Reggie Miller and a load of athleticism.
Could go anywhere.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by mattyc2422

Looking forward to seeing where Kevin Martin goes. Build like Rip Hamilton, arms like Reggie Miller and a load of athleticism.
Could go anywhere.

He is an intruiging prospect.

My only doubt over him is his mental approach. He appears a little soft when put under physical pressure.

Guess that could change when he puts some meat on his bones.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Biggest Bust: Andre Iguodala. Has Darius Miles written all over him. All athlete, no baller.

Except that Darius Miles can't handle the rock, pass, see the court and play as smart as Iggy. He is basically a 6'6 point guard with NBA level defense already. IMO, the real deal, much more than an athlete.

Best Player: Dwight Howard or Al Jefferson

Biggest Steal: Kevin Martin (will be the next Flip Murray sort of break out player, can flat out score)

Biggest Bust: Pavel Podkolzine

Most Overhyped: Josh Childress

ROY: Despite Kirk Snyder's claims, I would have to say Ben Gordon.

I also think Jameer Nelson is going to be a player, despite queries about his height. Loving Luke Jackson, too.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Petrie Dish
Except that Darius Miles can't handle the rock, pass, see the court and play as smart as Iggy. He is basically a 6'6 point guard with NBA level defense already. IMO, the real deal, much more than an athlete.

Time will tell mate.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Time will tell mate.

It will indeed, impossible to get a truly accurate gauge of who will do what.

 

[Carmelo Anthony]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky


Biggest Bust: Andre Iguodala. Has Darius Miles written all over him. All athlete, no baller.

[/B]

From what ive seen the only similarity Iggy and D-Miles have is that they are both black.

Iggy averaged something like 12/5/5 last year and was one of the best all round players in College. Hes going to be a stud, he just needs to work on his shooting, his rebounding, D and passing are exceptional. He can guard 3 positions too.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Carmelo Anthony
he just needs to work on his shooting

Funnily enough, so did D-Miles.

When Miles arrived, the exact same stuff was posted. Everyone said he game was brilliant, just needed work on his jumper.

Years later, he has been exposed as merely an athlete, something i believe will happen to this kid as well.

 

[jerry springer]

Maggette was also listed as only a athlete when orlando took him a few years ago.its interesting how these "projects" always seem to flourish when they go to another team

 

[Portmanteau]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Funnily enough, so did D-Miles.

When Miles arrived, the exact same stuff was posted. Everyone said he game was brilliant, just needed work on his jumper.

Years later, he has been exposed as merely an athlete, something i believe will happen to this kid as well.

The difference being, Igoudala proved himself to be a triple-threat on the collegiate level, which is entirely different to dominating your regional HS area. He had what, the most triple doubles in Pac-10 basketball other than Jason Kidd. I think that might just carry some weight...

 

[sog35]

Originally posted by Bresh
The difference being, Igoudala proved himself to be a triple-threat on the collegiate level, which is entirely different to dominating your regional HS area. He had what, the most triple doubles in Pac-10 basketball other than Jason Kidd. I think that might just carry some weight...

I find it disappointing that it took you just under 24 hours to make a reply to this thread.

Exam or no exam, not good enough for the draft's biggest fan

 

[Portmanteau]

Revised Mock Draft

1 - Dwight Howard (Magic)
2 - Emeka Okafor (Charlotte)
3 - Luol Deng (Chicago)
4 - Shaun Livingston (Clippers)
5 - Andre Iguodala (Washington)
6 - Josh Smith (Atlanta)
7 - Ben Gordon (Phoenix)
8 - Jameer Nelson (Toronto)
9 - Josh Childress (Philadelphia)
10 - Luke Jackson (Cleveland)
11 - Devin Harris (Golden State)
12 - Al Jefferson (Seattle)
13 - Kirk Snyder (Portland)
14 - Andris Biedrins (Utah)
15 - Robert Swift (Boston)
16 - Rafael Araujo (Utah)
17 - Kris Humphries (Atlanta)
18 - JR Smith (New Orleans)
19 - PJ Ramos (Miami)
20 - Pavel Podkolzine (Denver)
21 - Sergei Monya (Utah)
22 - Sebastian Telfair (Portland)
23 - Dorrell Wright (Portland)
24 - Kevin Martin (Boston)
25 - Sasha Vujacic (Boston)
26 - Anderson Varejao (Sacramento)
27 - Tony Allen (LA Lakers)
28 - Viktor Khyrapa (San Antonio)
29 - Joe Smith (Minnesota)
30 - Delonte West (Indiana)

 

[Thewlis Dish]

My mock lottery:

1)Orlando - Emeka Okafor
2)Charlotte (from Clips) - Dwight Howard
3)Chicago - Ben Gordon
4)Clippers - Shaun Livingston
5)Washington - Luol Deng
6)Atlanta - Andre Iguodala
7)Phoenix - Joshua Smith
8)Toronto - Jameer Nelson
9)Philadelphia - Josh Childress
10)Cleveland - Devin Harris
11)Golden State - Andris Biedrins
12)Seattle - Kirk Snyder
13)Portland - Luke Jackson
14)Utah - Rafael Araujo

My reasoning:

Gordon to Chicago seems weird, but I have heard from several sources that he has moved above Deng and Iguodala on Chicago's draft board. Why, I'm not exactly sure as Hinrich is etched in stone as their point guard, but they may be aiming to replace Jamal Crawford and play an up tempo, albeit smaller, back court.

Several sources also indicate Snyder has been given a guarantee by Seattle at 12. With him off the board, Portland then look to the local hero in Luke Jackson. He is a great fit in Portland with his outside shooting and toughness, and he has a squeaky clean image.

Utah owner Larry Miller has stated they'll take Araujo if he's on the board at 14, which he will be. I think they'll take Monya at 16, but I agree with this logic as I see Boston taking Araujo at 15 a bigger danger than the Celtics taking Monya.

Cleveland apparently still want either Gordon, Livingston or Harris. The former two will be taken, I can see Harris slipping to 10 if not taken by Toronto, who are reportedly high on Nelson.

 

[mattyc2422]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=1825427

Blazers deal for Nets' pick (22)
The Portland Trail Blazers may be closer to finding a first-round spot for Lincoln High (N.Y.) point guard Sebastian Telfair after agreeing to trade backup point guard Eddie Gill and $3 million to the New Jersey Nets for the 22nd overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft, league sources told ESPN.com Sunday night.

 

[mattyc2422]

Spurs have shown an interest in Lionel Chalmers and ABA Gwinnett Gwizzlies (Yes, Gwizzlies) center 7"4 John Flippen...

Cloaks and daggers...

 

[Borgsta]

bobcats now at No. 2

The Charlotte Bobcats swapped first-round draft choices with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, giving the NBA's newest franchise a chance to select Dwight Howard or Emeka Okafor with the No. 2 overall pick.

Charlotte sent the No. 4 overall pick, along with a second-round selection (No. 33 overall), to Los Angeles for the No. 2 choice. The Bobcats also agreed to select Clippers center Predrag Drobnjak in Tuesday's expansion draft.

The Bobcats have made no secret of their desire to obtain Okafor or Howard as one of the main building blocks for the league's 30th franchise.

......

The Clippers are expected to choose Peoria prep star Shaun Livingston with the fourth overall pick, believing the Chicago Bulls will pass on him at No. 3 because they would not want to use their lottery pick on a point guard for a third consecutive year.

 

[Carmelo Anthony]

My Mock...

1) Orlando - Dwight Howard
2) Charlotte - Emeka Okafor
3) Chicago - Luol Deng
4) LA Clippers - Shaun Livington
5) Washington - Josh Childress
6) Atlanta - Josh Smith
7) Pheonix - Ben Gordon
8) Toronto - Rafael Araujo
9) Philadelphia - Andre Iguodala
10) Cleveland - Luke Jackson
11) Golden State - Devin Harris
12) Seattle - Andre Biedrins
13) Portland - Kirk Snyder
14) Utah - Jameer Nelson

Dwight Howard teamed up with Francis will just be a sick sick combination. Araujo I think will go top 10 in a C starved league...plus hes got game. I think Luke Jackson is the perfect 3 to start alongside Lebron.

 

[mattyc2422]

Howard or Okafor is a pretty nice way to begin a franchise.

 

[Carmelo Anthony]

I got a feeling Howards chances of going #1 increased after the T-Mac/Franchise deal.... Howard seems a player that will fit well with Stevie.

Okafor will be a stud... 15/9 this season I predict.

Ben Gordon might go #4 to the Clippers, draft day is going to be awesome...cant wait.

 

[Portmanteau]

Originally posted by Carmelo Anthony
I got a feeling Howards chances of going #1 increased after the T-Mac/Franchise deal.... Howard seems a player that will fit well with Stevie.

I agree. There wouldn't be much point Orlando putting together a trio of Franchise/Mobley/Okafor. As much as I like Okafor, if Franchise/Mobley/Yao couldn't make much headway in the West, I doubt the other three could in the East. Gotta go with the upside of Howard.

Fingers crossed that Grant Hill can play some part this season. Would certainly help the ex-Houston guys and #1 pick fit in nicely.

Originally posted by Carmelo Anthony
Okafor will be a stud... 15/9 this season I predict.

He could get even more than on the Bobcats, where he could feasibly be their best player. Still my tip for ROTY.

Originally posted by Carmelo Anthony
Ben Gordon might go #4 to the Clippers, draft day is going to be awesome...cant wait.

It's pretty clearly Livingston or Gordon. Depends whether they want the ready-made gun or potential megastar. At the very least, the Clippers will revert back to run-and-gun with these guys.