Post by tmaczdaddy on Jun 4, 2009 22:28:21 GMT -5
1. Miami Heat - Kobe Bryant SG 6'6'' 192 17 B- B- C+ B- C A
1. Miami Heat - Kobe Bryant SG 6'6'' 192 17 B B- C+ B+ C A
The only weakness that Kobe Bryant was said to have out of High School was his defense. Well so much for that, Kobe improved his defense tremendously and showed why he was the #1 pick.
He's only 17 and looks to compete for a championship right away with the new and improved Miami Heat. He'll be able to learn from great players like Malone/Drazen/Benoit and will get his turn to lead this team. Perfect situation for him, and a good/obvious pick.
Grade: A
2. Milwaukee Bucks - Allen Iverson PG 6'0'' 165 21 B- B B- B- C- A
2. Milwaukee Bucks - Allen Iverson PG 6'0'' 165 21 B- B- B+ B C- A
AI was said to be the top scorer in this class, but didn't show much improvement in the offensive department of his first TC. But the Bucks should be very happy to see his handling improve a lot, AI was a turnover whore at Georgetown, and that was the only major knock on this guy.
AI is a nice fit for a team that looks to compete for a championship in a couple years, should give his some time to develop some more. Lucky for AI, he won't be the #1 option like he was at G-Town so that will take some pressure off him and let him play his game. Could've gone #1, but both Heat and Bucks are happy with their players. Good pick here at #2
Grade: A
3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Marcus Camby PF 6'11'' 220 22 B- C C- B+ C+ A
3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Marcus Camby PF 6'11'' 220 22 B- C C- B+ C+ B
Even before training camp this pick didn't too good for the Cavs, TC just proved what everyone else was thinking. Camby is a great defender, but there were question about his potential and if he had the "star" qualities.
He should be a star defensively, but has a long way to go offensively and in other areas to become an all-star.
Camby also looked lost offensively in pre-season, averaging just under 7ppg and shooting a dismal 33% from the field.
The Cavs are hoping that this first TC was just a fluke, we will have to wait a and see but for now this is not looking like a great pick at 3.
Grade: C
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jermaine O'Neal PF 6'11'' 225 17 C+ C- D+ C+ B- A
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jermaine O'Neal PF 6'11'' 225 17 C+ C- C- B B+ A
Huge project pick here at 4 for the Twolves, and it looks like it was a very nice pick. Showed defensive and rebounding improvement in his first TC.
Scoring was said to be a strength so the Wolves were happy to see improvement all around for JO.
But there were some talks that the Wolves were looking to win and acquire a big piece, and the only way to do that was to deal JO.
JO was dealt for a superstar in David Robinson, and looks to start new with the rebuilding 76ers. 76ers will look to build around JO, but being the "franchise" guy at 17 may be too much for him. We shall see.
Grade: A-
5. Milwaukee Bucks - Ray Allen SG 6'5'' 205 20 C+ A- C C C A
5. Milwaukee Bucks - Ray Allen SG 6'5'' 205 20 C+ A- C B- C A
Ray Allen at 5 seemed like a good pick for the Bucks, with players like Nash/Wallace/Peja still available. Ray Allen had a solid TC and proved the doubters wrong. Can't go wrong with a player who can give you 30 points any given night on pure shooting.
Sweetest stroke even as a rookie. Proved how useful he was in pre-season averaging 8ppg in only 15mpg and shooting great percentages.
Good pick here at 5.
Grade: B+
6. Seattle Supersonics - Steve Nash PG 6'3'' 195 22 C B+ B+ C C- A
6. Seattle Supersonics - Steve Nash PG 6'3'' 195 22 C A- B+ C C- A
Nash was said to be one of the most "ready" players in this draft.
The only reason that he was held back was because of his awful defense. TC didn't do much to help him there, but improved his shot and makes him a great threat from outside. Nash is also a great handler and should be a future 10apg guy. Sonics hope for him to make improvements on defense then you can start talking all-star with Nash. Nash showed his versaitlty in pre-season by playing SG and averaging 16ppg.
Grade: B
7. Seattle Supersonics - Peja Stojakovic SF 6'9'' 230 19 C A- C- C+ C A
7. Seattle Supersonics - Peja Stojakovic SF 6'9'' 230 19 C+ A- C C+ C A
Sonics organization couldn't make a decision between Peja or Ben Wallace. But in the end the Sonics felt they had a player like Wallace in Yinka Dare(who was tragically found dead after TC). Wallace bloomed, but Peja didn't do too bad either in TC. He improved his inside game and his handling, and is turning into an all-around player. Scouts were doubting because all he could do is shoot, but a nice TC has turned some heads.
Grade: B
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ben Wallace PF 6'9'' 240 21 C F C- B+ B A
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ben Wallace PF 6'9'' 240 21 C F D+ A- B A
The Cavs made up for their earlier pick of Camby, and got a steal in Ben Wallace.
With Big Ben's defense and rebounding, he could start for any team, and a nice TC verified that.
Although he will never be an offensive threat, his defense and rebounding will help any team.
A very nice pick in Ben Wallace here and 8. He should help the Cavs compete this year.
Grade: A
