Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Jul 17, 2007 23:05:16 GMT -5
2010 Retro Draft: Winners and Losers
Who came out the draft squeaky clean? Who came out the draft just completely filthy?
Winners
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers were already winners when they came out of the lottery with the #1 pick. To add a young player like Rubio continues the Lakers youth movement after the championship failure this team experienced a few years ago. Ricky Rubio should be an absolute stud for this team...if they keep him.
New York Knicks
They came away with Greg Monroe after the Bulls selected Earl Clark and the Hornets went with the safe pick in Young. Greg Monroe's game is fairly reminiscent of last year's first overall pick, Kevin Durant. He and Bill Walker on the frontline could form an explosive tandem for years to come. Also, nailing Kyle Singler with the 17th pick was a huge pickup. He's a young kid who might be able to cme in and contribute right away with his sharpshooting ability.
Miami Heat
Star point guard: check.
Rising star shooting guard: check
You're free to check off low post anchor as well. The Miami Heat were projected wind up with Michael Beasley in a couple mock drafts circulating the web. They ended up with perhaps the 2nd best player in this draft. B.J. Mullens is just the type of traditional force down low that teams yearn for today. He, Greg Oden, and another player yet to be mentioned in this article could lead the next generation of traditional centers in this league.
Portland Trailblazers
Somehow someway, the Portland Trailblazers managed to shed two huge contracts this offseason and come away with a youngster that could anchor the block for the next decade. DeAndre Jordan is a guy that could run with Carmelo Anthony for the next ten years. Portland may not be in contention right now but don't count them out for the playoffs.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz are another team who bank off of the misfortune of the Chicago Bulls. When the draft prospects were first announced, Michael Beasley was a player who was a possible top three candidate. Beasley's stock fell as a couple more talented players entered their names into the draft pool. Earl Clark going as early as he did wound up knocking Beasley a couple of choices down to where he was projected to go. The Jazz come out with a bargain of a player at #7. A starting lineup of Brown, Collins, Beasley, Pietrus, and Paul could spell playoffs for this team next year.
Losers
Chicago Bulls
Perhaps the nights biggest loser was the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls unfortunately did not send in a draft list and the CPU had it's way with them. Earl Clark, a solid prospect none the less, wound up going earlier than expected. Surely Earl Clark is happy that he's making top two dollars but the Bulls are probably disappointed that they had a chance of scoring a frontline that could have boasted Andris Biedrins and Greg Monroe.
Golden State Warriors
Fortunately for the Warriors, Earl Clark goes number two will always overshadow the Warriors poor decision making this draft night. The Warriors mortagaged their future by trading away the 6th pick and Zydrunas Ilgauskas for what was basically Joe Johnson. They did wind up with Tim Ohlbrecht who could turn out to be a solid replacement for Ilgauskas. But a Joe Johnson led crew is not going to get it done in the western conference.
San Antonio Spurs
They hurt themselves the minute they traded away their pick to the Lakers. The Spurs are a team that is in disarray with two aging veterans, KG and VC. The fact that weren't able to make the playoffs with those guys leading the way is a sign as to where this franchise is headed as years go on. The Spurs need a mover and a shaker at the helm if this team wants to ever compete for a title in this league.
Who came out the draft squeaky clean? Who came out the draft just completely filthy?
Winners
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers were already winners when they came out of the lottery with the #1 pick. To add a young player like Rubio continues the Lakers youth movement after the championship failure this team experienced a few years ago. Ricky Rubio should be an absolute stud for this team...if they keep him.
New York Knicks
They came away with Greg Monroe after the Bulls selected Earl Clark and the Hornets went with the safe pick in Young. Greg Monroe's game is fairly reminiscent of last year's first overall pick, Kevin Durant. He and Bill Walker on the frontline could form an explosive tandem for years to come. Also, nailing Kyle Singler with the 17th pick was a huge pickup. He's a young kid who might be able to cme in and contribute right away with his sharpshooting ability.
Miami Heat
Star point guard: check.
Rising star shooting guard: check
You're free to check off low post anchor as well. The Miami Heat were projected wind up with Michael Beasley in a couple mock drafts circulating the web. They ended up with perhaps the 2nd best player in this draft. B.J. Mullens is just the type of traditional force down low that teams yearn for today. He, Greg Oden, and another player yet to be mentioned in this article could lead the next generation of traditional centers in this league.
Portland Trailblazers
Somehow someway, the Portland Trailblazers managed to shed two huge contracts this offseason and come away with a youngster that could anchor the block for the next decade. DeAndre Jordan is a guy that could run with Carmelo Anthony for the next ten years. Portland may not be in contention right now but don't count them out for the playoffs.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz are another team who bank off of the misfortune of the Chicago Bulls. When the draft prospects were first announced, Michael Beasley was a player who was a possible top three candidate. Beasley's stock fell as a couple more talented players entered their names into the draft pool. Earl Clark going as early as he did wound up knocking Beasley a couple of choices down to where he was projected to go. The Jazz come out with a bargain of a player at #7. A starting lineup of Brown, Collins, Beasley, Pietrus, and Paul could spell playoffs for this team next year.
Losers
Chicago Bulls
Perhaps the nights biggest loser was the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls unfortunately did not send in a draft list and the CPU had it's way with them. Earl Clark, a solid prospect none the less, wound up going earlier than expected. Surely Earl Clark is happy that he's making top two dollars but the Bulls are probably disappointed that they had a chance of scoring a frontline that could have boasted Andris Biedrins and Greg Monroe.
Golden State Warriors
Fortunately for the Warriors, Earl Clark goes number two will always overshadow the Warriors poor decision making this draft night. The Warriors mortagaged their future by trading away the 6th pick and Zydrunas Ilgauskas for what was basically Joe Johnson. They did wind up with Tim Ohlbrecht who could turn out to be a solid replacement for Ilgauskas. But a Joe Johnson led crew is not going to get it done in the western conference.
San Antonio Spurs
They hurt themselves the minute they traded away their pick to the Lakers. The Spurs are a team that is in disarray with two aging veterans, KG and VC. The fact that weren't able to make the playoffs with those guys leading the way is a sign as to where this franchise is headed as years go on. The Spurs need a mover and a shaker at the helm if this team wants to ever compete for a title in this league.
