Confused about the NBA draft? Need answers for some of the questions keeping you up at night? Luckily, here are a few to help you out.
Was Jordan Hill the right choice for the Knicks when they obviously wanted a guard?
The New York Knicks didn’t try and keep it a secret that they wanted a guard. It became clear that they were intending to take Stephen Curry, who went a pick too early, and were also trying to trade up to have a chance to take Ricky Rubio (and are still trying to find a way to get him). So it was clear that Donnie Walsh wanted a guard to either distribute or gun it in Mike D’Antoni’s offense, and perhaps fill some of the minutes left by the Quentin Richardson trade.
So with Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson and Jeff Teague still on the board, was it the right choice of Walsh to go with Hill?
Answer: Yes.
D’Antoni seems to love Hill’s game, comparing him to a ‘Young Amare Stoudemire’. He hustles and brings a big body to bang around. With newly-acquired Darko Milicic and the possibly returning David Lee, the Knicks do have an intimidating frontline.
Though the knicks could have done with a guard, Hill was in no ways a bad choice, he will be able to run the break, finish emphatically and rebound for this promising Knicks squad.
Was Tyreke Evans the right choice for the Sacramento Kings?
The Sacramento Kings, those of the worst record in the league, basically got screwed over and ended up with the 4th pick. Like the Knicks, most knew it was a point guard that the Kings desperately needed, and they had the pick of them all, by the time the Kings were on the clock, no Point Guards had been chosen.
So with them all to choose from, Sacramento went with Tyreke Evans from Memphis, but was that the right choice?
Answer: It depends what you want from him.
If you want someone who can sell some jerseys, provide many highlights and put some interest into a forgotten team with a dieing fanbase, then Evans is your man. He is quick, has great handles and hops, and has an exciting style. He will easily be a fan favourite and will a Kings player who will be talked about at the water cooler next day…something that’s been lacking in recent years.
If you want someone who will distribute the ball, play within the offense, be solid and be someone who can help rebuild the team and be a cornerstone…then Evans could be your guy.
He could become a great playmaker, he has the skills, but hasn’t shown much of the mindset. He could be someone the Kings team builds around and becomes a great piece of the puzzle. All these things are easily within Evans’ grasp, it simply remains to be seen if he reaches out and takes them.
Was Number 3 too high for James Harden?
James Harden was certainly mentioned in the number three spot a few times, but not as consistently as many other players. Ricky Rubio, the aforementioned Tyreke Evans, even Stephen Curry had been projected there.
Some raised eyebrows when the Oklahoma City Thunder selected James Harden of Arizona State…was it too high for him?
Answer: Absolutely not.
James Harden was not only one of the best talents available, but fits well into the Thunder’s plan. The pick solidifies Russell Westbrook as their Point Guard of the future and gives them a solid scoring punch at the Shooting Guard position.
Harden is one of the more NBA-ready prospects, and will be able to contribute immediately. The lefty can shoot well, uses his solid frame to rebound and has been praised for his highly unselfish game and ability to feel out the game. This again fits well for the Thunder, who have a lot of options in Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Westbrook.
Though I was one of those initially surprised, I have been converted. Harden is a solid choice who can really help out this team. He brings many qualities and strengths and little weaknesses.
NBAdraft.Net cited Harden as similar to Manu Ginobili in that they are both players who are ”a tremendous team player who would rather win and score 10 than lose and score 40”
They are always my favourite type of players.
Will Stephen Curry co-exist with Monta Ellis?
Last week I wrote an article about how Monta Ellis was being given the Warriors’ reins and had been promised that a playmaking Point Guard would not be taken at the drat.
Well playmaking might not be his main strength, but Stephen Curry is a guard, and he does like to shoot. Though Curry’s name has been mentioned numerous times in trade rumours (most noticeably with the Phoenix Suns) the team has announced they will be keeping him…so assuming this is true, can the two co-exist?
Answer: Yes, if Ellis allows it.
While Ellis is a good shooter, his talent is penetrating and getting to the basket. Conversely, though Curry can drive and penetrate, his strength lies in outside shooting. Therefore, the two can produce quite a fearsome back-court tandem if they learn how to play off each other.
This can only happen if Ellis does not allow his ego to become too large. If he starts making statements about being the man and not sharing the ball when it is wise too, Curry will take longer to establish confidence and it could end up being a debacle.
Ellis needs to put the team first and realise that Curry being productive will aid him much more in the long run.
This, of course, only being of relevance if Coach Don Nelson gets over his aversion to playing rookies.
After all, seen much of Brandon Wright lately?
Why did the Minnesota Timberwolves choose two Point guards?
The story of the draft. After trading Mike Miller and Randy Foye to the Washington Wizards for the 5th pick, the Wolves were the team to watch in the draft. They would definitely be getting some new exciting talent in for their team.
It was only a surprise that Ricky Rubio had fallen to the 5th spot, there was no shock that the Wolves took him there. Possibly a great talent, Rubio was too good to leave on the board there.
What was an incredible surprise and shock, was David Stern calling out Jonny Flynn’s name with the 6th pick.
David Kahn, Minnesota’s new GM, had picked two point guards in back-to-back picks. Surely there would be a trade for one of the two guards to come around? Perhaps the Wolves wanted to keep Flynn, but had taken Rubio because there was such high interest in him and could demand a good trade? Perhaps vice-versa?
And yet, no trade has yet materilised, and Kahn has stated that it will stay that way. That the Wolves intend to keep these two prospects and play them together.
The most consistent question of the 2009 Draft is still being asked…why did they take two point guards?
Answer: ??Who knows??
There seems almost no logical explanation unless the idea is to still trade one of the two. They are both great talents, and if you think about it do offset each other almost perfectly.
Flynn is an explosive, athelic scorer whereas Rubio is a pass-first playmaker with a great knowledge and feel for the game…so it is just a shame they both play the same position.
Flynn can’t be put at the 2 spot, he is simply too small and other teams would take advantage too early. Rubio can’t go there either. While he is 6”5 and has filled out, his shooting has not yet developed enough to play that position, and it would be a waste of his greatest skills.
Not only that, but there is talk of Rubio now staying in Spain for a year or two. If he came to Minnesota he would have to compete more for any minutes and could be put in the middle of a very messy situation. Let’s not forget that Rubio has to buy himself out of his Spanish team to play for the Wolves…would you want to do that if you aren’t sure if you’ll even be getting many minutes?
The only reason I can think of, other than eventually putting one of the two into a trade, is that Kahn has at least generated major interest in the Wolves now. This is easily the most-talked-about story of the draft, and its woken many Wolves fans up after years of nothing to be bothered about.
The team will be in the spotlight all season now if both remain there, and will definitely help with getting a few more people in the stands.
But really…I have no answer to why Kahn would do this. Perhaps they can co-exist, but its incredibly unlikely and gives off many disadvantages even if they do, such as the lack of size etc.
I like both players, and at the end, just want to see each of them playing in the NBA.
What are your other questions on the draft? I’ll try and have a go at those ones too, as always.
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Good article. I have a good feeling about Jordan Hill. He’s been improving every year since his freshman year. He needs to work on his footwork and develop some more post moves, but that will come with time. I dont expect him to be a 25ppg/12rpg player, but if he can at least deliver something in the 17ppg/8rpg/2bpg range, that’s a success in my eyes. The Knicks need toughness and size more than anything….we were second in the league in scoring last year, so offense is not a problem. Our defense, on the other hand, was porous. Keeping my fingers crossed Hill turns out to be the player I think he can be.
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