Post by beatonz on Jun 17, 2023 23:23:51 GMT -6
When I saw methatswho draft preview, trying to steal my annual article, I almost didn't write this one. But then I read methatswho article... I think I can add a little more than what he had to offer. I'll try to add more than just one line generic statements (half being illegible) to how I predict the top ten picks this season. I'm also going to do it a little different this year and compare my picks to methatswho's picks.
Draft Lottery Results:
Biggest Winners
1. Detroit Pistons - This team has been in treadmill hell for a long time. Ever since the initial redraft where they lucked out with the #2 pick, of course taking Kevin Garnett, they have been stuck pick in the 8-10 range. Tiny Archibald (#9), Josh Richardson (#10), Isaiah Rider (#8), Aaron Gordon (#9) have been the players taken by the Pistons and none of them look like the players the franchise was hoping they would be. What a better was to get out of this funk by jumping from the projected #7 to the #3 spot in a loaded draft.
2. Sacramento Kings/Golden State Warriors - Both teams jumped one spot in the draft. Usually, I would give the edge to the team that jumped to #1 overall pick but with both Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson in this draft, you can't go wrong either way. Both teams win big and both teams are guaranteed a superstar in the making.
Biggest Losers:
1. Phoenix Suns - It's a shame, they tried their hearts out this season to tank by wasting a season of Caldwell Jones' career, but the ITP gods weren't having any of it. Finishing the season with an abysmal 19-63, they were favourites to land the #1 pick, but they dropped to #4. Feels bad. Missing out on prime prospects in Kobe, AI and Starbury sucks but there are still good players, so all is not lost.
2. San Antonio Spurs - In similar to Suns style, the Spurs had Ron Boone (previous all league 1st team player) coming off the bench. Ron still ended up getting burn, with 20 mpg and played behind young budding star Rex Walters who proved he was deserving of the starting position. The Spurs need a star young player to build around, and dropping in the draft, even if only one spot sucks, so they get this spot.
Beatonz Top 10 Draft Picks
1. Sacramento Kings: Kobe Bryant (Beatonz)
1. Sacramento Kings: Kobe Bryant (methatswho) - "Best combo of Age and Position. especially if he comes in at SG and ability to come into ITP to date"
The fucking Kings do it again... third time with the number one pick. The Lakers have developed what many have stated as the best young core in ITP, but after this years draft, the Kings, well they could be better. Adding to past #1 picks in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anthony Edwards, Kobe is going to slide in perfectly at the SF position. Their starting five is ridiculously young and talented - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (C, #1), Julius Randle (PF, #6), Kobe Bryant (SF, #1), Anthony Edwards (SG, #1). They are going to have over $60M in cap space this off season and all they honestly need is a PG. I was surprised they were even this low in the standings this year. I don't expect them to land another #1 pick for a long time.
2. Golden State Warriors: Allen Iverson (Beatonz)
2. Golden State Warriors: Allen Iverson (methatswho) - "Best player in the Draft age and time away in jail is why in the ITP he's 2nd"
The Warriors take AI #2 and no one is complaining. Jumping to #2 was huge for this franchise to snag a sure shot superstar in AI. With Kyle Lowry and Terry Rozier (2004 all rookie team, last years #11 overall pick) already on the roster, there is somewhat of a log jam at the PG position. But at this draft position you take the best prospect, and figure the rest out later. AI is the safer picks between him and Kobe. Kobe's upside may be higher due to potential teenage training camp boosts but with AIs already impressive attributes, AI wont have a hard time reaching his full potential. Easy 30ppg scorer. I think turnovers could be an issue early in his career but if he can score, this wont be a major issue for a team looking for that true number one option.
3. Detroit Pistons: Stephon Marbury (Beatonz)
3. Detroit Pistons: Stephon Marbury (methatswho) - "Actually best Combo PG In this draft if he can feature defense and Rebounding he would be great"
I went into the Pistons struggles during the early seasons of this league already in this article, so I wont go over this again. What I will go over again from years past draft preview articles is this teams need for scoring. They just need that one player to start building around. Overall their team isn't terrible on paper, but who is their man on the offensive end? Many thought it would be KG but he just hasn't developed into that player. They FINALLY get this player in Marbury. He will score, and will score big. His inital potential wont be quite as high as AIs but if camped well and good TCs Marbury has the potential to be the best scorer in this years draft. Especially considering the team he's going to. He will get his shots right out of the gate.
Not sure why methatswho is worried about Marbury's rebounding. He's a PG, who cares.
4. Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash (Beatonz)
4. Phoenix Suns: Bob Cousey (methatswho) - "Best rebounding defensive guard in this draft his weaknesses in scoring should be corrected with defense"
Phoenix has some capable young players in Payton, Hampton, Bey, Porzingis, Pokusevski and Bradley. In the past couple of seasons, the Suns have used their draft capital to take big men so its probably time to focus somewhere else. I think the question is how do they feel about Payton long term manning the PG spot? If they are still high on him then the pick has to be Ray Allen. If they don't love Payton then the pick is Steve Nash. In my opinion it's Nash, he's a perfect pick for this team. He will be a high assist player and this team has scorers already. Pick Nash and let him excel! I could see the Suns going off the board here with Shareef Abdur-Rahim or Jermaine O'Neal just because, but it wouldn't make sense.
methatswho is going on about rebouding PG's again, but in this case also his defense. Cousy is good, but he's not the best rebounding or defensive PG in this draft so not sure what he is on about.
5. San Antonio Spurs: Ray Allen (Beatonz)
5. San Antonio Spurs: Shreef Abdur Rahim (methatswho) - "The First post player of the Board and a team will benefit if he doesn't turnover the ball at SF and He'll Blossom"
Rumour has it the Spurs have this pick on the trade block. Will they trade it? I would say almost certainly not. With Ray Allen still on the board here the Spurs will take him. The best outside shooter in the draft, Allen is destined to be great especially on an outside shooting focused team. Historically the Spurs have not run this type of offense, but maybe it's time for a change. The Spurs are in full rebuild mode and they could use help at all positions so best player is the way to go. Allen will be a great player to start this rebuild. Watch out for him as the rookie of the year. He will be the main scoring option on this team and will put up big shot attempts out the gate.
Abdur Rahim was the #5 pick predicted by methatswho. I don't hate this pick but not when Allen is still on the board. In methatswho, Allen and Nash would still be available here, I can't see Abdur Rahim being selected over either of them.
6. Boston Celtics: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Beatonz)
6. Boston Celtics: Jermaine O'Neal (methatswho) - "the Youngest of the Young is expected to wait a few gain strength then play admirable"
The Celtics have a nice little core going with Smart, Stackhouse and Portis. Out of the bottoms teams in this years draft, the Celtics are most ready to make a push for the playoffs. I like the idea of the Celtics taking a scoring SF here to help the offense out, a good option would be Peja Stojakovic. I think the lower potential scares off the Celtics though. If Bobby Portis can slide to the C position effectively, I like Shareef Abdur-Rahim here. A good combination of potential and ability to help right out of the gate. Shareef could also slide down to SF in the future if needed which is a nice attribute to have.
I like methatswho's pick of Jermaine O'Neal and this he would fit in very well next to Portis, I just think Abdur Rahim is a more of a contributor from day one and a safer overall pick.
7. Milwaukee Bucks: Bob Cousy (Beatonz)
7. Milwaukee Bucks: Peja Stojakovic (methatswho) - "Great offensive player can shoot the lights out and post up his problem is with defense and playing with others"
I don't know what to say about this team, they need big men and a PG. Devin Vassell and Jerami Grant have both been developing slowly but surely and becoming serviceable starters on a potential playoff team. They NEED to sign Vassell back this off season though, or this will set them back a couple years. I'm conflicted with this pick but ultimately they need to find a long term PG option, with many taken already, Bob Cousy seems like the only option left. That's not to say this isn't a strong pick, in most other drafts Cousy would be a top 5 pick. As methatswho mentioned in his draft preview, he may struggle on the offensive end right away but I think this will come. The Bucks could land a great PG, will he be an all league player? Probably not. An all star? Maybe. Regardless a good player.
I still can't believe Ray Allen and Steve Nash is on the board in methatswho's draft...
8. New York Knicks (from Houston Rockets): Peja Stojakovic (Beatonz)
8. New York Knicks (from Houston Rockets): Ray Allen (methatswho) - "Age kept him lower then what teams are looking for in this Draft I still expect him to be a Great Scorer and adequate defender"
A block buster of a deal that sent Bargs and Bogdan out of the big apple in return for #8 and cap space. A surprising move from the Knicks considering they were the leagues best team and now they are breaking the core up? But this is a necessary move to keep players like Damon Stoudamire, LaMelo Ball, Théo Maledon and Karlton Hines around long term. It sucks giving up players of Bargs and Bogdans caliber but they got value back and we know how FDA can develop his prospects.
I think the question here is who mans the SF spot with both players playing that position in years past now gone. Do the Knicks land a rookie to jump in? I think so. Peja Stojakovic is the man. Great scoring ability and will fill that missing scoring from Bargs right away. There are other good options with players like Kerry Kittles, Jermaine O'Neal, and Ben Wallace still on the board, but the Knicks have star players and depth at PG and PF/C positions.
If the Knicks get Ray Allen or Steve Nash like methatswho predicts, this would be wild. Although, Peja may be the better immediate scorer. Knowing how well FDA can develop prospects Allen at this spot would be scary.
9. Indiana Pacers: Kerry Kittles (Beatonz)
9. Indiana Pacers: Steve Nash (methatswho) - "Here it's his incoming ratings being what they are if he had B handles and B- Inside like he should far different story"
This team is made up of Moses Malone, George Johnson and Jamal Mashburn. Everyone else, especially Randolph Childress needs to get out of town. With that said, I like Jermaine O'Neal the most of the remaining available players and it would be great to see him back in a Pacers jersey, but it just doesn't make sense with Malone and Johnson. They could look at dealing one of the two this off season to make room for JO but as they don't have a GM I doubt that's going to happen. In the end I think the best pick for them is Kerry Kittles. A position of need who should turn out good, not great but good. Kittles will start right away and at least give the Pacers fans something be get excited about.
Steve Nash would be a great snag at 9, but methatswho is out of his mind thinking he will still be on the board here.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Jermaine O'Neal (Beatonz)
10. Atlanta Hawks: Ben Wallace (methatswho) - One of the few top defenders in the Draft can Rebound as well at a great level to the point he overcomes his short comings
The Hawks are in a great spot where they can sure up their front court with one of Ben Wallace or Jermaine O'Neal. I like both here, but JO is younger and has the potential on his side. McGinnis' years are wasting away on a worsening Hawks team. Wallace could help them next year and maybe squeak them back into the playoffs. But I think they swing for the fences and go with the potential star in JO.
Whoever gets Wallace is going to get an absolute steal and if camped right will be a top C in this league for a long time.
Draft Lottery Results:
Biggest Winners
1. Detroit Pistons - This team has been in treadmill hell for a long time. Ever since the initial redraft where they lucked out with the #2 pick, of course taking Kevin Garnett, they have been stuck pick in the 8-10 range. Tiny Archibald (#9), Josh Richardson (#10), Isaiah Rider (#8), Aaron Gordon (#9) have been the players taken by the Pistons and none of them look like the players the franchise was hoping they would be. What a better was to get out of this funk by jumping from the projected #7 to the #3 spot in a loaded draft.
2. Sacramento Kings/Golden State Warriors - Both teams jumped one spot in the draft. Usually, I would give the edge to the team that jumped to #1 overall pick but with both Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson in this draft, you can't go wrong either way. Both teams win big and both teams are guaranteed a superstar in the making.
Biggest Losers:
1. Phoenix Suns - It's a shame, they tried their hearts out this season to tank by wasting a season of Caldwell Jones' career, but the ITP gods weren't having any of it. Finishing the season with an abysmal 19-63, they were favourites to land the #1 pick, but they dropped to #4. Feels bad. Missing out on prime prospects in Kobe, AI and Starbury sucks but there are still good players, so all is not lost.
2. San Antonio Spurs - In similar to Suns style, the Spurs had Ron Boone (previous all league 1st team player) coming off the bench. Ron still ended up getting burn, with 20 mpg and played behind young budding star Rex Walters who proved he was deserving of the starting position. The Spurs need a star young player to build around, and dropping in the draft, even if only one spot sucks, so they get this spot.
Beatonz Top 10 Draft Picks
1. Sacramento Kings: Kobe Bryant (Beatonz)
1. Sacramento Kings: Kobe Bryant (methatswho) - "Best combo of Age and Position. especially if he comes in at SG and ability to come into ITP to date"
The fucking Kings do it again... third time with the number one pick. The Lakers have developed what many have stated as the best young core in ITP, but after this years draft, the Kings, well they could be better. Adding to past #1 picks in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anthony Edwards, Kobe is going to slide in perfectly at the SF position. Their starting five is ridiculously young and talented - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (C, #1), Julius Randle (PF, #6), Kobe Bryant (SF, #1), Anthony Edwards (SG, #1). They are going to have over $60M in cap space this off season and all they honestly need is a PG. I was surprised they were even this low in the standings this year. I don't expect them to land another #1 pick for a long time.
2. Golden State Warriors: Allen Iverson (Beatonz)
2. Golden State Warriors: Allen Iverson (methatswho) - "Best player in the Draft age and time away in jail is why in the ITP he's 2nd"
The Warriors take AI #2 and no one is complaining. Jumping to #2 was huge for this franchise to snag a sure shot superstar in AI. With Kyle Lowry and Terry Rozier (2004 all rookie team, last years #11 overall pick) already on the roster, there is somewhat of a log jam at the PG position. But at this draft position you take the best prospect, and figure the rest out later. AI is the safer picks between him and Kobe. Kobe's upside may be higher due to potential teenage training camp boosts but with AIs already impressive attributes, AI wont have a hard time reaching his full potential. Easy 30ppg scorer. I think turnovers could be an issue early in his career but if he can score, this wont be a major issue for a team looking for that true number one option.
3. Detroit Pistons: Stephon Marbury (Beatonz)
3. Detroit Pistons: Stephon Marbury (methatswho) - "Actually best Combo PG In this draft if he can feature defense and Rebounding he would be great"
I went into the Pistons struggles during the early seasons of this league already in this article, so I wont go over this again. What I will go over again from years past draft preview articles is this teams need for scoring. They just need that one player to start building around. Overall their team isn't terrible on paper, but who is their man on the offensive end? Many thought it would be KG but he just hasn't developed into that player. They FINALLY get this player in Marbury. He will score, and will score big. His inital potential wont be quite as high as AIs but if camped well and good TCs Marbury has the potential to be the best scorer in this years draft. Especially considering the team he's going to. He will get his shots right out of the gate.
Not sure why methatswho is worried about Marbury's rebounding. He's a PG, who cares.
4. Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash (Beatonz)
4. Phoenix Suns: Bob Cousey (methatswho) - "Best rebounding defensive guard in this draft his weaknesses in scoring should be corrected with defense"
Phoenix has some capable young players in Payton, Hampton, Bey, Porzingis, Pokusevski and Bradley. In the past couple of seasons, the Suns have used their draft capital to take big men so its probably time to focus somewhere else. I think the question is how do they feel about Payton long term manning the PG spot? If they are still high on him then the pick has to be Ray Allen. If they don't love Payton then the pick is Steve Nash. In my opinion it's Nash, he's a perfect pick for this team. He will be a high assist player and this team has scorers already. Pick Nash and let him excel! I could see the Suns going off the board here with Shareef Abdur-Rahim or Jermaine O'Neal just because, but it wouldn't make sense.
methatswho is going on about rebouding PG's again, but in this case also his defense. Cousy is good, but he's not the best rebounding or defensive PG in this draft so not sure what he is on about.
5. San Antonio Spurs: Ray Allen (Beatonz)
5. San Antonio Spurs: Shreef Abdur Rahim (methatswho) - "The First post player of the Board and a team will benefit if he doesn't turnover the ball at SF and He'll Blossom"
Rumour has it the Spurs have this pick on the trade block. Will they trade it? I would say almost certainly not. With Ray Allen still on the board here the Spurs will take him. The best outside shooter in the draft, Allen is destined to be great especially on an outside shooting focused team. Historically the Spurs have not run this type of offense, but maybe it's time for a change. The Spurs are in full rebuild mode and they could use help at all positions so best player is the way to go. Allen will be a great player to start this rebuild. Watch out for him as the rookie of the year. He will be the main scoring option on this team and will put up big shot attempts out the gate.
Abdur Rahim was the #5 pick predicted by methatswho. I don't hate this pick but not when Allen is still on the board. In methatswho, Allen and Nash would still be available here, I can't see Abdur Rahim being selected over either of them.
6. Boston Celtics: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Beatonz)
6. Boston Celtics: Jermaine O'Neal (methatswho) - "the Youngest of the Young is expected to wait a few gain strength then play admirable"
The Celtics have a nice little core going with Smart, Stackhouse and Portis. Out of the bottoms teams in this years draft, the Celtics are most ready to make a push for the playoffs. I like the idea of the Celtics taking a scoring SF here to help the offense out, a good option would be Peja Stojakovic. I think the lower potential scares off the Celtics though. If Bobby Portis can slide to the C position effectively, I like Shareef Abdur-Rahim here. A good combination of potential and ability to help right out of the gate. Shareef could also slide down to SF in the future if needed which is a nice attribute to have.
I like methatswho's pick of Jermaine O'Neal and this he would fit in very well next to Portis, I just think Abdur Rahim is a more of a contributor from day one and a safer overall pick.
7. Milwaukee Bucks: Bob Cousy (Beatonz)
7. Milwaukee Bucks: Peja Stojakovic (methatswho) - "Great offensive player can shoot the lights out and post up his problem is with defense and playing with others"
I don't know what to say about this team, they need big men and a PG. Devin Vassell and Jerami Grant have both been developing slowly but surely and becoming serviceable starters on a potential playoff team. They NEED to sign Vassell back this off season though, or this will set them back a couple years. I'm conflicted with this pick but ultimately they need to find a long term PG option, with many taken already, Bob Cousy seems like the only option left. That's not to say this isn't a strong pick, in most other drafts Cousy would be a top 5 pick. As methatswho mentioned in his draft preview, he may struggle on the offensive end right away but I think this will come. The Bucks could land a great PG, will he be an all league player? Probably not. An all star? Maybe. Regardless a good player.
I still can't believe Ray Allen and Steve Nash is on the board in methatswho's draft...
8. New York Knicks (from Houston Rockets): Peja Stojakovic (Beatonz)
8. New York Knicks (from Houston Rockets): Ray Allen (methatswho) - "Age kept him lower then what teams are looking for in this Draft I still expect him to be a Great Scorer and adequate defender"
A block buster of a deal that sent Bargs and Bogdan out of the big apple in return for #8 and cap space. A surprising move from the Knicks considering they were the leagues best team and now they are breaking the core up? But this is a necessary move to keep players like Damon Stoudamire, LaMelo Ball, Théo Maledon and Karlton Hines around long term. It sucks giving up players of Bargs and Bogdans caliber but they got value back and we know how FDA can develop his prospects.
I think the question here is who mans the SF spot with both players playing that position in years past now gone. Do the Knicks land a rookie to jump in? I think so. Peja Stojakovic is the man. Great scoring ability and will fill that missing scoring from Bargs right away. There are other good options with players like Kerry Kittles, Jermaine O'Neal, and Ben Wallace still on the board, but the Knicks have star players and depth at PG and PF/C positions.
If the Knicks get Ray Allen or Steve Nash like methatswho predicts, this would be wild. Although, Peja may be the better immediate scorer. Knowing how well FDA can develop prospects Allen at this spot would be scary.
9. Indiana Pacers: Kerry Kittles (Beatonz)
9. Indiana Pacers: Steve Nash (methatswho) - "Here it's his incoming ratings being what they are if he had B handles and B- Inside like he should far different story"
This team is made up of Moses Malone, George Johnson and Jamal Mashburn. Everyone else, especially Randolph Childress needs to get out of town. With that said, I like Jermaine O'Neal the most of the remaining available players and it would be great to see him back in a Pacers jersey, but it just doesn't make sense with Malone and Johnson. They could look at dealing one of the two this off season to make room for JO but as they don't have a GM I doubt that's going to happen. In the end I think the best pick for them is Kerry Kittles. A position of need who should turn out good, not great but good. Kittles will start right away and at least give the Pacers fans something be get excited about.
Steve Nash would be a great snag at 9, but methatswho is out of his mind thinking he will still be on the board here.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Jermaine O'Neal (Beatonz)
10. Atlanta Hawks: Ben Wallace (methatswho) - One of the few top defenders in the Draft can Rebound as well at a great level to the point he overcomes his short comings
The Hawks are in a great spot where they can sure up their front court with one of Ben Wallace or Jermaine O'Neal. I like both here, but JO is younger and has the potential on his side. McGinnis' years are wasting away on a worsening Hawks team. Wallace could help them next year and maybe squeak them back into the playoffs. But I think they swing for the fences and go with the potential star in JO.
Whoever gets Wallace is going to get an absolute steal and if camped right will be a top C in this league for a long time.