Post by jupee on Sept 18, 2023 15:21:31 GMT -6
Oh yes. Let‘s play „I would have done it better“ game.*
Why 2002?
I think the first draft – 2001 – already have enough attention, with stories how FDA gave some magic mushrooms to john1974 before talking him into idea, that with some GM cash you can turn James Wiseman into better player than LaMelo Ball. Also with rookie of the year and two time Finals MVP Killlian Hayes being picked 5 picks after Tyrese Haliburton – who is still yet to have his breakthrough season where he would score double digit PPG. Finally future MVP Theo Maledon being picked mid-late. 2003 and 2004 were quite boring in terms of talents. 2005 and later – too early to judge. Meanwhile 2002 had some hidden gems apparently.
1. Joel Embiid (originally pick #2 by Raptors) A- A- C A A- C
Original pick #1: Nikola Jokić by Bulls
I am guessing that whoever made first pick, was choosing between Embiid and Jokic – well, his decision was incorrect. Joel broke Toronto fans hearts this off-season, but before that he became very important piece of two-time champions Raptors and one of the most dominating bigs in the league.
2. Zach Lavine (originally pick #7 by Lakers) B+ A C+ A- C B
Original pick #2: Joel Embiid by Raptors
This pick landed to Los Angeles also after trade with Wolves, however, package was really solid - two current 76ers players C.J. McCollum and Tyrese Maxey; Antoine Walker who later became first seriously overpaid ITP player in Houston; and pick #28, which later became... you will see, just keep reading.
Meanwhile Zach is one of the craftiest scorers of our league, having tremendous career in California which is still going up.
3. Bogdan Bogdanovic (originally pick #11 by Knicks) B A B A- C- D
Original pick #3: Rick Barry by Hornets
11th pick was trade up by NYK from 16th with the cost of 500 GM cash or one and a half “Around the League” article. Few ITP years later, FDA will conclude that „(Bogdanovic) success was more so due to a strong initial build plus lots of camps“. After few seasons as backup in New York, Bogdan got to shine in Spurs and later Mavericks, where he became two time all-star.
4. Marcus Smart (originally pick #5 by Celtics) B A- B+ A- C C
Original pick #4: Andrew Wiggins
5. Andrew Wiggins (originally pick #4 by Lakers) B+ B+ C+ A- C B
Original pick #5: Marcus Smart
Two newest additions of Blazers were close in original draft, as they are in my re-draft. It’s maybe a matter of taste who to put higher in ranking, but Wiggins seems to be always in the shadow of someone – Lavin in Lakers, now Maledon and Sheed in Blazers. But he is still very capable wing player. Marcus Smart, meanwhile, had more chances to shine and represents position (PG) with more deficit of good scorers.
6. Julius Randle (as he was originally drafted by Kings) B+ B C B+ B+ C
Randle was good since day one. Yes, he kind of stayed at the same level since then. Yes, this season Julius is off to his statistically worst season so far. But he is starting PF of the team which has their eyes on title – that is worth his pick.
7. Kyle Anderson (originally pick #17 by 76ers) B- A- B B+ C+ C
Original pick #7: Zach Lavine
Was quickly written-off by 76ers, had more chances in Minnesota (but his development just wasn’t teams priority) while eventually seem to find his home in Charlotte. Kyle is late bloomer, who, by the way, won competition for his starting spot in Hornets against pick number 3 of the same draft - Rick Barry.
8. Fred Brown (originally pick #28 by Timberwolves) C+ A- A- A- D+ B
Original pick #8: Jordan Clarkson
I promised you 4th piece of Lavine trade, and here it is. Spent beginning of his career in D league, but returned to main squad in 2004 – averaged 21 PPG and got selected to All-League Third Team right away. Fred is all-around guard and probably the biggest steal of draft 2002.
9. Jabari Parker (originally pick #18 by Wizards) B B+ C B+ C+ C
Original pick #9: Aaron Gordon
He became the lowest selected player in All Rookie First Team 2002 and this became early indication that Jabari is about to exceed pre-draft expectations. I am not too sure if he is worth his current contact, but 17 PPG and 7 RPG career stats is more than solid for someone selected in the 2nd part of the 1st round.
10. Spencer Dinwiddie (as he was originally drafted by Cavaliers) C+ A- B- B+ C- C
Had bumpy career so far, did not fulfill his potential as Point Guard. However, since role to lead Cavs offence was assigned to Sam Cassell, Spencer found himself really productive playing SG or even SF.
Fall of the top10:
Nikola Jokić (#1) – sadly, original #1 pick did not make Top10 of re-draft. His best season was actually his first, afterwards, it has been decreasing.
Rick Barry (#3) – seem to lost interest in improving his game after signing first non-rookie contract before last season.
Jordan Clarkson (#8) – made All-Rookie Second Team, but this season was not even signed during FA.
Aaron Gordon (#9) – actually very solid player, definitely not a bust, would still be on a verge of top10 if we drafted today.
*Disclaimer: I do not judge draft day decisions and do understand that player development also depends on luck.
Why 2002?
I think the first draft – 2001 – already have enough attention, with stories how FDA gave some magic mushrooms to john1974 before talking him into idea, that with some GM cash you can turn James Wiseman into better player than LaMelo Ball. Also with rookie of the year and two time Finals MVP Killlian Hayes being picked 5 picks after Tyrese Haliburton – who is still yet to have his breakthrough season where he would score double digit PPG. Finally future MVP Theo Maledon being picked mid-late. 2003 and 2004 were quite boring in terms of talents. 2005 and later – too early to judge. Meanwhile 2002 had some hidden gems apparently.
1. Joel Embiid (originally pick #2 by Raptors) A- A- C A A- C
Original pick #1: Nikola Jokić by Bulls
I am guessing that whoever made first pick, was choosing between Embiid and Jokic – well, his decision was incorrect. Joel broke Toronto fans hearts this off-season, but before that he became very important piece of two-time champions Raptors and one of the most dominating bigs in the league.
2. Zach Lavine (originally pick #7 by Lakers) B+ A C+ A- C B
Original pick #2: Joel Embiid by Raptors
This pick landed to Los Angeles also after trade with Wolves, however, package was really solid - two current 76ers players C.J. McCollum and Tyrese Maxey; Antoine Walker who later became first seriously overpaid ITP player in Houston; and pick #28, which later became... you will see, just keep reading.
Meanwhile Zach is one of the craftiest scorers of our league, having tremendous career in California which is still going up.
3. Bogdan Bogdanovic (originally pick #11 by Knicks) B A B A- C- D
Original pick #3: Rick Barry by Hornets
11th pick was trade up by NYK from 16th with the cost of 500 GM cash or one and a half “Around the League” article. Few ITP years later, FDA will conclude that „(Bogdanovic) success was more so due to a strong initial build plus lots of camps“. After few seasons as backup in New York, Bogdan got to shine in Spurs and later Mavericks, where he became two time all-star.
4. Marcus Smart (originally pick #5 by Celtics) B A- B+ A- C C
Original pick #4: Andrew Wiggins
5. Andrew Wiggins (originally pick #4 by Lakers) B+ B+ C+ A- C B
Original pick #5: Marcus Smart
Two newest additions of Blazers were close in original draft, as they are in my re-draft. It’s maybe a matter of taste who to put higher in ranking, but Wiggins seems to be always in the shadow of someone – Lavin in Lakers, now Maledon and Sheed in Blazers. But he is still very capable wing player. Marcus Smart, meanwhile, had more chances to shine and represents position (PG) with more deficit of good scorers.
6. Julius Randle (as he was originally drafted by Kings) B+ B C B+ B+ C
Randle was good since day one. Yes, he kind of stayed at the same level since then. Yes, this season Julius is off to his statistically worst season so far. But he is starting PF of the team which has their eyes on title – that is worth his pick.
7. Kyle Anderson (originally pick #17 by 76ers) B- A- B B+ C+ C
Original pick #7: Zach Lavine
Was quickly written-off by 76ers, had more chances in Minnesota (but his development just wasn’t teams priority) while eventually seem to find his home in Charlotte. Kyle is late bloomer, who, by the way, won competition for his starting spot in Hornets against pick number 3 of the same draft - Rick Barry.
8. Fred Brown (originally pick #28 by Timberwolves) C+ A- A- A- D+ B
Original pick #8: Jordan Clarkson
I promised you 4th piece of Lavine trade, and here it is. Spent beginning of his career in D league, but returned to main squad in 2004 – averaged 21 PPG and got selected to All-League Third Team right away. Fred is all-around guard and probably the biggest steal of draft 2002.
9. Jabari Parker (originally pick #18 by Wizards) B B+ C B+ C+ C
Original pick #9: Aaron Gordon
He became the lowest selected player in All Rookie First Team 2002 and this became early indication that Jabari is about to exceed pre-draft expectations. I am not too sure if he is worth his current contact, but 17 PPG and 7 RPG career stats is more than solid for someone selected in the 2nd part of the 1st round.
10. Spencer Dinwiddie (as he was originally drafted by Cavaliers) C+ A- B- B+ C- C
Had bumpy career so far, did not fulfill his potential as Point Guard. However, since role to lead Cavs offence was assigned to Sam Cassell, Spencer found himself really productive playing SG or even SF.
Fall of the top10:
Nikola Jokić (#1) – sadly, original #1 pick did not make Top10 of re-draft. His best season was actually his first, afterwards, it has been decreasing.
Rick Barry (#3) – seem to lost interest in improving his game after signing first non-rookie contract before last season.
Jordan Clarkson (#8) – made All-Rookie Second Team, but this season was not even signed during FA.
Aaron Gordon (#9) – actually very solid player, definitely not a bust, would still be on a verge of top10 if we drafted today.
*Disclaimer: I do not judge draft day decisions and do understand that player development also depends on luck.