Steal of the draft

[Sleepy51]

So who do you all see being the second round wonder this year? What pick is going to totally outplay ther draft position? 2-3 years down the road who's going to have GM's punching themselves in the face as they waive the 3rd year option on the guy they did take in the 1st?

I'd say it's going to be DJ White. He's Ike but with a motor and quick leap, which is exactly what Ike lacks that is killing Ike's career. He is short, but he plays off the ground and that's where short forwards have made their case in the NBA powerful quick leapers who don't plod can overcome the heigh issue. It's about being active at altitude, and a guy who gets up at a high energy level beats a guy who has great height/reach, but is just hanging out there.

Or his bad foot could end his career quickly, but if he stays healthy, he's my pick for biggest steal.

[Left*My*Heart]

I like Bill Walker in the second. He didn't get the attention Beasley did at K-State, but carried K-State in the tourney when Beasley was in foul trouble. He may end up in the first round because he is a fantastic athlete.

[CrackLaden]

Jamont Gordon.

I don't quite understand why people assume he can't mature into a PG, but even as a combo guard, he's built like a f*cking oil tanker and can score, rebound, and looks to have real solid defensive skills.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed pretty hard that we can net Gordon or Sonny Weems in round 2.

[St.Nick]

I think that there are going to be a few steals in the 2nd round this year.

1) Richard Hendrix-- the latest in a long line of 2nd round guys that slip only because they arent 6'10 uber athletic freaks. He is just a rebounding and scoring machine that is a load to handle in the key.

2) Bill Walker-- his incredible athleticism and ideal size will make him a strong contributor in the league.

3) Devon Hardin-- If he is not picked at the end of the first I see him being a rotation big man on a good team.

4) DJ White-- everything Sleepy51 said.

[Sleepy51]

I think that there are going to be a few steals in the 2nd round this year.

1) Richard Hendrix-- the latest in a long line of 2nd round guys that slip only because they arent 6'10 uber athletic freaks. He is just a rebounding and scoring machine that is a load to handle in the key.

2) Bill Walker-- his incredible athleticism and ideal size will make him a strong contributor in the league.

3) Devon Hardin-- If he is not picked at the end of the first I see him being a rotation big man on a good team.

4) DJ White-- everything Sleepy51 said.

By big splash, I'm talking rotation player this year or next, starting during their "prime years" unless playing behind an all star (i.e. Milsap/Boozer) and never being any lower than #2 at their position on a team's depth chart at least through thier 20's.

All those guys are in the running, but the odds of 4 rd 2 guys (and we kind of might need to consider Walker a late 1st) making a big splash within 2 years are just infintesimal. Are those in order of preference, is Hendrix your pick?

[St.Nick]

Yeah, I am going to go with Hendrix. I tall depends on which team grabs him, of course. If he goes to the TWolves or Bucks I think he will get a nice chunk of minutes to show his stuff.

[vvoland]

long time reader first time poster. but seriously, after sporradically reading these boards for a few years now, i can't help but post on draft day. its probably my favorite day of the basketball season mostly cuz the w's haven't won a title in my lifetime. as i've noticed in the past, i gotta agree w. sleepy here, d.j. white is a very very good pick after the first 25 or so. the motor and maturity, along w. his athleticism and ability to come up huge in big moments outweighs his lack of height. he reminds me of a slimmer barkley but that is a lofty comparison, to be sure.

but on to the sleepers. my biggest sleeper, the player i think [to be fair, from very limited viewings] to be the 3rd best player in the draft behind rose/beasley is nicolas batum. he won't last till the second round, but in the 20-30 range is a great value. in fact, i think the w's should pick him at 14. tall, lanky, great handle, athletic like no european i've seen and can shoot the rock. i usually hesitate to gloat over euros cuz of the lack of competition and exposure but i've been following batum for two years now and the kid looks like a lock to be an allstar w.in 5 years. especially if a toronto were to nab him [trading their pick makes that impossible.. btw.. t.j. ford and the #17 for j.oneal? really? i wonder if the w's were in the discussions there of if indy has blocked all calls from nor cal] another player i like, though in a different league to be sure, is joey dorsey, ben wallace jr. is an apt comparison and not only cuz he can't shoot fts. he may not be the dominating defensive presence wallace was, but at pick 45-55 is a known quantity and would be ready to come in and do work from day 1. brandon rush is also someone who will be picked well below his true value.

finally: please oh pretty please.. anyone but kosta koufos for the w's.. the kid is the poor greek man's todd fuller.

p.s. chad ford just adds fire to my batum obsession. latest mock draft has this: "Batum went into a workout with the Spurs on Wednesday and then disappeared off the grid. His medical reports never came out. His agent didn't return calls. I think the Spurs may have wrapped him up." i say the w's pick him at 14 or trade a future first for a pick in the 18-24 range and nab him there. i really think he's a can't miss talent. which doesn't mean he's a can't miss all star.

now i think ford is a joke, but on draft day, he's usually on it. and if the spurs like an international player in the first round.. he's a can't miss.

[FNQ]

Hendrix is a good safe pick for this... so I won't take that guy this time. DJ White is also one...

BTW new guy - welcome - and don't assume that because the Spurs pick an international, that he will be good. Remember - yes they hit on Ginobili/Parker, but they also misevaluated Ian Manhimi, Luis Scola, Beno Udrih... a couple more 2nd round piocks I can't remember. But even though the Spurs have a reputation for good drafting, I dont know where it comes from. The last time they drafted someone whos actually stuck in their rotation? Tony Parker, 7 years ago...

My pick is for the very underrated C Trent Plaisted in a league with a need for big bodies... hell if Aaron Gray logged 10 a game, Plaisted should too.. but to be honest, its hard to tab a steal before we know where the player is going... in a rookie year (as the Monta situation proved), 2nd rounders have very little clout and just get very little time... I'd say its 50/50 on talent and situation..

[Sid the Squid]

I'd take a shot at OJ Mayo with my 2nd round pick

[Thugleavy34]

"Ian Manhimi, Luis Scola, Beno Udrih... "

These were all very good picks for the late 1rst round....Scola is starting in Houston, Udrih in Sactown, Manhimi is absolutely tearing up the D league and when he comes up he could make an impact. I don't see reason to criticize any of these 3 picks.

[FNQ]

Spurs misevaluated every one of them... they wanted Manhimi up in 06, traded Scola for nothing, and outright released Udrih for Jacque Vaughn.

Point being, just because the Spurs have interest isn't a reason to think that that particular Euro is any better. They have the same spotty track record as every GM who dabbles in the international market.

[GSWhoopfan]

without doubt its Kyle Weaver.

if he didnt go to WSU, he'd be a lock in the first round. hes beyond gifted, and the best on ball defender in the draft at the guard spot. real nice handle, and will give the Sonics a nice lift alongside Durant. (im banking on Seattle drafting him).

my favorite part of his game: his composure

second runner up: Gary Forbes

[Thugleavy34]

gsw likes he a player because he plays defense and has good composure?

*pigs fly*

[Thugleavy34]

Spurs misevaluated every one of them... they wanted Manhimi up in 06, traded Scola for nothing, and outright released Udrih for Jacque Vaughn.

Point being, just because the Spurs have interest isn't a reason to think that that particular Euro is any better. They have the same spotty track record as every GM who dabbles in the international market.

Of course they wanted Manhimi up in 06. He still looks like he can make an impact. Most people agree that letting go of Scola was a huge mistake...good draft pick, bad trade. Udrih was Parker's backup right off the bat, did pretty well, he struggled later but is a good player, all in all. Much better than your average late 1st rounder. I'd say that they were all solid picks.

[GSWhoopfan]

hes a rookie...he better have those traits. you dont want a rookie in the end of the game with jitters.

[Thugleavy34]

You don't really want a rookie, not to mention a 2nd rounder, in the end of the game, period. But I agree with you composure is important. If you only you could hold veterans to the same standard!:D

[GswStorm3]

I'll go with DeAndre Jordan and Kyle Weaver.

[-bob-]

Bill Walker, Ajinca, CDR

[CrackLaden]

Actually, reading Chad Ford's mock reminds me of another guy I was thinking about earlier, only now making me look like a dumb a$$ for mentioning it after Ford has us picking him: Josh Duncan from Xavier. He's built pretty thick, and he can shoot from outside. Good handles, good rebounding potential...might be able to bang with the Millsaps and Basses of the world, and take them outside to boot.

[Sleepy51]

Bill Walker, Ajinca, CDR

CDR's going to be a 1st rounder. We're talking 2nds here. Guys who's draft slot pick can be bought for scraps. CDR ain't eligible for this thread. If we are gonna open it the discussion up to 1sts, then it's going to be Beasley hands down.