Tony Ronzone

[shangrila]

First thread, yay!

Anyway, sources are saying Tony Ronzone is replacing Fred Hoiberg as assistant GM in a few days. Ronzone is currently the director of operations for Detroit and is apparently renowned as an excellent scout, particularly with international prospects.

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

Here's the link, BTW:

http://www.canishoopus.com/2010/4/30/1451659/wolves-updates-4-30

According to league source, Detroit Pistons director of basketball operations Tony Ronzone will become Minnesota's assistant GM next month.

Also from Amick's twitter account:

Move is unrelated to departure of Fred Hoiberg, the T-Wolves' former VP of basketball ops who is now head coach at Iowa State.

[PeeDee]

If he can find gems in the draft for us, I'm cool with it. Plus with a name like Tony Ronzoe, you know he can f'' dudes up. He better be able to hold a teddy bear as good as Freddy.

[C.lupus]

Tony Ronzone don't hold no teddy bear. fugitaboutit

[TDWOLVESFAN]

Maybe if he shows up at the ping ball ball farce with Vinnie and Guido they will just give us the picks and players we want.

[cpfsf]

Tony Ronzone will put the teddy bear's head on Sterns bed.

[mnWI]

Tony is a great dude and heavily involved with USA Basketball. I just hope this move doesn't change the job status of Pete Philo. With Pete and Tony, the Wolves would have 2 of the top international scouts in the NBA.

[Darko Miliminutes]

Darko and Tony Ronzone have a fair amount of history. He was involved in the decision to draft Darko. IIRC he and Darko are/were pretty close. Ronzone started scouting Darko when he was pretty young.

[The J Rocka]

Darko and Tony Ronzone have a fair amount of history. He was involved in the decision to draft Darko. IIRC he and Darko are/were pretty close. Ronzone started scouting Darko when he was pretty young.

We all know Darko is a well skilled player, but Tony picked him ahead of Melo, Bosh, Wade, Kaman (I think Darko could be up there with Kaman had he gotten a better chance early in his career). That's my only concern with him, and especially with this team, we cannot afford that to have that happen to us. Hope he learned from his mistake. I would hate to see that we got the 2nd pick and he chose Donatas Motiejunas, which I don't think he's that dumb to do, well hopefully not.

[funkatron101]

Darko and Tony Ronzone have a fair amount of history. He was involved in the decision to draft Darko. IIRC he and Darko are/were pretty close. Ronzone started scouting Darko when he was pretty young.

We all know Darko is a well skilled player, but Tony picked him ahead of Melo, Bosh, Wade, Kaman (I think Darko could be up there with Kaman had he gotten a better chance early in his career). That's my only concern with him, and especially with this team, we cannot afford that to have that happen to us. Hope he learned from his mistake. I would hate to see that we got the 2nd pick and he chose Donatas Motiejunas, which I don't think he's that dumb to do, well hopefully not.

If he did that I would never watch another NBA game in my life.....and I already paid for season tickets.

[Worm Guts]

Darko and Tony Ronzone have a fair amount of history. He was involved in the decision to draft Darko. IIRC he and Darko are/were pretty close. Ronzone started scouting Darko when he was pretty young.

We all know Darko is a well skilled player, but Tony picked him ahead of Melo, Bosh, Wade, Kaman (I think Darko could be up there with Kaman had he gotten a better chance early in his career). That's my only concern with him, and especially with this team, we cannot afford that to have that happen to us. Hope he learned from his mistake. I would hate to see that we got the 2nd pick and he chose Donatas Motiejunas, which I don't think he's that dumb to do, well hopefully not.

Well... he probably doesn't get to make the pick.

[Varejao17]

He wouldn't do it... Would he? :|

Someone sane enough would stop him...

[Krapinsky]

He's also responsible for Delfino and Okur, isn't he?

[revprodeji]

To be fair, Darko was not considered a reach at the time. He was considered a bigger KG. The majority of teams would have taken him above Mello. (many considered him the next Glenn Robinson)

[LOBO 7]

To be fair, Darko was not considered a reach at the time. He was considered a bigger KG. The majority of teams would have taken him above Mello. (many considered him the next Glenn Robinson)

BIG DOG! Arf! Arf!

Seriously though, I think Melo's ceiling was projected a bit higher than the Big Dog's. Maybe Carmelo's basement was Big Dog. Taking Darko was a pretty big gamble, and I think it was recognized as such at the time. I do think (as we are all learning now) that Darko is better than his reputation implies, and that Detroit was just a terrible fit for him, stunting his devolopment. Darko deserved to be a lottery pick, just not #2 in that draft.

Whatever. If it's true that Tony Ronzone has a good relationship with Darko, then the prospects of Darko being here long-term may have just improved. For that reason alone, seems like a good move.

[Krapinsky]

Interesting read from the 2003 draft --

http://www.nba.com/features/clickandroll_draft2003.html

Darko Milicic at No. 2? Tell us something we don't know.

(James' and Milicic's jerseys were already available at concession stands at Madison Square Garden.)

Carmelo Anthony? Yeah, we're mellow, all right.

Even Chris Bosh going to the Raptors at No. 4 was expected, although Dick Vitale loudly (sorry, that's redundant) disagreed.

Then things got interesting.

"And with the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft," Commissioner Stern said, "the Miami Heat select ... Dwyane Wade."

What the? Whoa, some intrigue in NBA Draft 2003. Wade? Wasn't he supposed to fall to Chicago at No. 7? He did in our scouts' mock draft.

Weren't the Heat supposed to take a point guard (T.J. Ford and Kirk Hinrich were available) or a big man, like Maciej Lampe?

Yeah, Lampe. What happened to Lampe? His was the biggest story of the night not featuring Jordan or "the next Jordan" (a.k.a. "LeBron").

http://www.nba.com/draft2003/lottery_scouts.html

No. 2: Detroit Pistons (from Memphis)
Likely pick: Darko Milicic, PF, 7-0, 245, Hemofarm Vrsac (Serbia & Montenegro)
West scout: "They need scoring. I see them taking Darko and moving Ben Wallace to four."
East scout: "With Milicic, they can't go wrong. They also need a backup point guard."

Just for fun ----

No. 5: Miami Heat
Likely pick: Maciej Lampe, SF, 6-11, 240, Universidad Complutense (Spain)
West scout: "With 'Zo's situation, they need a center. They had a great find last year in Caron Butler. They also desperately need a point guard."
East scout: "Like Denver, they need scoring. They may look at a point guard like T.J. Ford. He's not that great defensively, so they may pass on that and go big."

[LOBO 7]

Interesting read from the 2003 draft --

http://www.nba.com/features/clickandroll_draft2003.html

Darko Milicic at No. 2? Tell us something we don't know.

(James' and Milicic's jerseys were already available at concession stands at Madison Square Garden.)

Carmelo Anthony? Yeah, we're mellow, all right.

Even Chris Bosh going to the Raptors at No. 4 was expected, although Dick Vitale loudly (sorry, that's redundant) disagreed.

Then things got interesting.

"And with the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft," Commissioner Stern said, "the Miami Heat select ... Dwyane Wade."

What the? Whoa, some intrigue in NBA Draft 2003. Wade? Wasn't he supposed to fall to Chicago at No. 7? He did in our scouts' mock draft.

Weren't the Heat supposed to take a point guard (T.J. Ford and Kirk Hinrich were available) or a big man, like Maciej Lampe?

Yeah, Lampe. What happened to Lampe? His was the biggest story of the night not featuring Jordan or "the next Jordan" (a.k.a. "LeBron").

http://www.nba.com/draft2003/lottery_scouts.html

No. 2: Detroit Pistons (from Memphis)
Likely pick: Darko Milicic, PF, 7-0, 245, Hemofarm Vrsac (Serbia & Montenegro)
West scout: "They need scoring. I see them taking Darko and moving Ben Wallace to four."
East scout: "With Milicic, they can't go wrong. They also need a backup point guard."

Just for fun ----

No. 5: Miami Heat
Likely pick: Maciej Lampe, SF, 6-11, 240, Universidad Complutense (Spain)
West scout: "With 'Zo's situation, they need a center. They had a great find last year in Caron Butler. They also desperately need a point guard."
East scout: "Like Denver, they need scoring. They may look at a point guard like T.J. Ford. He's not that great defensively, so they may pass on that and go big."

Interesting stuff.
I just remembered I have a copy of SLAM magazine with our boy Darko (bleached blonde) on the cover, and that came out pre-draft. I should dust that puppy off and flip through the article again.

If Miami had taken Lampe over Wade, now THAT would have trumped Darko over Melo, easy.

[funkatron101]

I think Krapinsky's post just proves that no one knows what the F*ck they are talking about. The draft is a crap shoot.

[Krapinsky]

More fun --- draft grades

Detroit Pistons
Round 1: Darko Milicic, F, Serbia-Montenegro (No. 2)
Round 1: Carlos Delfino, G, Italy (No. 25)
Round 2: Andres Gliniadakis, C, Greece (No. 58)
How many teams with the best record in their conference end up with the best big man in the draft and a draft-night steal in Carlos Delfino? By now, you know about Darko, but Delfino will also be important down the road. He's tough, a strong shooter and plays aggressive defense. He reminds me a lot of Michael Finley. He could play an immediate role on the Pistons if he stays here next year. Gliniadakis was a nice pickup at the end of the draft. He's a 7-footer who can actually play. The Pistons will leave him in Greece for a few years and bring him over when he's ready.
Grade: A+

New Orleans Hornets
Round 1: David West, F, Xavier (No. 18)
Round 2: James Lang, C, Central Park Christian HS (No. 48)
David West is a solid pick. He'll contribute a little in year one, get some rebounds and block some shots. He's a poor man's P.J. Brown. They didn't shoot for the moon on this pick, nor did they stick out their necks. So they get an average grade.
Grade: C+

http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/d03/story?id=1573414

[mnWI]

Interesting read from the 2003 draft --

http://www.nba.com/features/clickandroll_draft2003.html

Darko Milicic at No. 2? Tell us something we don't know.

(James' and Milicic's jerseys were already available at concession stands at Madison Square Garden.)

Carmelo Anthony? Yeah, we're mellow, all right.

Even Chris Bosh going to the Raptors at No. 4 was expected, although Dick Vitale loudly (sorry, that's redundant) disagreed.

Then things got interesting.

"And with the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft," Commissioner Stern said, "the Miami Heat select ... Dwyane Wade."

What the? Whoa, some intrigue in NBA Draft 2003. Wade? Wasn't he supposed to fall to Chicago at No. 7? He did in our scouts' mock draft.

Weren't the Heat supposed to take a point guard (T.J. Ford and Kirk Hinrich were available) or a big man, like Maciej Lampe?

Yeah, Lampe. What happened to Lampe? His was the biggest story of the night not featuring Jordan or "the next Jordan" (a.k.a. "LeBron").

http://www.nba.com/draft2003/lottery_scouts.html

No. 2: Detroit Pistons (from Memphis)
Likely pick: Darko Milicic, PF, 7-0, 245, Hemofarm Vrsac (Serbia & Montenegro)
West scout: "They need scoring. I see them taking Darko and moving Ben Wallace to four."
East scout: "With Milicic, they can't go wrong. They also need a backup point guard."

Just for fun ----

No. 5: Miami Heat
Likely pick: Maciej Lampe, SF, 6-11, 240, Universidad Complutense (Spain)
West scout: "With 'Zo's situation, they need a center. They had a great find last year in Caron Butler. They also desperately need a point guard."
East scout: "Like Denver, they need scoring. They may look at a point guard like T.J. Ford. He's not that great defensively, so they may pass on that and go big."

Interesting stuff.
I just remembered I have a copy of SLAM magazine with our boy Darko (bleached blonde) on the cover, and that came out pre-draft. I should dust that puppy off and flip through the article again.

If Miami had taken Lampe over Wade, now THAT would have trumped Darko over Melo, easy.

Goes to show you how NBA front offices can **** with the media, and how any media report should be taken with a grain of salt.

[cityrock3]

great hire by kahn.......

tony ronzone is one of the most respected nba personal.....he has a eye for talent and was tabbed by usa basketball to run the whole scouting deaprtment...along with picking players for team....watched him interact with kobe...lebron ...dwade and rest of crew in las vegas last two summers....big time energy and will give our team eyes to get players....in detroit was able to land tayshon prince...rodney stuckey along with jason maxiell in the late 20's...along with landing dirk n of mavs in 98'....in minny we are heading in right direction....plus he comes from a winnning organization with a nba championship in 04' and six straight eastern finals.....plus he can find those second round picks...memo...jonas....along with late first delfino of argentina...we need wins....in minny and this is a start...