RealGM

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AoHhg3TrZQ4RvytbaoDJOfK8vLYF?slug=nba_com-rookie.rankings.summer-20090721&prov=nba_com&type=lgns

I don't put too much weight on these things, but it is pretty nice to be able to compare the rookies on one page. By the way, scroll down a bit and you'll see Ty Lawson ranked #6

I'm surprised to see Dante Cunningham on that list. He still hasn't proven anything in the NBA but still, I figured he was too undersized and unathletic to ever even make it to the NBA. Ty Lawson will be a really good backup in the league but I don't think he'll ever be a good starter. I still think the trade was the best thing for this team.

Poor marks for Thabeet all around, haha loving it. I still can't believe Memphis didn't pick Rubio. Had they done so, Rubio would have been able to buy himself out of the contract and play with his body Marc for a few years. I feel like Chris Wallace gets his draft advice from Chad Ford.

Memphis is a joke, and always will be

J_Era_3 wrote:Memphis is a joke, and always will be

I hate when people bash our team like that, we shouldn't be doing it to other teams.

funkatron101 wrote:

J_Era_3 wrote:Memphis is a joke, and always will be

I hate when people bash our team like that, we shouldn't be doing it to other teams.

I agree. Also, man. Jennings' attitude is already screwing him over. I think it can defiantly be argued that Jennings had a better summer league than Flynn but the polarity of their attitudes seems to make all the difference when you ask the people that matter.

funkatron101 wrote:

J_Era_3 wrote:Memphis is a joke, and always will be

I hate when people bash our team like that, we shouldn't be doing it to other teams.

Your right i went over board, people on the Memphis board were talking too but makes me no better i apologize

Be thankful MEM took Thabeet otherwise we would have at #5

slinky wrote:Be thankful MEM took Thabeet otherwise we would have at #5

Bingo!

I still don't understand why they didn't just draft Thabeet who he could have probably picked fifth anyway for a lot cheaper (we offered #5 and Smith) and Rubio's contract wouldn't be an issue. In the end, it all worked out for us. I like Mayo and Gasol, but still I have to say I felt bad for Grizzlies fans when they got Randolph.

cpfsf wrote:I still don't understand why they didn't just draft Thabeet who he could have probably picked fifth anyway for a lot cheaper (we offered #5 and Smith) and Rubio's contract wouldn't be an issue. In the end, it all worked out for us. I like Mayo and Gasol, but still I have to say I felt bad for Grizzlies fans when they got Randolph.

I tend to agree with the point-of-view that getting ripped off in the Pau trade and the subsequent non-stop criticism for such a poor decision has spooked their GM into being ultra-cautious and afraid to make a trade unless it's so lopsided in Memphis' favor it becomes unrealistic. Which is unfortunate...they have some really good young talent that is being wasted and/or ruined by Randolph.

Randolph isn't a bad player, just has attitude issues. He's a 20pt/10re' guy, so obv something is working.

MINNY4LYFE wrote:Randolph isn't a bad player, just has attitude issues. He's a 20pt/10re' guy, so obv something is working.

Selfish play with the intention of padding stats, yeah, that's working for him. But he's getting paid, so as long as he doesn't mind never winning, I'm sure he's living a happy life.

john2jer wrote:

MINNY4LYFE wrote:Randolph isn't a bad player, just has attitude issues. He's a 20pt/10re' guy, so obv something is working.

Selfish play with the intention of padding stats, yeah, that's working for him. But he's getting paid, so as long as he doesn't mind never winning, I'm sure he's living a happy life.

Wait, are we talking about Randolph or Jefferson... I can't ever remember what the difference between the two guys is? Ah, just getting you guys riled up for the season, I know the difference. Jefferson is a much better low post player and Randolph is a much better high post player.

Jefferson also makes $4mil less per year, is 4 years younger, hasn't been traded for garbage, is more efficient, is a better rebounder, and is liked by his teammates.

john2jer wrote:Jefferson also makes $4mil less per year, is 4 years younger, hasn't been traded for garbage, is more efficient, is a better rebounder, and is liked by his teammates.

Better attitude, .9 BPG more, and less turnover prone

Jefferson's attitude is somewhat questionable. His on-court demeanor isn't always that great, and up to now he's been the undisputed king on the wolves. He does have fewer turnovers, but he also passes significantly less. Still, I agree he is the better player. Ultimately what will seperate the two is how Jefferson will play on a good team with better teammates. That is, do you guys think that Jefferson makes the players around him better? I don't think anyone would argue that Randolph does, but I'm not sure Jefferson does...

Hmmm, I am really off-topic.

I'm not 100% sold that Jefferson makes those around him better, but I'd argue that Randolph makes those around him worse.

Flynn is 13th in nbadraft.net's rating

http://www.nbadraft.net/node/9777

Johnny Flynn - 15ppg, 2.4rpg, 7.4apg, 48fg%

Had major turnover issues (5.2 pg) but improved as the week went along. Flynn has dynamic athleticism and the speed to get by opponents but he has a long ways to go defensively.

I think Al has a better work ethic, and has Championship/winning in his mind vs money