RealGM

Well, I'm not crazy about either of these news releases.

Frank has successfully implemented the DDM, but I still think he is a liability as a coach, despite his commendable work ethic and knowledge of the game. He just doesn't execute in-game decisions well.

As far as Johnson, he makes more sense than Blair in our offense, but I'm not sure he'll be more successful. Alot of people see Al Harrington in him, but I steer more toward the Brian Cook end of the spectrum.

There really isn't any one miracle SF/PF who suits our needs perfectly in this draft. Sure, Earl Clark is very skilled and has the prototypical body you'd seek in a SF. But he has been inconsistent and inefficient throughout his HS and college career; what makes anyone think the NBA will be any different? I don't think DeRozan would drop to us, and anyway, I'm pretty sure he couldn't handle wing responsibilities in the DDM. He doesn't have the requisite shooting stroke, passing acumen or ball-handling ability.

Guys like Summers, Brown and Casspi would all be BIG reaches at our draft position, but they would make the most sense in terms of fitting our lineup. They can all play and defend the 3 or the 4 well, they are athletic and skilled with decent outside Js. I'd really like to trade down in this draft, but so would everyone, since this is such a weak year.

Hopefully, a team like the Bulls (#16 and #27) or the Timberwolves (#18 and #28) falls in love with someone in the late lottery, and is willing to pay good value to trade. Otherwise, I say just draft whomever slips to us (likely Lawson) and look to shore up the SF position in FA.

James Johnson I feel would be solid. He is a long player (6' 8" with a 6' 11" wing span) who plays pretty good defense. He has a solid mid range and likes attacking the basket. I never really bring him up in talks about the draft but I would be fine with him. I've seen Wake play enough times to see he has very solid potential. Hell in the 1st round of the tourney, James Johnson was really the only guy who showed up for that game. Stats may say otherwise, but that's the truth. I actually think after workouts, he may move solidly into the top 10. Right now I see some boards have him going as early as 8 and as late as 17. I'm sure that will even out by July.

See, I knew that report about Frank on April 1st was just a cruel April Fool's joke.

How creditable is this site? That is just my disappointment speaking. Bad move by management. New coach would have been better during the offseason then Hill taking over after 20-30 games.

As far as Johnson, dont know much about him. If he can play D and hit open shots, I am cool with that.

I like James Johnson a lot, although he is certainly a bit of a tweener. For those who remember him, I see a lot of LaPhonso Ellis in Johnson's game.

3 players that could really help this team

1)Derozan- this guy is just an athletic freak, being drafted by us will be a perfect situation for him we definately could use him as a SF and under Vince who at one point had an identical skill set he can definately develop into a star.
If he slips to us we HAVE to draft him.

2)Blair- Lopez is an excellent rebounder and thats it nobody else on this can bang down low and get us extra possesions….well Yi did that for a short period but again after he injured his pinkie he’s been stinkin it up, Blair is the best rebounder in his class and isnt offensively challenged at all if Derozan gets taken this guy is our top priority.

3)Earl Clark- If the other 2 get taken we should take a risk and go for this guy, he’s very talented but talent can only get you so far I agree with the Odom comparisions he’s very versatile and can play both F positions for us, but besides this season Frank has over and over done a terrible job of developing our talented rookies and I dont know if I trust his abilities to develop a guy like Clark.

If we dont somehow win the lottery or get one of the 3 mentioned players we should just look to trade this pick.

As far as Frank goes as I said before if we didnt fire him after last year's abysmal job it makes no sense to fire him this year after he did half of what he was supposed to do (he did a good job developing the players but a pretty bad job at winning games).
Im all for giving him one last chance.