nate33 wrote:closg00 wrote:I'm so afraid of what Ernie will do with the pick, last year the choice was obvious for him. Ernie picking 3-5, we'll be sweating it out on draft night.
Meh,
Ernie has done a pretty nice job in the draft when he hasn't traded the pick (except for Pecherov). I see no reason to think that he'll screw it up. No GM is perfect, but EG seems better than average - or at least he's been better than many of the guys drafting in the same range where he has drafted.
In 2005, he had no 1st round pick (because of the Haywood trade) and found Blatche in the 2nd round.
In 2006, he whiffed on Pecherov. Though to be fair it was a pretty lousy draft. The next 5 guys drafted were Quincy Douby, Renaldo Balkman, Rajon Rondo, Marcus Williams and Josh Boone. Only one of those guys ever became a rotation-caliber player. Basically, he was destined to whiff on the pick unless he was lucky enough to grab Rondo.
In 2007, he picked Nick Young. The next 5 guys drafted were Sean Williams, Marco Belinelli, Javaris Crittenton, Jason Smith and Daequan Cook. EG easily made the best choice.
In 2008, he picked Javale McGee. The next 5 guys drafted were JJ Hickson, Alexis Ajinca, Ryan Anderson, Courtney Lee, and Kosta Koufas. I say EG made the best choice again.
In 2009, he traded the pick rather than drafting Rubio.
In 2010, he picked Wall - a no-brainer, unless you listen to CCJ.
So the time he traded the #5 pick, (Seth Curry was a no-brainer, or rights to Rubio) for NOTHING doesn't matter, nate? Two free agents that weren't resigned after one year was myopic from day. Also, let's not count the second round picks he sold. Passing Blair up for token cash the same year he gave the #5 away for nothing should have gotten EG fired. That 26-56 team would have been over the luxury tax if EG hadn't essentially called the authorities on Gil.
You say he had other picks but Pecherov, but that season Millsap was a pick I posted about for months before the draft.
Honestly, this past draft I would have passed on Wall becauseI thought he would struggle as a rookie and that the Wizards had (18 PER last season) Gil. I would have traded Wall for New Jersey's or Sacramento's pick plus a veteran or a other lottery pick. I would have selected Cousins plus either Wes Johnson or Luke Babbitt. The picks EG used for Booker and Seraphin could have been any number of players--Dominic Jones, Armon Johnson, etc. I would have paid a fair offer to keep FAs Singletonand Livingston, too, nate.
Bottom line is EG isn't great at all. Wall was handed to him. I do think he's a good judge of athletic talent, and I give him major props on Wall, Booker, Seraphin, and Hamady. Nick and Javale were good picks. I don't think EG factors in basketball IQ and overall maturity and work ethic/aptitude, however.
nate, I still think I could have done even better than EG this past draft. Never would have moved up for Booker--and I wouldn't have acquired Hinrich, Yi, or Armstrong.
