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I'm making (hopefully!) a triumphant return. To explain this last statement, its probably best that I say it short and sweet. On September 7th, ol August went and had himself a stroke. It wasn't a major one, but it did knock out two things. I lost part of my eyesight, and am a little slower at getting humorous things (not that I was a quick study before, mind you.)and my memory isn't so good right now. But its great to be posting again.

Back to topic. I have followed several of the threads over the last couple of months, and it seems like we have devolved into tug-of-war camps (with nobody winning). I would like to move the discussion a little into the future and have a discussion on the one thing that will get us someplace... getting our power forward in the draft. Let's face it, a franchise power forward is NOT coming to this team in a trade. We'll have to draft and develop our own, not wait to "get a freaking great deal from x".

So, I'll put it to you this way, (and I'll allow for new players coming to the forefront later that would make us drool) are there any of you out there more interested in getting a power forward through the draft, rather than trading assets we can use now for someone who might not work out for us later?

We have had previous brushes with getting our guy. Most recent was Draft Night '08 when Indiana snatched Hibbert out of our grasp. On Draft Night '10, there should be no more excuses accepted. We have the other positions under some form of being addressed. Power forward IS the priority.

My question is, who are the (potential) gems of the 2010 draft at power forward? And can we work our way into a position of getting a great one? I'd like to hear your ideas.

Great to have you back AUS. Hope that you are back to full strength soon.

Here is a good read for you mate:

http://www.nbadraft.net/node/13630

Personally, I like Monroe and Brackins.

August Us Seazr wrote:My question is, who are the (potential) gems of the 2010 draft at power forward? And can we work our way into a position of getting a great one? I'd like to hear your ideas.

Pf? Jan Veselý (homer pick).

welcome back august. sorry to hear about the stroke.

as for power forwards... i think we will all be paying close attention to any power forwards in college this season. assuming we dont make the playoffs, we MUST draft a pf this summer.
but will our pick in the 8 to 14 range be high enough to get a difference maker?

Brackins has been my sleeper for the past 2 years. He's going to be good. Very good.


We won't have a meaningful pick this year unless it's in the top 10 or so, right? We're not going to be that bad, so we're not going to get any impact guys in the second round and I doubt we'll make a trade for a first rounder

Great to hear from you August Us! My prayers are with you and your continued recovery.

I'm certainly willing to hope that we could ever make a SMART pick in the draft and get our COVETED power forward, but will we not owe our 1st rounder this season as payment for our debacle choice of Ajinca? I like Brackins a lot and would love to get him.

However, I would prefer we try to make a trade if one is available. Diaw is too expensive to be our super 6th man, and likely not as good at the 3, so he is my choice as our primary offering. Wallace is more valuable to us versus the value we'd likely get in return via a trade.

Welcome back August......

I really like Favors or Monroe. I don't think either will last all that long.

I think well end up with Lawal, Cousins or Robinson.

Welcome back August... now get to work on next year's war room. =P

There's plenty of talent in this 2010 group, it's supposed to be one of the best classes in years. That said, I think we'll be picking in the same spot as last year, meaning we won't be getting a slam-dunk awesome player.

Trading for one now is of course contingent on us actually being good enough for this to make sense. Certainly we should wait at least a few weeks before we try to do anything, especially not until the Raja Bell situation is worked out.

how about we also discuss some potential young trade targets. if we did decide to trade diaw, bell, wallace or picks later this year or next summer, who are some young guys that are ready to break out. one name that comes to my mind is jj hickson. i could see the cavs dealing him if they felt they needed another vet on that team to compete for the finals.

Welcome back August. Glad to hear that you are doing better.

Glad to have you back August!

I haven't really gotten too deep into the draft yet, but iirc there should be a lot of good bigs this year. You have UNC guy, Georgetown guy and Aminu and Lawal. The goofy giant from Kansas. The Freshman Favors. That's all I got.

fatlever wrote:how about we also discuss some potential young trade targets. if we did decide to trade diaw, bell, wallace or picks later this year or next summer, who are some young guys that are ready to break out. one name that comes to my mind is jj hickson. i could see the cavs dealing him if they felt they needed another vet on that team to compete for the finals.

A.Randolph
B.Wright
Jeff Green
Tyrus Thomas
Beasley (I wonder if, with the right combination of players, could be had?)
Yi
Blatche
Julian Wright
Speights
Amir Johnson
Armstrong
Sean Williams
Dorsey

fatlever wrote:how about we also discuss some potential young trade targets. if we did decide to trade diaw, bell, wallace or picks later this year or next summer, who are some young guys that are ready to break out. one name that comes to my mind is jj hickson. i could see the cavs dealing him if they felt they needed another vet on that team to compete for the finals.

The Cavs might get close to desperate to add the right player to get over the hump, but they won't take on big, expensive long contracts to do it. Diaw in Cleveland? He would certainly help, but I don't see him starting at the 4 there. Wallace is not their answer, nor a damaged goods Bell. In any case, I'd love to deal for JJ.

slam... did you really throw sean williams name in the discussion? lol... give up the dream man. who is next on the list? stromile swift? thats like me suggeting ammo could still solve our scoring problems. good times, good times.

Nice to have you back.

I like to consider myself a "College Ball Mini Expert" (no I'm not a midget) so believe me when I say: Next years draft is going to be one of the best in the past few years. Looking at the big men...


Top 3 Big Men (barring a huge year by the group below them):

Favors is a physical beast. If he gets the ball anywhere near the paint, he's scoring. If he's anywhere near the paint, he's getting the rebound. He's very raw though and is extremely young. But if he lives up to his potential then he's a lock for a top 3 pick. Think of a less athletic, but bigger Blake Griffin.

Ed Davis is much more skilled and showcased multiple post moves in his freshman year. If he continues his improvement, he'll be a lock for a top 5 selection due to the fact that he can be a close to 20/10 guy from day one. Think of a nicer Carlos Boozer with more defense. Top 5 pick.

Cole Aldrich probably should have capitalized on his stock this past year, but I can't fault him for coming back to hunt for another ring. He's always been a great rebounder even though he's not very athletic. Won't score many points but will be a great guy off the bench for some toughness. He's a Troy Murphy without a shot or a more skilled (but less tenacious) Tyler Hansbrough. I don't think he should be this high but he'll likely be a top 10 pick, though I can see him falling.


Second Group:

Greg Monroe is as athletically gifted as they come. I think he's a favorite of Slam, and that's good enough of an endorsement for me. He's a very cerebral player and never really plays out of his game. Some have questioned his drive, but I think he showed some intensity towards the end of last year and is ready to contribute even more for GU. I'd compare him to Jeff Green but a little more post-oriented.

Craig Brackins is far and away my favorite big man in college basketball. He was a 20/10 guy LAST year and won't do anything but improve. He's the Anthony Randolph if this draft class but only more developed. He is going to be a phenomenal player in the NBA. Chris Bosh mixed with Randolph is his ceiling.

Jarvis Varnardo is probably the guy we should be going after. He's going to be around the 15th pick range and has been the premier defensive big man in college over the past couple of years. That's right, better than Thabeet. He's only 6'9/6'10, but he plays much bigger and bullies everybody else around and collects every rebound in his area. The complete opposite of Diaw, they'd be a nice 1-2 punch.

Good Analysis Swedd.

A good PF is definitely something this team needs going forward (BTW I'm also a huge Brackins fan).

More than anything though, I think the cat's #1 priority, if one is available, should be getting a shot creator. As evidenced by their historically bad 59 point opener, they are woefully bad offensively and still lack anyone who can be relied on to put the ball in the hole when the offense stagnates.

If a big time offensive player like Evan Turner from Ohio State is avilable, they'd be foolish to pass on him.

As you noted, this upcoming draft is so deep at the 4 position, they could always trade for another pick later in the first and still grab a quality PF like a Varnardo or Demarcus Cousins

This previous draft was heavily guard oriented, the 2010 draft will be loaded with big men. It'll definitely be possible to pick up a solid big later in the first. Though, I'm tired of picking late in the draft and we need to just get a top 10, slam dunk, franchise player and be done with it.

If we go small, we have to go after Willie Warren (though he'll be a top 5 pick) because he's far and away the best SG in the draft. He'll be an 18-20 point scorer as a rookie and will only improve from there.

Avery Bradley and Tyshawn Taylor would both be great consolation prizes that may be in our range (if we keep our pick). If you don't know much about them then please look them up. Bradley is pure points and Taylor is Rondo with an offensive game.