DJ's predictions - lottery update 23 May

djthesonicsfan · Post #1 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:43 am

1. Kings - Blake Griffin, PF
Because they have to, but they really want Rubio.

2. Wizards - Ricky Rubio, PG
Grunfeld & Petrie announce the first big trade of the day, Griffin for Rubio and McGee.

3. Clippers - Jordan Hill, PF
Lots of folks like Hill's game, but some wonder where he'll play with a frontcourt already crowded with Randolph, Kaman, Camby and of course, DeAndre Jordan. Dunleavy is strangely tight lipped about his draft pick. Or perhaps his lips are just tighter than usual. If possible.

4. notSonics - James Harden, SG
Absolutely the perfect pick. Durant, Westbrook & Green welcome their new buddy with open arms. Even the folks who consider Presti an overbearing, stuck up, know it all are beginning to admit he's doing a really good job.

5. Wolves - Hasheem Thabeet, C
Would McHale have been the right guy to teach Thabeet the jedi ways of the big? Probably... but can a dog be taught to use a light sabre? Maybe in cartoons. Do the Wolves have a lot of bigs? For sure. But that's not a bad problem & at least Thabeet won't be pressured to step up from day one.

6. Grizzlies - Tyreke Evans, PG
Chris Wallace and Dunleavy announce the day's second big trade... Tyreke Evans & Hakim Warrick for Jordan Hill. Dunleavey is all smiles as he talks about how Warrick will provide much needed depth and Evans will back up both Baron Davis & Eric Gordon. BD is not smiling. Actually, he's grimmacing as if he's got an ulcer. Oh ya, he does. And he's not loving the idea of Dunleavy benching his butt in favor of the new kid the next time they get in an argument. But Griz fans are happy. Their lineup of Conley, Mayo, Gay, Hill & Gasol looks solid going forward. If only Mayo and Gay would get along.

7. Warriors - Brandon Jennings, PG
Nellie praises Jennings' skills to the heavens. During summer ball Nellie says Jennings will be an all-star, but later he buries Jennings on the bench. He says Jennings is too short to pair with Monta Ellis in the backcourt. Just before Nellie quits gets fired.

8. Knicks - DeMar DeRozan, SG
D'Antoni is all smiles, but when Nate the Grate calls him on his cell phone lip readers everywhere clearly see D'Antonio saying to the Grate "too bad", "I don't care" and "good luck with that". Raptor fans are bummed when the Knicks select DeMar DeRozan. Colangelo is overheard asking Evan Turner over the phone just before the pick, "Are you sure you won't change your mind?"

9. Raptors - Earl Clark, SF
Colangelo announces that he's just accepted... umm traded for Jamal Crawford for future 2nd round pick & a cold six pack. Further, he promises all the other GM's that he'll outbid Pritchard for a power forward willing to rebound. Matrix is not smiling.

10. Bucks - DeJuan Blair, PF
In a somewhat surprising pick the Bucks get a whole lot tougher. Skiles is happy.

11. Nets - Gerald Henderson, SG
Is this pick deja vu Chris Douglas-Roberts? Again? Will Yi ever get it going? Will LeBron James leave the Cavs?

12. Cats - Terrence Williams, SG/SF
Larry Brown gets a younger & bigger Raja Bell.

13. Pacers - James Johnson, SF/PF
A front court athlete to go with Granger, Rush and Hibbert.

14. Suns - Ty Lawson, PG
Maybe he's too little, but Goran Dragic is not who will take over for Nash.

15. Pistons - BJ Mullens, C
After the pick Dumars is assailed by Stephan A Smith and Dumars admits that Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess & Allen Iverson won't be returning. When asked if the rumors are true that Dumars is about to offer big contracts to Carlos Boozer & Marcin Gortat, Dumars only smiles. Just like a cat smiles when it's about to get the mouse.

16. Bulls - Austin Daye, SF
Paxson swings for the fences picking on potential. Daye gets time to learn & put on muscle sitting behind Deng.

17. Sixers - Jonny Flynn, PG
This is a good pick.

18. Wolves - Stephen Curry, PG/SG
McHale, after explaining to Stephan A Smith that he's no longer an official member of the Timberwolves' organization and that Corey Brewer hardly sucks, says this Curry kid is the real deal and has the chance to start right away. Which is a bit McHale in a way... their #5 pick will start out on the bench (probably stay there forever in my opinion) while their #18 pick starts right out of the gate. When Stephan A Smith presses McHale on his job status, McHale says he's just helping out. Then why is he still making the picks?

19. Hawks - Patrick Patterson, SF/PF
Sund adds another impressive athlete to the front court.

20. Jazz - Eric Maynor, PG
O'Conner can't believe his good luck. I think it's karma for letting Derek Fisher go.

21. Hornets - Jeff Teague, PG
Jeff Bower is pretty happy with this pick too.

22. Mavericks - Jrue Holiday, PG
He's gets a year to learn from Jason Kidd. That's way better than anything Ben Howland would have taught him.

23. Kings - Tyler Hansbrough, PF
Mark Madsen or David Lee? I'm betting he becomes a solid rotation guy.

24. Blazers - Omri Casspi, SF/PF
Just because Pritchard hasn't signed a foreign guy yet. Omir Asik doesn't count because he got traded to the Bulls. Ya, Pritchard wants this on his resume because he's that vain. Of course there's a major trade involved here somehow. Blake, Outlaw, Webster, Batum & Rodriguiz are all in play.

25. notSonics - Sam Young, SF
Presti takes the best available player adding to his collection of young athletes.

26. Bulls - Tyler Smith, SF
He's a good basketball player who got criticized for not being a great basketball player. The Bulls luck out.

27. Grizzlies - Darren Collison, PG
A backup pg. Perfect pick. Actually, a great draft for the Griz... Hill & Collison.

28. Wolves - Chase Budinger, SG/SF
Somebody (McHale) sells this pick to the Rockets for $83. Why did the Rockets bother?

29. Lakers - Michael Washington, PF
Not a bad pick for Kupchak.

30. Cavaliers - Gani Lawal, PF
You can never have enough athletic big guys.

vincecarter4pres · Post #2 » by **vincecarter4pres** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:11 am

I don't know if I see the fit for the Bucks and I doubt Curry falls that far, but it's quite solid and the comments are pretty funny.

AQuintus · Post #3 » by **AQuintus** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:15 am

djthesonicsfan wrote:5. Wolves - Tyreke Evans, PG
Some wonder if McHale is still running the show, but I actually like this pick.

Who wonders if McHale is still running the show? He's been out of his front office job for a few months now, he'll probably be done coaching after this year, and the team as already announced that they'll be bringing in a real General Manager (not to be confused with a RealGMer) this off season.

With that said, some Minni fans would really like Evans, but I don't really see it happening. Cammo said recently that fans like him much more than scouts do, and I would bet that that is the case.

Based on who you have available, I would say that DeRozan would be more likely based on the USC Hoiberg (possible GM) connection, but until we find out exactly who will be running the show next year in Minni, it's tough to say with any certainty.

As for the other picks, Sam Young at 18 is terrible (he'd more than likely be available at 28), especially with Maynor and Holliday available, and I would be very surprised if Budinger is still available at 28 (I wouldn't be surpised if Glen Taylor sells the pick, though).

Post #4 » by **gswhoops** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:38 pm

Warriors will not trade Ellis for a washed up JRich. Other then that, I like the Jennings pick.

john2jer · Post #5 » by **john2jer** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:22 pm

Someone's completely uninformed.

djthesonicsfan · Post #6 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:44 pm

vincecarter4pres wrote:I don't know if I see the fit for the Bucks and I doubt Curry falls that far, but it's quite solid and the comments are pretty funny.

I think the Bucks could use a tough big and I think DeJuan Blair will go higher than most predict. Going forward, if healthy, I actually like the Bucks chances of becoming decent...

Starters - Sessions, Redd, Jefferson, Villanueva, Bogut
Rotation - Ridnour, Mbah a Moute, Bell, Blair, Alexander

I agree that I've got Curry falling too far. But at each pick decision I just couldn't make myself pencil in the little guy. Still, I think Curry is going to have a legit NBA career... Daniel Gibson but with initial higher expectations. Maybe better if he ends up in the right situation.

djthesonicsfan · Post #7 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:05 pm

AQuintus wrote:Who wonders if McHale is still running the show? He's been out of his front office job for a few months now, he'll probably be done coaching after this year, and the team as already announced that they'll be bringing in a real General Manager (not to be confused with a RealGMer) this off season.

Ya, we all know. I was just inferring some may not like Tyreke Evans and be looking for a way to blame it on McHale. I could see DeRozan, but my opinion is that Evans' PG skills would better compliment Foye as a backcourt partner.

AQuintus wrote:As for the other picks, Sam Young at 18 is terrible (he'd more than likely be available at 28), especially with Maynor and Holiday available, and I would be very surprised if Budinger is still available at 28 (I wouldn't be surpised if Glen Taylor sells the pick, though).

I agree Sam Young at #18 is higher than where most have him, but I think he's going to be a legit NBA ball player. Ya, I agree that either Maynor or Holiday would be solid as well, but I'm thinking Sebastian Telfair is legit as backup PG. Probably better considering his experience if Evans or DeRozan find their way into the starting lineup sooner than later.

Starters - Evans, Foye, Gomes, Jefferson, Love
Rotation - Telfair, Miller, Smith, Young, Williams

Team still needs a legit center. Do you think the Wolves would take a chance on Thabeet if he was still available at #5?

djthesonicsfan · Post #8 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:27 pm

gswhoops wrote:Warriors will not trade Ellis for a washed up JRich. Other then that, I like the Jennings pick.

But what about the dumping Nellie part?

djthesonicsfan · Post #9 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:59 pm

john2jer wrote:Someone's completely uninformed.

I'm looking forward to seeing your mock smart guy.

Post #10 » by **gswhoops** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:17 pm

djthesonicsfan wrote:
gswhoops wrote:Warriors will not trade Ellis for a washed up JRich. Other then that, I like the Jennings pick.

But what about the dumping Nellie part?

I should hope we can do that without making a stupid trade and burying yet another lotto pick on the bench. But probably not.

Gruel · Post #11 » by **Gruel** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:47 pm

djthesonicsfan wrote:9. Raptors - Gerald Henderson, SG
Raptor fans are bummed. Colangelo is overheard asking Evan Turner over the phone just before the pick, "Are you sure you won't change your mind?"

Truer words have never been spoken. I like the Evan Turner comment.

AQuintus · Post #12 » by **AQuintus** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:00 pm

djthesonicsfan wrote:Ya, we all know. I was just inferring some may not like Tyreke Evans and be looking for a way to blame it on McHale.

They more than likely will, but it's going to be much harder when he's either very loosely connected with the organization or not connected at all.

I could see DeRozan, but my opinion is that Evans' PG skills would better compliment Foye as a backcourt partner.

We may decide whether or not we pick a guy based on how well they play next to Foye, but a really, really hope not. He just isn't talented enough to make those kinds of considerations around him. With the Wolves' roster the way it is now, Jefferson and maybe Love are the only guys who might warrant that kind of thinking.

I agree Sam Young at #18 is higher than where most have him, but I think he's going to be a legit NBA ball player. Ya, I agree that either Maynor or Holiday would be solid as well, but I'm thinking Sebastian Telfair is legit as backup PG.

Telfair should be a decent backup PG, but we still need a starter.

Starters - Evans, Foye, Gomes, Jefferson, Love
Rotation - Telfair, Miller, Smith, Young, Williams

I'm not sure where the Evans at Point Guard thing started, but I would be willing to bet all of the money in the world that he will never be a legit starting Point. Though he could be a ball-dominant shooting guard running the offense similar to a Kobe or Crawford with Foye at the Point.

Team still needs a legit center. Do you think the Wolves would take a chance on Thabeet if he was still available at #5?

Absolutely! Though, I'm not sure how much I'd like it, because it would mean that either our lottery pick this year or our lottery pick last year would be a back-up for the foreseeable future, and I'm not a fan of drafting backups with lotto picks.

djthesonicsfan · Post #13 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:41 am

Very possible Thabeet is there at #5. If the draft stays true to form, I'm super convinced it's Harden at #4. So unless the Clips take Thabeet he'll be there. But the Clips are just that stupid to do it. Ya, that make how many centers? Kamam, Camby, Jordan, Thabeet. Am I missing any? Who knows.

john2jer · Post #14 » by **john2jer** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:13 pm

djthesonicsfan wrote:
john2jer wrote:Someone's completely uninformed.

I'm looking forward to seeing your mock smart guy.

I've had a couple posted here and there.

McHale will pretty much no longer work for the Wolves by the end of the play-offs, before the draft. He hasn't been in the front office since January and it's been made pretty clear that the chances of him coaching next year are nil.

Try to keep up.

Corey Brewer hardly sucks, he blew out his knee at the beginning of the season, but before doing so, he showed monumental improvement.

Again, try keeping up.

You're uninformed, and just spewing the same crap you see other people post, and don't do the research yourself. I'm sure Brandon Roy is still a jack-of-all trades role player in your eyes too, right?

djthesonicsfan · Post #15 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:39 am

John, thank you. Really. Now I have a signature block.

john2jer · Post #16 » by **john2jer** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:54 pm

No, thank you. I take that as a compliment. Especially since it's the truth. You apparently missed how he started the season before wrecking his knee. Just do me a favor and promise to leave that up there all of next season.

Corey Brewer isn't the type of guy to average 20 points, and I know most of the gomers on this site don't think a player is crap unless he puts up 20, but Brewer has the chance to be a very good Bruce Bowen type player. And please find me a team that wouldn't take a 6'8" guard/forward who plays great defense, is athletic, moves the ball, rebounds, and has an improving jump shot. It's unfortunate he was robbed of his 2nd season, but that seems to be a common theme in Minnesota.

Corey Brewer was back practicing with the team at the end of the season, and there were minor discussion about him possibly playing the last couple games. They decided to hold out. So now he has a full summer to rest, strengthen, and improve his game.

djthesonicsfan · Post #17 » by **djthesonicsfan** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:28 am

At least you got something right. Ya, 6 points a game is definitely not 20 a game. While averaging less minutes/game than he did his rookie year. But he's got his shooting percentage above 40%! Progress. That's what I'm looking to see from a #7 overall pick. Your ability as a talent evaluator is readily apparent.

john2jer · Post #18 » by **john2jer** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:29 pm

I appreciate the compliment. Keep up the good work. I like that scoring is the only value a player has for the team. ;-)

But having actually watched Corey Brewer play, I can see his value to the team. The team's win% was 53% when he was on the floor, meaning they were better off when he played than when he didn't. Small sample size, but for those of us that actually watched him play, there was tremendous improvement this year. But of course the Wolves are just bumming out because of all those all-stars they missed out on after Brewer. Brandan Wri... Acie La... Julian Wri... Oh wait...

Post #19 » by **gswhoops** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:26 pm

john2jer wrote:But of course the Wolves are just bumming out because of all those all-stars they missed out on after Brewer. Brandan Wri... Acie La... Julian Wri... Oh wait...

Spencer Haw...Thaddeus You...Rodney Stu...Rudy Fer...Oh Wait...

Krapinsky · Post #20 » by **Krapinsky** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:47 pm

gswhoops wrote:
john2jer wrote:But of course the Wolves are just bumming out because of all those all-stars they missed out on after Brewer. Brandan Wri... Acie La... Julian Wri... Oh wait...

Spencer Haw...Thaddeus You...Rodney Stu...Rudy Fer...Oh Wait...

Those players haven't exactly started the world on fire. They more or less just got an opportunity to play. I don't see any of those players ever becoming an all star. Brewer still has a chance to join that "elite" company.