Draft 2009

Post #1 » by **SD2042** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:31 pm

Since March Madness is coming up, it's time to really talk about the upcoming draft and which players the Grizzlies could go after in June. Although critics have stated this draft is potentiallly weak. We still have an upcomiing draft that is three months away. We all have our opinions about who we believe the Grizz should draft and why. Feel free to bring the noise.

http://www.draftexpress.com/

http://www.nbadraft.net/

Downtown · Post #2 » by **Downtown** » Sun Mar 1, 2009 12:04 am

The possibilities are many. The Grizzlies could end up picking from #1 to #7. Plus there's the Magic pick, which should be somewhere around #26.

The names Blake Griffin, Jordan Hill, and Greg Monroe all make perfect sense. But they could all be gone before Memphis picks, or two of them could return to school, again depending on how the lotto balls fall. Would they trade up in order to get one of these guys?

Perhaps they go with the best player available philosophy and try to fit the pieces together later. But it's a sure thing that they aren't looking for a shooting guard, small forward, or center in the worst way. They seem to be comfortable now with Conley so do they pass on a really good pointguard with the top pick if one's available?

What if they get the #2 pick and James Harden is staring them in the face? Do they pick him and move Mayo to the point?

Maybe they see it that they have the offence more or less covered with Mayo and Gay and go with a strong defensive power forward such as Dejuan Blair or Patrick Patterson by trading down a ways to get either of those guys plus another pick or player that can help.

Maybe they like the look of Darell Arthur and take Tyler Hansborough for backup with the Magic pick and use their own for someone else?

Personally I like the idea of having Terrence Williams, who has at times played 3 positions, as a sixth man player. By some mocks he's slated to go somewhere in the teens so some sort of trade would have to get done. I also think that they will stick with Conley and probably fill his backup role with the Magic pick. The names Patrick Mills, Eric Maynor, and Johnny Flynn come to mind.

So it all leads back to who is best suited with their own pick. My personal preference at this stage is Jordan Hill, but the tournament could change that. I also think he could go a little before Memphis picks but could be had by way of a trade. I could see a team trading down two or three positions if they could unload a contract in a deal.

So without any real knowledge of the best way to go about it I like Hill, Blair, Williams, all of whom I think could help the Grizzlies. But then again it's been mentioned that they could use a really good outside shooter so maybe a Stephen Curry factors into the equation somewhere as well being used as the main backup to Conley and Mayo.

But the bottom line for me is that they will need a strong power forward that can rebound while still having enough of an offensive game to keep teams honest enough that they have to respect the Grizzlies inside game, thus giving Mayo and Gay some easier looks. They also need a defensive stopper on the outside. They also need that dangerous shooter that can spread teams out and come in for some instant momentum changing with a few three pointers.

I know all that can't be found through one draft, but two of the three would be nice and fill in the rest by way of a couple veterans in July.

Post #3 » by **jman3134** » Sun Mar 1, 2009 9:45 pm

Yes, now we're talking about arguably my favorite part of the season. I will have a response in a bit.

Horryble · Post #4 » by **Horryble** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 12:44 am

SD2042 wrote:Since March Madness is coming up, it's time to really talk about the upcoming draft and which players the Grizzlies could go after in June. Although critics have stated this draft is potentiallly weak. We still have an upcomiing draft that is three months away. We all have our opinions about who we believe the Grizz should draft and why. Feel free to bring the noise.

http://www.draftexpress.com/

http://www.nbadraft.net/

Isn't it always time to talk about the draft when it comes to the Griz lol.

Oklahoma is getting better though and B Davis is back for the Clips. Kings look content to tank and are talking about a buyout for Gooden. Washington is terrible too.

I'd say it's a lock the Grizz will get a top 5 pick and the chances are good of getting a top 3 pick.

SG and SF are locked up with Gay/Mayo. So maybe you take Thabeet at center if he's there. And obviously you take Griffin if you have the number 1 pick.

But anything else you have to trade down because there are plenty of other PGs and PFs at 10-20

Post #5 » by **SD2042** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:37 am

The Grizzlies have a hole at the PF position. Sure they traded for Darrell Arthur as an attempt to fill in the weakness. Arthur is a long way off from being a consistant contributor on the floor. Hak provies the offensive spark from off the bench, but he's a liability on defense and the matter of his free agency is in the air on whether or not he will be back in a Grizz uniform next fall.

The Grizz need a big PF who is fluid on offense from spacing the floor to being able to knock down the close shots. Defensively is a need as well from being a solid rebounder to being a good man to man defender.

With the Grizzlies history of striking out during the lottery, I won't hold my breath if the likes of Blake Griffin doesn't fall into their laps. That's why I believe Greg Monroe is my first option for the Grizz to draft come June. If it happens that the Grizz win the #1 pick of the draft, then Griffin all the way. Until then, Greg Monroe is my first choice.

Post #6 » by **jman3134** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:53 am

While I do generally like Monroe, I believe that his passing gifts are best utilized in a half court setting. Then again, he is quick enough to play in an up tempo offense. I just think it would take a major adjustment because Georgetown certainly doesn't play a similar style.

Grizzfan777 · Post #7 » by **Grizzfan777** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 1:33 pm

and what do you guys think of chase buddinger? He plays a game similar to mike miller and is great with the 3 point shot. He could be a great sixth man or starter if gay/mayo were to miss time. He should be available in the 20-25 so we could possibly get him with a small tradeup.

GrizzledGrizzFan · Post #8 » by **GrizzledGrizzFan** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 3:46 pm

Grizzfan777 wrote:and what do you guys think of chase buddinger? He plays a game similar to mike miller and is great with the 3 point shot. He could be a great sixth man or starter if gay/mayo were to miss time. He should be available in the 20-25 so we could possibly get him with a small tradeup.

If he was sitting around at the Magic's pick I wouldn't be opposed to it. With the Grizz's first pick - I'd go postal.

My ideal draft would be Griffin or Monroe with the first pick and Blair falling to the second pick. A rotation at the 4 of Griffing/Monroe, Blair and Arthur would be sweet.

Grizzfan777 · Post #9 » by **Grizzfan777** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 4:17 pm

yeah I meant using yhe magic pick for buddinger. I believe him and a guy like hill/griffin/monroe would really help this team out.

C-Gasol/Milicic/Haddadi
PF-Griffin/Warrick/Arthur
SF-Gay/Buddinger/FA
SG-Mayo/Ross/FA
PG-Conley/Jaric

That would be a good combination of youth, experience, athleticism, and defense. That team could win 30-35 games.

Downtown · Post #10 » by **Downtown** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 6:09 pm

I had Budinger in my radar last June before he decided not to enter the draft. People all the time comment that he doesn't play defense and is a one trick pony but from the number of times I've watched him I think he is capable of being a pretty good sixth man behind both Gay and Mayo. Sure you don't get that perimiter defensive stopper they could use but they do get a very good shooter that is a good athlete and seems fairly smart. If they could make a trade to get in a position to pick Terrence Williams, a favorite of mine, then having both those guys would be great.

Post #11 » by **SD2042** » Tue Mar 3, 2009 1:29 am

Grizzfan777 wrote:and what do you guys think of chase buddinger? He plays a game similar to mike miller and is great with the 3 point shot. He could be a great sixth man or starter if gay/mayo were to miss time. He should be available in the 20-25 so we could possibly get him with a small tradeup.

Considering the team misses Mike Miller and his three point shooting. If Buddinger is capable of being a consistant three point shooter. Then he's someone the Grizz could take a look at during the draft workouts.

Post #12 » by **jman3134** » Tue Mar 3, 2009 2:32 am

He's more of a midrange shooter who can put the ball on the floor. He is a very fluid athlete.

Post #13 » by **SD2042** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 11:31 pm

Sounds like a guy who can score points in a hurry if given a chance.

Post #14 » by **jman3134** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 3:30 am

Actually, he doesn't really have that go-to scorer mentality, but he is a serviceable role player. Think a lesser Trevor Ariza.

Post #15 » by **SD2042** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 8:26 am

When you put it like that about a lesser Trevor Ariza, it really doesn't sound like much in terms of his decent athleticism. Like Miller, he would get worn out on the defensive end since he's pretty weak on that side of the ball. Since he's proven to be a useful offensive type of player, I can see the Grizz looking into this guy. I was reading Budinger's profile in DX. Offensive, he's consider a spot up shooter and that he needs to be around a team who can create their own shots.

"Budinger is the type of player who needs to be around other talented shot-creators if he’s to be effective." DX

The Grizz in that regard don't have many players on the team who create their own shot outside of Mayo. So unless the Grizz can find a way to improve on add a couple or more complimentary players who can create for themselves, the chances could be low for the Grizz to actually draft Budinger.

Post #16 » by **jman3134** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 8:57 am

I'm not quite sure if I agree with that assessment. He is not blazingly fast attacking the basket, but the threat of him pulling up off the dribble should be enough to get him past his defender even at the next level. He has a pretty form and a high release. I think he is best with a star point guard, but then again, aren't most 2 guards? As a spot up shooter, he certainly creates his own shot off the bounce.

Post #17 » by **SD2042** » Fri Mar 6, 2009 11:52 pm

That's unique for a spot up shooter to have the ability to create his own shot. Not too many guys can do that in bball. Which means the team's distribution of the ball needs to be pretty solid in order to set up the average spot up shooter.

Post #18 » by **jman3134** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 2:25 am

That's probably going to be his role in the NBA. But, he may be a one dribble pull up guy because he elevates on his shot and creates good separation. I guess that's what I was trying to hit on.

Post #19 » by **SD2042** » Sat Mar 7, 2009 4:46 am

Sounds like what Wesley Person or Fred Hoiberg were in the later part of their careers if I'm not mistaken. It's good to have shooters like that on the team. All teams need players of that calibur.

Post #20 » by **boogiesdad** » Sun Mar 8, 2009 1:24 am

realistically, lets say as usual, we get screwed in the Draft and don't move up at all.

I'd go with:

#5 Jordan Hill PF Arizona......... Draws Comparisons to Bosh.....we should be so lucky
#27 Tyreke Evans SG Memphis....if on the board, gotta think he's top 15...but you never know...
if not
#27 Sam Young SF Pitt
#35 Jerome Jordan C Tulsa
or
#35 Taj Gibson PF USC