Svosen and Cowboy22's NBA Draft/Offseason Thread (others welcome!)

[Cowboy22]

Durant had a better personal workout for them than Oden so he got talked up a bit before the draft, but realistically, they were never going with anyone other than Oden. Durant is a great player, but you don't pass up a franchise center, particularly one who's been the consensus top pick of the draft since he was still a sophmore in high school.

Utah got Almond, who's the guy I wanted most going into the draft, so I was pretty happy. He's a two guard with good size and a great outside shot, which is exactly what they were missing. Derek Fisher is a decent player and a really nice guy, but there's no way he should have been a starter.

I like the guy the Laker's picked in the first, but he's still a year or two away from reaching his full potential, so I would imagine Kobe isn't too happy. In fact, all the guys they picked are projects, which pretty much goes directly against his mandate of "win now or else". I have a feeling he's going to be pissed and make it known in the media, followed by them making the O'Neal trade in a panic.

Also, Adam Haluska got drafted in the second, which was pretty cool for me. Not only was he a great player for Iowa (who was unfortunately surround by shit teammates in his last year), but I actually know him personally. His high school was in my high school's conference, so I played basketball and ran track against him (well, I didn't actually run in track, but my track team was at a bunch of the same meets as his. At the time that was actually his best sport). I talked to him a few times at track meets back then, and have run into him in Iowa City a few times since then, he's a really nice guy.

[svosen]

Originally Posted by Cowboy22

I have a feeling he's going to be pissed and make it known in the media, followed by them making the O'Neal trade in a panic.

I concur, sort of. Not necessarily that they'll get O'Neal. Just that whatever they do will be driven by desperation instead of intellect. Seems dumb to pick up a completely green PG when all you've got now is a mostly green PG. I envision Walton walking away. I don't think I'd stay, if I were him. He showed up, got a bunch of recognition just because he was in La La, and he played reasonably well for a few years. Time to cash in on that (he could get a modest 3-year deal worth more than it should be) and go play for a real team. If it fit for them, he'd be a good backup to Marion in Phoenix, I think. I'm sure he'd fit well on a number of teams, actually.

I played highschool basketball with a guy who was amazing. He transferred from our highschool just before my senior (his junior) year; he went to a larger market school. I truthfully believe he would one day end up in the NBA. He went on to play for U of Montana, where he started as a freshman. Then he got into drugs and fell apart. Not even sure where he's at now. Pretty sad. Too bad his story didn't go the same way as Haluska's.

Most analysts seem to think MJ blew it on the Richardson trade. I don't honestly know enough abour the Cats to have an informed opinion, but I find it interesting that there are a bunch of people in the "that sucked" camp, while there are a few in the "that was great" camp. Haven't read any ambivilent commentaries

Good move by Seattle to ship out Allen. And I think it works nicely for Boston, too. He and Pierce should fall apart at approximately the same time (Allen first, but Pierce not far behind), and they should do reasonably well next year.

What's your take on the big guy the Nets got? I've read he's a beast, but I've never seen him. Sounds like that might have been a nice pickup for them.

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

Most analysts seem to think MJ blew it on the Richardson trade. I don't honestly know enough abour the Cats to have an informed opinion, but I find it interesting that there are a bunch of people in the "that sucked" camp, while there are a few in the "that was great" camp. Haven't read any ambivilent commentaries

I actually thought that was a great trade for the Bobcats. They traded a project power forward with high bust potential for a relatively young veteran whose a proven scorer. With Richardson, I really think they have a good chance to make the playoffs out East, which is exactly what Jordan wants. He's a pretty bad GM for the most part, but this was a really good trade, no matter what Steven A. says.

Good move by Seattle to ship out Allen. And I think it works nicely for Boston, too. He and Pierce should fall apart at approximately the same time (Allen first, but Pierce not far behind), and they should do reasonably well next year.

I didn't like that one at all, for either team. Boston pretty much threw away their future for an old, overpaid shooting guard coming off double ankle surgery. At best, they'll make the playoffs and get knocked out in the first. And the Sonics got another small forward to go with Durant, which I don't really get. Green is a nice player, but he doesn't really have a spot on that team.

What's your take on the big guy the Nets got? I've read he's a beast, but I've never seen him. Sounds like that might have been a nice pickup for them.

If he can keep out of trouble, they got a steal. Talent-wise, he was a lottery pick. He could be an elite defensive C/PF. Outstanding shotblocker and rebounder.

[svosen]

What exactly do you mean by "keep out of trouble?" You talking about on the team, or in society?

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

What exactly do you mean by "keep out of trouble?" You talking about on the team, or in society?

He's a huge pot head (which in itself isn't especially uncommon in the NBA, but he's dumb enough to have been caught with it) and got kicked off his college team for breaking team rules (likely the drug thing).

[farfus]

Yay! now its time for something completely different!!! And may i guess what both Svos and CB22 know what that is ????

[Cowboy22]

Free Agency? Summer League? Wait, I know, the National Team!

[svosen]

at Cowboy.

I'll give you this, Farf - you're consistent.

[svosen]

The Lakers signed Walton to a 6yr/$30M deal. Surprising... I really thought he would look elsewhere.

[svosen]

Utah release Derek Fischer at his request. He wants to move out of Utah to find a good hospital to treat his daughter.