How weak is this years drafT?

[vikinginferno]

That's interesting. I'd take Griffin 3rd out of that group behind Rose, and Lopez. Mayo and Westbrook would be close though.

Agreed. I really don't see how anyone could take Augustin over Griffin.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

That's interesting. I'd take Griffin 3rd out of that group behind Rose, and Lopez. Mayo and Westbrook would be close though.

Those are the only 4 I would consider drafting before Griffin. Possibly Beasley too, he started to look good as the season went on. Griffin would be a no brainer over Augustine, JT and Gordon to me. Lopez had a great rookie season, but I think he's pretty much at his ceiling, so for a rebuilding franchise like ours I would rather role the dice on Griffin's higher potential. Ditto with Love, although Love still has more room to improve.

 

[hammystyle]

Those are the only 4 I would consider drafting before Griffin. Possibly Beasley too, he started to look good as the season went on. Griffin would be a no brainer over Augustine, JT and Gordon to me. Lopez had a great rookie season, but I think he's pretty much at his ceiling, so for a rebuilding franchise like ours I would rather role the dice on Griffin's higher potential. Ditto with Love, although Love still has more room to improve.

You're right actually. I would do that too. I think most GM's would take the sure-thing center though.

 

[Aenadin]

so basically this draft class is pretty much unpredictable at best?

if rubio comes to this draft if management and his current team has a problem i say let him stay there for a year.. draft him... we get another high pick next year

 

[bajaden]

Kobe's a different case though -- that's like Peja and the other Euro sleepers. Back at that time you just did not take a high schooler or Europ Top 10. Just wasn't done. So it allowed for some aberrant slippages that wouldn't have happened if the same draft were held 10 years later (add nobody knew how the guys would work out).

Wade just came out in an utterly ridiculolous draft year with 4 perennial All Stars an likely 2 HOFs in the top 5. And Darko.

Did you have to mention Darko?

 

[bajaden]

I think it would be interesting to come back a year from now and revisit the 2008/2009 draft class. Our opinions could change again. At this time, I would still put Rose at the top of the class with B. Lopez second. I would have O.J. Mayo and Gordon third and fourth, followed by Thompson, Love, Beasley and Westbrook. You can switch around that final four if you like, but thats the order I would put them in.

Its hard to objectively say where I would put Griffin in that class, because I've seen all those guys perform in the NBA, and not so with Griffin, so that makes me somewhat biased. If I had to make that decision I would probably put him fifth in front of Thompson, or right behind Thompson in the sixth position. A year from now, I might put him at the head of the class. Who knows?

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Agreed. I really don't see how anyone could take Augustin over Griffin.

I watched a lot of Bobcats games; Augustin is a player.

 

[KingKong]

I think in these situations the workouts could play a significant role in the selection process.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I think it would be interesting to come back a year from now and revisit the 2008/2009 draft class. Our opinions could change again. At this time, I would still put Rose at the top of the class with B. Lopez second. I would have O.J. Mayo and Gordon third and fourth, followed by Thompson, Love, Beasley and Westbrook. You can switch around that final four if you like, but thats the order I would put them in.

Its hard to objectively say where I would put Griffin in that class, because I've seen all those guys perform in the NBA, and not so with Griffin, so that makes me somewhat biased. If I had to make that decision I would probably put him fifth in front of Thompson, or right behind Thompson in the sixth position. A year from now, I might put him at the head of the class. Who knows?

I just can't bring myself to put JT that high. He will be a darn good starter, but his moves are very robotic and he lacks the elite athleticism/fluidity that Blake Griffin has. I think JT's D, jumper and post moves will improve, but I just see him as having a lower ceiling than Griffin or Westbrook.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I watched a lot of Bobcats games; Augustin is a player.

I agree with you here. I like Augustine a lot. Would take him over Beno every day of the week and twice on Sunday. However, if we got the #1 pick and the Bobcats offered us DJ straigh up for Griffin I would reject their offer. I believe that Griffin has a higher ceiling. I just wouldn't put the two of them on the same level.

 

[Kingster]

Got you, that makes more sense. Actually makes for an interesting question. I definitley do not think Griffin is another Morrison. Griffin is very athletic and fluid. It's his fluidity that I believe makes him a way better prospect than Thompson. The way Griffin can move in the air and contort himself should allow him to be a dynamic scorer in the NBA.

One of my major knocks on Griffin is that he doesn't have fluidity. I see nothing in his game that indicates fluidity. He's more of a mechanical player.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

One of my major knocks on Griffin is that he doesn't have fluidity. I see nothing in his game that indicates fluidity. He's more of a mechanical player.

Really? The times I have seen him play he has made some spectacular plays. He catches the ball in the air and contorts his body for some amazing lay ups and dunks. I am curious what other people think, if this is the concensus, I may need to go back and look at some more game tape.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

The draft is strong, considering where we will be picking and what players will still be there. # 23 and # 31 are going to be key picks for us. We are pretty much guaranteed 2 good players looking at the list of players we have to choose from. I think this years draft is underrated but i may be bias just because my favourite team has sweet picks.

 

[asakkings]

Athletically Griffin is very fluid, now with the ball in the post is a different story. But I think he can develop low post moves since he's pretty young.

 

[Henkel]

Depends on how you define a strong draft. If its by the number of franchise players then this draft is weak. If its how many players that can make a roster then this draft is above average.

Its deepest at the pg position, which is great considering how much demand there is for quality point guards. Rubio, Jennings, Teague, Lawson, Flynn, Maynor, Mills, Collison and Curry if he decides to enter, all have first round talent. Thats more depth at the pg spot then we have seen out of a draft in a very long time. Although this draft lacks big men it makes up for it, in terms of value on the next level, with talented guards.

I also think this years second round talent is much better then what we have seen in recent years. I believe we will see a good group of role players come from this years second round.

This draft will not compare to last years, simply doesn't have the star power at the top, but overall i think this draft is above average. I doubt it sets the world on fire, but at the same time i wouldn't worry about it comparing to draft like 2000.

 

[Aenadin]

if we do compare this years draft to drafts where in lebron, rose and howard was picked.. then no doubt it will pale in comparison.. but if we compare it to the likes of 2000s im pretty sure its much better.

im just glad we get a top pick and with GPs talent for looking for surpise picks.. im sure we will get a guy we will love

GP approach to drafting is like an investment.. it takes a little more time than the others to grow but when it grows.. it bears fruits. guys like kev. martin, peja, hawes, so to GP... surprise me! in a good way that is

but you wont surprise me cause your going to draft rubio

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Athletically Griffin is very fluid, now with the ball in the post is a different story. But I think he can develop low post moves since he's pretty young.

That's my impression. If he is fluid he can improve his post moves significantly as long as he is a hard worker. He is only 20. Barring disturbing, Shelden Williams-esque measurements, he should be a stud.