| NBA Draft '05
By Shawn Plunkett July 11th, 2005 |
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As 1 Lottery, 2 Rounds, 60 Players. This is all teams get- and to survive in the Association, you would do well to make it count. The small stature of the NBA draft makes your pick much more important. With so few players being drafted, teams would do well to draft more prototypical players and sign riskier prospects in free agency. (I apologize if this advice is too late for Raptors fans- see Raphael Araujo). Speaking of the Raptors, the extraordinary mistake of their first pick over-shadows their next two picks, which could turn out to be exactly what Toronto fans are hoping for. Joey Graham is the perfect fit for a team that is soft and lacks defensive prowess and Roko Ukic may turn out to be an excellent point guard. While drafting two tall, skinny, under-achieving, 'slim forwards', who play the same position as their best player Chris Bosh and have never been accused of being hard workers, makes little sense, insofar as they could have traded down to get Villanueva and maybe picked up Uros Slokar as a free agent. At this point, with his credibility hovering around zero, only time will vindicate Rob Babcock. Besides Babcock's hits and misses, here are some of the studs and duds of the 2005 NBA draft. Top Prospects Andrew Bogut (C, Milwaukee Bucks): The best player available and the most NBA-ready draft prospect this year. Should pay immediate dividends. Chris Paul (PG, New Orleans Hornets): Paul was the best pure point guard in the draft. Will probably be the best of what was considered a deep position. New Orleans' lack of talent may hinder some of his future prospects.
Danny Granger (SF, Indiana Pacers): Taking Granger at 17 was the steal of the draft. Granger has all the tools to be a NBA player, an inside-outside game, versatile, solid rebounder and a good leader. He goes to the Pacers with a chip on his shoulder after falling so late in the draft. Francisco Garcia (SG, Sacramento Kings): Garcia is a hot and cold shooter, but has great height to get his shot off. Still has the ability to shoot the lights out on any given night and Sacramento's perimeter-oriented offence, he may well get every opportunity to do so. Has to be more consistent. Future Fantasy Stars Marvin Williams (SF, Atlanta Hawks): Williams is loaded with talent, but managed just over 11 ppg with UNC and was not a starter. May be a difficult transition from a sixth-man on a good team to a possible starter on a poor one. Deron Williams (PG, Utah Jazz): The Jazz traded up to get Williams. Williams is a gamer and a hard-nosed player. He has decent size for a PG, but he is not as quick or as good of a shooter as Paul. Andrew Bynum (C, Los Angeles Lakers): New Jersey high schooler was projected as a late round pick, but most knew that someone would take a chance on the 7', 300 pound Bynum. Ask anyone who has had to guard Shaq- it is hard to teach 7', 300 pounds. A bit raw, but should be a star if he has the work ethic. Gerald Green (SG, Boston Celtics): Compared to T-Mac, but probably not as talented. Solid and athletic, despite being a bit raw, Green slipped a little on draft day. He still has a huge upside once he learns the pro-game. Chris Taft (PF, Golden State Warriors): No player fell further in the draft than Taft. He was the most enigmatic player in this year's draft. NBA talent, with a JV work ethic. If a paycheck can motivate him, he will be a big time player. However, after being drafter 42nd overall this looks to be a big if. Possible Busts Martell Webster (SG Portland Trail Blazers): One of the best shooters in the draft, but not even the highest rated high schooler in the draft. He would have been a good pick at 13-14, but not at 6. May take a few years to get his shot off in the NBA. Rashad McCants (SG, Minnesota Timberwolves): Nobody doubts McCants' talent, just everything else. Too small for a shooting guard, no handle for the point. Combine this with off-the-court issues and a perceived attitude problem make this a questionable pick. Sean May (PF/C, Charlotte Bobcats): May was easy to cheer for at the NCAA tournament. He had all the skills and size that makes for a good college player. However, he may get pushed around defensively in the NBA and must control his weight. Channing Frye (C, New York Knicks): Big-time shot blocker. Sometimes lackadaisical during games and practice. Reminds me a little too much of Marcus Camby. It looks as though he will be given all the time and support to succeed in New York which will be a big bonus for Frye. Antoine Wright (SF, New Jersey Nets): It makes little sense to draft another swing-man when you already have Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson on your roster. It makes even less sense to draft a swing-man with questionable athleticism.
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