Taft dead in water. Murdered by Diogu yesterday.

http://www.draftcity.com/viewarticle.php?a=191

Taft will not be drafted by the warriors. If Taft can't defend a 6'7 PF then how will he guard Amare, Duncan, Gasol, KG? He really should go back to school but it's too late now. This guy is kidding himself if he thinks he's playing to his potential. Waste.

Diogu is ready to play in the NBA but I still don't think he's an upgrade over Murphy. He has more lower body strength than Murph and a polished post game but nine is still too high for him. I'd either trade down to get him or draft Martell Webster at 9. I like his potential and size. He could give us minutes right off the bat and has a high ceiling. He fits with the run n gun mentality.

 

Sounds sketch when it's only one news source, but I can believe it. Ike Diogu is good. Taft has a lot of hype. He's overhyped. He could be good later, but it doesn't seem like it now. I'd pass on him. Let the Nets take him.

Is there an accurate schedule of workouts? The sites that were posted didn't have Taft or Ike Diogu listed as working out today or yesterday.

 

The warriors are secretive about whom they bring in for workouts. If you look at any other team's page they'll usually have pictures and a summary for each individual workout. hoopshype.com only lists the seniors that we bring in for workouts. It's been like this for a while.

 

If that's the real reason that's good.

 

I guess I've just been naive. What's being inferred here is that the Knicks paid off a small website to print trash about a kid so that his value will plummet and he'll be around when they pick... that's some serious CIA stuff. I'm shocked that people think that's what's going on. Why would Isiah even want Taft? Especially because the Knicks are a roster full of Tafts.

Who really knows.. It seems like I never even come close to getting it right when it comes to the NBA Draft. I just hope Mullin does the right thing. I think he has a vision of who will play well together. I'm with you though Custodian. I like the idea of Splitter. He just seems like the perfect fit. Taft never really impressed me which is why I'm against him so much

 

Lol. I expected this to happen. Diogu is the answer to our prayers if we trade MDJR

 

Diogu to replace Dunleavy? I seriously doubt that he will be a successful SF in this league, especially when he mainly played back to the basket.

Anyway, Taft's value is really going down quickly. Too bad, he was my ideal draft pick...

 

I doubt this is any conspiracy since this is what was expected from the beginning. I just hope we can get a great low post scorer or a lock em down defender at the SF position like Granger or Graham. No one even really talks about him...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CohanHater:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess I've just been naive. What's being inferred here is that the Knicks paid off a small website to print trash about a kid so that his value will plummet and he'll be around when they pick... that's some serious CIA stuff. I'm shocked that people think that's what's going on. Why would Isiah even want Taft? Especially because the Knicks are a roster full of Tafts.
</div>
Hey that's one "magic bullet" theory, but I don't think the Knicks would worry about him being taken before #8, unless the real plan is to grab him at #30 and freak out the Nets who might want him at #15. This guy is starting to sound like a Kwame Brown, only better hands. The verdict is still out whether he should be treated like one of those Jermaine O'neil type players that don't get any good until their sixth year or if he's like an Erick Dampier that only gets up for that big contract or he's just a guy that'll never get good (fool's gold). I think it might be either late bloomer or never gets good. Strictly hit or miss. Obviously, if the guy wanted the lotto money he could b.s. his way through workouts, but he doesn't even have the skill to do that. He's got the tools to dominate and has soft, big hands, but has questionable mental game. Is it possible for him to get fired up and be motivated to do more with the right coaches and team around him?

I dunno how acredited Draftcity or any of these draft websites are after REREM was insisting that Taft was going too high, Diogu, Granger were going too low. It's like what if Draftcity was like 3 internet bloggers and they were all pulling a "Jayson Blair" on everyone by not even being at those workouts.

Also some short scouting reports write some pretty antithetical pros and cons about the prospect.
For example sometimes it's like: Mike Dunleavy Jr.
strengths: good shooter
weaknesses: not a good shooter, must work on shooting.

But going back to Taft. He did kind of suck this year when it came to high expectations. He suddenly went from being a solid post presence and good passer out of the outlet to a raw Chris Wilcox type player that was Jerome Moiso lazy. He did produce some in his sophmore year and I think scouts were looking at his ceiling rather than what level he is now. Now since his mental game is on the line, that ceiling seems a lot lower.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CohanHater:</div><div class="quote_post">
Who really knows.. It seems like I never even come close to getting it right when it comes to the NBA Draft. I just hope Mullin does the right thing. I think he has a vision of who will play well together. I'm with you though Custodian. I like the idea of Splitter. He just seems like the perfect fit. Taft never really impressed me which is why I'm against him so much</div>
I'm confused whether Splitter can buy out his contract on his own accord or if he has to have the team's permission first. If Splitter's Spanish team is losing players to free agency, and they have control whether he goes or stays, it might be complicated.

Also I never get the drafts right either.

2002: 3rd spot in the draft - the nobrainer was NCAA champ Dunleavy, right after Yao was taken first, Jay Williams was taken 2nd. Was hoping the Warriors would select a low post power forward project since they already had Jamison at small forward and Troy Murphy at power forward. Both were very unorthodox and both weren't the greatest defenders in the world. I was hoping for Nene or Chris Wilcox by trading down or just going for broke and avoiding the no-brainer "safe" pick. Amare Stoudamire was intriguing because he was a high schooler, but he refused to workout. He didn't want to be a Warrior so bad he refused to be a top 3 pick. Sheesh what an A-hole. He sounded like another Kwame Brown, especially because he can't even palm the ball for his size, whereas Jason Richardson at 6'4 can. I didn't think too highly of Dunleavy on draft day.

2003: 11th spot in the draft - Was hoping Kirk Hinrich would fall because he was a combo guard and if he didn't, go for Luke Ridnour because of his playmaking abilities. We got Pietrus instead. Was like WTF at first, but now I like him because he's so aggressive on both ends of the floor and he was a great contingency plan if Richardson ever left for FA.

2004: 11th spot in the draft - Was hoping for a good center/power forward prospect not named Araujo or Podkolzine and if one didn't fall our way, point guard Jameer Nelson. Was slightly interested in Kosta Perovic or whatever his name was, but glad we got Biedrins after Toronto passed him up for Rafael Araujo.

2005: ? No clue. Splitter, if his buyout can be arranged and his team won't hold him down. On paper, the future of Biedrins + Tiago Splitter looks f'n sweet. Even if the guy winds up Chris Mihm, I wouldn't be unhappy because at least he's not a sloth or a slacker like Dampier. Also if the buyout is complex and we leave him overseas for a few years, who cares we can wait. Whether we get to the playoffs this year all depends on Baron's health anyway.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kwan1031:</div><div class="quote_post">Diogu to replace Dunleavy? I seriously doubt that he will be a successful SF in this league, especially when he mainly played back to the basket.

Anyway, Taft's value is really going down quickly. Too bad, he was my ideal draft pick...</div>
I think what Jrich23 meant was we upgrade Pietrus to starting lineup and make him either a small forward or an off guard while Jason Richardson plays small forward.

If Diogu is still growing and his wingspan is 7'3 to 7'5, he can probably bang in the paint and defend some as long as he's strong enough. I don't know how strong he is, but if he's not power forward strong, the guy better eat his wheaties. I just like the fact he can possibly do what Brian Cardinal did to get to the line and get all those opposing big players in foul trouble early in the game. REREM is starting to sell me on Diogu.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">I doubt this is any conspiracy since this is what was expected from the beginning.
</div> Yeah, I guess it's looking that way. Workouts were his last chance. Something doesn't sound right. I'd imagine he'd be mid first round, one website makes it sound like he shouldn't even be a first rounder period.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">
I just hope we can get a great low post scorer or a lock em down defender at the SF position like Granger or Graham. No one even really talks about him...</div> Because they're seniors, probably and they'll more than likely be the same player from now that they were on draft day. But hey if we had Tayshaun Prince that would be awesome. Awesome to the max.

 

I said a month ago Ike would cream Taft in a matchup and was told in various ways that Taft was a sure top 10 and Diogu woild need to skip this draft..to small to play with a real stud...well,I'm not at all surprised.
Diogu also was said to have a measured wingspan of 7-3 to 7-5. How high you reach is actually more relevant than how tall you are. You don't rebound with your mouth,(Shawn Bradley the exception maybe...) and reach,skills,spring,quicks...plus attitude are big on rebounding + Defense.
I see Ike as in the mix at F,here. Murphy's RBDs mean he's playing. If there is no Dunleavy swap,Duns,Pietrus,Zarko,J Rich can all get SF action. Diogu can be a real mobile PF or a real rugged SF,but absolutely can contribute as either,though in some situations,another guy would give us the matchup. For instance,we might match Pietrus vs Richard Jefferson,Diogu vs some,Zarko against extra tall but slim guys. At times we may also want a mismatch on grounds we can do more damage then they can.
I also still like Granger,though some others have lately jumped on that wagon and he could be gone. Green looked good in All Star action-and the other day I saw his HS stats from this year....WOW. Big,Big numbers in a lot of areas. 60% 3pt shooting,7 assists,double figure rebounds? Lookout Marvin.

 

Diogu had an abundance of power even last year,appeared to have dropped a bit of bulk to get quicker,more versatile,and it worked. Teams trying to stop him in the paint tended to wind up with their bigs all in foul trouble. That Diogu and Warrick were the college guys who went to the line a lot says something about their tough inside play. The W's front court needed more in-close offense,more in close D and Mr Diogu can do...just ask Taft.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">I said a month ago Ike would cream Taft in a matchup and was told in various ways that Taft was a sure top 10 and Diogu woild need to skip this draft..to small to play with a real stud...well,I'm not at all surprised.
Diogu also was said to have a measured wingspan of 7-3 to 7-5. How high you reach is actually more relevant than how tall you are. You don't rebound with your mouth,(Shawn Bradley the exception maybe...) and reach,skills,spring,quicks...plus attitude are big on rebounding + Defense.
I see Ike as in the mix at F,here. Murphy's RBDs mean he's playing. If there is no Dunleavy swap,Duns,Pietrus,Zarko,J Rich can all get SF action. Diogu can be a real mobile PF or a real rugged SF,but absolutely can contribute as either,though in some situations,another guy would give us the matchup. For instance,we might match Pietrus vs Richard Jefferson,Diogu vs some,Zarko against extra tall but slim guys. At times we may also want a mismatch on grounds we can do more damage then they can.
I also still like Granger,though some others have lately jumped on that wagon and he could be gone. Green looked good in All Star action-and the other day I saw his HS stats from this year....WOW. Big,Big numbers in a lot of areas. 60% 3pt shooting,7 assists,double figure rebounds? Lookout Marvin.</div>
Yeah, I know You called it. I'm letting you know it so far. And yeah I know about wingspan, but it wasn't known whether Diogu was a long 6'8 guy. For instance David Harrison is 7 feet tall, but his wingspan is like 6'10. Same with Yao Ming and how he has shorter arms than his height indicates. No sites have their wingspans listed because they seem to get different measurements each time. Can't tell whether these guys have nubbins hanging out of their shoulders or they have go-go gadget arms.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">Diogu had an abundance of power even last year,appeared to have dropped a bit of bulk to get quicker,more versatile,and it worked. Teams trying to stop him in the paint tended to wind up with their bigs all in foul trouble. That Diogu and Warrick were the college guys who went to the line a lot says something about their tough inside play. The W's front court needed more in-close offense,more in close D and Mr Diogu can do...just ask Taft.</div>
I can believe that. I wish they had videos of the showdown between Taft and Diogu to see how one-sided the matchup was. Taft must have really dropped the soap.

 

....and we know what happens when you drop the soap!

 

I'm pumped too! It's especially exciting how there's no news on Warrior workouts (keeps it suspenseful) and intriguing why Taft gets bashed so hard by that one website. There has to be more details and sources to confirm that the actual matchup between him and Diogu went down that way because Warriors workouts have been pretty secretive.

Well anyway, I could believe Diogu could whoop on Taft because Diogu whooped on a lot of players and Taft wasn't as good as hyped up to be during the regular college season. I just want the truth. I think we can handle the truth right? Some other legit source has to set the record straight.

 

ESPN probably has the most funding, credibility, resources and reputation on the line to check their facts and do the research, but they sure have a really bad message board design. If anybody has any Insider status that'd be helpful, we just can't post the actual articles since its premium content. This free NBAdraft.net and Draftcity content sounds super sketch whenever they start to do sports "journalism".

If you want some good mocks, I think JBB's mock draft is probably just as accurate because nobody really knows until Draft day, especially when trades happen like Jerry Stackhouse, #5 pick for Antwan Jamison. Also nobody last year caught Araujo at #8 or saw Jameer Nelson slipping that fast.

I just wish some of these net articles weren't so sketch because I find it frightening that people buy into it right away without mentioning how it's kind of "odd". They just post it and assume it's all true. It's kind of like the New York Times or other New York media and how they write about Shaq coming to New York or Lebron a Knick for Kurt Thomas and Moochie Norris. LOL.