Who do you want the Sonics to draft?

Discussion in 'Oklahoma City Thunder' started by Casual, Jun 5, 2005.

  1. Casual

    Casual JBB First Team

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    Let's get some opinions. Let's assume that any player that both www.draftcity.com and www.nbadraft.net list as being taken before the Sonics' 25th pick in the draft is gone. That would mean the Sonics couldn't draft these players:

    Andrew Bogut
    Marvin Williams
    Chris Paul
    Gerald Green
    Ray Felton
    Deron Williams
    Antoine Wright
    Tiago Splitter
    Joey Graham
    Fran Vasquez
    Johan Petro
    Danny Granger
    Chris Taft
    Ike Diogu
    Hakim Warrick
    Sean May
    Charlie Villanueva
    Rudy Fernandez
    Andre Blatche
    Martell Webster

    Who would you want the Supes to draft, and why?
     
  2. Iron Shiek

    Iron Shiek Maintain and Hold It Down

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    Ryan Gomes.

    With the possibility of losing Vlad Radmanovic, Reggie Evans, and Damien Wilkins to free agency, I'd like to draft a versatile player that is capable of playing both forward positions.

    We've had success with playing players that aren't playing their natural position. Ryan Gomes doesn't really have a natural position, but he is capable of being effective at both spots. There aren't too many shooting guards that will be poised to play big minutes at pick 25 (or at any pick in this draft).

    Skilled players usually have long careers and I think that Gomes is an underrated player that could help us out immediately. Considering that we already have a "project w/ promise" in Bobby Swift, I don't think that we should draft strictly on potential in this draft--especially considering the gaping holes that we could have after July 1.
     
  3. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

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    I'm a fan of Gomes too, Shiek. Not sure about his upside as an NBA player, but he's the sort of guy who could make an absolute killing in Europe simply because he's such a smart basketball player. He's not going to blow you away with athleticism or physical gifts, but he's a guy who knows how to put the ball in the basket a number of different ways, and has stayed four years in college. You could do far worse at pick 25.

    I also like Kennedy Winston - he's not the world's greatest defender and I'm not sold completely on his work ethic, but he has the sort of shooting guard's game that translates to the pro game. A great shooter with range and a quick release, knows how to come off screens, use pump fakes and jab steps, etc. The potential to immediately contribute as a scorer off the bench.

    I like Tiras Wade too, but he'll probably be there in the second round.
     
  4. RiverspoonJones

    RiverspoonJones JBB Sonic Death Monkey

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    I guarantee that 1 to 3 of those guys slip to pick 25. It's just the way.

    On talent, I'd like to get - Wayne Simien, Julius Hodge, Andrew Bynum.

    Simien doesn't plug a need, but he'd easily be the most talented player on the board if he slipped to 25. As they say, you draft for talent, fill holes with free agency.

    If we lose AD we need a combo guard - Julius Hodge. This basically contradicts what I just said, but Hodge's talent is IMO worth a 20-25 pick, so nothing wrong here.

    Yeah, with Andrew Bynum we make the same pick as last year. But, a) he would be a Simien-esque steal and [​IMG] it goes along with my competition theory, either one or Swifty will fire up and take the spot.

    Further to the above, I would like to get hands on Sean Banks (NMock will tell you this). So, if we couldn't get him with our 2nd rounder perhaps a trade up? One things for sure, there will be a fair few 2nd rounders playing on their team next year.
     
  5. Coolguy777

    Coolguy777 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Thats a lot of guys to rule out. But with Wayne Simien still on board I just dont know if we could pass on him. Hes such a polished and solid player. Also, while you could point out we have Collision at pf and also Fortson remember that Fortson played probably 90% of his minutes as the center (if not higher then that) and Collision played a fair amount of time at center as well. So I could easily see a lineup with Collision and Simien (a very solid lineup might I add). As for the 2nd round id like to take another big 12 guy (yes I watch more big 12 basketabll then anything else so I am bias) but Steven Graham has been doing well in camps (according to draftcity) and I always thought when he played at osu he seemed exacly like Joey graham..just not quite as good, but with basically the same tools. Getting him out of his brothers shadow may be huge for him.
     
  6. 44Thrilla

    44Thrilla cuatro cuatro

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Ryan Gomes.</div>To think that he may slip into the second is sad. If you guys pick him at 25, he'll still be the steal of the draft. His game doesn't have any big holes and he's NBA ready. He'd fit very well on the Supes, and it sure would make me happy being a fan of his already.

    P.S. Once again, Iron Shiek proves that he is the most intelligent person that posts at this forum.
     
  7. Casual

    Casual JBB First Team

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    I myself would go for David Lee. I think the Sonics need athleticism on the frontline, and while I'd rather have a swingman, there isn't one worth taking at 25 that warrants a reach. While Lee won't have the rebounding tools of Reggie, he might bring some of that same energy with some actual offensive skills.

    I don't know enough about Gomes to say whether he'd be a good pick or not. He always seemed like the type of guy who could be a good bench player but nothing more.

    I'd love to be able to take somebody like Bynum or Randolph Morris but Nate can't handle projects like that. A headcase would fall apart in an unstructured like Seattle.
     
  8. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

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    Seems like there may be some value in the second round as well.

    Guys like Daniel Ewing and Will Conroy are probably around when we select first in the second round, and while we would probably rather an experienced point to back up Luke, there's no harm in giving them minutes in summer league and seeing what they can bring to the table. Ewing in particular seems like an AD type, obviously less polished.

    Then of course there's Super Nate, who would ensure a sell-out at the Key every home game.
     
  9. Casual

    Casual JBB First Team

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    I take credit for everything Nick just said.
     
  10. Roland Hood

    Roland Hood JBB JustBBall Member

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    I think it'd be interesting if at 48 we had our choice of Conroy or Nate...

    Supposedly Conroy's performed well in some of the various combines, I think at the beginning of the year the idea of him being drafted was a bit far fetched but he turned some heads with his toughness and smarts and he hit some big shots for the UW this year.

    I don't know what to think of Nate, lately. As a change of pace guy and potential 'Boykins-killer' he'd be good to have but to me he had a really disappointing season, I didn't see the much ballyhoo'd blow by quickness, I think he's more fast than quick.
     
  11. Xman

    Xman JBB JustBBall Member

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    I like Julius Hodge. He can play both gaurd spots and is a proven talent. I also heard that Hodge has dramatically improved his shot which was one of his biggest weaknesses at NC State. He'll be a good backup sg and will also be able to play the point at times. I also like Gomes, Winston, and Garcia (in that order).

    What I would really like for the Sonics to do is trade down. You'll be able to get someone of equal talent at 25 as you will at 35, even one of the four that I mentioned earlier. and we might be able to grab a veteran backup in the process.

    A few players I like in the 2nd round:
    Sean banks
    Daniel Ewing
    Kelenna Azuibuike
    John Gilchrist
    Tiras Wade, I was reading up on him Pwn3d! and he seems to have a great work ethic not to mention a great shot.
     
  12. Iron Shiek

    Iron Shiek Maintain and Hold It Down

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    A name that may surface as a late second round pick--NAIA player of the year Robert Whaley.

    He is a 6'10" transfer from Cincinnati that I saw absolutely manhandle folks in NAIA. In the conference championship game I watched him score an easy 39 points on 17-22 shooting. Very talented post player, but his work ethic is sh*t and he has a checkered past.

    He's been invited to Chicago and I'm sure that teams will be enamored with his scoring ability. He was a top five prospect coming out of high school before he had some run ins w/ the law. Typical Cincinnati player, but has more skills than most of Huggins recent post players.

    Don't be surprised if he sneaks up on some people's boards. Sonics suite members have heard me talk about him for a while.
     
  13. Bodiddly14

    Bodiddly14 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Wade is going to be a great NBA player... A 6th man most likely but he would be a great pick in the 2nd round. You need a bench to win championships and if the kid has a good work ethic thats even better!
     
  14. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

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    I am still bemused as to why Wade isn't in Chicago - surely he wouldn't have any sort of guarantee as to not go? I guess maybe he feels he has no shot at cracking the end of the first round, and someone in the early-to-mid second has given him a promise.

    He is 23 (same as Garcia), but he has one of the more complete offensive games in the draft, he is great size for an NBA shooting guard, a picture perfect jumper and a super work ethic to match. He also averaged 20ppg on a team that went to the NCAA tourney and was more competitive against Louisville in the first round than just about anyone else they faced before losing in the FF.

    He will become a lesser Michael Redd or Flip Murray, just watch - a kid with the sort of scoring ability and mental toughness to make it in the pros as a second round steal.
     
  15. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

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    Also Shiek - I have seen Whaley mentioned in the same breath as Sean Banks recently; extremely talented players who have really hurt themselves with past discriminations. Hopefully he can put his head down and stick somewhere, whether it be Seattle or another team.
     
  16. Iron Shiek

    Iron Shiek Maintain and Hold It Down

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    The absolute sleeper in the draft, UTEP's Omar Thomas.

    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Scouting Report: Perhaps the most underrated talent in the nation ... A gritty slasher who thrives in the paint despite standing just 6-5 ... Can score off sheer will, he plays the game with incredible intensity and power ... Combined with his outstanding athleticism, he beats opponents to spots on the floor ... Consequently sets himself up to receive passes, score points and grab rebounds ... Has excellent touch from 13-feet in ... Often draws fouls, sending him to the charity stripe where he converts at a high accuracy rate ... Rarely commits turnovers, though he rarely passes the ball either ... A solid force on the glass.

    Stat Stuffer: Junior college single-game highs included an incredible 70 points and 36 rebounds. Had seven 20-point games as a UTEP junior. Eighth in the WAC in scoring, and second among newcomers behind Louisiana Tech's Paul Millsap.

    Fun Fact: Thomas' nickname is "O.T."</div>

    Omar Thomas Scouting Report

    I remember watching this young boy at UTEP earlier in the season and saying that this kid can really score. They didn't come on national television again and I didn't pay him as much mind as I should.

    Got a chance to look at some of the box scores from Chicago and this kid lit it up. He really went after his game considering how many shots he was able to put up. I looked at his season statistics and he averaged just under 21 points a game, shot over 50% from the field, and shot 85% from the line. He lit it up against Utah in the tournament too.

    Not to mention he is a Philly native from none other than Strawberry Mansion High School, I'm guessing that he doesn't back down from challenges.

    I don't know how high his stock is right now, but I think that we need to seriously take a look at him w/ our second round picks or maybe even our pick at #25. A 6'5" multi dimensional player that can put the ball in the hole consistently is a rarity for this year's draft.
     
  17. Roland Hood

    Roland Hood JBB JustBBall Member

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    This kid Thomas sounds like a keeper. And after reading this interview with Jawad Williams, I'd like to see us get Gomes, too.

    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You've been in workouts with guys like Ryan Gomes, Danny Granger or Hakim Warrick... Has any player impressed you in particular?

    JW: All of the players you mentioned, they were all good. But if I had to pick one, I'd say the one that really impressed me was Ryan Gomes. Just how well he shoots, how athletic he is, how quick he is... I'd say Ryan Gomes. He's really good. But all of them are good.</div>
     
  18. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

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    Gomes is a sleeper for sure. Most are obsessed with those who are really athletic or long, but you can't teach a guy to understand the game like Gomes does, particularly offensively.
     
  19. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

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    Another guy I like, and has done himself no harm at all in Chicago, is Luther Head, particularly with a view to filling that third guard role in the likely scenario AD leaves.

    People often overlook the fact that Head played such a significant role in Illinois' season, with a lot of the publicity going to Deron Williams and Dee Brown, but Head was their leading scorer and played both backcourt spots and small forward in college.

    I think he only measured in at about 6'3, but I think he'd be able to log minutes at both guard spots like AD, and he is a decent scorer and a very good defender. Definately value at 25.
     
  20. Roland Hood

    Roland Hood JBB JustBBall Member

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    Found this info on Head

    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Luther Head ranked as the most athletic point guard in camp. Will Bynum took the award for the 2-guards. Joey Graham won for 3s, David Lee for 4s and Marcin Gortat for centers.

    Ellis was the worst ranked guard in camp at either position. Ilyasova finished last among small forwards while Taylor Coppenrath was last for power forwards and Luke Schenscher finished at the bottom of the heap for centers.

    On the individual test front, Will Bynum recorded the highest one-step vertical jump at 40? inches. Gerald Green and Ronnie Price tied for second at 39 inches, followed by Luther Head at 38?. Chris Paul and Hakim Warrick rounded out the top-five, each launching a 38-inch leap.</div>

    Impressive athlete to go along with his skills and gamesmanship?

    Now I want Gomes, Thomas and Head! One things for sure we should definitely be able to find a quality player at 25.
     

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