Ok, we have around eight hours until the draft starts, and probably nine until the Supes pick at 25. So, for a bit of fun before the draft, make your final predictions as to who the Supes will take at picks 25, 48 and 55. For the purposes of this exercise, we'll assume the team will hold onto all three selections. I've had a lot of time to think about it in the last 12 hours, and here are my picks: 25 - Kennedy Winston 48 - Brandon Bass 55 - Tre Simmons Over to you, people.
25th - I have this feeling Diogu will slip to them and Seattle won't pass up on him. 45 - I'm not too familiar with the second round but Nate Robinson is a local product. They should take him if available. 55 - Lucas Tischer is who they should get. Simply a big man to fill in the places of those that might leave.
25 - Wayne Simien: Gives them a big body that they'll need for next season. My first instinct would have been Chris Taft....but there is still the potential he could go before this. 45 - Brandon Bass 55- Tre Simmons: Just throwin' this one out there....
What I think we'll do (not necessarily what I'd like to see) 25 - Simien 48 - Nate 55 - Bass From reading the Seattle Times article this morning, Sund says they already have enough young players they're developing, so first 2 will be plug 'n play. I think Bass will be a pick for passing on Al Jefferson last year. I'd like to see us with some sexier picks like Gomes and Head somehow, although getting both would require that one slips to 48, which I doubt. But I think we need to get a tad more athletic, get some guys that can get a shot with the clock winding down, slash to the hoop and D up mano a mano. With both Flip and AD almost certainly gone we'll be thin in the 2-3 position. I'm not sold on Wilkins as a full time contributor yet.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">What I think we'll do (not necessarily what I'd like to see)</div> Pretty much what I'm aiming for here - we all know by now which players we want, but what we want as fans isn't going to come into the equation. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But I think we need to get a tad more athletic, get some guys that can get a shot with the clock winding down, slash to the hoop and D up mano a mano.</div> You've pretty much describe Luther Head to a T. I think he'd be a super fit in Seattle, but strong word is Houston are enamoured with him, and they're not even sure he'll get to 24. That said, there's about 35 players supposedly going in the first round, so who knows. If Head goes earlier, then it just means another player slips toward 25. I found it interesting you picked Simien too. Apparently he shunned a workout in Seattle because he felt we were too stakced at the PF position, but I read a quote this morning somewhere that rings very true (it may have been Frank Hughes actually) - a team like Seattle will always need rebounders.
He could play center in the West - Yao is the only true center left on our side of the league. Our free agency situation really mucks up the equation. Interestingly, I read in the PI today that our scouting dept. is highly respected around the NBA http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/230358_sonx28.html So I guess I have to feel confident that we'll make some smart selections (I notice it only covered 1998-2002 ) This quote caught my eye: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The No. 1 thing is how athletic are they," said Steve Rosenberry, Sonics director of college scouting. "If you're a non-athlete, it's hard to play in our league."</div> So that may give a hint as to what we'll do when it gets to choosing between 2 guys. Also, to me it indicates that Swift must have some skills for his position; on FSN last night Sund said that he has the 'respect factor' from his teammates already, and Ray Allen told him that he believed he was going to be a good player in this league.
I think they'll make the Atlanta trade, but..... 25: Kennedy Winston 48: Lawrence Roberts 55: Will Conroy
Just for fun, Chad Ford's final selections on Insider: 25: Jarrett Jack (ahead of Head and Blatche, two guys I'd prefer) 48: Angelo Gigli 55: Amir Johnson (Good pick with a development league in place)
1. Kennedy Winston with Flip likely out, Winston is a guy who could step right in and contribute in the Sonics' system. 2. Dwayne Jones a lot of people don't like him, but I think he'd be a good pick for the Sonics; he's a true 5 who can defend, rebound and block shots 3. Tre Simmons why not go with a hometown guy who can light it up from outside? this is all assuming they don't trade, obviously...
25. Chris Taft 48. Brandon Bass 55. Will Conroy We won't pass on Taft if he slips. Worked out Bass. Conroy is the local product.
It seems to me that the Sonics have plenty at the 4 spot with Fortson and Reggie. Do they really need another undersized project in Bass?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Schaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">It seems to me that the Sonics have plenty at the 4 spot with Fortson and Reggie. Do they really need another undersized project in Bass?</div> Reggie may be gone, as well as Jerome James... so the picking of a post player with this pick is strictly for backup in case those guys leave. They could easily go with a guard here but I think with another pick in the 2nd, there are more good guards available than bigmen so they should go with a foeward first.
Latest I have heard: David Locke says the Sonics will not take Taft or Simien if either is there at 25. He also claims Seattle's top three is Jack, Ukic and Hodge in that order, and Nate may be a possibility if all three are off the board. At 25, a lot will depend on who slips and what first round surprises happen I guess.
25. Luther Head, we are most likely losing Flip and AD well heres your replacement 48. Brandon Bass, one of the only big men that we worked out 55. Tre Simmons, did great in Chicago and is a local product Two other names that Locke mentioned where Head and M. Andriuskevicius.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Xman:</div><div class="quote_post"> From what I've read the Sonics are quite high on Head.</div> I have my fingers crossed with him, would be a super fit and the steal of the first round. I also heard the Martynas thing, but that Locke expects him to be gone by 25 (I hope so anyway).
