I saw a few people who wanted to know how Colangelo drafted and what type of players he likes, so I decided to write up a summary and my thoughts on it. <u><font color=""Navy"">DRAFT HISTORY</font></u> 2005 PG <u>Nate Robinson </u>(21st pick) - traded to NY with Quentin Richardson for Kurt Thomas. C <u>Marcin Gortat</u> (57th pick) 2004 SF <u>Luol Deng</u> (7th pick) - traded to CHI for a future 1st round pick, Jackson Vroman, and cash 2003 SF/PF <u>Zarko Cabarkapa </u>(17th pick) PG <u>Leandrinho Barbosa</u>(28th pick) - traded a future 1st round pick for the 28th pick 2002 PF <u>Amare Stoudemire</u> (9th pick) SG <u>Casey Jacobsen</u> (22nd pick) 2001 PF <u>Alton Ford</u> (51st pick) 2000 C <u>Jake Tsakalidis</u> (25th overall pick) 1999 SF <u>Shawn Marion</u> (9th pick) 1998 SF- <u>Pat Garrity </u>(19th pick) - traded Steve Nash to MIL for the 19th pick, Martin Muursepp, Bubba Wells, and a 1999 1st round pick. 1997 SG <u>Stephen Jackson</u> (43rd pick) 1996 PG <u>Steve Nash</u>(15th pick) SF <u>Russ Millard</u> (39th pick) SF <u>Ben Davis</u> (43rd pick) 1995 SG <u>Michael Finley</u> (21st pick) SF <u>Mario Bennett</u> (27th pick) SF <u>Chris Carr</u> (56th pick) As you can see, Colangelo's been money in the lottery, choosing Marion, Stoudemire, and Deng. He's been very good at selecting guards and all of his teams have had a strong PG. His PF and C selections are more of a crapshoot. Colangelo's not hesitant to choose European players either, as in the 2003 draft, where both his selections were European. When he makes draft-day trades however, he's made some mistakes. He traded Nash for a bunch of players, including Garrity, which turned out to be a bust. Deng turned out to be a more talented player than he probably thought, but that trade can't be judged until Phoenix uses that future 1st rounder. He's definitely shrewd with the draft, and he'll trade his pick if he feels its a weak draft or none of the players meet any needs.
Thanks Chutney, your right that his guard selections (and even SF to an extent) seem to be his best(sans Amare), and also are his most numerous selections. Judging by the way this draft is shaping up, it seems that we will end getting someone from the 1 (if we trade down) ,2, or 3 position most likely. Do you think Colangelo's draft decision will be influenced by the coach he chooses (if he keeps Sam Mitchell or gets someone else)?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drake Remoray:</div><div class="quote_post">Do you think Colangelo's draft decision will be influenced by the coach he chooses (if he keeps Sam Mitchell or gets someone else)?</div>I think Colangelo brings in people according to his coach. I'm not sure of any of the coaches before D'Antoni (Frank Johnson, Danny Ainge, Cotton Fitzsimmons). However, with D'Antoni, he's brought in versatile, athletic players that fit in with a free-flowing, moving offense (Diaw, Nash, Cabarkapa, Barbosa). I suppose, since Mitchell's team relies a lot on iso's and ball movement, he'll go after an athletic guard that shoots well and is athletic. A Rudy Gay, Rodney Carney, Brandon Roy, or Ronnie Brewer all fit that profile. However, I think he's going to make it a priority to find a smart, pass-first point guard. Its been important in all his other teams. Whether he decides to go after a Rajon Rondo or Marcus Williams, or addresses it in free agency is still to be determines. I don't think Mike James will be in the long-term plans though.
Quick correction... In the 2003 draft, Colangelo didn't pick two Europeans. He got one European(Cabarkapa) and one Brazilian(Barbosa).
chutney nice post but i think you can also add that he is pretty decent with late 1st round and 2nd round too? finley 21st, stephen jackson 43 barbosa 28th tsakalidis at 25th...well...actually he is coming along in memphis before being injured htat is true big men are hard to find and tsakalidis is not exactly white bateer anyways, good post man
