This thread is long overdue considering the situation the Grizzlies have found themselves in with a talented roster but the worst record in the league. It's pretty clear at this point that the Grizzlies will get a top four or five pick, but who the Grizzlies wind up with is still unseen, so here are some questions I have for our readers/posters - 1) If the Grizzlies wound up with the #1 pick, do you think they'd take Greg Oden or Kevin Durant? While Kevin Durant will develop into a superstar and maybe even a better player than Oden, the Grizzlies cannot afford to pass up someone with Oden's defensive abilities and size, because those are exactly the attributes which they're lacking at the moment. Gasol's offense with Oden's defense would make for the most imposing frontcourt in the NBA and would probably put the Grizzlies back in the playoff picture in the West. 2) If the Grizzlies wind up with the #4 pick, do you take Al Horford, Yi Jianlian, Roy Hibbert, or someone else? I think the way to go right now would be Al Horford, simply because of the way he compliments Gasol, bringing strength and a defensive presence to the Grizzlies' frontline. Yi Jianlian could wind up having the better pro career, but he's a player who resembles Gasol too much, a length four with great athleticism but problems on the defensive end of the floor. 3) What about if the Grizzlies wind up with the #5 pick? In the unlikely scenario that the Grizzlies wind up with the fifth pick and Oden, Durant, Wright, and Horford are all off the board, then I would probably go with Mike Conley, Jr. (if he declares), simply because the best available big men, like Jianlian, Hibbert, and Noah, are not the defensive assets that the Grizzlies need in the post, and unless they can fill that need, I think it's more important that the Grizzlies draft a point guard who can run the offense with poise, something that their current vetern point guards Damon Stoudamire and Chucky Atkins have trouble doing.
You'd take Conley over Noah who's got good inside D or Spencer Hawes who is being forgotten because of a late season injury. IMO Conley would be a reach here and the Grizz could use one of the big men left even if it don't help them, then they could always trade Gasol for a guard that would help them. Kyle Lowry isn't all that bad either....
<div class="quote_poster">J_Ray Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You'd take Conley over Noah who's got good inside D or Spencer Hawes who is being forgotten because of a late season injury. IMO Conley would be a reach here and the Grizz could use one of the big men left even if it don't help them, then they could always trade Gasol for a guard that would help them. Kyle Lowry isn't all that bad either....</div> Well, if Hawes is out there, I'd take him with the #4 pick personally, but I was assuming that he won't be coming out. I don't want to see Joakim Noah in a Grizzlies uniform simply because I don't think he could contribute anything. Noah's not a center, he can't post up, and yet he can't play out on the wing because of his ugly shot mechanics (he shoots sideways) that just aren't effective. So where's he going to play, over Pau? That's not happening any time soon. I wouldn't say he's got good inside D either. He's blocked a lot of shots for Florida because of his length and athleticism, as well as the level of competition that he's played, but you saw the Ohio State game, right? Didn't you notice how every time Noah got switched on Oden he'd be backed in for an easy basket? I can't figure out if you're underestimating Gasol's worth or overrating the players that'll be on the board with the #5 pick in this year's draft. Make no mistake, the top three picks are all amazing players with All-Star potential, and even Al Horford seems like he'll be a servicable player on the next level, but after the top four, you don't really have the same quality of players that you've had in previous years. At least, not the quality of players that you'd want to trade your franchise player away to accomodate. The Grizzlies have Kyle Lowry, but he's not deserving of the starting job. Outside of him, they're rotating Chucky Atkins and Damon Stoudamire, two players who have never played defense in their life and have no idea what it means to pass the ball. Mike Conley, Jr. is exactly what the Grizzlies need. He's an amazing ball handler who can penetrate defenses and kick it out to the Grizzlies' underutilized, sharpshooting wings like Mike Miller. He also knows what it's like playing with a dominant big man, having played with Greg Oden throughout his high school career and during his brief stint with Ohio State.
Well, the Grizzlies got screwed and wound up with the #4 pick. I pretty much still agree with what I said back in early April - <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">2) If the Grizzlies wind up with the #4 pick, do you take Al Horford, Yi Jianlian, Roy Hibbert, or someone else? I think the way to go right now would be Al Horford, simply because of the way he compliments Gasol, bringing strength and a defensive presence to the Grizzlies' frontline. Yi Jianlian could wind up having the better pro career, but he's a player who resembles Gasol too much, a length four with great athleticism but problems on the defensive end of the floor.</div> The locals are talking about Corey Brewer, but why would you take a wing when you already have Rudy Gay and Mike Miller? The Grizzlies are set at pretty much every position except the four and the point. So really, guys like Brewer, J. Wright, and Green shouldn't even be in the conversation. It should really come down to Horford or Conley.
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Assuming the Hawks take Conley, the Grizzlies should take Brandan Wright.</div> Though I wouldn't be surprised if the Hawks took Conley I think they'd be better off taking Brandan Wright who is a great prospect but is being overshadowed by Oden and Durant. Wright has legit all-NBA talent, skills, athleticism, and hes a big which will always get the nod over a perimeter player. The Hawks also have another pick at 11 where they could take Conley if he slips or Law or Crittenton (or trade down lower to get the latter two and another piece). If the draft does go the way its projected to (and I agree with this way) of 1- Oden, 2- Durant, 3- B. Wright, I'd expect the Grizz to go with Conley, Horford or Spencer Hawes. I personally would go with Hawes as I think hes a great C prospect who is/would be a top 3 pick in a normal draft and coming off a healthy season. I think Hawes has the best chance of being a legit 20/10 guy to replace Pau with and a GREAT offensive player and anchor for a team. Hawes has great post moves, hes adept on the perimiter, and hes a great passer, his defense is just alright but he does a good job of making his presence felt with his size, length, and solid athleticism. The Grizz already have a couple of good young PFs as well with Warrick and a couple of bruisers who would look great alongside Hawes in Alexander Johnson and Lawrence Roberts. Horford wouldn't be a bad pick but IMO he doesn't have the potential to be a go-to post scorer. You can't go wrong with his athleticism, strength, length, defense, rebounding, adequate scoring, etc. but with Pau leaving they'll want another great offensive threat in the post and they already have a few young PFs who have similar games to Horford in Johnson and Lawrence. Horford is a great prospect but with Pau leaving and a great offensive C prospect available you have to take the C over the PF. Conley, again, wouldn't be a bad pick but if a guy like Hawes is there it would be hard to pass him up. You can't deny Conley's ability to run a team, make plays and contribute in scoring and defense but PG is much easier to acquire than a legit C. Granted not all PGs will be as good as Conley, they do have Kyle Lowry (who I love) as a young PG who can find the open man, penetrate and score, and D up with the best of them. Once again, if the C is there you have to take him and fill in the other holes later (they're trading Pau so theres a chance to get a good PG there). I don't think taking a swingman would be of much use either. The Grizz are doing fine there with Gay, Miller, Kinsey, and Jones and a SF at that position might be a bit of a reach.
