Say what you want about Chad Ford, but he does have sources re: the draft. And his sources on the Nets have given him a few scoops. He broke the VC trade on ESPN, was the first to say the Nets were going to take Sean Williams and Zoran Planinic. (Of course, he may now have sources on the Sixers). That said, his ESPN Insider list of Top 100, post early entry deadline, has some interesting stuff. First off, at #10, he has DeAndre Jordan of Texas A&M. At #21, he has Robin Lopez of Stanford and at #40, he has Victor Claver of Spain. I don't see the Nets taking three players 7'0, 7'0, and 6'11", but I do see one of the picks being a young European who the Nets can stash, and if Claver is still in the draft and still on the board at #40, DO IT! I doubt both. Beyond that, he has some interesting risers: Anthony Randolph the 6'11" forward out of LSU, he has at #6, much higher than anyone else. He quotes NBA scouts as saying he could go Top 5, based on potential. He also thinks Jordan could jump, but says teams are concerned about his work ethic. He also writes Kosta Koufos could go lottery, but adds he could be Darko Milicic. (Oh, the memories.) Russell Westbrook from UCLA he calls a sleeper; same with JaVale McGhee, but only has him at #18. Going the other way, he has Nicholas Batum, Roy Hibbert and Chris Douglas-Roberts all going late in the first round, after the Nets' second pick. He has Jason Thompson of Rider in the second round, along with Cal's two big men, Devon Hardin and Ryan Anderson. And Keith Brumbaugh is moving up to #48.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NetIncome @ May 2 2008, 07:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Say what you want about Chad Ford, but he does have sources re: the draft. And his sources on the Nets have given him a few scoops. He broke the VC trade on ESPN, was the first to say the Nets were going to take Sean Williams and Zoran Planinic. (Of course, he may now have sources on the Sixers). That said, his ESPN Insider list of Top 100, post early entry deadline, has some interesting stuff. First off, at #10, he has DeAndre Jordan of Texas A&M. At #21, he has Robin Lopez of Stanford and at #40, he has Victor Claver of Spain. I don't see the Nets taking three players 7'0, 7'0, and 6'11", but I do see one of the picks being a young European who the Nets can stash, and if Claver is still in the draft and still on the board at #40, DO IT! I doubt both. Beyond that, he has some interesting risers: Anthony Randolph the 6'11" forward out of LSU, he has at #6, much higher than anyone else. He quotes NBA scouts as saying he could go Top 5, based on potential. He also thinks Jordan could jump, but says teams are concerned about his work ethic. He also writes Kosta Koufos could go lottery, but adds he could be Darko Milicic. (Oh, the memories.) Russell Westbrook from UCLA he calls a sleeper; same with JaVale McGhee, but only has him at #18. Going the other way, he has Nicholas Batum, Roy Hibbert and Chris Douglas-Roberts all going late in the first round, after the Nets' second pick. He has Jason Thompson of Rider in the second round, along with Cal's two big men, Devon Hardin and Ryan Anderson. And Keith Brumbaugh is moving up to #48.</div> According to Ford; regarding Jordan: Similarities: Dwight Howard Yikes! Although I do remember that at the start of the NCAA season, Jordan went as high as #3 pick in many mock drafts. As the season went on, he has been slipping and now seems to be settled around the #8-#12 range. I would easily take him at #10 - it's a no-brainer if he's available.
that's a toughie...we can't pass on jordan's enormous potential but history says he will likely be a bust...i am almost hoping he is off the board when we pick...good thing we have another 1st rd pick...and already have 5 good big guys on the roster...
I don't think there is anything wrong with a DeAndre Jordan pick. Worst comes to worse, we use him in any part of a trade since he will only be 20 years old.
And also, we must get Nikola Pekovic with our 40th. http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/International-Blog/ Played better than Danilo Gallinari who is thought of as lottery talent.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JCB @ May 2 2008, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've said it in the past: stay as far away from DeAndre Jordan as possible.</div> I concur
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Universe @ May 2 2008, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think there is anything wrong with a DeAndre Jordan pick. Worst comes to worse, we use him in any part of a trade since he will only be 20 years old.</div> Except that if we had a 20 year old athletic 7'0" that was worth trading for...we would keep him. He's tall, he can jump really really high, but that doesn't mean he's great at basketball.
Pekovic has a 3 year contract with Panathinaikos next year, where he'll make about as much as this year's #1 pick. He also has apparently said some negative things about how he doesn't like the NBA. He's unlikely to come over.
I personally grade players on the impact they might have on a team. With that said, if available at #10 i would take Deandre Jordan. Unless theres someone else with a higher ceiling. How many players have been compared to "Superman"? Thats special in my eyes. So even if hes a bust, at least we did try. But imagine if he isnt and becomes a dominant force? Then well be kicking oursels in the nuts for a long time since hes barely 20. Bottom line if he is available, take him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I feel that Jordan is the next Al Jefferson.</div> I don't think DeAndre will ever be as polished, as Jefferson is in the post.
[video=youtube;RGW0zoGGpvQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGW0zoGGpvQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGW0zoGGpvQ[/video] I need some of this in my life
I wouldn't mind Hibbert at 21. Of course, I'd rather have Rush/CDR at 21. But Hibbert would add a dimension that we haven't had since we lost Nads - scoring from a big man. I'd take that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rimsh @ May 3 2008, 02:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>[video=youtube;RGW0zoGGpvQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGW0zoGGpvQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGW0zoGGpvQ[/video] I need some of this in my life</div> Ah yes, the famous box-out instructional video. Here, students, is what happens when you fail to box out effectively.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 3 2008, 04:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I wouldn't mind Hibbert at 21. Of course, I'd rather have Rush/CDR at 21. But Hibbert would add a dimension that we haven't had since we lost Nads - scoring from a big man. I'd take that.</div> Is Hibbert "Big Todd-The Sequel"? When I saw him last year, I thought that. Nice passer out of the post, has a little range. Not mobile, but a good BBIQ. He aint Sweetney, which of course will be the knock on him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NetIncome @ May 3 2008, 09:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 3 2008, 04:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I wouldn't mind Hibbert at 21. Of course, I'd rather have Rush/CDR at 21. But Hibbert would add a dimension that we haven't had since we lost Nads - scoring from a big man. I'd take that.</div> Is Hibbert "Big Todd-The Sequel"? When I saw him last year, I thought that. Nice passer out of the post, has a little range. Not mobile, but a good BBIQ. He aint Sweetney, which of course will be the knock on him. </div> Hasheem stays in school for another year. http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_9141655
This is the worst year for judging talent. Nobody is truely dominant other than Beasley and Rose while some guys can go from 10 to 21. Such a tough year to draft this low.
That's why you should package your two picks, and maybe a player, and either get a good veterten, or try to move up in the top 4.
