The Grizzlies were screwed over in the lottery, again. Beasley and Lopez would have been ideal for the franchise, but it looks like they'll both be gone by #5. Lopez is the obvious pick if available, but with the Timberwolves needing more help in the post, it looks like the Grizzlies could be choosing between Bayless, Mayo, Randolph, Gordon, Love, Gallinari, or Jordan with one player of that group being off the table after the Sonics pick. The only players out of that group who fit a need for the Grizzlies are Randolph, Love, and Jordan, and all three might be stretches at #5. Personally, I'd advocate trading the pick, possibly a few steps down to a team like Milwaukee, maybe acquiring one of their post players while dumping Cardinal's salary on them in the process. Any thoughts?
I'd like to continue and compliment your post by saying I'd love it if the Nets traded 10 and 21 to move up and take OJ Mayo. That's around the spot where many mocks have Mayo coming off the board, so I'd like to imagine that the Grizz are one of the teams that Kikipedia calls up.
Mayo's who I'd take, but the Grizz have Mike Conley Jr. and Crittendon already. Is Mayo a giant improvement over either? Probably not.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I'd like to continue and compliment your post by saying I'd love it if the Nets traded 10 and 21 to move up and take OJ Mayo. That's around the spot where many mocks have Mayo coming off the board, so I'd like to imagine that the Grizz are one of the teams that Kikipedia calls up.</div> That'd definitely be consistent with the Grizzlies' rebuilding philosophy. They've made a lot of moves for youth and potential, and they definitely have a lot of open space in their roster. However, moving all the way down to #10 might be too big of a risk as far as getting Randolph or Love if they could just work something out with Los Angeles or Milwaukee instead. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane @ May 21 2008, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Mayo's who I'd take, but the Grizz have Mike Conley Jr. and Crittendon already. Is Mayo a giant improvement over either? Probably not.</div> Don't forget Kyle Lowry too, arguably the best of the trio of point guards the Grizzlies have. There are only two ways I can see Mayo working. The first would be trading Mike Miller, but I'm not sure he has that high of a trade value, with his productivity on the decline. The second scenario would be if the Grizzlies were to go small, playing Mayo and Crittenton at the 2, moving Miller to the 3, and sliding Gay to the 4.
I have the Grizzlies picking up Kevin Love, though trading to rid of Cardinal's inflated contract is a better idea.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 21 2008, 11:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'd like to continue and compliment your post by saying I'd love it if the Nets traded 10 and 21 to move up and take OJ Mayo. That's around the spot where many mocks have Mayo coming off the board, so I'd like to imagine that the Grizz are one of the teams that Kikipedia calls up.</div> Replace Mayo w/ Eric Gordon and I'm with you, Jigga.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (M Two One @ May 21 2008, 10:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I have the Grizzlies picking up Kevin Love, though trading to rid of Cardinal's inflated contract is a better idea.</div> With the way that Kevin Love tested athletically, I'm with you M. I really didn't know the guy was such an athlete, but he wound up testing better than guys like Darrell Arthur and Anthony Randolph. Here are some of his stats - No-step Vert: 29.5" (Anthony Randolph - 29.0", Darrell Arthur - 28.5", Brook Lopez - 27.5", DeAndre Jordan - 26.0") Running Vert: 35.0" (Anthony Randolph - 35.0", DeAndre Jordan - 30.5", Brook Lopez - 30.5", Darrell Arthur - 30.0") Bench Reps: 18 (Darrell Arthur - 12, DeAndre Jordan - 8, Brook Lopez - 7, Anthony Randolph - 7) Lane Agility: 11.17 seconds (Anthony Ranolph - 11.86s, Darrell Arthur - 12.18s, DeAndre Jordan - 12.30s, Brook Lopez - 12.77s) 3/4 Court Sprint: 3.22 seconds (Darrell Arthur - 3.14s, Anthony Randolph - 3.26s, DeAndre Jordan - 3.27s, Brook Lopez - 3.57s) As you see, compared to the other four big men that'll probably be available around #5, Love actually tested far and away the best athletically. He's strong and quick. He even tested just under Michael Beasley athletically, equalling him in the running vert tests and testing barely below him in every other tests. With that all said, it's hard for me to buy the argument any longer that he won't fit in the Grizzlies' system athletically. You also have to consider that recently Jared Bayless refused to workout for the Grizzlies, and it's rumored that O.J. Mayo and Brook Lopez will do the same. It seems like if the Grizzlies keep the #5 pick, their man is Love.
I don't make big deal out of combine number, it don't test how athletic you are after being gassed, nor does it test your explosiveness, and just cause you athletic in a combine, doesn't mean your athletic in games.Amare Stoudamire had similar combine numbers to Love, but lets be serious are they even comparable in that aspect.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ Jun 7 2008, 02:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Amare Stoudamire had similar combine numbers to Love, but lets be serious are they even comparable in that aspect.</div> Maybe they are. Love has apparently been busting his ass 110% on getting more athletic and in shape since UCLA's season ended. Like most people, I was more than impressed with his actual basketball abilities than his physical abilities and was seeing him as a poorman's Elton Brand heading into this year's draft (I know... common comparison, but it's dead-on), so seeing these jaw-dropping combine stats is extremely encouraging. I mean, what was the one thing that was holding him in the #6-10 range and not the #1-5 range in this year's draft? Athleticism. Height was a factor, true... but it was his supposed lack of athleticism that held him back more than anything. His actual abilities didn't really come into play with his draft stock being too low. It's no coincidence that now he's been vaulted to #5 in all the major mocks (ESPN, DraftExpress, NBADraft.Net) since the combine and has even been rumored to be McHale's target at #3, as well as the Sonics' at #4.
I still think Minnesota is picking Mayo at #3 so there is a chance Brooks will be still around at #5. Even if he doesn't come in for a visit that won't stop someone from drafting him. Brooks said he wasn't coming in to see Minnesota as well, yet he was there workingout for two days. Yi did the same thing last year and he's still with the Bucks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ Jun 7 2008, 03:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I still think Minnesota is picking Mayo at #3 so there is a chance Brooks will be still around at #5. Even if he doesn't come in for a visit that won't stop someone from drafting him. Brooks said he wasn't coming in to see Minnesota as well, yet he was there workingout for two days. Yi did the same thing last year and he's still with the Bucks.</div> Yi was a special case though. The reason he wasn't working out had to do with his government. I think that Brook's stock is slipping ridiculously because of his poor combine results. It's even rumored that his brother Robin didn't workout in the combine so that Brook's stats wouldn't be diminished by his brother's superior performances. Bottom line, at this point, I'd be surprised if the Grizzlies took Lopez over Love at #5. The only issue keeping Love from being their initial projected pick was his "lack of athleticism," etc., which he disproved at the combine.
Your right on that account, Love did show alot at the combine. But the one thing that Brooks still has going for him is his Height and length. From his individual workout with the Wolves the things that McHale did like were the fact that he is a legit 7 footer with 7+ wingspan and standing 9'5" reach. not to mention that he has 3 range...not consistent but he does have the range without forcing it. On the other note, I've always liked the thought of drafting Robin more than Brooks. He's more athletic and more defense minded with better rebounding skills. I've been preaching about Minnesota taking thier two 2nd rounders and a potential 1st rounder for next year...or maybe McCants or exp. contract to move into late teens/early 20's to pick up Robin. He could help Big Al inside while Mayo can help solve Minnesota's perimeter problem
Brooks is supposedly a scorer first and foremost, but he was very inefficient for having another big man on his team.
IMO if Love is there its got to be Love at 5. I, however, do believe the rumors that McHale is in love with Love and will take him 3rd. Lopez maybe is a better fit if you're talking about moving Al Jefferson to his natural PF spot but like someone else mentioned hes more of a scorer and the rest of his game isn't very developed. Hes not the toughest guy in the paint, tested out as the slowest in both lane agility and 3/4 court sprint, IMO his shotblocking won't carry over well at all into the NBA, he rebounded well in college but I think it was mostly due to his height and good hands, I didn't actually see good instincts, positioning, boxing out, etc., and hes not a good defender. Also I don't even think Lopez' scoring will carry over. He only has a couple go-to moves in the post and they're not very polished or fundamentally sound. His release point on his shots from the post is pretty low (around his head) and the moves are just obscure and awkward. Hes obviously got good touch but I just don't think he'll be able to lob up those sloppy flip shots with such ease in the league. For the Grizz, Love is a no brainer at 5. They need a PF, Love actually wants to be there, he fits in well between Rudy Gay and Darko Milicic, hes got a nice all around game and should be ready to play day one. As for all the top prospects who don't want to play for the Grizz, I wouldn't rule thme out of Memphis. Baron Davis refused to workout for Charlotte because he wanted to be taken by the Clippers, Charlotte still drafted him. Same with Yi. Teams have a ton of tape on these guys and ultimately that is the best gauge of talent, workouts really aren't that important. Memphis can take whoever they want and the player basically has zero leverage. This isn't the NFL where rookies make their own contracts and whatnot. The team can play hardball for a month and the player will give in easily.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Jun 7 2008, 11:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Brooks is supposedly a scorer first and foremost, but he was very inefficient for having another big man on his team.</div> please, the only thing Robin waz good for waz dirty work.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ Jun 7 2008, 10:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Jun 7 2008, 11:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Brooks is supposedly a scorer first and foremost, but he was very inefficient for having another big man on his team.</div> please, the only thing Robin waz good for waz dirty work. </div> Well, if rebounding and blocking shots is considered dirty work, them bring it on...Id love a hustle guy that plays defense and doesn't have to score to help the team out
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Run BJM @ Jun 7 2008, 12:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>IMO if Love is there its got to be Love at 5. I, however, do believe the rumors that McHale is in love with Love and will take him 3rd. Lopez maybe is a better fit if you're talking about moving Al Jefferson to his natural PF spot but like someone else mentioned hes more of a scorer and the rest of his game isn't very developed. Hes not the toughest guy in the paint, tested out as the slowest in both lane agility and 3/4 court sprint, IMO his shotblocking won't carry over well at all into the NBA, he rebounded well in college but I think it was mostly due to his height and good hands, I didn't actually see good instincts, positioning, boxing out, etc., and hes not a good defender. Also I don't even think Lopez' scoring will carry over. He only has a couple go-to moves in the post and they're not very polished or fundamentally sound. His release point on his shots from the post is pretty low (around his head) and the moves are just obscure and awkward. Hes obviously got good touch but I just don't think he'll be able to lob up those sloppy flip shots with such ease in the league. For the Grizz, Love is a no brainer at 5. They need a PF, Love actually wants to be there, he fits in well between Rudy Gay and Darko Milicic, hes got a nice all around game and should be ready to play day one. As for all the top prospects who don't want to play for the Grizz, I wouldn't rule thme out of Memphis. Baron Davis refused to workout for Charlotte because he wanted to be taken by the Clippers, Charlotte still drafted him. Same with Yi. Teams have a ton of tape on these guys and ultimately that is the best gauge of talent, workouts really aren't that important. Memphis can take whoever they want and the player basically has zero leverage. This isn't the NFL where rookies make their own contracts and whatnot. The team can play hardball for a month and the player will give in easily.</div> I don't think McHale is in that much love with Love (or Brooks for that matter). I still think the pick here is Mayo. The fan polls in Minnesota have the fans wanting Mayo by 65% to the next closest (Brooks) 21%. Minnesoat needs to address their slacking ticket sales and no one would help this cause more than drafting Mayo. Mayo brings star-power (ie; hype and intrigue) not to mention someone our slasher can kickout to and make their own shots. There are viable big men at the bottom of the first round (if Minny trades up) or even in the early 2nd round to fill the Wolves' needs there (Hibbert, Koufos,Robin, Jawai, Pekovic, Dorsey, DJ White or Hendrix)
If they take Mayo, do they admit that Randy Foye is a bust? They're both combo score-first guards. Al Jefferson is a good offensive post player, but he's horrible at defending the post. They also don't have anyone capable of defending the perimeter effectively, which leaves Minny with poor defense in almost every area. Corey Brewer was known as a versatile defender, but he hasn't lived up to his expectations yet. If he does improve, Minny will still need to pair him with another good defender. Which means they need either a : 1) True point guard with a good mid-range game, excellent lateral movement and quick feet on defense. or 2) A quick, long and physical post defender who is good at boxing out and chasing rebound and possibly has soft hands. This draft doesn't really have either of these. Taking Brook would be silly. He's a lot like Jefferson except with a lot less polish. Kevin Love had an excellent showing in the measurements camp and can fit the bill for being quick, versatile and tough.. but he's not a great defender. Taking Mayo would still leave them with horrible defense, even if by some magic Foye and Mayo could co-exist. Just a bad draft for Minny.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Astral @ Jun 9 2008, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Corey Brewer was known as a versatile defender, but he hasn't lived up to his expectations yet.</div> He was a rookie last year.
