what current GM makes magic? Despite last years Balkman ordeal(which I can argue to a certain extent why he didnt draft Marcus Williams), Isiah Thomas has always been able to point out talent and get them. Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby and Tracy McGrady from Toronto. And very solid players Channing Frye, David Lee, Nate Robinson and Renaldo Balkman(okay, he should have never been picked in 1st rnd, but I think he energy and his defense is going to help NY later on).
I agree with Thomas. He's a terrible GM and coach but if I needed a talent scout, he'd be my man. Renaldo Balkman was a nice draft choice imo over Marcus Williams. Those who say he should have picked Marcus need to look at the Knicks roster and how he would fit. That's a worse choice.
thank you, why would you add ANOTHER pg to the roster when you have Francis, Robinson, Marbury, and you can even throw Jamal Crawford in the mix.
Danny Ainge is one of the best in the business with evaluating talent and getting the best bang for your buck at whatever pick. Gerald Green just slipped, Danny took him as a no-brainer, but there are others: He absolutely stole Ryan Gomes at 50th, Al Jefferson at 15, Rajon Rondo at 21. He gets undrafted Allan Ray who has proven that he should have been picked in the 2nd round, Kendrick Perkins at 27 wasn't that bad either (when Perk is healthy, he's very serviceable). Even Orien Greene at 52 or 53 was a solid pick based on the position. Nobody knew about Orien, Ainge picked him, and he's a good defender that could possibly develop into a decent rotational player.I think Ainge is up there, without question.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz @ Feb 27 2007, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hes one of the best, but in your opinion...who is the best?</div>Like I said, as far as evaluating talent and getting the best bang for your buck at any pick, or a draft day steals, I think Ainge may very well be the best. I have to agree with Isiah being one of the top guys as well, but I would trust Ainge with any pick at any spot as well.I'd probably put Ainge at #1 with Bryan Colangelo and Isiah Thomas coming right behind him.
I'd like to add Donnie Nelson and R.C. Buford as other guys who scout well on draft night. Both teams work with high picks but tend to find gems/key role players with them.
As stupid as he is in all other aspects, Billy King is a smart drafter. He got us Korver, Green, Iggy, Carney, Williams for the future.
Nobody gives Joe Dumars draft day credit anymore, after the horrendous 2003 class. But, look at this resume:2001-Mehmet Okur, pick 382002-Tayshaun Prince, pick 222005-Jason Maxiell, pick 262005-Amir Johnson, pick 56
Chris Mullin:2004: 11: Andris Biedrins2005: 40: Monta Ellis42: Chris TaftMonta and Biedrins make up for all bad picks.
lol don't bring up Bryan Colangelo. Along with Amare and Marion, he also got Tskaslsdisks, Alton Ford, Casey Jacobson, and Zarko Chalupa, not to mention Nate and Luol, who he traded.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Chris Mullin:2004: 11: Andris Biedrins2005: 40: Monta Ellis42: Chris Taft</div>Taft is no longer in the league.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Nobody gives Joe Dumars draft day credit anymore, after the horrendous 2003 class. But, look at this resume:2001-Mehmet Okur, pick 382002-Tayshaun Prince, pick 222005-Jason Maxiell, pick 262005-Amir Johnson, pick 56</div>Amir Johnson?
Yeah, almost any GM can get three solid players....but Isiah got a allstar, and two shouldve been allstars(Soudamire:20 and 9 first two seasons...and Camby). Theres other hes gotten as well. But just about everybody he drafts, they all turn out to be either very good role players, or stars.
As long as Kevin O'Conner only has second round picks he does great. he's drafted Jarron Collins(#51), Mo Williams(#47), CJ Miles(#34), Dee Brown(#46), Paul Millsap(#47). however his first round picks except for Williams and Brewer have all been dudes. wonderful picks like DeShawn Stevenson, Raul Lopez, Ryan Humphry, Sasha Povlovic,Kris Humphries, Kirk Snyder, Pavel Podkolzine.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Big Smitty @ Feb 27 2007, 06:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>As stupid as he is in all other aspects, Billy King is a smart drafter. He got us Korver, Green, Iggy, Carney, Williams for the future.</div>Yeah and he should trade all of them except Iggy.Maybe Carney, L Williams also.Korver can't do crap, but shoot his D is worse then I have no idea what.Green sometimes he does aight other times he is awful.
Chris Mullin is up there:2001:#5 - J-rich#14 - Murphy#30 - Arenas2003:Mickael Pietrus2004:#11 - Andris Biedrins2005:#9 - Ike Diogu#40 - Monta EllisThe Arenas and Ellis steals were great; getting future 25+ ppg scorers in the second round. However they were probably counterbalanced by the godawful dungleavy pick and POB pick. Still, he has drafted his share of talent over the years.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz @ Feb 27 2007, 04:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>what current GM makes magic? Despite last years Balkman ordeal(which I can argue to a certain extent why he didnt draft Marcus Williams), Isiah Thomas has always been able to point out talent and get them. Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby and Tracy McGrady from Toronto. And very solid players Channing Frye, David Lee, Nate Robinson and Renaldo Balkman(okay, he should have never been picked in 1st rnd, but I think he energy and his defense is going to help NY later on).</div> Your giving Isiah Thomas way too much credit. In Toronto he had high picks and picked obvious talents. Damon Stoudamire was an NCAA 1st Team All-American the year he was drafted, Marcus Camby was NCAA Player of the Year when he was the 2nd pick...Tracy McGrady obviously had tons of talent and was a 'risky' pick, he worked out....I just don't see what Thomas has done that's so great.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tHe_pEsTiLeNcE @ Feb 28 2007, 12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Chris Mullin is up there:2001:#5 - J-rich#14 - Murphy#30 - Arenas2003:Mickael Pietrus2004:#11 - Andris Biedrins2005:#9 - Ike Diogu#40 - Monta EllisThe Arenas and Ellis steals were great; getting future 25+ ppg scorers in the second round. However they were probably counterbalanced by the godawful dungleavy pick and POB pick. Still, he has drafted his share of talent over the years.</div> Chris Mullin has been your GM since 2004.
John Paxon anybody?Kirk Hinrich (7)Matt Bonner (45)Ben Gordon (3)Luol Deng (7)Chris Duhon (39)Tyrus Thomas (4)Thabo Sefolosha (13)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Feb 28 2007, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>John Paxon anybody?Kirk Hinrich (7)Matt Bonner (45)Ben Gordon (3)Luol Deng (7)Chris Duhon (39)Tyrus Thomas (4)Thabo Sefolosha (13)</div> He's done a good job picking up good charactor guys from good schools, although Tyrus Thomas could be a huge mistake. I'd like to see what he'd do without lottery picks over a longer period of time, that's what makes a great GM.
