Steal of the draft definitly is Jameer Nerlson. You can't let a top NCAA Player of the Year go down to 20, which is why Denver drafted him (too go along with other reasons). When you think of it he couldn't really have been drafted at any other spots beside a few. Top 7 was out of the question. Toronto, well they decided to go big, because they believe its harder to find a C in Free Agency than a PG. Portland? Well They made the wrong decision by taking Telfair over Jameer. Clearly, Jameer is better overall, and is ready to produce now. Utah? Well they believe that they can turn Arroyo to a starting full time PG. Miami? Now I thought they were going to take him there, but I guessed wrong, as well as Stephen A. Smith. They decided to go with their type of team genre, with athleticsm, and draft Wright.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting wtwalker77:</div><div class="quote_post">Pavel going #21 will either be a footnote in the nba draft or it will go down as the greatest steal in history. Just imagine Shaq or Yao going #21, it could be that big.</div> Tap the brakes. I saw him play last night. He has a long way to go. If in three years, he is the tenth best center in the NBA, consider it a steal for the #21 pick in the draft. Bradley would spank him now. This year's steal of the draft? Shawn Livingston. At the number four pick, three teams will be kicking themself like Portland did for taking Sam Bowie. LeBron and he will be Bird and Magic five years from now. Last year's steal? Since Maquise Daniels didn't even get drafted, does he qualify? Prediction for 2004-5 - 21 PPG, 8 RPG and 6 APG
I agree thinking Nelson was a steal, but Orlando made a big mistake taking howard. Okofor would have solidified the defense, and Francis and Mobley could have run wild, i think its a big mistake to draft this kid over Okofor.
There were many steals in this years draft and I'll name the ones that I think were steals: 1)Kirk Snyder: This guy is insane he has the NBA body and everything, he is the whole package. Predictions: 9.7ppg 5.1rpg 3.4apg 19.6mpg 2)Jameer Nelson: NCAA player of the year and drafted at 20th??????? Predictions: 13.2ppg 2.3rpg 5.5apg 25mpg 3)Andre Iguodala: Amazing athlete and monster defender, proven player. Predictions: 8.5ppg 6.7rpg 2.3apg 22.3mpg 4)Dorrell Wright: I know unproven High school player but I think he will great: Predictions: 8.2ppg 3.3rpg 3.5apg 18.7mpg 5)Bernard Robinson: Troubled many of the best college players with his defense. Predictions: 10.8ppg 5.2rpg 4.3apg 25.8mpg
Well, I think the Pistons got a good player with their 1 pick, Rickey Paulding is a very good defender when he wants to be. And with Lindsay Hunter & Mike James both up to be FA, their should be an open spot in the Pistons back court, that he will fit right into. The main Knock on Rickey is that he isnt that passionate about the game of basketball at times. But playing under Larry Brown & alongside Ben Wallace, it should bring that passion out of him which will help him reached that great potenial he has stored inside. Iam not saying he will be better then anybody. Iam just saying that in the Pistons' system, Rickey Paulding will be on off the rookies you will here about in the upcoming future. And thats going to end up making him a steal since alot of people didnt have him even getting drafted.
I say the top five steals are: 1. Andre Igoduala, Philadelphia. 2. Jameer Neilson, Orlando. 3. Andirs Biedrins, Golden State. 4. Chris Duhon, Chicago. 5. Andre Emitt, Memphis ( Jerry West knows what he's doing, and i think he will be surprise in the future)
i dont know why no one picked that 7'8 center from Africa. i dont even kno' his name or if he could play good... but surely some teems would benefit from having him....?????!!!!!!!
The steal of the draft will be John Peter Ramos...drafted by the Wiz in the 2nd round, I believe he is only 19 outta Puerto Rico and i have heard he has torn it up down there..
3 pages and unless I missed something, not one person has mentioned the player that most NBA teams attending the Vegas and Orlando Summer Leagues are talking up: Al Jefferson :thumbsup:
when i think about steals, i think about long term and a superstar emerging from a lower pick (ala. NVE, Gino, Parker, Pierce etc.)...not necessarily where they were supposed to go and where they were actually drafted...that being said...i'll give my take on some of hte players mentioned and then give my own picks: Okafor: not a steal...he'll be elton brand if he's lucky...should have been a top 3 pick and was...end of story... Deng: not a steal...his athleticism has long been overrated...i don't know how people constantly sing praises of his athleticism...he doesn't get up that high, he is slow footed, and while he is certainly long...i dont see him being able to keep pace with the athletic sf's in the nba in the long run...could develop into a solid guy though... Nelson: Definitely a great pickup, but i dont' know how much better hes really going to get. at the same time, im inclined to not bet against the heart of jameer nelson. he has more heart than anyone in this draft, and that alone could make him much more valuable to a team beyond his court contributions...im rooting for him and i think hes gonna turn out to be a really great pick at the 20, but will never be a superstar...so im inclined to say not a steal... So after that, those players that I think have a great chance to be star calliber players in the league drafted from late positions (these are not all of them of course, just my favorites) Dorrell Wright: slam miami all you want, the kid has been playing ball for 3 years, can jump out the building, already threw in a dominant performance in summer league and was a standout player in the high school all-star games. his athleticism, his effectiveness while still raw, and his seemingly good work ethic make me think hes gonna be something real special in the future. Trevor Ariza: a relatively unknown on a national level, dominated his competition while at top notch competition westchester high in LA. his senior year in high school putting up ridiculous numbers to the tune of 36 pts, 14 boards, 9 assists, and almost 5 steals and blocks per game...at 6'8 with an over 7' wingspan, the kid is an amazing athlete, great leaper, and has nice all around game that should have left scouts drooling. considering the fact that he put up like 13 and 6 while being limited on minutes due to a medical concern, and is only 4 months older than most of these high school players coming out, its hard to see how he fell to 43...but good job knicks... Rickey Paulding: another freakish athlete, good shooter and all-around wing player...his numbers in college never really peaked and so i understand how he fell so low, however, i still feel he has the athleticism and skills to take him far in the league and under larry brown and with his piston teammates, hes gonna learn the intensity and work ethic to make him a good one...
i almost forgot my favorite one... Sasha Vujacic to the Lakers...hes gonna be a good one, watch out =P
Trevor Ariza at 43 is looking like an incredible steal so far, it's staggering. His talents seems to have no limit. His passing has been dead-on accurate, it's stunning. His courtsense makes you shake your head and rub your eyes His mid-range jumpers are one of the very few things he needs to imprvoe on.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">Trevor Ariza at 43 is looking like an incredible steal so far, it's staggering. His talents seems to have no limit. His passing has been dead-on accurate, it's stunning. His courtsense makes you shake your head and rub your eyes His mid-range jumpers are one of the very few things he needs to imprvoe on.</div> Yea , Ariza , Nelson and igoudala(spelling) were the "steals" of the draft and are gonna be great if nelson can get good minutes. They also have been good in the summer games.
im rooting for telfair though...i've loved his game since i saw him play as a freshman in high school...i think he could have benefited from a couple years of college, but hopefully he'll turn out ok...lets just hope he works hard on his jumper while hes a pro...nobody can criticize his decision to go pro though...from a financial standpoint it made perfect sense for him...people overpaid for him right away, but he needs to work on his game some more to be a solid nba player in teh future
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting *Telfair_31*:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea , Ariza , Nelson and igoudala(spelling) were the "steals" of the draft and are gonna be great if nelson can get good minutes. They also have been good in the summer games.</div> Igoudala did bad in the summer leagues. Telfair has done quite well. He is looking pretty good out there. Ariza is an off and on type player. One day he look amazing and then the other he won't show up. Nelson was a steal and I still say Kevin Martin was the steal of the draft. Im Out
Best steal: Andre Emmett, this kid has learned the game well under Knight, and has grown into a much better person on and off the court. I see him being a future star. Runner Up: Justin Reed, Ole Miss. I've had the pleasure of watching this guy 4 times in 4 years, and he has progressed a lot. I don't think he'll be a star, but I believe he will be a very good role player. Might end up being like Devin Brown for the Spurs, or Anthony Peeler for the Kings.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kevinduncan_21:</div><div class="quote_post">I say the top five steals are: <font color="RoyalBlue">1. Andre Igoduala, Philadelphia.</font> 2. Jameer Neilson, Orlando. 3. Andirs Biedrins, Golden State. 4. Chris Duhon, Chicago. 5. Andre Emitt, Memphis ( Jerry West knows what he's doing, and i think he will be surprise in the future)</div> dang u hit that right on the nail.....
