I know everyone is talking about signing a big name or big athelete power forward in the off season, but what about through the draft? According to records, the Nets would have the 11th pick today, and there are some promising pick ups at that point. Question is, do the Nets draft on talent, or need? A skilled and athletic powerforward? A defensive 2 or 3? A future smart point guard for the future? <u>PFs around the Net's Pick</u> I like Ike Diogu at the PF spot. He dominates in the Pac-10 at his position, very talented and fundamentally sound big man. Scores in a variety of ways, rebound ferocious, and can block shots. I hear Chris Taft is really an explosive player, who is tought and has a knack for rebounding and blocking shots. Would be nice to have a super athletic super energy guy at the 4 spot. Sean May's name is everywhere now. I think he'll definitely be there when the Net's pick comes around. He looks like a player who will do anything for his team, and he's definitely skilled, knows how to use his body, and can rebound excellently. He's also showed some running skills, but he looks pretty tired out there sometimes in the NCAA. This could be exploited even more when he has to start guarding PFs, esp NBA ones. <u>PGs</u> Deron Williams has been great, and many compare him to Jason Kidd. He might not fall low enough for the Nets to grab him, but there are a lot of talented players in front of him. He can control tempo and make smart passes, even if they're aren't too flashy. However, it always seems to me that he's the slowest guard/forward on the floor. It also seems like he could get in the lane if he wanted to, but he doesn't seem to do that a lot. Maybe he really can't? A great defender. Jarrett Jack is guy who embodies qualities that everyone wants in a point guard. Just not a star point guard. He's a lock down defender, passer with great court vision, and does everything a point guard needs to do, including scoring when needed. Smart player who always seems to improve on past weakness, likely that he has a great work ethic. Another possibilty for the Nets, a team who doesn't really have a back up point guard or one for the future.
Any of these in the first and I'll be happy Sean May Hakim Warrick Chris Taft Ike Diogu 2nd: Salim Stoudamire Nate Robinson And my darkhorse pick-up. Draft or undrafted free agent is Chevon Troutman. Dude just doesn't give up, and I haven't seen him on one mock draft.
Right now my priority would be to draft a big. Hopefully they're athletic enough to run with Kidd and co. If they finish as a playoff team, with the 15 pick or 16th, I can see them going after bigs like Channing Frye, Wayne Simien and Ike Diogu. They will be all undersized at their NBA posistion, but they are what you can get at those choices. Simien and Diogu would be my last options, because frankly, I'm not a fan of undersized bigs. Players like Boozer and Brand have suceeded in the NBA, but they are more built for guarding the NBA PF's (even though Boozer is a loser defender). Frye seems like a guy they would use in the frotn court with Krstic, and alternate at the 4 and 5 posistions. One guy I can see them taking is Charlie Villanueva who fits in with this athletic lineup. If he doesn't work hard enough on defense, Kidd will make him. Either way, he won't take a break on defense (as much as he did in the NCAA) if he's playing an uptempo style. If they are looking for a PG, as insurance incase/when Kidd gets hurt, Jarret Jack is the guy I'm looking at. He might not be on the board, but if he is, i'll take him. I just like his overall game, so solid.
The Nets should look big, and probably at a guy like Charlie Villanueva or Hakim Warrick who will probably be there when they pick. If they draft Warrick and move him to the power forward spot they will possibly pose one of the most athletic NBA lineups in history with RJ, Vince, and Warrick. Villanueva gives the Nets a great shot blocker and a guy to hit the boards on every shot. In the second round the Nets should looks at a guy like Daniel Ewing or Nate Robinson, both point guards but play differently. Robinson is a world-class athlete, while Ewing is a very intelligent defensive player.
Nate is returning isn't he? Or is on the verge of returning... With Warrick I don't think he'll fit at all at the PF. He's no Shawn Marion or Kirilenko so I don't think he'll fit in at the PF, especially when he's going up against bigs like Duncan, Brand Booz, Randolph etc. Daniel Ewing would definitely be a guy a look at in the round if the Nets do not draft a PG in the 1st round.
I'm getting the feeling that the Nets might take something European . Maybe Fran Vazquez from Spain, who is rather athletic and works very hard on defense. Or maybe Johan Petro, from France, who is an athletic beast; I heard that his skills are a bit raw though. Both are PFs by the way.
Charlie Villanuava is definately a young , athletic big body that Kidd could make better by setting him up in the transition game. My only problem is wondering how much truth is there to the rumors that the guy is a team cancer to a certain degree. He will clearly have alot of growing up to do. I dont wont a guy like Hakeem Warrick very nice college player, but his lack of a definative position may keep him from being a big time player at the NBA level. His indiviaul back to the basket game in the post isnt all that good imo. And that was clealry exposed during this years NCAA tournament, so him at the 4 spot with his lack of size/strenght. And the fact that he isnt a guy with a ball handling or perimeter game in order to play out on the wing, I really dont know what his role in this league will be... I like Chris Taft but he wont be around when Jersey is on the boards, so no need to get the hopes up. Sean May pass on him too,if Iam Rod Thorn, something about him just scares me into the fact that his size is built more to be effective on the college level then the pros, I am not sold on him as a NBA player in the future just yeat. Most likely the Nets will draft so big man from overseas that no one really knows much about...especially after the success of Krstic this year..Rod Thorn will probably be willing to take another similar risk.
I hope your GM thinks of this too, but a great idea is too look to trade for Wilcox from the Clippers.
i doubt they'll draft a big from overseas because most if not all of them will take a few years to be ready to contribute. The nets want the help right away down low with Jason Kidd wanting to win and the addition of the not-getting any younger Vince Carter, better to get some help now rather than alot 4 years from now. Look for the Nets to do either trade up to get a higher pick and draft Taft or they might trade the pick for a player such has wilcox has mentioned above, or a player like Primoz Brezec. If Atlanta doesnt take Bogut, i wouldnt be surprised to see Charlotte draft Bogut and thus be able to trade Brezec who's showed he can play this year in Charlotte. Charlotte would be in for that deal probably since there should/could be plenty of good swingmen and pg's still on the board come NJ pick, such has Jarret Jack, Graham, Granger, Warrick and Mccants. The could also double up on the bigs with either some more immediate help like Channing Frye, Wayne Simien and Charlie Villanuava, or some future help with Petro. I think both teams would benefit. For NJ Brezec is a nice young talent thats putting up 13 and 7.5 in 31 minutes. He could help right away, and possibly give the Nets the extra depth up front to put them at the top of the Atlantic division. He's only 25 so its not even like they give up young talent for an old guy. For Charlotte, it allows them to draft the best player on the board without worrying about what they're going to do with 2 young talented centers. The extra pick in or near the lottery could also help them with some young future talent on the swing positions. Second rounders could be thrown around either way to satisfy whoever feels they've gotten the lesser deal. Though i personally think its satisfactory. <u>New Jersey</u> Brezec Kristic Jefferson Carter Kidd <u>Charlotte</u> Bogut Okafor Wallace Mccants/Granger Brevin Knight Not bad Of course this only works if Bogut is around for Charlotte's pick
