I was trying to figure this out. Patrick O'Bryant was the BAP at #9 wasn't he? And he just happened to be a center, a position that the Warriors needed, so he seemed like a very good pick. But now we have Don Nelson as coach and POB isn't a good fit anymore. POB is still a project regardless. So what do we do? Trade POB already? If the draft were held over again, who would you take? I'd take Ronnie Brewer (SF) or Saer Sene (C/F). Brewer looks like he can shoot even though he has that hitch in his shot. Sene would be a 7-footer who can run the court better than POB. Maybe take another look at Cedric Simmons.
I actually like POB for Nellie because Nellie can work with anyone who runs the floor and POB looks like he can do that. So long as he runs, he'll get time. Its actually better for POB because now there will not be an emphasis on him gaining weight and bulking up but he can just fill out whenever.
POB or Sene. Nelson always has an interest on getting big man. As a matter of fact, it was his eternal quest by getting Webber, Bradly, Rogers, Rozier, Alexander, Gatling, Dampier and insert number of centers Dallas tried. Because we have no big man, I don't think he would pass up on big man...
Great question, something I've been pondering myself. I'm also trying to determine if Nellie had any input in the POB choice since Mullin mentioned him and Nellie have been in talks for quite some time. With all the draft day movement, I think Nellie would have been right in the mix for trading out of the #9 spot and moving a few spots up to draft Rudy Gay. I could see Atlanta drafting for the Warriors at #5 and then trading the rights of Rudy Gay & John Edwards for the rights to Shelden Williams (at #9) along with the Warriors trade exception.
On draft day I think I liked Ronnie Brewer, Patrick O'Bryant, and Shelden Williams. Seven foot big men with upside or defensive big men who have inside scoring footwork always hold more value IMO, whereas there's always an athletic swing to be found in the draft. Although Brewer's jumpshot is messed he could be a cross between Joe Johnson and Danny Granger. Not that tall or heavy, but versatile.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">On draft day I think I liked Ronnie Brewer, Patrick O'Bryant, and Shelden Williams. Seven foot big men with upside or defensive big men who have inside scoring footwork always hold more value IMO, whereas there's always an athletic swing to be found in the draft. Although Brewer's jumpshot is messed he could be a cross between Joe Johnson and Danny Granger. Not that tall or heavy, but versatile.</div> Those 3 were the guys to most consider. Sene looked good in Summerball-but the consensus on draft day was he was way raw to pick top 10. Keep in mind that O'Bryant was a top 10 shotblocker-started 2 yrs-scored double figures with respectable rebounding-had nice tournament play vs good teams-Kansas-Pitt-Memphis. We don't need him to shine from day one-we need a guy who MIGHT emerge as the overall best of Biedrens-Taft-POB. That's what we picked. You want a CENTER these days---you take a kid 2 years short of ripe for a regular role-and count on the staff to maximize the talent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">Those 3 were the guys to most consider. Sene looked good in Summerball-but the consensus on draft day was he was way raw to pick top 10. Keep in mind that O'Bryant was a top 10 shotblocker-started 2 yrs-scored double figures with respectable rebounding-had nice tournament play vs good teams-Kansas-Pitt-Memphis. We don't need him to shine from day one-we need a guy who MIGHT emerge as the overall best of Biedrens-Taft-POB. That's what we picked. You want a CENTER these days---you take a kid 2 years short of ripe for a regular role-and count on the staff to maximize the talent.</div> I agree, REREM. I think that O'Bryant won't be another Foyle, at least. On paper POB looks like a rare player. He has good hands, one of the top wingspans in the league for 7 footer, specializes in rebounding/shotblocking (using either hand), decent athleticism, nice finesse, and tall as/taller than Biedrins/Foyle. He needs to get bigger/heavier if he wants to take advantage of his size in the post. He also should get used to using his left hand more to score from opposite posts and make use of pivot moves. I'm not sure how much we expect out of his offensive game because he's an improving scorer, but a defensive guy first. It's what a center should be, but ideally the center should be able to score around the basket and clean up. I wouldn't mind scoring at least as well as contract year Dampier like 12 points a game. Those 12 points were the kind that led to second chance points conversion, more made wide open 3 pointers when he kicked out the pass, and generally rewarded guys like Clif Robinson, NVE, Claxton, and Dunleavy/Richardson who passed the ball inside versus having to dribble inside and kick out to another perimeter player for a low % 3 ball.
