http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_12581069 Anyone else remember this article where Don Nelson said he would definitely take Randolph if he was available at 14? I don't think Nellie goes to dinner with many of these prospect. Hill said Nellie will "probably" take him at 7 so I wonder if Nellie's got a few guys rated higher who he hopes will slip instead. As for the possibility of adding Hill, I think it makes sense with Nellie here. Hill is an athletic 6'10 235, certainly big enough for a Nellie C since Beans is playing there at 6'11 225-230. Hill has some ok moves in the post but the main draw for Nellie is probably his mid-range J which is quite solid. Whenever I see him I think he has a low bball IQ but I could be misreading it, he does have good tools though and some nice scoring moves. Plus he averaged 11 rpg and looking at his game log he did really well against really good teams with good, NBA quality frontlines. Perhaps Nellie sees Jordan Hill as a guy who can replace Beans by providing similar rebounding, shotblocking, and high energy/motor while also bringing a jumpshot and some more advanced post play on offense. Meanwhile, he can move Beans for good value, maybe in a package to get a back a high quality player.
It seems like everyone is leaving Oakland with that idea. I think T-Will thinks that, Jennings, Hill, and maybe whoever comes in next. Supposedly Nelson is "warming up" to Curry as well. It should be a very interesting draft.
BPA. Evans would probably be BPA at 7 but I really doubt hes there. Hill or Jennings could be BPA too.
Here is my rankings of who I want us to draft, realistically players that can fall to us. Evans Jennings Holiday DeRozan I don't really like anyone for us except for Evans or Jennings. Hill could be a good pick, but we already have Wright and Randolph. I want a guy that could start in the backcourt with Monta. Ellis/Evans Evans/Ellis Jackson Randolph Biedrins I would love to have that lineup for next season. Or you could replase Evans with Jennings and start Monta at the 2.
Why spill the beans on who we might be picking on draft day? I think Run might be on to something where Nelson hopes to create some diversion or smokescreen and then pick somebody else. I mean we do have enough bigs, but we need a pure center kind of big. I doubt Nelly would pick that type of player even if there was another Andrew Bynum in the draft. Nelly tends to make everyone play one position bigger (small forwards become power forwards, power forwards become centers). Not sure if the majority of nba small forward and power forwards and pure centers would like playing for a coach like Don Nelson.
Well, this is the first time I've seen him and he looks much better than Ike Diogu. He's been compared to Chris Bosh. [video=youtube;NTakBgkoQEU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTakBgkoQEU[/video]
Hmm... With what Brandon Jennings said, his buy out status, and amid the smoke and mirrors, could Ricky Rubio fall to # 7? We may have to wait a year for him to come over, but then we'll have a PG that looks like the next coming of Pistol Pete Maravich ready to step in during 2010.
Hes a hard guy to pin down. Also remember that it was widely reported that Jason Thompson was Nellie's guy leading up to the draft. I'm sure when Nellie pimps a guy publicly he does like the player but maybe hes number 2 or 3 on his wish list and Nellie just wants to drum up hype and get guys to fall. Nellie certainly does it different than anyone else. Speaking of which anyone else see that BJ Mullens accidentally revealed that he has a promise from the Bulls through his twitter page? Ike was a more polished low post scorer. Hill blows him out of the water as far as height and athleticism are concerned. I'd say Hill is more like a David West than Bosh. Pretty nice mid-range jumper, can do some face-up work, finishes well inside, ok post scorer, good rebounder. I do fear that Hill has an Ike-like bball IQ though.
Ricky Rubio's agent is Dan Fegan, remember him? I don't think the Warriors want anything to do with Dan of his clients. If the Warriors draft Jordan Hill they must have a deal in the works for shipping Brandon Wright out. I do like Hill for the Warriors because he's a hustle player and has more upside than Turiaf. Realistically though I can't see Nellie passing up on a backcourt player with all the guards available in this year's draft.
