Ok, so we all know that Oden and Durant will declare. We all know if Bucks get number 1 or 2 pick they will end up with Oden or Durant. But what if we get the 3rd/4th or 5th pick, who do we get? Here is a list of the possible candidates. Brandon Wright: http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/brandanwright.html Al Horford: http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/alhorford.html Corey Brewer: http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/coreybrewer.html Mike Conley: http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/mikeconley.html Julian Wright: http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/julianwright.html If we dont get the 1st or 2nd pick, I think we will get one of these 5 players. I dont think any of these guys have declared yet, but they are likely to do so. Julian Wright or Corey Brewer would be a good replacment for Ruben Patterson if we lose him to free agency. If we lose Mo Williams, I would see us most likely drafting Mike Conley as our starting PG. Brandon Wright and Al Horford are 2 great power forwards who can score/rebound and defend. Both of these Power Forwards would go great along with Bogut/CV. There are lots of other people who we could draft, but if we dont get the 1st or 2nd pick I see us picking up one of these 5 players. What are your thoughts?
<div class="quote_poster">AirJordan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't get whats so great about Mike Conley, he never impressed me whenever I watched him</div> There are not to many PG's in this years draft. Thats why he is so valuable.
<div class="quote_poster">XSV Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">no way Conley goes in the lottery.</div> No way he slips past the Hawks at #11. No one in the draft is good of a floor general as he is, nor is there anyone in the draft as quick with the ball. He was basically the entire reason Ohio State was as good as they were last season. Oden was an important factor, but the Buckeyes were in the top five all season long even before Oden joined the squad. In fact, it wasn't until about February that Oden started to get worked into the Buckeyes' offensive sets. It doesn't impress you, even in the slightest, that Conley, as a freshman, was able to shoulder this team of mediocre talents and carry them to a #1 ranking? If the Bucks wind up with the #6 pick, albeit unlikely, I don't see why they shouldn't consider him. They need a point guard, and he's the best on the board. However, it's a bit of a mood point though, because odds are that they do wind up with a top three pick, in which case the order is pretty much obvious as is (Oden-Durant-Wright).
I can see what you're saying, its just my opinion that his skills won't necessarily translate well to the NBA level. He's very small and he doesn't have much of a shot, and I think the presence of Oden cleaning up those missed runners and being such a presence down low definitley help Conley out. I like Conley though, so hopefully he proves me wrong. I could see the Hawks drafting him like you said because they desparately need a true pg like Conley.
I really would rather see us get a Conley than a Brandan Wright, because we've already got one talented young big who we can't figure out how to use. What good will it do to get another one and make Bogut and Wright have to share the dozen shots per night alotted for our frontcourt? The problem with the Bucks is that more young talent isn't exactly what we need. I'm a huge fan of building a team from within, using the draft and not spending big money in free agency only to watch it blow up in your face. However, with Mike Redd, Bogut, Mo Williams (assuming we re-sign him) and Villanueva, we've got a young core that is talented enough to make serious noise in the East, but there's not enough veteran grit and intensity on the roster to show them the way. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Ruben Patterson was a real steadying influence on the team this year. He set a precident of playing hard, and really led by example. On a much smaller level, Brian Skinner brought that same tough mindset to the paint. Now that Ruben appears to be entrenched on the wing and with Bobby Simmons (you know, I actually have to think to remember what his name is anymore - he's so rarely on the court that it feels like we don't even have him on the team ) coming back, we're pretty much stocked at Center and Small Forward. What I'd like to see the Bucks do is go get an experienced guard who will actually lead this team. My dream scenario would see a deal something along the lines of Mo Williams in a sign-and-trade for Jason Kidd. That's the type of move I'm talking about - Larry Harris has been so brash in going out and throwing cash at Bobby Simmons only to see him hobble through 20 games in a green jersey, or Danny G, just to see him languish on the bench, why not make a big move to get a leader who will actually help us WIN GAMES. ... That's all wishful thinking, though, because plainly Harris only wants to make flashy moves that really don't help us in teh long-run. Back to the point of this thread, If we do keep Mo Williams, I'd like to see us draft, in the following order 1. Greg Oden (probably won't be there) 2. Al Horford * 3. Corey Brewer - and get rid of Simmons 4. Kevin Durant (I don't really want him at all for reasons that have been beat to death, namely that he'll just ensure that we never properly utilize Bogut and we'll turn into nothing but a run and gun team, but at some point I can't recommend we pass up a talent like this) 5. Brandan Wright 6. Joakim Noah 7. Jeff Green 8. Mike Conley 9. Al Thornton 10. Derrick Byars If Mo Williams leaves, this is how I'd rank 'em 1. Greg Oden 2. Mike Conley * 3. Corey Brewer 4. Acie Law (flame away, but there's nothing I've seen from him that says to me that he can't translate well to the pros. I hate that shot as much as the next guy, but it goes in, and he shows the late-game moxie, driving ability and athleticism you need to be a legit NBA 1. ) 5. Kevin Durant 6. Jeff Green 7. Al Horford 8. Joakim Noah 9. Brandan Wright 10. Nick Young * If Spencer Hawes stays in the draft (which I'm not expecting) and is available when we pick, we'd be crazy to pass him up. He's the invisible #2 to Oden on both those lists, as such. why did I list 10 guys at each spot, knowing that the Bucks will probably pick in the top 5? Because I would LOVE to see the team trade down, assuming that we don't get the #1 pick. In a draft this deep, I'd love to have extra picks. I'd also like to see the team consider trading the pick alltogether (if we keep Mo), as I stated before, in an attempt to get the type of dominant veteran we need to actually win games, not just sit here and think about the potential our team might have if they could stay healthy and focus on the fundamentals.
if you guys got the number one again, thus picking oden, what would you do with bogut? would you keep him as a backup? move him to PF? or would you trade him?
Bogut could start at the 4; he did it when we had Magloire. And Villanueva - if healthy, could be an excellent player to bring off the bench.
We will not be trading Bogut not matter what happens. Harris has clearly stated that Bogut is the future of the Bucks and will not be leaving anytime soon. If we do get Oden, Bogut will just play the 4 position which we all know he can do. Remember, Oden is a DEFENSIVE player and will not threaten Bogut's offense.
