After a hiatus last year (thanks J2 for picking it up), Wig's almost-live-blog is back!
Action: Lotto results posted
The Heat somehow jumped from #9 to #1 with the help of the draft lottery, thus showing the sim gods are ready to give a great big karmic bird to all those teams that tried to Tank for James. While I'm obviously not happy LeBron is coming East, at least he's going to a team that didn't actively try to suck.
#1 PICK: SF LEBRON JAMES TO THE HEAT
To the surprise of exactly nobody, the Heat gobble up LeBron with the top pick. The Heat have done a long slow build around an 18-year old with great potential before (Gary Payton) so I fully expect LeBron to be in Miami for at least 9 seasons, probably more. Problem is, the youngest other rotation player the Heat have is a 26-year-old Raja Bell, so I expect the Heat to sell off the likes of Maxliff, Big Box, and Alvin Williams for youth and/or picks and start a slow build around LeBron (which reminds me, how did the Heat wind up with so many Sim League Nickname All-Stars?) which will probably mean LeBron will get all the touches he wants.
#2 PICK: SG DWYANE WADE TO THE NUGGETS
Am I the only one bothered by the fact that this guy can't spell "Dwayne?" No? After "warning" the league things could take some time while they went through all the offers they received, the Nuggets decided instead to pull the trigger. Given the Nuggets' history, it's only a matter of time before Wade is shipped off somewhere, though. The Nuggets have the itchiest of itchy trigger fingers. Right now, the Nuggets have absolutely nothing around Wade, so it will be interesting to see whether he is able to challenge LeBron for Rookie of the Year Honors - he's certainly in a situation where he will have to share the ball even less than LeBron, but I fear his efficiency will be awful in his rookie year until the Nuggets get him help... or ship him out of town. That said, he is already showing signs on defense of being ready now.
Wig Liveblogs the 2003 Draft
Wig Liveblogs the 2003 Draft
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#3 PICK: CARMELO ANTHONY TO THE KNICKS
Buzz around the league was that the pick here should have been Chris Bosh, and I have to agree. Look at the "Beasts of the East" the last few seasons - the Celtics (Alonzo Mourning and Donyell Marshall), the Bucks (Shaq and Brian Grant), the Hawks (Big Ben and Antonio McDyess) and now the Raptors (Gugs and Brand). Every one of these teams has had all-star level play from both the 4 and 5 positions. The Knicks had Yao and have... um... Popeye Jones. Jones is 33 and not going to be confused with an all-star PF. If the Knicks had grabbed Bosh, they would have had the next twin tower combination. Instead, they elected to run with Carmelo Anthony, who projects to be a magnificent scorer but not a great defender. Can Melo become a poor man's Corey Maggette? This, boys and girls, is why - at least at the top of the draft - you draft for talent, not for need.
Buzz around the league was that the pick here should have been Chris Bosh, and I have to agree. Look at the "Beasts of the East" the last few seasons - the Celtics (Alonzo Mourning and Donyell Marshall), the Bucks (Shaq and Brian Grant), the Hawks (Big Ben and Antonio McDyess) and now the Raptors (Gugs and Brand). Every one of these teams has had all-star level play from both the 4 and 5 positions. The Knicks had Yao and have... um... Popeye Jones. Jones is 33 and not going to be confused with an all-star PF. If the Knicks had grabbed Bosh, they would have had the next twin tower combination. Instead, they elected to run with Carmelo Anthony, who projects to be a magnificent scorer but not a great defender. Can Melo become a poor man's Corey Maggette? This, boys and girls, is why - at least at the top of the draft - you draft for talent, not for need.
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#4 PICK: CHRIS BOSH TO THE TIMBERWOLVES
The Wolves have to be laughing all the way to the draft podium, as they come away from the draft with the only star big man available. In nearly every other draft, size has sold... and the Wolves are happy this was the exception. They get the heir apparent to Chris Webber after collecting dubious big men the last couple of seasons. The Wolves now have a super-young team and look to be a point guard away from putting together a really nice young core... and if you don't think Raby will be able to find someone with a need for a big man who's willing to give up a nice point guard for Scola or VladRad, you haven't been paying attention. I mean, heck, I hear Tyronn Lue is available...
The Wolves have to be laughing all the way to the draft podium, as they come away from the draft with the only star big man available. In nearly every other draft, size has sold... and the Wolves are happy this was the exception. They get the heir apparent to Chris Webber after collecting dubious big men the last couple of seasons. The Wolves now have a super-young team and look to be a point guard away from putting together a really nice young core... and if you don't think Raby will be able to find someone with a need for a big man who's willing to give up a nice point guard for Scola or VladRad, you haven't been paying attention. I mean, heck, I hear Tyronn Lue is available...
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TRADE: MAGIC-MAVERICKS
The Magic send picks 15 and 26 to the Mavs for picks 19, 21, and 23. Not sure I like this trade for the Magic - the difference between 15 and 19 in this draft looks to be significant; the difference between 21/23 and 26 much less so. Maybe someone is trying to pick up extra draft picks to jump up in the draft? I want to see how this turns out but tentatively calling the Mavericks the winner here, as they'll at least get a potential rotation player at 15.
The Magic send picks 15 and 26 to the Mavs for picks 19, 21, and 23. Not sure I like this trade for the Magic - the difference between 15 and 19 in this draft looks to be significant; the difference between 21/23 and 26 much less so. Maybe someone is trying to pick up extra draft picks to jump up in the draft? I want to see how this turns out but tentatively calling the Mavericks the winner here, as they'll at least get a potential rotation player at 15.
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TRADE: NETS SEND MIKE JAMES AND THE #9 PICK TO THE SUNS FOR KELVIN CATO AND THE #5 PICK
Kelvin Cato is just kind of a guy, but James is a decent combo guard. The probable pick here is Josh Howard and the Suns already have a better version of him in Joe Johnson... so to trade down just 4 spots and grab themselves a stopgap starting PG or at worst a solid third guard is a nice move for the Suns. For the Nets, well, clearly they think the talent jump they'll get by climbing up those 4 spots was worth James (who is nothing special as Voshon Leonard is almost the same player).
Kelvin Cato is just kind of a guy, but James is a decent combo guard. The probable pick here is Josh Howard and the Suns already have a better version of him in Joe Johnson... so to trade down just 4 spots and grab themselves a stopgap starting PG or at worst a solid third guard is a nice move for the Suns. For the Nets, well, clearly they think the talent jump they'll get by climbing up those 4 spots was worth James (who is nothing special as Voshon Leonard is almost the same player).
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#5 PICK: CHRIS KAMAN TO THE NETS
So, as I mentioned, the Nets made a great trade to get Josh How... what? They grabbed Captain Caveman Chris Kaman? On further review, I guess it makes sense - the Nets will be signing Corey Maggette as an RFA and he plays the same position Josh does - but Josh ain't gonna get you 25 points a game. Kaman projects to have a nice two-way game, with good scoring potential and rebounding and interior defense. He's nowhere near the player he's going to become yet, but if RPF is making the long play here, it is always nice to find a solution at Center. I suspect RPF feared the Hornets or Bucks would take Kaman at #6 or 7 so they felt they had to move up from #9 to get their man. It makes sense, it's just a surprise to see someone besides Josh go at #5.
So, as I mentioned, the Nets made a great trade to get Josh How... what? They grabbed Captain Caveman Chris Kaman? On further review, I guess it makes sense - the Nets will be signing Corey Maggette as an RFA and he plays the same position Josh does - but Josh ain't gonna get you 25 points a game. Kaman projects to have a nice two-way game, with good scoring potential and rebounding and interior defense. He's nowhere near the player he's going to become yet, but if RPF is making the long play here, it is always nice to find a solution at Center. I suspect RPF feared the Hornets or Bucks would take Kaman at #6 or 7 so they felt they had to move up from #9 to get their man. It makes sense, it's just a surprise to see someone besides Josh go at #5.
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#6 PICK: LEANDRO BARBOSA TO THE HORNETS
So Nick Malone is ecstatic as Josh Howard falls right into his lap... so ecstatic, he picks Leandro Barbosa. I guess teams are getting scared off by the fact that when you look at potentials, Josh Howard looks like the next Shandon Anderson - all hype and no production. Barbosa looks like he will grow into an offensive firebrand from the 2 guard spot, though I think lack of size would have me a bit concerned. Still, it makes for an interesting inside-out slashing guard and post up big combo with Barbosa and Z-Bo, assuming both of them grow into what they project as. I don't hate this pick, but I think the Hornets might have been better served going after a true PG like Ridnour or Ford to get the best out of their big men in O'Neal and Z-Bo.
So Nick Malone is ecstatic as Josh Howard falls right into his lap... so ecstatic, he picks Leandro Barbosa. I guess teams are getting scared off by the fact that when you look at potentials, Josh Howard looks like the next Shandon Anderson - all hype and no production. Barbosa looks like he will grow into an offensive firebrand from the 2 guard spot, though I think lack of size would have me a bit concerned. Still, it makes for an interesting inside-out slashing guard and post up big combo with Barbosa and Z-Bo, assuming both of them grow into what they project as. I don't hate this pick, but I think the Hornets might have been better served going after a true PG like Ridnour or Ford to get the best out of their big men in O'Neal and Z-Bo.
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#7 PICK: LUKE RIDNOUR TO THE BUCKS
Josh Howard continues to freefall as the Bucks elect to get a distributing-minded Point Guard to feed Amare Stoudemire. It's a bit of a surprise to me, because I thought Rafer Alston projected pretty much as Ridnour without a jump shot so he could run the offense, particularly if the Bucks could have gotten a wing scorer... or at least a Kyle Korver to open things up with a three-point shot. I hope the Bucks know what they're doing.
Josh Howard continues to freefall as the Bucks elect to get a distributing-minded Point Guard to feed Amare Stoudemire. It's a bit of a surprise to me, because I thought Rafer Alston projected pretty much as Ridnour without a jump shot so he could run the offense, particularly if the Bucks could have gotten a wing scorer... or at least a Kyle Korver to open things up with a three-point shot. I hope the Bucks know what they're doing.
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TRADE: JAZZ/NETS
Now that Kaman pick at #5 makes a lot more sense. The Nets ship out Jamal Tinsley and to the Jazz to take on a bunch of salary in the form of Stephon Marbury, Jamal Mashburn, and the #14 pick (in other news, this dumps a ton of salary from Utah, which is why they did it). Starbury is a talent upgrade over Tinsley and gives the Nets a scoring punch at PG. Assuming Maggette comes back to play SG, they'll have scoring at SG as well as SF (Mashburn) AND have a SF playing PF at Gerald Wallace... in other words, had they picked Howard, they would have remained undersized. With Maggette, Mashburn, Starbury, Leonard, and Crash at the guards and wings, the Nets needed bigs. RPF is crazy like a fox.
Now that Kaman pick at #5 makes a lot more sense. The Nets ship out Jamal Tinsley and to the Jazz to take on a bunch of salary in the form of Stephon Marbury, Jamal Mashburn, and the #14 pick (in other news, this dumps a ton of salary from Utah, which is why they did it). Starbury is a talent upgrade over Tinsley and gives the Nets a scoring punch at PG. Assuming Maggette comes back to play SG, they'll have scoring at SG as well as SF (Mashburn) AND have a SF playing PF at Gerald Wallace... in other words, had they picked Howard, they would have remained undersized. With Maggette, Mashburn, Starbury, Leonard, and Crash at the guards and wings, the Nets needed bigs. RPF is crazy like a fox.
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TRADE: PACERS/BUCKS
The Bucks ship out Jamaal Magloire and the Mavericks' 2005 first for the #10 pick. I suspect the Bucks would like to pull in a scoring wing here and will hope Josh Howard (wing) or Kyle Korver (three-point sniper) falls... but if not, they'll be happy to grab David West, move Amare to C, and try some small ball.
The Bucks ship out Jamaal Magloire and the Mavericks' 2005 first for the #10 pick. I suspect the Bucks would like to pull in a scoring wing here and will hope Josh Howard (wing) or Kyle Korver (three-point sniper) falls... but if not, they'll be happy to grab David West, move Amare to C, and try some small ball.
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Taking a break, but if the action in the first quarter of this draft is any indication, this could be a crazy draft for trades. Very much looking forward to seeing how it shakes out!
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Pick #8: Kirk Hinrich goes to Houston then is traded to the Kings for Antonio Daniels
Howard keeps falling. Kings get a guy who will give the ball up to TMac and shed salary while the Rockets get a strong wing to go with their bigs. Actually like this for both teams since the Rockets' core has a closing window and they need to win now.
Howard keeps falling. Kings get a guy who will give the ball up to TMac and shed salary while the Rockets get a strong wing to go with their bigs. Actually like this for both teams since the Rockets' core has a closing window and they need to win now.
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Trade: Richard Jefferson traded to the Hornets for 2 firsts.
This surprised me but I guess the Kings have decided to burn their team down and rebuild around TMac yet again. It's a good get for the Hornets and I guess the Kings are banking on the Hornets 05 pick giving them something to work with.
This surprised me but I guess the Kings have decided to burn their team down and rebuild around TMac yet again. It's a good get for the Hornets and I guess the Kings are banking on the Hornets 05 pick giving them something to work with.
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Trade block: Carmelo put on the block. An hour later, yanked off the block.
Ladies and gentlemen, your New York Knicks.
Ladies and gentlemen, your New York Knicks.
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Trade: Knicks send Jason Williams and cash to the Hornets for a 2nd round pick
It's no Melo trade, but the Knicks are at least making headway farming out some contracts to open cap space. Sometimes it's details that matter.
It's no Melo trade, but the Knicks are at least making headway farming out some contracts to open cap space. Sometimes it's details that matter.
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Pick #9: Mo Williams goes to the Suns
I am bit quite sure what to make of this pick... Mo has great scoring potentials but he is really raw right now and is undersized - undersized jump shooters scare me. Besides, didn't the Suns get an undersized jump shooting combo guard in Mike James when they traded out of the 5 pick? Well, I guess the Suns management is keen to try the Allen Iverson experiment again in the desert. With double the undersized volume shooters.
I am bit quite sure what to make of this pick... Mo has great scoring potentials but he is really raw right now and is undersized - undersized jump shooters scare me. Besides, didn't the Suns get an undersized jump shooting combo guard in Mike James when they traded out of the 5 pick? Well, I guess the Suns management is keen to try the Allen Iverson experiment again in the desert. With double the undersized volume shooters.
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Trade: 10th pick to Mavericks, 15th pick and Dunleavy to Bucks
Curious to see whom the Mavs jumped to get. Bucks doing a nice job stockpiling assets - they should still find a rotation player at 15.
Curious to see whom the Mavs jumped to get. Bucks doing a nice job stockpiling assets - they should still find a rotation player at 15.
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Pick #10: David West goes to the Mavericks
Another surprise, given Antwan Jamison has been performing at an all star level at PF and it seems wings would be a bigger need in Dallas. Thought Kyle Korner or maybe free falling Howard might fit here. Guess we will find out soon if Jamison can be as dominant at SF as he has been at PF.
Another surprise, given Antwan Jamison has been performing at an all star level at PF and it seems wings would be a bigger need in Dallas. Thought Kyle Korner or maybe free falling Howard might fit here. Guess we will find out soon if Jamison can be as dominant at SF as he has been at PF.
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Trade: Nuggets get the 11th pick, McKie and Claxton, Knicks get an 04 pick and more cap space
Do the Knicks have a method to their madness? They dump a couple more contracts and clearly aren't thrilled with what is left on the board. The Nuggets, on the other hand, now have the chance to pair another young piece with Wade.
Do the Knicks have a method to their madness? They dump a couple more contracts and clearly aren't thrilled with what is left on the board. The Nuggets, on the other hand, now have the chance to pair another young piece with Wade.
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Pick 11: Kyle Korver to the Nuggets
The Nuggets get a pure shooter for Wade to kick the ball out to. I'm not all that excited about it but the move definitely makes sense.
The Nuggets get a pure shooter for Wade to kick the ball out to. I'm not all that excited about it but the move definitely makes sense.
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Pick 12: Josh Howard to the Clippers
The free fall is over and Howard comes off the board. He might even get the start at SF if he can beat out Rasual Butler in camp. With Ricky Davis, Donyell Marshall, Butler, and Howard the Clippers are super deep everywhere but 1 and 5. T.j. Ford might have been a better fit as the next Nick Van Exel, but I guess the Clippers felt they couldn't pass on Josh.
The free fall is over and Howard comes off the board. He might even get the start at SF if he can beat out Rasual Butler in camp. With Ricky Davis, Donyell Marshall, Butler, and Howard the Clippers are super deep everywhere but 1 and 5. T.j. Ford might have been a better fit as the next Nick Van Exel, but I guess the Clippers felt they couldn't pass on Josh.
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Trade: Kings get Eric Piatkowski and a 2005 first in exchange for cash.
...
Ladies and gentlemen, your New York Knicks! Again!
...
Ladies and gentlemen, your New York Knicks! Again!
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Trade: Bucks get pick 13, Blazers get pick 15 and points
The Bucks have been wheeling and dealing all draft. For the first time they are chasing a specific asset rather then being content with stockpiling. And they didn't pay much to move up...
Pick #13: Kendrick Perkins to the Bucks
Pretty much a Jamaal Magloire clone. Well played, Doug. Got himself Mike Dunleavy and probably still got the guy he wanted at pick 10.
The Bucks have been wheeling and dealing all draft. For the first time they are chasing a specific asset rather then being content with stockpiling. And they didn't pay much to move up...
Pick #13: Kendrick Perkins to the Bucks
Pretty much a Jamaal Magloire clone. Well played, Doug. Got himself Mike Dunleavy and probably still got the guy he wanted at pick 10.
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Pick 14: T.J. Ford to the Nets
What did the Nets need? Someone to get the ball to Maggette. What did they get? Someone who CAN get the ball to Maggette... the trick will be whether he WILL get it there or take shots himself. Still, a nice pickup at 14.
What did the Nets need? Someone to get the ball to Maggette. What did they get? Someone who CAN get the ball to Maggette... the trick will be whether he WILL get it there or take shots himself. Still, a nice pickup at 14.
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Pick 15: Matt Carroll to the Blazers
We're to the point where teams are selecting specialty guys and hoping they pan out. Carroll can shoot threes and that's about it. Having a hard time working myself up over this one.
We're to the point where teams are selecting specialty guys and hoping they pan out. Carroll can shoot threes and that's about it. Having a hard time working myself up over this one.
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