You didn't really think I'd go TWO seasons without a LiveBlog did ya? Of course not! So, let's get right to it!
ACTION: The Pistons select LaMarcus Aldridge with the #1 pick.
REACTION: After a great showing in rookie tryouts, Aldridge's stock rose - and with the Pistons adding Corey Maggette via trade to go with Kevin Martin on the wings, LA slots perfectly into the one hole the Pistons had on their roster - power forward. Aldridge has the tools to develop into a monster scorer down the road, but the Pistons can afford to bring him along slowly with Martin, Maggette, and Parker already giving them plenty of scoring prowess. The Pistons look downright scary in a couple of seasons once both Howard and Aldridge are at the height of their powers.
Wig Liveblogs the 2006 Draft
Wig Liveblogs the 2006 Draft
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ACTION: The Sonics select Rajon Rondo with the #2 pick.
REACTION: This is a classic Darth "fork" move. The Sonics already have one up and coming young wing in the person of Danny Granger. With 2 wings and 1 PG on the board at 2, and another pick at 4, he's guaranteed to get another wing if he takes a PG now - instead of running the risk of taking a wing, having the Hawks take a PG, and getting stuck with 3 wings and no PG. If Darth didn't have the #4 pick, maybe he goes elsewhere, but this is an easy decision - he takes Rondo and guarantees himself 2 wings and a PG once pick #4 comes around. Rondo's floor game looks pretty nice, and he may be a surprisingly adept scorer. The big question is how quickly can he fulfill his promise as a classic defensive/distributor PG.
REACTION: This is a classic Darth "fork" move. The Sonics already have one up and coming young wing in the person of Danny Granger. With 2 wings and 1 PG on the board at 2, and another pick at 4, he's guaranteed to get another wing if he takes a PG now - instead of running the risk of taking a wing, having the Hawks take a PG, and getting stuck with 3 wings and no PG. If Darth didn't have the #4 pick, maybe he goes elsewhere, but this is an easy decision - he takes Rondo and guarantees himself 2 wings and a PG once pick #4 comes around. Rondo's floor game looks pretty nice, and he may be a surprisingly adept scorer. The big question is how quickly can he fulfill his promise as a classic defensive/distributor PG.
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ACTION: The Hawks select Rudy Gay with the #3 pick
REACTION: The Hawks need... well, everything. The best thing about Gay is probably his size at the SF/SG spot, and we know Wig likes big guards (see: Magic Johnson, Penny Hardaway). Gay can score, but the rest of his game is kind of average to below average. Maybe Wig hopes a few rounds of points spent on training him will bring him into stardom, but in a league with a ton of beasts at the 2/3, Gay doesn't really stand out... though at least Wig no longer has to rely on Andres Nocioni or Luke Walton to start at the 3.
REACTION: The Hawks need... well, everything. The best thing about Gay is probably his size at the SF/SG spot, and we know Wig likes big guards (see: Magic Johnson, Penny Hardaway). Gay can score, but the rest of his game is kind of average to below average. Maybe Wig hopes a few rounds of points spent on training him will bring him into stardom, but in a league with a ton of beasts at the 2/3, Gay doesn't really stand out... though at least Wig no longer has to rely on Andres Nocioni or Luke Walton to start at the 3.
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ACTION: The Sonics select Brandon Roy with the #4 pick.
REACTION: This move was telegraphed by the #2 pick - we all knew the Sonics would select whatever 3-letter-last-name wing the Hawks didn't. Roy has the passing skills to pinch hit at PG when Rondo needs a breather, and looks like he could develop into a solid scoring threat. The Sonics' backcourt looks like it's set for quite a while after this pick - nice job, Darth.
REACTION: This move was telegraphed by the #2 pick - we all knew the Sonics would select whatever 3-letter-last-name wing the Hawks didn't. Roy has the passing skills to pinch hit at PG when Rondo needs a breather, and looks like he could develop into a solid scoring threat. The Sonics' backcourt looks like it's set for quite a while after this pick - nice job, Darth.
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ACTION: Grizzlies select Kyle Lowry with the #5 pick
REACTION: This was really the most interesting pick so far (at least for me). The Grizzlies could have tried to get Pau Gasol help down low (Millsap) or could have gone for a stretch 4 (Bargnani) but instead decided to go after one of several scoring point guards. I assume they'll play him next to Calderon as a shooting guard in the same sort of vein as the Francis/Terry combo in Boston. Given the talent in this class, Lowry is a solid pick here but makes the Grizzlies a bit undersized in the backcourt. Perhaps this speaks to the Grizzlies' confidence that they'll be able to bring in another big to put next to Gasol in Free Agency?
REACTION: This was really the most interesting pick so far (at least for me). The Grizzlies could have tried to get Pau Gasol help down low (Millsap) or could have gone for a stretch 4 (Bargnani) but instead decided to go after one of several scoring point guards. I assume they'll play him next to Calderon as a shooting guard in the same sort of vein as the Francis/Terry combo in Boston. Given the talent in this class, Lowry is a solid pick here but makes the Grizzlies a bit undersized in the backcourt. Perhaps this speaks to the Grizzlies' confidence that they'll be able to bring in another big to put next to Gasol in Free Agency?
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ACTION: Bulls select PF Paul Millsap with the #6 pick.
REACTION: The Bulls seem to be in an awkward position - Stephen Jackson is ridiculous but his prime is going to be wasted if the Bulls don't build something around him right quick. Millsap is going to be a fine power forward - in about 4 years. He's got nice potential but his game still has a long way to go to reach it. With Delonte West only 22, I have to think the Bulls need to start looking at trading Captain Jack for a rebuilding package if they can't find a way to hit a home run in Free Agency. It's almost impossible to try to win now and accumulate a young core for the future simultaneously. That said, this move is a kick in the teeth to the Sonics, who were probably hoping a classic rebounding big would fall to them at 7 now that they have their wings and point guard of the future in place... only to see him snapped up one pick before they could get him.
REACTION: The Bulls seem to be in an awkward position - Stephen Jackson is ridiculous but his prime is going to be wasted if the Bulls don't build something around him right quick. Millsap is going to be a fine power forward - in about 4 years. He's got nice potential but his game still has a long way to go to reach it. With Delonte West only 22, I have to think the Bulls need to start looking at trading Captain Jack for a rebuilding package if they can't find a way to hit a home run in Free Agency. It's almost impossible to try to win now and accumulate a young core for the future simultaneously. That said, this move is a kick in the teeth to the Sonics, who were probably hoping a classic rebounding big would fall to them at 7 now that they have their wings and point guard of the future in place... only to see him snapped up one pick before they could get him.
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IamQuailman
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Re: Wig Liveblogs the 2006 Draft
May as well write your rebuilding package for him hereWigNosy wrote:ACTION: Bulls select PF Paul Millsap with the #6 pick.
REACTION: The Bulls seem to be in an awkward position - Stephen Jackson is ridiculous but his prime is going to be wasted if the Bulls don't build something around him right quick. Millsap is going to be a fine power forward - in about 4 years. He's got nice potential but his game still has a long way to go to reach it. With Delonte West only 22, I have to think the Bulls need to start looking at trading Captain Jack for a rebuilding package if they can't find a way to hit a home run in Free Agency. It's almost impossible to try to win now and accumulate a young core for the future simultaneously. That said, this move is a kick in the teeth to the Sonics, who were probably hoping a classic rebounding big would fall to them at 7 now that they have their wings and point guard of the future in place... only to see him snapped up one pick before they could get him.
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Re: Wig Liveblogs the 2006 Draft
If I had a decent big man to offer, maybe I would have done so.IamQuailman wrote:May as well write your rebuilding package for him hereWigNosy wrote:ACTION: Bulls select PF Paul Millsap with the #6 pick.
REACTION: The Bulls seem to be in an awkward position - Stephen Jackson is ridiculous but his prime is going to be wasted if the Bulls don't build something around him right quick. Millsap is going to be a fine power forward - in about 4 years. He's got nice potential but his game still has a long way to go to reach it. With Delonte West only 22, I have to think the Bulls need to start looking at trading Captain Jack for a rebuilding package if they can't find a way to hit a home run in Free Agency. It's almost impossible to try to win now and accumulate a young core for the future simultaneously. That said, this move is a kick in the teeth to the Sonics, who were probably hoping a classic rebounding big would fall to them at 7 now that they have their wings and point guard of the future in place... only to see him snapped up one pick before they could get him.
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IamQuailman
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Re: Wig Liveblogs the 2006 Draft
Are you hinting at wanting samaki tuna?WigNosy wrote:If I had a decent big man to offer, maybe I would have done so.IamQuailman wrote:May as well write your rebuilding package for him hereWigNosy wrote:ACTION: Bulls select PF Paul Millsap with the #6 pick.
REACTION: The Bulls seem to be in an awkward position - Stephen Jackson is ridiculous but his prime is going to be wasted if the Bulls don't build something around him right quick. Millsap is going to be a fine power forward - in about 4 years. He's got nice potential but his game still has a long way to go to reach it. With Delonte West only 22, I have to think the Bulls need to start looking at trading Captain Jack for a rebuilding package if they can't find a way to hit a home run in Free Agency. It's almost impossible to try to win now and accumulate a young core for the future simultaneously. That said, this move is a kick in the teeth to the Sonics, who were probably hoping a classic rebounding big would fall to them at 7 now that they have their wings and point guard of the future in place... only to see him snapped up one pick before they could get him.
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Re: Wig Liveblogs the 2006 Draft
ACTION: The Sonics select Andrea Bargnani with pick #7
REACTION: I mean, he's the probably the best player available, and he's technically a big man, but he's a stretch 4 and the Sonics probably needed a more traditional big man. Biggest surprise of the draft so far? No trades. The Cavaliers and Warriors have signalled they aren't attached to picks 8 and 9, so maybe now is the time we see something happen and someone trades into the top 10.
REACTION: I mean, he's the probably the best player available, and he's technically a big man, but he's a stretch 4 and the Sonics probably needed a more traditional big man. Biggest surprise of the draft so far? No trades. The Cavaliers and Warriors have signalled they aren't attached to picks 8 and 9, so maybe now is the time we see something happen and someone trades into the top 10.
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Oh I cant wait for the Cavs writeup
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ACTION: The Cavaliers pick some wrestling dude... I mean, Randy Foye with pick #8.
REACTION: Nope, still no trades. With a draft this shallow, you might think a team would be tempted to at least trade OUT of their pick. Oh well. Foye looks like a scoring PG in the mold of Lowry, and given the Cavaliers' comment that he'll probably be playing off guard (let's be honest, nobody is going to unseat Chris Paul at the 1) bears that out. I wonder if this, along with the Sonics' Roy/Rondo combo and the Grizzlies' Calderon/Lowry combo, portend a new wave of teams playing two combo guards in the back court instead of a traditional point guard and a traditional scoring guard. And will that make assists climb or fall?
REACTION: Nope, still no trades. With a draft this shallow, you might think a team would be tempted to at least trade OUT of their pick. Oh well. Foye looks like a scoring PG in the mold of Lowry, and given the Cavaliers' comment that he'll probably be playing off guard (let's be honest, nobody is going to unseat Chris Paul at the 1) bears that out. I wonder if this, along with the Sonics' Roy/Rondo combo and the Grizzlies' Calderon/Lowry combo, portend a new wave of teams playing two combo guards in the back court instead of a traditional point guard and a traditional scoring guard. And will that make assists climb or fall?
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ACTION: The Warriors select Steve Novak with pick #9
REACTION: Still no trades. This isn't an awful pick in a draft this shallow - Novak is a stretch 3, I guess, though I'm surprised the Warriors picked so quickly. Obviously they didn't get a trade offer they liked. Then again, Novak's role is going to be clearly defined wherever he goes - park outside the arc and launch threes - and there's something to be said for that. Also, trying really hard to work up excitement for the rest of this draft... and just not feeling it. Really need some trades to inject some excitement because the talent on the floor sure isn't going to.
REACTION: Still no trades. This isn't an awful pick in a draft this shallow - Novak is a stretch 3, I guess, though I'm surprised the Warriors picked so quickly. Obviously they didn't get a trade offer they liked. Then again, Novak's role is going to be clearly defined wherever he goes - park outside the arc and launch threes - and there's something to be said for that. Also, trying really hard to work up excitement for the rest of this draft... and just not feeling it. Really need some trades to inject some excitement because the talent on the floor sure isn't going to.
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ACTION: The Lakers take Thabo Sefalosha with pick #10.
REACTION: By adding another defensive guard to their stable (Tony Allen and if they keep him Larry Hughes) the Lakers are showing a commitment to a defensive build. With all the hot young offensive wings in the league it is not the worst idea.
REACTION: By adding another defensive guard to their stable (Tony Allen and if they keep him Larry Hughes) the Lakers are showing a commitment to a defensive build. With all the hot young offensive wings in the league it is not the worst idea.
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YOU DONT RUN MY LIFE DAD!!!
Re: Wig Liveblogs the 2006 Draft
ACTION: The New Jersey Nets select Tyrus Thomas with pick #11
REACTION: The Nets are clearly attempting to corner the market on young big men, adding Thomas to presumably back up Bynum and Kaman. Thomas projects nicely as a rebounder and shotblocker with the added bonus of being able to get steals, so I can see the appeal. While the Nets might have wanted a more pure point guard than Jameer Nelson, there weren't really any available to them and this probably lets them slide Gerald Wallace back down to his natural SF position instead of playing out of position at PF.
REACTION: The Nets are clearly attempting to corner the market on young big men, adding Thomas to presumably back up Bynum and Kaman. Thomas projects nicely as a rebounder and shotblocker with the added bonus of being able to get steals, so I can see the appeal. While the Nets might have wanted a more pure point guard than Jameer Nelson, there weren't really any available to them and this probably lets them slide Gerald Wallace back down to his natural SF position instead of playing out of position at PF.
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ACTION: The Rockets select Ronnie Brewer with pick #12
REACTION: The trend here is becoming obvious - with few offensively gifted players, teams are now trying to grab defensive specialists in the hopes that these players will hold their value. Brewer has excellent projections as a perimeter defender who can disrupt passing lanes but his offensive game is lacking to say the least. The Rockets will have to hope playing with Jason Kidd, he'll get set up for a lot of easy baskets. The one thing you probably wish Brewer was better at is rebounding - he's a horrible defensive rebounder for a defensive-minded player, but I guess you can't have everything.
Still no trades. What gives?
REACTION: The trend here is becoming obvious - with few offensively gifted players, teams are now trying to grab defensive specialists in the hopes that these players will hold their value. Brewer has excellent projections as a perimeter defender who can disrupt passing lanes but his offensive game is lacking to say the least. The Rockets will have to hope playing with Jason Kidd, he'll get set up for a lot of easy baskets. The one thing you probably wish Brewer was better at is rebounding - he's a horrible defensive rebounder for a defensive-minded player, but I guess you can't have everything.
Still no trades. What gives?
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ACTION: The Spurs select Jordan Farmar with pick 13.
REACTION: Great quickness and nice perimeter defense potentials. The draft is definitely trending toward defensive guards now.
REACTION: Great quickness and nice perimeter defense potentials. The draft is definitely trending toward defensive guards now.
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ACTION: The Knicks select Shannon Brown with pick 14.
REACTION: Last year it was Nate Robinson. This year it's Shannon Brown. The Knicks have a thing for slashing undersized guards I guess.
Still no trades.
REACTION: Last year it was Nate Robinson. This year it's Shannon Brown. The Knicks have a thing for slashing undersized guards I guess.
Still no trades.
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ACTION: The Hawks trade pick #15 to the Wizards for Josh Howard and cash (points).
REACTION: Finally, a trade! The Hawks get... um... yet another wing player. They have Mason, Gay, Martell Webster... does this mean Mason is on his way out of Atlanta? RECKLESS SPECULATION! Honestly, the Hawks are probably figuring Josh Howard is better than anything left on the board, even if they'll have to pay him next season... which is probably more a statement on the lack of talent on the board than any talent Josh Howard might possess. The Wizards clearly just wanted to lock a player in for 4 years on the cheap as they're stuck with some big contracts right now (Murphy, Lewis, Odom, VladRad) and probably can't afford to give Josh Howard a raise - so this is likely a "get something for him before we can't afford to keep him" move.
REACTION: Finally, a trade! The Hawks get... um... yet another wing player. They have Mason, Gay, Martell Webster... does this mean Mason is on his way out of Atlanta? RECKLESS SPECULATION! Honestly, the Hawks are probably figuring Josh Howard is better than anything left on the board, even if they'll have to pay him next season... which is probably more a statement on the lack of talent on the board than any talent Josh Howard might possess. The Wizards clearly just wanted to lock a player in for 4 years on the cheap as they're stuck with some big contracts right now (Murphy, Lewis, Odom, VladRad) and probably can't afford to give Josh Howard a raise - so this is likely a "get something for him before we can't afford to keep him" move.
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ACTION: The Wizards select Sergio Rodriguez and his sweet beard with pick #15.
REACTION: Best beard of the draft so far. Also, the Wizards picked the purest point guard left on the board... but with Odom ahead of him, I can't see Sergio getting much burn. It's a nice value stash of a 20-year old who might turn into a nice floor general in a couple of years.
REACTION: Best beard of the draft so far. Also, the Wizards picked the purest point guard left on the board... but with Odom ahead of him, I can't see Sergio getting much burn. It's a nice value stash of a 20-year old who might turn into a nice floor general in a couple of years.
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ACTION: The Suns select JJ Reddick with pick 16.
REACTION: This is a significantly worse pick than Sergio in terms of beard sweetness. But Reddick is probably the best scorer left on the board and I guess Phoenix hopes he can make the jump on TC like fellow Dukie Carlos Boozer did.
REACTION: This is a significantly worse pick than Sergio in terms of beard sweetness. But Reddick is probably the best scorer left on the board and I guess Phoenix hopes he can make the jump on TC like fellow Dukie Carlos Boozer did.
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ACTION: The Wizards trade pick 17 to the Bucks for pick 21 and cash (points)
REACTION: The Wizards already got their man at 15, so trading back gets them the points they gave up when grabbing the 15th pick - nice symmetry there by Xist. The Bucks get a chance to jump up a few spots for a relatively modest price.
REACTION: The Wizards already got their man at 15, so trading back gets them the points they gave up when grabbing the 15th pick - nice symmetry there by Xist. The Bucks get a chance to jump up a few spots for a relatively modest price.
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ACTION: The Bucks pick Adam Morrison with pick 17.
REACTION: Adam reminds me of a poor man's JJ Reddick with a very poor man's Sergio Rodriguez beard game.
REACTION: Adam reminds me of a poor man's JJ Reddick with a very poor man's Sergio Rodriguez beard game.
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ACTION: The Raptors select JJ Barrea with pick 18.
REACTION: Another JJ with no beard game. I guess his quick can make him a bit of a pest, but as an undersized guy he will have his work cut out for him.
REACTION: Another JJ with no beard game. I guess his quick can make him a bit of a pest, but as an undersized guy he will have his work cut out for him.
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