Drafting late in the NBA Draft is a tough draw. You have to get elbow deep into the mud to find the remaining diamonds. You can't just quit on the task, because in every draft, even the worst, there is always one diamond left past the 20th rank, so you have to keep searching and trying your luck. This year had very little to offer in terms of superstar potential, but a lot in terms of solid players and intriguing prospects. Who did the best job in the second half of the selection process? Here are my two cents...
Comments: The Hawks didn't do bad, but they didn't do great either. Their most valuable selection is the German point guard Schroeder, who they will wisely play under Jeff Teague this season. Some compare him to Rajon Rondo, others to Darren Collison, but personally I think he has some Rondo in him and it should show if the tutelage is appropriate. Nogueira is a wilder gamble, but given that he blooms, he will be that defensive stopper the Hawks wanted to pair with Al Horford for so long. The selection of Muscala in round two is most likely a failsafe option. The development of their youngster depends a lot on who they sign on the free agents market.
Dallas Mavericks
18-Shane Larkin (PG)
43-Ricardo Ledo (SG)
Comments: This is awesome, sort of. I think the Mavericks were only trying to save money for free agency by trading down and have no idea how bad they lucked out by nabbing these two. Larkin and Ledo could potentially develop into an all-star backcourt if they are handled right. But the Mavs are a weird franchise and they might end up dealing the two kids for some instant gratification player who will leave within two years. They might not get Dwight Howard in free agency, but the draft placed them in a better position than last year, with their strange, composite team of soulless mercenaries.
Chicago Bulls
20-Tony Snell (SF)
49-Erik Murphy (PF)
Comments: I like Snell, I really do. But he doesn't have a place on this team unless the Bulls deal Luol Deng. He fits the hardworking, blue collar mold Coach Thibodeau loves so much. Plus he can shoot. Both Snell and Murphy can shoot, in fact. If they can find a productive role to him, the Bulls will have to similar player protecting the perimeter in Snell and Jimmy Butler. With this draft, Chicago confirmed themselves as a defensive powerhouse and added some perimeter shooting. Playing them has just become even more of a puzzle.
Brooklyn Nets
22-Mason Plumlee (C)
Comments: Bill Simmons resumed my thoughts about that pick perfectly: "Will Plumlee become a rich man's Greg Stiemsma? A poor man's Greg Stiemsma? Or Greg Stiemsma?" Silly pick. Silly team. Plumlee is going nowhere fast under Brook Lopez. Next.
Indiana Pacers
23-Solomon Hill (SF)
Comments: The most surprising selection of the first round after Anthony Bennett going first. Not sure what the Pacers are seeing in Hill, but it's the second year in a row they have a bizarre selection. Try to explain me with a straight face why Myck Kabongo went undrafted while Hill went to the Pacers, as the point guard would have been a perfect understudy for the other Hill, George, in Indiana. And guess who nabbed Kabongo for their summer league? Yeah...
New York Knicks
24-Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Comments: This is actually a smart decision. We needed two things: a big body in the paint and a failsafe option to prepare for J.R Smith's eventual departure. We got both by drafting Hardaway and signing undrafted athletic freak C.J Leslie later that night. I expect both to crack the lineup this year, because they are talented and ridiculously cheap. Since our dear GM decided it would be a good idea to store up another dead weight contract, we will need the two youngsters to provide a spark more than even.
Los Angeles Clippers
25-Reggie Bullock (SF)
Comments: Bullock was the best perimeter shooting option south of Hardaway and will join one of the most dynamic benches in the league as a spot-up shooter. This is simple, efficient work by the Clippers' front office. Bullock will be well surrounded and have very little pressure. Expect him to hit clutch shots early and often.
Denver Nuggets
46-Erick Green (PG)
55-Joffrey Lauvergne (PF)
Comments: Something's not right in Denver. They got tremendous value for two late picks, but they traded out of the first round for no reason whatsoever. I understand Lauvergne is a draft-and-stash case, but Green? Not sure where he fits in. Maybe he's an insurance in case Denver looses both Corey Brewer and Andre Iguodala? There's a fire to extinguish somewhere in the mountains.
San Antonio Spurs
28-Livio Jean-Charles (PF)
58-Deshaun Thomas (SF)
Comments: Joke's on you, Deshaun Thomas! You didn't want the Spurs to have your phone number at the combine, but now they have your soul. I'm curious how their relationship will evolve from here. The selection of Jean-Charles is the old draft-and-stash trick, which always pays off when you plan to bring your international prospects onboard eventually. It was a low key draft from the Spurs, but expect them to keep a close eye on their selection and to make everybody bit the dust when LJC will average 16-8-6 in his rookie year, as Tim Duncan's successor.
Golden State Warriors
30-Nemanja Nedovic (PG)
Comments: I find it extremely amusing that Nedovic is called "the European Derrick Rose." Really? Is there anybody in the world like Derrick Rose? No idea why the Warriors insisted on moving into the draft to take Nedovic when they already have an all-star point guard of their own. It's more of a puzzling selection than a bad one, really. Nedovic is indeed a freak athlete. But yeah. I don't get it.
Houston Rockets
34-Isaiah Canaan (PG)
Comments: The unlikely, yet crafty Daryl Morey ran away with the Pacers' logical first round choice. If the young point guard does well in summer league and training camp, expect Jeremy Lin to go out the door soon during next season. That or expect Canaan to be a piece in a spectacular sign-and-trade. Morey is a game player and Canaan has a rather high value for a team looking for new blood at the point.
Memphis Grizzlies
41-Jamaal Franklin (SG)
60-Jannis Timma (PF)
Comments: Franklin is a RI-DON-CU-LOUS value at 41. The Grizzlies can let Tony Allen go and play him with their mind at ease. It's hard to believe, I know, but they will be a better team. This is the steal of the draft. I have no idea who Timma is, the Grizz could have drafted another steal Jackie Carmichael at 60, but they didn't pull the trigger. Expect Franklin to be on his best behavior, play with a chip on his shoulder and be a dark horse for the rookie of the year if he gets the necessary minutes. The kid is really, really good.
Los Angeles Lakers
48-Ryan Kelly (PF)
Comments: Not a fan. The only thing he has going for himself is that he fits Mike D'Antoni's system. Don't expect significant minutes, even if Gasol gets hurt. Once again, the Lakers bypassed several superior players to keep playing in their coach's strengths.
Miami Heat
50-James Ennis (SF)
Comments: They did it again. The Miami Heat snatched a good value when nobody was looking. The eventual replacement of Mike Miller will be given every possible opportunity to succeed as a spot-up specialist. It's not only money that buys championships for Miami, it's the small scouting tweaks like this that add clutch shooting material to the roster. That and signing valuable players nobody wanted.
Toronto Raptors
NOBODY!
Comments: An ending that makes sense to a miserable year in Toronto. Apparently they tried to trade back into the draft on D-Day, but were given the cold shoulder. Expect things to change under Masai Ujiri though. He already traded the useless, annoying and cumbersome Andrea Bargnani to...to...to my Knicks. Sigh.
Dallas Mavericks
18-Shane Larkin (PG)
43-Ricardo Ledo (SG)
Comments: This is awesome, sort of. I think the Mavericks were only trying to save money for free agency by trading down and have no idea how bad they lucked out by nabbing these two. Larkin and Ledo could potentially develop into an all-star backcourt if they are handled right. But the Mavs are a weird franchise and they might end up dealing the two kids for some instant gratification player who will leave within two years. They might not get Dwight Howard in free agency, but the draft placed them in a better position than last year, with their strange, composite team of soulless mercenaries.
Chicago Bulls
20-Tony Snell (SF)
49-Erik Murphy (PF)
Comments: I like Snell, I really do. But he doesn't have a place on this team unless the Bulls deal Luol Deng. He fits the hardworking, blue collar mold Coach Thibodeau loves so much. Plus he can shoot. Both Snell and Murphy can shoot, in fact. If they can find a productive role to him, the Bulls will have to similar player protecting the perimeter in Snell and Jimmy Butler. With this draft, Chicago confirmed themselves as a defensive powerhouse and added some perimeter shooting. Playing them has just become even more of a puzzle.
Brooklyn Nets
22-Mason Plumlee (C)
Comments: Bill Simmons resumed my thoughts about that pick perfectly: "Will Plumlee become a rich man's Greg Stiemsma? A poor man's Greg Stiemsma? Or Greg Stiemsma?" Silly pick. Silly team. Plumlee is going nowhere fast under Brook Lopez. Next.
Indiana Pacers
23-Solomon Hill (SF)
Comments: The most surprising selection of the first round after Anthony Bennett going first. Not sure what the Pacers are seeing in Hill, but it's the second year in a row they have a bizarre selection. Try to explain me with a straight face why Myck Kabongo went undrafted while Hill went to the Pacers, as the point guard would have been a perfect understudy for the other Hill, George, in Indiana. And guess who nabbed Kabongo for their summer league? Yeah...
New York Knicks
24-Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Comments: This is actually a smart decision. We needed two things: a big body in the paint and a failsafe option to prepare for J.R Smith's eventual departure. We got both by drafting Hardaway and signing undrafted athletic freak C.J Leslie later that night. I expect both to crack the lineup this year, because they are talented and ridiculously cheap. Since our dear GM decided it would be a good idea to store up another dead weight contract, we will need the two youngsters to provide a spark more than even.
Los Angeles Clippers
25-Reggie Bullock (SF)
Comments: Bullock was the best perimeter shooting option south of Hardaway and will join one of the most dynamic benches in the league as a spot-up shooter. This is simple, efficient work by the Clippers' front office. Bullock will be well surrounded and have very little pressure. Expect him to hit clutch shots early and often.
Denver Nuggets
46-Erick Green (PG)
55-Joffrey Lauvergne (PF)
Comments: Something's not right in Denver. They got tremendous value for two late picks, but they traded out of the first round for no reason whatsoever. I understand Lauvergne is a draft-and-stash case, but Green? Not sure where he fits in. Maybe he's an insurance in case Denver looses both Corey Brewer and Andre Iguodala? There's a fire to extinguish somewhere in the mountains.
San Antonio Spurs
28-Livio Jean-Charles (PF)
58-Deshaun Thomas (SF)
Comments: Joke's on you, Deshaun Thomas! You didn't want the Spurs to have your phone number at the combine, but now they have your soul. I'm curious how their relationship will evolve from here. The selection of Jean-Charles is the old draft-and-stash trick, which always pays off when you plan to bring your international prospects onboard eventually. It was a low key draft from the Spurs, but expect them to keep a close eye on their selection and to make everybody bit the dust when LJC will average 16-8-6 in his rookie year, as Tim Duncan's successor.
Golden State Warriors
30-Nemanja Nedovic (PG)
Comments: I find it extremely amusing that Nedovic is called "the European Derrick Rose." Really? Is there anybody in the world like Derrick Rose? No idea why the Warriors insisted on moving into the draft to take Nedovic when they already have an all-star point guard of their own. It's more of a puzzling selection than a bad one, really. Nedovic is indeed a freak athlete. But yeah. I don't get it.
Houston Rockets
34-Isaiah Canaan (PG)
Comments: The unlikely, yet crafty Daryl Morey ran away with the Pacers' logical first round choice. If the young point guard does well in summer league and training camp, expect Jeremy Lin to go out the door soon during next season. That or expect Canaan to be a piece in a spectacular sign-and-trade. Morey is a game player and Canaan has a rather high value for a team looking for new blood at the point.
Memphis Grizzlies
41-Jamaal Franklin (SG)
60-Jannis Timma (PF)
Comments: Franklin is a RI-DON-CU-LOUS value at 41. The Grizzlies can let Tony Allen go and play him with their mind at ease. It's hard to believe, I know, but they will be a better team. This is the steal of the draft. I have no idea who Timma is, the Grizz could have drafted another steal Jackie Carmichael at 60, but they didn't pull the trigger. Expect Franklin to be on his best behavior, play with a chip on his shoulder and be a dark horse for the rookie of the year if he gets the necessary minutes. The kid is really, really good.
Los Angeles Lakers
48-Ryan Kelly (PF)
Comments: Not a fan. The only thing he has going for himself is that he fits Mike D'Antoni's system. Don't expect significant minutes, even if Gasol gets hurt. Once again, the Lakers bypassed several superior players to keep playing in their coach's strengths.
Miami Heat
50-James Ennis (SF)
Comments: They did it again. The Miami Heat snatched a good value when nobody was looking. The eventual replacement of Mike Miller will be given every possible opportunity to succeed as a spot-up specialist. It's not only money that buys championships for Miami, it's the small scouting tweaks like this that add clutch shooting material to the roster. That and signing valuable players nobody wanted.
Toronto Raptors
NOBODY!
Comments: An ending that makes sense to a miserable year in Toronto. Apparently they tried to trade back into the draft on D-Day, but were given the cold shoulder. Expect things to change under Masai Ujiri though. He already traded the useless, annoying and cumbersome Andrea Bargnani to...to...to my Knicks. Sigh.
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