Letting the dust settle on the 2009 NBA Draft
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You broke my heart in the NCAA tournamant. I'll let it slide if you can help the Grizz win a few more games.
The NBA Draft is like a wild-west shootout. It takes a little while for the dust to settle and figure our which teams are still standing and which teams went the way of Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen.
To see how the professional NBA scribes viewed the Grizzlies draft, Chris Herrington summed up the reaction already.
I spent way too much time reading trade rumors over the last month. I feel so stupid for getting sucked into these trade articles every year near the trade deadline and near the draft. I probably could’ve learned a foreign language or built a house over the last month if I focused on that half as much as I spent reading Chad Ford and Hoops Hype.
Without further ado, here’s my 2009 NBA Draft thoughts:
- A lot of people assumed Ricky Rubio was the consensus number 2 pick and had a significant amount of trade value. When the Grizzlies passed on him, it wasn’t that shocking. However, when Rubio fell to 5, it showed that there weren’t many teams out that they wanted him. Four teams were okay passing him up, and other teams didn’t offer much for him. Given Rubio’s complaints after the draft, it’s clear that he and his agent did the opposite of selling him to teams over the past month. Whoops.
- Anyone that defends Minnesota taking two point guards with their two lottery picks should be committed. I understand Minnesota’s rationale to get two top 6 picks, but didn’t Rubio and Stephen Curry seem like the perfect backcourt? You have the slick passer and the sharpshooter. I was already putting Minnesota on my “teams to watch next year.” When’s the last time that was said? And then, they go and draft Jonny Flynn. The highest of comedies ensued at the draft party I was at. When Ty Lawson was taken with their 3rd first-round pick, I was laughing hysterically until the trade with Denver was announced.
- The Spurs somehow lucked into DeJuan Blair. Even if he does have ACL problems, they really only need him to be a significant contributor over the course of the next two seasons, which seems pretty reasonable. I’m scared of a Duncan, Blair, Jefferson, Ginobili and Parker lineup.
- I was glad to see Oklahoma City take James Harden. I’m just not that impressed with him and wouldn’t be surprised if Thabo Sefolosha played more minutes next season.
- My boy (used loosely) Tyreke Evans went to the Kings. Between him and Kevin Martin, there won’t be many shots left to go around. Get ready to start rebounding Jason Thompson.
- Earl Clark is going to be the surprise of the first round if Steve Nash truly maximizes the potential of his teammates. Austin Daye will be a bust. I don’t trust any “power” forward that weighs less than Calista Flockhart.
And, last by not least, what I think of the Grizzlies draft.
- I understand the idea behind drafting Thabeet. The Grizzlies need an interior presence on the defensive end. Thabeet isn’t the compliment to Marc Gasol, but having Gasol will give the Grizzlies an added luxury of not putting too much pressure on the #2 draft pick right away. If Thabeet develops like you hope that he does, Marc Gasol could be used as a very valuable trade piece down the line. (It pains me to talk about Gasol and trade for the obvious reasons and also because Marc is probably my favorite Grizzly).
- I don’t know too much about DeMarre Carroll other than he took out my beloved Tigers in the NCAA tournament. Carroll will most likely be the 3rd string PF this year, but he provides insurance in case Hak doesn’t come back.
- Sam Young was on my sleeper list so I was glad to nab him. He should be ready to contribute immediately.
- Lastly, Darko was sent to the NY Knicks for Quentin Richardson. The Darko era was a short one, but provided many humorous moments (the shirt rip being at the top). Alas, the Darko-Marko time together will be remembered as a duo that was broken up before its time.
Here’s how I see the Grizzlies depth chart for next season.
C – Gasol/Thabeet/Haddadi
PF – Arthur/Warrick/Carroll
SF – Gay/Young/Carroll
SG – Mayo/Richardson/Young
PG – Conley/Jaric/Mayo
Free agency could shake things up a bit and I could see the Grizzlies trying to upgrade the backup point guard position and either address the PF situation by resigning Hakim or going after someone else.
Our bench is a vast improvement already over last year’s squad. I see Carroll and Young as high-energy guys that can come in and disrupt opponents. Regardless of whether Gasol or Thabeet starts, whichever comes off the bench should be the best bench Center in the league. And Q-Rich gives the bench a legitimate scorer and three-point shooter. (Sorry Greg Buckner).
Comments
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Do you know where or when we can see the best of the new Grizz pics? Thanks!!
I wish we would trade darrell arthur. . . . .
Good article! I agree with almost everything you said and I, for one, liked what we did with the draft. I would kill for Amare but if we can’t get him I’m fine with seeing what the new guys can do and re-signing Hak and beefing him up a bit. I see him starting at the 4 or… what if Gasol slims down a bit more and the Griz put him at the 4?
I really see the Griz of having all the makings of a poor man’s Lakers.
Here’s my starting 5: Mayo - PG, Richardson - SG, Gay - SF, Gasol - PF, and Thabeet - C. Mayo, Q-Rich, and Gay can fill up the bucket and Gasol and Thabeet can keep the opposition from getting to the bucket.
i agree with that starting line-up richardson/mayo/gay/gasol/thabeet get boozer or ron artest they are tougher in the inside david lee we need some toughness meanness and somebody a little controversial if we get artest fans and national media will love and other teams will hate to play
I just don’t see Gasol and Thabeet playing on the court alot at the same time. They aren’t quick enough to guard alot of the power forwards in the league.
If Gasol can slim up a little, it would help him with his quickness. Either way, Thabeet is there underneath as insurance. I’m sure alot of teams will try to go right at him and get him in foul trouble since he’ll be a rookie but if that happens the Griz can just move Gasol to center and bring in Hak or Arthur.
Boozer would be a great addition but I’d take Artest as well. Just tell him not to a shot everytime he has the ball. Easier said than done. David Lee? NO! I pray each night that we land Amare. We get him, we make the playoffs this year (if he stays healthy)!
sign Ron Artest then move Rudy to Power Forward!
I am happy that we took thabeet at the 2 pick. I could care less about the other 2 players we drafted. Yeah their good ,but ain’t we trying to Win a rebuild here or at least get to the playoffs? We need to get Artest and clear up some cap and try to sign boozer. We have the talent we just need someone that has the experience
I think Artest is staying put. Boozer is up in the air right now. I’d love to go after David Lee.
Good article, I am exicted to see how the new front court will fair and PF is our only weak position, don’t go after david lee in free agency i think he is a system player
Need other pg and free agency didn´t have the kind we need we did a great job on draft and now we have much better defense so in the pg draft we have to find a way to pick our and with the problem in minnesota we could trade a cople of and a strong team starter for years (rubio,mayo,rudy,marc and thabeet), nothing is betterthan that!!!
I think it is pretty clear that Rubio is not going to play for anybody but a major market team, such as New York. Looks like he’s going back to Spain if he doesn’t get traded.
trade SF/Rudy Gay SF/Sam Young and C/Marc Gasol to the Rockets for SF,SG/Tracy McGrady
GET DAVID LEE NO MATTER THE MONEY
I think David Lee would b a Good add. 2 the Griz Team.But i also think Kevin Love would b a Good add. as well.How about a 3 team deal with Griz,Ny,Minn. to where the Grizz could end up with 1 or the other, Along with a solid P/G.Lets not forget the Griz could use Navarro n a deal.
I think if the Griz was 2 do a deal with Houston for Artest. The Griz would b given up 2 much 2 obtain him.Boozer would b Good,But how long can he play this Season? Would b my concearn.
I think they will move gasol to the four instead of five it makes a lot of sense
go big time or not at all stoudamire boozer or artest we need meanness and toughness other than that might as well keep gasol at 4 he can do like david lee and the other soft power forwards i would rather wait until 2010 top heavy free agents along with grizzlies pick no lower than the 6th pick
Mille you did great in (17) we should make a move and take rubio and lee… and we expend guys like navarro,conley,warrick,jaric and also 2010 protect draft.Our team should be(rubio,mayo,gay,lee,thabeet,quentin,gasol,arthur…) I know we will do a great season and go to playoffs; and better than that.Our future will shining!!!
If we could, we have to preserve our protect 2010 draft, but if we won’t we have to expend it!!!
i hope the trade for z-bo includes marco jaric along with q.richardson. without the clippers taking back marco’s 2 yrs and q we would be really rolling the dice while they unload him for nothing bt an expiring without taking back any money
we should sign rodney carney or marquis daniels to back up oj then sign a verteran point guard ala brevin knight etc and a young point like marcus williams or a hungry darius washington or we could go all out and go for sessions
where is the summer league roster?
Excellent article. Grizzlies maybe could of gotten at least one shooter out of the three but i guess young has good range. And i like bobby idea to get mcgrady even though it wont happen. And the last thing is the grizzlies should have never traded battier gasol and miller and we wouldnt be in this situation
Hello Chris,
I am an African journalist currently working with the Independent newspaper in London. I am currently working on a story about NBA drafts, but focusing on Hasheem Thabeet. I was wondering if you could send me your e-mail so that I send my questions. I will very much appreciate for your assistance
Let´s rock grizzlies this year playoffs next I want the ring!!!
Chris I see the 2010 draft prospects and now I know that we can be great for the next years. I like Rubio’s game a Lot but we have a chance to make diference with to other guys that have much potential and will fit great in grizz MOTIEJUNAS and WALL!!!Let’s pick than and make some noise!!!
I keep seeing that everyone seems to want to go trade for Ricky Rubio. But you all seem to be forgetting that Minnisota is not just going to give him away for nothing. And even if we do get him well be in the same situation because he doesnt want to play in Memphis.
forget about rubio he doesnt want to play in minnesota so move on i am tried of talk about david lee and ron millsap if the were so wrong about signing will somebody anybody please tell me why they arent still signed if they are so much than zach randolph if they were so much than randolph they would be signed some things are obvious
Randolph will bring Toughness,Get his 20ppg.10rpg.Which is Great!But will that Make the Team or Break the Team???Would b my only concearn for the up&coming; young Talented Team.All it take is 1 bad apple 2 spoil a bunch.HOPEFULLY that doesn’t happen.
I believe the Grizz r positioning there chances for 2010.Unless there was a 2 Good 2 b Tru Deal comes there way before the season.But the position there n now, They r headed n the right direction n my book.
Chris, I read a lot of articles and a see many bad news about our team. If Zach is soo
bad boy why we added him,man we have a lot of guys that can improve our team like:Szczerbiak, Lee, monn,Bird man,Dahntay Jones, millsap, almond and barnes.
And more, if zach is soo expensive like he is, traded him ///we have too make sure our potential guys improve a lot this year and add other guys like Wall and Motiejunas and we will have a great young team for years!!!
I think teams are scared off by the fact that Lee and Millsap are restricted free agents and NY or Utah might match,sorta like Josh Smith and the Grizz last year.