NBA Draft: First Round Breakdown

[doublee]

Here is my two cents on the first round:

NBA Draft Analysis:

1. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks: They went with the safe pick here and took the 7-footer with some skill. Cannot blame them for taking a guy who comes at a premium in the NBA. I am still not sold on him being star player in the NBA.

2. Marvin Williams, Atlanta Hawks: To me this is a wasted pick for the Hawks. They already have good young talent in Josh Childress, Josh Smith, and Al Harrington who already fill the role that Marvin will be asked to play. The Hawks needed a point guard or a center not another athletic forward. Unless the Hawks make a move with one or some of the guys they already have then Williams just creates a logjam at forward rather than improving the team.

3. DeRon Williams, Utah Jazz: Good pick for a team that has a gaping hole at PG. He should be able to provide the Jazz with some much needed floor leadership.

4. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who is relegated to one of the wastelands of the NBA. Kind of a curious pick seeing as they have bigger needs at PG with Dan Dickau emerging as a viable option at the position. The Hornets really needed to get a little younger and tougher under the hoop especially with P. J. Brown getting on in years and Magliore constantly fighting injury last year and not really wanting to be in New Orleans. Although given how well J. R. Smith progressed at the tail end of the season Paul and Smith give the Hornets the prospect of having one of the most explosive backcourts for years to come.

5. Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats: Not a huge surprise they went with the hometown hero, but it seems a bit of a reach at number five to me. They probably could have gotten him at 13 with their second selection. The Bobcats needed a PG to help build the team around. If nothing else he will definitely sell tickets next season.

6. Martell Webster, Portland Trailblazers: Not a huge surprise that they went with a high-schooler, but it is a surprise that it was Webster. Gerald Green was widely regarded as the top high school player in the draft. Portland is another franchise that is in disarray and seems to be going nowhere fast.

7. Charlie Villanueva, Toronto Raptors: The Raptors continue to show they either have no clue what they are doing or they are just randomly picking names out of a hat. Villanueva is a huge reach here and has a lot of questions about his motivation and attitude. Not to mention they already have a center in Chris Bosh.

8. Channing Frye, New York Knicks: Cannot quibble with this pick the Knicks desperately need quality size that can contribute right away especially with Kurt Thomas rumored to be on his way to Phoenix.

9. Ike Diogu, Golden State Warriors: I like Diogu’s prospects as a NBA player my only question is how he fits with the Warriors who already have Troy Murphy at one forward slot and Mike Dunleavy finally emerging as a solid NBA player coming off of his best season in the league.

10. Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers: Check back in a couple of years he is clearly a project player who probably will not be an impact player for a couple of seasons. He clearly has a lot of talent and potential.

11. Fran Vazquez, Orlando Magic: At least this is one European who will likely be in the league next year and will get a chance to grow into his role on the team. Given the firepower the Magic already have he won’t be relied upon to be a go to guy right away.

12. Yaroslav Korolev, Los Angeles Clippers: Wasted pick who is likely two or three years away from even stepping foot on a NBA court.

13. Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats: The Cats are clearly going for local college talent to put butts in the seats next season. It is a nice selection though giving them some more toughness up front and he blossomed into a real leader last year in college. Besides, teams can never have too much quality size in the NBA.

14. Rashad McCants, Minnesota Timberwolves: Interesting selection for a team that battled chemistry issues all season last year. This almost assuredly means Latrell Sprewell will not be in a T-Wolves uniform come next year. If he ever gets his head out of his rear end he could end up being one of the two or three best players to come out of this draft.

15. Antoine Wright, New Jersey Nets: Another nice prospect but I am not entirely sure where he fits with the Nets seeing as they have two fairly similar wing players in Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter. They could have used some more depth under the basket as opposed to on the perimeter.

16. Joey Graham, Toronto Raptors: Not a bad selection here for the Raptors. They need more athleticism and guys who can score and make plays out on the floor.

17. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers: Another nice prospect but am curious where he fits given that the Pacers already have Artest and Stephen Jackson who can play the SF spot. Although given the history of those two guys he does give them insurance against another meltdown.

18. Gerald Green, Boston Celtics: Kind of surprising that he fell this far especially with a team like Charlotte in need of a quality shooting guard. Nice pick up for the Celtics. Some think he may end up being the best to come out of this draft.

19. Hakim Warrick, Memphis Grizzlies: I like this pick the Griz needed to get more athletic and Warrick definitely fits the bill.

20. Julius Hodge, Denver Nuggets: Love this pick for the Nuggets they are getting a high quality leadership guy with tons of versatility. He may not be the best shooter available but he will do what it takes to win and can play the point, the two guard and small forward.

21. Nate Robinson, Phoenix Suns: This was a very intriguing pick for the Suns. I liked the prospects of him coming off the bench fueling the run-and-gun offense in Phoenix. But, it sounds as though he may be going to New York to backup Marbury. Robinson should be a good high energy role player type wherever he ends up.

22. Jarrett Jack, Denver Nuggets: Loved this pick for the Nuggets initially now it appears he is going to Portland which makes little to no sense seeing as the Blazers already have a 19 year old PG in Telfair. It really does not make a lot of sense to me from the Blazers standpoint. Especially given how Telfair really began to emerge once they inserted him into the starting lineup.

23. Francisco Garcia, Sacramento Kings: This probably means that Cuttino Mobley will not be back in a Kings uniform next season with Bobby Jackson and Mike Bibby still on the roster. I am not a huge Garcia fan, but at least he is going to a team where he won’t need to be a primary scoring option and will have time to grow into his role. A team like Sacramento is probably a good fit for a guy like Garcia.

24. Luther Head, Houston Rockets: Good pick for a team who needs a true point guard. Head impressed a lot of folks in the Chicago pre-draft camp and convinced everyone that he can run the point at the next level and has a NBA range on his jumper to boot.

25. Johan Petro, Seattle Supersonics: The Sonics need someone who can score under the basket. Has NBA size but his game is still very raw and is probably someone who won’t contribute significantly for a couple of seasons.

26. Jason Maxiell, Detroit Pistons: Curious pick, but the Pistons don’t really have any glaring needs at the top of their player rotation and he fits the mold of a hard-nosed defensive forward that Dumars loves to get.

27. Linas Kleiza, Portland Trailblazers: Supposedly going to Denver as part of the deal for Jack. Not sure where he really fits into Denver’s plans as they already have plenty of depth and talent at the forward position. Seems to be a bit of a tweener who does not have the shooting range and athleticism to play the three nor the size and toughness to play the four.

28. Ian Mahinmi, San Antonio Spurs: Lanky athlete in the mold of a Samuel Dalembert. This is a developmental pick and likely won’t step on an NBA court for two or three years.

29. Wayne Simien, Miami Heat: Love this pick for the Heat if he can stay healthy. With Shaq, ‘Zo, and Haslem on board the Heat suddenly have a wealth of talent around the basket. If all these guys stay healthy the Heat probably have the deepest frontcourt in the league now. He will give the Heat another widebody warrior around the basket in the mold of ‘Zo. The only difference being that Mourning is a better defender.

30. David Lee, New York Knicks: Like this pick for the
Knicks as well. Lee gives them another big body under the basket and he impressed a lot of scouts at the pre-draft camps and went from being a mid-to-late second rounder to the end of the first. Good solid pickup for the Knicks.

[Clipps]

12. Yaroslav Korolev, Los Angeles Clippers: Wasted pick who is likely two or three years away from even stepping foot on a NBA court.


You got that right. I wanted Granger

[Alex]

1 (7)- Channing Frye, C, Arizona- Frye wasn't a great pick up but the Knicks really needed a center. After Mohammed was traded to San Antonio, the only center left was Bruno Sundov and PF Jackie Butler.

1 (21 Phoenix)- Nate Robinson, PG, Washington- Robinson should be a solid player off the bench to spell Marbury at the point. He doesn't have great size, even for a point guard, but plays an up tempo style of basketball that will hopefully help to create what will be much needed offense for the Knicks. After the Thomas trade, the Knicks will be hurting for defense.

1 (30)- David Lee, PF, Florida- Lee was a solid pick who will give the Knicks a sizeable post player off the bench but I think this pick could have been better used on Brandon Bass from LSU or Ronny Turiaf from Gonzaga.

2 (54)- Dijon Thompson, SF, UCLA- Thompson's rights were dealt to Phoenix as part of the Kurt Thomas for Quentin Richardson and Nate Robinson trade.

[Clipps]

I have to hand it to the Charlotte Bobcats. They did a great job drafting. Raymond Felton and Sean May would both be 2 very big helps for Charlotte. I see a future big 3 in Okafor, May, and Felton. The Bobcats will have a short line-up with May at 6'8" and Okafor less than 6'10" but they will still be very effective. Brevin Knight was alreay a nice player for the Bobcats, now with Felton, they are set at the pointguard and up front. The Bobcats are gunna be a very good team very fast. People will be suprise. I believe that the bobcats are just one solid shooting guard away from being a playoff team. They should try to sign Joe Johnson.

[doublee]

Alex, I think Lee may be a bit of a better fit for the Knicks if they are indeed planning to go with a more run-and-gun style to mask the lack of height deficiency. He surprised a lot of folks by grading out as the most athletic PF at the Chicago camp and also came away with the camp's MVP Award which is why he moved up the boards quite a bit. Turiaf and Bass are more bulldozer types of PFs that would not fit into a more uptempo style of offense. Plus, Lee is two inches taller than Bass is.

Clipps, I don't know that the Cats are going to be a playoff team just yet. As it stands right now they only have five guys under contract for next season: Okafor, Gerald Wallace, Primoz Brezec, Melvin Ely, and Jason Hart. I suspect they will probably try and bring Kareem Rush back to play the two with Wallace still manning the three. They will probably have a rotation of Brezec, May, and Okafor for the other two spots depending on what the best matchups are at the time. Hart was pretty productive when he was healthy so I expect he will share PG duties with Felton to start out. As it stands right now this team has no shooting. Felton will struggle with his perimeter shooting early on after all it did take him three seasons to become a good 3-pt. shooter in college. I am not sure but I don't think the Cats would have the cash to sign Johnson. From what I understand they are working with a salary cap lower than that of everyone else in the league and with the roster size being bumped next season and half a roster to fill the Cats are going to have to look at quantity over quality for the time being.

[#99]

Draft winners:

Boston - Stole consensus top four selection Gerald Green at #18. Coupled with Al Jefferson, Boston's future looks very bright as Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker continue to lead the way. Picking up Ryan Gomes late in the 2nd round was a terrific value, too. If Mark Blount can make Boston's roster, Gomes certainly can, too.

Indiana - One of the most talented teams in the league just got better with perhaps the steal of the entire draft, nabbing consensus top ten pick Danny Granger at #17 (How Granger and Green slid this low, no one will ever know. Some teams opted to address needs, but others suffer from complete stupidity).

Charlotte - Some people say they selected Raymond Felton too high at #5, but honestly, I believe it was the right pick. Paul and D. Williams were gone and Bobcats needed a point guard. If they had waited until their 2nd pick at #13, Felton would've been gone. The guy can run the floor and promises to be a stellar player in this league. He was UNC's motor during the season. UNC's motor during the NCAAs? Charlotte got him, too. Sean May was a great selection to partner with Emeka Okafor down low. The Bobcats can now employ and running, attractive style of basketball and boast two hometown boys which will drive ticket sales through the roof. They picked up talent and revenue!

Memphis - In keeping with the "teams that lucked out in having star players fall into their laps" theme, the Grizzlies certainly deserve a mention if only for drafting Hakim Warrick. The guy is versatile and definitely capable of being a 1st team all rookie member by season's end. Love his game.

Atlanta - I think drafting Marvin Williams isn't a bad thing by any means. If you're Atlanta, you shift some pieces around and seriously think about playing small ball a la Seattle this season. Also, grabbing Salim Stoudamire at the top of the 2nd round was a great pick. He's the best shooter in the draft. Not often you pick two players who can start in your lineup immediately.

Losers:

LAKERS - And how! Woof! I'm sick over this Desagana -- err -- Andrew Bynum pick. Sick, I tells ya! The Lakers have always been expected to be a team that should, can, will win now. You don't win now by throwing away a top ten pick on a project. You're the freaking Lakers, for crying out loud! Being competitive is imperative! Free agents come to you! Why take a flier on this galoot? 'Cause he's been able to keep his weight down for a whole month? Gasp! What discipline! Ugh. Why they didn't pick Sean May, I'll never know. Of course, in the slim event that Bynum does pan out, I am willing to eat crow. I do, however, like the Ronny Turiaf pick in the 2nd round. He's a guy who can step in immediately and help out in the post. You know? Kind of like Sean May! Von Wafer, I could take or leave. Practice squad is calling.

Toronto - And the winner for worst draft of any team by a country mile is... I wonder if there are any Toronto fans left. This team has absolutely no direction whatsoever. None! Two years ago, they draft Chris Bosh, who by all accounts is well on his way to becoming a star. That's great. How do they follow it up? The next two seasons, they reach (and I mean reach) on two first round picks who are not only way out of their league, but play the same position as Bosh! What the hell are you doing, Rob Babcock? Charlie Villanueva may yet turn out to be a good player, but he is not worthy of being #7 overall and he will flail in Toronto. Truly awful. Between this and giving away Vince Carter, I wouldn't be surprised if the Raptors wind up with the worst record in the league next year.

Portland - Because what this team needs is another high school player. One that will definitely be impressed upon by Portland's stand-up (ha!) roster. Taking Webster over Gerald Green took balls. Putting him in the backcourt with Sebastian Telfair (himself only a year out of high school) could be disasterous early on. To top it off, Portland made waves by trading out of the #3 spot because they weren't interested in a point guard (Chris Paul was ready and waiting), then later in the draft they pull a trade with Denver to acquire the rights to Jarret Jack. Guess what position Jack plays? Point guard! And he isn't nearly as good as Paul is! Honestly, what? What are you thinking, Blazers?

Minnesota - Right upfront, let me say that I like Rashad McCants' game a lot. The guy could be terrific in this league. Great scorer, great ability. But, if you're going to replace headcase Latrell Sprewell, you don't do it with another headcase! McCants has an ego bigger than maybe anyone in this draft and at least 3/4 of the league. This is the stable influence you want replacing Sprewell? Okay, whatever.

All 2nd round high school selections - Check it out guys, you don't have guaranteed contracts and all of you (except for CJ Miles) have forfeited your college eligibility by signing with agents. Sucks for you. Hope it was worth it. Peace.

How about all the early college entries who had their minds poisoned with thoughts of being a first round pick, then went on to be undrafted? Matt Walsh, John Gilchrist, Randolph Morris, etc. Seriously? You thought you had a chance? Oy...

[buckeyefan78]

#99 has got this pretty much dead on. I hope Charlotte is serious about meshing their unit, not just relying on local boys to sell tickets. We'll see. Memphis and Miami did amazing, as did Boston. Of course, with West and Riley running the show, anything they touch turns to gold...which brings us to fool's gold...the Lakers...

No clue why Kobe drafted the pimple popper. Phil has a three year deal and this is clearly a kid who will need 3 years to make ANY kind of impact, good or bad. Are we rebuilding or pushing for a title at the end of year 3? I'm confused. Maybe the kid will get good and Riley or West will get him in a trade with Kupchak/Kobe for a bag of magic beans? Yep, I could see it.

[Shawndo]

Lakers obviously keeping their chips in for the long haul. I have yet to see young (YOUNG!) Bynum in action, and the other two 'fellers' look like bench warmers too, at least for a while (well I could see Ronny contributing right away possibly). I don't have as many issues with Bynum as 99 does; I trust their judgement. (Phil was on board with this decision as well). The Lakers needed a good center, and I think Andrew will be that. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

However, with Phil back on board and hopefully a better roll of the dice injury-wise, LA will make the playoffs next year and continue to improve. I don't think anyone sees a title- condending team there within the next 3 years.

[#99]

See that's the thing, Shawndo. The Lakers need more than just a better roll of the dice, injury-wise. They need talent. It just seems hard to justify taking a project like Bynum when there were clearly several other players available who could have stepped in and contributed immediately. Sean May and Danny Granger were still available.

[Shawndo]

Agreed, 99, they do need more.. in order to become a title contender. But a better roll injury-wise and PJ will get them to the playoffs at least, I'll wager.
Bynum must have REALLY wowed the brass during his LA workout.

[blackdogsong]

or maybe Bynum wowed them at the dinner table. kids looks like Fat Albert. more like the second coming of Oliver Miller then the second coming of Shaq.

[buckeyefan78]

Lakers should be improved, but not enough. People have to realize that Golden State and the Clippers are also on the rise. We are early here, but I can't see the Lakers winning more than 40 games and finishing any higher than 10th.

[doublee]

Plus, it also sounds as though the Clippers may actually make a serious run at landing Ray Allen, Micheal Redd, or Joe Johnson.

[Shawndo]

Originally posted by buckeyefan78
Lakers should be improved, but not enough. People have to realize that Golden State and the Clippers are also on the rise. We are early here, but I can't see the Lakers winning more than 40 games and finishing any higher than 10th.

Well how about a friendly bet then? :) I'll wager $20 the Lakers make the playoffs, but that bet is only offered to buckeye ;)

[buckeyefan78]

doublee...

I heard they want Allen bad. Not sure though, we are dealing with the Clippers here. What's up with Bobby Simmons? How come he isn't getting any love? Today's Cleveland Plain Dealer posted all these guards stats today (as the Cavs continue to look to spend their dough), and Simmons held his own. He's 25, same as Redd, plus he shoots at a higher clip, is a better defender, and a much better rebounder.

Shawn...

I don't think so. I'll do you one better though. If the Lakers make the playoffs, I'll spend the dough and go to their first playoff game. Might as well throw that in the mix. I told my wife if Ohio State makes the Rose Bowl against USC (NC game this year, and both teams are ranked high) that I'm DEFINITELY going. Between that and the insane amount of cash I spent on a pair of Stones/Pearl Jam tickets at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, I think the strain from my wife will exceed any monetary bet....oh yeah, strain would be an understatement at that point.

[190 Octane]

Nice analysis, #99. I couldn't agree more. I'm somewhat (very) biased, but I think Salim Stoudamire will have an immediate impact in Atlanta. He should be able to step in and start right away, as he's got more to offer than Tyronne Lue.

As far as Andrew Bynum, I was working at a basketball camp this week, and a few of us were watching the Draft during the dinner break. When the Lakers took him #10, about half the room called out, "Desagna Diop!" Until the season starts, I have no reason to believe otherwise.

[buckeyefan78]

Bynum will have more in common with Diop than you know 190. Diop backed up Mihm in Clevleland, who backed up Iggy. I believe Tony Battie was 3rd and Diop was 4th in the rotation for Lebron's rookie year.

Oh yeah, Mihm is my starter and now the "new" Diop is my backup (are Vlade and Grant even able to get out of bed?).

Move over Mikan, Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq...the new legends are in town.

[Clipps]

notice how Mikan was the onlygreat center tha Lakers didn't trade for.

[Shawndo]

Originally posted by buckeyefan78
are Vlade and Grant even able to get out of bed?

Both have a lot to prove, especially Grant. I like his workhorse attitude but he's so overpaid I don't even want to talk about it. Apparently Vlade now has until September to prove he still 'got game', otherwise he's probably gone. I hope he rehabs real well and challenges Mihm for the starting slot. I still think he could contribute more than Mihm, if just a little. He won't be running, but he's a crafty SOB and real good for team morale.

[doublee]

Hey, don't get me wrong Simmons is a nice player and the Clippers have said they would be interested in having him back. But, there are a few reasons as to why I can see the Clippers going after a Redd or an Allen. One is Bobby Simmons does not put butts in the seats and Redd or Allen would be more of a draw as they have been to the All Star game and are recognizable names. Two, is Simmons is more of a complimentary player and not necessarily a guy who can take over a game and score big baskets like Redd and Allen can. Third, Redd or Allen would give them the prolific 3-point shooter that they desparately need. The Clippers shot only 669 threes last year while their opponents put up 1317 almost twice as many. Simmons is a solid 3 point shooter, but he is not going to go out and drop five or six in a game the way Allen or Redd can do.

As for Stoudamire I don't see him being much more than a guy who comes off the bench to give the Hawks instant scoring. I keep hearing a lot of folks, not on this site, saying Salim will play the point for the Hawks next year, but I just don't see it. The few times I watched him play last year he did not show me much in the way of point skills and seemed to struggle penetrating and creating shots off the dribble. It seems to me that he took half of his shots from behind the arc for a reason.

[Clipps]

Ray Allen will for sure make the Clippers a more positive franchise. Even though 100 million dollors is way too much money for a 30 year old NBA player, it will show the league that the Clippers are finally about winning. One thing I hope the Clippers don't do is get Ray Allen in a S&T though unless it's trading Simmons and Wilcox. I really like Simmons but I would trade him over Maggette any day. And also with Chris Wilcox recent arrest with possession of a gun, I think it's about time for Chris Wilcox to pack his bags and go somewhere else. He is now the most hated player on the Clippers to us fans. Chris Wilcox does not contribute at all except for the occasional flashy thunder dunk, but other than that he sucks. but the Clippers stillc an get someone for him, there are many teams like Miami, New Jersey, the Lakers, New Orleans, and houstan who would love to have an athletic Power Forward.

Ray Allen will help make the Clippers a more marketed team, and along with the Clippers, the Cavs, Hawks, and obviously the Sonics are interested in Ray Allen.

Cavaliers - They are more interested in the younger Michael Redd, most likely Redd will be a Cavalier, but if not, then expect Ray Allen to be in a Cavs jersey, especially with Milwaukee willing to give Michael Redd the max

Sonics - This is probably the most likely team that will have Allen next season. But even though the Sonics had a great season, even with Allen, I don't think they will repeat what they've done. IMO their 2004-2005 season was fluke. Even if it isnt, a 50 win season and maybe the second round will be thr furthest they will go unless they make drastic changes tot heir roster like add an all-star pointguard and/or big man.

Hawks - With jokes put aside, Atlanta desn't have a place for Ray Allen already with wanting to develope Josh Childress and Josh Smith. But still, why in the world would Ray Allen want to play for the Atlanta hawks, who even with Ray Allen won't be goin nowhere positive for another 5 years. They are probably gunna trade Josh Smith in a year or two because of Marvin Williams.

Clippers - If Ray Allen is looking for a talented team, the Clippers have the most talented out of the list of teams interested in Ray Allen. Ray Allen would fit in perfectly with the Clippers. Just with Brand, Maggette, Livingston, Kaman, Jaric, Ross, Korolev, Ewing, Moore, ReBraca, and possibly Bobby Simmons, the Clippers are already a playoff threat. Maybe even a 50 win season if they stay healthy and get lucky in their close games. Just subtracting Simmons and Wilcox and adding Ray Allen will make the Clippers a playoff lock and a 52-55 win team and possibly second round birth. and with still room to grow with Livingston, and Korolev very young and with Kaman who is still young so don't give up on Chris Kaman. I might be a little bias but if I was Ray Allen, I'd bolt to the Clippers the first chance I get. Out of theteams interested, the Clippers have the most title contending potential. Hawks = Lottery, Sonics, a 6th seed at best next season if they get Ray Allen, Cavaliers, even if they get Michael Redd might be a 45-50 win team. Maybe second round action, but other than that, they need to get a big man to replace Z when he leaves. Clippers are a sleeping giant. The CLippers have the pieces for the puzzle. They are just missing 1 more piece and that's a sharp shooter that's guaranteed a spot in the all-star game that can hit clutch shots. With Ray Allen, the Clippers will have the pieces together to contend for a title. But doesn't mean they will, they will still need to develope their pieces. Livingston will need to prove that he can play an entire season, Maggette needs to cut down on his mistakes he makes ont he court. Maggette is a 6 year veteran and he's still making rookie mistakes, Kaman needs to be more aggressive. Every time when Kaman is open under the basket, he just puts up a little baby layup or a hook...DUNK IT KAMAN!!!!!

[buckeyefan78]

doublee...

Simmons can hit the 3 though. I don't really buy the argument about Allen or Redd being more clutch either. Simmons has never had to play for anything before. I don't know, my gut tells me that Simmons is the best play for the Clipps. He's younger than Allen, would ask for less money than Redd (who the Bucks just maxed out on last night), and is a better rebounder and defender than both of them. If Livingston continues on his path ( I love the guy) and Coach D. remains in L.A., I see the Clippers in the playoffs this year with ease. And then next year, with all the big men having their contracts up, who knows?

[doublee]

Clipps maybe better to answer this, but I get the sense that Simmons is not comfortable being a three point shooter. He hits at a decent rate but he only made 50 3s last season and he played 37 minutes a game. His season high was 3 in a game and he only hit more than two in a game twice. The Clippers were dead last in the league in 3s taken and 3s made and were 21st in percentage and that was with Bobby Simmons. Ray Allen is capable of hitting 50 3s in about six weeks of a season. Apparently the Clippers don't think Simmons is ever going to be a top flight 3-point shooter or they would not be going after a bigger name than Bobby Simmons. As I said Simmons is a nice complimentary player but the Clippers need someone who can step it up and hit shots from beyond the arc when need be and Simmons does not seem to have that in him.

[Clipps]

Simmons isn't a frequent 3 pointer. He is very good with his shot selection. He could probably shoot as well as Quentin Richardson, but Q never met a shot he didn't like. Simmons is very good with his shot selection. But his jump shot is similar to Bruce Bowen's shooting. Simmons shoots the majority of his 3 pointers from the baseline. Clippers are gunna have to find a way to improve their 3 point shooting. Right now, Corey Maggette is our most frequent 3 point shooter and his 3 point shooting is atrocious, mainly because Corey is playing out of position. both Simmons and Maggette are natural SFs. You can't have Maggette moving to SG because he can't shoot outside jumbers or handle the ball good enough and you can't put Simmons at SG because he's too slow, that's why signing Ray Allen would be perfect for the Clippers. Clippers get their SG that can handle the ball and shoot the ball and that's athletic, and you can slide Maggette or Simmons at the 3. Most likely if the Clippers sign Ray Allen, it's bye bye Simmons. No way Sterling will give Simmons 50 million to come off the bench. Simmons has grown to be one of my favorite NBA players but if you want to barely make the playoffs with very little media hype and no interest from other outside free-agents, then you re-sign Bobby Simmons, If the Clippers want to have an actual star player, that is a well known name around the league that is almost guaranteed an all-star spot every year and that can put butts on seets at staples center and give the Clippers media hype and put the CLippers to more than barely making the playoffs, I mean winning 55+ game and go on a nice playoff run, then you go on the limb and sign Ray Allen. Maybe you can re-sign SImmons and waight 3 years till Korolev becomes a Kirilenko type player but for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 9 straight years, I don't think the Clippers will want to wait 3 years. And also with Ray Allen, it still helps the future while still making the Clippers an instant playoff team (55 wins) right now because while Korolev is developing into hopefully a kirilenko type player while Ray Allen is helping the Clippers turn things around and contend for a championship. Ray Allen should pick the Clips. Of the teams interested in ALlen, the Clippers are the ones that have CHampionship potential if Ray Allen is on it. The Sonics would just go to the playoffs every year with Allen. The Cavs will still have to wait for Lebron to mature just a little bit more and I think it's better for theCavs to sign Redd who is closer to LeBron's age than Allen is, and the Clippers need Allen. Aside from 3 point shooting, the Clippers are also in need of veteran leadership. Allen has been in the playoffs, he's been in the all-star game almost every year, he's also experienced the woes and he has also been just 1 win away from the 2001 NBA Finals. Ray Allen would be the perfect veteran leader for the young Clipps. You can't rely on Corey Maggette and Elton Brand to provide veteran leadership even though they are 6 year veterans, but they haven't ever been int he playoffs before, no way you can count on Brand and Maggette. THe Clippers need to try as hard as they possibly can to get Ray Allen and just suck it up and say good bye to Bobby Simmons. SImmons is a good guy and hard worker, but the Clippers need a player like Ray Allen.

[buckeyefan78]

I'm not sold Clipps. You sign Simmons for 5-7 million a year less than Allen and then you make a run at Yao or a crop of bench guys for the future. Their starting lineup is pretty much in place. I think Redd and Allen are solid, but I really believe the Clippers are on the verge of breaking through here. Now isn't the time to try and pull out a publicity stunt.

[trayhezy]

Originally posted by Clipps
SImmons is a good guy and hard worker, but the Clippers need a player like Ray Allen.


I agree with Clipps to a certain extent in that the Clippers need a player LIKE Ray Allen. I believe they need a closer, a guy that takes a makes big fourth quarter shots. They were 7-21 in games decided by 5 points or less. If they break even in those games they are in the playoffs. Compare that to the Pistons and Spurs winning 60% of games decided by 5 points or less. Also consider that the Clippers were 3-6 in overtime games while the finals teams were 10-1 combined in OT games.

The fact that the Clippers had more OT games than anyone in the league or that they played 28 games decided by 5 or less shows that the are competitive with the rest of the league. On the other hand the ability to win those close games is the difference between the lottery and the finals.

The question is do you back up the Brinks armored truck to Allen's door to put you be that guy or do you attempt to find it elsewhere.

[Clipps]

Originally posted by buckeyefan78
I'm not sold Clipps. You sign Simmons for 5-7 million a year less than Allen and then you make a run at Yao or a crop of bench guys for the future. Their starting lineup is pretty much in place. I think Redd and Allen are solid, but I really believe the Clippers are on the verge of breaking through here. Now isn't the time to try and pull out a publicity stunt.

And then what happens when the Clippers are in the playoffs and they actually force a game 7 against a 4th, 3rd, 2nd, or 1st seed team. With out Ray Allen, who will step it up. No one on the Clippers right now has any kind of playoff experience except for Zeljko ReBraca and Kerry Kittles. Kittles won't even be on the team after a very dissapointing season, and Zeljko was not even that big of a player witht he pistons in 02. You can't rely on Brand and Maggette to put a team on their backs to the playoffs. That's what it so important about signing Ray Allen. He has 3 things that the Clippers need the most. 1) 3 point shooting, 2) a solid shooting guard, and 3) veteran leadership.

Simmons only covers 1 of those things sometimes. 1) Simmons does not have any form of leadership at all, 2) he's a good shooter but he doesn't shoot that many 3 pointers anyway. and 3) Simmons is not even a SG, he's a SF. In fact, he's a more effective 4 than a 2.

[Tucker The Cub]

I think the Celtics stole Gerald Green at #18..He was projected early first round, and I can't figure out why these teams passed him up.