With
the 21st overall pick, Team O’Toole selects: Greg Monroe
Sean: At
6'11", he doesn't have the height of say, a Roy Hibbert, but as a 22-year-old
in his second year in the NBA averaged 9.6 boards and 15 points a game. The
blocks aren't there in as high a quantity but the $3.2 million contract and
young age makes Monroe a solid pick for now and the future of my team.
My
take: If Monroe played in a bigger market, he would definitely not hold the
same anonymity amongst casual fans. His numbers actually compare favorably to
Demarcus Cousins, though his game is not that of a prototypical center. He’s a
big man who can either face up or back down a defender. He’s actually at his
best between eight and twelve feet from the basket. While not a great post
defender, he is a big body who gives you the post scoring you needed. Solid
choice.
With
the 22nd overall pick, Team Oetinger selects: Paul George
My
take: This kid’s gonna be a stud. A 6-10 (yes, you read that correctly)
shooting guard with top-end athleticism and a smooth stroke from 3. He’s
already one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, he’s only 22 and
costs just $2.5 million next season. He adds versatility as he can defend four
positions and he will excel running the fast break with LeBron and Kyrie. He
hasn’t learned how to create his own shot yet, that’s not what I need him to do
at this point. A player I’ve been targeting for a while, I’m glad he’s
available.
With
the 23rd overall pick, Team Lamonica selects: Brook Lopez
Adam: I was surprised to find he is only a 4 mil cap hit.
While he may not be a superstar, he is an all around solid center who will
occasionally show flashes of brilliance. He very nicely rounds out my starting
give of Rose at 1, Curry at 2, Melo at 3, Griffin at 4, and now Lopez at the 5.
My take: A true 7-footer with a good post game, Lopez is a
rare breed. He adds great size to your team, with a small cap hit. I am a bit
worried about his injuries and his rebounding though. He sat out nearly all of
last season with a broken foot. And in his last full season, he averaged only
six rebounds a game, which for his size is unacceptable. I also have a tough
time taking him seriously because his name sounds like a female porn star. He’s
a decent shot blocker though, and his post defense will take some pressure off
of Blake Griffin. He’ll also force the defense to collapse on him when he gets
the ball in the post, which should lead to open shots for Curry and Anthony. I
like the pick.
With
the 24th overall pick, Team Arena selects: Dwyane Wade
CJ: I
needed an explosive player on offense, and Dwyane Wade fits that perfectly.
With Steve Nash dishing him the ball, and Lebron out of the way, I think Wade
could really shine. Add that to what he can contribute on defense, and he seems
to round out the team pretty well.
My
take: A bit of a shocker this late in the draft; you definitely swung for the
fences here. Wade is the best two-guard in the game right now and he can
dominate on both ends of the floor. His shot blocking stats are unreal for a
player (generously) listed at 6-4. But he showed signs of slowing down last
year, and I was not impressed with how he played in the Playoffs. His style of
play revolves around his athleticism, as his jump shot still isn’t consistent
enough to be a real weapon. And the physical toll of his reckless drives into
the paint is starting to show a bit. Regardless, he definitely has good years
ahead of him, and I don’t doubt that he will develop new ways to score, as he
is one of the most competitive players in the game.
Round 6
Round 7
My
take:
With
the 25th overall pick, Team Fisher selects: OJ Mayo
Joe:
His numbers went down a bit last year, but in the right system he is very
capable of turning it on and putting up some serious points.
My
take: Mayo is a talented player who just hasn’t fit with the Grizzlies for the
past few years. A lot of people don’t remember that the Grizzlies traded Kevin
Love for him on draft night; that’s how highly regarded he was coming into the
NBA. He still has the skills, and he adds a bit of versatility as he can play point
guard as well. I love Mayo’s talent, he just needs to be in the right situation
to succeed. He needs to work on moving without the ball, which is something he’ll
have to do a lot with Rondo at the point.
With
the 26th overall pick, Team Fisher selects: Kevin Martin
Joe:
Martin’s been a little inconsistent, but he can fill up the score sheet when he’s
on. To me, he’s worth the risk. I think he’ll bounce back from a disappointing
season last year.
My
take: Interesting. Another shooting guard? At this point you don’t have anybody
to play the three spot unless you plan on using Martin or Mayo there. Martin is
not a household name but he is a born scorer. Unfortunately he doesn’t do much
else, and injuries have been a concern in the past. Not sure how I feel about
this pick.
With
the 27th overall pick, Team Arena selects: Ty Lawson
CJ: I
need a backup for Nash; a guy for him to show the ropes. Lawson is a solid
young point guard who brings great energy and comes at a small cap hit.
My
take: I like Lawson a lot. He’s a small guy who uses his speed and court
awareness to overcome his limited height. A good shooter and defender as well.
He was my point guard to target if I didn’t get Irving. Solid value choice.
With
the 28th overall pick, Team Lamonica selects: Kemba Walker
Adam:
I give up.
My
take: Apparently.
With
the 29th overall pick, Team Oetinger selects: Avery Bradley
My
take: One of the best young defenders in the game, Bradley had his coming out
party last year for the Celtics. He showed that he could shoot the three as
well, shooting 40%. He was rated as the #1 prospect coming out of high school,
ahead of guys like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. He will provide outstanding
perimeter D and energy off the bench for me.
With
the 30th overall pick, Team O’Toole selects: Kenneth Faried
Sean:
Young, talented, and a great teammate. He can be a rebounding machine in the
low post. Needs to develop a little more offensively but has the athletic
ability to do so.
My
take: Great energy pick. Guy brings it every minute of every game. Outstanding
per-minute rebounder, though I doubt he will ever develop an above average
offensive game. Will thrive in that role off the bench though.
With
the 31st overall pick, Team O’Toole
selects: Demar Derozan
Sean:
Athletic ability THROUGH THE ROOF and has been showing he has the ability to be
a top scorer. Had a little bit of a letdown season this past year but is still
young and has tons of upside. Also a competent defender and good rebounder for
a shooting guard
My
take: Definitely a project pick who I think is more suited for the bench than a
starting role. He will never be the most efficient scorer, but he will always
do well on the fast break. Has room to develop, and will become your big-time
scorer off the bench.
With
the 32nd overall pick, Team Oetinger selects: Kendrick Perkins
My
take: When looking at my team, the only thing that's missing is a low-post
defender that can body up the elite centers in the league. In Perkins, I get
one of the best at that. A non-factor at the offensive end, Perkins provides
great value as a guy who doesn't need shots to be happy, and who will provide
leadership for my young team. Also adds a little dose of nasty, as his
glare is one of the most intimidating in the NBA.
With
the 33rd overall pick, Team Lamonica selects: DeJuan Blair
Adam:
I quit last round.
My
take: I noticed. For you I chose DeJuan Blair, a solid role player your team
needs. Great rebounder and solid in the pick-and-roll offense. Doesn’t have
outstanding potential, but knows what he is and will play his role. Leads by
example, and does it all with no ACLs (!).
With
the 34th overall pick, Team Arena selects: Brian Scalabrine
CJ: The
White Mamba. He can hit threes when it's not expected. He understands the game
in a way that can help the younger players understand their roles. Also, people
seem to love him. Gotta keep the fans happy right?
With
the 35th and final overall pick, Team Fisher selects: Nikola
Vucevic
Joe:
Very skilled with lots of potential. And he fits under my salary cap.
My
take: That last sentence is key there, as you didn’t have much wiggle room. I
think after a few years Vucevic can turn into a nice role player, so I can’t
bash the pick. Though I guess it’s fitting two white guys got picked last
(after the guy with no ACLs!!!).
Round 8: The Coaches
Team Fisher: Doc Rivers
Team Arena: Gregg Popovich
Team Lamonica: Scott Brooks
Team Oetinger: Rick Carlisle
Team O'Toole: Doug Collins
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