2005 NBA Draft Thread

[Indy]

Interesting you mention Sarunas Jasikevicius, a lot of Pacers fans think he's coming our way next season. He has expressed interest in playing in the NBA and Boston and us were the two teams going after him. What do you think of Sarunas, will he be a good contributer in the NBA? Cuz I would sure love to have some help at the PG position. (Much love AJ, but we need an upgrade at the backup point.)

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Cuz I would sure love to have some help at the PG position.

jasikevicius is two times better than Tinsley... Mark my words on it... Give him two months to settle in and he'll be eating Jamal for breakfast in practices...


Hey A.G., a propos, where will Saulius be playing next season?

[J@3]

Jasikevicius is immense... I've seen him play about 10 times and I've been hugely impressed every single game. If he came to the Lakers I'd probably put off bombing STAPLES. Nice insight there A.G, I think the reason he's a draft prospect at all is because he's young, 7'3, and can walk in a straight line. Maybe he'll develop but I'm not really so sure.

[A.G.]

Jasikevicius is a really good player and team leader where ever he plays. I can say that in Eurobasket 2003 he played much better than Tony Parker. Parker averaged more points but Jasikevicius handed about 8-9 apg (2 times better than any other PG in the tournament) and won the MVP of the tournament. In NBA he could be very valuable. However, he must be in a suitable team because it will take some time to adapt to NBA rules and playing style. After a few months he wuold be really good. His passing skills are amazing and he can score lots of 3pointers aswell.

But there were talks about him playing in the NBA for 3 or so years and it didn't happened. No team offered him good enough contract. Perhaps it will change this year but somehow I don't think so. These "Jasikevicius is very good , we want him in the NBA" talks are heard every year.

D-Wolverine 99027, if you mean Stombergas than he has contract with Ulker Istambul but he expresed his wishes to change the club so it isn't known there he will play. I just hope he will play for Zalgiris Kaunas .

I think the reason he's a draft prospect at all is because he's young, 7'3, and can walk in a straight line. Maybe he'll develop but I'm not really so sure.

I agree 100%. NBA seems to have interest in every guy from Europe who plays basketball and is over 7 feet. And the taller you are the "better" you are going to be (they think).

[J@3]

But there were talks about him playing in the NBA for 3 or so years and it didn't happened. No team offered him good enough contract.

I think the main problem is that the contract he gets in the NBA to begin with won't be as big as the one he's on currently. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't he have one of the biggest contracts in Europe? I read something like that a while ago.

I agree 100%. NBA seems to have interest in every guy from Europe who plays basketball and is over 7 feet. And the taller you are the "better" you are going to be (they think).

I think it's trendy to like European big men. There's an Australia guy playing at the Australian Institute of Sport, he's only young... 18 or 19 I think but he's 7'4. I don't think anyone outside of Australian basketball circles has heard of him though, but I'd guarantee if he was from Europe there'd be some hype about him.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

D-Wolverine 99027, if you mean Stombergas than he has contract with Ulker Istambul but he expresed his wishes to change the club so it isn't known there he will play. I just hope he will play for Zalgiris Kaunas

Yes, I just love Stombergas... I watched the 1995 European Championships in Greece and was at the OAKA stadium in the final between Lietuva and Serbia... We Greeks almost caused an international incident rooting for Lietuva in that game... I just loved Stombergas' drives and threes at that tournament, and he still has a spot in my heart...

[A.G.]

I think the main problem is that the contract he gets in the NBA to begin with won't be as big as the one he's on currently. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't he have one of the biggest contracts in Europe? I read something like that a while ago.

Yes, Jasikevicius had one of the biggest contracts in Europe. He got about 3mln Euros in two years with Maccabi. However, his contract has ended and now he can choose freely where to play. But he isn't that kind of player who would go to NBA for a minimum. He wants time to play and he doesn't want to sit on the bench. And if he got bigger contract, then he would have to play more. Recently his agent said that he wants 10mln $ for 3 years in NBA. And the main problem is that NBA teams want him to play for a little wage, and if they can't pay him a few millions (not a lot in NBA standarts), why in hell he should play for them?

I think it's trendy to like European big men. There's an Australia guy playing at the Australian Institute of Sport, he's only young... 18 or 19 I think but he's 7'4. I don't think anyone outside of Australian basketball circles has heard of him though, but I'd guarantee if he was from Europe there'd be some hype about him.

European players are liked now. After Nowitzki, Peja, Gasol and others became stars in NBA, they want to find more and more good Europeans and they draft a whole lot of them no matter they are worthy or not.

Yes, I just love Stombergas... I watched the 1995 European Championships in Greece and was at the OAKA stadium in the final between Lietuva and Serbia... We Greeks almost caused an international incident rooting for Lietuva in that game... I just loved Stombergas' drives and threes at that tournament, and he still has a spot in my heart...

Year, Stombergas is one of the best. And most underrate him. But in 2004 Olymics he was as good as always .

[The X]

It's been a few weeks since my 2nd version of my Mock Draft....with the NBA Draft only a day or so away, it's time for my final mock draft....Version 3....

X's 2005 MOCK DRAFT (Version 3)

1. Milwaukee: C/F- Andrew Bogut (steady)
This pick seems to be a lock right now with the Bucks selecting Aussie bigman Andrew Bogut.

2. Atlanta: F- Marvin Williams (steady)
There has been talk of Deron Williams and Chris Paul possibly going here as Hawks are dire need of a starting PG. However, I still have the Hawks selecting the player that Milwaukee doesn't. That's why Marvin Williams won't fall past 2.

3. Portland: G- Chris Paul (up 1)
It's either Paul or Green here. I'm thinking a trade could be in the works for a team desperate for a PG of Paul's calibre. This is a flip of the coin, but Paul is easily a top 3 talent and should challenge for ROY.

4. New Orleans: G- Deron Williams (up 1)
Hornets will take a PG with this pick, and it will be whoever is available between Paul and Williams. In this mock draft, Paul is gone, therefore Deron Williams goes to the Hornets. Gerald Green is another possibility here, but Hornets already have J.R. Smith and would probably only pick Green if he was to be dealt to a team picking lower who wanted him. Either way, whatever the Hornets do, I don't think they can lose.

5. Charlotte: G/F- Gerald Green (down 2)
If as in my scenario that Green is available at 5, then the Bobcats won't let him slide any further. I can't see them grabbing Felton at this juncture, and will take the best available talent, whether it be Green, Paul or Deron Williams. A trade could be in the works with this pick, but I wouldn't be surprised if they stick with this pick.

6. Utah: F/G- Danny Granger (up 2)
This is the most open pick I believe in the lottery. The Jazz play by their own rules and this pick will follow suit. Utah has 5 picks in the draft and will make at least one or two deals on draft day, possibly involving multiple picks. Utah need a PG in a dire way, and Raymond Felton fits the bill as the best available PG. Utah covets Spaniard Fran Vazquez, however his stock seems to have slipped and if they want him that bad then they could trade for him on draft day. I've got Jazz taking Danny Granger, and I don't know where he will fit, or whether he will be moved, but his stock seems hot at the moment.

7. Toronto: G- Raymond Felton (steady)
Something has got to give with Rafer Alston. If not, the Raptors still need a quality backup PG. Felton is their man. Raptors wanted Granger, but he's gone. Babcock could take someone like Frye or Graham here, but will probably insure the PG spot.

8. New York: F/C- Channing Frye (steady)
I had Frye at 8 in my last pick, which was one above the Warriors who supposedly had a promise to pick him. I've stuck with it since then and I still believe he will go No. 8 even though his talent doesn't suggest as such.

9. Golden State: F/C- Fran Vazquez (up 1)
The Warriors knew the Knicks would grab their man, and they take the next best big man available in Fran Vazquez. There is talk of Warrick and Graham at this spot, but I think that Vazquez won't slide as far as some have suggested.

10. LA Lakers: C- Andrew Bynum (NR)
Jack makes more sense. If they are looking at a high schooler, they might take a flyer on Bynum, and hope he can develop. I still don't believe in this pick, but am unsure of what Lakers will do. With Jackson back in the fold, it makes the situation more tricky to predict. They might take a Jackson-type player like Jarrett Jack or Charlie Villanueva. I think Villanueva can go here, I just don't know.

11. Orlando: G/F- Antoine Wright (up 2)
He's impressed throughout workouts, and was always a late lottery pick. It's either Wright or Webster here, but the Magic should take the more polished Wright.

12. LA Clippers: Yaroslav Korolev (NR)
A promise is in place apparantly. Definitely a pick for the future. Could be a great pick if he improves as expected.

13. Charlotte (from Cle): F- Hakim Warrick (up 5)
Bickerstaff loves his athletic, stringy players and Warrick is one of them. Other possibilities here are Wright, Jack or Graham.


14. Minnesota: F- Joey Graham (up 3)
Spree is probably gone and was never a SF anyways. Graham can play the 3, and will strengthen the Timberwolves frontcourt even more.

15. New Jersey: F- Ike Diogu (up 13)
Either Villanueva, May or Diogu here. At of these 3, I like Ike Diogu the most. There's a good chance the other 2 go before him, but I'll back Diogu here.

16. Toronto (from Phi): G- Martell Webster (down 5)
Raptors take the best available in high schooler Webster. Webster can shoot so he should be able to help the Raptors to some degree. Petro is another possibility here, but Babcock might shy away from a foreign big man after the Aruajo debacle.

17. Indiana: G- Francisco Garcia (up 8)
Apparantly they'll take him if available. Although, don't forget about Wayne Simien and Sean May at this pick.

18. Boston: F- Charlie Villanueva (down 3)
Celtics pick best available talent in Villanueva who could work in Beantown. Although, if he follows the attitude of Toine, then his career might be very forgettable. Roko Leni-Ukic is another possibility here.

19. Memphis: G- Roko Leni-Ukic (up 2)
Earl Watson is gone, so Ukic will become a good backup PG for the Grizzlies. He could develop into more, but at worst, he should be a solid backup guard.

20. Denver (from Was): C/F- Johan Petro (down 4)
Nuggets were supposedly going to draft him if he had stayed in last year with the No. 20 pick in 2004. They have a 2nd chance, and will take Petro with 1 of their 2 1st Rounders.

21. Phoenix (from Chi): G- Rashad McCants (up 2)
With Q sent packing, and Kurt Thomas in the fold, the Suns will look to add more scoring punch off the bench in talented SG Rashad McCants.

22. Denver: G- Jarrett Jack (down 11)
Nuggets wanted a 3rd PG. Jack is too good to be a 3rd PG, but if he falls this far, then this could happen. I hope it doesn't happen though. Although this could be a pick that is traded much like the Nuggets selection of Jameer Nelson last year.

23. Sacramento: G- Monta Ellis (2nd Rd)
Kings grab extra scoring punch off the bench, and insurance at PG, especially given Bobby Jackson's ongoing injury problems.

24. Houston: F- Sean May (down 14)
He could go as high as 10 and as low as well, 24. He made the right decision to turn pro and seems to be an odd man out in my mock draft. Rockets need help at PF and will take either May or Simien at this pick if Jack is gone.

25. Seattle: F/C- Andray Blatche (down 3)
Sonics take punt on a high schooler. You might see Matt Walsh at this spot..

26. Detroit: G- Matt Walsh (NR)
Pistons need a gunner and they get themselves one. Chris Taft and Randolph Morris could fit here.

27. Utah (from Dal): C- Martynas Andriuskevius (NR)
He won't fall this far, but they said the same about Pavel last year, and he ended up with the Jazz. He shouldn't fall this far, but he has. I'm wrong, but I can't be bothered trying to fit him in anywhere else.

28. San Antonio: F- Ersan Illyasova (NR)
This pick makes too much sense that it could happen unless the Nuggets or Sonics pick him first.

29. Miami: F- Wayne Simien (down 10)
Another player who has somehow dropped down my Mock Draft. Heat could use another PF. If not, then a SG or SF like Matt Walsh or Mickaël Gelabale could be on the cards..

30. New York (from Pho): F/C- Chris Taft (down 16)
Taft seems to have dropped into the late 1st Round, but it won't fall to the 2nd Round with the Knicks snapping him up. Other possibilities here include Randolph Morris.

Last out: F- Ronny Turiaf, F/C- Randolph Morris, G- Julius Hodge


It seems like my mock drafts have gotten more crazy as they go along....ah well....shit happens....

[J@3]

Unfortunately I can see Bynum to LA aswell. It's disappointing but what can you do. Antoine Wright to Orlando might not happen, since they thought he was Danny Granger

[Fenix]

I was right (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3719320):

nstead, Hunter allowed for an age requirement that's really something more: even 19-year-old high school seniors have to wait a year before entering the league.

This the best thing I've heard today.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

It's similar to the NFL rule, just stricter. In the NFL, one has two be two years removed from highschool to be eligible, in the NBA, it's only 1 year.

But in the NFL it's physically justified, because an 18 year-old HS kid would get killed (literally) if he went up against those 250+pound beasts.

In the NBA, it's more of a socially (and financially,as a result...) imposed limit due to the league receiving negative hype about its youngness and attitute filled youngsters. Whole new ballgame...

[Fenix]

This rule rules from our point of view . I doubt that anyone would skip that year of college and play in NBDL. A year isn't a lot, but players will be a lot more mature. I don't give a fuck about how poor they are and how their familes will die from starvation if they don't get a couple of milions this year. I just want less drama, less busts and more mature players.

[maes]

VanK, i think we all want that, but letting players simmer for 1 year in their teens does nothing to accomplish that.

I of course didn't have millions or fame or magazine covers, and i don't think i matured from a crazy kid to a mature professional from 18 to 19.

I believe this is a pre-emptive move to stop teams from drafting 12-13 year old kids. Although it sounds ridiculous, in other sports such as tennis kids become "professional" at very early ages. And recruiters are now looking even earlier than high school, into middle school and grade school.

Back on topic...

More rumors:

"The most interesting greeting Monday came from an NBA agent who answered his phone not by saying, "Hello" or "What's new?" but with, "Are you calling about the trade with Utah?" Then he outlined a deal between the Blazers and Jazz that would send Zach Randoph and the No. 3 pick to Utah for Carlos Boozer and the No. 6 selection."
-- Oregonian

"Initial reports by DraftExpress regarding a second private workout with Andrew Bynum appear to be right on the money. Multiple sources have confirmed that Portland indeed did workout Bynum on Thursday in their facilities, and that the Trailblazers will be making a move on draft night to trade out of the #3 spot and take Bynum."
-- DraftExpress.com