X's Tried & True Re-Drafts (Volume 2) *2006 POSTED p.1*

[The X]

I'm a long way away from Sam Bowie, but I can guarantee you he won't be above MJ in 1984 draft, since MJ is clearly tier 1 & Bowie is tier 3.

So hypothetically, hakeem could be taken above MJ again if they're both in tier 1 and the team picking 1st needs a post player more than a perimeter player...

Hypothetically, yes that may happen. I don't want to say it will since there's many re-drafts to happen between now & then. And besides, if you check out my original re-draft (link), Hakeem goes before MJ in that one too, so I've got no qualms dropping MJ down the draft board

[Nick]

I don't know, in my mind Michael Jordan shouldn't be going anything less than #1 in ANY draft of the modern era, no matter what players are involved in the draft. As good as hakeem was, michael jordan is, well, michael jordan...
If jordan is going anything less than #1 then reassessment of the system is in order. Maybe put him in a tier of his own... tier 0.5, lol.

Anyways, cross the '84 bridge when you get to it. Looking forward to the next re-drafts... particularly the ones where the players' careers are a bit more set in stone.

[The X]

I don't know, in my mind Michael Jordan shouldn't be going anything less than #1 in ANY draft of the modern era, no matter what players are involved in the draft. As good as hakeem was, michael jordan is, well, michael jordan...
[b]If jordan is going anything less than #1 then reassessment of the system is in order. Maybe put him in a tier of his own... tier 0.5, lol.

Anyways, cross the '84 bridge when you get to it. Looking forward to the next re-drafts... particularly the ones where the players' careers are a bit more set in stone.[/b]

Tell that to NBA GM's, not me. I'm using their system and trying to keep faithful to it. That's the interesting thing to me about this. Using a drafting system that they say means you don't make the stupid mistake of reaching for Aruajo when Iguodala is available & so on.

[Andrew]

It will be interesting to see what you do when you get there, seeing as though the Rockets had Ralph Sampson at that time.

Re-reading the 2008 Draft, it's possible that Mayo or Gallinari still end up going a bit higher but other than that, looks solid to me. I'd still say Rose over Love though, while Love fills a need knowing what we do now I don't think there's any way you can pass up an upgrade of Rose over Hinrich.

[The X]

You could switch Gallo & Batum, I had those two ranked pretty similarly.

[The X]

Moving onto the 2007 NBA Draft, which came down to an Oden vs Durant battle, which Oden won. Check out the actual results here.

Tier 1 (Surefire All-Star/Franchise Player)

SF- Kevin Durant

Tier 2 (Surefire Starter/Potential Future All-Star)

C- Al Horford
C- Marc Gasol
C- Joakim Noah
C- Greg Oden

Tier 3 (Potential Starter/Potential to Develop)

C- Tiago Splitter
PG- Rodney Stuckey
PG- Mike Conley
PG- Ramon Sessions
PF- Carl Landry
SG- Nick Young
SG- Arron Afflalo
SF- Thaddeus Young
SF- Wilson Chandler
SF- Jeff Green

Tier 4 (Contributing Role Player)

C- Spencer Hawes
PG- Aaron Brooks
PF- Glen Davis
PF- Josh McRoberts
PF- Yi Jianlian
SG- Rudy Fernandez
SG- Marco Belinelli
SF- Jared Dudley
SF- Corey Brewer
SF- Al Thornton

I've taken the liberty of listing Al Horford as a centre over his preferred position of power forward since he currently plays at centre and Hawks will continue to misuse him. Spencer Hawes and Aaron Brooks, especially the latter, were tough omissions from tier 3.


2007 NBA (RE-)DRAFT

1. Portland: SF- Kevin Durant (picked #2)

Sorry Lamrock and other Blazers' fans, you should've taken Kevin Durant at number one. I think everybody knew that Durant was going to be a star, but they figured easier to replace a star wing than a potentially great big man.

2. Seattle: C- Al Horford (picked #3)

The Sonics had many glaring holes so they'll take the best big man on the board in Al Horford, who potentially could be great as a starting power forward in Seattle. I doubt this draft pick would've prevented the Sonics from trading away Ray Allen and losing Rashard Lewis to the Magic via free agency, but a solid pick nonetheless.

3. Atlanta: C- Joakim Noah (picked #9)

This would've been a perfect fit. The Hawks were in desperate need of a starting big man who can rebound, defend and provide energy and Noah is that man. I thought about Marc Gasol here, but he took a year to come over and the Hawks were in no position to wait another year without a quality big man.

4. Memphis: C- Marc Gasol (picked #48)

The irony here is that the Grizzlies would eventually get him in Pau Gasol trade from Lakers less than a year later. Without the Lakers having the trade asset of Marc Gasol's rights, potentially the Grizzlies hold onto Pau Gasol, never trade him to Lakers, Kobe bolts town and Marc and Pau Gasol become a superb C-PF combo. One can dream.

5. Boston: C- Greg Oden (picked #1)

When healthy, Oden is an All-Star calibre centre. Problem is he's never been healthy. Whether the Celtics hold onto this pick rather than trading for Ray Allen or whether Sonics now have a beasty Oden-Horford duo up front, who knows? Either situation would've been intriguing.

6. Milwaukee: PF- Carl Landry (picked #31)

This might seem like a stretch and as I'm writing this, I'm wondering how Carl Landry is so high. There is a bit of drop-off from tier 2 talent to tier 3. If you will recall Bucks were pretty much set everywhere on court except the frontcourt. Although Landry doesn't have the upside of some of the others on his tier, he is efficient offensively and could've helped the team a lot more than what Yi did.

7. Minnesota: PG- Rodney Stuckey (picked #15)

The Timberwolves needed help all of the place, so went with Stuckey given they wouldn't have wanted to wait for Splitter The Timberwolves could've gone many different ways with this pick, but went with Stuckey.

8. Golden State: SF- Thaddeus Young (picked #12)

This run and gun Warriors were jam packed full of guards and wings. I think a combo forward not named Al Harrington would've further helped their cause. Young edges out Jeff Green since he's more athletic and I think he would fit better with Warriors' style.

9. Chicago: C- Tiago Splitter (picked #28)

Sorry to tell Bulls fans, but you don't luck out with a talent as good as Joakim Noah at 9 this time around. The Bulls can go with a few options here, they really need a power forward but combo forward Jeff Green is only similar fit on board. A backup point guard like Mike Conley to Kirk Hinrich could be an option. None of these options really appeal too much to me. I figure the Bulls just take the best available big man, stash him away and he'll be ready to make a big impact in the 2011/12 season (if there was one). I rate Banana Splitter and think he'll have a good career.

10. Sacramento: SF- Jeff Green (picked #5)

The Kings were set with Artest, Kevin Martin and Mike Bibby (was playing well until 2007 year then injuries hit after this draft occurred). The Kings needed help upfront but no quality options available, so a combo forward like Jeff Green who can swing between power forward and small forward seems like the right option at this pick.

11. Atlanta: PG- Mike Conley (picked #4)

The Hawks were gagging for a point guard in the worst kind of way after passing on Chris Paul and Deron Williams in 2005 and Brandon Roy (who could've played next to Joe Johnson in the backcourt) in 2006 in the prior two drafts. If I recall correctly, the Hawks were hoping to get Conley at this pick given that's what his talent suggested (late lottery), but since it was such a dismal draft for point guards they had to reach on Acie Law (about 10 spots too high, familiar theme for Hawks throughout this period). I liked Law but he never worked out as a NBA level point guard. He might not have been given keys to team straight away, but by now Conley would be their starting point guard.

12. Philadelphia: SF- Wilson Chandler (picked #23)

The 76ers needed frontcourt help, so Chandler is about all that is left in this tier. He might replicate some of other player's skillsets, but worth Philly picking up another asset.

13. New Orleans: SG- Nick Young (picked #16)

Hornets needed a two guard to put next to Chris Paul and they grabbed one with my potential in Nick Young.

14. LA Clippers: PG- Ramon Sessions (picked #56)

With an ageing Sam Cassell running the point, Clippers would've been wise to use this pick on a backup and eventual successor in Sessions.


Biggest Blunders: Golden State trading J-Rich for #8 pick and drafting tier 5 player in Brandan Wright when tier 3 available. Atlanta using their #11 pick on a tier 5 player in Acie Law when tier 3 point guards were available.


Okay, I'm ready for the grilling on the Carl Landry pick (maybe Lamrock excluded) Looking back, perhaps I should change it. Too tired now though, so not going to change it

[dare]

I would take Brooks over Sessions, Having another scorer would benefit Brand,Cassell and Mobley. Never thought how big the 07 draft was for the Celtics and Lakers.

[Axel The Great]

I would take Brooks over Sessions, Having another scorer would benefit Brand,Cassell and Mobley.

Seconded. Brooks might have even become a starter at some point with the Clippers and probably been a better option than Baron Davis seeing as how his numbers dropped a significant amount when he came over to LA. Brooks was able to coexist with Kevin Martin in Houston (both being high-volume scorers), I'm pretty sure he would have made a good backcourt duo with Eric Gordon.

I like the idea of Marc Gasol going straight to the Grizzlies and the Lakers never getting Pau. I'm sure the Lakers would have done something else to be able to contend again if that would have happened.

[Lamrock]

No problem with the top 6. Spot on there. However, Mike Conley is easily the 7th best talent, and 2009-10 MIP Aaron Brooks probably deserves a spot but I'm glad Sessions made it. Spencer Hawes is the worst center in the NBA so I'm glad he's absent.

[The X]

I would take Brooks over Sessions, Having another scorer would benefit Brand,Cassell and Mobley. Never thought how big the 07 draft was for the Celtics and Lakers.

I would take Brooks over Sessions, Having another scorer would benefit Brand,Cassell and Mobley.

Seconded. Brooks might have even become a starter at some point with the Clippers and probably been a better option than Baron Davis seeing as how his numbers dropped a significant amount when he came over to LA. Brooks was able to coexist with Kevin Martin in Houston (both being high-volume scorers), I'm pretty sure he would have made a good backcourt duo with Eric Gordon.

I like the idea of Marc Gasol going straight to the Grizzlies and the Lakers never getting Pau. I'm sure the Lakers would have done something else to be able to contend again if that would have happened.

Hard to argue with that if you see Brooks.as a tier 3 player, which most of you seem to. I don't rate.Brooks but wouldn't argue with anybody that would have him in tier 3.

Agreed that this draft had a huge impact on Celtics and Lakers fortunes.

No problem with the top 6. Spot on there. However, Mike Conley is easily the 7th best talent, and 2009-10 MIP Aaron Brooks probably deserves a spot but I'm glad Sessions made it. Spencer Hawes is the worst center in the NBA so I'm glad he's absent.

Once again, I can't argue the logic since I had a point guard go at 7. You can flip Stuckey and Conley since it was a toss up between those 2 for me.


Sounds like consensus is Conley is above Stuckey at PG & Brooks is tier 3 & above Sessions. In that case, Conley would go at 7, Stuckey at 11 & Brooks at 13.

[Mandich]

Landry and Splitter are overrated and put way higher that they should be in your draft.

[Andrew]

No doubt about Durant going first overall. Fair call on Oden too, though considering he has gone on to battle injuries throughout his brief career perhaps he would slip further if the Draft were held again today. I'm guessing the Celtics would still trade that fifth pick for Allen as well.

I'm fine with Landry at #6. I don't know about the Bulls taking Splitter though, I think they'd go with Green and try him at the power forward spot.

[rise]

I'd put Brooks and Dudley over Sessions, but other than that, it's pretty good.

[The X]

Landry and Splitter are overrated and put way higher that they should be in your draft.

Yep, I knew both would be controversial.

No doubt about Durant going first overall. Fair call on Oden too, though considering he has gone on to battle injuries throughout his brief career perhaps he would slip further if the Draft were held again today. I'm guessing the Celtics would still trade that fifth pick for Allen as well.

I'm fine with Landry at #6. I don't know about the Bulls taking Splitter though, I think they'd go with Green and try him at the power forward spot.

I knew when I was doing Bulls pick that you'd want Green at that spot & I almost did that, & maybe I should have so can't argue with you there. Since Oden still has a chance to have a good career if he ever gets healthy, that's why he's at number 5. That's best case scenario for him.

I'd put Brooks and Dudley over Sessions, but other than that, it's pretty good.

Yep, it seems consensus is Brooks over Sessions. As for Dudley is just missed out on tier 3. I love the guy, but don't think he'd go in lottery in re-draft, maybe in 15-18 range.

[Nick]

I'd downgrade Splitter's tier, and would consider upgrading Fernandez and Brewer, but apart from that it looks good to me!

Definitely wouldn't have Oden any lower than #5. Injuries or not, that dude is a once-in-a-generation type of center. You gotta take that gamble.

[The X]

I like Rudy & Brewer, they've just both been inconsistent & haven't found their feet. Both are capable of being solid tier 3 players

[Andrew]

Fair call on Oden, I wasn't sure how much you were factoring in his injury woes there.

[Kenny]

Nice thread

I agree with most of your picks and tiers, although I kind of agree with Andrew about the Splitter pick. With Green still available, I think they would have taken a punt on him. And with the ability of hindsight, he would have slotted into small forward well for Deng while he was injured.

[benji]

Once again, I can't argue the logic since I had a point guard go at 7.

No, you didn't. If Stuckey's a career point guard I'm a body builder named Heidi.

[Andrew]

I'm interested to see what you'll do with the 2006 Draft. I'm guessing Roy or Aldridge goes first overall, Millsap jumps from the second round into the lottery and Shelden Williams, Patrick O'Bryant and Mouhamed Sene are nowhere to be seen.

[benji]

I'm interested to see what you'll do with the 2006 Draft. I'm guessing Roy or Aldridge goes first overall

Only one player from that lottery has two NBA rings.

[Mandich]

The 'Stache !

[Andrew]

How could I forget?



In all seriousness, I'm also interested to see where X ranks Morrison, if indeed he remains in the lottery.

[The X]

Fair call on Oden, I wasn't sure how much you were factoring in his injury woes there.

They'll factor in more as they've got less of their careers left. It also depends on when injuries were, how many good/great years before injury.

Nice thread

I agree with most of your picks and tiers, although I kind of agree with Andrew about the Splitter pick. With Green still available, I think they would have taken a punt on him. And with the ability of hindsight, he would have slotted into small forward well for Deng while he was injured.

Cheers. I forgot about Deng's injury, so good point on that. That might've swung my pick the way of Green.

Once again, I can't argue the logic since I had a point guard go at 7.

No, you didn't. If Stuckey's a career point guard I'm a body builder named Heidi.

Good point. I should've factored in the difference between value of a true point guard and a combo guard. When you think about it true point guards are rated highly but shooting guards in point guards bodies are generally rated lower. I might implement that so order would be: C, true PG, PF, SG (incl. combo guards), SF.

If I had ranked the third tier based on that, Conley would've gone at 7, Stuckey maybe not until 11 at earliest.

Thanks for the heads up Heidi.

I'm interested to see what you'll do with the 2006 Draft. I'm guessing Roy or Aldridge goes first overall, Millsap jumps from the second round into the lottery and Shelden Williams, Patrick O'Bryant and Mouhamed Sene are nowhere to be seen.

Sorry, haven't had a chance to get onto prepping this one yet, might still be a little bit off. Will see what I can do.

[The X]

Moving onto the 2006 NBA Draft, which we now simply refer to as the Adam Morrison Draft (or 'Stache Draft). Check out the actual results here.

Tier 1 (Surefire All-Star/Franchise Player)

N/A

Tier 2 (Surefire Starter/Potential Future All-Star)

PG- Rajon Rondo
PF- LaMarcus Aldridge
PF- Paul Millsap
PF- Andrea Bargnani
SG- Brandon Roy
SF- Rudy Gay

Tier 3 (Potential Starter/Potential to Develop)

PG- Kyle Lowry

Tier 4 (Contributing Role Player)

C- Ryan Hollins
PG- Jose Juan Barea
PG- Jordan Farmar
PF- Tyrus Thomas
PF- Craig Smith
PF- Leon Powe
PF- Louis Amundson
SG- Ronnie Brewer
SG- J.J. Redick
SG- Shannon Brown
SG- Thabo Sefolosha
G- Randy Foye
G- Daniel Gibson
SF- Shawne Williams

A few explanations: Brandon Roy was the only tier 1 player of this draft class but injuries have dropped him to a tier 3 player. Given his first four years were very good, I've split the difference & he lands in tier 2. Bargnani squeezed into tier 2 narrowly. Even if he's in tier 3, it doesn't change how the draft goes.


2006 NBA (RE-)DRAFT

1. Toronto: PF- LaMarcus Aldridge (picked #2)

The draft has no franchise players, so they take possibly the best player in this draft class in LaMarcus Aldridge. The Raptors were a team in transition that desperately needed frontcourt help (hence their pick of Bargnani) to help out Chris Bosh. I know some might say that they already have Bosh so don't need LMA, but I think you can play the two of them together at PF and C and you take the size with this pick.

2. Chicago: SG- Brandon Roy (picked #3)

The Bulls would've wanted LMA to fall to this pick, as he did in real life, only for them to foolishly deal him for Tyrus Thomas (I still can't get over that ). I almost let Paul Millsap slide up this high, but not wanting the wrath of Andrew for the third straight time. I almost put Rondo in this spot, but I feel Bulls are going for the win now motto so in that case, they go with Roy narrowly over Rondo. Roy would've at the very least been the team's sixth man as a rookie behind Hinrich and Gordon. More likely is he would've become team's starting shooting guard with Gordon playing a sixth man's role. Very good three guard rotation, that could've potentially meant that Roy wouldn't have had to play so much and his knees could've lasted a bit longer.

3. Charlotte: SF- Rudy Gay (picked #8)

Gay narrowly edges out Millsap at this pick. Millsap would've fitted in straight to starting power forward, meanwhile Gay will have to slot in the starting SG/SF wing position. This Bobcats team needed some offensive firepower, so Gay makes the most sense. The reason they take Gay here is the same reason why they took 2-time NBA champion Adam Morrison, instant scoring from the wing.

4. Portland: PG- Rajon Rondo (picked #21)

Once again Paul Millsap is in the mix here (not that Lamrock would've minded), but Blazers will take a true point guard here and get what they hoped to get when they drafted Sebastian Telfair. At the very least, it would've been interesting to see Rondo's career flame out under the tutelage of Zach Randolph rather than Kevin Garnett .

5. Atlanta: PF- Paul Millsap (picked #47)

Hawks' fans will be gutted they once again miss out on a point guard like Rondo (don't worry, I'll make sure you get a superb one in 2005 re-draft ), but just be glad that Paul Millsap is one hundred times the player that Shelden Williams turned out to be. The Hawks get with Millsap what they dreamed they might from Shelden Williams.

6. Minnesota: PF- Andrea Bargnani (picked #1)

Bargnani will get to start straight away in Minny, playing next to and off Kevin Garnett. T-wolves will still be mediocre, but a mid-lottery pick in a mediocre draft won't change that.

7. Boston: PG- Kyle Lowry (picked #15)

The Celtics needed a point guard and Kyle Lowry at 7 is a lot better option than trading the pick for Sebastian Telfair.

8. Houston: SG- Ronnie Brewer (picked #14)

We're only at pick 8 and the draft has gone south to tier 4, which isn't good news for the Rockets. I really wanted to put Redick here, but Brewer is a bit bigger, more athletic and a better defender. In reality the Rockets would pick Gay and trade him for defensive acumen of Battier, so we can see what direction the Rockets were heading with Jeff Van Gundy at coach, so Brewer makes the most sense at this pick.

9. Golden State: PF- Tyrus Thomas (picked #4)

For me, this pick makes too much sense. The Warriors were stacked at guards and they needed frontcourt help. Nellie loves versatility from his players so Tyrus Thomas might've had a better start to his career in Oakland rather than Chicago.

10. Seattle: SG- J.J. Redick (picked #11)

The Sonics aren't going to get much help for their roster at this pick. Given they already have gunners in Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, they may as well add Redick to be a hired gun off the bench.

11. Orlando: PF- Craig Smith (picked #36)

I'm drawing a real blank with this pick. Magic need help for Dwight or a starting shooting guard. Neither is available. I thought about Randy Foye here, but the Magic already had similar sized players with similar mentalities like Nelson, Dooling and Arroyo. If not for injury, Leon Powe would go at this spot, but instead Craig Smith surprises all to move up into the lottery.

12. New Orleans: G- Randy Foye (picked #6)

The Hornets add a bit of depth to their guard stocks.

13. Chicago: PF- Leon Powe (picked #16)

Bulls are in win now mode and get some frontcourt help. Pre-injury, Powe provides great minutes off the bench at PF and C. Now imagine the 06/07 Bulls that took Pistons to 6 games in '07 conference semis, but sans Ty Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha and plus Brandon Roy and Leon Powe. How far do they push the Pistons? Or better yet, do they manage to squeak by them and the Cavs on way to a loss in Finals to the Spurs? Pistons probably still beat them in 7 tough games but anything is possible.

14. Utah: PG- Jose Juan Barea (undrafted)

All the Jazz needed was a starting shooting guard. Rather than reaching on Thabo or Shannon Brown, they would better to take Barea and have him as an impact guard off the bench down the road.


Biggest Blunders: Charlotte (#3) and Atlanta (#5) taking tier 5 players in Adam Morrison and Shelden Williams respectively, when they had their choice of a few tier 2 players.


What a piss-weak draft, mainly due to a lack of tier 3 players. Roy went two to three picks higher than I expected, but only due to the Bulls holding the Knicks #2 overall pick & having a playoff-calibre roster that was looking to make the next step.