2004 NBA Draft ~ RECAP

[fgrep15]

I think that T-Dot pick is an indication that they are going to get Steve Nash at the point or are thinkin a major trade soon ..because Toronto is fucked when it comes to the point guard spot ...which surprised me because i thought they were going with a guard ...I like the choice though ...because for the last several years when toronto had a good draft choice they went twith athletic this year they went fundmentals whih toronto needs ...a player that knows how to play the game using fundmentals ....whih will help carter and bosh ...a player that is willing to set a pick and this guy aint small ...so good choice ...what you guys htink?

Toronto isn't getting Nash, he's probably going in a trade somewhere with Dallas picking Devin Harris and planning on keeping him. Nash in the FA market will go the the Suns likely now, but Toronto isn't really in the picture money and preference wise.
As for PG's, Toronto is looking at Troy Hudson right now as the most likely pickup.

Athletic? Rafael Araujo isn't atheletic, but he's not a bad pick, not what I wanted or who I feel should've gone at 8th, but it happens.
Things that translate from college to the NBA in regards to big men, FG%, offensive rebounds, and blocks.
He shot 57%, averaged 2.9 offensive rebounds, and 0.8 blocks.

57% will translate to something like 47-50% shooting his first year, 2.9 offensive rebounds isn't that great, he doesn't look like someone that'll be big on the offensive glass, but something like 2.1 offensive rebounds a game in 35+ minutes.
0.8 blocks means he won't be a shot blocker at all, he'll get something like 0.5 blocks a game in the NBA.

My prediction for next year, 8.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.4 blocks, 47% FG, and 26.1 minutes a game.

[RedTorro]

Outstanding draft by the Bulls, we got three guys who can handle the ball and break down defenses. Deng, Duhon, and Gordon... awesome. Safe to say we will recover from the loss of Jay Williams.

[ghettobplayer]

Dont you think a possiblity would be a sign and trade ?

[RedTorro]

Dont you think a possiblity would be a sign and trade ?

Unless it's for Tracy, Kobe, or Pierce I stick my fingers in my ears and tell everybody to fuck off. I've had enough of this Bulls franchise getting the short end of trades. Al harrington can go fuck himself I don't want another Eddie Robinson on this squad.

[Dirtdog1- David]

My prediction for next year, 8.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.4 blocks, 47% FG

If he gets these numbers in just 26 min................ then that won't be a bad rookie at all.

[fgrep15]

Yea I see production like Kamans, except he can't block anything, and will be a better shooter from the line which is what will give him a few more Points per game considering minutes too.

He's still a defensive liability, but at least he's a tough guy down low

[Andrew]

Seems like the Bulls made a couple of pretty good selections, while hanging on to key players who will hopefully either get motivated, stay healthy and live up to their potential, or be traded later in the offseason if a good deal comes along.

[hmm]

.

[VMS]

What are you talking about homer? The Magic made out better then ANY other team! They got the #1 College player, AND the #1 High school player, and more! Being a faithful magic fan, I am glad to see that I can back a decent team!

[fgrep15]

That's what I'm saying man, and anyone that didn't know it was going to happen by yesterday morning should slap themselves, no one was saying it out loud but it was the buzz around that Howard was going first.

It was even there about 3 days ago really, I think it's a good pick, Magic aren't going to the finals the next three years, Howard will have a 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1.1 block rookie season, and Emeka a 13 point, 9 rebounds, 2 block one, but in 2-3 years Dwight will be tearing it up while Emeka is doing good but not Dwight good.
So really in the end it benefits them more if everything pans out.

The last 4 years a highschool or international player has been first pick:

Kwame
Yao
Lebron
Howard

[Riot]

howard another kwame

[EGarrett]

Howard will have a 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1.1 block rookie season, and Emeka a 13 point, 9 rebounds, 2 block one, but in 2-3 years Dwight will be tearing it up while Emeka is doing good but not Dwight good.

The way I see it...Dwight is a Kwame Brown/Darko Milicic type player, while Emeka is an Elton Brand/Kenyon Martin type.

I don't think Dwight will be near an Amare Stoudemire/Lebron James type HS rookie because he's not strong or tough at all. Amare and Lebron are both incredibly strong for their age and can take a beating.

I might be wrong...but I think Dwight will have an 8 point, 6 rebound, 1 block rookie season and Emeka will have a 17 point, 10 rebound, 2 block one.

[air gordon]

Emeka is an Elton Brand/Kenyon Martin type.

in terms of what? those two are polar opposites in almost everything!

[fgrep15]

Elton and Kenyon?
He's more like Elton than Kenyon, but not really like either Kenyon is a guy that's all athleticism and energy, he's a big blocker due to his jumping ability and is quick but not quick enough to consitently play the 3. He has decent handles and his mid-range game is a work in progress.

Brand is a pretty fundemental guy, he can run the break but isn't super fast, a very good defender (so is Kmart), and doesn't really rely on athleticism to block shots, more positioning and timing, he's not much of a weakside blocker. He has a pretty good mid-range jumper and is a beast on the offensive glass, he also knows how to get to the line

Emeka isn't like either of them, he just has similiarities in that he's a 6'8-6'9 PF making the transition to the NBA, no comparison at all.

I'm guessing he means in statistical produciton though in which case I will say Emeka will have a little more points than Kmart had as a rookie, but not as much as Brand, he'll rebound about as well as Brand but a little less on the offensive end, and be a better shot blocker than both. His FG% will be something like 47%, Brand shot 62% in college to Okafor's 59.9%, and had and about 49% his first year in the league.

Emeka to me will have 13-15 points, 9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks a game and shoot 47% from the field, he'll probably get like 35 minutes a game.

[Jay-Peso]

I am happy to see Devin Harris on Dallas because I know he will fit in pretty good with Dirk. I can't wait to see him play some NBA ball in the big leagues this year

[Nick]

Here is my prediction

Emeka: 15.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.5 bpg. Quote me on that. I'll see how close i get at the end of next season.

I'm not so sure about Dwight. I don't know much about him. But I might aswell make an educated guess and see if i get lucky.

Dwight: 11.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg.

[hmm]

.

[Mikki]

Dwight Howard

[The Big Racist]

Dwight Howard

How did you do it?

[hmm]

.

[Colin]

I actually think that Dwight Howard will average more points than Okafor as unless the Bobcats pick up a good free agent, Howard will be asked to score more. I do think that Okafor will do better overall this season though.

[air gordon]

Elton and Kenyon?
He's more like Elton than Kenyon, but not really like either Kenyon is a guy that's all athleticism and energy, he's a big blocker due to his jumping ability and is quick but not quick enough to consitently play the 3. He has decent handles and his mid-range game is a work in progress.

Brand is a pretty fundemental guy, he can run the break but isn't super fast, a very good defender (so is Kmart), and doesn't really rely on athleticism to block shots, more positioning and timing, he's not much of a weakside blocker. He has a pretty good mid-range jumper and is a beast on the offensive glass, he also knows how to get to the line

thanks for explaining for me. i didn't want to bother doing that since those two players are just as similar as jerry krause is to carmen electra. sure they're about the same height but...

[EGarrett]

Emeka is an Elton Brand/Kenyon Martin type.

in terms of what? those two are polar opposites in almost everything!

In terms of draft spot (#1), position (PF), and expectations (immediate contribution.)

Likewise for Dwight Howard (Kwame Brown, Darko Milicic).

Dwight won't be another Lebron or Amare because he's not strong or tough enough. If Orlando tries to change the way he plays you can expect a 3 point, 2 rebound first season.

[Pointgod5]

Howard will average more points than Emeka,he is more talented on the offensive end.
Emeka is like Ben Wallace in my opinion.

[Nick]

I don't see Howard being highly effective in his first year.. he'll have to adjust etc. Esp. with Gooden and Howard in the squad... he wont get as much time. I think Emeka will score more points than Dwight in his first year because Okafor is Charlotte's franchise player and will get the ball a lot more. Although Dwight is more talented offensively and should suprass Okafor's point production eventually.