Post by London on Jul 26, 2013 17:43:48 GMT -6
LONDON (AP) -- It's almost that time of year again where every team is hopeful about their future. Each franchise started out with two draft picks and between the Creation Draft to now many teams have decided to trade them. Some have players for it, some have nothing, but right now there are a handful of teams who dictate how this draft will play out.
Understanding their strategies will be instrumental in figuring out this draft. So right now we're going to take a look at how this draft might shake out.
(This draft order may not be 100% accurate but its close)
1 Mahram Tehran - Willis Reed (C)
With the #1 pick Tehran selects Willis Reed. Some may doubt his size to play Center but he is certainly big enough to play Power Forward and good enough to be an All-star. The important thing to remember is that Mahram has nothing so they can go in any direction. The draft is weak in big men so might as well start with one. Not sure any other big has a better upside than Reed and he's 20. Plus the name recognition helps. Size, talent, age, and name - he's your #1 pick.
2 Mahram Tehran - Sergei Belov (PG)
Oh, what? Tehran's on the clock again?! Well, they took a post player with their last pick. I'd think they'd consider some roster balance. Of course your Point Guard handles the ball the most so might as well lock that down. Belov could be the next Volnov, perhaps even better. With Reed's defense and Belov's ability to score they'd have a deadly 1-2 punch. I think Belov makes more sense than Barry here just due to position depth. Tehran drafts later and there is more likely to be a solid 2/3 there than a starting Point Guard.
3 Toronto Huskies - Nate Thurmond (C)
Toronto has two real holes on their team - Point Guard and another post player to help out Boozer. I feel that Barry is the best player available here but they have three guys who can play that position. They'll zee a chance to pair up Boozer with Nate Thurmond and run with it. Two defensive post players. It would be nice if one could score more but the Huskies have other picks - perhaps they can add that later.
4 Mexico City Titans - Rick Barry (SF)
Mexico City misses out on the bigs but they land arguably the best player in the draft in Rick Barry. He's got elite scorer potential and could be the face of a rebuilding franchise. We'll be talking about the Titans a lot, let's not waste too much time here.
5 Buenos Aires Boca Juniors BC - Bob Love (SF)
Buenos Aires has a good thing going right now with Alex Groza, Don Sunderlage, and Dave DeBusschere. What they need is a Shooting Guard or Small Forward. Good news for them is that this draft is loaded with them. It's too bad Barry didn't slide here, he'd be great, but since they have scorers perhaps a hard-nosed defender makes sense. That's where Bob Love comes in. He's a decent scorer and potentially an elite defender and they need defense. He's the most ready now and with Groza and Sunderlage they could be a playoff team next year.
6 Los Angeles Lakers - Gail Goodrich (PG)
The Lakers could use a big but there really isn't a great one here. I think that Gail Goodrich gives them the right mix of promise, talent, and need. He's an exicing player who can put points on the board. That's a good thing to have from any position.
7 Atlanta Hawks - Jiri Zidek (SG)
The Hawks have a good thing going upfront with Walt Bellamy, Darral Imhoff, and Paolo Vittori. What they need is a scoring punch. Zidek can shoot and with the inside presence of Bellamy that should help open some things up. This would give them a very solid starting 5 with a need to eventually replace Vandivier.
8 Toronto Huskies - Tal Brody (PG)
Toronto passed on Belov and Goodrich before to take Nate Thurmond and now they need to fill their other spot - Point Guard. I think Tal Brody is the right type of player for that team and he's by far the best Point Guard left. No contest.
9 Mexico City Titans - Jiri Zednicek (SG)
This is kind of a nightmare scenario for the Titans. There are some really talented Small Forward left but they already took Rick Barry. I think Jiri Zednicek fills a void at Shooting Guard and is decent talent here. He's got elite perimeter defender written all over him.
10 Mexico City Titans - Kresimir Cosic (PF)
Again, already have a Small Forward, so what now? They need a big and I don't think the Titans are planning on winning in 2014-15. Cosic provides huge upside and good size. He's very raw but the sky's the limit. He'll settle somewhere in between but at 10 this is good value even if he's just a real good starter. I'd say that's a solid bet.
11 KK Partizan - Billy Cunningham (SF)
KK had a rough season. They traded for a dealt "The Curse" Joe Fulks so they have a need for a scoring Small Forward. This is a great place for Billy Cunningham to settle. He's a great value pick and should help KK win some games next season.
12 Athens Panathinaikos - Paul Silas (PF)
Athens might be reaching slightly for Paul Silas but they only have an immediate need for another bigman or a Point Guard. This is pretty early for Walt Hazzard so unless they want to find Paul Arizin's replacement now I think this makes the most sense. Of course trading down (or out) is always an option to.
13 Mexico City Titans - Gus Johnson (SF)
Titans already added a Small Forward but Gus' game is a lot different from Rick Barry's. He is build more like a Power Forward and can help body up guys in the post. Bradley might be a bit of a duplicate here so I think they take the unique piece.
14 London Towers - Jerry Sloan (SG)
Towers would like a Power Forward but that looks unlikely here unless Paul Silas hangs around. Sloan plays good defense, handles the ball well, and fits a bench need for the Towers.
15 Mexico City Titans - Bill Bradley (SF)
For the love of god stop drafting Mexico City! They're looking for assets and I think Bill Bradley represents the best value here. They take time in hopes of trading him or someone trades into this pick to fill a hole. Either way this is way too long for Bill Bradley to be in the greenroom.
16 Mexico City Titans - Walt Hazzard (PG)
Seriously? Ugh. Okay - umm, Walt Hazzard. Balancing the roster.
17 Washington Bullets - Jeff Mullins (SG)
Washington has a big need for a Shooting Guard and Mullins provides spacing and a great value at 17. Nikolic, Lovellette and company would all benefit from having a guy who can score efficiently. I think this helps keep Washington in the playoffs next year.
18 Beijing Aoshen - Tom Van Arsdale (SG)
Not sure what the Beijing Aoshen is looking to do but I think TVD is the best player left. He's a solid Shooting guard prospect who is probably starter material.
19 Mahram Tehran - Dick Van Arsdale (SG)
Since Tom just went, why not Dick? Tehran needed a 2/3 and this makes sense.
20 Lagos Islanders - Mel Counts (C)
Lagos would like to pair another big with Bob Pettit. Counts is a big guy who can score close. Should fill a need.
21 Beijing Aoshen - Bohdan Likszo (C)
The old Beijing GM would love this pick. He is an outside shooting Center and maybe the only unique piece left. Not sure what better value there is left.
22 New York Knicks - Happy Hairston (PF)
New York has an elite post player in reigning MVP Dolph Schayes. Happy Hairston is an athletic Power Forward who should be a nice compliment to Schayes. Solid pick up for a team already winning a lot of games.
23 CSKA Moscow - Jon McGlocklin (SG)
CSKA needs a scoring punch in the worst way. They'd love to get a guy who could play some defense but this late in the draft they'll take any production they can get and I think this fills a decent need for them.
24 Seattle Sonics - Eddie Miles (SG)
Seattle needs a Shooting Guard. Miles can score a bit, he has decent size, and he's a good athlete. I think this is a good fit for the Supersonics and for Miles.
25 Mahram Tehran - Art Heyman (SG)
He's an Art Heyman guy.
26 Sydney Kings - Lucious Jackson (C)
Kings don't need a lot. Jackson has size and can play a bit. He's a good fit as a 3rd big next to Simmons and Krumins.
27 Mahram Tehran - Joe Caldwell (SG)
Mahram wants value. I think Caldwell does that because they already have Attles.
28 CSP Limoges - Flynn Robinson (PG)
CSP has McMahon but Robinson could provide a contribution. I bet Limoges will be well researched on who to take when his pick comes around. He'll get the best value here no matter who is left.
29 REAL Madrid - Jim King (PG)
Madrid has some aging players and could use some depth. Picking Point Guard because its a higher value position in the league.
30 Mahram Tehran - Jim Barnes (PF)
Tehran takes Barnes for the size factor. There isn't much left at this point but we'd expect more player to delcare shortly.
Understanding their strategies will be instrumental in figuring out this draft. So right now we're going to take a look at how this draft might shake out.
(This draft order may not be 100% accurate but its close)
1 Mahram Tehran - Willis Reed (C)
With the #1 pick Tehran selects Willis Reed. Some may doubt his size to play Center but he is certainly big enough to play Power Forward and good enough to be an All-star. The important thing to remember is that Mahram has nothing so they can go in any direction. The draft is weak in big men so might as well start with one. Not sure any other big has a better upside than Reed and he's 20. Plus the name recognition helps. Size, talent, age, and name - he's your #1 pick.
2 Mahram Tehran - Sergei Belov (PG)
Oh, what? Tehran's on the clock again?! Well, they took a post player with their last pick. I'd think they'd consider some roster balance. Of course your Point Guard handles the ball the most so might as well lock that down. Belov could be the next Volnov, perhaps even better. With Reed's defense and Belov's ability to score they'd have a deadly 1-2 punch. I think Belov makes more sense than Barry here just due to position depth. Tehran drafts later and there is more likely to be a solid 2/3 there than a starting Point Guard.
3 Toronto Huskies - Nate Thurmond (C)
Toronto has two real holes on their team - Point Guard and another post player to help out Boozer. I feel that Barry is the best player available here but they have three guys who can play that position. They'll zee a chance to pair up Boozer with Nate Thurmond and run with it. Two defensive post players. It would be nice if one could score more but the Huskies have other picks - perhaps they can add that later.
4 Mexico City Titans - Rick Barry (SF)
Mexico City misses out on the bigs but they land arguably the best player in the draft in Rick Barry. He's got elite scorer potential and could be the face of a rebuilding franchise. We'll be talking about the Titans a lot, let's not waste too much time here.
5 Buenos Aires Boca Juniors BC - Bob Love (SF)
Buenos Aires has a good thing going right now with Alex Groza, Don Sunderlage, and Dave DeBusschere. What they need is a Shooting Guard or Small Forward. Good news for them is that this draft is loaded with them. It's too bad Barry didn't slide here, he'd be great, but since they have scorers perhaps a hard-nosed defender makes sense. That's where Bob Love comes in. He's a decent scorer and potentially an elite defender and they need defense. He's the most ready now and with Groza and Sunderlage they could be a playoff team next year.
6 Los Angeles Lakers - Gail Goodrich (PG)
The Lakers could use a big but there really isn't a great one here. I think that Gail Goodrich gives them the right mix of promise, talent, and need. He's an exicing player who can put points on the board. That's a good thing to have from any position.
7 Atlanta Hawks - Jiri Zidek (SG)
The Hawks have a good thing going upfront with Walt Bellamy, Darral Imhoff, and Paolo Vittori. What they need is a scoring punch. Zidek can shoot and with the inside presence of Bellamy that should help open some things up. This would give them a very solid starting 5 with a need to eventually replace Vandivier.
8 Toronto Huskies - Tal Brody (PG)
Toronto passed on Belov and Goodrich before to take Nate Thurmond and now they need to fill their other spot - Point Guard. I think Tal Brody is the right type of player for that team and he's by far the best Point Guard left. No contest.
9 Mexico City Titans - Jiri Zednicek (SG)
This is kind of a nightmare scenario for the Titans. There are some really talented Small Forward left but they already took Rick Barry. I think Jiri Zednicek fills a void at Shooting Guard and is decent talent here. He's got elite perimeter defender written all over him.
10 Mexico City Titans - Kresimir Cosic (PF)
Again, already have a Small Forward, so what now? They need a big and I don't think the Titans are planning on winning in 2014-15. Cosic provides huge upside and good size. He's very raw but the sky's the limit. He'll settle somewhere in between but at 10 this is good value even if he's just a real good starter. I'd say that's a solid bet.
11 KK Partizan - Billy Cunningham (SF)
KK had a rough season. They traded for a dealt "The Curse" Joe Fulks so they have a need for a scoring Small Forward. This is a great place for Billy Cunningham to settle. He's a great value pick and should help KK win some games next season.
12 Athens Panathinaikos - Paul Silas (PF)
Athens might be reaching slightly for Paul Silas but they only have an immediate need for another bigman or a Point Guard. This is pretty early for Walt Hazzard so unless they want to find Paul Arizin's replacement now I think this makes the most sense. Of course trading down (or out) is always an option to.
13 Mexico City Titans - Gus Johnson (SF)
Titans already added a Small Forward but Gus' game is a lot different from Rick Barry's. He is build more like a Power Forward and can help body up guys in the post. Bradley might be a bit of a duplicate here so I think they take the unique piece.
14 London Towers - Jerry Sloan (SG)
Towers would like a Power Forward but that looks unlikely here unless Paul Silas hangs around. Sloan plays good defense, handles the ball well, and fits a bench need for the Towers.
15 Mexico City Titans - Bill Bradley (SF)
For the love of god stop drafting Mexico City! They're looking for assets and I think Bill Bradley represents the best value here. They take time in hopes of trading him or someone trades into this pick to fill a hole. Either way this is way too long for Bill Bradley to be in the greenroom.
16 Mexico City Titans - Walt Hazzard (PG)
Seriously? Ugh. Okay - umm, Walt Hazzard. Balancing the roster.
17 Washington Bullets - Jeff Mullins (SG)
Washington has a big need for a Shooting Guard and Mullins provides spacing and a great value at 17. Nikolic, Lovellette and company would all benefit from having a guy who can score efficiently. I think this helps keep Washington in the playoffs next year.
18 Beijing Aoshen - Tom Van Arsdale (SG)
Not sure what the Beijing Aoshen is looking to do but I think TVD is the best player left. He's a solid Shooting guard prospect who is probably starter material.
19 Mahram Tehran - Dick Van Arsdale (SG)
Since Tom just went, why not Dick? Tehran needed a 2/3 and this makes sense.
20 Lagos Islanders - Mel Counts (C)
Lagos would like to pair another big with Bob Pettit. Counts is a big guy who can score close. Should fill a need.
21 Beijing Aoshen - Bohdan Likszo (C)
The old Beijing GM would love this pick. He is an outside shooting Center and maybe the only unique piece left. Not sure what better value there is left.
22 New York Knicks - Happy Hairston (PF)
New York has an elite post player in reigning MVP Dolph Schayes. Happy Hairston is an athletic Power Forward who should be a nice compliment to Schayes. Solid pick up for a team already winning a lot of games.
23 CSKA Moscow - Jon McGlocklin (SG)
CSKA needs a scoring punch in the worst way. They'd love to get a guy who could play some defense but this late in the draft they'll take any production they can get and I think this fills a decent need for them.
24 Seattle Sonics - Eddie Miles (SG)
Seattle needs a Shooting Guard. Miles can score a bit, he has decent size, and he's a good athlete. I think this is a good fit for the Supersonics and for Miles.
25 Mahram Tehran - Art Heyman (SG)
He's an Art Heyman guy.
26 Sydney Kings - Lucious Jackson (C)
Kings don't need a lot. Jackson has size and can play a bit. He's a good fit as a 3rd big next to Simmons and Krumins.
27 Mahram Tehran - Joe Caldwell (SG)
Mahram wants value. I think Caldwell does that because they already have Attles.
28 CSP Limoges - Flynn Robinson (PG)
CSP has McMahon but Robinson could provide a contribution. I bet Limoges will be well researched on who to take when his pick comes around. He'll get the best value here no matter who is left.
29 REAL Madrid - Jim King (PG)
Madrid has some aging players and could use some depth. Picking Point Guard because its a higher value position in the league.
30 Mahram Tehran - Jim Barnes (PF)
Tehran takes Barnes for the size factor. There isn't much left at this point but we'd expect more player to delcare shortly.