Draft thoughts

[Joe Mama]

In retrospect I believe the Phoenix Suns are disappointed that they traded #7 draft pick to the Chicago Bulls when it looks like they could have had Iguodala. It looks bad now, but I can hardly blame them for thinking he would be gone. Still, they are going to be sharply criticized if it Iguodala has a good year for the Philadelphia 76ers. It will get even worse if Vroman does nothing, and the $2 million in salary cap relief goes unused.

In order for that trade to look like a good one that Chicago pick really needs to end up being a top 10 lottery pick. Even though the Bulls had themselves a nice draft there's still a very good chance that draft pick is in the top 10. Next year's draft is expected to be deep with big men, and there will be some nice point guard prospects as well. Chris Paul would have been one of the top point guard prospects in this year's draft.

Random thoughts:

I think Orlando made a big mistake passing on Okafor.

I think it's very likely that Ales Chan is on the Phoenix Suns summer league roster.

I don't understand why Charlotte drafted Bernard Robinson in the second round instead of just holding on to Pauchilla (sp). I think the latter is a much, much better prospect.

The Utah Jazz should have held on to Pavel at #21. They really don't need to save any room under the salary cap, and that Dallas future first-round pick is just not worth a lot.

I don't mind Araujo, but #8 was too high to take him. He's going to be in constant foul trouble in the NBA.

I hate the way ESPN and the draft commentators playing over the loudspeakers live at the draft. I felt badly for some of the kids getting questioned and even blasted on one of the biggest nights of their lives as they were drafted. I also felt that commentators couldn't be totally honest although it doesn't seem like it stopped Jay Bilas.

I'll bet Vroman puts up some nice numbers in the summer league.

Joe Mama

 

[F-Dog]

Here are my thoughts, after a restful night:

--I agree that Orlando probably blew it on Okafor; Jameer Nelson is an interesting pickup for them, though. I suspect either Francis or Mobley is going to be moved along after the McGrady trade goes through.

--I think Dallas moved to #5 specifically for Shaun Livingston, and were stuck when the Bulls picked Ben Gordon. I don't know whether they're confident in Devin Harris as their future PG or not.

Either way, I don't think the Shaq-to-Dallas trade will work out; Nowitzki is too much, and the Mavs don't have enough other pieces to make the trade work without him. Antoine Walker's expiring contract isn't worth anything to the Lakers unless they're moving it along to another team.

--The word from Toronto is that they were desperate to trade back and get another mid-round pick (for Jameer Nelson) to go with Araujo. That's a bad start for their new GM, especially if Araujo struggles like I think he will.

--I'm not sure whether the Suns would have been happy with Iguodala or not, frankly. Since he's the popular local product, it makes sense for them to say that they would have liked him, but if the Suns are that committed to keeping Joe Johnson, I don't think there's a place for Iggy in the team's long-term plans. Philly is probably the ideal team for Iguodala, so he should have a good year, but I don't think I'm going to miss him in a Suns uniform too much.

--The Knicks' #16 pick could have been used for Podkolzine, Josh Smith, Jameer Nelson, or Kirk Snyder. I won't forget that when I'm following those players' careers.

--Dallas ripped off Utah for the Podkolzine pick. I guess leverage is the difference between getting screwed or the reverse, not negotiating skill.

--I agree about the ESPN announcers it's too strange to see them rip some kid as he's walking towards the stage for his 'happy day' photo op. I wouldn't want to be Jay Bilas for anything.

--I don't get the big deal over Robert Swift.

--I'm starting to warm to Vroman a little. He was a fairly dominating player in college, it turns out, and he's supposed to have more game on offense than the NBA players he's being compared to. The FT% think must be a mental issue, because Vroman is supposed to be a capable mid-range shooter with a decent fadeaway shot in the post.

That said, Vroman or Voskuhl is gone by next summer. There can be only one.

--I wonder whether the Suns would still have taken Vroman with Sideshow Bob still available. Do you think Varejao made it up to #15 on the Suns' board?

--I'm still glad the Suns didn't get Ramos. It's great that he has height, but his reach is essentially the same as Okafor and Howard, and he's much more raw and much less of an athlete than either of those two.

Maybe I'm wrong, but i don't see much of a future in the NBA for Ramos.

--Indiana's roster looks like the old Portland Trail Blazers now. They're going to bust at the seams if they don't find some way to trade several of their players for youth, draft picks or a big talent.

--Boston had the worst luck, although (given their effusive praise of Delonte West and Tony Allen) they might have been screwed in any case. Either Al Jefferson or Kendrick Perkins is going to be available in a couple of years, so it's too bad the Suns aren't in the market for another PF.

--It will be good to have a reason to root against the Bulls again. I never liked Scott Skiles much, either.

 

[slinslin]

Bernard Robinson was a top24 or so player on Bickerstaffs board.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I love that standing reach stat. It seems to me to be more pertinent than height.

That said, Vroman has the same standing reach of guys 4-5 inches shorter than he is. Ouch.

 

[George O'Brien]

I love that standing reach stat. It seems to me to be more pertinent than height.

That said, Vroman has the same standing reach of guys 4-5 inches shorter than he is. Ouch.

If he were longer, he would have gone earlier. I'm guessing his role is to replace Harvey and I would suspect he has more reach than Harvey.