Comments on: Wednesday Bolts – 3.25.09

By: Royce

Royce — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:17:21 +0000

@Chris T
I don’t exactly know what you mean by that, but I linked it in Tuesday’s Bolts and mentioned it the pre-gamer for the Laker game. Phil can say what he wants – he’s got nine titles.

By: Chris T

Chris T — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:54:50 +0000

Royce,
Just read the Zenmaster’s quote about OKC fans, came here to get your take- blaring omission. This is DailyThunder, right?

By: joey

joey — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:33:21 +0000

@Keith
I’m going to have to disagree with your logic on BJ Mullens, Demar DeRozan and Greg Monroe (and I love Monroe and DeRozan). I think the fact that they were not ready to contribute immensely for their college teams in a dominant fashion proves that, as of the 2009 draft, they would be considered huge risks because they’re clearly not NBA ready.

That is why last year’s draft was so great, because all of the freshman who declared for the draft did absolutely dominate the college basketball landscape in their freshman year, proving how good and NBA ready they were. Thus, by your own admission, Monroe, Mullens and Derozen are not surefire talents because they are clearly NOT NBA ready.

And I think the example of Blake Griffin is also telling. He didn’t stay because people were questioning his NBA readiness or ability to contribute immediately, he stayed to play one more year with his brother and other factors, not because he hadn’t proved enough (I mean he would have been a top 5 or top 10 pick).

I think you and I, and the majority of scouts and GM’s, have different ideas on what “great talent” is. If they’re not ready to be a starter right now in the NBA, then they’re not amazing talents (yes all rookies struggle, but you know what I mean). Could they be starters? Sure, Maybe. But the risk factor of the possibility that they might not pan out currently and adamantly outweighs the positives of their potential upsides. And also Keith, you only listed 3 players that “might” have the potential be starters or regular players in an NBA lineup. And I agree with you, which is precisely why this draft is so thin. Everyone after the first two picks (if Rubio can agree on a buyout) are ginormous question marks and have lower ceilings than in drafts past. Hence the thin label on this draft.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:14:44 +0000

@joey Actually joey, if everyone declares, there are plenty of great talents. The problem is that several of the guys expected to declare this year haven't realized their potential. Think about Griffin. He was considered a top 5 pick last year, which isn't saying all that much because we already knew who the top 3 were. This year people are saying he's a better prospect than either Rose or Beasley. The same is true of guys like BJ Mullens, Demar DeRozan, or Greg Monroe. All those guys have the talent to be serious gamechangers in the NBA, they just aren't ready to do that right now. If all those guys go back to school and show the improvement and consistency that comes with experience, scouts could be saying how great a class 2010 will be.

By: joey

joey — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:23:48 +0000

I understand the point about “you don’t know how strong a draft class is until three pro seasons later,” but the reality is that scouts have a pretty good idea (after all, that’s their job) about how many solid “game changers, starters and role players” there are in a draft class. And barring heretofore unforeseen improvements, almost every single scout, GM and talent evaluator agrees that this draft and next year’s 2010 class are the thinnest drafts with the most question marks in the last decade.

I’m just super pumped that these are the drafts where we have a ton of first and second round picks…aren’t you all? (really hoping the sarcasm/depression is tangible through the words)

But hopefully the fire sale on free agents will yield some steals this summer.

By: Royce

Royce — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:50:28 +0000

Whoa, I didn’t notice that. He’s definitely not a SF. He’s a straight power forward if there ever was one.

By: Bernard

Bernard — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:48:07 +0000

wait a second
so what is DJ white’s natural position again?
I have seen SF and PF, is he good enough to be both Durant’s and Green’s back up?