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2005
NBA Draft Grade by Lucky Lester
We'll
see soon enough whose draft was genius, but for now all I can
do is tell you what I think. Lucky Lester here, showing you who
I thought did well and who did otherwise. I thought about it long
and hard and decided to grade the talent of the athletes chosen
as well as the job done by the NBA teams. Check out my player
and draft grades and let me win you over with my analysis. Let
the critique begin.
Atlanta
Hawks
- The Hawks picked a couple of great players. Marvin Williams
is touted as the player with the most start potential in this
draft, and I agree. Salim Stoudamire is a lights out shooter,
who has the type of attitude you want for a guy who needs to hit
big shots. I don't know much about Akyol, except he's a 6'4"
point guard whose only 18 years old. These players are great.
But were they the best for the big-man challenged Hawks? I'm not
sold. Williams plays the same positions as Josh Smith, Josh Childress,
and Al Harrington. Salim is a 2 guard who they may try to play
at the point. For a team that won less than 20 games, could they
have used a true point and a big? I think so. I might have taken
Chris Paul, or Raymond Felton, but I can't argue with taking the
best player available. I just hope they don't turn into the Knicks.
1
(2) - Marvin Williams, f, North Carolina
2 (31) - Salim Stoudamire, g, Arizona
2 (59) - Cenk Akyol, g, Efes Pilsen (Turkey)
Player
Grade - A
Draft Grade - B-
Boston
Celtics
- The Celtics stumbled upon a great draft. Gerald Green, who was
close to a consensus top high-schooler, dropped all the way to them
at 18. This kid has Tracy McGrady upside and Desmond Mason downside.
So, he's going to be good. You have to give them credit for pulling
the trigger though, there were other teams that didn't. (See Toronto)
Ryan Gomes is a steal in the second round, and Greene is a defensive
stopper. There's always room for players like him. The Celtics needed
talent, and they got it.
1
(18) - Gerald Green, f, Gulf Shores Academy (TX)
2 (50) - Ryan Gomes, f, Providence
2 (53) - Orien Greene, g, Louisiana-Lafayette
Player
Grade - A
Draft Grade - A
Charlotte
Bobcats
- The Bobcats did everything they should have done and more. They
held tight and let the draft come to them. They picked up two great
players who are National Champions, can play now, and have tons
of upside. Those out there who say Sean May is too fat or short
obviously have had their heads up their butts for the last year.
This isn't the same Sean May who came to Carolina as a freshman
3 years ago. He's solid and can run the court. He has a nice jumper,
finishes well, shoots free throws and will always box out and board,
board, board. I can't say enough about him. And then there's Raymond.
Felton is the fastest player in the draft. He's a magician, Magic
Johnson like passer, a leader, a winner, and a balls-out defender.
I've yet to hear a bad thing about him. It was popular to list Williams
and Paul 1 and 2, but Felton is just as good. He doesn't have a
hole in his game. The Bobcats didn't pick these two players because
they were from Carolina, they picked them because they're as good
as it gets in this draft, and they're winners. I don't know if they
needed Sean May as much as they could have used Danny Granger so
I can't give them a perfect grade, but they did well.
1
(5) - Raymond Felton, g, North Carolina
1 (13) - Sean May, f, North Carolina
Player
Grade - A
Draft Grade - B+
Chicago
Bulls
- The Chicago Bulls ended up winning on draft day without a single
pick. Last season the Bulls brass traded this year's first round
pick for what ended up being Luol Deng. This year's pick would have
been 20th overall. Good deal. The Bulls are young and talented,
we started to see that last year, and this year should be even better.
They didn't really take place in this year's draft, but last years
picks should be recognized.
Player
Grade - NA
Draft Grade - B
Cleveland
Cavaliers
- The Cavs could have used any number of players this draft had
to offer, top to bottom to un-drafted. But, they had no picks. Hopefully
they can add an all star caliber player (Redd, Mobley, Hughes) to
man the court with Lebron. If not, don't be surprised if the Cavs
slip like they did after the all-star break a year ago.
Player
Grade - NA
Draft Grade - NA
Dallas
Mavericks
- The Mavs didn't have a selection in this year's draft, and it's
a good thing they didn't. They have oodles of young talented players,
as well as seasoned vets who get the job done. The Mavs will always
contend as long as Cuban is running the team.
Player
Grade - NA
Draft Grade - NA
Denver
Nuggets
- The Nuggs needed a shooter or two and they ended up picking none.
I think Julius Hodge could hustle himself on to an All Star team
or two in his career, but he's no shooter. With Garcia on the board
I thought they could have helped themselves out a little more by
picking him. I can't say enough great things about Hodge though.
He's a gamer. He's every bit as good as his career stats at NC State.
Don't sell him short. The Nuggets traded Jarrett Jack to the Blazers
for Linas Kleiza and Ricky Sanchez. I think Jack is great, and I
don't know much about Kleiza or Sanchez. Many scouts have talked
up Axel Harville so he was a great pick at 52. The Nuggs came away
with good players, and Hodge would help any team in the league,
but they didn't get the shooter they are looking for.
1 (20) - Julius Hodge, g, North Carolina St
1 (22) - Jarrett Jack, g, Georgia Tech
2 (52) - Axel Herville, f, Real Madrid (Spain)
Player
Grade - B+
Draft Grade - C+
Detroit
Pistons
- I don't know what the Pistons are going to do with Alex Acker,
but Joe-Du knows what he's doing. Maxiel is a small forward who
works his ass off and gives it his all. His rough and tumble style
would help any team, and fit in just perfectly with the bad boys.
Amir Johnson is a 6-10 big man who is very raw. He is an athletic
jumper, but is limited offensively, and his basketball IQ has been
questioned. But, with the 56th pick in the draft, I'd say he was
a great pick. Dumars has done very well, and I think he continued
here.
1 (26) - Jason Maxiell, f, Cincinnati
2 (56) - Amir Johnson, f, Westchester HS (California)
2 (60) - - Alex Acker, g, Pepperdine
Player
Grade - B
Draft Grade - B
Golden
State Warriors
- Chris Mullin's starting to pull it together. The Warriors were
one of the hottest teams finishing out the year, and Chris just
added some ammo. Ike Diogu was one of the most underrated players
in the draft. His height was questioned, but the bottom line is
he can get the job done. He was one of the best overall players
in PAC-10 history, and he's even more athletic than people give
him credit for. He can score from anywhere on the floor, and will
always help defensively. He's a rebound machine, and his effort
and character are unmatched. Monta Ellis is a scoring guard who
needs to grow or become a point. His upside is there; we'll see
if the Warriors can get him there. Chris Taft thought he was going
in the lottery, okay, at least the first round, well, he got drafted.
Mullin took a chance on a kid who never played up to his potential.
Taft is big and athletic. He will find a home on the Warrior's roster.
1
(9) - Ike Diogu, f, Arizona St
2 (40) - Monta Ellis, g, Lanier HS (Mississippi)
2 (42) - Chris Taft, f, Pittsburgh
Player
Grade - A
Draft Grade - A
Houston
Rockets
- The Rockets had one pick. And with that one pick they had one
goal, get help on the perimeter for T-Mac. Luther Head was one of
the most polished scorers in the draft. He'll take advantage of
open shots in Houston. Luther was great in draft camps and in college.
He's a shooter, a slasher, and a flat out good basketball player.
He was a great pick. He'll be big for Houston.
1
(24) - Luther Head, g, Illinois
Player
Grade - A
Draft Grade - A-
Indiana
Pacers
- Larry Legend has to be laughing. He sat through 16 picks while
the one kid who could help his team most fell right to him. Danny
Granger does everything well. If he had played at Duke or Carolina,
or any big school he would have been a top 5 pick. But once again
the morons who make decisions looked right past Danny. That's why
the Pacers have great players every year. That's why they could
lose 3 of their best players for most of the year and finish in
the playoffs. Lorbek is a big player whose potential trumps his
ability now, but that's what second round picks are for. I do think
they could have used John Gilchrist to back up the oft-injured Tinsley.
Overall the draft went well for Indiana.
1
(17) - Danny Granger, f, New Mexico
2 (46) - Erazem Lorbek, f, Climamio Bologna (Italy)
Player
Grade - A-
Draft Grade - A-
Los
Angeles Clippers
- Oh, Clip-Show, this is why you'll forever be labeled LA's other
team. When you pass up players like Granger, Warrick, Wright, Vasquez,
May, McCants, Graham, and more to pick someone like Korolev who
will forever keep you in the average pack of teams you're in, you
deserve that label. The Clippers stepped out of their idiot zone
and picked up do everything guard Daniel Ewing, but they failed
to get help right now in the first round. Now all they need to do
is fail to sign Simmons and make it an average Clipper offseason.
1
(12) - Yaroslav Korolev, f, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
2 (32) - Daniel Ewing, g, Duke
Player
Grade - C
Draft Grade - D
Los
Angeles Lakers
- The Lakers suck. Bynum got the first round guarantee no one could
believe. He might turn out to be good, but this obviously screams
"free-agents" for the lackluster Lakers. Phil Jackson
won't play Bynum, even if the Lakers aren't going anywhere. Turiaf
was a good pick. He'll do a lot of little things without demanding
shots. Von Wafer? John Gilchrist. The Lakers needed a point that
could be tough. John could have been that guy. Maybe they'll pick
someone up to do the job.
1 (10) - Andrew Bynum, c, St. Joseph HS (NJ)
2 (37) - Ronny Turiaf, f, Gonzaga
2 (39) - Von Wafer, g, Florida State
Player
Grade - C-
Draft Grade - D
Memphis
Grizzlies
- The Grizzlies picked a better replacement for Stromile Swift.
I like Swift, but Warrick can do more. He's got the same gifts athletically
with a better understanding of what to do. Swift might figure it
out, but Hakim has it now, right out of college, and he knows how
to win. And lets all hope to God that he posts someone up and dunks
on their face. That's ridiculous.
1
(19) - Hakim Warrick, f, Syracuse
Player
Grade - A-
Draft Grade - B+
Miami
Heat
- The Heat got a great player in Wayne. He's a perfect fit for their
team as well. He's a better player than Haslem is. Hopefully for
the Heat, they can keep both guys around, but if Haslem finds gold
on another roster, the Heat doesn't lose anything. Simien is a ball
player; he'll be a 10 and 10 guy in Miami.
1
(29) - Wayne Simien, f, Kansas
Player
Grade - B+
Draft Grade - A
Milwaukee
Bucks
- The Bucks did what they needed to do. They picked a 7 footer who
can pass, shoot, and handle the ball. I think Bogut is the safest
pick for rookie of the year. Ilyasova will make the Bucks roster
and end up getting good minutes in the second half of the year.
Even better news than either of these picks is the news the Bucks
got the day before the draft, T.J. Ford was cleared for full contact.
Bogut and Ford should really boost an average team.
1
(1) - Andrew Bogut, c, Utah
2 (36) - Ersan Ilyasova, f, Ulker Istanbul (Turkey)
Player
Grade - A-
Draft Grade - A
Minnesota
Timberwolves
- The Wolves took a chance on the most offensively gifted kid in
the draft, Rashad McCants. McCants gets a bad wrap for saying everything
other college athletes think about, but there are many big talkers
with big time ability. Rashad can flat out score, and his defense
has improved. He's a gamer. He'll hit the big shot, and he'll thrive
off the play of Kevin Garnett. McCants is my surprise pick for rookie
of the year. The Wolves don't have an all around scorer on their
roster. I'm pretty sure McCants will start day 1. Taking McCants
over Granger wasn't the safe pick, but he could be the best player
in this draft. Bracey Wright was stuck on a talent challenged team
last year, and his game struggled because of it. Kevin McHale's
draft was very smart. Wright will flourish on a team with the ultra
talented Garnett and taking a chance on Rashad will turn out to
pay dividends right now.
1
(14) - Rashad McCants, g, North Carolina
2 (47) - Bracey Wright, g, Indiana
Player
Grade - B+
Draft Grade - B+
New
Jersey Nets
- I would have loved to see Warrick go to the Nets, but as far as
talent level is concerned I can't knock Antoine Wright. He really
showed me how talented he was this year. He can do everything. He's
a big guard who can muscle, score, and flat out shoot the rock.
He'll play a huge role off the bench for a loaded backcourt. But
could they have drafted a starter with this pick? Mile Ilic is a
young 7 footer. He'll be a work in progress for the next few years,
but payoff isn't out of the question.
1
(15) - Antoine Wright, g, Texas A&M
2 (43) - Mile Ilic, c, BC Reflex (Serbia & Montenegro)
Player
Grade - B
Draft Grade - B-
New
Orleans Hornets
- The Hornets might have gotten the steal of the draft. Chris Paul
is a winner. He's super talented, and can really run a team. He
does so many things well. The Hornets needed a young floor leader,
and Chris is that. Brandon Bass had great pre-draft workouts. He's
a big tall forward who can do many things both offensively and defensively.
He'll be a great addition to the Hornets. There were a couple other
players still on the board that I would have taken before Bass,
but he's no slouch. The Hornets picked both talent and for need,
making this a perfect draft for them.
1
(4) - Chris Paul, g, Wake Forest
2 (33) - Brandon Bass, f, LSU
Player
Grade - B+
Draft Grade - A-
New
York Knicks
- The Knicks did alright. Frye was a good pick for a team losing
their best post player, Kurt Thomas. And they picked up Nate Robinson
for Dijon Thompson. That was a good move by Isiah. He got the trade
he wanted and he got a strong scorer in the first round. David Lee
was a rising player, and he was actually a smart pick. Frye is hardly
a center, but he's got a shot, which is more than I could say for
the rest of the Knick bigs. Isiah didn't sell me yet though, the
loaded backcourt without a true point will continue to cause problems.
I continue to see a roster full of 2's and 4's.
1
(8) - Channing Frye, c, Arizona
1 (30) - David Lee, f, Florida
2 (54) - Dijon Thompson, g-f, UCLA
Player
Grade - B+
Draft Grade - B-
Orlando
Magic
- The Magic got help in the post with the addition of the most NBA-ready
international player, Fran Vasquez. I can't believe they passed
up Danny Granger and Antoine Wright though. Unless they think Deshawn
Stevenson is going to start at the 2, they don't have one. Maybe
Steve Francis will be a 2, but then they start two guys in the backcourt
who are less than 6'1". Either way, they're going to have an
interesting line-up. Travis Diener is a great shooter, and a better
floor leader than many give him credit for. But still, he's a 6'1"
point guard with little defensive ability. Martynas makes this a
great draft for the Magic. I can't imagine they thought he'd still
be around with their second pick in round 2, but he was, and they
took advantage. It's not too often a 7'3" kid slips that far.
He could end up being the steal of the draft, and all he took was
a 44th pick.
1
(11) - Fran Vazquez, f, Unicaja Malaga (Spain)
2 (38) - Travis Diener, g, Marquette
2 (44) - Martynas Andriuskevicius, c, Zalgiris (Lithuania)
Player
Grade - B
Draft Grade - B-
Philadelphia
76ers
- Just in case Allen Iverson gets injured, the 76ers have an 18
year-old version of him on their bench in Louis Williams. The Sixers
aren't good enough to make this pick. Williams is a great high school
athlete, a slasher who was often bigger than his opponents while
being only 6'2". That won't happen in the NBA. Is there a chance
he matures and becomes an NBA starter? Sure. But the Sixers already
have an Iverson.
2
(45) - Louis Williams, g, South Gwinnett HS (Georgia)
Player
Grade - C-
Draft Grade - F
Phoenix
Suns
- Nate Robinson was a great pick for the Suns, and then they went
and traded him away. I don't know why they felt they had to trade
this pick to NY to make the trade go through, Isiah tricked them
real good. With instant bench help on the board like Nate, Garcia,
Simien, David Lee, Brandon Bass, and Daniel Ewing among many, they
traded away one of their 5 productive players and their first pick
for Kurt Thomas. I can't see how this will help them get to the
next level, but what do I know? They traded their second pick away
as well. Dijon Thompson is their only player, and I guess he has
a chance to help. I wasn't impressed with the Sun's moves.
1
(21) - Nate Robinson, g, Washington
2 (57) - Marcin Gortat, f-c, Rhein Energie Koln
Player
Grade - B-
Draft Grade - F
Portland
Trail Blazers
- The Blazers calmly walked away with a great draft. They ended
up getting the player they were going to take at 3 anyway, plus
the 27th pick, and a first round pick via the Jazz next year. (Which
very well could be a lottery selection) That's brilliant. Hooray
for a smart move out of the Blazers. Martell Webster has been called
the best shooter in the draft, and I'll say he's at least top 3.
He's young and long and only getting better. The Blazers got their
man. They also picked up Jarrett Jack in trade for their last two
picks. Jack will give them instant leadership, even if it does come
from the bench. Jarrett is as tough as floor leaders come, and if
he can figure out how to control his turnovers, he might be more
competition than Sebastian Telfair would like.
1
(6) - Martell Webster, g, Seattle Prep (WA)
1 (27) - Linas Kleiza, f, Missouri
2 (35) - Ricky Sanchez, f, IMG Academy (Florida)
Player
Grade - A
Draft Grade - A
Sacramento
Kings
- The Kings are about to lose Cuttino Mobley, so they'll really
need help at the 2. Garcia is one of the best 2's in the draft.
He's solid in all respects, and a very good shooter. Garcia is another
player that would have gone way higher if he were a major college
player. That always amazes me. Good kids come from smaller schools.
This was a great one-pick draft for a perennial playoff team.
1
(23) - Francisco Garcia, g, Louisville
Player
Grade - A
Draft Grade - A-
San
Antonio Spurs
- The Spurs can't be questioned. I have no idea who Mahinmi is,
and unfortunately for the 29 other teams in the league, neither
do most of them. What I have heard is that Mahinmi will come over
in a couple of years to blow our socks off… sounds familiar.
What I do know is the Spurs got exactly whom they wanted, that's
worth at least a couple B's.
1
(28) - Ian Mahinmi, f, STB Le Havre (France)
Player
Grade - B
Draft Grade - B
Seattle
Supersonics
- I was a little concerned with the Sonics picks until I got to
know them a little better. Hearing my favorite coach talk so highly
of both Petro and Gelabale, I can't be happier with their draft.
McMillan said Petro will come play right away for the Sonics and
Gelabale looks ridiculously athletic. I dig the hair, too. Lawrence
Roberts was a good pick, or so I thought, until they traded him
away to the Grizzlies for something to be shared with the public
later. These two foreigners could play big roles for a great team.
With the signing of Ray Allen on the 5th, the Sonics need to get
Nate back to keep the home fans faithful.
1
(25) - Johan Petro, c, Pau Orthez (France)
2 (48) - Mickael Gelabale, f, Real Madrid (Spain)
2 (55) - Lawrence Roberts, f, Mississippi State
Player
Grade - B
Draft Grade - B
Toronto
Raptors
- I'm convinced that after the Raptors Brass selected Chris Bosh,
they started dabbling with a plethora of hallucinogens. I don't
know if I want to slap Babcock or congratulate him. As it turns
out, or so the rumors say, 3 of the next 4 teams were set to pick
Charlie. So they beat the next 4 teams to the verbal bashing block.
Nice. Charlie could be a great player. He's had people praising
his ability since I can remember, and where's a better place to
step up to your potential than the NBA? But in Toronto? Next to
Chris Bosh? They are the same kind of player, except Bosh is better,
has more upside, and has began to fulfill his potential. The Raptors
need upgrades in lots of places to pick a guy that plays the same
spot as your single star. Silly Raptors, that trick's for Knicks.
But the rest of their draft is brilliant. Joey Graham could have
gone before Villanueva, and Roko Ukic has been highly touted before
league scouts. He's a 6'4" point guard with floor general skills.
Slokar could develop into a good bench player, but he's not ready
yet, and he's already 22. Graham and Ukic make this draft reasonable,
and Charlie could really wow me and make this draft great. But at
7? There were so many options. I'd be surprised if this works out
for Babcock, and even more surprised if it works out for Toronto.
1
(7) - Charlie Villanueva, f, Connecticut
1 (16) - Joey Graham, f, Oklahoma St
2 (41) - Roko Leni Ukic, g, Split (Croatia)
2 (58) - Uros Slokar, f, Snaidero Udinese (Italy)
Player
Grade - A-
Draft Grade - D+
Utah
Jazz
- The Jazz gave up a lot to go get Williams, maybe too much (next
years 1st pick), but I do believe he fits their system better than
Felton or Paul. That being said, they did pretty well in the draft.
C.J. Miles is a very talented scorer but slipped because of his
inability to do anything great. Miles could turn into a good player,
but it will take a few years. Robert Whaley could pan out, but if
he couldn't do it at Cincinnati what makes the Jazz think he can
do it in the NBA?
1
(3) - Deron Williams, g, Illinois
2 (34) - C.J. Miles, f, Skyline HS (Texas)
2 (51) - Robert Whaley, f, Walsh
Player
Grade - B-
Draft Grade - B
Washington
Wizards
- The Wizards had one pick, and they got a possible center in high-schooler
Andray Blatche. Blatche was one of the high school tumblers on draft
day, but has as good a chance as Bynum to make it. They took a high-reward
shot with the 49th overall pick. Not a 10th like the Lakers. I like
what the Wizards are doing. Now all they have to do is sign Larry
Hughes.
2
(49) - Andray Blatche, f, South Kent Prep (Connecticut)
Player
Grade - B-
Draft Grade - A-
If
you want to send Lucky Lester an email or you would like to add
his articles to your web site, you can reach him at LuckyLester@hotmail.com.
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