OT: Players you've whiffed on

by parkinglotj on Jul 31, 2008 12:27 AM PDT Comment 89 comments

With the "draft the stache" campaign deep in our rear view mirrors, I got to thinking about the players that I've been dead wrong about. These are college players that I saw and said to myself, "self, that guy is going to be great!" I whiffed on many, but I'l also tell you about a couple that I got right.

I do have some perimeters.

1) The players must be no higher than late lotto picks. Example: Julian Wright

2) No "I just knew LeBron would be fantastic" comments.

You get the picture.

I'll start with Ed O'bannon UCLA and Anthony Taylor UofO. I just had a feeling they would take the NBA, no question.

Others that I liked were, Jose Ortiz OSU and Yvon Joseph Geogia Tech (played C next to John Salley.)

But the player that I would have bet my bicycle on (at the time I was too young for a car) was Ronnie Murphy. Wow! That guy was great! or so I thought. For those that don't remember, Ronnie Murphy was going to help give Drexler rest late in his Portland career. Murphy was a UNBELIEVABLE deep shooter, but couldn't stay away from his own Buffet of Goodness. He was always overweight. I thought that he clearly was better than Shawn Respert or Byron Irvin, but I was wrong. They never amounted to much either.

Now for my good picks.

My pick last year was Thad Young and I still think he'll be very good.

This year's pick: Kosta Koufos. Now that Utah has him, I hope I'm wrong.

6 recs | Comment 89 comments

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Well...

Pretty much every white Duke player since Danny Ferry, (Langdon included even though he is half white) to begin with.

Also I thought Marcus Fizer was gonna be good but that did not turn out to well.

As for good players, I thought Dudley was gonna be good and he has been a solid player for Cha and then Thorton as well.

This years picks I gotta go with Chalmers, who I think will be starting after the ASG.

by SpyderRyder on Jul 31, 2008 2:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Staying with more current history..

I really liked Taureen Green, still do.

I thought Ebi Ere and Kevin Pinkney (there’s supposed to be another N in there somewhere) would stick with someone.

So far, Martell Webster has not proven my original assessment wrong. This is his year to do so.

"I love this game!" -Moonbeam, from 'Rollerball' right before he was knocked into a permanent coma

by -ken on Jul 31, 2008 4:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed with Green

My thoughts went along the line of “this guy has won two NCAA titles, so he must be able to do something right”. Granted, it was clear that he wasn’t the centerpiece of his team. But I could have sworn that he would develop into a good backup PG quick.

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Jul 31, 2008 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two come to mind

Donyell Marshall and Anfernee Hardaway.

Penny started his career in great shape pairing with Shaq in Orlando, but injuries and the loss of O’neal to started his career on a downward spiral. On draft night, I seriously thoguht this guy would be the next MJ.

I first saw D’marsh in a couple Uconn games on tv (most likely cbs). The way he commanded the court made me think he would be a major force in the NBA; a deffinate 20/10 guy. He came close a couple seasons but never rose to that level I anticipated.

I’m not saying either one of these guys were a wash; both had decent careers. I just expected them to be a lot more than they turned out to be.

by Billwaltonsbeard on Jul 31, 2008 5:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jerryd Bayless

I thought he’d be a pretty good point guard and then I watched the summer league.

by tominhawaii on Jul 31, 2008 6:14 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

You know, of course, that he's going to have to track you and kill you for publicly espousing that attitude...

........................................ Bayless is going to be a GOOD whatever-the-hell position he plays.

“Non-Roy-Guard” or “Other Guard” or how about we call him the “Zip Guard” and call Roy the “Crunch Guard.”

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Aug 3, 2008 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zip and Crunch

I like it. Has a nice ring. I support the zip/crunch movement. Or we could look to Rice Krispies and choose two of the snap/crackle/pop triumverate. Bayless can be the snap guard and Roy the pop guard. I support that, as well. Point guard and shooting guard are so passe.

Bayless isn't the second coming of Jordan.
Jordan was the first coming of Bayless.

by KP Corleone on Aug 3, 2008 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To round it out, LMA and Webster/Trout can battle

to be the starting crackle forward. Who wants to be small or powerful when crackling is an option. It’s much more kinetic.

Bayless isn't the second coming of Jordan.
Jordan was the first coming of Bayless.

by KP Corleone on Aug 3, 2008 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

crackling?

like odens knee?

"If I was in anyway unclear, I am implying that Dave is a serial murderer."
---jonestr on Aug 3, 2008 12:25 AM PDT

by ptwnblzr on Aug 4, 2008 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take that back

Right now!

18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 80% FG, 66% 3PT FG. Can my boy get some love?

by easybig73 on Aug 4, 2008 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yah your right

(head bowed)

Kevy, I ask that you forgive me for my fingers, and that you bless Odens…......

"If I was in anyway unclear, I am implying that Dave is a serial murderer."
---jonestr on Aug 3, 2008 12:25 AM PDT

by ptwnblzr on Aug 4, 2008 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Morrisson

I didn’t think he’d be a great pro, but I at least thought he belonged in the league. He was SO good in college!

Kevin Pritchard is a 4.0 Draft Day Student

by rmcdougall on Jul 31, 2008 7:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not too late for Ammo.

I’m holding out hope that he can turn into a Steve Kerr-esque role player.

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

by rockingharder on Jul 31, 2008 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ammo is not nearly the shooter Kerr is

He can shoot it with range, but not good enough to be a “designated shooter.” Best case scenario for Ammo is to become Antoine Walker (Boston version)- a guy who helps you on offense but kills your defense. A more likely scenario is for him to be Antoine Walker (current version)- a useless waste of a bench spot.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 31, 2008 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeh.

He’s spent more time being injured than being actually BAD.

He’s had one weak year and one missing year.
That’s not a pattern – YET.

(And I was never high on him to begin with.)

Blazers have a five-on-three...and they pull it back and wait for help.

by QualityPie on Jul 31, 2008 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the time spent being bad

has been REALLY bad. Like, worst player in the NBA as a rookie bad. Hopefully he can get his confidence back, improve his strength and his shot selection, and become a solid contributor for an up and coming (sort of) Charlotte club. But the odds seem to be against it. And the chances he lives up to being the number three overall pick are about as good as McBob’s chances of being that good.

Bayless isn't the second coming of Jordan.
Jordan was the first coming of Bayless.

by KP Corleone on Aug 3, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am going to go the other way

I thought Kirk Hinrich would be a terrible pro, but he has proven me wrong and I have grown to like his game.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jul 31, 2008 8:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Going way back in time

I remember thinking Derrick Coleman would wind up regarded as one of the greatest power forwards to ever play the game at the time he left Syracuse for the NBA.

by knickfan on Jul 31, 2008 8:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was there with you, man.

And man was I wrong.

Live at Doug Fir Lounge on Aug. 7, 9 pm -- YEAR 5000 -- http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Jul 31, 2008 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was going to be my pick too

As a part-time Nets fan, I had higher hopes for Coleman.

by jtanzer on Aug 2, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DUDE!!!!

I was just thinking about Derrick Coleman when I first read this post. Took the words right out of my mouth.

by RipCityRoyCity on Aug 2, 2008 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jonathan Bender

dude still holds the McDonalds All America Game scoring record.

I didn’t think Steve Blake was an NBA point guard.

I thought Wayne Simien was going to be an absolute beast. Is he even still in the league?

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 31, 2008 8:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I really liked Bender

...in NBA Live.

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Jul 31, 2008 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still do like Bender on Futurama.

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Aug 3, 2008 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Simien

The last thing I heard about him was that he got traded to Minny by Miami as part of the deal for Ricky Davis (who is gone now) and Mark Blount (who costs them 8 million, but is worse in rebounding than three point shooting for a 7 footer, man I wish I was this tall). A trade that cost the Heat three players and a first round draft pick, and disqualified Pat Riley for any future consideration as GM of the Year once and for all time.

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Aug 3, 2008 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I missed the boat

on Ray Allen – I didn’t think he’d make it in the NBA.

on Billy Owens – I thought he’d make it big

However, I did get it right

on Gilbert Arenas – I saw him in Summer League and knew he’d be special

on Adam Morrison – I told everyone I knew that the Blazers needed to stay away from the ‘Stache.

by Storyteller on Jul 31, 2008 9:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Corey Brewer

Still has time to be a decent pro, but it’s looking unlikely. I thought he was the second coming of Scottie Pippen.

Chris Wilcox. Not terrible, but I thought he’d be better.

by PoliSam on Jul 31, 2008 9:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

probably not the second coming of pip

but when I would watch florida he always seemed like the best player on the floor. I hope he pans out as I really like watching his game, but unfortunately it looks like the TWolves have a log jam of tweeners and swingmen so it might be tough for him to get minutes.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jul 31, 2008 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

Although I figured him to be more like Stacey Augmon with an outside jumper. That’s not a bad NBA career. Unfortunately, he’s shown little to prove that’s the path he is on.

by grigs on Jul 31, 2008 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

I thought Brewer would have been a great pick up.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Jul 31, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was actually right on Brewer

He can still become a good defense-first role player, but his offensive game is just hideous.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 31, 2008 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear ya

He was pretty high up on my short list.

I ran into him at a downtown hotel last winter. He’s much, much skinnier up close and in person than he is on TV. Corey, baby, put on some muscle!

by Corvid on Jul 31, 2008 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you on Brewer.

He was a guy I was hoping to see the Blazers draft, before we learned we had the #1 pick.

I wasn’t sure about Wilcox when he came out, because I thought he came out too early. He would have done well to spend at least another year at Maryland. However when he came to the Sonics, I thought he had the makings of a very good young PF. In fact I he was one of the reasons I thought the Sonics had a better lineup and brighter future than the Blazers.

by timg56 on Jul 31, 2008 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought he'd be the steal of that draft

great team in college, great defense. I guess he still has time.

by bartender77 on Aug 1, 2008 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Saw Brewer play live a few times from up close

And it’s absolutely astounding how skinny his legs are. I was surprised that his socks stayed on. His calves are about as thick as your index finger.

I thought he’d be sick, too, after he torched OSU in college, but Hollinger was on him as a bust from day one. Apparently his athleticism indicators (blocks, steels) were below average and didn’t come close to supporting the “defensive stopper” hype.

Bayless isn't the second coming of Jordan.
Jordan was the first coming of Bayless.

by KP Corleone on Aug 3, 2008 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watching Brewer try to guard LeBron, by the way, was high comedy

There were many possessions when Bron simply chose not to score… but Brewer might as well not have been on the court. In fact, he was hurting more than he was helping by getting in the way of other guys trying to come over to play helpside. Everything about Brewer’s body language screamed that there was nowhere in the world he wouldn’t rather be. It was dramatically different from college, when he had a bounce to his step.

Bayless isn't the second coming of Jordan.
Jordan was the first coming of Bayless.

by KP Corleone on Aug 3, 2008 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Link to photo/TrueHoop

"Oden might suck because Kwame sucked." - Mortimer on 8/3/08

by tominhawaii on Aug 4, 2008 4:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Luke Jackson

I thought he would be amazing. This is possibly because he played for the Ducks, but still, mistake on my part.

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people

by blazersfan50 on Jul 31, 2008 9:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hard to judge

Injuries have been his biggest problem. He didn’t have a history of injuries before the NBA.

If someone has a history of injuries before the NBA and you think they’ve got a bright future but they turn out to have a short career because of the injuries, then I think you picked a bust. But if you pick a player who ha no history, but whose potential you never see because of injuries, it is hard to call it a bust.

For example, I give anyone who thought Jason Williams would be a great point guard in the league an incomplete grade. How can you judge his career?

by grigs on Jul 31, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too.

For some reason, I like injury-prone white shooters. The two players I’ve really whiffed on were Luke Jackson and Adam Morrison, and I feel like it’s not too late for either of them if they can just stay healthy and stick on a roster.

Jerryd Bayless has two emotions: Kill and Win.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Nicolas Batum

by rockingharder on Jul 31, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's my draft calling history for the past few years

I actually called Kwame Brown being a flop in 2001

but I totally bombed in calling Brendan Haywood the steal of the draft. I predicted him to be a top 5 center in the league for years to come. my bad.

Let’s see, who else?
2002 draft—-I thought Chris Wilcox was going to be a beast…whoops.

2003 draft—-My family gives me lots of respect for calling DWade as the best player in the draft. I said he would be better than Bron, and even though he isn’t, he did get a ring first. I ridiculed Detroit for taking Darko as well, so I really did well with this draft. I said Bosh would be KG within three years…so that was a little off.

2004 draft—-I called Dwight Howard over Emeka. But ehh…I thought ‘Bassy and Shaun Livingston were the future of the NBA. Oops.

2005 draft—-I correctly identified that Bogut and Marvin Williams would be busts, but I goofed in saying that Deron Williams would be a benchwarmer by his third year. I compared him to Damon Stoudamire, except with more drug problems. Hmm…guess I goofed there.
I also thought that Martell would be Kobe within three years, and that Salim Stoudamire would be the steal of the draft.

2006 draft—I knew LMA was better than Tyrus Thomas. I also predicted Barnagni would be a flop, but I incorrectly stated that Dee Brown at selection 46 would be a top tier point guard within three years.

2007 draft—I predicted Correy Brewer would give Durant and Oden a run for their money as Rookie of the Year. I predicted that Glenn Davis would be a mini Zach Randolph by his third year, averaging 15 and 8. I also predicted that Tarean Green would be a solid starting point guard.

By the way, Birdrights did a similar post about 2 months ago....interesting read. Unfortunately, TiH never did reveal if he was part of the draft the stache group then either.

Krikey! Kiteboarding is Kewl!

by prezofdeath on Jul 31, 2008 12:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"I correctly identified that Bogut and Marvin Williams would be busts"

Dude, neither one of those guys is a bust. Bogut is an above average NBA center (probobly around 10th best in the league) and Williams was an important contributor for Atlanta last year and appears to be coming into his own. Now, clearly these guys should have gone after Paul and Williams (and a few others), but both are highly legitimate NBA starters, particularly Bogut.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 31, 2008 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That "around 10th best center" comment feels true to me.

But I need to test it with 9 better centers, and not find another one after those 9. Here goes:

Oden.
Dwow.
Yao.
Ty Chwan Do.
Bosh.
Bynum . . . ? (Okay, benefit of the doubt for now; the judgement is just “better than Bogut”.)

Wow. I’m stuck already.
Easy to think of centers just about exactly at Bogut’s level, not noticably better or worse:
Mehmet? Dalambert? Brad Miller? Krstic? Kaman?
Plus, players clearly better than Bogut but maybe-centers, probably-PFs-occasionally-playing-center:
Duncan, Amare, and Emokafur. Heck, Channing Frye and LaMardridge!
And it’s too early to judge the PAC-10 rookies, KLUV and Babbling Brook.

I stand by 5 or 6 clearly better, and a good dozen as much of a combination of “good” and “center” as Bogut is.
Averaging 10th-best (near the bottom of the top half) still feels fair.

Blazers have a five-on-three...and they pull it back and wait for help.

by QualityPie on Jul 31, 2008 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

based on PER...

... which I know isn’t perfect (and I don’t know how he’s defining “Center”)... Bogut was 12th last year.

The rundown:
1) Amare
2) Duncan
3) Dwight
4) Al Jefferson
5) Yao
6) Bynum
7) Biedrins
8) big Z
9) Haywood
10) Kaman
11) Chandler
12) Bogut
13) Camby
14) Shaq
15) Brad Miller

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 31, 2008 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That PER list seems okay but not perfect

Amare is the best center? Really? On offense maybe cause he has a nice jumper and is explosive around the rim, but he couldn’t defend pick and rolls if his life depended on it right now.
Bogut’s placement seems about right, though a point could be made that he would have to be placed better than Haywood.

And Shaq is just one spot ahead of Brad Miller? Somebody should send this list to the Big Cactus, then he would make sure he is in the top 5 until he retires ;-)

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Aug 1, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

PER is basically an offensive rating

doesn’t really take D (other than blocks and steals) into account.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Aug 1, 2008 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Other than the fact that Amare and half that list aren't actually Centers, great list.

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Aug 3, 2008 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, the board ate my sarcasm font markings, no fair!

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Aug 3, 2008 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

All in all, not too bad of a performance.

I agree with snake though. I wouldn’t classify either Bogat or Williams a bust.

by timg56 on Jul 31, 2008 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When the number one pick is only an average center? That smells like a bust to me.

Centers go first in the draft like once every five years. They ought to be top 5 at their own position within a few years.

Krikey! Kiteboarding is Kewl!

by prezofdeath on Aug 1, 2008 8:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nah

Olowokandi was a bust. Shawn Bradley was a bust. Bogut is not a bust- he’s a minor disappointment.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Aug 1, 2008 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No one will remember Boguts name more than 2 years after he retires

Chris Paul’s name will be sung for centuries.

I think Kwame Brown is less of a bust than Bogut in fact. Even though Bogut’s the better player, there wasn’t really that many good players for the Wizards to choose from in 2001. Bogut’s class on the other hand, was loaded. The Bucks completely screwed up, because there was so much talent they didn’t pick instead of mr. australia. The Wizards in 2001 only minorly screwed up, because there wasn’t much else available.

Krikey! Kiteboarding is Kewl!

by prezofdeath on Aug 1, 2008 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

couldn't disagree more

At least the Bucks got a guy in the upper third (at the bottom of the upper third, but still in the upper third) and a guy who could still develop into an allstar—I could imagine him as Howard’s backup on the East team sometime in the future. In Kwame, the Wiz got nothing. Its true there wasn’t nearly as much available, but they still could have gotten a high quality player like Pau or Chandler.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Aug 1, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not quite true

In Kwame, the Wiz got nothing.

In fact, they were able to turn that “nothing” into all-star Caron Butler in a trade with the Lakers.

by knickfan on Aug 1, 2008 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

very fair point

however, that trade was a separate transaction. It was a terrible draft pick followed by a fantastic trade.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Aug 1, 2008 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey...Imagine if they....

...did draft Gasol…they could have traded him for ….Kwame Brown!!

Homer: "Oh no!! A Bear is eating my father!." (On seeing Selma kissing Grampa)

by 92wastheyear on Aug 1, 2008 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you can't make this stuff up :)

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Aug 1, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

How weird is it that Detroit signed Brown? Next they will trying get Darko back …...ooooh ….maybe Olowakandi is available.

Homer: "Oh no!! A Bear is eating my father!." (On seeing Selma kissing Grampa)

by 92wastheyear on Aug 1, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they said that

about Chauncey Billups when they picked him up, too …

by kickbrass on Aug 1, 2008 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeh but Billups wasn't

the all time bust that Brown was/is

Homer: "Oh no!! A Bear is eating my father!." (On seeing Selma kissing Grampa)

by 92wastheyear on Aug 1, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Noooo, you discovered the secret plan

Yeah, that’s exactly what Detroit is thinking. Brown fills the void until Darko becomes an unrestricted free agent in two years. Then Dumars can bring his man-love back. FreeDarko!

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Aug 1, 2008 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's my draft calling history for the past few years

I actually called Kwame Brown being a flop in 2001

but I totally bombed in calling Brendan Haywood the steal of the draft. I predicted him to be a top 5 center in the league for years to come. my bad.

Let’s see, who else?
2002 draft—-I thought Chris Wilcox was going to be a beast…whoops.

2004 draft—-I called Dwight Howard over Emeka. But ehh…I thought ‘Bassy and Shaun Livingston were the future of the NBA. Oops.

By the way, Birdrights did a similar post about 2 months ago....interesting read. Unfortunately, TiH never did reveal if he was part of the draft the stache group then either.

Krikey! Kiteboarding is Kewl!

by prezofdeath on Jul 31, 2008 12:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Whoa...pulled a Ricky Davis

I purposefully screwed that up so I could get my ~~offensive rebounding~~ comment stats up.

Krikey! Kiteboarding is Kewl!

by prezofdeath on Jul 31, 2008 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who will be the "busts" (as in significantly worse than hoped for) in this year's draft?

I would go with:

Gallinari: He should habe been picked Top 20, but not 6.
Gordon: I don’t think he will turn out as good as his namesake (was called a “rich man’s Ben Gordon”)
Ajinca: Should not have been a first round pick
DeAndre Jordan: Potential, no game. Good that no team fell for him in the first round.

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Jul 31, 2008 1:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Calls

Caron Butler. I never understood why he was drafted 10th.

Speaking of the 2002 draft, I think Mike Dunleavy JR has actually turned out better than I expected… but I still would take Caron before Mike.

Gilber Arenas. I’m shocked no one else has mentioned him, since he was an Arizona guy and lit up the Ducks repeatedly. In 2001 the GMs just went nuts for crappy centers and power forwards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_NBA_Draft

by PoliSam on Jul 31, 2008 2:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I also was high on Caron

I thought he would be the best player in that draft class…damn good but not quite there yet

Shaniqua don't live here no more... Is Shaniqua there, HELL NO!

by GreatOden'sRaven on Jul 31, 2008 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was biased

I knew Gilbert would be good. But I lived next door to him, we dated best friends and we hung out for two years before he got drafted.. so I was biased thinking he was a steal. He was PISSED when he went in the second round.

Shaniqua don't live here no more... Is Shaniqua there, HELL NO!

by GreatOden'sRaven on Jul 31, 2008 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

link?

"Doing research= good
Making up things=bad."

---jksnake99

by ptwnblzr on Aug 2, 2008 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tom Gugliotta

Chris Jackson (I thought for sure HOFer)
M and M (Murray and McLean)
Vin Baker
Khalid Reeves
Shareef Abdur-Rahim (So much potential!)
Danny Fortson
William Avery
Dion Glover
DeMarr Johnson
Joe Johnson (I thought he sucked)
Kirk Snyder

There are lots I was right on (and only joe johnson and tayshaun prince turned out to better than I expected) but no need to list them as well.. this is a whiffed on post.

Shaniqua don't live here no more... Is Shaniqua there, HELL NO!

by GreatOden'sRaven on Jul 31, 2008 3:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought

Tayshaun would be out of the league by now, but called Nash for MVP 3 years prior to his winning it. My greatest call to date.

Oden/Pryz
LMA/Frye
WebFoot/Trout
Roy/Rudy
Blake/Bayless
**Champs 08-09**

by BigCelPhone on Jul 31, 2008 5:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha

I thought he was going to be the next…

Aw, who am I kidding. He was a stiff the moment he stepped off the airplane at PDX.

by DonkeyShins on Jul 31, 2008 7:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought he was the next Zhizhi Wang

Who by the way is on the Chinese national team playing at the Olympics with Yao and Chairman Yi. And Ha is on the South Korean national team (which didn’t qualify). Take that, Sergio.

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Aug 1, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont want to be a jerk

but how could you confuse a dude who can shoot it, Wang, and a guy who shot 40% in the lay up line?

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Aug 1, 2008 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was always very high on Gary Trent.

I thought Erick Barkley had NBA point potential all over him – not star material,
just dependable NBA PG material, like Blake or Derek Fisher, Tyronn Lue at the very least.

And recently, I saw Nedzad Sinanovic the same way we all see Batman & The Petter right about now:
A good Euro find near the 1st-round/2nd-round border.

Blazers have a five-on-three...and they pull it back and wait for help.

by QualityPie on Jul 31, 2008 7:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on Trent

Was a little iffy on Barkley. Thankfully I was never high on Telfair.

by DonkeyShins on Aug 1, 2008 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2005 was an up and down draft for me

The Correct Opinions
I knew that Chris Paul should have gone #1 overall. I wanted the Blazers to draft Danny Granger at #6.

The Wrong Opinions
I laughed uncontrollably when the Lakers took Bynum and wanted the Blazers to draft Gerald Green even more than Danny Granger. I though Green was going to be amazing. I guess it goes to show you that work ethic has a big impact on a player’s career.

by Salem Stephen on Aug 1, 2008 12:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That is sooo unbelievably true

I know. I was regarded as the most talented prospect in my field, that my soon to be ex-company had seen in years. I say this only after haveing more then half a dozen of the management staff, both current and past tell me as much. I would pride myself on putting in the least amount of work while still getting a lot more done then the guy sitting next too me. I would get soo mad every time they would tell me I should try harder. wasnt I doing more then the next guy allready. lol Im 30 years old and still trying to learn how to keep a job. talent is nothing without hard work.

"Doing research= good
Making up things=bad."

---jksnake99

by ptwnblzr on Aug 2, 2008 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Danny Granger

I remember every one knew immediately he shouldn’t have dropped that far. Kind of like Roy (to a lesser extent), everyone knew he would be good but he didn’t ooze potential… so Indy was able to steal him at 17.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Aug 2, 2008 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The worst draft in history must have been 2000

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NBA_Draft

Arguably the best player from that draft was chosen, uhm, 43? What? And you will be hard pressed to find 10 players that honestly had a positive impact for their teams for more than two seasons.

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Aug 1, 2008 1:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and Joel is one of them ;-)

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Aug 1, 2008 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch

Ime Udoka was undrafted in the worst draft since 1986? That’s gotta hurt! At least he made it.

by jamon51 on Aug 1, 2008 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My biggest miss ever was Joe Smith

If you know what I’m talking about I’ve said enough. I wouldn’t shut up about Brandon Roy, though, ask my co-workers.

by bartender77 on Aug 1, 2008 9:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's see...

Quintell Woods, Eric Barkley, Gary Trent, Ed O’Bannon, Harold “Baby Jordan” Miner, Michael Dunleavey Jr., Eddie House, Luther Head, Darko, Andrea Bargs (NOT saying I wanted him), Danny Ferry, The Stache, Luke Jackson (and I HATE U of O). I know I didn’t follow all the rules. But these are all guys that I thought would be all stars one day.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Aug 2, 2008 5:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Forgot all about

Sergi Monia. I thought he was going to be really good before he got here. What a wasted draft pick.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Aug 3, 2008 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice to see someone else admit they were wrong about Darko

I thought he’d be good, too, but mainly I’m just sick of everyone saying they “knew” Darko would be a bust. These are probably the same people who “knew” Dirk, Gasol, and every other semi-hyped euro would be a bust. Fact is, there isn’t a single GM in the league who would have taken Bosh or Wade ahead of Darko, as much as people want to kill Dumars over the pick. Melo was the only other guy anyone was talking about at 2.

by Royster on Aug 3, 2008 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

luke ridnour

again with the duck references but i thought he would at least be a top-10 pg at this point. blew it on that one!

18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 80% FG, 66% 3PT FG. Can my boy get some love?

by easybig73 on Aug 4, 2008 8:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

JJ Reddick

Dude was lights out in college…obviously it doesn’t necessarily translate to the NBA. But, he doesn’t get the minutes so maybe he just needs to prove himself.

If you're paddling upstream in a canoe and a wheel falls off, how many pancakes fit in a doghouse? None! Ice cream has no bones!

by Arby on Aug 4, 2008 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He plays horrible defense

Nobody denies that he could be a great shooter in the mold of a Michael Redd. But the guy has no lateral quickness, like his feet are stuck in mud. That’s the main reason why he has seen no light in Orlando. Now with all the players they lost he is the #2 on their depth chart behind Bogans (or Pietrus depending on who is the #2 on SF). If he isn’t in top shape to make it this year, I fear he never will.

Odenied: Coach, I promise I wasn't running hard ...

by Norsktroll on Aug 4, 2008 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs