2013 NBA DRAFT

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1105/grant_g_noel_sl_576.jpeg

Havent watched one college game this year :/

College hoops have fallen on hard times now that all the most talented players are one-and-done. I still find interest in the tournament, where I usually root for the teams who show the best passing, teamwork and coaching, even if they don't have mad athleticism.

Yeah tourney is still cool by me but the NBA product is way on top right now, has been since 05-06.

if the nba had a two years of college requirement college basketball would be p tite

nba would prob be better too

I don't watch until conference championship time at the very least.

Yeah thats about when I get on board.

Really into this draft, talent level is hugely underrated right now

Anthony Bennett is amazing

collegezzzzz

shabazz muhammed is giving me heavy james harden vibes... seems like the obvious no. 1 pick at least at the moment

chad ford quoted some GMs who have McLemore number 1 right now

i haven't seen him play... KU basketball seems particularly wretched from an enjoyment standpoint this year

awww come on they have a lot of dunking

muhammed strikes me as the player everyone wanted harrison barnes to be... or at least bradley beal

his shot selection could definitely improve and i'm not sure he's as strong off the dribble as harden, but a true wing freshman averaging 17 and 5 boards and shooting 46% from three sounds pretty close to a star to me

he has more post-up potential than Harden

def

shabazz in detroit plz :(

rip nerlens :(

though he'll probably stay in the draft and be a lottery pick anyway.

yah I doubt he'll drop out of the top 3

he won't but he should

Draftexpress is saying that it wall have zero impact on his draft stock which is such a load of horseshit

good piece http://www.sbnation.com/2013/3/16/4106272/nerlens-noel-kentucky-basketball-wildcats-nba-draft-2013

the football highlights of Cauley-Stein are really funny

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider 4m
When @johnhollinger put together his draft rater years ago he found age to be a HUGE factor in predictor in determining pro success.

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider 6m
Muhammad's age matters because: 1. He's been dominating younger guys in high school for years. Changes how he would've been scouted/ranked

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider 21m
LA Times reporting that Shabazz Muhammad is 20, not 19. Could be another blow to his draft stock. http://www.latimes.com/news/columnone/la-fi-shabazz-muhammad-inc-20130322-dto,0,3133186.htmlstory …

Is Shabazz Muhammad overrated?
What the scouts and stats are saying about the top NBA draft prospects
Updated: March 29, 2013, 3:37 PM ET
By Kevin Pelton | ESPN Insider

What do the stats have to say about Shabazz Muhammad's game?
Last week's drama involving UCLA star Shabazz Muhammad made clear what statistical analysts have long known about the NBA draft: Age matters. The Bruins have been listing Muhammad's birthday as Nov. 22, 1993, but an investigation by the Los Angeles Times found that Muhammad's birth certificate is actually dated a year earlier, making Muhammad 20, and not 19 -- older than the typical college freshman. If Muhammad declares for the NBA draft as expected, the difference could cost him a few spots in the lottery. It should.

While Muhammad's unusual case is an extreme example, history shows that age is key to understanding how college players end up developing in the NBA. In fact, age is one of just two factors that make up my rankings of college players. The other is their performance during the previous season, translated to its NBA equivalent based on the past performance of rookies and adjusted for strength of schedule.

The rookie translations generally do a good job of separating newcomers who are ready to contribute right away from those who are too raw to contribute. But in terms of projecting value beyond the first season, as measured by wins above replacement (WARP) in the players' first five years in the NBA, age proves almost equally important. Based on regression, age makes up about 40 percent of the WARP projection for rookies, with translated performance accounting for the other 60 percent.

That's bad news for Muhammad. First off, his NBA translation is poor, pegging him for a .313 winning percentage -- far worse than replacement level (.410) -- due to his low numbers in assists, steals and blocks. Because players develop so quickly in their teens and early 20s, such a projection isn't a death knell for a freshman. Eric Bledsoe, for example, rated similarly playing out of position at Kentucky.

That's where Muhammad's age is problematic. Because age, not class, predicts future development, we're now effectively comparing Muhammad to more polished sophomores. The extra year takes a significant chunk out of his WARP projection, dropping it from 1.0 WARP per season to 0.4 -- a figure that usually lands a prospect in the second round. My database, which includes all college rookies since 2005 and selects ones dating to 2000 (based on the availability of team stats), has just a handful of lottery picks with a WARP projection of 0.5 or lower.

Player Year Pick pWARP
Joe Alexander 2008 8 0.5
Acie Law 2007 11 0.5
Melvin Ely 2002 12 0.3
Brandon Rush 2008 13 0.3
Terrence Ross 2012 8 0.2

Leaving out Terrence Ross, who is still developing, none of the other players became regular starters, and Joe Alexander is one of the biggest busts in recent draft memory. Muhammad isn't necessarily consigned to the same status -- he profiles as similar to Golden State's Harrison Barnes, who narrowly escaped this list (0.6 projected WARP) and has started for a playoff-bound team as a rookie. Still, Muhammad's combination of age and underwhelming performance at UCLA should give teams drafting in the lottery major cause for concern.

Muhammad isn't the only player on whom the numbers disagree with conventional wisdom. Let's take a look at five favorites of the stats, five players the scouts prefer and five lottery picks on whom they agree.

STATS SAY ...

Kyle Anderson, F, UCLA
Big Board rank: 42 | 1.9 projected wins above replacement (WARP)
(Rank: 11)

Why the stats like him: Anderson used his size and wingspan to rack up 62 steals and 30 blocks as a freshman. Usually, that combination of skills suggests a quality NBA defender.

Why scouts are skeptical: Anderson's nickname is "Slow Mo," and it's apt. Despite his length, Anderson will be hard-pressed to defend NBA perimeter players, and he can be outmuscled by big men.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia
Big board rank: 31 | 2.2 projected WARP (7)

Why the stats like him: Caldwell-Pope shouldered a heavy offensive load at Georgia with reasonable efficiency. Young for a sophomore -- he's three months younger than Muhammad -- Caldwell-Pope has room to develop.

Why scouts are skeptical: As Caldwell-Pope's jumper goes, so goes his overall performance. As a result, he made better than 40 percent of his shots just three times in his last 10 games.

Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Big board rank: 76 | 2.6 projected WARP (4)

Why the stats like him: Coming off the bench, Dekker made 57.1 percent of his 2-point shots and 39.1 percent from beyond the arc. Ken Pomeroy's similarity scores say the best match for his freshman campaign is lottery pick Ben McLemore.

Why scouts are skeptical: Dekker is seen as a better college player than a pro. Before he can even think about the NBA, he'll have to crack Bo Ryan's starting five first.

P.J. Hairston, G/F, North Carolina
Big board rank: 37 | 2.4 projected WARP (6)

Why the stats like him: After moving to power forward as part of North Carolina's small-ball starting five, Hairston emerged as an elite scorer. Among players who used at least a quarter of their team's plays, Hairston ranked in the nation's top 10 in offensive rating.

Why scouts are skeptical: Playing on the wing as a pro, Hairston will have to improve his ballhandling. Part of the reason he was so efficient is that he rarely tries to make plays for others.

Jarnell Stokes, F/C, Tennessee
Big board rank: 96 | 1.9 projected WARP (13)

Why the stats like him: Stokes' size and strength make him an elite offensive rebounder, a skill that tends to translate nicely to the NBA. He's also a fine shot-blocker and played half of this season at age 18 after graduating early from high school.

Why scouts are skeptical: Stokes isn't a particularly accurate finisher around the rim, in large part because shot-blockers give him difficulty.

SCOUTS SAY ...

Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky
Big board rank: 21 | 0.6 projected WARP (50)

Why the stats don't like him: Among a group of Kentucky freshmen who collectively failed to live up to the hype, Goodwin stands out. He's not yet ready to score efficiently in the NBA and projects to make just 22.4 percent of his 3-pointers.

Why scouts do: There's no denying Goodwin's ability to put points on the board, and part of his struggles as a freshman can be traced to spending time running John Calipari's offense as a point guard -- something he won't be asked to do as a pro.

Alex Len, C, Maryland
Big board rank: 11 | 1.0 projected WARP (33)

Why the stats don't like him: Len is still very much a project and could be overmatched against NBA competition next season. He's weak on the glass for a 7-footer and hasn't yet polished the skills to overcome that deficiency.

Why scouts do: Skilled 7-footers are a commodity, and the Ukrainian is young enough to make strides quickly as a pro.

Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas
Big board rank: 2 | 1.7 projected WARP (19)

Why the stats don't like him: As a scorer, McLemore should be just fine in the NBA. The numbers don't suggest he'll develop the all-around game to justify a top-five selection, and he's already 20.

Why scouts do: McLemore's combination of size and skill are hard to find outside the lottery. If he can be convinced to play more aggressively on offense, he could be an elite scorer.

Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA
Big board rank: 7 | 0.4 projected WARP (53)

Why the stats don't like him: The biggest Muhammad red flag is his poor steal rate. Besides their intrinsic value, steals are especially important for prospects because they are the best single statistical indicator of athleticism. The only perimeter player in recent history to develop into a full-time starter with so few steals is another UCLA product, Arron Afflalo of the Orlando Magic.

Why scouts do: Muhammad's powerful frame will allow him to post up smaller defenders and gives him the potential to become a strong one-on-one defender.

Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke
Big board rank: 14 | 0.3 projected WARP (56)

Why the stats don't like him: At 23, Plumlee needs to be ready to contribute right away to justify a spot in the lottery, but his translated numbers score right near replacement level. He lacks a signature statistical skill.

Why scouts do: Plumlee boasts the requisite size and athleticism for an NBA big man, and he started the season as one of the best players in the country through December.

BOTH AGREE ON ...

Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky
Big board rank: 1 | 4.0 projected WARP (1)

What both like: Before his ACL injury, Noel scored far and away as the best prospect in this draft. The difference between his WARP projection and the No. 2 prospect (Georgetown's Otto Porter) is as large as the gap between Porter and No. 7.

Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana
Big board rank: 6 | 2.0 projected WARP (9)

What both like: Oladipo's athleticism shows up all over his statistics, nowhere more than at the defensive end. Only one other player in my database (Renaldo Balkman) had a combination of a steal rate better than 3.0 and a block rate better than 1.5. And Oladipo is a much better offensive prospect than Balkman, the infamous Isiah Thomas selection taken one pick ahead of Rajon Rondo.

Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown
Big board rank: 4 | 3.1 projected WARP (2)

What both like: Porter's all-around game will ease his transition to the NCAA. Compared to other small forwards in my database, Porter is among the top 25 percent in six key categories and does not have a single statistical weakness (among the bottom 25 percent). Plus Porter is nearly seven months younger than Muhammad.

Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
Big board rank: 3 | 2.5 projected WARP (5)

What both like: Rebounding is a surprisingly important indicator for point guards because it demonstrates the athleticism to excel at the position. Smart is great on the glass and has the best steal rate of anyone in this year's draft, another positive marker.

Cody Zeller, PF, Indiana
Big board rank: 8 | 2.1 projected WARP (8)

What both like: Besides Noel, Zeller is the other top-10 player who lands in the same spot in both rankings. His polished game has just one statistical weakness: shot-blocking.

yeah interesting piece... guess we won't have hollinger's draft rater this year

yeah i wonder what espn retained when he left maybe they could just rebuild it

yeah he may have even made the bulk of the formula public?

this draft is gonna be fun tho

Why the stats don't like him: Len is still very much a project and could be overmatched against NBA competition next season. He's weak on the glass for a 7-footer and hasn't yet polished the skills to overcome that deficiency.

Len averages 11.5 rebounds per 40 pace adjusted. Noel averages 11.6.

well that point one im sure makes a big difference

Len averages the same rebounds per 40 as Dieng and Noel and more than Withey, Olynyk, Plumlee etc.

Jonathan Givony ‏@DraftExpress 3h

For those who say its crazy to even consider Brittney Griner a NBA prospect, check out her Synergy page. Dominance: http://www.draftexpress.com/gallery/General/1365185547.jpg …

smh

pelton had a good post today on insider that said her closest analogue in the NBA is jarvis varnardo

essentially that she could prob hang around the nba but would need to develop another skill besides shot blocking (like a mid range jumper) to actually crack a rotation

pelton said that she's not really an elite rebounder for having insane size

she could not hang around the NBA, this is absurd

she's 6'8, 207 and plays exclusively in the low post

everybody is demeaned for participating in this discussion

moving on

jarvis varnardo sounds like a made up name

her closest analogue in the NBA is jamille harvellcamp

she could not hang around the NBA, this is absurd

― Matt Armstrong, Friday, April 5, 2013 6:11 PM (9 minutes ago) Bookmark

well vanardo never plays

Griner had like 20 dunks in her career, Varnado would have had like 400

word. pelton might not have said that she could hang around the NBA btw i might have made that part up.

IDGAF let her play imo

I could see a team inviting Griner to try out. It would be good publicity and wth it's a try out, not a contract. If she somehow proves up in her try out, then it's great for the game. Otherwise, it's a nice gesture and hurts nothing.

uh oh, looks like griney has some competition for first lady nba baller

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kTTNXttoXQY/UV-IojVRkfI/AAAAAAAAAaA/IWTAlINwjtQ/s583/lmao+espn.png

well shes got the cool ranch taco

yeah, but she eats against only other women, u put her in the men's league of taco-eaters, and they will leave her in their dorito dust

aw

okay, muscala then

― Heez, Thursday, June 27, 2013 11:27 PM (Yesterday)

oh sweet, he actually did end up on the hawks.

Man the reactions to the wolves draft locally has been scathing

what did people want them to do

ppl in Minnesota had a weird delusion that all these teams were lining up around the block to trade us high draft pick for Derrick Williams

also lots wanted a shooting guard, maybe the Russian dude who i'm sure everyone totally knew about before yesterday

cant ever recall a draft where the guy whod been #1 in every mock for the pas year slipped to 6th, crazy

sixers got a vv good deal

Rating every team's draft selections
Updated: June 28, 2013, 12:05 PM ET
By Kevin Pelton | ESPN Insider

Nerlens Noel didn't go No. 1 in the draft, but he helped the Sixers earn the No. 1 spot on these rankings.
To complement the traditional draft grades done by our Chad Ford, I'm offering a slightly different spin on the day-after evaluation. Using my WARP projections for this year's draft and the typical outcome of past drafts, it's possible to rate every selection -- with the exception of the handful of player without projections -- against the expected value of the pick. I've totaled that up for every team (except for the Raptors, who didn't have a pick), factoring in expected trades, and ranked them. Let's take a look.

1. Philadelphia 76ers, +3.7 (Expected: 4.0, actual 7.7)
What a debut for GM Sam Hinkie. Not only did I rate the 76ers' trade with New Orleans an A+, all three picks Philadelphia made -- highlighted by Nerlens Noel (3.6 projected WARP) -- rated well above the expected value for those spots. In total, the 76ers added players projected to average 7.7 wins above replacement (WARP) over their first five seasons, when typical selections at the same picks would combine for 4.0 WARP. Michael Carter-Williams (2.0) was a good value for Philadelphia at the 11th pick, and Hinkie picked up sleeper Arsalan Kazemi (2.1) late in the second round.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder, +3.4 (Expected: 4.0, actual 7.4)
The Thunder surprised everyone but the WARP projections by taking Colorado forward Andre Roberson (2.6) in the first round. Because WARP rated Roberson third overall in the draft, his selection scored as the single best value. Oklahoma City got another sleeper by buying the No. 40 pick from Portland to take Arizona forward Grant Jerrett (1.5), and No. 12 overall pick Steven Adams (1.9) also grades out well.

3. Portland Trail Blazers, +2.4 (Expected: 3.8, actual 6.2)
For a few picks there, the Blazers seemed to be drafting straight off my board. With the second-round picks they kept, they landed three excellent values in Allen Crabbe (1.1), Jeff Withey (0.7) and international stash Marko Todorovic (1.5). Add in the highly rated C.J. McCollum (2.5) in the lottery and Portland GM Neil Olshey appears to have upgraded a bench that was a huge weakness last season.

4. Atlanta Hawks, +2.0 (Expected: 1.9, actual 4.0)
The Hawks also successfully went overseas. While guard Dennis Schroeder does not have a projection, center Lucas Nogueira (2.4) has terrific potential for the 16th pick based on his performance in the ACB. Second-round pick Mike Muscala (1.5) also rated well.

5. Milwaukee Bucks, +1.5 (Expected: 0.7, actual 2.2)
First-round pick Giannis Antetokounmpo is another player without a rating, so this spot is strictly based on the Bucks dealing for Nate Wolters in the second round. The South Dakota State product projects as a useful backup point guard; the question of who he might back up remains unanswered.

6. New Orleans Pelicans, +1.5 (Expected: 0.6, actual 2.1)
While I wasn't a fan of the Pelicans' trade for Jrue Holiday, they were wise to get back the No. 42 pick as part of the deal. With it, New Orleans picked up another solid point guard prospect in Pierre Jackson (2.1). Now the Pelicans have to figure out how he fits with Holiday and Greivis Vasquez.

7. Detroit Pistons, +1.0 (Expected: 3.0, actual 4.0)
The Pistons surprised everyone by taking Georgia guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2.6), rated fourth overall by WARP. Detroit also snagged Tony Mitchell (1.5) when he dropped to the second round, getting excellent value.

8. Washington Wizards, +1.0 (Expected: 3.2, actual 4.2)
Even with Noel dropping, Otto Porter (+2.7) might have been the draft's easiest pick in terms of value and need. The Wizards added another solid wing prospect in the second round, trading for Glen Rice Jr. (+1.6).

9. L.A. Lakers, +0.5 (Expected: 0.6, actual 1.1)
The Lakers didn't pick until 48th overall, getting Duke forward Ryan Kelly (1.1), a well-rounded stretch 4.

10. Utah Jazz, +0.4 (Expected: 2.3, actual 2.7)
Since Rudy Gobert doesn't have a projection, the Jazz's rating is nearly all about trading up for Trey Burke (+2.2), a value pick when he slipped to ninth overall.

11. Dallas Mavericks, +0.3 (Expected: 1.2, actual 1.6)
Had the Mavericks taken Shane Larkin (1.6) with their original pick, he would have rated almost exactly at the expected value for the pick (1.5). But by trading down, Dallas added a pair of second-round picks and got better value.

12. Charlotte Bobcats, +0.3 (Expected: 2.3, actual 2.5)
As surprising as Cody Zeller may have been at No. 4 -- especially with Noel still on the board -- by this measure he scores as a positive pick thanks to the fifth-best WARP projection in the draft.

13. San Antonio Spurs, +0.2 (Expected: 0.4, actual 0.6)
Again, no projection for San Antonio's first-round pick (French forward Livio Jean-Charles). By the time we get to the Spurs' second-rounder, No. 58, expectations are understandably low. DeShaun Thomas (0.6) slightly exceeded them.

14. Memphis Grizzlies, +0.1 (Expected: 0.7, actual 0.7)
While the WARP projections weren't particularly high on Jamaal Franklin (0.7), by the time he slipped into the middle of the second round he was fine value for Memphis. The Grizzlies will also stash Mr. Irrelevant, Latvian forward Janis Timma, who does not have a projection.

15. Los Angeles Clippers, +0.0 (Expected: 1.0, actual 1.0)
The Clippers had one pick, North Carolina wing Reggie Bullock (1.0), who rates as precisely typical of a No. 25 selection.

16. Denver Nuggets, +0.0 (Expected: 1.0, actual 1.0)
No. 55 pick Joffrey Lauvergne (0.6) rates slightly better than typical, No. 45 pick Erick Green (0.4) slightly worse. Add them together and the Nuggets were dead even.

17. Houston Rockets, +0.0 (Expected: 0.8, actual 0.8)
Naturally, teams that heavily value analytics tend to score well by this rating. The Rockets are the exception; their one pick, Isaiah Canaan at No. 34 (0.8) was completely average for that spot.

18. Miami Heat, -0.1 (Expected: 0.5, actual 0.4)
The Heat, who began the night without a pick, traded into the second round to get Long Beach State forward James Ennis (0.4), a fairly average No. 50 pick.

19. New York Knicks, -0.4 (Expected: 1.0, actual 0.6)
The Knicks went for Tim Hardaway Jr. (0.6) over a handful of wings that rated better, including Bullock, Crabbe and Rice.

20. Sacramento Kings, -0.4 (Expected: 2.6, actual 2.2)
Though they were taken a round apart, both Kings picks -- Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum have identical 1.1 ratings.

21. Indiana Pacers, -1.1 (Expected: 1.1, actual 0.0)
The Pacers pulled the surprise of the evening by taking Arizona forward Solomon Hill (0.0) with the 23rd overall pick. The comparisons to Draymond Green from last year's draft don't bear out statistically, since Green was rated one of the top prospects available in 2012.

22. Golden State Warriors, -1.2 (Expected: 0.9, actual -0.3)
The scouting report on the Warriors' No. 30 pick, Nemanja Nedovic, is promising. He doesn't rate as well statistically because he was a low-percentage finisher and had an assist-to-turnover ratio worse than 1.0 in Euroleague play last season.

23. Brooklyn Nets, -1.4 (Expected: 1.1, actual -0.4)
23-year-old Mason Plumlee (-0.4) will have to contribute next season to justify a first-round selection. I'm skeptical based on his translated statistics.

24. Chicago Bulls, -1.8 (Expected: 1.7, actual -0.1)
With his long arms and 39 percent NCAA 3-point shooting, Tony Snell (-0.2) looks the part of a 3-and-D role player. However, his defensive intensity was inconsistent at New Mexico and poor rebound and steal rates caused his WARP projection to drop below replacement. Second-round pick Erik Murphy (0.0) may be able to stretch the floor right away, but at 22 and limited athletically he's got little upside.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers, -2.3 (Expected: 5.2, actual 2.9)
Given the lack of star talent in this draft, assessing the Cavaliers based on the typical No. 1 overall pick seems a bit unfair. However, Noel would have scored as a positive pick by this method. Anthony Bennett (2.1) is much worse than the average No. 1 choice. Cleveland's rating is also hurt by second-round pick Carrick Felix (-1.2), a late bloomer in college who wasn't on the NBA's radar until this year. Those choices overwhelm an excellent value pick at No. 19 in Sergey Karasev (2.0).

26. Boston Celtics, -2.7 (Expected: 1.9, actual -0.7)
The Celtics sink so far almost entirely because they bought the No. 53 pick and drafted Colorado State center Colton Iverson (-1.8). Iverson scores poorly because of his age (he'll be 24 on Saturday) and middling career at Minnesota before transferring. But if Iverson plays down to his rating, Boston will simply cut him and move on, so this rating is overly harsh. First-rounder Kelly Olynyk (1.1) rates as a slight reach at No. 13, but he might not have been available to the Celtics at their original 16th pick.

27. Orlando Magic, -2.7 (Expected: 3.2, actual -0.5)
The Magic, too, are weighed down by their second-round pick. Oklahoma forward Romero Osby (-1.2) is another 23 year old with an unimpressive track record. WARP projections also favored Noel over Victor Oladipo (1.7).

28. Minnesota Timberwolves, -3.0 (Expected: 3.4, actual 0.4)
Not a great start for Flip Saunders, statistically speaking. Trading back from No. 9 made sense after the Pistons took Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but the WARP projections favored numerous wings over UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad (-0.7), who rates as the single weakest pick of the draft by this method. Gorgui Dieng (0.2) also scored as a reach, though it's much easier to see how Dieng could be valuable to the Timberwolves as a backup center. The best of the Minnesota picks in terms of WARP projection was actually the last one, stash forward Bojan Dubljevic (1.2) at No. 59.

29. Phoenix Suns, -4.6 (Expected: 3.4, actual -1.2)
The Suns drafted three players, and two of them have negative WARP projections. No. 29 pick Archie Goodwin (-0.2) is young enough to have upside, but will have to develop massively after one disappointing year at Kentucky. No. 57 pick Alex Oriakhi (-1.1) is yet another college veteran whose translated performance doesn't suggest immediate contributions. In the lottery, Phoenix went with Alex Len (0.3) over Noel when both centers were available. Statistically, Noel is the much more impressive prospect.

#30? ):

minnesota wanted KCP

ya idk 30 doesnt exist

Draft grades: 30 team evaluations
How did your squad perform on draft night? We hand out report cards.
Originally Published: June 28, 2013
By Chad Ford | ESPN.com

NBA Draft Winners

Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose and Jay Bilas with their winners from the NBA draft.
Tags: NBA Draft, Trail Blazers, Anthony Bennett
NEXT VIDEO
Implications Of Nets-Celtics Blockbuster
Every year I hand out grades just hours after the draft. As I'm a college professor in my day job, the exercise amounts to the equivalent of giving a student a final grade after the first day of class. There's so much we don't know about the teams and how these players will fit with their respective teams. In other words, these grades are subjective and unfair. In truth, you can't grade a draft for at least two years.

So why do it? Because it gives us a great opportunity to get an instant reaction on the future of every team in the league. What I write today won't be the definitive word on this draft, but it's a great way to start the conversation.

Here's our take on how every team in the league did Thursday night:

ATLANTA HAWKS | GRADE: C

Round 1: Lucas Nogueira (16), Dennis Schroeder (17)

Round 2: Mike Muscala (44), Raul Neto (47)

Analysis: The Hawks probably are losing a chunk of their rotation this offseason and didn't get much help in the draft for next season. It may be several years before we can accurately gauge how well they did.

Nogueira and Schroeder have upside. Nogueira can develop into an effective rim protector, and Schroeder is quick, athletic and tenacious on both ends. But both players appear to be several years from being serious contributors at the NBA level.

Muscala is the opposite of Nogueira and Schroeder. He's a polished college veteran who, of the Hawks' draft picks, might be the most ready to play now. Neto is a good player as well, but he's unlikely to come over to the NBA this year.

BOSTON CELTICS | GRADE: B+

Round 1: Kelly Olynyk (13)

Round 2: Colton Iverson (53)

Analysis: The Celtics made more noise outside the draft on Thursday, agreeing to trade Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to the Nets for what boils down to three first-round picks.

So the Celtics are starting over, and it looks like Olynyk will be part of a young core led by Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger. (Rajon Rondo's future in Boston as he recovers from a knee injury is uncertain.)

It could get ugly real fast for Celtics fans. Although I haven't been a huge fan of Olynyk, I think he can stick in the league in the right style of play -- as long as his coach doesn't try to turn him into a center. He can hit shots and get to the rim, although he'll also play some matador defense.

Iverson adds toughness and six fouls, but no one will expect much.

BROOKLYN NETS | GRADE: B

Round 1: Mason Plumlee (22)

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Nets made their mark on draft day with agreement on a massive trade with Boston that landed Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, other players and three future first-round draft picks. Clearly in the short term, the Nets came out way ahead.

On top of that, they kept their 2013 first-round pick and landed Plumlee, the most athletic big in the draft not named Noel. Plumlee slid in the draft because of his age. Had he been 19 or 20 years old, he would've been a lottery pick. But at 22, teams question how much upside he has. He runs the floor and finishes high above the rim, but he probably will be relegated to spot minutes in a backup role.

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS | GRADE: C

Round 1: Cody Zeller (4)

Round 2: None

Analysis: We began hearing on Wednesday that the Bobcats were seriously considering Zeller at No. 4, although it was hard to believe they would take him -- and it would've been even more difficult to accept if we had known the Bobcats would be passing on Nerlens Noel and Ben McLemore to take Zeller.

I like Zeller's NBA potential, but this pick was a major reach. Zeller is athletic and was probably underrated, but he'll have to change his game dramatically to succeed in the NBA, and no one knows whether he'll pull it off. Shooting jumpers in workouts is one thing. In an NBA game, it's another.

The Bobcats have made some pretty bad picks during owner Michael Jordan's reign. I don't think Zeller will be a bust in the way that Adam Morrison and D.J. Augustin were. But I struggle to believe he'll have the career of Noel or McLemore. For the Bobcats' sake, I hope Zeller proves me wrong.

CHICAGO BULLS | GRADE: C-

Round 1: Tony Snell (20)

Round 2: Erik Murphy (49)

Analysis: The Bulls really wanted a swingman and selected Snell, a workout wonder. Because Reggie Bullock, Allen Crabbe and Tim Hardaway Jr. were on the board, all three of whom have better track records, I was a little surprised that Snell was the pick. He might have more upside, but his lack of consistency on both ends is concerning. The Bulls filled a need, but I don't think they got the best guy to do it.

Murphy was a good second-round pick -- a terrific shooter who should be able to play stretch 4.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS | GRADE: B+

Round 1: Anthony Bennett (1), Sergey Karasev (19)

Round 2: Carrick Felix (33)

Analysis: The Cavs kept everyone in suspense for six weeks. They talked trades with everyone. They wrung their hands over whom to take. And then they shocked just about everyone by taking Bennett with the No. 1 pick. I understand the reasoning. Cleveland wanted a pick-and-roll partner for Kyrie Irving. Bennett has the potential to be a 20-and 10-guy, perhaps the only one in the draft.

On the other hand, I think Noel, Victor Oladipo and Otto Porter were better prospects, and I would have liked their fit in Cleveland as much as or more than Bennett's. With the No. 1 pick, the Cavs needed to get the best talent, and I'm not sold on the idea that they did.

I loved the Karasev pick. They needed a shooter with a high basketball IQ, and I think he has a chance to be a solid player in the NBA. That's all you can ask for at No. 19.

Felix is a tough defender and should be able to get minutes coming off the bench. He's not an upside player but should play right away.

DALLAS MAVERICKS | GRADE: B-

Round 1: Shane Larkin (18)

Round 2: Ricky Ledo (43)

Analysis: The Mavericks are trying to lure free agent Dwight Howard. To create salary-cap space, the Mavs moved down from No. 13 to No. 18 and traded Jared Cunningham.

The prospects they landed are both solid. Larkin has the skills to be a NBA point guard -- the question will be, Does he have the size? Ledo has the skills to be a terrific scoring wing -- the question will be, Will he show more maturity than he has in the past?

Of the two, it's Ledo that has the better chance to be special. If the Mavs nurture him, he could be this year's Lance Stephenson.

DENVER NUGGETS | GRADE: C

Round 1: None

Round 2: Erick Green (46), Joffrey Lauvergne (55)

Analysis: The Nuggets traded the draft rights of Rudy Gobert to the Jazz for cash and the 46th pick. Time will tell whether the cash and a mid-second-round pick were worth passing on the longest player in the draft. In return, Denver got one of the best scorers in the draft. Green can score efficiently from just about anywhere. He slid in the draft because of concerns about his position. He's a classic tweener -- too small to be a shooting guard but lacking the vision of a point guard.

Lauvergne is athletic and soft and the type of draft-and-stash candidate who rarely gets unstashed.

DETROIT PISTONS | GRADE: B

Round 1: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (8)

Round 2: Tony Mitchell (37), Peyton Siva (56)

Analysis: After weeks of us hearing about the Pistons' need for a point guard and their desire to move Brandon Knight to the 2, they passed on all three of the top point guards in the draft and drafted another 2-guard. That felt a bit odd.

I do like Caldwell-Pope. He can shoot, has a high basketball IQ and has a lot of defensive potential. Although he doesn't fit a need, I think the Pistons felt he was the best player available and they would solve the point guard conundrum some other way.

At No. 37, they walked away with one of the most physically talented players in the draft. Mitchell was a disappointment this past season at North Texas, but his athleticism, length and rebounding suggest that in the right role, such as coming off the bench behind Greg Monroe, he could be fantastic.

As for Siva, his niche in the NBA likely will be limited to disrupting opponents. He has quick hands and feet, is a jet up and down the floor and plays with passion. He just is offensively challenged.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS | GRADE: B-

Round 1: Nemanja Nedovic (30)

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Warriors began the night without a first-round pick but traded back into the first round at No. 27 before trading that pick to the Thunder in return for the No. 29 pick, which they then traded to the Suns for the No. 30 pick. Got that?

The player they ended up with is interesting. Nedovic is an athletic combo guard who some scouts think will be an absolute stud in the NBA. The Warriors needed a fourth guard behind Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Jarrett Jack (if he returns). Nedovic is probably not a draft-and-stash player. They'll bring him into the Summer League and give him a shot to win a spot on the team.

HOUSTON ROCKETS | GRADE: B+

Round 1: None

Round 2: Isaiah Canaan (34)

Analysis: The Rockets also didn't have a first-round pick but essentially got one anyway at No. 34. Canaan might have been the fourth-best point guard in the draft, and I think Houston got great value. Canaan isn't a pure point guard, but he's a great athlete and a dominant scorer who can really shoot the ball. Not a lot of second-rounders stick in the NBA. I think Canaan will be one who does.

INDIANA PACERS | GRADE: D-

Round 1: Solomon Hill (23)

Round 2: None

Analysis: Last year I hated the Pacers' pick of Miles Plumlee, which felt like an enormous reach -- a pick made on the misguided belief that a college senior would naturally be able to come in and contribute for an NBA playoff team. That didn't work for the Pacers last season (Plumlee played just 14 games and averaged 3.9 minutes per game), and I'm not sure it will work this year either. I like Hill better than Plumlee, but not by much: He was ranked No. 79 on our Top 100, if that tells you anything. As a college player, Hill was a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. There isn't a single characteristic he has that screams first-round pick.

I imagine the Pacers will say that a college veteran who plays the right way can help off the bench. Color me very skeptical.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS | GRADE: B+

Round 1: Reggie Bullock (25)

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Clippers wanted a wing who can shoot and got great value at No. 25. Bullock will fill a role for the Clippers as a 3-point specialist, and he can play some defense. In those regards, his best comparison might be Danny Green of the Spurs.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS | GRADE: B+

Round 1: None

Round 2: Ryan Kelly (48)

Analysis: I'm not sure I'm in love with Kelly as a prospect in general. But Kelly on a Mike D'Antoni team? I can get excited about that. Kelly's ability to shoot the rock, handle the ball and play point power forward at times should make him a perfect fit in D'Antoni's system. I'm not predicting Kelly will be a star, but his chances for success go up dramatically under D'Antoni's watch.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES | GRADE: A

Round 1: None

Round 2: Jamaal Franklin (41), Janis Timma (60)

Analysis: Franklin was ranked 19th on my Big Board yet somehow managed to land in the Grizzlies' lap at No. 41. I'm stunned. To me, he's Tony Allen 2.0 -- an aggressive, long wing who can do a bit of everything. I love this pick.

Timma is an athletic wing from Latvia who will continue to hone his skills in Europe.

MIAMI HEAT | GRADE: B-

Round 1: None

Round 2: James Ennis (50)

Analysis: The Heat traded into the second round to grab Ennis, a long, athletic wing who was one of the sleepers in the draft. I was really impressed with his play at the Brooklyn workout and think that, in the right environment, he has a chance to stick. A solid pick at No. 50.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS | GRADE: Inc.

Round 1: Giannis Antetokounmpo (15)

Round 2: Nate Wolters (38)

Analysis: Give the Bucks credit: They aren't afraid to take a chance.

It may be several years before we know whether the Bucks wasted their pick or struck gold with Antetokounmpo. Although he is a skilled, athletic point forward, he has the body of Kevin Durant and very little experience playing against other talented players. Also, he's expected to come to the NBA now, meaning that the Bucks will spend millions of dollars for a player who is likely to play in the D-League for a couple of years. But could the investment be worth it down the road? Yes.

As for Wolters, he was one of my favorite second-round picks, a Jimmer Fredette type with better court vision and much less hype. I could see him getting minutes right away for Bucks.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES | GRADE: B-

Round 1: Shabazz Muhammad (14), Gorgui Dieng (21)

Round 2: Lorenzo Brown (52), Bojan Dubljevic (59)

Analysis: Flip Saunders walked away from his first draft as Timberwolves president and acknowledged that folks were a little disappointed. Four months ago, getting Muhammad at No. 14 would have been seen as the coup of the draft. But Muhammad's reputation is tainted, and fans are less excited.

The Wolves wanted scoring, and once Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was off the board, they found a way to get the other guy they liked in Muhammad. I think Muhammad is a terrific scorer and he'll find his niche in the league. Although I don't love him as a prospect, the venom directed toward him as a player and a person is unwarranted.

Dieng is a little harder for me to swallow. I see the appeal because of his size and length, but hearing the words "raw" and "23 years old" together doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Brown has talent as a big point guard, but like Ricky Rubio, he can't shoot.

Dubljevic is a terrific shooter, but he lacks athletic ability, enough to make him a question mark.

So while the Wolves walked away with talent, I'm not sure that anyone they drafted on Thursday night moves the needle much.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS | GRADE: B+

Round 1: None

Round 2: Pierre Jackson (42)

Analysis: General manager Dell Demps decided he was done with the lottery on Thursday night and sent the draft rights to Nerlens Noel and the Pelicans' 2014 first-round pick (top-five-protected) to the 76ers in return for Jrue Holiday and the draft rights to Jackson.

On the one hand, I question this decision. Noel was the top-rated player on our Big Board and has more upside than Holiday. New Orleans also lost a valuable asset, a probable lottery pick in the 2014 draft, which will feature a collection of talent that looks amazing on paper. In fact, the Pelicans were the only team in the NBA to give away a 2014 first-round pick.

On the other hand, it's clear that Demps is under pressure from new ownership to get better now, and Holiday, who is just 23, is a great get. By putting him with Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis, the Pelicans will have the makings of a great young core that could compete for years.

NEW YORK KNICKS | GRADE: C

Round 1: Tim Hardaway Jr. (24)

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Knicks got name recognition on Thursday, but unfortunately, Hardaway Jr. is no Hardaway Sr.

Hardaway Jr. does have great size for his position and he's a good shooter, but his game is pretty forgettable, as three years at Michigan demonstrated. He was able to win over coaches and teams with his professionalism and work ethic in workouts. But I'm not sure that his talent allows him to have a ceiling any higher than rotation player.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER | GRADE: B+

Round 1: Steven Adams (12), Andre Roberson (26)

Round 2: Alex Abrines (32), Grant Jerrett (40)

Analysis: The Thunder got a little bit of everything on Thursday.

Want upside? Adams has a ton of it, with great NBA size and strength and the ability to shut people down in the paint. If his offensive game comes around, he could be really good.

Want rebounds? Roberson was one of the two or three best rebounders in the draft -- an athletic specialist who might carve out a Reggie Evans-esque career.

Want a scorer? Abrines has a chance to be a better version of Rudy Fernandez if OKC is patient. Want shooting? Jerrett has the ability to be a lethal stretch 4.

ORLANDO MAGIC | GRADE: A-

Round 1: Victor Oladipo (2)

Round 2: Romero Osby (51)

Analysis: Oladipo was my favorite player in the draft. Not only is he, in my opinion, a sure thing, but he still has upside, too. He'll bring it every hour of every day for a young, impressionable team.

Osby is a tough, physical, undersized 4.

It's clear GM Rob Hennigan is trying to change the culture in Orlando, and he took a big step forward on Thursday night.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS | GRADE: A+

Round 1: Nerlens Noel (6), Michael Carter-Williams (11)

Round 2: Arsalan Kazemi (54)

Analysis: New GM Sam Hinkie came out swinging on Thursday night. The last thing Hinkie wanted was to be where the 76ers have been the past few seasons -- in the middle of the standings. So he blew up the team in an effort to build a foundation of greatness. He made the boldest trade of the draft and walked away with a potential franchise center, a very promising point guard and a valuable 2014 first-round pick from the Pelicans.

It cost him All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday, but in the long run it may be worth the price. With Noel possibly missing some time next season, the Sixers likely will be in the hunt for the No. 1 pick in 2014. By next July, this team could have four young players with franchise potential on its roster. In three years, it could be wicked good.

PHOENIX SUNS | GRADE: B-

Round 1: Alex Len (5), Archie Goodwin (29)

Round 2: Alex Oriakhi (57)

Analysis: The Suns have blown the draft in most recent years, as the names Earl Clark, Markieff Morris and Kendall Marshall demonstrate. This year, Suns president Lon Babby hired one of the best scouts in the business, Ryan McDonough, as his new general manager. But the first draft pick of the McDonough era, in some ways, looked a lot like the draft picks the Suns have been making.

Len has upside, but he's coming off stress-fracture surgery, and in two years at Maryland he showed only flashes of greatness -- he rarely could sustain it. Len was the riskiest pick of the consensus top six, and Phoenix passed on two better prospects -- Noel and McLemore -- to take him.

With the No. 29 pick, things got a little better. The Suns wisely overlooked Goodwin's so-so freshman performance and saw the potential he has. If he ever gets a jump shot, or learns what a good shot is, he could be special.

As for Oriakhi, I think there were better players on the board, but I can't quibble too much. At No. 57, there wasn't going to be a difference-maker, and he does bring length and toughness.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS | GRADE: A

Round 1: C.J. McCollum (10)

Round 2: Allen Crabbe (31), Jeff Withey (39), Marko Todorovic (45)

Analysis: Portland GM Neil Olshey must believe the Blazers need more offense in their backcourt, as they drafted two of the most aggressive scorers and best shooters in the draft.

The Blazers had coveted McCollum for a while and think he's a great fit in the backcourt next to rookie of the year point guard Damian Lillard, who thrived when he played off the ball last season. Portland sees McCollum as a guard who can play both positions, too.

Crabbe is a shooter with ridiculous range, and he isn't afraid to let if fly.

Withey is one-dimensional, but the one thing he does well, shot-blocking, he does really well.

Todorovic is a project they'll revisit down the road.

SACRAMENTO KINGS | GRADE: A-

Round 1: Ben McLemore (7)

Round 2: Ray McCallum (36)

Analysis: Kings GM Pete D'Alessandro has been on the job just nine days, but things are already looking up. Having McLemore, one of the two or three top talents in the draft, slide all the way to No. 7 was a godsend. The Kings wanted athleticism and shooting at the 2, and McLemore is a great fit. He has the chance, with hard work and greater confidence, to be the best player in the draft.

McCallum is a solid, no-frills point guard who might earn a lot more minutes if the Kings decide to clean house this summer.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS | GRADE: C

Round 1: Livio Jean-Charles (28)

Round 2: Deshaun Thomas (58)

Analysis: The Spurs, like the rest of the NBA, were wowed by Jean-Charles' 27-point performance in the Nike Hoop Summit. Jean-Charles is a forward who can play the 3 and the 4. He's not particularly skilled, but he has a nose for the ball and finds a way to contribute. He'll likely stay in France for another year.

Thomas is one of the top five scorers in the draft, but he slipped because of an inconsistent effort on the defensive end. If Pop can get him to play some defense, he might be another second-round steal for the Spurs.

TORONTO RAPTORS | GRADE: N/A

Round 1: None

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Raptors traded this pick to the Rockets (who in turn traded it to the Thunder) as part of a trade last year for Kyle Lowry. So, was Lowry worth missing the chance to draft Steven Adams (whom the Thunder took at 12)? It would be hard to say no.

UTAH JAZZ | GRADE: B+

Round 1: Trey Burke (9), Rudy Gobert (27)

Round 2: None

Analysis: Everyone knew coming into the draft that the Jazz were hunting for a point guard. On Thursday they packaged the Nos. 14 and 21 picks to move up five spots to grab Burke, the college player of the year. With Burke they get a floor general who can excel equally at scoring and getting others involved. He's a little small for his position and lacks elite athleticism, but he plays with a lot of moxie and has the winning credentials that scouts tend to love.

I personally prefer C.J. McCollum to Burke. McCollum is a better shooter and scorer and bigger than Burke, but it is close.

As for Gobert, the Jazz also landed a third young big man who happens to be just about the longest player we've ever seen, with a 7-foot-9 wingspan. I'm not sure how ready he is, but the hope is that someday he can turn into a Roy Hibbert-type rim protector.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS | GRADE: A

Round 1: Otto Porter (3)

Round 2: Glen Rice Jr. (35)

Analysis: The Wizards had one of the easier paths of any team in this draft. Porter was the perfect fit as both a player and person for the franchise. Although his upside might not be as high as that of some others in the draft, he also is the most well-rounded, NBA-ready player of the group. He should contribute right away in D.C.

Rice was also a great pick. He led his team to a D-League championship and won MVP. He's a bit of a tweener, but his athleticism and shooting ability make him a potential spark plug off the bench.

fun fact pacers refused to trade for jj redick because of that pick
so they go and draft in the first round a guy only draft express had on their mock

is glen rice jr sarah palin's kid?

Flip Saunders was on the local sports talk for quite awhile...basically i think the team wanted, in order, 1) Oladipo 2) Zellars 3) McLemore 4) Caldwell-Pope

he said they made calls and tried to move up to "every spot" above them....basically he said the top picks wanted an "all star" -- i think this means more lowball offers on kevin love -- and then they really tried to move to 7 and 8 to get McLemore and Pope but got flat turned down because those teams wanted those players....

at that point, they reverted to their worst case scenario and traded down to try to fill a couple spots, hoping that shabazz is underrated in this draft and thinking that dieng can give them good minutes and be a defensive presence

http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/28/4470344/exclusive-victor-oladipo-nba-draft-through-the-lens-of-google-glass

i think oladipo is gonna be really good and i also can't wait to hear marv albert say "victor...olaDIpo!"

in like four years when the magic get back on national tv

UMS, you weren't lying about this negative reaction to Bazz. I went on canishoopus today and it is absolutely bizarre how much they hate Shabazz on there. I'm a pretty arrogant dude when it comes to my half-assed draft scouting, but these guys act like they are ABSOLUTELY SURE that Shabazz Muhammad will be a terrible NBA player. This is a guy draftexpress had rated as the number 11 prospect and him being picked in the top 15 was no shock. These guys need to see a therapist to talk through their issues.

look at the comments on this, you'd think Flip just drafted a corpse:

http://www.canishoopus.com/2013/6/27/4473214/wolves-trade-back-for-shabazz-muhammad-and-gorgui-dieng

pelton is ok but his work is just so self-referential that you wonder if it has any sort of external validity. hollinger was way better

yeah i mean the guy calls shabazz "a second rounder at best" at best!

the guy being the author of the post who is theoretically more level headed than a commenter

man that comment section is incredible... what advance stats hath wrought

they all say "all he can do is hit open jumpers" like that wouldn't be a huge upgrade over minnesota's usual wings

what if rubio could pass the ball to a guy who could hit a jumper

"he can hit open jumpers" reminded me abt simmons' freakout about otto porter on his podcast which i meant to ask about- he basically said "he can't shoot from outside! what is he gonna do!" and proceeded to note that porter shot 42% on three attempts per game last year

that sounds like someone who can shoot to me! esp as a small forward! he took a little over three attempts per and hit a little over one- he might have a little adjustment period with nba defenses and the line further back but i thought over a certain threshold decent shooting stats usually translated to the nba

a small forward who drops in a three a game, every game without a ton of attempts is p valuable- see shawn marion, andrei kirilenko, etc

*shot 42% on three attempts from 3 pt range, sorry

the worst thing abt that blog post (and most amateur draftcasting) is how he has his guy (mccollum) who is completely bulletproof from criticism.

Jeez that Canis hoopus post was dumb

Another part of wolves neurosis art to McCollum is that since passing on Steph Curry for Johnny Flynn now every undersized player is a diamond in the rough

http://i.minus.com/ibfyCo9kQwxeG3.gif

"he can hit open jumpers" reminded me abt simmons' freakout about otto porter on his podcast which i meant to ask about- he basically said "he can't shoot from outside! what is he gonna do!" and proceeded to note that porter shot 42% on three attempts per game last year

this part of the podcast angered me WAY more than it should have. simmons was arguing that if otto porter can't shoot then he's only tayshaun prince, but he was arguing in favor of oladipo going number one by saying" even if his shot doesn't develop, he's tony allen. i know what i'm getting." i wanted to throw my phone into the trash.

AK opted out from his 2nd year w Minnesota

Russian dollars on their way.

this part of the podcast angered me WAY more than it should have. simmons was arguing that if otto porter can't shoot then he's only tayshaun prince, but he was arguing in favor of oladipo going number one by saying" even if his shot doesn't develop, he's tony allen. i know what i'm getting." i wanted to throw my phone into the trash.

― J0rdan S., Saturday, June 29, 2013 11:58 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark

otm x1000, this was/is a weird draft but it seems like researching it just threw billy into an spastic tizzy. he really should just get off tv.

also DO IT THROW YOUR PHONE IN THE TRASH

get off tv and stay the columns/podcast lane, usually his nba chatz w/stein, ford etc are his best ones but that one made me die

he really doesnt watch enough college ball to have those strong opinions.

i will say grudgingly he was pretty funny during the actual draft broadcast.

that 42% mumble mumble did really annoy me. simmons loves to decide some guys CAN shoot and some CANNOT on minimal evidence.

he can be obnoxious on camera but it's at least better than jon barry, imo.

In this draft (or any draft really) you could do a hell of a lot worse than drafting someone that's "only" as good as tayshaun prince

was gonna say

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1001841_10151626789873463_101390694_n.jpg

clothes were bigger then

was there a general strike of tailors in '03?

the original kings of comedy, so much to answer for

Hinrich lol. They all just look like they have tiny heads

so many buttons, think of all the needy children they couldve clothed

weird thing is even coaches dressed in suits like that back then!

mark Jackson still does

haha

So does Byron Scott iirc