Ed Weiland

I’ve already bashed the 2012 PG class and will likely do the same with the SGs early next week. The bright spot of the backcourt class of 2012 are 3 combo guards, Dion Waiters, Tony Wroten and Damian Lillard. All 3 should be drafted in round one. Dion Waiters, Syracuse, .529, .363, 21.0, 4.1, 3.0, 7.4, 1.9: Even though he was the 6th man at Syracuse this past season, Waiters emerged from a talented group of Orange perimeter players to become the most effective scorer and top perimeter … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2012: Combo Guards

In the previous piece on passing PGs, I mentioned the overall weakness of the 2012 PG class. This is the weakest group in years and seems likely to be the weakest for years to come. That leads to us analysts looking hard in an attempt to find something where there is nothing. Since I do like to weigh in on as many players as possible, here are what I would call the best of the rest of the 2012 PG field. All are players whose numbers didn’t quite measure up, but might be worth a late 2nd round … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2012: More Point Guards

The PG class of 2012 looks like it could be the worst group since 1992, an otherwise strong draft that included Lee Mayberry and Brent Price as the top two floor generals. I can’t say whether or not 2012 will beat that draft for PG futility. There are some interesting prospects, but none who stand out as sure things. The most interesting thing about this group of PGs is there are three prospects who put up very high assist rates, as measured by A40 (assists per 40 minutes). I’m going to look … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2012: Pass-First PGs

Andre Drummond is considered the top center available in the 2012 draft. He was highly-touted coming in as a freshman this past season, but struggled to get things going and did not live up to expectations. He wasn’t terrible, but was hardly the dominant force some were expecting. For a look at how Drummond compares to other players at a similar time in their careers, here are NCAA freshmen centers who played at least 500 minutes who posted a R40 of at least 10.0 and B40 of at least 3.5, as … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2012: Andre Drummond

I’m starting my 2012 draft analysis with a look at the players who are considered potential 2nd overall picks. Today it’s Florida SG Bradley Beal. Using the 2nd overall pick on a SG has been very rare. We’d have to go back to the 70s when David Thompson (1st overall ’75), Otis Birdsong (2nd overall ’77) and Darrell Griffith (2nd overall ’80) went in the top 2. Since then #3 is as high as any SG has been drafted. While the group drafted at #3 includes the greatest player ever, Michael Jordan in … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2012: Bradley Beal

The second pick the NBA draft has produced many stars, but also many famous busts. Bob Petit, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Rick Barry, Earl Monroe Dave Bing, Wes Unseld, Rudy Tomjanovich, Bob McAdoo, Isaih Thomas, Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning and Kevin Durant were all drafted 2nd, which shows a HOFer can be found. The busts have fallen into 3 categories: • Big guys who were more big than good: Hasheem Thabeet, Darko Milicic, Shawn Bradley, Sam Bowie and Steve Stipanovich. • Freshmen forwards: … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2012: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist