Ed Weiland

As this draft comes into better focus it is shaping up as a draft heavy on forwards and backup centers. Anthony Davis remains the top pick. He’s the only player who looks like he has a good shot at becoming an all-star. After Davis it is something of a mixed bag. Overall the quality is weak compared to drafts of the previous decade, but still an upgrade on 2011. What could hurt this draft is most of the best prospects are underclassmen and a lot of them seem destined to be headed back to college … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2012: Prospect Update

The question of this draft was to take the PG or the forward first. There was some debate, but most stuff I read and heard seemed to favor going with Kyrie Irving at the top pick. That was my feeling. History would also seem to favor going with the PG. Going back to the 1966 draft, which was the first with no territorial selections, there have been 10 drafts that where a forward (either power or small) and a PG were drafted 1-2. Draft 1st pick 2nd pick Better … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2011: Draft Grades

Right now it is impossible to know exactly where the 2011 draft will rank in overall badness. Of recent drafts, 2000 stands out as the worst and this one could get there. If Kyrie Irving’s numbers are no more than an 11-game mirage, the foreign centers never develop and the rest of this group achieves only their projected status of career journeymen, then 2011 could easily become the worst draft ever. Of course all it takes is one Bismark Biyombo emerging as a force to change everything. As is … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2011: Our Top 30

The 2011 NCAA center class might be the worst I’ve ever seen. Usually I get at least one player like John Bryant, Herbert Hill or Alecks Marek who I’m convinced can be at least a semi-effective NBA center. This year such a guy isn’t there. There are a couple of raw, but promising foreign center who should probably both be drafted in the top 5 considering their potential. There’s another who might join them in Kanter. I look for the following in centers: On offense efficiency is most … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2011: Centers

This year’s crop of PFs looks like the strongest position in the draft. The PGs seem to be the most talked about group, but they look like a wildly overrated bunch to me. While there is no single great player here, there are some solid players and promising raw talent. The benchmarks I look for in PFs: Two point FG pct. at least .570 and preferable higher. This tells us that the player can handle inside scoring. Scores at least 18 P40 and preferably more. Rebounds … [Read more...] about NBA Draft 2011: Power Forwards