My NBA draft predictions weren’t exactly Matt Millen-esque, actually far from it, however a couple of glaring mistakes certainly overshadowed the brilliant gems.

Like anyone is keeping score at home, besides me that is.

I keep score.

In previous posts I predicted

Shawn James, a shot blocker out of Duquesne, would be drafted.

I also was high on St. Joes forward Pat Calathes. He too was not drafted. However, I happened to notice that Jay Bilas had Pat Calathes on his list of 6 best remaining players not yet drafted, though that was after pick # 59.

My big monstrosity of an error was the George Hill prediction. Plain and simple I didn’t expect teams to have much respect for George, the little Summit League star from IUPUI.

I will say it again for whoever may have missed it: Seeing George Hill play in person, as I did late in the season last year, didn’t really allow me to gage his full repertoire and potential.

Obviously that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

Now my opinion about the kid could have been swayed because of the complete beating Oakland U put on IUPUI that night, though I would have hoped it would not have because that’s not a sensible way to go about forming opinions on players. Thinking back I probably let the outcome of the game affect what I thought about George Hill.

Still doesn’t mean he will be any good but…

The guy was picked in the first round and by the San Antonio Spurs no less!

Victories

At least Sasha Kaun and Malik Hairston were drafted. And at least D.J. White was drafted in round one, even though the team who drafted him didn’t keep him.

Another little victory for me was Bill Walker. Yeah, he slipped a bit, but he’s on the best NBA team out there right now.

And finally I’d like to take credit and say I knew Jason Thompson would be a top #15 pick, but that would be a lie. Though I did say he was intriguing…

A morsel of my last post discussed Chris Douglas-Roberts’s draft night gag, and as expected, nothing much was accomplished. I guess the post was a good excuse to get Shawn Marion’s name out there, Kevin Martin’s as well, but of course I whiffed at the chance to link out to some frequently visited pro basketball blogs.

Lesson learned.

Mental note forwarded.

Will whore myself out more for the chance of getting more pv’s in the future.

So anyway, the whole story of why CDR’s stock dropped so excessively can be explained quite simply. It’s not as wondrous as a Harry Potter adventure… or an ominous kidney—but it will do for now, at least until Joe Dumars can escape the area so the steadfast anti-Tayshaun Prince portion of Metro Detroit doesn’t tear down his residence with him in it, or worse, leak out malicious, yet well meaning, trade proposals of a re-acquisition of Darko!

CDR apparently took the easy route during the draft workout period. It seems that CDR was extremely confident he would not be around at #20. Thus not only did he decline a workout with the Detroit Pistons, an organization’s fan base who is desperately wondering why Walter Sharpe was picked instead of CDR, he also most likely declined workout invitations from various other teams selecting after pick #20. If that assertion is valid, then shame on CDR for having a bigger head than Placido Polanco and for not putting himself out there to the best of his ability. After all, jobs are hard to come by in the NBA, very hard. There aren’t many openings, but when there are, there’s dozens and dozens of talented guys who would do anything to fill them.

Being picky about who you workout for not only sends a bad message to the teams he blew off, but the league as a whole. You can be sure other teams took note of his behavior.

So it seems that the “unorthodox” label was only part of the pie.

But being that CDR is from Detroit, there could be even more to the story.

Maybe a demon or two lurk in CDR’s Detroit past? Maybe he’s acutely aware of a leech like entourage waiting for him, waiting to engulf him, to suck from him the very strength and focus he had in order to make it out in the first place.

But that would only explain Detroit.

Everything aside,

CDR and I will still get paid.

Post from: EveryJoe

CDR and I: Licking our wounds, but still getting paid, probably

Well, undrafted players will be able to pick and chose the most ideal situation. They get to decide which team they go to. Drafted players don’t get to decide.

Michigan State’s Drew Neitzel

Drew played both point and shooting guard during his career at MSU. He’s a small guy, only about 6’, not very athletic, but very basketball savvy. Can shoot it as well as anybody in the draft –off the dribble as well– plus he can handle the point sufficiently. If he goes undrafted, he can choose to latch onto a team that might need some guard help. I see Drew as an eventual NBA player, but just not this year. My prediction, undrafted.

Duquesne’s Shawn James

Shawn James was one of the best shot blockers in college last year. He’s about 6’10, probably more like 6’9. He very well could be drafted, but I wouldn’t put money on it. I see Shawn turning into a Justin Williams type of player in the league. I feel a little more confident in predicting that James will be on a NBA roster come the start of next season (without getting drafted) than I do about Neitzel. James will have to show teams that he can continue to add strength (225lbs) to his frame. My prediction, Drafted in 2nd round.

IUPUI’s George Hill
Guy is an undersized two guard who is best fitted to play point in the NBA. He did play the point at IUPUI, but I see him having more of a two guard mentality. I really thought he would return to school and improve his point guard skills, but he obviously thinks he has a chance to be drafted. And he very well could, especially considering he played well at the Orlando Pre-Draft camp last month. His decision to come out early could be damaging to his future hopes of playing in the league, as James’ decision could be too. My prediction, undrafted.

For some solid NBA Finals coverage and reaction on b5media, head on over to GirlsDigSports, NBA Obsessed, and Hoops Fantasy.

Post from: EveryJoe

Potential NBA draftees who would be better off NOT getting drafted

Derek Scott Lee, one of the two men accused of shooting at five Duquesne University basketball players last year, pleaded guilty to charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and weapons charges.  Lee was sentenced to 7-14 years in prison.

Duquesne players Stuard Baldonado, Aaron Jackson, Shawn James, Kojo Mensah and Sam Ashaolu were shot back on September 17, 2006, as they returned from a dance. Ashaolu was most seriously injured of the five players as he was shot twice in the head. Baldonado was shot in the left arm and back. Both players missed the entire season due to their injuries.

Hopefully, these guilty pleas will help to bring closure to this senseless act of violence.

Post from: EveryJoe

Justice served in Duquesne shootings