Posted on Tuesday 27 June 2006 by Kenny Roda @ 1:15 pm
Kenny Roda will be writing a weekly blog on Cleveland Scores covering the entire Cleveland sports universe. Check back often for his updates!
After searching the internet, making a ton of phone calls, watching everything from ESPN to NBA TV and talking with some high ranking NBA Big Wigs, here’s the “411″ I can give you about the 2006 NBA Draft before it happens. When it’s all said and done we’ll see how we did and if I’ll trust those people for next year’s draft.
This is considered an average draft at best. No true number #1 pick and no true superstars. In a good to above average draft you could project 10 to 12 players who would end up being starters. One NBA exec told me this year those numbers are projected at maybe 6 to 10.
While there may not be as many starters or impact players in this draft, there is depth to fill out rosters.
Because of the items we just mentioned, expect there to be some wheeling and dealing in this draft for a number of reasons. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Depending on the needs of a team, someone might be willing to trade up or down because they are targeting one particular player they feel could help them immediately. Also, a team may feel they have projected a sleeper in the draft and will go get him via trade.
As for European players in this draft, there are a few, but the free agent class for the Euro’s is projected to be better than the draft class. But the best in this draft class is 7′1” power forward Andrea Bargnani of Italy. He’s being considered as the top choice by the Raptors. Others include power forward Olexsiy Pecherov of Ukraine, point guard Sergio Rodriguez of Spain, small forward Thabo Sefolosha of Switzerland and power forward Joel Freeland from England.
The deepest positions in this draft are wings and point guards. The weakest position of this draft…centers, or “Bigs”, as my good buddy and former Cavs coach John Lucas liked to call them.
Point Guards - My Top 6 - Marcus Williams from UConn, Kyle Lowery from Villanova, Rajon Rondo from Kentucky, Sergio Rodriguez from Spain, Jordan Farmar of UCLA and Dee Brown out of Illinois. Brown’s size is the biggest question about him. If he were taller than 5′11”, he may be the #1 point guard in this draft. He’s tough, hard-nosed, can play both guard spots (which he did at Illinois), can score and pass and is a winner. I’d take him on my team any day and I think whoever drafts him may get a steal of a deal.
Wings (shooting guards and small forwards) - My Top 6 - Brandon Roy from Washington, Adam Morrison out of Gonzaga, Rudy Gay from UConn, Ronnie Brewer out of Arkansas, Randy Foye from Villanova and Shannon Brown from Michigan St. In my opinion, Brandon Roy is the most complete player of this group. Great first step, can handle the rock, can create and slash, average passer and decent defender. Randy Foye is not far behind, but like we mentioned with Dee Brown earlier, his size could hurt him. The best scorer of this group is Adam Morrison, but can he play defense at the NBA level? If he goes to a team who is already defensive minded it won’t be a concern. The best value pick in this group late in the first round could be Shannon Brown.
Power Forwards - My Top 6 - LaMarcus Aldridge from Texas, Tyrus Thomas of LSU, Andrea Bargnani from Italy, Cedric Simmons out of NC State., Sheldon Williams from Duke and Olexsiv Pecherov from Brazil. Two sleepers to keep an eye on are Alexander Johnson from Florida St. and Leon Powe from Cal. Josh Boone is kind of a tweener whether he is a center or power forward. To me it doesn’t matter. I’d love to have UConn’s Boone on my team, especially on the defensive end.
Centers - My Top 3 - Patrick O’Bryant from Bradley, Josh Boone from UConn and Paul Davis out of Michigan St. Like I said earlier, not a good year for “Bigs”.
Who do the Cavs go with?
As far as the Cavaliers go at #25 in the first round and picks #42 and #55 in the second round, General Manager Danny Ferry has said that bringing three rookies into camp probably won’t happen. So that means one of two things. Either they’ll try and package two picks to move up and get a player if someone slips that they really like, or they could draft a player or two in the second round and let them play overseas for a year or two.
My guess on the Cavaliers is they’ll come away with a point guard for sure because of the ages of both Eric Snow and Damon Jones and the fact that they aren’t very good. The Cavs also will want to find a power forward who can bang, rebound and block shots. But then again, depending on how the draft goes, they could go for one of the wings since that position is so deep. If the Cavs could have one player in this draft I believe they would take Brandon Roy out of Washington. I’ve heard they love his all around game and if not him then point guard Kyle Lowery. Also a player like Josh Boone would really help them defensively around the hoop. If they stay at #25 and it comes down to two players and one of them is a point guard, they will take the point guard, no doubt. From what I’ve been able to gather, here’s what Danny Ferry, Mike Brown and the Cavaliers are looking for in a point guard: 1) Can he defend? 2) Can he shoot? 3) Does he have the size needed in the NBA? and 4) Can he handle the ball and make good decisions with it?
Names to realistically consider for the Cavs: Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown,
Dee Brown, Josh Boone, Daniel Gibson (point guard from Texas), Shawne Williams from Memphis, Olexsiy Pecherov, Mardy Collins out of Temple and Leon Powe.
The Cavaliers worked out 30 to 35 players and the most important part of the workout was not what they saw on the court because 90% of their mind is already made up on the players’ athletic ability. It’s the chance to test them mentally on the court and afterwards by interviewing him. This allows the Cavs a chance to balance their basketball skill with his mental skills or his basketball IQ.
Don’t forget. After all 60 picks are made over the two rounds, free agent frenzy begins when teams try to sign undrafted kids. This is where teams with a great scouting department might find that diamond in the rough!
One last thing. After the draft ends on Wednesday, June 28, the most important move of the Cavaliers’ off-season will be only three days away. That’s when the Cavaliers can offer LeBron James his $75 million contract extension. So if things don’t go the way you were hoping on draft night, forget about it. Worry more about whether or not LeBron gives the Cavaliers his autograph on that new contract!
Also listed under: Kenny Roda
Kenny - great work as always. 2 other options that might be available when the Cavs select at #25. Quincy Douby from Rutgers who is a combo guard that put up huge scoring numbers against good Big East competition and Mardy Collins from Temple who can be a lock down defender reading the passing lanes and using his long arms. Douby plays worse D but can light up the 3 while Collins shoots like E Snow but can actually defend and post up smaller PGs. At 6′ 6″, Collins would make a tough back court with Hughes and LeBron. Any word on them?
Jimmy V,
If you can listen to the show on wednesday on WKNR from 3 to ^:45 as we continue with our NBA Draft Preview. Current Cleveland St. coach and former Rutgers coach Gary Waters will be a guest and I’ll be asking him about Quincy Douby. Thanks for reading and the comment.
Kenny roda
One other note to pass along to everybody. I have been able to confirm that former Duke and Chicago Bulls Point Guard Jason Williams did indeed work out for the Cavaliers. He’s trying to make a comeback from that terrible motorcycle accident and has worked out for a few teams, including Cleveland. Also my sources tell me his workout in Cleveland went very well. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.
Kenny Roda - WKNR
Jimmy V,
That would be from 3 to 6:45pm on Wednesday . Sorry for the type-O.
Kenny
Great show Tuesday! Not a fan of Gansey but it’s cool. I’m thinking if the Cavs stay at 25, you grab a Farmar, Collins, Brown if he slips, or hopefully a Randy Foye. But if we can manage to trade up using some of our great contracts, i.e. Newble, Luke (and not Coach Luc), ESnow, Gooden, and hell even Z or Hughes to trade up I’m targeting Boone. I like the way dude plays, and him backing up Ande…..ain’t missing a beat. Maybe even better around the hoop offensively. I like his game! In my opinion, I think everyone on the squad is “available” especially packaged up with our 25th and 42nd. I’m game with whatever Mr.Ferry does. Go Cavs!
Well guys, the Cavs got their point guard, or so they think in Gibson, as we told you ,relaistically he’d be available for them. Same with Brown, as a late value guy as we mentioned, a very solid pick. Not a great draft, but then again at #25 and #42 your not supposed to have a great draft because your picking late because you had a good year. I’ll be honest about thier 3rd pick, the kid from Nigeria, I know nothing about him. I’m curious how active the Cavs were in trying to trade up and get PG Marcus Williams from U-Conn. When he kept slipping I was hoping the Cavs would some how get him. I hope they sign Mike Gansey to a rookie free agent deal and lets see if the Cavs end up getting involved in that 3 team trade with Boston and Portland.
I’m pretty happy bout the draft as well. Like you Mr. Roda, I know nothing of the man from Nigeria (like Mr.Flop). I’m liking the pick of Brown, but I would’ve much rather seen the boys grab Dee instead of Gibson. Granted he’s big and Billups isn’t gonna be able to post him up too easy, but I’m liking Brown’s court vision. I was cheesin up a storm at work when both Boone and Williams were available at 20 or so. I was thinkin one of them was gonna drop. Damnit! I unserstand you’re allegiance to the local boy, Mr. Gansey, but I’ve played with millions of times on the playground and I know this kid cannot keep up. If he could, you would’ve heard my name called today, minus a few run ins with Mr. Law. I can name a HANDFUL of local talent that can shut down Mike (and his bro man Steve) in a heartbeat. And if you read this Mike, just meet us where we beat you down all the time, your back yard, The Greens! So, that being said, congrats Mr. Ferry, great draft and lets make some moves. I’m lovin the TrailBlazers draft! The five they drafted today so beat the Cavs up on a LBJ off-night! Go Cavs! And Happy 20th anniversary to Ron Harper!
Kenny;
Any rumors on who and with whom the Cavs may be trying to trade?
Guys,
Tune in during friday’s show(6-30-06) as Cavs G.M. Danny Ferry is scheduled to join me for a live Q & A. Unfortunatly I can’t tell you when, because the Cavs haven’t given me a time yet. It has to be between 3p-6p because I’m off early on fridays because of the golf show. I’ll try and throw some questions at Danny to see if he’ll divulge anytips or hints as to what they might do. Plus we may have Shannon Brown and/or Daniel Gibson.
Roadman great predraft stuff. You know your hoops, but your Steelers stills suck and your boy Recklesburger is lucky to be alive.
In the NBA undrafted rookies i think Kevin Pittsnogle would be a great addition to the cavs. A younger Donyell Marshall, who is athletic. He could cause great trouble for teams. His athleticsm and ability to hit 3’s would crause great match up problems. We should sign him.
There is no way in hell eric snow is the starting point guard for the cavs at the beginning of the season. I see gibson taking that spot and im not saying that snow is useless or anything but he will be more of a help from the bench with damon and Dmarsh. We want a PG on the floor whose going to be able to make shot more then 1/5 fg oppurtunities. Gibson has a good shot and will be a fresh of breath air for lebron on the court when he sees him in the corner by himself and not esnow where he would hesitate to pass it to him every time. Were not looking for a pg whose going to pound the ball the whole possesion, were looking for a pg to pass the ball to lebron and make an open jumpshot when given the oppurtunity. As always good stuff Kenny, take care
I think Andrea Bargnani will be a good player and the Toronto Raptors made the right decision choosing him with the #1 pick.
There are a few videos showing some of his plays on this site, check it out if you like:
http://www.121s.com/viewtopic.php?t=9615
Hey this is off subject but you had a ffl league years ago. Why dont you start that back up.
Thanks
Pete