Post by Rog on Nov 25, 2024 4:35:25 GMT
Let's do it a bit differently here. Let's take a look at the draft, rank it, talk about the players we write about and assign a tier in parenthesis. A reminder that a tier is the most likely best case scenario. Yes, that is a bit of an oxymoron but the idea here is that if everything goes right, this is the likely ending. A player can have things turn out better than I'd expect or worse, but this is a most likely, best case scenario. Anyway, let's get to it.
1. Chris Webber PF 6'10'' 245 20 B C+ C+ B- B- A
Tier: All-Time Great
Most years I truly think there is a pretty tough choice at the top to make. This year, there is no such choice in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, Kevin Johnson, Vlade Divac, and Benji Wilson are all terrific prospects and worthy of the rankings that follow, but Webber is special. He projects to be an elite scorer capable of getting any shot and being able to hit any shot. Defensively he isn't elite and likely never wins a defenisve player of the year, but he is going to end up putting up decent stocks and be solid fundamentally on that end of the court. If there is a flaw, its his turnovers and a lack of truly top end strength but neither issue feel like something to hold him back much, if any at all.
Most years I truly think there is a pretty tough choice at the top to make. This year, there is no such choice in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, Kevin Johnson, Vlade Divac, and Benji Wilson are all terrific prospects and worthy of the rankings that follow, but Webber is special. He projects to be an elite scorer capable of getting any shot and being able to hit any shot. Defensively he isn't elite and likely never wins a defenisve player of the year, but he is going to end up putting up decent stocks and be solid fundamentally on that end of the court. If there is a flaw, its his turnovers and a lack of truly top end strength but neither issue feel like something to hold him back much, if any at all.
2. Vlade Divac C 7'1'' 243 19 B- C+ B- C+ B- A
Tier: All-Time Great
Probably the best rebounder in the draft, Divac shares a lot of solid traits with Webber. Offensively he can score at all levels, hes a balanced defender, and lacks true top end strength but is strong enough to bang with just about anyone in the post. He is a better passer and doesn't project to turn it over nearly as much and if that matters, I can see a stretch of a case for him over Webber, but Divac to me is the clear cut second best prospect in this class and thats not meant as anything other than a compliment.
3. Kevin Johnson PG 6'1'' 180 20 B- B- B+ C+ C A
Tier: All-Time Great
We have a pretty solid point guard class on our hands and while some of the other top ranked point guards in this class are pure passers, Johnson is a complete prospect. He is a truly visionary passer, capable of seeing the whole floor and making the right decisions. He does get a bit high on himself from time to time and his turnovers will reflect that. Offensively he can score as well which separates him from the other prospects in this class at the position, but I don't see as high of a ceiling as the guys above him here. He looks like a future 20 point, 11 assist type guy that has ratings that frustrate those wanting more but consistently being in contetion for awards.
We have a pretty solid point guard class on our hands and while some of the other top ranked point guards in this class are pure passers, Johnson is a complete prospect. He is a truly visionary passer, capable of seeing the whole floor and making the right decisions. He does get a bit high on himself from time to time and his turnovers will reflect that. Offensively he can score as well which separates him from the other prospects in this class at the position, but I don't see as high of a ceiling as the guys above him here. He looks like a future 20 point, 11 assist type guy that has ratings that frustrate those wanting more but consistently being in contetion for awards.
4. Benji Wilson SF 6'8'' 200 22 B C+ B- B- C A
Tier: All-Time Great
5. Shawn Kemp PF 6'10'' 230 19 B+ C C- C+ C+ A
Tier: Superstar
6. Mehmet Okur*** C 6'11'' 249 19 C+ B- C C B- A
Tier: Superstar
7. Mike Bibby PG 6'1'' 190 19 C B B- C C- A
Tier: Superstar
8. Larry Hughes. SG 6'5'' 184 19 C+ C+ B- B- C A
Tier: Superstar
9. Marques Haynes PG 6'0'' 185 21 C C+ B+ C+ C- A
Tier: Superstar
10. Pee Wee Kirkland PG 6'2'' 180 21 B- C B B- C A
Tier: All-Star
Tier: All-Star
11. Larry Hughes. SG 6'5'' 184 19 C+ C+ B- B- C A
Tier: All-Star
12. Rasho Nesterovic** C 7'0'' 248 20 C+ C- D B B- A
Tier: All-Star
13. Bingo Smith SG 6'5'' 195 21 B- B- C C C A
Tier: All-Star
14. Raef LaFrentz C 6'11'' 240 20 C+ C+ D+ B- C+ A
Tier: All-Star
15. P.J. Brown PF 6'11'' 225 21 B- C D+ B C+ A
Tier: All-Star
16. Otis Thorpe PF 6'10'' 248 21 B- C D+ C B- A
Tier: All-Star
17. Elden Campbell C 6'11'' 215 23 B- C D C+ C+ A
Tier: Starter
18. Shane Heal* PG 6'0'' 180 21 C C+ B C+ C- A
Tier: All-Star
19. Tyronn Lue PG 6'0'' 175 22 C B- B- C+ D+ A
Tier: Starter
Tier: Starter
20. Makoto Hiejima SG 6'3'' 194 25 C+ B C B- C- B
Tier: Starter
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