Matty O'Shea (see all posts from)

man totally forgot aobut sac-town at the 12 spot. jason thompson? geez. ESPN analysts said he's good, but come on, those analysts will say anything! reaching at 12, but i could be wrong. everything else looks about right

Bill Walker was a great pick in the second round. When he feels like playing, he can be as good as anyone like against USC in the Tournament. But when he gets bored and isn't motivated, he's awful like he was against Wisky in the second game of the Tournament. If someone can motivate this guy, he could be a star. I think the Celtics were wise to take a shot on him because they have good veteran leadership that can help mold him.

Portland IS THE REAL DEAL! give em 2 yrs and they will be in teh Conference Finals........

1.  Yes,  we still hate Kevin McHale

2. Earl Boykins and Tyrone Bogues  BOTH  made an impact in the NBA,  at 5'5"  and 5'3"   respectively.  

    I don't understand the details of the Timberwolves trades.  What did they get for  Chalmers?    Getting Kevin Love and Mike Miller probably isn't a bad thing, especially with Mayo's  character questions,  but  Brook Lopez might have been a better choice for the team at #3.     Is Kevin love going to get his body fat %  under 13?     We don't need a fat white guy playing basketball in MN.  

    I don't know how long it will take,  but some day we will see how McHale screwed up this draft just as he has every other one he was involved in.    

DJ Augustin is going to be great in the NBA. Give him a little time, but his vision is incredible and he's great at finishing in the paint with off-balance floaters and such. His jumper is solid too.

Also, I know I'm in the minority but I think the Suns made a solid pick with Robin Lopez at 15. They're going for it all with Shaq and Nash being as old as they are, plus if not for that Duncan 3 they might have been in the WCF. Add a 7 ft shot blocker/rebounder with energy to Shaq, Amare...not bad. Lopez won't play a lick of offense, but that's exactly what PHX needs.

Damon Stoudemire was pretty good for a while Matty.

Bayless will be a MUCH BETTER Pro than Augistin...

Rookie of the Year: Courtney Lee, Orlando Magic. Book it. Matty, where can I bet this? I have James Hardy in the NFL and Lee in the NBA. Let's do it.

I agree all the way with Tommy's view of Bill Walker. The guy has incredible potential but can vanish sometimes and commit some silly fouls and on and on, then when you think he is a dud he will turn it on and look as good as any player in the country. He could end up an all star or be out of the league quick. I predict if he stays healthy, and that is no given, Doc Rivers will do good things with Walker and he will flourish.

No kidding Spartan. There is no middle ground with this guy. He's either going to be a stud or a dud. There is no in-between when it comes to Walker but I tend to agree with you, I think he's in a good situation with the Celtics.

Matty,   you didn't ask for a SUPERSTAR under 6'0",   you asked for someone who "made a positive impact in the NBA",   and I gave 2 examples of that.     If you want us to name a guy under 6'0"   who was at least as good as Michael Jordan in his prime,  then tell us that's what you want,  and save us the effort of actually looking for an answer.  

    I don't see how the Wolves could be given an "A" for their draft.   I don't know that they should have drafted Mayo in the first place,  he may be the next J.R. Rider,   and while they were right to get rid of Jaric (never should have gotten him in the first place), and picking up Miller was a good thing,  I think they could have done better.   Love has to dedicate himself to the game and get in better shape.   They gave away Chalmers for 2 future second round picks,  and the 2nd round pick that they kept  apparently won't be available to them for at least 3 years,  because he signed a long term deal in  Europe.   Is that what the draft is about?   Drafting a guy who may or may not play for you 3 years from now?   The Timberwolves have a long tradition of being a terrible drafting team, and I see no reason that should change this year.   I hope Love turns out to be a superstar,  but as a Timberwolves fan,  I can only expect the worst... and usually get  it.  

i agree with TR. but i dont think he'll have any problems with motivation. you got the master there in Doc and not to mention he'll be playing under KG and you know KG expects nothingn less than your all when you're on the court or HE WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE. he will chew that rookie out if he messes up on the court. KG's like a second coach on that team holding players accountable when no one else will. Awesome pick!

Matty:

OK.  ok.  Just saw this - but still want to chime in 2 days later....

I'm a little too close to the Blazers Camp to be objective - but I might not give them an A, probably a 'B' ....I know comparing Augustin | Bayless | Rush | Westbook, et al - is really premature - but PORTLAND really really wanted:

Augustin 1st

Westbrook 2nd

Rush 3rd

And they couldn't pull the trigger on a deal for TJ.

I know that most GM's won't even answer K Pritchard's calls these days - he's on such a great run he's almost powerless to get much done, apparently - but they still didn't get what they REALLY wanted - even though what they did get may end UP being better than the original hopes.

I was also truly concerned with the Blazers infatuation with a guy that may have a case of the "Sebastian Telfair syndrome"....size issues that can't be overcome at the NBA Level - regardless of ability.

WHAT I DO KNOW, is that I TJ Augustine impressed EVERYONE so much in Blazers Workouts that Nate McMillan proclaimed him to the the BEST POINT GUARD on the Current Blazer roster!

McMillian also glowingly claimed that TJ could,

'Start Right Now' for us"  (PDX).

NM simply does not openly praise players like this unless they are VERY, VERY special.

Bayless apparently DOES phenomenal 'intangibles', has a GYM RAT Mentality - and highest possible upside from a character standpoint - which leads me to wonder out loud if his continued 'upside' is possibly limited - he may have already reached his max potential - if that's possible for a 19 yr old!

The fact that Indiana settled for J Jack and 13th pick for Bayless would lead me to give Larry Bird a B, tops.  Just my Opinion - and I could be totally wrong - wouldn't be the first or last time!  

I liked Jack as a human being - but frankly, JJ is a liability on court as a point - even at backup....he's a bit of a stiff....he simply put up big #'s in Portland with out a PG on Roster...

Hey, on Damon - he was actually really productive all thru 99-00 and 00-01 seasons - carried the Blazer Playoff teams in stretches - did whatever it took to fill scoring roles, asst up or down based on needs -

I'll contend till I'm Blue in the Face that that little Cat has the heart of LION - 2nd only to AI.  Those two little dudes are so courageous and durable - both played thru some truly debilitating injuries that would have stopped the avg. guy (or the Marcus Camby-types), without complaining or giving excuses.

INCH FOR INCH, Damon Stoudamire and Allen Iverson earned every red cent they were EVER paid.

NOW - Damon Stoudamire, STAT WISE - and I DON'T MEAN TO ARGUE your point to vigorously, but i have to entirely disagree with the premise that he became easier to guard or less productive in his mid-career PDX years:

HIS STATS, OTHER THAN HIS INJURY YEAR IN PDX (02/03) WERE RAMPING UP EACH YR - AND PEAKED IN PORTLAND IN 04/05 - MOST PORTLAND AVG, 15.8 - AND EVEN CAREER HIGH IN BOARDS - 5.7

THAT'S 5.7 REBOUNDS PER GAME FROM THE PG - THAT'S LISTED AT 5-10....BUT IS JUST NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THAT!

DAMON STATS - HIGHEST IN TOR - OF COURSE, AS HE HAD TO SCORE FOR BAD TEAM, 19.9 ROOK, 20.2 2ND YR

PDX, 12.4, 12.6, 13.0, 13.6, 13.4, (INJURED IN 02/3 - 6.9) AND 15.8 in 04/05!

When you really look at DAMON STOUDAMIRE's stats gm played, he was amazingly durable - look at his stats!  

GM PLAYED:  

71 Rook, 81, 71 (missed sev w/ mid-season trade), 50 (all in strike shortened season), then 78, 82, 75, One short season, 54 gms in 02/03 in injury short season, THEN 82, 81.

Pretty damn good for a warrior PG, who played heavy minutes and had the franchise on his damn back as an under 6' PG!  Also, Hometown - 'homegrown boy', pressure ... every damn time I'd hear Mark Mason announce Damon - last of course - as "Team Captain, From Portland's Wilson High, and AAAAAARizona, Damon  Stoudamire"...I'd think - what the HELL that would feel like to hear that EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!?  YOUR Mr Rose will soon find out at the United Center!

But what a mental midget!  Damon did have SOME limitations vs big ONES - but I disagree that he became easier to defend - he was fearless and attack the middle of the lane when Big 1/2's would overplay him - he was the most effective 5' 8.5" player I have ever seen!

Again, I'm entirely biased, but I genuinely admired 'Mighty Mouse' court play - I watched him court-side for 7+ years - something like 80-90 times, times....HE always, ALWAYS said hello and talked to all court-side kids (as did Buck Williams before Damon was here, one of the great, approachable people - few and far between.....like Brian Grant - even the much maligned Reuben Patterson was a super personable guy....as was Sheed; that group was so silly and disruptive off the court, when they'd be out 'Runnin' with their Crew in sleepy little Portland' - even Sheed, was a huge hit with youngsters - and DJ'ed in all the (all 2) local Hip-Hop Clubs, ect.  I think so many folks lose sight of the fact that these cats are young and rich - and make a lot of really ill-advised decisions that we might make in similar situations....NOT RIGHT of course, but man do all the tight white shirted elders trash these guys for everything....just a thought.

Portland moves up for ONE reason in my mind, the IKE DIAGU throw in - he's been injured on a poor match for his game in Golden St - in PDX, he can gobble up all those weak side, Off-Rebs on opposite '4' side from Oden / Pryzbilla - and Ike can really get to the LINE!!!  Under-rated on put-back / Glass work....he is such a good fit for Portland and versatile 4, who can play the 5 on 3rd shifts, when PDX goes small vs the top 1/3rd Offensive teams in West (LAL, UTAH, DEN, GOL, SEA), even those spread court teams - 3-ball oriented teams like Memphis, S Ant, Ike and LaMarcus Adridge are ideal for long boards and defending shooting Bigs - like all these west Coast Dukies - Battier, Boozer...and the bigger 3's and 2's, S Jax, T Mac, Durant, Vujacic, Mello, ect

I am just SO anxious to see this Portland Team on the Floor - all the reports of Oden are leaving The Goodfellas and the Stevebeav types of the NW banging out heads against the wall in anticipation!

'Only' 19 short weeks till the start of the 08-09 NBA Season!

Let's get it rollin!

Steve...couldn't agree more my friend. By the way any kid that can buckle down and get a 4.0 even though he knows he's going pro early (Augustin) has unbelievable character. No wonder Portland rated him as the top PG.

Matty-

I agree about Rose....better pro than Beasley, right?  

As far as NEED - Rose fits Chicago's need for a dynamic PG - I keep hearing that 'You can win without a GREAT PG' - as evidence of Boston's title...  

THAT IS BUNK - IMO, as Rondo proved his Value - and I consider him to be either the 3rd or 4th best PG in East - very under-rated in reading and responding to tempo - and Rondo seemed to be uniquely in tune with Big Three's comfort zones, putting ball exactly where they need it, and most of all carefully attentive to tempo; gaging 'Numbers'.  Boston is very unusual in Vet Leaders, and secondary 2's that can bring ball up - and almost exclusive Half-Court Set Team.  

Not sure Chicago had a choice - and I think it will work out BETTER anyway - since they didn't have a choice with hometown guy - they essentially got the guy they wanted ANYWAY....and didn't have to explain it and be castigated for risky move.

Rose MIGHT be better pro than Augustin...probably will.  Better mid-range shot - quicker release, and of course, physically far, far bigger and stronger that TJ

So volatile to project where these guys will get to as Pros....Portland is constantly and forever criticized for one poor draft - when you look back at THE DRAFT - we all know, Bowie, ect...

Dream was chosen #1.

The book on early Draft entries - MJ included - when you look at the scouting, included some critical notes and iffy propositions - if you can even believe it - its impossible to fathom now....about shooting range, so-called 'Ego-Centric' issues, even after winning shot in NCAA, and so on...plus many guys with freakish athleticism - 'Sky-Walkers' had been hit/miss.

Again - impossible with memories of 6 rings, all the hindsight we have now and Jordan Marketing / PR, Public Perception as Icon, Ad Wizard - *Image Building Machine", to really objectively think in these terms - but it's worth mentioning now and then.

Rose is not near the shooter that Augustin is right now from mid-range or from 3, but his height and athleticism gives Rose more of an upside than DJ.

By the way Steve, it's TJ Ford and DJ Augustin, LOL

Hmm...glad to hear it - as Blazer Fan, I know they are apparently STILL angling to pry Augustin away from Bobbies,,,,might be tough, as Portland may have to sweeten the deal, and take One of Charlotte's BIGS off their hands - where Blazers are over-loaded - as they are at Swing position - G Wallace is out there, but his salary is huge - at 9.5 Mil, Blazers may have to deal Travis Outlaw as well - yet Char may try to pawn off Morrison - 'Draft the Stache' guy that Blazers originally wanted, but has been a bust...still earning 3.887/yr

Tow nice players over there that may work are Felton (3.27 - almost close enough for Outlaw 4 mil), and/or Sean May at 1.86....wouldn't think Charlotte would part with those nice young players - definitely not Mohammed - who does make a big number - 6.36, but has huge upside.

Can't wait to see what happens!

Great stuff Steve, I dont htink yur giving Bayless his due props......and I dont think the gap between him and Augistin is as much as u and others are making it....Just my opinion....LOVE the Ike pick up also, very underrated player , who needs more minutes to flourish...Damon was a total liability on "D", but ALWAYS played balls out and respected him 4 that....

It's gonna take time in CHI town, you're speaking about a kid that's supposed to be a sophomore in college. However, you're right Matty that there's no doubt that Rose should be the superstar of the 08 Draft when its all said and done.

I have no problem with Bayless - really - only saw him once - I'm just don't gush over the guy like some do.  

I'm no scout - but after watching R. Westbrook this year, I thought both he and Collison were heads-and-shoulders above any other guards in the PAC-10.

Goodfella's Duck Boys, Harriston and Taylor could be really good pros's - esp. Malik Harriston...if someone would get some defensive skills into him.  He was one of the most talented players I've ever seen when used correctly - when Ore would iso him and get his head down and drive the lane - man, that dude was a force - BUT, he truly took many MANY plays off.  It would have been downright spooky if he AND/OR Taylor ended up down in Westwood with a stellar Defensive-Minded Coach like Howland.

Anyway - I have no issue with Bayless - I just hoped PDX woulda got the guy they really wanted....even though Bayless might end up BETTER than TJ....and Diagu could be the steal of the Draft season...