NBA Thread

[EasternWest]

Re: NBA Thread

Probably a little off topic with the conference finals being played at the minute, but I read somewhere today that the 1986 NBA draft was one of the weakest (in regards of talent on offer) in history. I struggle to understand how a Draft that had the prospects of Len Bias (could have been as good as Jordan), Brad Daugherty, The Rifleman, Ron Harper, John Sally, Dennis Rodman, Mark Price, Dell Curry, Kevin Duckworth, and anyone else I've missed be considered 'a poor draft'???? Any thoughts out there from the Woofers??? Preferably the woofers who are aware of the above players.

There are some damn good players in that list.

My only thoughts on it being a poor draft are that the players you've listed (other than potentially Bias, and we'll never know that one), weren't really superstars/franchise players.

Without looking up the draft, it could be that after the players you've mentioned the quality really fell away?

[EasternWest]

Re: NBA Thread

Arvydas Sabonis came from that draft as well. That guy could have been anything. When he came to the NBA he was almost over the hill and had slowed down a lot. He still was a very good Centre in the NBA though. I wish he played when he was younger!

It doesn't look that bad on paper. Without studying the other drafts I'd be surprised to find it the worst.

A good player. My biggest knock on him was that he played exactly like a Euro (and Australian for that matter) centre. Much preferred to shoot than get down and dirty.

[Jasper]

Re: NBA Thread

2001 Draft is the shocker.

Kwame Brown at Pick 1.
Eddy Curry at Pick 4.
Eddie Griffin (now deceased) at Pick 7.
DeSagana Diop at Pick 8.

A few gems like Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson and reformed under achiever Zach Randolph in the Top 20.

The immortal Sean Lampley who spent half a season with the Melbourne Tigers from memory comes in at Pick 44!!

[LostDoggy]

Re: NBA Thread

Well I came across it when I was reading the 2000 draft and how that was discribed as 'the worst draft since 1986'. Not arguing that 2000 was a shocker. But 1986 was pretty damn good in regards to talent on offer.

My only thoughts on it being a poor draft are that the players you've listed (other than potentially Bias, and we'll never know that one), weren't really superstars/franchise players.

Mark price and Brad Daugherty were the franchies stars for the Cavs throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Made a few allstars too.
Chuck 'the Rifleman' Person would have been Indiana's main man at some point too.
Ron Harper was a bit of a guru for Cav's and Clippers before injury came knocking.

Without looking up the draft, it could be that after the players you've mentioned the quality really fell away?

I forgive you for thinking that way cause I'd have the same opinion, but that's just it. Have a look at the list. The 1986 draft is somewhat famous for the quality of the later pick in regard to what they achieved in their career.
Rodman, Mark Price, Jeff Hornacek, Kevin Duckworth, all were 2nd rounders.

[LostDoggy]

Re: NBA Thread

A good player. My biggest knock on him was that he played exactly like a Euro (and Australian for that matter) centre. Much preferred to shoot than get down and dirty.

This Sh*t me too.

Seeing all the huge guys that don't throw their weight around. What a waste of size.

[G-Mo77]

Re: NBA Thread

A good player. My biggest knock on him was that he played exactly like a Euro (and Australian for that matter) centre. Much preferred to shoot than get down and dirty.

I know what you're saying but it seems Sabonis was a lot different. I'm no expert on his game before NBA but apparently the guy was a monster. Just watch a few of his clips in his younger years on Youtube, he was not afraid to get down and dirty. Sabonis joined the NBA when he was 30, at that age and lots of injuries he was still a very good player at NBA level.

Ah what could have been.

[GVGjr]

Re: NBA Thread

I know what you're saying but it seems Sabonis was a lot different. I'm no expert on his game before NBA but apparently the guy was a monster. Just watch a few of his clips in his younger years on Youtube, he was not afraid to get down and dirty. Sabonis joined the NBA when he was 30, at that age and lots of injuries he was still a very good player at NBA level.

Ah what could have been.

Sabonis was a terrific player for both the USSR and Lithuania and for the likes of Real Madrid.
At his best he would have been a top 5 centre in the NBA. Fantastic touch from the top of the key as well. I saw him monster a lot of teams in Olympic games and he also dominated in Spain and the Euro leagues.
When teamed with Marciulionis and Kurtinaitis, Lithuania were certainly a team to watch.

[LostDoggy]

Re: NBA Thread

Another season done

[Topdog]

Re: NBA Thread

A good player. My biggest knock on him was that he played exactly like a Euro (and Australian for that matter) centre. Much preferred to shoot than get down and dirty.

Clearly you didn't watch him enough.

[EasternWest]

Re: NBA Thread

Clearly you didn't watch him enough.

I was an NBA fanatic as a kid. If Portland was on tv, I saw him.

I admit I never saw him before that, as another poster mentioned he was different when he was younger, but I saw him enough.

Your illuminating post has not changed my mind.

[Mantis]

Re: NBA Thread

What a gas by Oklahoma today.

Up by 15 with less than 4'30" on the clock and at home they drop the ball as Dallas on the back of some awesome play big Dirk make a 17-2 run to tie it up and then close it out in OT.

Harden get fouled out at the point when they had this lead really hurt their chances.

Dallas take a 3-1 lead now and should close it out.

[G-Mo77]

Re: NBA Thread

What a gas by Oklahoma today.

Up by 15 with less than 4'30" on the clock and at home they drop the ball as Dallas on the back of some awesome play big Dirk make a 17-2 run to tie it up and then close it out in OT.

Harden get fouled out at the point when they had this lead really hurt their chances.

Dallas take a 3-1 lead now and should close it out.

I left this afternoon and they were down by about 12 in the last. Couldn't believe it when I saw the scores when I got home. Hopefully Dallas closes without much trouble.

Chicago have got to pull their finger out now.

[Topdog]

Re: NBA Thread

I was an NBA fanatic as a kid. If Portland was on tv, I saw him.

I admit I never saw him before that, as another poster mentioned he was different when he was younger, but I saw him enough.

Your illuminating post has not changed my mind.

Ask Shaq if Sabonis played like a Euro centre. Or try watching some video of him.

It's a shame the vids of the 88 Olympics are such poor quality but he absolutely monstered David Robinson back then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHhnDBlBMEE

[EasternWest]

Re: NBA Thread

Ask Shaq if Sabonis played like a Euro centre. Or try watching some video of him.

It's a shame the vids of the 88 Olympics are such poor quality but he absolutely monstered David Robinson back then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHhnDBlBMEE

Well I can't ask Shaq now can I ?

I will have a look at that video. I'm happy to defer to others judgement that he had it in him, but I never really remember him doing it. At least, not so much that I thought he was a physical presence.

And no disrespect intended, but David Robinson wasn't the most physical big man either.

[EasternWest]

Re: NBA Thread

Anyone see Rose's dunk today? That was something else!