NBA Draft: Live Roundtable

Andrew Ungvari

Welcome everybody to The Collective's 2008 NBA Draft Roundtable. I'm Andrew Ungvari here with my colleagues Erick Blasco and MIchael Whittenberg.

Andrew Ungvari

We're a few minutes away from the start of the draft. I wanted to get your guys input on the Jermaine O'Neal for T.J. Ford trade. First you, Erick. What did you think of the trade?

Erick Blasco

I like from Indiana's perspective more than I do from Toronto's

Andrew Ungvari

Why do you think Indiana did it?

Erick Blasco

O'Neal has very similar talents to Chris Bosh

Andrew Ungvari

Michael, what did you think of the trade?

Erick Blasco

I think Indiana did it because they were tired of O'Neal's perpetual injury problems

Erick Blasco

and his massive contract

Erick Blasco

they save salary space, and they get back a point guard who is better than Jamaal Tinsley

Andrew Ungvari

Did you think the Raptors could have or should have done better for Ford?

Mike Whittenberg

I think the trade was good on both sides. Indiana finally got someone to replace Jamaal Tinsley, and if J.O. can stay healthy, Toronto can finish 4th or 5th in the east.

Andrew Ungvari

That question was for either of you.

Mike Whittenberg

I think it was good to part ways with Ford. They obviously like Calderon better, so it was the right choice.

Erick Blasco

Yeah, I agree with Mike in that the trade isn't a bad one for Toronto's. Solving the point guard situation will do wonders, but the team still has absolutely no power at all. Finesse teams don't win in the playoffs and the Raptors, even with O'Neal, are still all finesse.

Andrew Ungvari

I think Indiana was lucky to find anyone that was willing to take on O'Neal's contract. They also get Nesterovic and Maceo Baston. Now if they could find a taker for Tinsley or Troy Murphy.

Erick Blasco

Will Toronto make the playoffs if O'Neal stays healthy? Almost certainly, but they still don't have what it takes to stop the best teams in the East---Cleveland, Boston, and Detroit will run through them.

Andrew Ungvari

I don't know why they did it unless the offers for Ford were overwhelming.

Andrew Ungvari

I mean underwhelming.

Erick Blasco

Well, I don't think Ford is a hot commodity right now. Like Jermaine, he's expensive, has injury problems, and isn't really a power player at all.

Mike Whittenberg

I guess they are depending on Danny Granger

Mike Whittenberg

for power

Mike Whittenberg

good luck with that

Andrew Ungvari

Indiana really made out. They get rid of O'Neal's massive contract and save money next year because Nesterovic and Baston are expiring contracts. I still don't think they'll have cap space but it will save ownership money for a team that still doesn't look like it's going to the playoffs.

Erick Blasco

And it looks like they have a nice nucleus with Granger and Dunleavy. They won't make the playoffs for a while, but at least they know enough to start over.

Andrew Ungvari

Let's talk about the Richard Jefferson for Yi and Bobby Simmons trade before we get into the Elton Brand for Shawn Marion rumors.

Andrew Ungvari

Mike-what did you think about the trade?

Mike Whittenberg

Not really a big fan of this trade. But like you said, New Jersey better get LeBron in 2010. I think the tandem of Michael Redd and Jefferson will make the Bucks a 7th or 8th seed.

Mike Whittenberg

Vince Carter is alone now.

Andrew Ungvari

That's only because nobody wanted him first!

Andrew Ungvari

I told Mike that I think the Nets will be horrible this year but I think that's their plan. They could use another low-salaried rookie for when LeBron's a free agent.

Andrew Ungvari

The worse the team is the better the pick will be.

Mike Whittenberg

True, I think Yi will be solid in Jersey, too.

Andrew Ungvari

I agree.

Andrew Ungvari

I think Milwaukee did okay too. They get Richard Jefferson and drop Simmons' bad contract.

Erick Blasco

I definitely think the Bucks made out in the trade.

Erick Blasco

They actually have a creative ing who can create shots for himself, and others as well.

Andrew Ungvari

My only problem with Jefferson is his durability. When he plays he's great. But it seems every year it's less and less.

Erick Blasco

This is true, but he does seem like a player who'll play through injuries.

Andrew Ungvari

There was some talk here in L.A. of getting Jefferson for Odom because he's had a lot of success guarding Paul Pierce.

Erick Blasco

With the Nets waving the white flag on the next few seasons, they only want propsects and contracts, not guys like Odom who actually have proven talent.

Andrew Ungvari

But he's got an expiring contract.

Erick Blasco

Oh, I didn't know that. That changes things.

Erick Blasco

And would actually make sense for both teams.

Mike Whittenberg

agreed

Andrew Ungvari

I think the Lakers realize that Odom is their only chip and they might try to use it on a point guard.

Erick Blasco

Or a true small forward.

Andrew Ungvari

Ron Artest?

Mike Whittenberg

I would love to see Artest in L.A.

Erick Blasco

Does Phil Jackson want to risk the chemistry though?

Erick Blasco

Artest loves the ball in his hands on offense.

Mike Whittenberg

that's true

Andrew Ungvari

I think it's worth it.

Mike Whittenberg

I'm worried about that

Mike Whittenberg

But it would take defensive pressure off Kobe

Erick Blasco

His defense would definitely give the Lakers a new edge. And some needed toughness.

Erick Blasco

Can he coexist with Kobe though?

Andrew Ungvari

and they would get older. they're still too young.

Andrew Ungvari

I think he's tired of losing.

Mike Whittenberg

Even if they don't get him, the Lakers are my pick to win it all next year

Erick Blasco

Haha, we still have 12 months of basketball to go!

Andrew Ungvari

No more Laker talk. They don't have a pick until the end of the second round.

Andrew Ungvari

There are some rumors they're trying to move up and take one of Seattle's early 2nd round picks. No more Laker talk. This time I mean it.

Andrew Ungvari

I'm still having nightmares in green.

Andrew Ungvari

Let's talk about Derrick Rose. Do we all agree he's the top player in this draft?

Erick Blasco

ha!

Mike Whittenberg

most definitely

Erick Blasco

Absolutely

Andrew Ungvari

what do the bulls do with Hinrich?

Mike Whittenberg

That's what I've been wondering the last few weeks

Erick Blasco

I have a feeling he's gone. The question is who else goes with him. Gordon? Deng? Hughes? And for whom?

Mike Whittenberg

He won't be too happy sitting on the bench

Mike Whittenberg

I think they should keep Deng

Andrew Ungvari

Who else needs a point guard?

Andrew Ungvari

Miami.

Mike Whittenberg

Minnesota

Andrew Ungvari

Seattle.

Erick Blasco

Maybe the Celtics can use Hinrich as a backup

Mike Whittenberg

and Miami

Andrew Ungvari

Noooooo

Andrew Ungvari

The Celtics don't need any help.

Erick Blasco

Fine, maybe the Jazz and Hornets can use a backup?

Andrew Ungvari

does he wanna be a back up? What about Denver?

Erick Blasco

Have fun with them in the West the next few years, with or without Hinrich

Andrew Ungvari

I'm surprised the Hornets sold their pick.

Erick Blasco

Maybe on an elite team, yes. Denver would love him.

Mike Whittenberg

I don't think Hinrich is a backup. He needs to start

Mike Whittenberg

Yes, I like Denver

Andrew Ungvari

I thought Chris Douglas-Roberts would have been perfect for New Orleans.

Andrew Ungvari

Even Denver sold their pick.

Mike Whittenberg

yeah to my Bobcats

Andrew Ungvari

Who do you want them to take, Mike?

Erick Blasco

Denver is a veteran team that fancies themsevles a contender. They don't need low draft picks.

Mike Whittenberg

I want them to take Eric Gordon

Andrew Ungvari

I keep hearing Kevin Love or either Lopez.

Mike Whittenberg

I hope they don't take Love. I think he's a bit overrated

Mike Whittenberg

Maybe Lopez, but we need a scorer

Andrew Ungvari

I agree and a I disagree. I think Love would be best on a good team. He's not a building block.

Mike Whittenberg

nm, we have J-Rich and Wallace

Erick Blasco

Love is like a Brad Miller reincarnation. Not terrible, but not worth the hype.

Mike Whittenberg

wow, is he still playing?

Andrew Ungvari

ha. my question is how much better can he get?

Erick Blasco

He's slow, he's soft, he's a gifted passer. He shoots pretty well. You're both right, he isn't a guy you build around. But Charlotte has some pieces, as you;ve mentioned Mike.

Andrew Ungvari

Mike, what happens with Felton if they draft a point guard?

Mike Whittenberg

Lopez and Gordon are my two hopefuls for Charlotte

Andrew Ungvari

which Lopez?

Mike Whittenberg

Brook

Andrew Ungvari

the one with the girl's name or the one with the girl's name?

Mike Whittenberg

I'm not too sold on Felton

Erick Blasco

ha!

Mike Whittenberg

lol

Andrew Ungvari

I watched Felton in the game against the Lakers last year and he was awesome. What's been his problem?

Erick Blasco

Sam Vincent

Mike Whittenberg

Felton had a solid season, but I would prefer Augustin

Andrew Ungvari

I like Augustin too.

Andrew Ungvari

Before the draft starts, let me get a couple sleepers from each of you.

Mike Whittenberg

I think Brandon Rush could be a potential sleeper

Andrew Ungvari

Good one.

Mike Whittenberg

But his brother sucks

Erick Blasco

I don't have too many, because I think the draft class is top heavy. I like Robin Lopez almost as much as I like Brook.

Andrew Ungvari

I like Mbah a Moute and Devon Hardin

Erick Blasco

Energy guys do well on good teams, and Robin will most likely end up on a playoff team.

Andrew Ungvari

How about a couple of other overrated guys?

Mike Whittenberg

Moute? Really? Haven't heard that one

Mike Whittenberg

Overrated: Kevin Love and that guy from Italy

Andrew Ungvari

I'm not a Roy HIbbert or DeAndre Jordan fan.

Mike Whittenberg

and Hibbert

Mike Whittenberg

DeAndre Jordan has high potential to become a BUST

Andrew Ungvari

I love CDR.

Andrew Ungvari

I'm not a Kosta Koufos fan either.

Mike Whittenberg

CDR is good, but will he be a good pro?

Erick Blasco

I hear Hibbert mentioned going to Utah all the time. He'd be perfect there. Big, slow, smart, unathletic. He's just like all the other centers Utah's ever had.

Andrew Ungvari

You're right. I go back to Mark Eaton. Then you had Luther Wright, Antoine Carr, Jarron Collins, Ostertag. Are athletic centers illegal in Utah?

Mike Whittenberg

Yea, if Hibbert were to go anywhere, Utah would be the place. This time a year ago Hibbert was projected as a lottery pick

Andrew Ungvari

What do you guys think about Joe Alexander?

Erick Blasco

Which is why it's so dangerous to fall in love with players after one year of college.

Mike Whittenberg

A tad overrated, but I like his game