The only two I'm not completely sold on being strong contributors from day one are Koponen, as I know very little about him, and Taurean Green, not from a lack of ability, but from a packed position on the roster (Jack, Rodriguez, and maybe Fernandez). Oden fernandez were all great pick-ups, and you've even got to include Channing Frye to this group. The Blazers now have a frontcourt rotation of Oden, Frye, Aldridge, and McRoberts, with the still confusing $5 million per year Joel Pryzbilla adding depth. Seriously, this guy started all 43 games he played in and averaged just .5 less blocks than points. And he didn't average 14.5 blocks. Or 2. ... He's bad.
Seattle Supersonics- A
Yes, yes. My first 2 winners are the top 2 picks. But Seattle wouldn't have received this grade if they had not indulged the Celtics in their pathetic attempt to make up for missing out on the guy they tanked to get and the Soinics ended up with!! How deliciously ironic. They gave up an ailing, aging superstar for a hell of a wing-man for Durant and possibly Rashard Lewis. Jeff Green is an all around great player who will eventually resent Durant for the spotlight he stole for his entire career. Then, when he's 41, he'll try and make another ill-informed comeback and say he was always better the Durant anyway, and everyone will laugh at him.
Los Angeles Clippers- B
I know I shouldn't be talking about the Sixers here, but they are the reason that the Clippers came away with a stud. Philadelphia had the 12th pick with Al Thorton on the board and opted for a Al Thorton four years ago. Thaddeus Young, assuming he pans out, will be a very comparable player to Thorton in 3-4 years. Thorton is Thorton now. I just don't get it. But anyway, good for the Clippers!! In addition to this, they got Jared Jordan, one of those heady little guiys from a small program where he dominated but probably won't amount to much in the Pro's. I saw him play against NCSU this year in the NIT and he didn't impress. My friend and I actually made a bet as to whether he would have more assists than Gavin Grant would have turnovers. I went with Jordan, and I lost.
I am a life-long Raiders/A's fan, as I was born in Oakland. I have been a Duke fan since I was about 6, and a Bobcats fan since they opened with a 7-point loss to the wizards. However, this may change shortly. Regardless, I am also a recovering Warriors fan: I am still adjusting to the light of the sun after 13 years of hiding this in the closet.
