Drafting for Position aka Why We Took Hoffa

Just curious as to why when naming players that could have been picken rather than Hoffa, how Al Jefferson slipped into the second group, as if it's a stretch to say that he would have been a better pick. Regardless of if he plays the same position as Bosh, he still is the best player at this point that would have been available.

If I were to re-draft in 2004 based on how things have turned out SO FAR for that class my top 10 would be:

1. Dwight Howard
2. Al Jefferson
3. Josh Smith
4. Luol Deng
5. Emeka Okafor (he'd be higher if he could stay healthy)
6. Andre Iguodala
7. Ben Gordon
8. Kevin Martin
9. Anderson Varejao
10.Jameer Nelson

So yes, Jefferson would be right up there with Dwight for top consideration. However when I wrote this I was thinking back to when the draft actually occurred, and if you remember, there were some MAJOR concerns about Jefferson's work ethic and maturity (something he did nothing to refute until late last season I might add.) Having CB4 already in place, I therefore doubt that Jefferson would have been a choice regardless of who the GM was for the Raps. I guess my point was that while hindsight is indeed 20/20, NO ONE thought that drafting Hoffa based on "perceived need" was a good idea even right after it occurred.

How about Atlanta choosing Marvin Williams over Chris Paul and Deron Williams? I don't think its so "cut and dry." Teams need to find a happy median between filling their needs and grabbing the best player available. Hoffa is an example of a GM putting too much stock in one aspect. And it turned out to bite him in the ass, because Araujo didn't even end up the best big man at his spot.

That's a thought provoking list, Franchise. I might put Iggy and Deng higher than Josh Smith, based on their poise and professionalism. Varejao, is a hustler, but is perhaps the greatest benefactor of the Stu Jackson era of rules interpretation in the entire league. Simply put, he's the league's worst flopper (no revelation there) and I hate him with a passion and so would bump him from the top 10 and give Biedrins a spot.

Thanks for a great site. I really enjoy it.

pVr, your right: ATL's a case where they should have drafted for position but instead made their choice based on perceived upside (thinking at the time that JJ should run the point). And whenever any of us start to feel down about the Hoffa mistake and what could have been, always remember that at least you're not a Hawks fan. It works for me.

In hindsight I'm glad things went the way they did and the team tanked and it forced the issue on getting rid of vince carter and babcock, not to mention the impetus to bring in BC. You can't plan these things but I just love this team now whereas before it was a love/hate thing beacause of constant mismanagment.

Speaking of drafting for position, Swirsk mentioned in today's blog that Kirilenko is likely available. He'd be a great SF fit for Toronto: a rebounding and blocking machine; won't take shots away from Bosh, TJ and Bargs; and he would be able to drink Vodka with the extensive GTA Russian community.

However, then I checked his salary on HoopsHype and dry heaved. Almost $18 million a year in 2010-2011 (next 4 years guaranteed). Next!

Commentatador, I'd have to disagree with you on Smith. I would actually rank Smith at 1 1/2, just behind Howard. He is one of the best in the league at his position. Deng is pretty good and Iguodala is one of my Zona boys so you know I love him, but Smith is magic and has the stats to prove it.

I'd love it if the Raps could somehow add him.

Ok, isn't all this talk a little premature? The Raps do not have a draft pick and do not have cap room to move for a SF solution which is part of why there was a discussion earlier about Joey G second chances etc. The Raps are in a horrible situation because of the Lamond Murray trade. It was stupid to trade for someone Cleveland didnt even want (cause they were tanking for Lebron) just so you could get rid of another stupid error in the big dud Yogi. Now the Raps are paying for it. Everyone else in their division is set to get better (assuming that the draft is as deep as everyone says at least Boston and Philly should be a little better next year) while the best the Raps can hope for is that all their players get better or they will actually take a step backwards next year.
This is why I am pushing the idea that they should trade TJ while his stock is high (or Calderon). Having 2 very good point guards is a wonderful novelty but you arent going to start both of them so trade one and get the help you need. It makes no sense to keep things the way they are as you are going to probably lose Calderon after next season anyway unless you deal TJ and sign him to starter money.
Now it could be that BC is going to wait and see if Calderon can steal the starting job from TJ before making a move but you have to believe that he is going to move one of these guys before the trade deadline next year. If that is the case then, Ok Then. If not, maybe he isnt the genius we all think he is.

I want Sun Yue on our team.

I too want Sun Yue.

A solid fit at the 2

(form of a...Haiku!)

Bedhead, I'm impressed. I even counted the syllables just to be sure...bravo!

BC will keep the teams core players together to let them improve next year and the year after.(Bosh,Ford,Bargnani,Calderon)
He will also keep Parker and Garbajosa thru their final contracts. Everyone else is fair game to move if he can improve on them.

He will use the MLE for a SG or SF @ Free Agent in NBA or Europe to improve that position. He will also try to p/u a 2nd rnd pick in the draft if there is a SF/SG available that he feels would fit in the future.

The team improvement is going to come from more experience from the current players on defense & with rebounds.

He is not going to trade TJ or Jose, nor should he. That is a key position @ PG where Rap's have a clear advantage over most teams in the East.

the raps need a big time scorer and a rebounder if they plan to get past the 1st round playoffs. Someone like morris almond will help and jamaal magloire for the rebounding and his presence on the floor can help on D. Also, why havent the raptors taken roko from europe? Hes a great pg and would be a great fit. Go raps!

The problem with Roko is that he has the skill set, but isn't showing anyone much in Europe these last few years. He is capable of being a good point guard, but he is definitely not great....yet! I wouldn't be surprised if BC brings him in and lets him get major minutes in the D-League, since he currently isn't getting much play in Europe.

I meant "...hasn't shown anyone much...."

Count me among those who don't find a Magloire aquisition to be all that intriguing. He's too slow for the game the Raps want to play, and frankly I think he's been way, way over-rated for a while.

I'm not bothered by the idea that we might deal Caderone or Ford to get better - especially as it is clearly a depth position for us.

But then, I'm not bothered by the idea we might trade Bosh to get a package of goodies to help the team.

(cue hostile outrage)

It's not that I think Bosh should be traded, but that if the right deal came along (and I'm open to suggestions), Colangelo has to consider it.

For example, if we could get Pau Gasol and the Memphis 1st rnd pick for Bosh would anyone be super upset at that result?

I'm not sure I would be.

Bedhead, i'm spanish and a huge fan of Gasol, but i would not even consider making that trade. Yes, in pure basketball terms it's reasonable and could possibly work, but observing the Raps and the fanbase from the distance (remember i'm just a pretty recent Raps follower, for the last two years) I have quickly realised that Bosh is not only a cornerstone franchise player, but one who identifies 100% with the organization, is loved by all, is as levelheaded a star as there can be, and of course an excellent basketball player with lots of upside. So, there's no way i'm trading that guy.

As for an Ukic update, there's not much new to report. Still playing his 10-15 minutes in Barça and not making much of an impact. Also he's main trademark play seems to be driving quickly to the rim for a layup that he usually ends up making, does it remind you of somebody? Yeah, at this point he could be described as a Calderon-like
player but with not even half the basketball IQ, competitive experience and potential of the spaniard. However, i think bringing him in to play in the NBDL would be a huge mistake: he will learn a lot more playing 15 minutes of fiercely competitive basketball in arguably the best non-NBA league of the world, than getting 35m a night in a NBDL team nobody cares about.

You make an excellent point about leaving Ukic in Spain Sergi P!

Hey Sergi,

Don't get me wrong, I dig Bosh as much as anyone, but I've had blinders on for the Raptors for YEARS (I remember calmly turning to my friend and saying, 'Sure that BYU guy isn't who I wanted, but now that I think about it, he sounds like a GREAT pick!'), and it wasn't until I saw Charlie V dealt for Ford that I realized I was going to have to dial my enthusiasm for anyone Raptor back a notch or two.

Absolutely Bosh is the cornerstone and easily our best player, but CV Smooth sure looked like the same kinda thing, and yet he's gone and the Raptors are better for it.

So I guess I'm saying is that it isn't impossible to consider dealing Bosh and making the Raptors better in the bargain.

I should add that I totally dig your Roko (and Euro player) updates.

Oh now I get your point Bedhead, and i totally agree, it wouldn't be unthinkable to see the Raps improving after such a trade (to a minor extent something similar happened with the post-Iverson sixers who got quite better).

As for the Ukic updates, one thing to be hopeful for is that many players who were not considered great in Europe have gone on to successful NBA careers, and the other way round. For instance, looking at the finals we see Varejao and Elson who played for Barcelona and believe me they were considered mediocre players (even laughed at) by the press and fans (myself included). On the other hand we see an Euro-dominating Jasikevicius become a total bust in the NBA, so you never really know, maybe Roko can make the jump.

The thing with Roko is that i'm not sure Barça will want to keep him anyway (too much contract for his performance), so the ideal thing would be to find him a decent euro team where he can get consistent 30-35 minutes a night and improve much more quickly.