The 2008 NBA Draft

[PressCoverage]

the smart thing to do would be to trade it for a 2009 1st from some crappy team so we could get a higher pick next year. Next year we will be picking in the same spot anyways. Pick up Chase Budinger next draft, hes a white larry bird that can dunk.

Gosh, wasn't Bird white?

 

[Real World]

CDR maybe?

 

[Real World]

Did they make a trade, it's way late for their pick?

 

[Kdo5]

J.R. Giddens, Guard from New Mexico. One of the few mock drafts I read had us taking him.

 

[Real World]

:wha:

In Danny we trust? :banned:

 

[Real World]

He's a big time player, and an even bigger punk.

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

In Ainge I trust. Small chance that they drafted him for somebody else.

 

[Kdo5]

Doc interview?

 

[VJCPatriot]

He's a big time player, and an even bigger punk.

He had to leave Kansas because he got involved in an ugly bar brawl. Hopefully he has matured by now.

I don't know alot about the Giddens kid, I thought he was a bit short for a SG, but apparently he has the ability to play good D. Terrible free throw shooter, I don't know why since he shoots 50% from the field. Good rebounder for this size.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/J.R.-Giddens-74/

Aargh, Chalmers goes to the Twolves in round 2. That is so the guy I wanted. Apparently the C's feel that Cassell is gonna stick around for at least another year?

 

[PressCoverage]

He had to leave Kansas because he got involved in an ugly bar brawl. Hopefully he has matured by now.

I don't know alot about the Giddens kid, I thought he was a bit short for a SG, but apparently he has the ability to play good D. Terrible free throw shooter, I don't know why since he shoots 50% from the field. Good rebounder for this size.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/J.R.-Giddens-74/

Aargh, Chalmers goes to the Twolves in round 2. That is so the guy I wanted. Apparently the C's feel that Cassell is gonna stick around for at least another year?

I thought they said "he's long, he defends well, and he can play the point."

 

[Real World]

He had to leave Kansas because he got involved in an ugly bar brawl. Hopefully he has matured by now.

I don't know alot about the Giddens kid, I thought he was a bit short for a SG, but apparently he has the ability to play good D. Terrible free throw shooter, I don't know why since he shoots 50% from the field. Good rebounder for this size.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/J.R.-Giddens-74/

Aargh, Chalmers goes to the Twolves in round 2. That is so the guy I wanted. Apparently the C's feel that Cassell is gonna stick around for at least another year?

Cassell is not coming back. They want to see about Gabe Pruitt as PG. They really like him alot. A name I've been hearing about though is Tyrone Lue. He'd be the veteran insurance policy.

Giddens is 6'4, but apparently his wing span makes him about 6'6 to 6'7. He's similar to Rondo in that regard. Where his actual height doesn't translate into his basketball size. Danny seems to know talent, so we'll see. He'd be learning from the likes of Pierce, Allen, and Posey. So if he's a knucklehead, he'll have some leadership around him. KG will %$^%& him up if he's a punk.

 

[Real World]

The kid has some clips on YouTube, and when I saw him shoot some three's while at Kansas, I said to myself "he looks a little like Pierce did". Hmmm...

SCOUTING REPORT: A tremendous athlete who doesn't sacrifice good touch, as he shot 51.6 percent from the field as a senior. A solid 3-point shooter averaged 33 percent or better from beyond the arc in three of his four seasons at New Mexico. Energetic player is a relentless rebounder who uses his leaping ability and long arms to play bigger than his frame around the basket. He averaged 8.8 boards in 2007-08 - 1.3 higher than his average the previous season. Athleticism and long wingspan allow him to be an above-average defender. Gets excellent elevation on his jump shot, making it tough to defend. Driving to the basket is not one of his strengths. Also is not a great passer, and his mid-range game is largely undeveloped. A troubled past is a consideration, as Giddens transferred from Kansas after his sophomore season following his involvement in a bar brawl during which he was stabbed in his right calf. The former All-Big 12 freshman of the year ran into trouble again with the Lobos, as he was suspended indefinitely from the team during his junior season over problems with his attitude. Giddens' spotty past and questions about his mid-range game may drop him into the second round, but he's admitted to having made bad decisions and the electrifying dunker's raw ability could make him a steal for a team willing to take a chance on him.

Obviously he's shorter than Pierce, but he rebounds incredibly well for a 2/3 position player, can block some shots, which pp did more of when he was younger, and was in a bar brawl where he....nevermind.

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

There goes Roberts. Damn

What a steal.

 

[VJCPatriot]

The kid has some clips on YouTube, and when I saw him shoot some three's while at Kansas, I said to myself "he looks a little like Pierce did". Hmmm...

Obviously he's shorter than Pierce, but he rebounds incredibly well for a 2/3 position player, can block some shots, which pp did more of when he was younger, and was in a bar brawl where he....nevermind.

Yeah, character is the big questionmark with this kid.

"With a newfound resolve and a continually improving game, Giddens entered his junior season ready to make a splash in the Mountain West Conference. Things were looking promising; Giddens was posting career highs in points, rebounds and assists, but New Mexico was struggling. Unbeknownst to many at the time though, was a growing problem with Giddens’ attitude. Finally in late February Giddens was suspended indefinitely from the team. Head coach Ritchie McKay said of Giddens, “He did nothing illegal, nothing unethical. This program tries to promote being a good teammate and I want to emphasize that.”

He's 2 inches too short and has way too little resume to even BEGIN to compare with PP. After a bit of reflection, this guy's makeup kind of reminds me of Tony Allen as far as the defensive upside. Offensively, I have no idea. You'd think he'd have a decent midrange shot to sport a 50% FG rate, but from 3pt range he is 30%... I'll have to see him play in the NBA to get a better idea but I doubt he gets much PT. We've got a logjam at wing.

 

[Real World]

Yeah, character is the big questionmark with this kid.

"With a newfound resolve and a continually improving game, Giddens entered his junior season ready to make a splash in the Mountain West Conference. Things were looking promising; Giddens was posting career highs in points, rebounds and assists, but New Mexico was struggling. Unbeknownst to many at the time though, was a growing problem with Giddens’ attitude. Finally in late February Giddens was suspended indefinitely from the team. Head coach Ritchie McKay said of Giddens, “He did nothing illegal, nothing unethical. This program tries to promote being a good teammate and I want to emphasize that.”

He's 2 inches too short and has way too little resume to even BEGIN to compare with PP. After a bit of reflection, this guy's makeup kind of reminds me of Tony Allen as far as the defensive upside. Offensively, I have no idea. You'd think he'd have a decent midrange shot to sport a 50% FG rate, but from 3pt range he is 30%... I'll have to see him play in the NBA to get a better idea but I doubt he gets much PT. We've got a logjam at wing.

He's too short to be compared directly to PP. I agree. I'm a little blind to his ability myself. NM plays in the west, and doesn't get much pub except for the occasional midnight game on ESPN. I'm curious to see what he can do though. He seems to be physically gifted, and talented. We shall see.

i hope we don't regret CDR Whiskey!

 

[VJCPatriot]

Just wanted to put to rest the myth that Gidden's wingspan/reach is somehow unusual and makes up for his size. Look at the following chart and look at the guys listed at 6'4".

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre...s.php?year=2008&sort2=ASC&draft=0&pos=&sort=2

Both Gidden's wingspan AND standing reach are completely average for a 6'4"-6'5" player in this year's draft. I have no idea where the rumors that he is longer than other players is coming from. Perhaps his vertical leap ability just makes it look that way?

 

[Boston Boxer]

i dont get this pick...i would have liked Chalmers. In the end, they could have picked anyone and the guy will not see the floor at all in the next couple of years

 

[IcyPatriot]

Not sure of all the comparisons but to me this is the bye bye Tony Allen pick. Giddens impressed them with his defensive tenacity ... Tony Allen looks like he wants to be anywhere but here. This kid may well play @5 minutes a game as a late first half defensive player this year, perhaps a dunk or two get the crowd fired up player.... bye Tony.

 

[BradyManny]

Just wanted to put to rest the myth that Gidden's wingspan/reach is somehow unusual and makes up for his size. Look at the following chart and look at the guys listed at 6'4".

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre...s.php?year=2008&sort2=ASC&draft=0&pos=&sort=2

Both Gidden's wingspan AND standing reach are completely average for a 6'4"-6'5" player in this year's draft. I have no idea where the rumors that he is longer than other players is coming from. Perhaps his vertical leap ability just makes it look that way?

I wouldn't say average, I sorted by both wingspan and height and it looks to me he has a pretty good wingspan to height ratio. The fact that there are other lanky wing players at his height can't be held against him. Sort again by wingspan - he's largely in a group of 6'8-6'11 players.

 

[bradmahn]

Not sure of all the comparisons but to me this is the bye bye Tony Allen pick. Giddens impressed them with his defensive tenacity ... Tony Allen looks like he wants to be anywhere but here. This kid may well play @5 minutes a game as a late first half defensive player this year, perhaps a dunk or two get the crowd fired up player.... bye Tony.

Doc and Ainge love his defensive ability, I guess. It would be nice if he could provide a little offense off the bench as I think that was one of the few weaknesses of last season's team (especially in the playoffs).

"Just wanted to put to rest the myth that Gidden's wingspan/reach is somehow unusual and makes up for his size. Look at the following chart and look at the guys listed at 6'4"."

You're looking at three other guys who are 6'4" as if that means anything? Look at year's past, he has a wingspan comparable (within .5") to taller players (between 1 and 5 inches taller than him). Most of the other players in years past to have a 8'8" standing reach are between 6'5" and 6'7.5". It's rumored that he has a 40" vert, too.

His strengths (defense, rebounding, solid 3-point shot, athleticism & ability to take it to the hole) would seem to be enough to get playing time. He'll probably be on the floor with either Rondo or Pierce or another capable ball-handler at all times, too, so that would negate one of his bigger weaknesses.

I think you can take a flier on a talented player with some character concerns when you have Pierce, Garnett, and Allen, just won the championship, and are picking with the last selection in the first round. If he turns out to be a dunderhead, you lose very little; if he cashes in on the ability you have yourself a steal. It might be a little early for the Celtics to take a gamble using the "we just won a championship" get-out-of-jail-free card, but they are operating with a limited time frame and the upside seems worth it.