Uncle! Back to the impending draft.

[mark at 10thumbs.org]

I was surprised to see that Conley Jr. was listed in one mock/thread i saw
at 4 or 5.  Admittedly the person said they were alone in that -- but is
he that caliber of player?

Hopefully all we'll have to talk about next tuesday is who we're taking at
#32 and/or how we get back a 2nd late round pick.

(the other) mark

-----------------------------
I'm ready to get back to Oden and Durant and whomever we will likely have
to settle for.  My judgment that values Perk over J. Howard is based on
rarity and the long term.  Like the argument for Al as an All-Star, we'll
have to re-visit this in a few years.

  Whichever pundit called Oden the steak and Durant the sizzle created a
good image.  I'm of the opinion that Durant is as close to a can't miss
as you get for a 19 year old.  Oden is less so, but so dominant at times
that he gets the edge for what?  for the rarity of the position he
plays.  They are being compared to Bill Russell and Michael
Jordan--exaggerated, of course--but whom would you choose?  Ben Wallace
and Ray Allen?  It is not clear cut, because we don't know what they
will be like against big time competition.  The second one chosen will
be much more than a consolation prize.

  Down at three or four, where we're more likely to choose, the lists
still suggest B. Wright and Horford.  We could see some change there
once workouts begin.  If Wright can't convince gms of his shooting
ability, if Horford's size inhibits him vs. other bigs--who knows where
this will turn?  I'm just skittish of Jianlian.  If it were a European,
where we can get a better feel regarding the competition he faces, it
would be interesting; now, it's just scary.

  Still, I doubt Ainge is in a gambling mood with the necessity of scoring
a player who can come in and make a place for himself.  Cheers, Gene