5 for #5

[gene kirkpatrick]

I've seen varying amounts of video on these players, so consider this my haphazard impressions.  Though Ainge mentions Al Thornton, I don't think we would select him without trading down to the #10 area.  These first four I consider to be of roughly equal ability.
   
  Brandon Wright:  6' 10" or 11".  A slender PF with great ability in the paint, both offensively and defensively.  He's smooth, played well in big games, could be an effective complement to either Al or Perk.  His shot is under development, and he's no bruiser but he should be quite an effective big.  My heart leans his way, but most say he will go #3.  Workouts might not favor him, however.  (I think workouts will favor Brewer and Hibbert).
   
  Al Horford:  6' 9".  Here's the prototype PF.  He's something like Elton Brand lite.  He doesn't overwhelm but he plays both ends well and should be a fixture for some team, even if he begins as the #3 big.  It would be hard to go wrong here.  Problem:  he wouldn't dislodge Al, so would we be better off with someone who might start?
   
  C. Brewer:  6' 8" wing.  In your face.  This guy is the best defensive player (not named Oden) in the draft.  He can not only guard but can stop 2's and 3's.  He sets a blistering tempo with his all court energy.  We need this guy, whether we want him or not.  Brewer would make Wally and probably Green expendable.  If Allen returns to form, we would be a defensive team overnight with the abilities of Rondo, Allen, and Brewer--plus Perk in the lane.  Wow.  His shot is ok; he's not a high scorer, but he would play mega minutes from early on.  My head says this is the guy, even though we have too many wings and not enough bigs.
   
  Yi Jianlian.  In all of a ten second clip last night, I was impressed.  His vision seems to be excellent.  He knows where he is on the court.  He's quite mobile and completely focused.  His body is nicely proportioned and he clearly could play in the corner or in the lane.  Lots of questions:  competitive fire? banger mentality? defensive desire?  Still, I'm impressed that he should be considered and would understand if we chose him--from a talent standpoint.  The long article on him emphasized his great shooting touch; that would be a necessity for a 7 foot PF.
   
  Finally, Hibbert.  I don't have a feeling here.  He's big and improved a lot and can be a functional center.  Is he an upgrade over Perk?  I don't think we'll take him unless we think that's clearly the case.
   
  Well, I look forward to assessments from those who have seen more of these guys.  I think we'll add a player who can crack our top seven immediately and hopefully be a difference maker soon.  Now, we can repair to judging the careers of Oden and Durant from afar, happy that they will not be in the East, and resigned to our too slow building process.  Still, as was said at the end of a favorite movie (Grand Canyon), "it's not all bad."  Cheers, Gene

       
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