I like what I see out of Jerome Jordan so far. I like how physical he likes to play and that he really tries to dunk everything close to the rim.
I like how fluid he looks with the ball, he does not apper to be in a hurry when he catches it. He really tries to block everything going to the hole which is something we desperatley need.
These are the things I expected to see out of Hill. Hill last year looked akward on offense and with a year experience in The NBA still looks the same (caught the Houston Summer League game the other day). He still looks very soft too.
Now this is not to say that J. Jordan goes on to have a better season(his spot on the team isnt even certain), but I remember coming away from the Summer League last year like "is that it from or lottery pick?!" but I defenitley am more encouraged about the 44th pick.
Now, once upon a time Greg Ostrateg dominated Tim Duncan in Summer League, so take Summer League performances with a grain of salt....but the point is I like J. Jordan and I think he could be a servicable backup in year or so.
I threw up in my mouth a little when Stern announced we selected Jordan Hill. Like a punch in the gut there... With Jennings & Lawson on the board still too! BUT, I might have drafted Terrence Williams or Gerald Henderson, so I would have struck out as well.
GETTING ANTHONY RANDOLPH ATONES for the blown lottery pick of '09. Simple as that. Why?
1- We still were able to get a PG. At least a young, productive rotation player in last year's draft (Tony Douglas).
2- We were able to use Hill as an asset to get us cap relief, which saved us six mil this year. That means we were able to sign a Felton, or splurge on the Russian while making that deal with GSW.
3- WE TRADED FOR ANTHONY RANDOLPH. Even if Jordan isn't better than HIll, we know for sure Randolph is. With Randolph on the team, Hill had no use. PLUS, we now have 2 lottery selections from 2008 (Gallo and Randolph), so we didn't harm ourselves in that regard.
BOTTOM LINE: When Donnie Walsh took over 2 years ago, we N-E-E-D-E-D two things from our new brain trust.... Walsh was responsible for doing 2 things and 2 things only:
1- Get us out of cap Hell.
2- Get young players in here quickly to build around.
We set out immediately to turn the roster over. I know we dumped Crawford, and people still bemoan this move, but Al Harrington pretty much gave us the same thing. Sure, the Zach Randolph deal too us out of any playoff running..... But it was necessary.
People forget.... If we had Zach and Crawford, and we finish with 38 wins and make the playoffs.... WE DON'T GET A LOTTERY PICK.
Getting TWO lottery selections was equally as intregal to the 2010 plan, as was getting under the cap. We needed to attract stars, and that meant having cap room to sign a sidekick max to our star max player, and surround them with 2 lottery picks. BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE.
SO, we knew we would have TWO lottery selections come 2010. Two promising young players. This was the floor.... the minimun, no?
I think in Danillo Gallinari and Anthony Randolph Walsh has achieved that mission. These are 2 skilled cats. TALL. Both possess unique skill sets. Not only can both mature into max players themselves eventually, but their games compliment GO-TO stars.
After evaluating the roster, we basically had 2 players from the previous regime worth anything: Wilson Chandler & David Lee.
Lee averages 13 points per game for his career. He leaped ahead last season to 20 ppg. Was this the system? Coaching? Our just grit and hard work? Whatever it is.... We turned Lee into 3 role players (one potential star). Lee could have left for nothing.... Look what we got for him?
SO, 2 years later.... Walsh has brought in not just 2 young, promising players... BUt more:
GALLO
RANDOLPH
DOUGLAS
MOZGOV
JORDAN
FIELDS
RAUTINS
Jordan and Rautins are projects. I'm hesitant to even inlcude Rautins. But we know he can shoot. With that NBA-ready skill, he has some worth. But, as we saw with Lee, this kid is a worker-grinder so I expect him to give it 120%.
I believe the other 6 will play roles here for the next 3-5 years. Fields might even become a starter himself. Same with Mozgov. Who knows.
But, draft or whatnot, Walsh brought in a bunch of young players. CHECK!
Got under cap and signed a star (STAT). CHECK.
Still have room for a max in 2011 & another in 2012.
Good job!