Drafting Mistake

[Brickowski]

The teams that picked from #22 through #36 in last year's draft (including the Celtics) made a big miskake in not selecting Luc Mbah a Moute, who, with the possible exception of George Hill, is way better than any of other other players picked at those spots.  For starters, he defends.

[cdif911]

The teams that picked from #22 through #36 in last year's draft (including the Celtics) made a big miskake in not selecting Luc Mbah a Moute, who, with the possible exception of George Hill, is way better than any of other other players picked at those spots.  For starters, he defends.

Hindsight is 20/20, nbadraft.net had him at 46 (and Erden at 38 for the record) - in a top heavy draft like this one, the end of the 1st and the whole second round is a crapshoot, and again its only been 3/4 of a year, give it time, if JR was playing big minutes for Milwaukee he may be doing similar things for the Bucks

[ManUp]

Whatever happened to DeVon Hardin?

[Amonkey]

Isn't he a prince too?  He's like Eddie Murphy in "Coming to America"

[Brickowski]

Hindsight is 20/20, nbadraft.net had him at 46 (and Erden at 38 for the record) - in a top heavy draft like this one, the end of the 1st and the whole second round is a crapshoot, and again its only been 3/4 of a year, give it time, if JR was playing big minutes for Milwaukee he may be doing similar things for the Bucks

Hindsight shouldn't be 20-20 for professionals like Ainge who have access to information (especially film) that mere fans like us never see and that the Jon Givorneys (the guy who runs DraftExpress) of the world never see.  When you are paid (in part) for your drafting acumen, passing on a clearly superior player is a mistake. It can't be rationalized away.

[xmuscularghandix]

The teams that picked from #22 through #36 in last year's draft (including the Celtics) made a big miskake in not selecting Luc Mbah a Moute, who, with the possible exception of George Hill, is way better than any of other other players picked at those spots.  For starters, he defends.

Hindsight is 20/20, nbadraft.net had him at 46 (and Erden at 38 for the record) - in a top heavy draft like this one, the end of the 1st and the whole second round is a crapshoot, and again its only been 3/4 of a year, give it time, if JR was playing big minutes for Milwaukee he may be doing similar things for the Bucks

Doc and Danny have actually said similar stuff about JR's defense, such as (paraphrasing)

"his offense needs to catch up, but we feel that he's good enough right now for the NBA defensively"

I actually think that if he made it a goal of his, that he could make an All-Defensive team. but then again so could alot of players if that was the type of thing NBA stars drove for.

[Thruthelookingglass]

Hindsight is 20/20, nbadraft.net had him at 46 (and Erden at 38 for the record) - in a top heavy draft like this one, the end of the 1st and the whole second round is a crapshoot, and again its only been 3/4 of a year, give it time, if JR was playing big minutes for Milwaukee he may be doing similar things for the Bucks

Hindsight shouldn't be 20-20 for professionals like Ainge who have access to information (especially film) that mere fans like us never see and that the Jon Givorneys (the guy who runs DraftExpress) of the world never see.  When you are paid (in part) for your drafting acumen, passing on a clearly superior player is a mistake. It can't be rationalized away.

If it were that easy, the League could just hire one guy who would assign the rookies to their teams.  There are so many variables that even with the best info, these guys are still rolling the dice. 

[ctrey]

The truth is, Giddens plays at the 2 where we have been set all year. There was no way he would see the light of day. If he had been that good, he would have been picked higher. We have to remember that anything you get from players picked past 25 give or take is complete gravy.

[cordobes]

Meh... for months I was the only one touting this guy, nice to see people joining the bandwagon. I've been a fan of LRMAM since his freshman year in college and I'd absolutely have drafted him if I were a GM picking in the late 1st, early 2nd, but even I'm surprised how good he's been. Terrific defender and his offensive game - horrific by the start of the season - as been progressing steadily.

if JR was playing big minutes for Milwaukee he may be doing similar things for the Bucks

How do you know that? Is that even reasonable to expect? I don't think so. If JR Giddens was as good as LRMAM, I guarantee he'd be getting minutes in the C's.

I actually think that if he made it a goal of his, that he could make an All-Defensive team.

Who? JR Giddens?

Whatever happened to DeVon Hardin?

He's playing in Greece. He isn't NBA material.

[Cman]

The teams that picked from #22 through #36 in last year's draft (including the Celtics) made a big miskake in not selecting Luc Mbah a Moute, who, with the possible exception of George Hill, is way better than any of other other players picked at those spots.  For starters, he defends.

Good for Luc that he is doing so well. 
But, it is a little early to hand out the awards for 2008 draft.  It will take a few years to know where everyone will fall if there were to be a do-over. 
One good thing for Milwaukee though is that they signed him to a 3 year deal, so if Luc turns out to be worth it they stand a good chance of keeping him.

[WayneKreklow]

As someone who catches about 70% of UCLA's games in person, Luc was a lot of fun to watch and root for during his years in Westwood.

But being honest? No way did I or any of the people I sit with even think he would be playing in the NBA, let alone having the success he's had. We thought he'd be playing in Greece or Italy.

He's a great example of someone who took every facet of his game seriously. His conditioning is vastly improved, he has lost the baby fat and is driving and shooting with confidence.

If he had played this style last year, the NCAA's would have had a different result

[xmuscularghandix]

Meh... for months I was the only one touting this guy, nice to see people joining the bandwagon. I've been a fan of LRMAM since his freshman year in college and I'd absolutely have drafted him if I were a GM picking in the late 1st, early 2nd, but even I'm surprised how good he's been. Terrific defender and his offensive game - horrific by the start of the season - as been progressing steadily.

if JR was playing big minutes for Milwaukee he may be doing similar things for the Bucks

How do you know that? Is that even reasonable to expect? I don't think so. If JR Giddens was as good as LRMAM, I guarantee he'd be getting minutes in the C's.

I actually think that if he made it a goal of his, that he could make an All-Defensive team.

Who? JR Giddens?

Whatever happened to DeVon Hardin?

He's playing in Greece. He isn't NBA material.

JR was a good defensive player in college, and if this lack of playing time is doing anything its making him work on EVERY part of his game, he was the mountain west MVP, led the league in rebounds as a guard....he's not just some louch, hell if he didn't get into all the crap at Kansas he would have probably been drafted in 07 at an earlier spot.

[EDWARDO]

Hindsight is 20/20, nbadraft.net had him at 46 (and Erden at 38 for the record) - in a top heavy draft like this one, the end of the 1st and the whole second round is a crapshoot, and again its only been 3/4 of a year, give it time, if JR was playing big minutes for Milwaukee he may be doing similar things for the Bucks

Hindsight shouldn't be 20-20 for professionals like Ainge who have access to information (especially film) that mere fans like us never see and that the Jon Givorneys (the guy who runs DraftExpress) of the world never see.  When you are paid (in part) for your drafting acumen, passing on a clearly superior player is a mistake. It can't be rationalized away.

FIRE DANNY NOW!!!

You are so right, Brick. And I'm TOTALLY backing your view that Durant isn't going to be much of an NBA player. The #s he puts up are a FLUKE.

[Brickowski]

Durant's numbers aren't a fluke.  He can score.  But he doesn't pass the ball and he doesn't defend, and therefore he won't win.

[CoachBo]

NO question I'd rather have LMAM right now - but it was rather difficult to forecast this coming out of college.