Post by Lazy Pete on Jul 19, 2016 9:14:32 GMT -6
This class was heralded as one of the deeper we've had in 4.0, and their preseason numbers lived up to the hype. While it may be lacking in pure star power, especially compared to the top of some other recent drafts, this may be the strongest 1-10 we've had since I've been doing the ladder. Normally I'm reaching to find the last couple spots on the ladder, but I had some really tough omissions this time around. Excited to see what these guys will do without software making the DCs.
1. Gilbert Arenas PG 20 6'3'' 191 B B- B- B C- A
Agent Zero didn't get the start for some reason, but he performed very well in the minutes he did receive. 12 PPG in only 17 minutes is a blistering pace, and I expect Gilbert to remain at or near the top for the remainder of the season.
2. Rodney White SF 21 6'9'' 238 B B- C B+ C+ B
Dumptime was targeting Rodney all the way when he pulled the trigger to move Embiid this offseason. White did not disappoint in preseason, looking very efficient. His FT% indicates that his jumper probably needs a little fine-tuning, but overall this is exactly the kind of performance dump was hoping for.
3. Zach Randolph C 20 6'9'' 260 B+ C- C B- A- A
Odin very vocally proclaimed that Z-Bo would be the best rookie this year, and after seeing this preseason I can see why he was so high on him. Although his efficiency leaves a bit to be desired, he's drawing a lot of FTs and converting them at a very good clip for C- outside. He was a beast on the glass and blocked enough shots to reassure those worried he might only be a one-way player.
4. Eddy Curry C 19 7'1'' 290 B+ D+ D B- B+ A
Curry put up very similar looking numbers to Z-Bo, and it was a tough call to choose who to put where. While he scored a little more efficiently overall, his jumper was slightly worse and he didn't match the rebounding production. Still, this big young fella shows a whole lotta promise for the new-look Nuggets.
5. Loren Woods C 23 7'1'' 245 C+ C- C- B B B
Loren beat out more heralded Jazz rookies Tony Parker, Desagana Diop and Richard Jefferson to claim a spot here. He did everything you want to see from a D/R big and looks ready to contribute right now.
6. Joe Johnson SF 20 6'7'' 220 B- A- B- C+ C A
IsoJoe was a little disappointing as the first overall selection. His offensive output was solid but a little underwhelming, and he really struggled with rebounding. His turnover numbers are a little troubling if his future actually lies at PG, but I think he belongs at PG or SG long term.
7. Jason Richardson SG 20 6'6'' 215 B B- C B C B
The rightful first overall pick, J-Rich did not perform well after being slighted on draft day. Many will say that this is validation for his draft position, but I say it is revenge. Had Victor done the right thing and taken him at 1.1, I have no doubt that J-Rich would be the one we're all clamoring about this season.
8. Pau Gasol PF 21 7'0'' 250 B+ C- C+ A- B+ A
Pau's got grades, but he don't know how to use them. The good news is that he shot FTs well, blocked a good number of shots, rebounded and didn't show any turnover issues. The bad is that horrendous FG%. If JW can give Pau the lovin' he needs, he can be a star. But that's a huge if.
9. Kwame Brown C 19 7'0'' 270 B D+ D B B A
Despite what Stephen A. Smith will tell you, Kwame showed some game. He scored with a lot more efficiency than I would expect from a 19 year old with a lot of question marks, and he shows promise in the other major big man areas. It's a crowded front court in Chicago, so hopefully Kwame doesn't become a forgotten man.
10. Jason Collins C 23 7'0'' 255 B C- D B B B
Jason Collins gets the annual Sidney Deane "Probably not enough playing time to tell, but this guy might be pretty good" spot in my rankings. I was a loud advocate for Collins as a sleeper pick, and while he got very limited minutes in preseason, he showed signs that I may have been correct. The FG% is almost definitely a mirage, but that FT% is better than almost every other rookie this preseason and he displayed some shot blocking and rebounding talent as well. Keep your eye on this one.
Others to watch: Richard Jefferson, Eddie Griffin, Shane Battier, Kedrick Brown, Kyle Austin, Joe Forte, Nigel Smith
Through Preseason
1. Gilbert Arenas PG 20 6'3'' 191 B B- B- B C- A
Agent Zero didn't get the start for some reason, but he performed very well in the minutes he did receive. 12 PPG in only 17 minutes is a blistering pace, and I expect Gilbert to remain at or near the top for the remainder of the season.
2. Rodney White SF 21 6'9'' 238 B B- C B+ C+ B
Dumptime was targeting Rodney all the way when he pulled the trigger to move Embiid this offseason. White did not disappoint in preseason, looking very efficient. His FT% indicates that his jumper probably needs a little fine-tuning, but overall this is exactly the kind of performance dump was hoping for.
3. Zach Randolph C 20 6'9'' 260 B+ C- C B- A- A
Odin very vocally proclaimed that Z-Bo would be the best rookie this year, and after seeing this preseason I can see why he was so high on him. Although his efficiency leaves a bit to be desired, he's drawing a lot of FTs and converting them at a very good clip for C- outside. He was a beast on the glass and blocked enough shots to reassure those worried he might only be a one-way player.
4. Eddy Curry C 19 7'1'' 290 B+ D+ D B- B+ A
Curry put up very similar looking numbers to Z-Bo, and it was a tough call to choose who to put where. While he scored a little more efficiently overall, his jumper was slightly worse and he didn't match the rebounding production. Still, this big young fella shows a whole lotta promise for the new-look Nuggets.
5. Loren Woods C 23 7'1'' 245 C+ C- C- B B B
Loren beat out more heralded Jazz rookies Tony Parker, Desagana Diop and Richard Jefferson to claim a spot here. He did everything you want to see from a D/R big and looks ready to contribute right now.
6. Joe Johnson SF 20 6'7'' 220 B- A- B- C+ C A
IsoJoe was a little disappointing as the first overall selection. His offensive output was solid but a little underwhelming, and he really struggled with rebounding. His turnover numbers are a little troubling if his future actually lies at PG, but I think he belongs at PG or SG long term.
7. Jason Richardson SG 20 6'6'' 215 B B- C B C B
The rightful first overall pick, J-Rich did not perform well after being slighted on draft day. Many will say that this is validation for his draft position, but I say it is revenge. Had Victor done the right thing and taken him at 1.1, I have no doubt that J-Rich would be the one we're all clamoring about this season.
8. Pau Gasol PF 21 7'0'' 250 B+ C- C+ A- B+ A
Pau's got grades, but he don't know how to use them. The good news is that he shot FTs well, blocked a good number of shots, rebounded and didn't show any turnover issues. The bad is that horrendous FG%. If JW can give Pau the lovin' he needs, he can be a star. But that's a huge if.
9. Kwame Brown C 19 7'0'' 270 B D+ D B B A
Despite what Stephen A. Smith will tell you, Kwame showed some game. He scored with a lot more efficiency than I would expect from a 19 year old with a lot of question marks, and he shows promise in the other major big man areas. It's a crowded front court in Chicago, so hopefully Kwame doesn't become a forgotten man.
10. Jason Collins C 23 7'0'' 255 B C- D B B B
Jason Collins gets the annual Sidney Deane "Probably not enough playing time to tell, but this guy might be pretty good" spot in my rankings. I was a loud advocate for Collins as a sleeper pick, and while he got very limited minutes in preseason, he showed signs that I may have been correct. The FG% is almost definitely a mirage, but that FT% is better than almost every other rookie this preseason and he displayed some shot blocking and rebounding talent as well. Keep your eye on this one.
Others to watch: Richard Jefferson, Eddie Griffin, Shane Battier, Kedrick Brown, Kyle Austin, Joe Forte, Nigel Smith
