The Bobcats didn't move up and didn't move down in the NBA draft lottery Tuesday night, which means they will pick ninth in the June 23 draft, barring a trade of some sort. (And a trade is possible, since they also hold picks No.19 and No.39).
I keep hearing that experimental Beatles song from the White Album in my head when I think about this pick, the one where an unidentified voice keeps repeating "Number 9, number 9, number 9..."
Although I always thought that song was a mess, No.9 really isn't a bad place to be in the NBA draft. As the Bobcats happily note in their press release, notable No.9 NBA Draft picks since 1985 include Tracy McGrady (1997), Dirk Nowitzki (1998), Amar’e Stoudemire (2002) and Joakim Noah (2007). All-stars, all of them.
What the Bobcats don't note -- and I wouldn't either if I were them -- are the misfires at No.9 like Rodney White (who played one year for the Charlotte 49ers before bolting). Or Michael Sweeney. Or Patrick O'Bryant. Or Ike Diogu. All were No.9 picks since 2001, and can you remember anything any of them did in the NBA? Exactly.
You can also get a decent player at No.9, like D.J. Augustin, whom the Bobcats chose in 2008. Augustin has become a decent starting point guard, but not a great one.
Where should Charlotte go with that No.9 pick? I won't pretend to have studied the draft, but if there's a center out there who can help them at all, that's a huge need. A guy like Noah lasting until No.9 -- that's amazing, really, in retrospect, with how much NBA teams value big men.
But wherever Michael Jordan and Rod Higgins go with this one, the pick has to be a starter within two seasons. No ifs, ands or buts. The Bobcats can't afford another Adam Morrison misfire, and what they really need is a home run.
There's a couple of them out there in this draft, even though the draft isn't thought to be particularly strong overall. There always are. But will the Bobcats find him?
We're moving!
9 years ago
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14 comments:
Sporting News has us picking The Jimmer. For the love of FSM, NOOOOO! I can't see them doing it, though, because for a variety of reasons (not all accurate), it'll immediately be panned as "Adam Morrison 2.0".
Noah lasted until 9 in 2007 because the Bobcats weren't smart enough to draft him at 8. (cough, Brandan Wright, cough)
With the dearth of talent in this draft, I think the best move is to package the picks and make a deal with Minnesota at the 2 spot. Or maybe we can slip something in their drink and rescue Kevin Love from them!
NBADraft.net has the cat's taking Leonard from San Diego State at 9
How about packaging DJ with the 9th and 19th pick. Send it to New Orleans for CP3(contract extension included)
@ Anon 12:27pm.....I don't believe this is an option. I heard a report that we must use at least 1 of the first round picks. Teams are not allowed to NOT pick in the first round 2 consecutive years.
We need a Point guard, a center, and a power forward. We have MANY deals to make to solidify the team. It will nto happen in this offseason, but I believe in two years time we will have a very competitive team in Charlotte, and I am for sure not talking about that joke of a team up the road that plays for the Hardees king.
Scott, I always liked your work.
Then you alluded to The Beatles and became my favorite all-time journalist. A trophy noting that achievement will be in the mail shortly, just as soon as I can pry it from Mitch Albom's mini-mitts.
Joe Mamma - I don't agree we need a PF. We have Diaw, Tyrus Thomas and DJ White. We need a center and a scorer. There's not a single center worthy of a first-round pick in this draft. I'd just as soon see us stay at 9 and get either Leonard or Kimba Walker if he's available. Hopefully we can find some stiff who takes up a lot of lane space at 19 or 39. Add those to Hendo, Tyrus and Diop coming back from injury, and we are at least a playoff team (Diop was playing his best ball in years under Silas before he got hurt).
Hopefully the TWolves want Irving bad and then once he's gone put their pick up for trade since they already have a big man in Love. With the #9 and #19 we could possibly trade up w/ Minnesota for Williams?
I know, pipe dream... but you gotta think EVENTUALLY CHARLOTTE SPORTS WILL CATCH A PHUCKING BREAK!!!
The bobcat should do like the Pats do in the NFL draft. Trade down from the 9th pick for another team future 1st round and their 1st round this year. The Bobcats should keep the 19th. Weak draft class this year.
They will resign Kwame Brown at center, take Alec Burks at 9 if he's still available and try to trade for Chris Paul. If we don't get Paul we will go with DJ and Shaun at PG.
I say keep both picks. We can get Leonard at 9, and a kid with serious upside, like Tobias Harris, at 19.
I don't see the real benefit to trading up if we can't get to 1 or 2. The talent in this draft is pretty weak. I like Kantner and Irving, other than that....
If you're trading, trade for a 2012 first rounder. Draft next year will be much stronger.
The Cats could trade down from 9 with (example) the Rockets for their 14 pick and the Rockets 1st round pick in 2012 or 2013. This, way the Cats could get (14) Chris Singleton and (19) Kenneth Faried. I agree this is a weak draft. I don't see a future all-star at 9.
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