The NBA Draft came and went last week without any blockbuster moves that most fans were hoping for. There were some moves made though that were pretty interesting.
- Since we are based out of NY, it is probably only fitting to address their move first. How does Zach Randolph fit in with a Knicks team that already has a beast on the low block in Eddy Curry? These players are in some way replicas of each other. Both guys are incredibly talented scorers, who have trouble on the defensive end, and on the glass. That being said, Randolph did average 10 rebounds a game last year, so he is getting better. The Knicks had trouble scoring the ball when Curry was on the bench last year, but I don't foresee them having that problem anymore. Add in Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, and Quentin Richardson and the Knicks can score in so many different ways now. It will be interesting to see how all of these pieces blend together, because the guys I just mentioned are all really only known for their scoring. The Knicks have some solid role players in David Lee and Renaldo Balkman, which will help balance out this squad. These guys are pure hustle and should be on the court at all times with the offensive juggernauts now on the Knicks roster. Isiah took a chance on Randolph to help his squad get back into the playoffs, and did not really give up that much. I would say that it was a great deal in that respect.
Portland has been the most active squads over the 2 years on draft night. They have made the effort to rid themselves of bad character guys, while adding talented youth to the squad. This year was no different. By getting rid of Randolph, they lose a scoring machine, but also a guy who apparently was a problem in their locker room. Randolph was the last remaining player from the 'Jail Blazer' era, which GM Kevin Pritchard has been trying to disassociate from. In return for Randolph, the Blazers added a big man who can step away from the hoop and be effective. Channing Frye is a jump shooting big man, who should be a perfect complement to Greg Oden. Oden will make Frye look like a good defender, by shutting down the paint. Frye struggled a bit last season, but I think he is another great young piece for Portland. As for Steve Francis, I just don't see him sticking on the roster for long. Looking at the frontcourt of the Blazers, it is hard not to drool over their future when you see Oden, Frye, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Josh McRoberts. These guys on paper are perfect complements for each other, but will that play out on the court?
- The other big move of the night had Boston sending the #5 pick (Jeff Green), Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West for Ray Allen and Glen 'Big Baby' Davis. This move has been met with great skepticism by Celtics fans, but I really love it. Allen is one of the best shooting guards in the league, and will combine with Paul Pierce to give the Celtics the best wing combo in the East. Pierce has developed a great mid-range game, and Allen will keep the double teams from coming. The Celtics had a terribly tough time scoring last season when Pierce was hurt, but no longer should that be a problem, cause Allen can score from anywhere on the court. With these two on the wings and Al Jefferson inside, the Celtics are back on track. Jefferson was one of the best big men in the league during the second half of the season, and has been one of the most sought after players in the league this summer. The Celtics were smart to hold onto him, cause he will be the face of the franchise when Pierce decides to hang it up. Outside of those three guys, the Celtics have some solid young players in Ryan Gomes, Rajon Rondo, and Gerald Green. If those guys can continue their progress, I can see the Celtics battling for one of the final playoff spots.
Across the country, the Celtics trading partner, the Seattle Supersonics, made out fairly well themselves. By getting rid of Ray Allen, the Sonics have committed to a full rebuilding project. After taking Kevin Durant with their first pick, they got Jeff Green with their pick from the Celtics. Durant and Green were the two of the most versatile players in the draft and to come away with both of them is great. Durant will handle the heavy scoring burden, while Green will mostly play point forward; they are perfect fits for each other. It will be interesting to see what the Sonics do around these two, but there are some good players on their roster to start with. I love the addition of Delonte West to their backcourt. He is a smart player, who can start at the point or the two spot for a lot of squads, but is best suited to be the first guard off of the bench, which he will be here in Seattle. Luke Ridnour is a very poor man's Steve Nash, but will be good enough to start. He is quick to the hoop and can hit from outside, but struggles to keep other point guards in front of him. Will his offensive prowess be able to make up for his defensive struggles, only time will tell, but history says no. Outside of Ridnour, I like Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison at the power forward spot. Both of them hit the boards hard and provide some offensive punch to the lineup. If only the Sonics could figure out a way to combine these players, they would have an All Star power forward. Time will tell if the Sonics made the right move by getting rid of Ray Allen, but as it looks right now, their future is bright once again.
...are Jackie Clarke and Tim Curcio. 
