H o o p s C o r n e r . c o m
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February 23, 2005
By Tyson Wirth
Continued
- The Pacers are the reverse of the Sonics on the court this year; used to division leads they find themselves meddling in mediocrity, even after the return of Jermaine O’Neal from suspension. If it continues, the Pacers will draft higher than they have in years; a scary proposition for other Eastern Conference GM’s considering how well Indiana has drafted even with late picks.
In 2000 they took Primoz Brezec with the 27th overall pick and basketball fans everywhere went, “who?” Brezec appeared in only 62 games his first three seasons with Indiana, but that was more due to the Pacer’s exceptional front court depth than lack of talent, as is evidenced now by his breakout season in Charlotte. In 2001 Indianapolis snatched the lighting-quick Jamaal Tinsley away from Memphis to complete an earlier trade (again exploiting the 27th pick).
Tinsley has proven invaluable during the team’s rough patch without O’Neal, Ron Artest, and Stephen Jackson, and might be the quickest player in the league not named Iverson. In 2002 President Donnie Walsh stole leaper Fred Jones with the 14th selection, who has since become a league Slam Dunk Champion and one of the most explosive sixth men in the league.
In 2004 the Pacers chose Colorado center David Harrison with the final pick of the first round, and again it seems they’ve struck gold after all the glitter was taken (Harrison ranks second in the league in field goal percentage).
The Pacers may be struggling on the court, but management’s soaring off of it.
FOOL’S GOLD
- The Detroit Pistons are world champions. They buzz-sawed through the Laker’s dynasty, and they’re probably the greatest defensive team since Chicago roamed the hardwood with #23. Recently, though, their drafts have gone about as well as the Pitt-Aniston marriage.
In 2000 they drafted a feisty winner out of Michigan State named Mateen Cleaves. Fast forward to present day, and Cleaves has played exactly 15 minutes this season while the nine players drafted immediately after him are contributing, including a couple of studs like Desmond Mason and Quentin Richardson.
In 2001 they took Rodney White with the ninth pick, ahead of such players as Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson, Troy Murphy, Zach Randolph, Jamaal Tinsley, and Tony Parker. Yes, that Rodney White.
In 2002 they did well to get Tayshaun Prince, but in 2003 they reverted to their old ways by taking Darko Milicic (Aside, GM Joe Dumar’s logic with the Serbian has always been mystifying… even if Darko does develop into an All-Star one day, an eyebrow-raising suggestion, why would he want to stay in Detroit where he was hogtied to the bench for so long? Curious thinking…) ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Kirk inrich, and super-stud Dwayne Wade. In 2004 they got Rickey Paulding in the second round, and that was it.
Celebrate while you can, Pistons fans, because unless Dumars can keep pulling off trades for beasts such as the Wallaces, your days as king of the hill will be numbered.
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