Draft Watch: Chad Ford

[Nikolokolus]

Who is the mysterious 'NBA GM'?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatch-090410

So, to give you another perspective on the draft, I went to one of my best sources -- an NBA GM with a strong track record in the draft -- and asked for his breakdown.

"The problem with this draft is that most of the players have pretty large flaws that could hurt their productivity in the NBA," the GM told me. "I think a number of them could be really good, but a few of them are going to be busts. It's really like, 'What's your favorite color? There are some blue players, some red players and some green players. What do you like?'"

This is just one man's opinion on this year's draft. We didn't discuss every player, but here's what he thinks about a number of top NBA draft prospects.

Here's the bits regarding the point guards:

Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
"He's special. He can come into the NBA and play right now. There are very few point guards you can say that about. I love him."

Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma
"That guy can really go. I think he could be a big-time scorer and distributor in the league. He reminds me a lot of Chauncey Billups. He's strong, athletic and he can shoot it."

Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
"I think he's a PG. He really needs the ball in his hands to be effective. I think he's got a good enough handle to play the point in our league. If he shot a little better, he'd be a pretty high lottery pick. But I think he's going to be really good."

Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina
"He's terrific. He had a great run in the tournament, and I think he showed everyone that he has worked on his weaknesses and has become a complete player. He's really good."

Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
"He has great size, good speed. He's a good kid. Coaches love him. He's improved every year, which we love. If you're looking at a guy who could come in right now, he's the guy. I think we might have him ranked higher than most teams. I think he's one of the two or three best point guards in the draft."

Ok read the piece and tell me the sunshine pumping going on here doesn't sounds like KP ... Of course there's no way to prove it, but most of the comments just have that KP 'tone'.

Whadya think?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The Eric Maynor entry is so very KP-esque.

 

[Ed O]

Here's a link, btw.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf...?columnist=ford_chad&page=InsiderWatch-090410

Ed O.

 

[Minstrel]

"Everything's a rave!"

Yeah, that does sound like KP's public persona.

Of course, no GM is actually going to provide what he considers useful insight, since he doesn't want to help any of the other teams. So I don't think you can infer much from this. "Everyone could be good or bad and I love them all" seems pretty generic anonymous sports executive talk.

 

[glazeduck]

Would make sense that it's KP. He and Chad Ford have a good working relationship and I believe are even friends...

 

[Nikolokolus]

"Everything's a rave!"

Yeah, that does sound like KP's public persona.

Of course, no GM is actually going to provide what he considers useful insight, since he doesn't want to help any of the other teams. So I don't think you can infer much from this. "Everyone could be good or bad and I love them all" seems pretty generic anonymous sports executive talk.

Sure, I realize I might be reaching, but put it together with Ford's comment about "an NBA GM with a strong track record in the draft", and KP's media friendliness and you have to wonder.

I just noticed some key words and phrases that pop up in KP's speech in interviews ... certainly nothing definitive, but every time I hear "good kid", "special", "in our league", and so forth I can't help but hear KP's drawl.

No biggie, I just thought it was funny.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Maynor seems like a KP type of pick and a prototypical McMillan guard.

 

[Ed O]

Here's a link, btw.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf...?columnist=ford_chad&page=InsiderWatch-090410

Hmm... I thought I'd posted the actual link but I must have been hallucinating again.

Here's the real link, I think.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatch-090410

Ed O.