Jethroeg
Pretty sure this is the highest David Robinson has been taken, though close a couple times at 9. The question becomes why not Dwight? First The Admiral, there’s a lot to like such as three 100 D seasons and two more at or close to 90. While not top notch eFG, he’s one of the few big men who get a big bump in TS% because he hits FT’s and gets to the line a lot. Plenty of usage and Though again in WIS never as much as IRL. Good to solid low TO’s and sometimes a plus passer. Depending on how much you value Stocks (steals and blocks) there’s probably no one better (maybe Hakeem) so he will help you turn your opponent over. The reason he sometimes slides I believe is his bad rebounding and a couple seasons where he’s closer to 50 eFG than 55. Howard is pretty much the same defender with now three 100 seasons and you may have to take a 70 or two with it, but it’s close. Howard is much better eFG scorer and far superior rebounder. He is sloppy with the ball in the high teens TO% and can get into foul trouble, though Robinson is close there too. To me the decision comes down to whether you think you can find enough low TO guys to fit around Howard for the shooting and rebounding advantage. Or can you find enough boards and maybe watch your shooting a little with Robinson. I give the edge to Howard, but it’s close. Pippen is a nice pick here, nice to build around doing everything you need a SG to do except hit a lot of 3’s – the value of which in Savage is a little questionable. Only thing to watch here is your shooting is just ok. Buck Williams. Sooo tempting with that eFG and rebounds. Two drafts in a row he’s slid to late 3rd round after usually being late 2nd and I think this is the right place for him. The shooting is great, rebounds are good and usually solid usage with good to very good D. But if you fear the Towels (TO’s and Fouls) he can be a little scary. He fits ok with this team, Pippen is not the best with TO’s either so you’re team may turn it over a bit. And while he’s good on the boards, next to Robinson your weak on the boards in the front court. Maybe Donyell Marshall here gives you a few seasons of plus rebounds at SF and you can get guys later with 35 creb later. Tough call. Clyde Drexler is curious here. With Pippen you’re either thinking of sneaking some of Drexler or Pippen at the point or SF, which is concerning. Too redundant this early for my taste. Drexler is good on his own, but I don’t see it yet on this team. Cheeks can be appealing with his great D and hit shots when he takes them. But a bad rebounder on a team needing rebounds and more TO’s. He’s pretty low usage so the TO% isn’t as concerning as Buck’s. Also cements that Pippen or Drexler are playing time at SF on a team light on rebounds.
Baron Davis is an underrated defender, good passer but can’t shoot. You got him in the 10th round last time and that’s a good spot for him. 6th round is too early. I like Eddie Jones as a value pick and on this team he’s a pretty good fit behind Pippen (or maybe Drexler?). Welcome to Savage Alton Lister! I believe for the first time. I’ll leave it at that. Alex English will have to compete hard for minutes with Pippen, Drexler and Eddie Jones. He has some decent defensive seasons and can certainly score and rebound for a SG. Just not sure where he’s playing. Maurice Lucas is a good pick and one I had been targeting. He has one very good season with creb close to 40, 70 D, 50 eFG and solid TO’s. He does foul a bit but at this point – great value. If you can live with the other lower shooting seasons maybe also a back up. Michael Ray Richardson has appeal with his defense, rebounds and passing. Sometimes ok with TO’s but other times terrible and he can’t shoot. Guessing he’ll fit behind or next to Cheeks when you don’t go with Baron Davis. And if those guys don’t work you have TJ McConnell. I like the pick and value here, but you just have a lot of guards and wonder if you could have gotten value a little earlier.
Final thoughts: Started out pretty good but the pieces around Robinson, Pippen and Williams could struggle. I think you’ll turn over the ball a lot and miss some shots. Defense is pretty good, but I don’t think enough to overcome it.
Draft Grade: D+
Best value pick: Maurice Lucas
Head scratching pick: Drexler
Projection: 20’s