Post by sonnyblack on Nov 22, 2010 14:45:38 GMT -5
The 1999 SSBLv4 Draft
Picks 11-20
In case you missed out on the first part of the series you can catch up here:
ssbl4.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=articles&thread=1922&post=12574
Now we will take a look on the middle of the draft and while the top ten has produced some solid to great careers, you will not find that much in this part of the ranking.
Wally Szczerbiak, 11th Overall Pick
1999: Cleveland Cavaliers, SF 22 6'7'' 244 C+ B+ C- C+ C B
2003: Indiana Pacers, SF 26 6'7'' 244 C+ A- C- B- C+ C
344 Career Games: 34.2mpg 15.2ppg 5.9rpg 2.3apg 1.1spg 0.1bpg 2.3topg
After spending his first 4 seasons in Cleveland with the team that drafted him, the Cavaliers decided not to bring him back. As a result Wally signed with the Pacers for the MLE this summer where he is now coming off the bench to provide instant offense. However there is more to his game and the possibility that he might start somewhere later in his career is not excluded.
Grade: A-
Kenny Thomas, 12th Overall Pick
1999: Atlanta Hawks, PF 6'8'' 22 250 B- C+ C- B- B- B
2003: Chicago Bulls, PF 26 6'8'' 250 B- C+ C- C+ B D
331 Career Games: 19.2mpg 7.0ppg 5.9rpg 1.3apg 0.5spg 0.3bpg 1.7topg
After a solid rookie campaign, the drop off in Thomas' production has been alarming. Currently he is averaging career lows in all aspects of his game so nobody wonders that the Hawks let him walk for nothing. He is a good rebounder and has a nice touch for a bigman, however his lack of interior defense will push him out of the league sooner than later.
Grade: C
Wang Zhizhi, 13th Overall Pick
1999: Utah Jazz, C 22 7'0" 285 C+ C+ D C+ C+ A
2003: Utah Jazz, C 26 7'0'' 285 B- C+ D- B- B- C
270 Career Games: 19.3mpg 9.1ppg 5.2rpg 1.2apg 0.4spg 0.7bpg 1.6topg
Not counting Kirilenko who is still on his first contract in the league, Wang is the first player I crossed that is still on the same team that drafted him. If the reasons are to be found in his GMs affection for him, his low trade value or the promise that he is showing night in and night out remains a mystery. He sat out the entire 2002 seasons with injuries and it is questionable if he can ever recover.
Grade: C
Igor Rakocevic, 14th Overall Pick
1999: Utah Jazz, PG 21 6'3" 180 C+ C+ C+ C D+ A
2003: Utah Jazz, PG 25 6'3'' 180 C C+ C+ C D C
20 Career Games: 4.1mpg 1.3ppg 0.8rpg 0.6apg 0.4spg 0.0bpg 0.1topg
The Jazz didn't do much good to themselves when they picked Rakocevic with the first non-lottery pick in this draft. His career has been a disaster and his skills never developed to the point where he can get regular minutes in this league. After spending the season after being drafted overseas, Rakocevic has yet to play 100 minutes in the league. Time for him to search employment in Europe this coming summer.
Grade: F
Devean George, 15th Overall Pick
1999: Houston Rockets, SF 22 6'8'' 225 B- C+ D+ B- C+ B
2003: Chicago Bulls, SF 25 6'8'' 220 B B- D+ B- C+ C
338 Career Games: 26.7mpg 8.9ppg 5.0rpg 1.4apg 0.8spg 0.2bpg 1.6topg
George produced nicely as a role player early on for the Rockets, with his career year being his junior season. Since then his development seems to be on the decline and at this point it seems unlikely that we will see him starting for another team again. He can score, rebound and even defend if asked to but the lack in his ability to dribble the ball don't make him a hot commodity.
Grade: B
Kostas Tsartsaris, 16th Overall Pick
1999: Denver Nuggets, C 20 6'10'' 230 C+ C+ D- C+ C A
2003: Free Agent, PF 6'10'' 230 24 C B- C- C C C
12 Career Games, 11.7mpg 2.3ppg 2.4rpg 0.3apg 0.3spg 0.2bpg 1.2topg
Full of potential when entering the league Tsartsaris has made a name for himself in the league, but not for his basketball skills. The Kosta-line has become known for players who like to coast (cruise) along and in the process average more turnovers then assists, steals and blocks combined. The Nuggets quickly realized their mistake and so he hasn't played a single game since his rookie campaign.
Grade: F
Chris Andersen, 17th Overall Pick
1999: Charlotte Hornets, PF 21 6'10 230 C+ D+ D+ B+ C+ B
2003: Atlanta Hawks, C 25 6'10'' 230 C+ D+ D+ A C+ C
367 Career Games: 26.4mpg 5.0ppg 7.5rpg 1.4apg 0.8spg 2.5bpg 1.0topg
The Birdman has been spectacular upon entering the league, taking home his first of 3 consecutive All Defensive Team honors in his rookie season. The highlight of his career was when he blocked 10 shots in a single game. These skills will ensure that we will continue to see him on the floor on a nightly basis, even though his playing time decreased since joining a stronger Hawks franchise.
Grade: A
Desmond Mason, 18th Overall Pick
1999: Chicago Bulls, SG 22 6'5" 217 B C- C- C+ C B
2003: Free Agent, SG 6'5'' 217 26 B- C C C+ C- D
275 Career Games: 23.1mpg 6.2ppg 3.6rpg 1.2apg 1.0spg 0.1bbp 1.3topg
Mason is a nice guy and all, but that has not helped him find another gig after his rookie contract ran out with the Bulls. He seems to have lost the explosiveness he was known for as a rookie and has not developed as a perimeter threat. It is highly unlikely that a team will give him another shot after his unspectacular numbers hit a career low last season.
Grade: C-
Todd McCulloch, 19th Overall Pick
1999: Phoenix Suns, C 22 7'1'' 280 C+ D+ D B- B B
2003: Houston Rockets, C 26 7'1'' 280 C D+ F+ B- B- C
275 Career Games: 24.0mpg 4.6ppg 7.6rpg 1.1apg 0.7spg 0.8bpg 1.3topg
McCulloch spent his entire rookie contract playing for the Suns where he showed the most promise in his first 3 seasons and played 246 out of 246 games. Then the injury bug hit him and now he has trouble to even get on the court. Since he will not get any quicker or jump better at this point I think it is safe to consider that the Rockets will be the last stop in his SSBLv4 career.
Grade: C+
Raja Bell, 20th Overall Pick
1999: Boston Celtics, SG 22 6'5" 205 C B- C- B+ D+ C
2003: Seattle Supersonics, SF 26 6'5'' 205 C+ B+ C B+ C- C
363 Career Games: 21.6mpg 4.6ppg 2.9rpg 1.3apg 0.9spg 0.1bpg 1.3topg
Bell's career is far from spectacular, but he has found his niche in this league unlike most players who are mentioned in this article. He spent his first seasons with the Celtics and after being traded to the Supersonics you can see him coming off the bench consistently for 15-20 minutes per game. His game improved alot since being drafted and any contender will be happy to have him on his bench for his defense and shooting.
Grade: A
Picks 11-20
In case you missed out on the first part of the series you can catch up here:
ssbl4.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=articles&thread=1922&post=12574
Now we will take a look on the middle of the draft and while the top ten has produced some solid to great careers, you will not find that much in this part of the ranking.
Wally Szczerbiak, 11th Overall Pick
1999: Cleveland Cavaliers, SF 22 6'7'' 244 C+ B+ C- C+ C B
2003: Indiana Pacers, SF 26 6'7'' 244 C+ A- C- B- C+ C
344 Career Games: 34.2mpg 15.2ppg 5.9rpg 2.3apg 1.1spg 0.1bpg 2.3topg
After spending his first 4 seasons in Cleveland with the team that drafted him, the Cavaliers decided not to bring him back. As a result Wally signed with the Pacers for the MLE this summer where he is now coming off the bench to provide instant offense. However there is more to his game and the possibility that he might start somewhere later in his career is not excluded.
Grade: A-
Kenny Thomas, 12th Overall Pick
1999: Atlanta Hawks, PF 6'8'' 22 250 B- C+ C- B- B- B
2003: Chicago Bulls, PF 26 6'8'' 250 B- C+ C- C+ B D
331 Career Games: 19.2mpg 7.0ppg 5.9rpg 1.3apg 0.5spg 0.3bpg 1.7topg
After a solid rookie campaign, the drop off in Thomas' production has been alarming. Currently he is averaging career lows in all aspects of his game so nobody wonders that the Hawks let him walk for nothing. He is a good rebounder and has a nice touch for a bigman, however his lack of interior defense will push him out of the league sooner than later.
Grade: C
Wang Zhizhi, 13th Overall Pick
1999: Utah Jazz, C 22 7'0" 285 C+ C+ D C+ C+ A
2003: Utah Jazz, C 26 7'0'' 285 B- C+ D- B- B- C
270 Career Games: 19.3mpg 9.1ppg 5.2rpg 1.2apg 0.4spg 0.7bpg 1.6topg
Not counting Kirilenko who is still on his first contract in the league, Wang is the first player I crossed that is still on the same team that drafted him. If the reasons are to be found in his GMs affection for him, his low trade value or the promise that he is showing night in and night out remains a mystery. He sat out the entire 2002 seasons with injuries and it is questionable if he can ever recover.
Grade: C
Igor Rakocevic, 14th Overall Pick
1999: Utah Jazz, PG 21 6'3" 180 C+ C+ C+ C D+ A
2003: Utah Jazz, PG 25 6'3'' 180 C C+ C+ C D C
20 Career Games: 4.1mpg 1.3ppg 0.8rpg 0.6apg 0.4spg 0.0bpg 0.1topg
The Jazz didn't do much good to themselves when they picked Rakocevic with the first non-lottery pick in this draft. His career has been a disaster and his skills never developed to the point where he can get regular minutes in this league. After spending the season after being drafted overseas, Rakocevic has yet to play 100 minutes in the league. Time for him to search employment in Europe this coming summer.
Grade: F
Devean George, 15th Overall Pick
1999: Houston Rockets, SF 22 6'8'' 225 B- C+ D+ B- C+ B
2003: Chicago Bulls, SF 25 6'8'' 220 B B- D+ B- C+ C
338 Career Games: 26.7mpg 8.9ppg 5.0rpg 1.4apg 0.8spg 0.2bpg 1.6topg
George produced nicely as a role player early on for the Rockets, with his career year being his junior season. Since then his development seems to be on the decline and at this point it seems unlikely that we will see him starting for another team again. He can score, rebound and even defend if asked to but the lack in his ability to dribble the ball don't make him a hot commodity.
Grade: B
Kostas Tsartsaris, 16th Overall Pick
1999: Denver Nuggets, C 20 6'10'' 230 C+ C+ D- C+ C A
2003: Free Agent, PF 6'10'' 230 24 C B- C- C C C
12 Career Games, 11.7mpg 2.3ppg 2.4rpg 0.3apg 0.3spg 0.2bpg 1.2topg
Full of potential when entering the league Tsartsaris has made a name for himself in the league, but not for his basketball skills. The Kosta-line has become known for players who like to coast (cruise) along and in the process average more turnovers then assists, steals and blocks combined. The Nuggets quickly realized their mistake and so he hasn't played a single game since his rookie campaign.
Grade: F
Chris Andersen, 17th Overall Pick
1999: Charlotte Hornets, PF 21 6'10 230 C+ D+ D+ B+ C+ B
2003: Atlanta Hawks, C 25 6'10'' 230 C+ D+ D+ A C+ C
367 Career Games: 26.4mpg 5.0ppg 7.5rpg 1.4apg 0.8spg 2.5bpg 1.0topg
The Birdman has been spectacular upon entering the league, taking home his first of 3 consecutive All Defensive Team honors in his rookie season. The highlight of his career was when he blocked 10 shots in a single game. These skills will ensure that we will continue to see him on the floor on a nightly basis, even though his playing time decreased since joining a stronger Hawks franchise.
Grade: A
Desmond Mason, 18th Overall Pick
1999: Chicago Bulls, SG 22 6'5" 217 B C- C- C+ C B
2003: Free Agent, SG 6'5'' 217 26 B- C C C+ C- D
275 Career Games: 23.1mpg 6.2ppg 3.6rpg 1.2apg 1.0spg 0.1bbp 1.3topg
Mason is a nice guy and all, but that has not helped him find another gig after his rookie contract ran out with the Bulls. He seems to have lost the explosiveness he was known for as a rookie and has not developed as a perimeter threat. It is highly unlikely that a team will give him another shot after his unspectacular numbers hit a career low last season.
Grade: C-
Todd McCulloch, 19th Overall Pick
1999: Phoenix Suns, C 22 7'1'' 280 C+ D+ D B- B B
2003: Houston Rockets, C 26 7'1'' 280 C D+ F+ B- B- C
275 Career Games: 24.0mpg 4.6ppg 7.6rpg 1.1apg 0.7spg 0.8bpg 1.3topg
McCulloch spent his entire rookie contract playing for the Suns where he showed the most promise in his first 3 seasons and played 246 out of 246 games. Then the injury bug hit him and now he has trouble to even get on the court. Since he will not get any quicker or jump better at this point I think it is safe to consider that the Rockets will be the last stop in his SSBLv4 career.
Grade: C+
Raja Bell, 20th Overall Pick
1999: Boston Celtics, SG 22 6'5" 205 C B- C- B+ D+ C
2003: Seattle Supersonics, SF 26 6'5'' 205 C+ B+ C B+ C- C
363 Career Games: 21.6mpg 4.6ppg 2.9rpg 1.3apg 0.9spg 0.1bpg 1.3topg
Bell's career is far from spectacular, but he has found his niche in this league unlike most players who are mentioned in this article. He spent his first seasons with the Celtics and after being traded to the Supersonics you can see him coming off the bench consistently for 15-20 minutes per game. His game improved alot since being drafted and any contender will be happy to have him on his bench for his defense and shooting.
Grade: A
