Derek Bodner’s Blog

The Sixers walked away from the NBA draft this past week gaining a little bit of everything. From NBA ready players to potential stars. From Power Forwards, to Small Forwards, and Shooting Guards. The Sixers have addressed both positional need and talent, and as such walk away as winners.

That’s not to say there weren’t better outcomes to the NBA draft. There were quite a few outcomes that could have been better than the one that unfolded. There were players who could have dropped, but didn’t. Spencer Hawes, Brandon Wright and Javaris Crittenton came dangerously close to slipping, which would have been great for the Sixers. Hawes specifically appeared to be destined for the Sixers when Chicago passed him up at 9. There was also the thought of trading up in the top 6, however that did not unfold. When you evaluate the moves the Sixers did make and look at whether or not any of them were mistakes, whether or not they passed up on anything of significance, you find that the draft was an overwhelming success. Even trading into the top 6, when you analyze what the Sixers (reportedly) had to give up, not making the move turned out to be correct.

The overall success or failure of the draft, ultimately, is going to be what the Sixers decided to do at the 12th pick in the draft. Thaddeus Young may not be the popular pick, and there were a few other players who had similar potential (Rodney Stuckey), or who were solid fits with the current team and could contribute sooner (Nick Young), but overall Thaddeus Young was as good of a fit for what this team needs as anyone in the draft.

The biggest knock on Thaddeus Young currently is that he is not ready to contribute immediately. He’s incredibly young, turning 19 literally days before the draft. He also does have parts of his game that need to fill out, most glaringly his handles, as he’s pretty much relegated to driving to his left. However, the Sixers don’t need someone who can contribute tomorrow. This is not a team that is one piece away from contending. Thinking that this team can be band-aided into contention would have been a catastrophic mistake. Sure, it’s not impossible that the Sixers could sneak into the playoffs as an 8 seed and get swept in the first round. That, however, should not be anyone’s goals. This team needs impact players, and they potentially got one in Young.

This is a guy with the size to play the part. At 6′8″, with a standing reach of a Power Forward, he has an NBA ready body. He’s the tall Small Forward that this team needs to pair next to Iguodala. Furthermore, if the Sixers are to move Iguodala to the Shooting Guard position they need a Small Forward who has 3 point range. They got just that in Young, who connected on 41.9% of his attempts. He also has world class athleticism, the ability to get into the lane with his strong hand, and a post up game. He’s also been defending the Small Forward position in college, something similar players considered at that position such as Al Thornton have not.

That being said, there are a plethora of young players who have the physical gifts to succeed in this league. The key is not just the potential a player has, but also the probability that player reaches his potential. This is where Thaddeus Young shines. Thaddeus Young compiled a 4.3 GPA in high school. From all accounts he is coachable, and a hard worker. Combine those mental characteristics with his physical characteristics, and the future looks bright for the Sixers.

The rest of the draft was just icing on the cake. Jason Smith was not only a position of need (Power Forward/Center), but also the most upside available at that point of the draft. He’s an athletic 7 footer with ball skills, and a solid rebounder. Derrick Byars was a player who should have been a consideration at 21. As the SEC player of the year, he has good all-around skills, and the size to translate that into the NBA. He can step in and be a rotation player this year.

About the only head-scratcher was the decision on the 30th pick. While I understand the reluctance to have a 3rd guaranteed contract, these contracts are less than most veteran minimum contracts. Whether it was keeping Koponen or drafting Glen Davis, there was talent to be had there. Ideally you could have used that pick (preferably on one of the two players mentioned), then taken Byars at 38. However, that’s a small complaint in an otherwise well-done draft. Overall, I’d give this draft a B+.