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Gansey, Pittsnogle, and the NBA Draft |
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Written by Myles Forsyth
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Monday, 12 June 2006 |
For some strange reason I have always loved the NBA Draft. I really don’t know why but I watch every pick, read every mock draft, and make my own mock. This years draft will have my attention because West Virginia University will finally have a player drafted. Mike Gansey and Kevin Pittsnogle will be bringing their talents to the big show next year. Can you imagine what Pittsnogle does with his signing bonus? I’m thinking the world’s first ever triple-wide trailer. I mean that thing is going to be decked out. We’re talking two bedrooms, one and a half baths, full kitchen, 27” TV...it’s the big time baby!
Realistically though I feel that Gansey is one of the top five players at his position in the draft. What he lacks in size he makes up for in grit and determination. He has shown a mastery of the Mountaineer offense, showing that he understands the game and has an incredibly high basketball IQ. People always forget about Gansey’s athleticism also, the guy is sneaky quick with a great first step and excellent leaping ability. He continually rises above much taller players to snatch offensive rebounds and puts them back with acrobatic reverse lay-ups. A playoff team would have to be crazy to think that this guy couldn’t come in and start contributing from day one. How great would it be if he could end up in Phoenix? I can see him cutting back door right now, catching a bounce pass from Nash, going under the hoop, and putting home the reverse lay-in.
Let’s see what players will probably and unfortunately be selected before him at the two guard. Brandon Roy, Randy Foye, JJ Reddick, Shannon Brown, Maurice Ager, and Ronnie Brewer are all pretty much locks for the first round; even Quincy Douby from Rutgers is rumored to have a first round guarantee. Of those players I would only select the first three ahead of Gansey. Reddick, only because a shooter of his quality and with his understanding of the game comes around only so often. The sad truth is that Gansey may slip to the second round, losing him a lot of money. There is not a doubt in my mind however, that he will make the NBA’s All Rookie team and be some lucky team’s most pleasant surprise.
Pittsnogle, unless a team late in the first round decides they have the perfect system for him to flourish in, will be a second round pick. He lacks the athleticism to defend in the NBA. His great shooting will definitely get him in the rotation and put him on the floor, just not for many minutes because he has no chance of defending anybody. Big Kevin, despite his size, is only a lackluster rebounder. These are things he will be able to improve on in the NBA, as well as his strength, agility, and post game. Think about this though, if Pittsnogle was some European kid from Ukraine NBA teams would probably be drooling over him, and pick him way too high ala Nikoloz Tskitishvilli.
All right, enough about my West Virginia boys. I just can’t resist the urge to make my own mock draft…or at least just the lottery.
1. Toronto: Andrea Bargnani PF Italy: What did I say about European big men? The NBA can’t get enough of them. I’ve also read rumors of a Charlie Villanueva trade which leads me to believe the Raptors may be trying to clear up space in the front court.
2. Chicago: Lamarcus Aldridge C Texas: The Bulls need help inside. The Tyson Chandler project is officially over as the Bulls start fresh with their new center of the future.
3. Charlotte: Rudy Gay SF UCONN: This is my favorite player in the draft. I think he is a steal at number three and will be the best player of this class. His athleticism and versatility translates perfectly to the NBA game and I think questions about his passion for the game are nothing more than nit-picking.
4. Portland: Tyrus Thomas PF LSU: The Blazers are a mess; they resist the urge to take Pacific Northwesterners Adam Morrison and Brandon Roy to get the best player available.
5. Atlanta: Brandon Roy SG WASH: The Hawks pass on Morrison due to the fact they already have three starting small forwards.
6. Minnesota: Adam Morrison SF GON: He could go number one overall but Minnesota will get a steal, and a scoring punch to compliment KG and Ricky Davis.
7. Boston: Randy Foye SG VILL: As complete a player as is left on the board, the Celtics continue a trend of solid draft picks.
8. Houston: Shelden Williams PF DUKE: The Rockets have a lot of needs, but put this banger next to Yao and only good things can happen.
9. Golden State: JJ Reddick SG DUKE: Golden State has no outside shooting until they select Reddick, maybe a little too high.
10. Seattle: Rodney Carney SF Memphis: Seattle has no choice but to select the best player left on the board. This happens to be world class athlete Carney, who can dunk from just about anywhere.
11. Orlando: Patrick O’Bryant C Bradley: I don’t think this guy is any good. I also have a hatred for mid major conferences, so I’m biased. He did take Aaron Gray to school in the tournament, so the Magic get a young big man whose main job will be to stay out of Dwight Howard’s way.
12. New Orleans/OK City: Cedric Simmons: PF NC STATE: This long athletic specimen will look good catching alley-oops from Chris Paul.
13. Philadelphia: Marcus Willams PG UCONN: Lock your doors Philadelphia. The Sixers will go ahead and draft Williams, a player who has pawned more things than Bobby Fisher, to dribble the ball up the court and pass to AI.
14. Utah Jazz: Aaron Gray C PITT: Ostertag retired, why not draft another big, white slug to foul out in 20 minutes per game?
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