Obvious Update - 6/12/09: We will Get One of Our Top-5 Choices (not named Griffin)

Maybe I will make these "Obvious Updates" a more regular thing.  Maybe I won't.  Maybe I will be told to shut my goddamn useless mouth by you all.  Maybe then, in a retaliatory act, I will go to a local birth ward and punch infants in the face.  Maybe you should read on for an obvious, optimistic and somewhat shallowly-logical take on the number four pick in this year's draft.

The good news is we will get one of our top-5 preferred picks in this year's draft (not named Griffin).  However, the "not named Griffin" thing hurts.  It really does. 

Sure, our biggest need is not in the frontcourt.  But, our biggest need is an all-star to super-star level talent on the roster, and that, without a doubt would've been Griffin.  The Clippers (who have had three overall number one picks in their history) get to take our date to the prom.  We can only stand there and watch as they makeout to "Faithfully" by Journey, while we pull out our flask and take a huge, burning swig of the old man's liquor.

As an aside, I wish to point out that the Clippers' good fortune in receiving number picks is not an indication of good luck or karma or anything positive.  It stems from the fact that they are a sloppily run, fiscally-frugal-to-the-point-of-being-frustrating, piece of shit franchise, who deserve no good fortune whatsoever, however, continue to be "rewarded" with lottery talent because of their own god damn incompetence.  What I'm trying to say is: It's just not fair.  Moving on.

Besides Griffin, I think based on reports and speculation and other media surrounding the draft (especially in the past few weeks), that we, as fans, would prefer to have (and will likely have a chance at acquiring) the following five players at the 4 spot (note - if you do not agree with my list, that's fine...but it is MY list, so...): Rubio, Evans, Thabeet, Holiday, and (Jennings or Flynn).  I had to put Jennings and Flynn together in parenthesis, in order to count them as one player.  Otherwise, my list would be a top-6 list, and that is just weird.  Nobody does that.

Simple math tells us that one of these guys will be available when it is our turn to draft.  That is good (and yes, OBVIOUS) news.  So, what's the point?

Only this! - (now you have to picture Jim Carrey opening and closing a sliding glass door repeatedly whilst yelling for an extended period of time).

Sorry, that was a stall tactic.  

The point is, I'm really warming on Evans and of course, I still like Rubio (despite Jennings' assessment of him).  Jennings has swagger, obviously, but it concerns me that his ego could potentially limit his game (much like Starbury).  Flynn, I think is Chris Paul-Lite, which is obviously not a bad thing, and Holiday seems like he could be a good playmaker/defender, which are very important skills desperately needed right now.

It's all gut feeling but, the way I see it, the upside of each guy is best expressed as follows:

Rubio could be better than Nash as the distributor, but seems to lack the shooting.  However, I honestly believe that his shooting will improve.  There is time for him to work on it.  Plus, we have Martin/Garcia/Greene to shoot from range, and Hawes/Thompson to finish inside.  All we really need Rubio to do is pick-and-roll, penetrate-and-dish, and make free throws.  Plus I think Rubio is an underrated defender and is more quick to the loose balls than his "not-the-most-athletic-guy" label suggests.

Evans could be very similar to Agent Zero, whose game I love.  I think Evans could be one of the true stars of this draft.  Sure, we need a distribute-first PG, but I wouldn't feel too badly about having Martin/Evans as the back court.  I think Evans can do enough to involve his teammates while being able to create on his own and be a threat to score from outside or beating the other guards off the dribble and finishing inside.  Martin and Evans would instantly be one of the better backcourts around as far as scoring threats.   

Jennings I think is the real mystery here.  More so than Rubio.  I really don't know what to make of this kid, except he is either going to be really special, or really disappointing.  I don't see the Derek Rose comparisons that some have suggested, to be honest.  I see Rondo.  Maybe better than Rondo.  But still, I see Rondo.  Well, not quite Rondo per se.  I see Rondo, without a good outside shot, better handles and a big knuckle where his brain should be.  Having Rondo on the team would not be a bad thing, but I would rather have Evans or Rubio than Rondo, and thus, I'd rather have Evans or Rubio than Jennings. 

Holiday I got good vibes about after his workout here and based on the chatter regarding his other appearances since the draft lottery.  Still, I don't see him being better than Evans, but I do see him probably being better than Flynn, especially defensively.  As far as Holiday versus Jennings, I think Jennings edges him out athletically.  But overall, I think Holiday ends up making the team as a whole better.  I'd love to hear more about the draft workout today and how each guy compared to the other. 

Flynn, as I said could be as good as a "lite-version" of CP3, but I think that's a pretty lofty assessment.  I have no doubt he could distribute fairly well to his teammates, and his speed will definitely be a big plus against opposing PG's.  But I don't see the star-potential, and thus, probably not worth a fourth pick.

Thabeet I really had no interest in all year.  Not until recently, when I've heard more about his workouts and the fact that he seems to be moving really well on the court.  The problem is obviously his offense, which I think will actually improve to the point of being decent.  But, you cannot ignore his defensive presence.  He is really good.  My concern, though, is his ability to maintain position in the paint.  He smply will lose out to guys like Shaq, Yao, Howard, and even Big Baby Davis.  That being said, he can provide the help defense, rebounding and shot-blocking that is sorely missing.  Maybe individually, JT and Thabeet are not the best tandem on defense, but together, I gotta think they could get it done.

What we need (and maybe expect) at the fourth pick is a guy who at least has all-star potential.  I think that disqualifies Thabeet, Flynn, and probably Holiday (although out of these three, he would have the best chance, IMO to make an all-star team).  That leaves us with Rubio, Evans and Jennings. 

And guess what?  That's three guys to pick from, with Griffin going at number one.  We're bound to get one of them.

Yeah, much of this was obvious (besides the parts I injected which were wholly my own gut feelings), but you were warned from the get-go.

Afterthought: Hmm...maybe I WOULD rather have Holiday than Jennings...

Viva la StR!