Epistle to the Colossians

In the robust spring of AD 57 (or perhaps, some scholars think, 62), Paul penned letters from the state pen. in Rome to his buddies in Colossae in order to counteract what he considered the false teachings of Eastern mysticism and asceticism. I find no more appropriate an occasion to re-enact what P-Diddy did than prior to tonight's impending NBA draft.

Like most of Paul's epistles, this address consists of a doctrinal and a practical. Unlike Big P's grandstanding (not to mention that of every other mock draft and sportswriter out there), however, I'm gonna write letters to my friends (see PRACTICAL below) who have a stake in tonight's events. Namely, basketball fans. Let the games begin.


DOCTRINAL

1. Need. The Need for Speed.
2. Know Your Window
3. Dynamite in '07 If You Blow It Up Now

#1: Draft for Need. Period. Too often teams attempt to take "the best player available" only to stash them behind capable starters of the same position and lose them in subsequent free agencies. Jermaine O'Neal behind Rasheed Wallace, for example. Marvin Williams in the crowded swingland of Atlanta, for another. On the one hand you lose a potential franchise player because he gets no minutes. On the other hand, you miss out on Chris Paul, a franchise level PG whom the Hawks passed up in deference to Royal Ivy. Draft for need.

Additionally, realize that You Need Speed. The Dawning of the New NBA is no fluke--David Stern's Cheney-esque subtle yet ingenius manipulation of the officiating handbook in the summer of 2004 has created a league dominated by quicker, more agile players as opposed to the old logic of 'drafting for size' or 'you can't coach height'. More appropriately: YOU CAN'T COACH QUICK. And quick will get you everywhere. Ask Mike D'Antoni and Avery Johnson.

#2: Know Your Window. Every GM should ask himself: When will my team be ready to compete? If the answer is NOW, draft appropriately. If the answer is IT'LL BE A WHILE, do likewise. For instance, the Suns are desperately trying to move Shawn Marion for an equally effective yet cheaper piece to their puzzle, Rashard Lewis. While the Seattle swingman plays 10% the defense the Matrix does, he will spread the floor better for a returning Stoudemire and allow Phoenix the flexibility to re-sign their new diamond in the rough, Boris Diaw. Plus, they can swing the #10 pick away from the Sonics in order to infuse their swing position with athleticism and either deadly speed (Rodney Carney) or excellent defense and passing (Ronnie Brewer) to study under Raja Bell. Meanwhile, Seattle is prime bait for this trade because they need to energize their fanbase, and Shawn will do the trick. Both clubs are sensitive to their window for success and what success entails.



#3: This follows #2 logically -- if you aren't ready to compete right now, the best possible thing you can do for your franchise is blow it up. The draft class of 2007 is perhaps even deeper and more promising than the unfathomable success of 2003. If your team is ill-equipped to rise to or near the top this fall (I'm talking to you Knicks, Sixers, Blazers, Pacers--Charlotte, Toronto, you're doing fine), use this draft to enhance your prospects for the future. More teams are willing to trade up, down or out of this draft for two reasons:

-- No surefire prospects, but many decent ones
-- Weak Free Agent Market

This makes for lots of trades, lots of moves, and the potential to mortgage the now for the later. And when Greg Oden is sitting in the pot at the end of the 15-67 rainbow, well...drop everything and find you a leprechaun.




Dear Tibet (yes, this is my friend's name) --

As an MA native, you've understood the Truth for some time now: there are no easy Asnwers. But I truly admire what Danny Ainge is doing--building. Finding the right man for the job at each position to grow a team with experience, chemistry, and the talent to contend. The proported Allen Iverson trade may be the union of all three of my drafting Doctrines: a perimeter-foccused offense realizing Paul Pierce and Allen Iverson are both in their prime and Billy King opting to blow up the storied 76ers rather than see his aging superstar get even more banged up with no return in sight. Who Boston gives up will be key--Sczerbiak is a given, but Philly will need a little more to swweten the pot. DA will have to part with one of his prized pups (Jefferson & Green) or a tasty 2007 pick. Let's hope for your sake he gets away with just moving Tony Allen--that's a Tommy Point! This would leave the C's of 06 looking like this:

G Allen Iverson / Sebastian Telfair
G Gerald Green / Delonte West
F Paul Pierce
F Al Jefferson / Ryan Gomes
C Perk / Ratliff

Dear Parker --

What can I say? Ben Gordon is a tweener (see yesterday's post). No matter how much you love Pax, he's gonna have to make the tough decision: trade Gordon now, or lose him later. Garnett might be on the table. I truly hope they don't ship the #2 for Marion, even if it means getting rid of Chandler's bloated contract. Make the #2 Brandon Roy and the #16 Saer Sene. I would love to watch those Bulls. Some whitey's in the Windy City might love Adam Morrison, especially if he could play SG, and that may well be the outcome tonight. In any case, you guys still have New York's pick for next year, so there's really no way to mess this up.

Unless you take Aldridge. Please god leave hiim for the Blazers...

G Kirk Hinrich / Chris Duhon
G Ben Gordon / Thabo Sefeloshahahaha
F Luol Deng / Andres Noccioni
F Tyrus Thomas / Mike Sweetney
C Tyson Chandler

Dear Livia --

I know you still have a Charles Smith jersey from the 1994 playoffs. It won't change the Knicks. I actually believe Isaih will coach the team well. There are two guys I would grab if I'm New York: Kyle Lowry and Alexander Johnson. Lowry is a courageous, scrappy competitor at the point and would be a huge boom for their heartless backcourt. AJ is a rebounding monster ala Dennis Rodman himself, and who wouldn't want the Worm in Orange and Blue? They'll probably take Shawn Williams at #21, though. Silly Knicks.

I'd also move Channing Frye--since you can't have two soft bigs in the middle and Eddy Curry is the "franchise" "player"--and the 07 pick (that the Bulls can swap for)--and an expiring contract (Jalen Rose?) to Denver for Kenyon Martin. They'd do it in a heartbeat. And you might even sniff the playoffs...


G Starbury / Nate Robinson
G Stevie Franchise / J Crawford
F Shawne Williams / David Lee
F Kenyon Martin / A. Johnson
C Eddy Curry / Jerome James

Ooh, it's almost 7:30! (Who watches the draft live?!?) More to come...