2002 NBA DRAFT GRADES

Every Draft needs a few years to pass before you can evaluate especially now with the influx of younger players lately. Here are my grades and comments. Grades based on performance and draft position as well.(In Order Player Was Drafted)

Yao Ming – A- Has all the tools that will make him a great player in the league. Needs to get stronger to help him bang down low. Surpassed my expectations. Little timid at times needs to get tough, if not still a good choice here.

Jay Williams-F- Had a very bright future, will not be the same player again after the accident. May make it back next season but even thats questionable as he had to re teach himself how to walk three months ago.

Mike Dunleavy- C- His rail like frame kept him out of the post his first 2 seasons, where he had success in college. Progress has been made but still a big question mark at this point as too how good he will be. Breakout year may be coming.

Drew Gooden- B+-Good player when he feels like it, coming off his best season so far for Cleveland. 14 ppg 10 rpg shold be a double double machine for years to come.

Tskitishvilli-F- One of a few F’s given out, basically this kid was Euro hype that played like Euro-trash. He couldn’t even get minutes on a monstrosity of a team in Denver. So far the bust of 2002.

Wagner-Inc.- Decent rookie year, came off the bench for the Cavs early in the season and was like microwave Johnson. Now it seems like hes permanetely stashed on the IR. May come around though but never will be a PG.

Nene Hilario- B- At least Denver got one right in 2002. He had a great rookie season once he got good minutes. Just a monster around the basket and once he finds a shot and a go to move, double double machine.

Chris Wilcox- F- Who? Did not do anything for LA this year or his rookie year which was a big surprise to me, as he was a man among boys playing for Maryland . In hindsight he needed one more year to get himself ready for the league. Playing behind Brand also doesnt help his cause. Getting drafted ahead of Amare also didn’t help his grade out. He has shown flashes though.

Amare Stoudamire-A+- Could anyone have predicted that this kid would have as much of an impact as he had. A lot of people were knocking him when he declared but he proved them all wrong. His strength and athleticism are unbelievable. If he keeps developing, especially offensively, he will be unstoppable.

Caron Butler- B- My 2002 preseason ROY played quite well for Riley down in Miami. Did not get much hype but was a great value for the 10th pick in the draft. Now in LA averaging 15 ppg 6 rpg.

Jared Jeffries-D- Came out too early, finally started to come around for the Wizards. May turn out to be a scrappy player that stays around for a while. Not worth a lottory pick though.

Melvin Ely-F- I dont even know if hes still in the league, either way a disastrous pick and a disastrous draft for the Clippers considering who they could have had.

Marcus Haislip-F- Another El Busto here, not much too say about a player who is out of the NBA after being a lottery pick.

Fred Jones-C- His career highlight is winning the slam dunk contest but hes turned into a solid player for the Pacers, will get more of a role next year without Miller around.

Bosjan Nachbar-C- -Serviceable player,in hindsight not a first round talent but at least hes still in the league.

Jiri Welsh-C- Another unspectacular player, was supposed to be a great shooter, but never really panned out. Hes not a bad shooter by any means, or a bad player but just solid overall. Can help out a team just needs to find his niche.

Juan Dixon-B(-)- Tough,solid player. Not a star like he was in college but an instant offense type of guy who can light it up. Pretty good pick considering how bad this draft was.

Curtis Borchardt-D- Doesnt play much at all. Can a player be considered a bust if everyone knew he was a bust before the draft. Why he got drafted in the first round? 7-0 240lbs.

Ryan Humphrey-F- Had great workouts to get himself drafted this high, hasnt done a damn thing in the league yet. He is still in the league somewhere.

Kareem Rush-C- Good shooter, doesnt really do much else. Will be in the league 10 - 12 years and have a decent career and retire without anyone even noticing.

Qyntel Woods-D+- Back then the blazers took the sketchiest player available philosophy. Woods lived up to that unfortuntely for the Blazers no on the court. Is on the bench for the Heat last time I checked.

Casey Jocobsen-C-- If there is one player in this draft who has found his niche its Jacobsen. If I was taking bets before the draft on who would be the first to be waived I would probably take him even though he is a spectacular shooter. Good pick here.

Tayshaun Prince-A- Maybe the best pick in the draft in terms of value. A classic "tweener" he gives hope to all those who get that label every year. Solid all around, future all star.

Nenad Kristic-B- Essentially his rookie season this year, over 10 ppg. Great pick this late in the draft, will be around for a while/

Frank Williams-D-- Summer League All Star, at least he has that going for him. Has a place in the NBA not sure about right now but hes sort of like a poor man's Jamaal Tinsley.Very Poor.

John Salmons-C- Role Player for the Sixers. Has a future even though he didnt break out like he was supposed to, hey maybe it was Jim O'Briens fault.

Chris Jeffries-F- Out of the league, was he ever in it?

Dan Dickau- B- This late in the Draft he gets a B,Looks like a player, took him some time but now hes actually a coveted PG in the free agency market. Playing on the Hornets really helped his cause.



Second Rounders Of Mention

Carlos Boozer,Dan Gadzuric,Flip Murray,Lonny Baxter,Matt Barnes, Jamal Sampson, Darius Sangolia, Rasual Butler