Worst #4 Picks since 1980
3. Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves, 2010, from Syracuse (7.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg) - Johnson is still active and only 3 years into his career, but those three years have been uneventful enough for him to be included on this list. He is already on his second team, so that is some indication of where his NBA career has gone thus far. The 2010 draft is turning out to be fairly mediocre, but I am sure the Timberwolves would love to have Greg Monroe or Paul George on their team right now.
2. Marcus Fizer, Chicago Bulls, 2000, from Iowa State (289 games, 9.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.2 apg) - Fizer never found his footing in the NBA, starting only 35 games in his career with 3 teams. The main problem for Fizer and the Bulls is that they already had Elton Brand manning his position and Fizer never got the chance. After leaving the NBA, Fizer has some interesting accomplishments, including being the MVP of the NBA Development League in 2006 and in his most recent stint in a foreign league, he averaged 17.2 ppg in Argentina. The Bulls also selected Chris Mihm 3 picks later and used him to get Jamal Crawford, who is arguably the best player drafted in the Top 15 of the 2000 draft.
1. Bill Garnett, Dallas Mavericks, 1982, from Wyoming (4 seasons, 5.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 apg) - Full disclosure...I had no idea who Bill Garnett was. Apparently, for good reason. After 4 uninspiring seasons with 2 teams, Garnett was out of the NBA. Interestingly, the better pick for Dallas if they wanted a big man would have been none other than Clark Kellogg, who averaged 18.9 ppg and 9.5 rpg in a career shortened by knee problems.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Fanduel.com Guest Article - Top Three Rookie Fantasy Football Quarterback Prospects
Top Three Rookie Fantasy Football Quarterback Prospects
It is a pretty universal thought that the NFL will not have an Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III or even Russell Wilson in 2013. With that being said, there is always a chance that a rookie quarterback finds himself in the right situation to produce at a high fantasy level. Here’s a look at the three best options to pick. Use this guide either for this season in deep leagues, or possible in dynasties.
Geno Smith
There were times when Geno Smith was considered a possible #1 overall pick, but he lasted all the way to the second round during the draft. Despite his slip, he finds himself in a situation with the Jets that could have him playing right away. Mark Sanchez is the returning quarterback for the team, and the Jets have very little offensive talent to surround any passer, but Smith has the skills to make an instant impact. If given the opportunity, he seems like the only possible quarterback who could match the production, and the https://www.fanduel.com/ <daily fantasy sports> numbers, of any of the top three last season.
EJ Manuel
The Buffalo Bills surprised quite a few people when they took EJ Manuel as the first quarterback in the draft. Smith is probably further along right now, but Manuel is just as smart of a long-term investment. It appears as though the Bills intend to start him right away, which means he will have a leg up on the rest of the class. With Manuel and CJ Spiller on the team, the Bills could form a dynamic offense with the both passing and running threats.
Matt Barkley
If this was last season, Barkley would be getting nearly the same amount of hype as Luck and Griffin. Instead, struggles at USC and injuries knocked Barkley way down in the draft. Former Oregon coach Chip Kelly finally took a shot on the former Trojan to possibly get some playing time in Philadelphia.
For now, Michael Vick is still the quarterback for the Eagles. However, if he continues to struggle, or get injured, in 2013, Barkley could fight with Nick Foles to possibly get some reps in year one. He is not going to be drafted in any single season fantasy league this year, but many feel that he can become a solid NFL quarterback in the future.
NBA Draft - Worst #3 Picks Since 1980
Worst #3 Picks since 1980
3. Dennis Hopson, New Jersey Nets, 1987, from Ohio State (5 seasons, 10.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.0 spg) - The #3 pick has generally been solid, so it may be a surprise to see Hopson appear on the list. He could always score, but his NBA career fizzled out after 5 seasons and he played overseas from that point on. The Nets were looking for a shooter in their backcourt in 1987 and the correct answer would have been Reggie Miller from UCLA.
2. Adam Morrison, Charlotte Bobcats, 2006, from Gonzaga (161 games, 7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.4 apg) - The next Larry Bird? Well, we are still waiting on that. When he fell to the floor in tears after his last collegiate game, we did not realize he was crying about his upcoming NBA career. Morrison shot an un-Bird like 37% from the field and shot himself right out of the league. Rudy Gay of Connecticut would have been the better selection in hindsight.
1. Chris Washburn, Golden State Warriors, 1986, from North Carolina State (72 games, 3.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.3 apg) - The 1986 NBA Draft was chalk full of troubled individuals - Len Bias, Washburn, William Bedford, Roy Tarpley - all selected in the Top 7. Washburn's career started off with knee problems and cocaine abuse manifested itself and took him straight out of the league when he was banned for life in 1989 after a 3rd failed drug test. The positive news is that Washburn is now clean and owns Washburn's Wings and More in Hickory, North Carolina.
3. Dennis Hopson, New Jersey Nets, 1987, from Ohio State (5 seasons, 10.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.0 spg) - The #3 pick has generally been solid, so it may be a surprise to see Hopson appear on the list. He could always score, but his NBA career fizzled out after 5 seasons and he played overseas from that point on. The Nets were looking for a shooter in their backcourt in 1987 and the correct answer would have been Reggie Miller from UCLA.
2. Adam Morrison, Charlotte Bobcats, 2006, from Gonzaga (161 games, 7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.4 apg) - The next Larry Bird? Well, we are still waiting on that. When he fell to the floor in tears after his last collegiate game, we did not realize he was crying about his upcoming NBA career. Morrison shot an un-Bird like 37% from the field and shot himself right out of the league. Rudy Gay of Connecticut would have been the better selection in hindsight.
1. Chris Washburn, Golden State Warriors, 1986, from North Carolina State (72 games, 3.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.3 apg) - The 1986 NBA Draft was chalk full of troubled individuals - Len Bias, Washburn, William Bedford, Roy Tarpley - all selected in the Top 7. Washburn's career started off with knee problems and cocaine abuse manifested itself and took him straight out of the league when he was banned for life in 1989 after a 3rd failed drug test. The positive news is that Washburn is now clean and owns Washburn's Wings and More in Hickory, North Carolina.
NBA Draft - Worst #2 Picks Since 1980
Worst #2 Picks since 1980
4. Sam Bowie, Portland Trail Blazers, 1984, from Kentucky (10.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 bpg) - Bowie is an honorary member of this list for one reason only...he was selected the pick before Michael Jordan. Bowie's career numbers are not awful and he did as much as his knees allowed him. This is not as much a reflection of Bowie, but on the Trail Blazers for missing out on the greatest NBA player of all-time.
3. Stromile Swift, Vancouver Grizzlies, 2000, from LSU (8.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg) - Swift never materialized into a starting forward in the NBA, garnering just 97 starts in his 547 career games. The 2000 draft is going to become a theme as maybe the worst ever, but when Terry Catledge is your similarity comparison for your career, #2 was probably a little high for you to be selected.
2. Jay Williams, Chicago Bulls, 2002, from Duke (1 season, 9.5 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1.spg) - A terrible motorcycle accident ended the playing career of Williams after just one season with the Bulls. Some picks are bad because of unforeseen circumstances that are not basketball related. This happens to be one of them. Had Williams been better as a rookie, he may have avoided this list, but the truth was he had a disappointing rookie season and was never able to atone for that.
1. Darko Milicic, Detroit Pistons, 2003, from Serbia (6.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg) - Darko is technically still active in the NBA, although that term could be used loosely all the way back to 2003. Let's recap the 2003 draft...LeBron, Darko, Carmelo, Bosh, Wade. One of these names just doesn't belong here, it is not Carmelo because his talents aren't in South Beach. The Pistons screwed this one up. NBA legend Lee Nailon is Darko's similarity comparison, further cementing his status as the worst #2 draft pick that I have seen.
4. Sam Bowie, Portland Trail Blazers, 1984, from Kentucky (10.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 bpg) - Bowie is an honorary member of this list for one reason only...he was selected the pick before Michael Jordan. Bowie's career numbers are not awful and he did as much as his knees allowed him. This is not as much a reflection of Bowie, but on the Trail Blazers for missing out on the greatest NBA player of all-time.
3. Stromile Swift, Vancouver Grizzlies, 2000, from LSU (8.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg) - Swift never materialized into a starting forward in the NBA, garnering just 97 starts in his 547 career games. The 2000 draft is going to become a theme as maybe the worst ever, but when Terry Catledge is your similarity comparison for your career, #2 was probably a little high for you to be selected.
2. Jay Williams, Chicago Bulls, 2002, from Duke (1 season, 9.5 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1.spg) - A terrible motorcycle accident ended the playing career of Williams after just one season with the Bulls. Some picks are bad because of unforeseen circumstances that are not basketball related. This happens to be one of them. Had Williams been better as a rookie, he may have avoided this list, but the truth was he had a disappointing rookie season and was never able to atone for that.
1. Darko Milicic, Detroit Pistons, 2003, from Serbia (6.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg) - Darko is technically still active in the NBA, although that term could be used loosely all the way back to 2003. Let's recap the 2003 draft...LeBron, Darko, Carmelo, Bosh, Wade. One of these names just doesn't belong here, it is not Carmelo because his talents aren't in South Beach. The Pistons screwed this one up. NBA legend Lee Nailon is Darko's similarity comparison, further cementing his status as the worst #2 draft pick that I have seen.
Friday, May 17, 2013
NBA Draft - Worst #1 Picks since 1980
I have been blogging the NFL's best and worst draft picks by position and will continue with those, but I thought I would preview another set of lists. Last year I did the best NBA Draft picks by draft position, but unlike the NFL I did not provide the worst. So as the NBA Playoffs reach the Conference Finals and the NBA Draft is just over a month away, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the guys you are glad your team did not select.
Worst #1 Picks since 1980
The #1 pick in the NBA draft has had very few misses and the names you are about to see should come as no surprise.
3. Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers, 1998, from Pacific (9 seasons, 8.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.4 bpg) - Olowokandi was the first selection of the 1998 draft ahead of Mike Bibby who went #2. Also going in the Top 10 of that draft were Antawn Jamison(4th), Vince Carter(5th), Dirk Nowitzki(9th) and Paul Pierce(10th). The Clippers were looking for the next great thing at center, unfortunately they got another in a long-line of bad draft picks that doomed the franchise until just recently.
2. Kwame Brown, Washington Wizards, 2001, from Glynn Academy (12 seasons, 6.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.6 bpg) - Oh Michael, how you struggle with draft picks. Brown is the first of the Jordan debacles, but at least Jordan was nice enough to comeback and play with this one. The #2 pick in 2001 was Tyson Chandler and Pau Gasol went #3. In Brown and Jordan's defense, this is one of the worst drafts in history, but it is also an exhibit for those who side with the current NBA rule that players are not draft-eligible right out of high school.
1. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers, 2007, from Ohio State (2 seasons, 9.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg) - I usually try to give injured players the benefit of the doubt on a list like this, but at the #1 overall pick there is no comparable who was able to give less to his team than Greg Oden. What hurts even worse is the #2 pick in 2007 is none other than Kevin Durant, arguably the 2nd best player in the game today. It is not the first time the Blazers have let one of the greats go and picked a franchise center. It is a wonder that the franchise has been as successful at times as it has for two of the worst picks in NBA history.
Worst #1 Picks since 1980
The #1 pick in the NBA draft has had very few misses and the names you are about to see should come as no surprise.
3. Michael Olowokandi, Los Angeles Clippers, 1998, from Pacific (9 seasons, 8.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.4 bpg) - Olowokandi was the first selection of the 1998 draft ahead of Mike Bibby who went #2. Also going in the Top 10 of that draft were Antawn Jamison(4th), Vince Carter(5th), Dirk Nowitzki(9th) and Paul Pierce(10th). The Clippers were looking for the next great thing at center, unfortunately they got another in a long-line of bad draft picks that doomed the franchise until just recently.
2. Kwame Brown, Washington Wizards, 2001, from Glynn Academy (12 seasons, 6.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.6 bpg) - Oh Michael, how you struggle with draft picks. Brown is the first of the Jordan debacles, but at least Jordan was nice enough to comeback and play with this one. The #2 pick in 2001 was Tyson Chandler and Pau Gasol went #3. In Brown and Jordan's defense, this is one of the worst drafts in history, but it is also an exhibit for those who side with the current NBA rule that players are not draft-eligible right out of high school.
1. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers, 2007, from Ohio State (2 seasons, 9.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg) - I usually try to give injured players the benefit of the doubt on a list like this, but at the #1 overall pick there is no comparable who was able to give less to his team than Greg Oden. What hurts even worse is the #2 pick in 2007 is none other than Kevin Durant, arguably the 2nd best player in the game today. It is not the first time the Blazers have let one of the greats go and picked a franchise center. It is a wonder that the franchise has been as successful at times as it has for two of the worst picks in NBA history.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
NFL Draft - Top 5 Players Selected #15 Since 1980 (plus the worst three #15's)
Top 5 Players Selected #15 in the NFL Draft since 1980
5. Derrick Johnson, LB, Kansas City Chiefs, 2005
4. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants, 2010
3. Anthony Miller, WR, San Diego Chargers, 1988
2. Dennis Smith, DB, Denver Broncos, 1981
1. John L. Williams, RB, Seattle Seahawks, 1986
And with the 15th pick in the NFL draft...trade it, get out of this pick. No disrespect to these 5 professionals, but ouch!! I went with Williams first. He is the only player drafted here who was best at his position for at least a portion of his career and besides being a very good blocker he currently ranks in the top 100 in NFL History in receptions and yards from scrimmage. Smith was a perennial Pro-Bowler and a key defensive cog in the Broncos Super Bowl losing teams of the 1980's. Miller is around 50 to 60 in most all-time receiving categories, but did make 5 Pro Bowls. Pierre-Paul has been good enough already to crack the top 5, while Johnson has been solid long enough to that as well. Guys like Branden Albert and Brian Cushing were interesting considerations, but ultimately fell short here.
Worst #15 NFL Draft Picks Since 1980
4. Jerome McDougle, DE, Philadelphia Eagles, 2003 (4 seasons, 0 starts, 30 tackles, 3 sacks)
3. Ron Faurot, DE, New York Jets, 1984 (2 seasons, 13 starts, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery)
2. John Clay, OT, Los Angeles Raiders, 1987 (2 seasons, 2 teams, 10 starts)
1. Huey Richardson, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1991 (2 seasons, 3 teams, 16 games, 0 starts, 0 stats)
A bonus bust at #15, a list that I excluded Yatil Green from due to the injuries that ultimately derailed his career after just 9 games.
5. Derrick Johnson, LB, Kansas City Chiefs, 2005
4. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants, 2010
3. Anthony Miller, WR, San Diego Chargers, 1988
2. Dennis Smith, DB, Denver Broncos, 1981
1. John L. Williams, RB, Seattle Seahawks, 1986
And with the 15th pick in the NFL draft...trade it, get out of this pick. No disrespect to these 5 professionals, but ouch!! I went with Williams first. He is the only player drafted here who was best at his position for at least a portion of his career and besides being a very good blocker he currently ranks in the top 100 in NFL History in receptions and yards from scrimmage. Smith was a perennial Pro-Bowler and a key defensive cog in the Broncos Super Bowl losing teams of the 1980's. Miller is around 50 to 60 in most all-time receiving categories, but did make 5 Pro Bowls. Pierre-Paul has been good enough already to crack the top 5, while Johnson has been solid long enough to that as well. Guys like Branden Albert and Brian Cushing were interesting considerations, but ultimately fell short here.
Worst #15 NFL Draft Picks Since 1980
4. Jerome McDougle, DE, Philadelphia Eagles, 2003 (4 seasons, 0 starts, 30 tackles, 3 sacks)
3. Ron Faurot, DE, New York Jets, 1984 (2 seasons, 13 starts, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery)
2. John Clay, OT, Los Angeles Raiders, 1987 (2 seasons, 2 teams, 10 starts)
1. Huey Richardson, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1991 (2 seasons, 3 teams, 16 games, 0 starts, 0 stats)
A bonus bust at #15, a list that I excluded Yatil Green from due to the injuries that ultimately derailed his career after just 9 games.
NFL Draft - Top 5 Players Selected #14 Since 1980 (plus the worst three #14's)
Top 5 Players Selected #14 in the NFL Draft since 1980
5. Jeremy Shockey, TE, New York Giants, 2002
4. Ruben Brown, OG, Buffalo Bills, 1995
3. Darrelle Revis, DB, New York Jets, 2007
2. Eddie George, RB, Houston Oilers, 1996
1. Jim Kelly, QB, Buffalo Bills, 1983
The Bills may have had to wait a few extra years, but it was worth it as Jim Kelly heads the list of #14 draft picks. His inability to win a Super Bowl puts him in the second tier of quarterbacks, but Kelly easily tops this list. The venerable Eddie George is next up, rushing for over 10,000 yards and sitting at #24 on the all-time rushing list. If Darrelle Revis can regain his old form, he may ascend to the top of this list someday. He is considered the gold-standard for cornerbacks in today's NFL. Ruben Brown was a 9-time Pro Bowl selection at guard for the Bills and Bears. We are starting to see less players who are no-brainers and I was a bit surprised when Shockey was the choice to fill out the list. While a solid player, Shockey has always teased us with more, but has done enough to warrant inclusion here.
Worst #14 NFL Draft Picks Since 1980
3. D.J. Dozier, RB, Minnesota Vikings, 1988 (5 seasons, 11 starts, 691 yds rushing, 9 total TD's)
2. Michael Haynes, DE, Chicago Bears, 2003 (3 seasons, 4 starts, 49 tackles, 5.5 sacks)
1. Bernard Williams, OT, Philadelphia Eagles, 1994 (1 season played)
Here is the Wikipedia reference on Bernard Williams:
Bennie Bernard Williams (born July 18, 1972 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a former American and Canadian football offensive tackle. Williams was the Eagles first round draft pick in the 1994 NFL Draft and started all 16 games for them in 1994, but was banned from the NFL after failing 15 drug tests. He would later play for the XFL's Memphis Maniax, the AFL's Detroit Fury and the CFL's BC Lions and Toronto Argonauts.
5. Jeremy Shockey, TE, New York Giants, 2002
4. Ruben Brown, OG, Buffalo Bills, 1995
3. Darrelle Revis, DB, New York Jets, 2007
2. Eddie George, RB, Houston Oilers, 1996
1. Jim Kelly, QB, Buffalo Bills, 1983
The Bills may have had to wait a few extra years, but it was worth it as Jim Kelly heads the list of #14 draft picks. His inability to win a Super Bowl puts him in the second tier of quarterbacks, but Kelly easily tops this list. The venerable Eddie George is next up, rushing for over 10,000 yards and sitting at #24 on the all-time rushing list. If Darrelle Revis can regain his old form, he may ascend to the top of this list someday. He is considered the gold-standard for cornerbacks in today's NFL. Ruben Brown was a 9-time Pro Bowl selection at guard for the Bills and Bears. We are starting to see less players who are no-brainers and I was a bit surprised when Shockey was the choice to fill out the list. While a solid player, Shockey has always teased us with more, but has done enough to warrant inclusion here.
Worst #14 NFL Draft Picks Since 1980
3. D.J. Dozier, RB, Minnesota Vikings, 1988 (5 seasons, 11 starts, 691 yds rushing, 9 total TD's)
2. Michael Haynes, DE, Chicago Bears, 2003 (3 seasons, 4 starts, 49 tackles, 5.5 sacks)
1. Bernard Williams, OT, Philadelphia Eagles, 1994 (1 season played)
Here is the Wikipedia reference on Bernard Williams:
Bennie Bernard Williams (born July 18, 1972 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a former American and Canadian football offensive tackle. Williams was the Eagles first round draft pick in the 1994 NFL Draft and started all 16 games for them in 1994, but was banned from the NFL after failing 15 drug tests. He would later play for the XFL's Memphis Maniax, the AFL's Detroit Fury and the CFL's BC Lions and Toronto Argonauts.
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