I can say that a huge part of the reason people are disappointed isn’t just in picking Hansborough. It’s the fact that everyone had him going several picks later, perhaps at an average of 18 or so. And on top of that, we didn’t make any other significant moves while other teams were. Lastly, after last year’s 2 big trades (and draft night trades in 3 consecutive years), the draft was just a bit of a disappointment overall. Obviously they’re not about to win a title anytime soon, but they appear close to take the next step and aim for a 5 or 6 seed in the East. Hansborough is solid, but he is unlikely to help make that push.

As for his talent and skills as a player, I think once emotions have died down most fans will appreciate the fact that he works his ass off and has credentials. There’s a pretty high chance that he won’t ever be more than a merely serviceable PF, but there’s also a high chance he won’t be any worse. He can hit 15 foot jumpers easily, he is willing to bang, he’s got good size, hits his free throws, and won’t ever get in trouble off the court. Low risk with a low ceiling. He hasn’t maxed his potential, but there’s definitely a ceiling in sight.

Ultimately, in a very weak draft, he is one of the guys with the highest chance of still being in the league in 5 years. I think many of us would have loved to add a new dimension to the team in toughness (Blair), perimeter D (Holiday), or just plain excitement (Teague). Hansborough might be a rotation player for years to come, but he’s unlikely to push the team any further next year. Perhaps the best part of the pick is that we’ll likely be in the lottery again next year, when the draft should be better.

And who knows, there still may be moves to be made. Most of us are hoping to re-sign Jack. There are tons of rumors of Ford trades (although unlikely having not drafted a first round PG). We might even be lucky enough to dump Tinsley on someone. Things could be worse. Granger is still great. Rush and Hibbert can hopefully continue to develop. And ALL the bad contracts will be off the cap in 2011. We’re not a lot closer to contending but we could be in worse shape. At least we’re not the Grizzlies. (that might have been too much thoughts, I haven’t been able to discuss the draft with anyone yet…)

If anyone is a Pacer fan, Indy Cornrows really is a great blog. CR is a surprisingly good writer for the blogging world and the commenters are all pretty informed and mature (you’re unlikely to see arguments like the Addai ones on here). I enjoy my time over there quite a bit

Couple things:

First, Earl Clark and James Johnson are worlds more talented than Hansbrough, but neither was ever on Bird’s radar because I think he honestly believes he has most of the pieces he needs to field a playoff team next year, so it made the most sense to go after an experienced, hard worker from an NBA factory, who already fits into the system. In fact, if you think about it, he probably fits better than any of the other bigs at that point in the draft. He can run, shoot 15-20 footers and doesn’t need a half-court offense to be effective. A lot of people wanted Blair, but he’s a space eater that would inevitably slow down the run-and-gun O’brien offense. The jury’s still out on whether that philosophy will result in an eventual contender, but for now, nobody fits better than Hansbrough (that they could have drafted). I think we all agree that he’ll never be Tim Duncan, or even David West, but the “Jeff Foster with a jumper” comparison is fair. 9 and 5 in 20 solid minutes a night is apparently all Bird thought he needed, and Hansbrough could easily do that.

The only thing I regret about the draft is that, even though it was weak overall, the PG class was pretty damn deep. Why not go after Lawson, Maynor or even Teague (who I’m sure could have been taught to distribute with a year of practice in the NBA)? I’m NOT on the Jack bandwagon. If the Pacers can sign him for less than the Mid-level exception, I’m all for it, but he’s going to want $6 mil a year or more and he’s simiply not worth that. He’s shown some unexpected promise on the offensive end, but defensively, he’s just a yoked-up T.J. Ford…and he may be worse. Seriously, watch the tape, he’s a terrible defender.

Honestly I’d like them to trade Ford to a team that needs him or wants him like Protland. They could try to get back Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster to address the thinness at the wing positions (and it works financially). Then they could sign one of many available free agent PGs. The first two on my list would be Andre Miller and Ramon Sessions, though Sessions is a restricted FA and Milwaukee will probably match any offer since they cleared future cap space with the Jefferson deal. With an 8-man rotation of Miller, Rush, Granger, Murphy, Hibbert, Hansbroough, Outlaw and Foster, with Dunleavy coming back hopefully in January, this team would have depth and youth across the board and would probably be a contender for the 5th or 6th seed next season. I’d let Jack walk at the risk of being extra thin at PG.

I would love to have a top three pick and all but you don’t always have to draft there to get an All-Star caliber player. Jermaine O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade were all taken outside the top three. Teams took a chance on these guys being busts and it paid off for them. All I’m saying is that playing it safe all the time doesn’t get you the lucky gem who can propel your team to championships.

Jermaine and Kobe were taken during an era when people didn’t truly believe high schoolers could be hall of famers, and Wade was what, 5th overall? But I get your point. Unlike the NFL, where the opposite is the case, NBA teams DO NOT have to build through the draft; they’re usually built and bolstered through free agency and trades. But three of the four conference championship representatives had a #1 overall pick, and the one that didn’t had Kobe. So it’s safe to say that if you draft the right guy at #1, and surround him with supporting stars and good role players, you’ll have a title contender. If the Clippers weren’t so inept I’d assume Blake Griffin would be on this track, but as it stands, he’s about to be a Gatorade fetcher for a selfish, pudgy teammate puncher, Zach Randolph.

The NBA has always had problems with uncompetitive teams not filling arenas, it’s nothing new. And the number of NBA teams that have shut their doors, as the article claims would happen by Spring (it was written in November)? Zero.

You should know better then to rely on gutter journalism, BBS.