reflections
July 2nd, 2007 Analyzing the Hornets Picks

On June 28, the Hornets were bold and selected 6-9 forward Julian Wright out of Kansas with the 13th pick, and selected 6-5 Iowa guard Adam Haluska with number 43 in the second round. On Wright, coach Byron Scott commented that he is “a poor man’s Magic Johnson.” Here is my analysis of the Hornets’ two selections in the draft.

Kansas Sophomore Forward Julian Wright
Round 1 Pick 13: F Julian Wright 6-9 211
Possible Positions: SF, PF
Grade: C+
Analysis

To be honest, I was quite disappointed when the Hornets passed up on Nick Young for this guy. They went into the draft needing a shooting guard and Nick was the purest one in the draft. This guy would have fixed all of our perimeter scoring woes. But, since Julian Wright fell to us, Scott and Bower were compelled to take him. Sure, Wright was one of the best athletes in the draft, but he won’t put up the points we need on the perimeter next season and his development will probably take a year or so to give him a complete game. Don’t look for this guy to play the 2 for us anytime soon, but for now he’ll probably take on the high-flyer/perimeter defender role that Desmond Mason has had for the past two seasons. Now, the question remains: will he end up being a full-time small forward or will his poor jumper keep him relegated to the four position?

Iowa Guard Adam Haluska
Round 2 Pick 43: SG Adam Haluska 6-5 210
Possible Positions: SG
Grade: D
Analysis

I was extremely disappointed with this pick considering they had the chance to trade up to take Vandy guard/forward Derrick Byars, a guy that absolutely should have gone in the first round, but they decided not to. Instead, they were left few options after Byars was selected at 42, and I guess Haluska seemed like the best choice to help create depth at the 2. This guy was predicted by many to go undrafted. He’s a good shooter and works hard off the ball, but does nothing else and is too slow to guard opposing players in the NBA. I truly hope this guy doesn’t fall into Scott’s doghouse, but it might happen; we’ve seen it before in Arvydas Macijauskas and his refusal to spend more time improving his defense. They could have taken Reyshawn Terry and molded him into a solid forward/guard mix, but they’re stuck with Haluska as their primary backup unless they pick up a formidable shooting guard in free agency.

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