1992 UOSLR Draft In Review

[Brophdog88]

It is now 4 Training Camps later for the class of 1992, and it appears to have been a very shallow class, with really only 7 very good to great players, and a couple of good ones, this class was viewed as pretty weak four years ago and has lived up to that billing.

The grade’s I will be giving out have as much to do with how they developed compared to expectations, and position drafted, as they do with what they have accomplished compared to players picked above and below them. I won’t be handing out A’s to players who were the best available player at their pick at the time, but based on how the players developed, meaning this class will have a very low GPA.

Instead of giving analysis for all of the 29 players, I will only be doing the lottery, and will then be giving a reranking of the players selected in the first round based on where I believe they would be drafted right now based on skill level alone.


1992 FIRST ROUND:
1. Charlotte Hornets-

Alonzo Mourning C 6'10'' 240 22 B- C- C- A- B- A
Alonzo Mourning C 25 6'10'' 256 A- C- C A B+ B
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - All-Rookie Team
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1994 - All-Star Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 36 Rebounds: 19 Assists: 7 Steals: 4 Blocks: 16

A very nice pick, although he struggled with offense for his first few year, he has turned into a very nice scorer, and his blocking is near unmatched in the league. Although he has made only one All-Star Game, and no all defensive teams, I would expect that to change soon enough, as players like Hakeem get older, and start slowing down. He is the next elite big man, and will be seeking a lot of money this coming offseason.

Grade: A

2. Charlotte Hornets -

Jamal Mashburn SF 6'8'' 240 19 B B- C- C+ C A
Jamal Mashburn SF 22 6'8'' 242 B B C A- C+ C
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 40 Rebounds: 17 Assists: 7 Steals: 4 Blocks: 3

The second of the Charlotte picks in the top two, Mashburn was traded, but has not developed the way it was believed he would. His defensive game has really improved , but the offense has left a lot to be desired, and as a number two pick he is expected to develop better than that. Still its not like he is a bad player overall, and he will still command a lot of money in FA.

Grade: B

3. Orlando Magic -

Latrell Sprewell SG 6'5'' 190 21 C+ B- C B D A
Latrell Sprewell SG 24 6'5'' 194 B- A- C+ A- D+ B
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 31 Rebounds: 10 Assists: 10 Steals: 6 Blocks: 2

Although out of the gate it appeared he may bust, he eventually turned out to be a very good player. He too was traded by his original team, and has since developed into a great defender and very good scorer. This draft was not the most talented, and Latrell is a solid pick. Although he has not made an All-star team or received any awards, I would expect him to start pulling them in soon. His rebounding leaves something to be desired though.

Grade: B+

4. Denver Nuggets -

Terrell Brandon PG 5'11'' 180 22 C+ B+ B C+ C- B
Terrell Brandon PG 25 5'11'' 184 C+ A A- B+ C C
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - Rookie Game MVP
1992 - All-Rookie Second Team
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1993 - Rookie Game MVP
1994 - All-Star Game Participant
1994 - All-League Second Team
Career Highs Points: 49 Rebounds: 14 Assists: 17 Steals: 7 Blocks: 2
The first of the two point guards in the top 7 has turned into an excellent scorer and distributor. He was a 2-time rookie game MVP, and although some people considered this pick a stretch, with a younger player with better believed upside in Nick Van Exel, it has turned out very well for the Nuggets, and he has performed admirably as the leader of the Nuggets offense, even making the second team all league last year, and following the injury to Vlade, he stepped up big time, dominating opposing PG‘s offensively, and leading the Nuggets to the playoffs.

Grade: A

5. Phoenix Suns -

Christian Laettner PF 6'11'' 235 22 B- C+ C B C+ A
Christian Laettner PF 25 6'11'' 249 B B C B+ B- B
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - Sixth Man of the Year
1992 - All-Rookie Second Team
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 33 Rebounds: 17 Assists: 9 Steals: 4 Blocks: 4
Laettner is more of a SF than a PF, with his poor rebounding skills, but is still a very good scorer and defender. He has developed very nicely, although as a 5th overall pick one could hope for more. He is the only player in this draft to capture one of the individual awards not related to experience (MVP, DPOY, Sixth Man) winning the Sixth man award his rookie season, and is putting up very nice numbers for Phoenix this year, with 17 points and 7 rebounds a game. There were better players available, yes, but he is brings a very unique skill set to the table.

Grade: B

6. Los Angeles Lakers -

Harold Miner SG 6'5'' 210 21 B C+ C C+ C A
Harold Miner SG 24 6'5'' 218 B+ B+ C B C B
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - All-Rookie Team
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 50 Rebounds: 15 Assists: 11 Steals: 5 Blocks: 3
A boom or bust pick, and he has Boomed Although his defense is not the greatest, he is an elite scorer, and still is developing. At 25.8 points a game, he will be receiving a lot of money this offseason, and I would expect him to start pulling in awards soon. Great pick by the Lakers, now he just has to worry about keeping him around.

Grade: A

7. Minnesota Timberwolves -

Nick Van Exel PG 6'1'' 170 20 C+ B- B+ C C- A
Nick Van Exel PG 23 6'1'' 178 B- B+ A- B C B
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - All-Rookie Team
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1993 - All-League Third Team
1994 - All-Star Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 36 Rebounds: 13 Assists: 18 Steals: 5 Blocks: 2
The second of the top 7 point guards, and the last of the highly talented upside players, Nick Van Exel has developed into a very high level scorer, and passer, but loses the battle to his rival Brandon based on his defense. This is a Point Guard rich league, and his defense is subpar considering the position he plays and the opposing players talent levels. His Defense was a question mark, and has developed fine, and he puts up excellent numbers, currently averaging 21 points 9 assists and 5.4 rebounds a game. He made his first all-star game last year, and the year prior made the All-League third team. A very solid pick, as he developed very well and was the best player available at the pick, after development, although he too was eventually traded away by his drafting team.

Grade: A-

8. Milwaukee Bucks -

P.J. Brown PF 6'11'' 255 23 C+ C C B+ C+ A
P.J. Brown PF 26 6'11'' 255 B- C C B+ B B
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - Rookie of the Year
1992 - All-Rookie Team
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1993 - All-Star Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 38 Rebounds: 21 Assists: 10 Steals: 5 Blocks: 6
Another player in this draft that was traded by the team that drafted him, Brown was the rookie of the year, and has been a very good player in his own right, but has not developed as well as Milwaukee’s GM would have hoped. He is a good defender and rebounded, and is a fine player at the PF position, but the last few years his scoring has declined heavily. He was a 20 ppg player in 1993 making the all-star team, but has been unable to match that the past two years, with only 12 ppg this year and 11.4 last year.

Grade: B

9. Dallas Mavericks -

Doug Christie SG 6'6'' 200 22 C+ C+ C B+ C B
Doug Christie SG 25 6'6'' 206 C B C B+ C C
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 21 Rebounds: 11 Assists: 5 Steals: 4 Blocks: 2
A terrible pick by the Mavericks GM, Christie is a Role Player selected at the 9th pick with better players available right after him. Christie was traded by the Mavericks, but he really has turned into a good defender with below average offensive skills. The hope would have been that he developed into a B- B C A- C, but instead he is one dimensional, and has not gotten better defensively.

Grade: D

10. Cleveland Cavaliers -

LaPhonso Ellis PF 6'8'' 240 22 B- C C- B- C+ B
LaPhonso Ellis PF 25 6'8'' 240 B C C- B+ B- C
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 24 Rebounds: 19 Assists: 7 Steals: 4 Blocks: 5
Ellis is a fine pick by Cleveland, but not great. He has a fine offensive game, and has developed a solid defensive game, but his rebounding is poor for a PF. He has more of a SF’s game, but a PF’s body.

Grade: B-

11. Miami Heat -

Robert Horry SF 6'9'' 220 21 C B- C B+ C+ B
Robert Horry PF 24 6'9'' 228 C+ A- C+ B+ C+ B
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - All-Rookie Second Team
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 26 Rebounds: 16 Assists: 7 Steals: 5 Blocks: 5
Definitely playing out of position at the PF spot, Horry is a very good player and has developed a very nice all around game. He probably would have a higher defensive rating at SF, but is still a very nice pick by Miami, although he has since been traded. Even if he does not develop any more, Horry is a very good pick at this point in the draft, if only due to his versatility.

Grade: B

12. Phoenix Suns -

Walt Williams SF 22 6'8'' 220 C+ B C C+ C B
Walt Williams SF 25 6'8'' 220 C B C C+ C B
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 0 Rebounds: 0 Assists: 0 Steals: 0 Blocks: 0
Has Played in 5 career games, only recording a turnover in those five games, with one shot attempt
Possibly the worst pick of the draft, Walt has only managed to see the court in 5 games since he was drafted. Yes he made the All-star Rookie game, but that had nothing to do with his talent, as he did not play a game in 1993. He has played a total of 12 minutes in his career, only recording one shot attempt (a miss), and one turnover.

Grade: F-

13. Minnesota Timberwolves -

Tom Gugliotta PF 6'10'' 240 22 C+ B- C+ C C+ B
Tom Gugliotta PF 25 6'10'' 244 C B C C+ B C
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 25 Rebounds: 19 Assists: 8 Steals: 4 Blocks: 3
Gugliotta has been traded quite a few times, and is now a member of the Dallas Mavericks. He has an Sf’s game, as a PF, and has not developed very well. He is a fine rebounded though, but has not turned out as well as one would hope for a Lottery pick.

Grade: C

14. Charlotte Hornets -
David Wesley SG 6'0'' 190 21 C B- C+ B- C B
David Wesley SG 24 6'0'' 194 C+ A- B- B+ C D
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 26 Rebounds: 12 Assists: 13 Steals: 4 Blocks: 3

Grade: A-

15. Utah Jazz -
Clarence Weatherspoon PF 6'6'' 240 21 B- C C- C+ B B
Clarence Weatherspoon PF 24 6'6'' 248 C+ C C- C B+ C
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 25 Rebounds: 13 Assists: 5 Steals: 3 Blocks: 2

Grade: D-

16. Minnesota Timberwolves -
Sean Rooks C 6'10'' 250 22 B- C- C- B- C+ B
Sean Rooks PF 25 6'10'' 250 B- C- C- B- B- B
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 23 Rebounds: 19 Assists: 6 Steals: 5 Blocks: 5

Grade: C+

17. Houston Rockets -
Todd Day SG 6'8'' 200 22 B- B- C C C- B
Todd Day SG 25 6'8'' 200 C C+ C C+ D+ D
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 9 Rebounds: 6 Assists: 3 Steals: 2 Blocks: 1

Grade: F

18. Miami Heat -
Lee Mayberry PG 6'2'' 175 22 C B- B C+ C- B
Lee Mayberry PG 25 6'2'' 175 C+ C+ B+ C C C
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 14 Rebounds: 5 Assists: 10 Steals: 3 Blocks: 1

Grade: C

19. Utah Jazz -
Tracy Murray SF 6'8'' 225 20 C B C- C+ C A
Tracy Murray SF 23 6'8'' 229 C B C- C+ C B
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 14 Rebounds: 10 Assists: 4 Steals: 4 Blocks: 2

Grade: C

20. Philadelphia 76ers -
Popeye Jones PF 6'8'' 270 22 C C D+ C+ B+ B
Popeye Jones PF 25 6'8'' 270 C+ C D B- B+ C
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 20 Rebounds: 19 Assists: 6 Steals: 5 Blocks: 2

Grade: B-

21. Utah Jazz -
Jon Barry SG 6'5'' 195 22 C B+ C+ C C- B
Jon Barry SG 25 6'5'' 199 C B B- C C- C
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 22 Rebounds: 11 Assists: 5 Steals: 4 Blocks: 2

Grade: C

22. Detroit Pistons -
Gheorghe Muresan C 7'7'' 315 21 C+ C- D- B- C+ C
Gheorghe Muresan C 24 7'7'' 321 C+ C- D- A- B- B
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - All-Rookie Second Team
1993 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
Career Highs Points: 26 Rebounds: 19 Assists: 6 Steals: 4 Blocks: 8

Grade: A

23. Seattle Supersonics -
Troy King PF 6'8'' 235 20 B- C C C+ C B
Troy King PF 6'8'' 235 23 B C C C+ C D
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 14 Rebounds: 6 Assists: 2 Steals: 1 Blocks: 1
Free Agent

Grade: D

24. Chicago Bulls -
Malik Sealy SF 6'8'' 192 22 B- C C C+ C- B
Malik Sealy SF 25 6'8'' 196 B- C+ C C C C
No Awards
Career Highs Points: 12 Rebounds: 9 Assists: 4 Steals: 3 Blocks: 1

Grade: D

25. Charlotte Hornets -
Duane Cooper PG 6'1'' 185 23 C C+ C B+ C B
Retired, Bought out by the Bucks after being acquired from the Hawks

Grade: F--

26. Toronto Raptors -
Brent Price PG 6'1'' 165 23 C B B C- D+ D
Brent Price PG 26 6'1'' 173 C B B C- D+ C
Career Highs Points: 20 Rebounds: 6 Assists: 8 Steals: 3 Blocks: 2

Grade: C

27. Charlotte Hornets -
Oliver Miller PF 6'9'' 290 22 B- C- C B- C D
Oliver Miller PF 25 6'9'' 290 B C- C- B- C C
Career Highs Points: 32 Rebounds: 16 Assists: 6 Steals: 3 Blocks: 5

Grade: C+

28. Washington Bullets -
Anthony Peeler SG 6'4'' 215 22 B- C+ C+ B- C C
Anthony Peeler SG 25 6'4'' 215 B C+ B- B+ C C
1992 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
1992 - All-Rookie Team
Career Highs Points: 29 Rebounds: 13 Assists: 10 Steals: 5 Blocks: 2

Grade: A++

29. Los Angeles Lakers (FROM Phoenix Suns) -
Marcus Webb C 6'9'' 255 22 A- C- C D+ C+ D
Marcus Webb C 25 6'9'' 259 B C- C- D C+ D
Career Highs Points: 34 Rebounds: 17 Assists: 5 Steals: 4 Blocks: 2

Grade: C-

The Reranking

1.Alonzo Mourning C 25 6'10'' 256 A- C- C A B+ (1)

2.Terrell Brandon PG 25 5'11'' 184 C+ A A- B+ C (4)

3.Jamal Mashburn SF 22 6'8'' 242 B B C A- C+ C (2)

4.Harold Miner SG 24 6'5'' 218 B+ B+ C B C (6)

5.Nick Van Exel PG 23 6'1'' 178 B- B+ A- B C (7)

6.Latrell Sprewell SG 24 6'5'' 194 B- A- C+ A- D+ (3)

7.Christian Laettner PF 25 6'11'' 249 B B C B+ B- (5)

8.David Wesley SG 24 6'0'' 194 C+ A- B- B+ C (14)

9.Robert Horry PF 24 6'9'' 228 C+ A- C+ B+ C+ (11)

10.Gheorghe Muresan C 24 7'7'' 321 C+ C- D- A- B- (22)

11.P.J. Brown PF 26 6'11'' 255 B- C C B+ B (8)

12.LaPhonso Ellis PF 25 6'8'' 240 B C C- B+ B- (10)

13.Anthony Peeler SG 25 6'4'' 215 B C+ B- B+ C (28)

14.Doug Christie SG 25 6'6'' 206 C B C B+ C (9)

15.Sean Rooks PF 25 6'10'' 250 B- C- C- B- B- (16)

16.Lee Mayberry PG 25 6'2'' 175 C+ C+ B+ C C (18)

17.Popeye Jones PF 25 6'8'' 270 C+ C D B- B+ (20)

18.Tom Gugliotta PF 25 6'10'' 244 C B C C+ B (13)

19.Oliver Miller PF 25 6'9'' 290 B C- C- B- C (27)

20.Jon Barry SG 25 6'5'' 199 C B B- C C- (21)

21.Brent Price PG 26 6'1'' 173 C B B C- D+ (26)

22.Walt Williams SF 25 6'8'' 220 C B C C+ C (12)

23.Tracy Murray SF 23 6'8'' 229 C B C- C+ C (19)

24.Troy King PF 6'8'' 235 23 B C C C+ C (23)

25.Malik Sealy SF 25 6'8'' 196 B- C+ C C C (24)

26.Clarence Weatherspoon PF 24 6'6'' 248 C+ C C- C B+ (15)

27.Marcus Webb C 25 6'9'' 259 B C- C- D C+ (29)

28.Todd Day SG 25 6'8'' 200 C C+ C C+ D+ (17)

29.Duane Cooper PG 6'1'' 185 23 C C+ C B+ C, Retired(Original Ratings) (25)

[CC]

damn.

5.

[mtg]

I'm so good at late pick

1st I got gheorghe and now I got dumars

[cliff "woo" harris]

No big busts in this draft.. Peeler was a great pick.

[donatello2424]

A++

[tmaczdaddy]

6

[crazymike2021]

5

[Brophdog88]

Vote Please

[Tigertecz]

VERY nice article.

[DB]

great read, what a draft

[cllaatsch]

A

[Brophdog88]

+5 to Luc Longley's Blocking please

If you haven't already done it, please do +5 to Eddie Jones' 3 point shot

[crazymike2021]

5

[Brophdog88]

bump

[Brophdog88]

May 15, 2009 14:26:13 GMT -5 Brophdog88 said:

+5 to Luc Longley's Blocking please

If you haven't already done it, please do +5 to Eddie Jones' 3 point shot

Can I get Confirmation if this was done please?