That is Chris Taft’s draft status.
But Taft’s status heading into tonight’s draft at Madison Square Garden has been one of the best-kept secrets around the NBA.
The 6-10, 260-pound Taft has worked out for a total of 15 NBA teams — the most recent being Seattle and Houston — and the reviews have been mixed. It’s anybody’s guess as to who will pick him, and it’s equally confounding to determine in which round he’ll be taken.
Most likely, given Taft’s potential, someone will spend a first-round pick on him. But any continued talk of the lottery is on life-support.
There are quotes from players like Hakim Warrick and Sean May about Taft’s ability, and that he shouldn’t be worried about where he is drafted (easy for them to say since they are likely to be drafted ahead of him).
Unless someone is doing a mock draft board, people are just admitting they have no frickin’ clue where Taft will be drafted:
Chris Taft, 6-10, Sophomore, Pittsburgh
Pros: On paper, Taft has all the requisite tools of an NBA power forward. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s athletic, and he played college ball in the conference that — at least in 2005 — boasted the nation’s best frontcourts. Defensively, Taft does an excellent job of blocking and altering shots. Without question, his body is NBA-ready. There’s still a lot of upside.
Cons: Taft’s play was largely lackadaisical, on both sides of the floor, throughout his sophomore season. Many detractors insist he was counting his NBA riches long before the year started.
Summary: The Warriors (No. 9) need a big man, and could make Taft their man. But don’t be surprised if teams are deterred by his questionable attitude and slips deep into the second round.
This still bugs me, how does Taft’s attitude kill him while Villanueva’s is ignored. Correct me if I’m wrong, but has anyone ever used “overachieving” or even “living up to potential” when describing Villanueva?
Rumors of Taft to the Suns appear mostly dead, but could be revived if the Kurt Thomas-Quentin Richardson trade with the Knicks fails to happen.
Houston with the 24th pick is another rumored spot.
As for the Mock Draft boards:
One has him going to Houston. Well more than one. “…the Acie Earl of 2005?” Ouch.
Sean Deveney at The Sporting News, likes Taft going to the Heat.
29. Miami — Chris Taft, PF/C, Pitt. Taft is one of the big droppers in mock-draft history. Not long ago, we were counting him as a sure lottery pick — now, he is looking at the second round. Perhaps Miami will save him, though. Taft has an NBA body and could develop into a solid big man — if he develops a work ethic. Work ethic is a big question with Taft, but when you play alongside Shaquille O’Neal and under Stan Van Gundy, you learn to work pretty quickly. Miami could also go for an experienced player like Luther Head, Lee or Walsh.
This theory seems to be getting more traction.
29. Miami — Chris Taft, 6-8 1/2 , 261, So., Pittsburgh: Big and athletic, but disappointing season was followed by disappointing workouts. Too tempting to pass here for Pat Riley, who excels at motivating players.
How about going to Denver?
22. Denver, Chris Taft, Pittsburgh F Could break into Denver’s top nine as a rookie.
Maybe Seattle at #25. Also liked here.
The ever popular destination of Sacramento.
23. Sacramento: Chris Taft, 6-10, F, Pittsburgh: He is the most talented frontline guy left, though you would not know it by his inconsistent play.
26. Detroit, Chris Taft, PF, Pittsburgh, 6-10, 260 No guarantees with up-and-down big man.
A real optimist in Louisiana has him going #15 to the Nets.
Then there is the last pick of the 1st round belonging to the Knicks.
30. New York Chris Taft PF Pittsburgh Comment: He is falling, but the Knicks might help him up.
I guess it would still be a guaranteed contract.
30. New York Knicks. Chris Taft, Pittsburgh, 6-9 1/2, 261. A preseason top 10 who plummeted in scouts’ eyes. Could he be that bad? They need size and worth a look. Perhaps Kansas’ Wayne Simien, although they have too long a history of undersized forwards.
And of course those that see him just missing/making the cut.
The Taft Vigil begins around 7:30 pm.
