1969 NBA Draft Recap
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the slam dunk number one pick, but what happens after that?
Editor’s note: This is a fictional account of this history of the NBA beginning in 1966–67. This narrative was created by playing Fast Break Pro Basketball 3. For an introduction to this dynasty, visit: https://medium.com/historical-sports-gaming/re-writing-nba-history-an-introduction-483db0ebc720
After a mostly quiet month of June, the NBA offseason kicks off with the 1969 NBA Draft. The San Diego Rockets are picking fifth overall, but could look to make a move up. Will they succeed?
1968 NBA Draft Recap
As you’ll see below, a weird glitch took place in the draft where the New York Knicks drafted the same exact player San Diego took! Not totally sure how it happened, but I think I screwed something up myself when I drafted the player. In any case, the pick is treated as if the Knicks forfeited it since they took a player who was already selected.
Willie Wise (SF), Round 1, 4th Overall — I was unsuccessful in trying to trade up in this draft. I admittedly was hoping to land Spencer Haywood. Trading up for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a non-starter, I did try to give Phoenix an offer and they turned down a deal for three of San Diego’s top eight players, so I knew they had no interest in dealing out of №1. When Haywood fell past Milwaukee and Baltimore, I tried to strike a deal with Seattle, knowing Haywood would definitely go at №4. The Sonics nearly accepted a deal for both of San Diego’s 1969 draft picks, but I had a change of heart and decided not to do the deal.
Willie Wise was a top ABA player in real life and will likely be able to take away a starting forward spot from either Ron Franz or Julian Hammond. Wise has outstanding rebound skills and is a threat to score 20+ points per game. He is a liability defensively (a C potential in all the defensive categories) but hes another weapon that should make this Rocket offense lethal.
Billy Keller (PG), Round 2, 19th Overall — This was tough. Keller doesn’t fit the NBA game, he’s a three-point shooter in a league without a three-point shot. However, Keller doesn’t need to do much behind Walt Frazier and (hopefully) Earl Monroe. He’s a guy who can get the ball late in games to make big shots and provide some offensive punch from the perimeter when needed. He can’t do much else and is a bit undersized at 5–10, 177 pounds, but it’s not an awful pick considering how weak this draft was.
Other Notable Picks:
First overall —Kareem Abdul-Jabbar C, Phoenix— The easiest pick ever. Abdul-Jabbar should do what Elvin Hayes did for San Diego last year and immediately lift the Suns out of the doldrums. He will likely take over as the NBA’s best player sooner rather than later.
Biggest steal — Rick Roberson (PF), Detroit, 11th overall — Roberson is an average offensive player, great rebounder and poor defender, but considering the lack of depth in this draft class, I’m shocked a player with his rebounding skills fell to the Pistons.
Biggest reach — Bob Dandridge (SG), Milwaukee, 2nd overall — This isn’t totally fair to the Bucks as Dandridge should immediately become their best player. But they could have traded down a few slots or drafted Spencer Haywood instead of taking Dandridge at #2. A couple picks too early.
1968 ABA Draft Recap
Notable Picks:
First overall — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (C), Dallas —For the second straight year, the ABA doesn’t land the number one pick, as Dallas was outbid by the NBA’s Suns for Abdul-Jabbar’s services.
Biggest steal — Mike Barrett (PG), Los Angeles 7th overall — The Stars have done a good job of snagging some solid talent in the ABA draft the last two years. Barrett is a solid two-way player who can play great defense and shoot well. He was shockingly undrafted in the NBA Draft.
Biggest loser in the draft — New York Nets — The good new for the Nets is they drafted two solid players in Spencer Haywood and Jo Jo White. The bad news is they weren’t able to sign either player and the Nets are the only ABA team unable to sign any of their draft picks.
San Diego Pending Free Agents
With free agency right around the corner, a bunch of San Diego players will see their contracts expire. There are eight players the Rockets have the rights to who are free agents and we’ll either have to cut loose or try to pry away from the ABA.
Earl Monroe (PG)—I honestly don’t care about anyone but Monroe. I tried to re-sign him prior to June, but he said he wanted to test free agency. Monroe is key to this club’s success and we may have to overpay to keep him out of the ABA, but it doesn’t matter. The Rockets can’t lose him.
Jimmy Walker (SG)— Walker has potential to be a starting guard, but with the Rockets so clogged up at the position, he’s a player that we may have to let walk over to the ABA.
George Peeples (PF)—Along with Gary Keller, Peeples is fine as a player who can give Elvin Hayes or the starting PF a breather. But I’d rather not pay a fortune to keep him around.
George Sutor, C — Sutor isn’t anything more than a defense-first bench guy up the middle, his offensive skills are non-existent. We’ll only sign him for the minimum and nothing more.
Jim Caldwell, C— Caldwell’s just a slightly better version than Sutor, nothing more. We may bring him back as a 13th or 14th man off the bench, but don’t want to pay him anything.
Rod Thorn (SF)—Thorn received no interest from the ABA last year and we retained him as a deep bench guy for a minimum salary. We’ll look to do the same again this year.
Adrian Smith (SG) —Smith’s time with the Rockets is basically over. His skills have eroded at this point and he barely got off the bench last year. If an ABA team doesn’t pick him up, we’ll try to sign him and trade him.
Wali Jones (PG)— Like Thorn, Jones is unlikely to garner any interest from the ABA and will likely sign for the minimum or close to it. He’s an OK defender and shoots well, he’s good to have in the back of the bench.
