The following projections represent not who the NBA teams will likely pick but, rather, who they should select. This exercise assumes all players are eligible to be drated, regardless of intent to enter the draft (thus, the title Everybody in the Pool). This is my opinion, but feel free to compare these projections with Admiral Jameson Sax's previous post.
1 Kings: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Soph 6-10 240 PF
As Sax said: a no-brainer in the top spot. He is likely the most talented, yet physically imposing player in a draft since Lebron. Acknowledging all the hype surrounding Griffin after his freshman year, I still came away thoroughly impressed from his sophomore campaign. I have a feeling NBA scouts feel the same.
2 Clippers: Ricky Rubio, Spain
N/A 6-3 180 PG
If it weren't for the Knicks, the Clippers managemenet and coaching failures would receive much more attention. They have some athletic, developing wings in Gordon and Thornton, but little else. Might as well take a chance on Rubio developing into a better scoring Steve Nash and hope to surround him with some more athletes.
3 Wizards: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
Jr 7-3 260 C
Thabeet spent his junior year proving many of his doubters wrong. He has shown he can compete at an extremely high level. His inability to consistently knock down an outside jumper will hamper his offensive abilities in the NBA, but he should be a defensive stalwart his first game on. He immediately improves the Wizards defensively and with the return of Gilbert Arenas to a core of Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, the Wizards don't need any more offensive firepower.
4 Thunder: James Harden, Arizona State
Soph 6-4 220 SG
A guy who can score in a variety of ways but also set up Kevin Durant. He's also a good rebounder at the guard position and should free Kevin Durant up to get out in transition.
5 Grizzlies: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Sr 6-8 245 PF
Can't believe I went this high for Hansbrough, but seems like a perfect fit for a young Memphis Grizzlies team. They probably can't justify taking Hansbrough this high, but it negates any drawbacks from the Love for Mayo trade last year. Gives the Grizzlies a different look defensively than Darrel Arthur or Hakim Warrick
6 Timberwolves: Eric Maynor, VCU
Sr 6-3 180 PG
Reminds me a lot of Russell Westbrook. He excels in pressure situations and would defer to Jefferson and Love. I think he is the second best point guard prospect in the draft.
7 Warriors: Brandon Jennings, N/A
N/A 6-1 170 PG
An all-world talent at point guard. Top-ranked point guard in the 08 high school class. He is a west-coast kid who would thrive in Nelly's up-tempo offense.
8 Knicks: Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Fr 6-10 234 PF
Would provide the Knicks with some different lineup possibilities and a high potential player. Monroe often looked lost in Georgetown's Princeton offense, but showcased his passing ability out of the post. He gives the Knicks some lenth and athleticism on their front line.
9 Raptors: Jordan Hill, Arizona
Jr 6-9 235 PF
Largely a value pick at number nine, but makes any team much more athletic. He could play alongside Bosh and Marion nicely.
10 Bucks: Craig Brackins, Iowa State
Soph 6-10 230 PF
Needs to add some weight but could give the Bucks some frontline scoring help. Villanueva is about it at this point. Would also limit Dan Gadzuric's minutes as a backup which is always a good thing.
11 Nets: Gerald Henderson, Duke
Jr 6-4 210 SG
Henderson gives the Nets another athletic wing who can get to the rim and finish in transition. He would be a nice pice with Harris and Lopez if Carter is shopped in the off-season.
12 Bobcats: Tyreke Evans, Memphis
Fr 6-6 220 PG, SG
Evans ability to play the point is of less concern to a team like the Bobcats with guys like Felton and Augustin. However, Evans gives the Bobcats another athletic ball handler who can defend bigger guards.
13 Pacers: Stephen Curry, Davidson
Jr 6-3 180 PG, SG
Curry's ability to play the point guard at the next level is critical. However, I feel like he could easily shift to the two guard for stretches and knock down open jumpers off Granger double-teams. He was a tremendous passer on a down Davidson squad. He isn't a high tempo type guard, but the Pacers aren't exactly a high tempo team either.
14 Suns Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Soph 6-0 185 PG
Flynn gives the Suns a fast paced transition scorer who is also able to knock down the open three. He would allow Barbosa to stay at the two guard.
15 Pistons, DeMar DeRozan, USC
Fr. 6-6 210 SG
A burst of athleticism for a seemingly aging Pistons backcourt minus Stuckey. Afflalo is a nice young player, but doesn't give them the dynamic that DeRozan would.
16 76ers: Ty Lawson, UNC
Jr 6-0 195 PG
Really showed his ability to take over games towards the end of this season. I don't think UNC wins the tournament without him. Improved outside shot, but has unbeleivable strength to finish in the lane after contact. He could be a great asset to guys like Dalembert, Young, and Iguodala in transition.
17 Bulls: Sam Young, Pittsburgh
Sr 6-6 220 SG
Young has the outside shot to make defenders respect him. He has tremendous athleticism, maybe in the top 3 of this draft with Griffin and DeRozan. He could also play at the three allowing the Bulls to play Rose, Gordon, Young, Thomas, and Noah. Very young, but a lot of promise.
18 Timberwolves: Terrence Williams, Louisville
Sr 6-6 220 SG
Another option on the wing for the Timberwolves, but a guy who can create his own shot, but has the passing ability to drop it off for Love or Jefferson when slicing to the rim. He'll also play defense.
19 Hawks: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
Soph 6-2 175 PG
An ultra-athletic floor general who takes over behind Bibby. He has the body to play some off guard as well, and could relieve Joe Johnson in some instances.
20 Jazz: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
Soph 6-8 235 PF
It does just make too much sense. Willing to do anything asked of him on the court and will obey Sloan's road trip curfew rules
21 Mavericks: Patty Mills, St. Mary's
Soph, 5-11 180
Another option at point guard and one that can still get into the lane to open up the many shooters on this team.
22 Hornets: Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
Jr 6-4 210 SG
A spot up two guard to knock down open shots from Paul's penetration. A clutch performer and free-throw shooter who knows how to draw a foul at the rim. Tremendous upper body strength.
23 Thunder: Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
Jr 6-5 195 SG
Mid-range shooter who developed into a much more controlled player as a junior. Good but not great athleticism.
24 Trailblazers: Cole Aldrich, Kansas
Soph 6-10 250 PF
Steering clear of any more Ohio St. 7-footers, the Blazers have to be seeking another big man. Aldrich is a polished scorer, rebounder, and defensive player. He's a big boy who, a la Rudy Fernandez, enjoys telling people he will put points on faces. See Kansas State cell phone debacle.
25 Kings: DaJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
Soph 6-6 285 PF
Terribly undersized but could be a difficult matchup for a lot of NBA players. He is wide and a tremendous rebounder. He executes a pick and roll extremely well.
26 Bulls: James Johnson, Wake Forest
Soph 6-8 2335 PF
Athletic body to lurk in the post for a while. Questions about his defensive skill set are there, but this is a potential pick, and Johnson has as much as almost anyone in this draft class.
27 Grizzlies: Earl Clark, Louisville
Jr 6-10 230 SF
Another potential pick for a team waiting on potential to develop. He needs to get away from the three point shot and develop a nice 15 foot jumper for defenders to respect. His best years may be what Beasley produced as a slow-to-adjust rookie.
28 Timberwolves: Chase Budinger, Arizona
Jr 6-7 218 SF
Can knock down a mid-range jumper off of a curl screen but has otherwise shown a very slow to develop skill set. He is crafty around the rim, but seems to lack any sort of specialized skill set that shows he can stick around this league. If he becomes a deadlier three-point shooter, he would be a really dangerous player.
29 Lakers: Damion James, Texas
Jr 6-7 225 SF
If a top level point guard is still available at this point I see the Lakers going in that direction, but believing most of it to be off the board at this point, the Lakers simply need to make a pick on potential. James was considered a top five pick in drafts past but inconsistent play and a lack of focus showed themselves during this three years at Texas. He is a great rebounder from the three spot, but must become a more polished player to see any real clock in the NBA.
30 Cleveland: BJ Mullens, Ohio State
Fr 7-0 275 C
A top ranked player out of high school, but like most big men rarely put in the effort needed to take over a game. Lacks leadership and nerve in pressure situations (see two missed free throws) but stays in state to provide a big body in Cleveland's post.
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ReplyDeleteEric Maynor at 6? I like your moxie, but I can't go there. I admit I haven't seen a lot of Maynor on the tube. And, from what I've seen, I do believe he's a solid point guard who may indeed end up in the first round. Still, 6 seems awfully high.
ReplyDeleteAnd no Ed Davis? I love this kid's game. His body's not quite there yet, but just wait...
I genuinely feel like he's the best point guard prospect in the draft if Rubio doesn't come out this year. He reminds me too much of Westbrook, but with more intangibles that make him a better fit to lead a team. I like Lawson, but there is a little too much Raymond Felton in him for me. Teague is still pretty raw for my taste, as well.
ReplyDeleteMaynor is already a developed shooter. He's got long arms and is quick enough to be a premiere defender.
Davis was an oversight. I guess one could replace Greg Monroe with Davis now that Monroe is staying.
I think Henderson would be a great pickup for the Nets. He should potentially replace everything that Richard Jefferson did for them.
ReplyDeleteI also think the Wizards would be the perfect place for Thabeet. His lack of an ability to score won't be noticed for years.
I have only watched BJ Mullens play twice, but I think he is almost a lock to be a bust in the NBA.
*Editor's Note: I made a similar proclamation about Joe Flacco being a bust last year.