Picks represent who teams should take. This is not an attempt to project which players teams will actually select.
1) NOH - Anthony Davis, Kentucky
In a class all by himself.
2) CHA - Thomas Robinson, Kansas
See the Captain's take on why Robinson is the right choice for the Bobcats.
3) WAS - Bradley Beal, Florida
I really like Beal, but, with talk of OKC and the Spurs trying to obtain early picks in order to select the Florida freshman, we may be reaching a point where expectations for Beal are becoming unrealistic.
4) CLE - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
Harrison Barnes is a better shooter, but I am confident MKG is better in every other area.
5) SAC - Dion Waiters, Syracuse
Despite similarities to both Marcus Thornton and Tyreke Evans, Waiters, who I believe is the fifth best player in the draft, is the pick, as he provides stingy defense, toughness, and the ability to get to the hole.
6) POR - Andre Drummond, Connecticut
I have serious doubts about Drummond, but his measurements and athletic ability are hard to ignore at the six spot when the Blazers have the eleventh pick in their back pocket.
7) GSW - Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
I can get behind Barnes as the seventh pick, but I am just not convinced he adds anything other than outside shooting.
8) TOR - Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
Lamb is a natural scorer with length, and I think his game translates well to the NBA.
9) DET - Meyers Leonard, Illinois
Young Meyers has some maturity issues he needs to work through, but he is also a really nice athlete with a big frame that looks like it is going to fill out.
10) NOH - Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
I would not fault the Hornets if they went with more length (i.e., Moe Harkless, Terrence Jones, or Tyler Zeller), but I think pairing Marshall with Davis would work out extremely well for Monty Williams' club.
11) POR - Damian Lillard, Weber State
I am finally coming around to the idea of Lillard being a lottery pick (for the point guard-deficient Blazers at least), but, as a shoot-first point guard from a mid-major who is too undersized to play the two, I would not criticize the Blazers for passing on the Weber State product.
12) HOU - Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Can see him being a solid (but not spectacular) starting center for years.
13) PHX - Terrence Ross, Washington
The Suns need a two-guard and preferably one that can shoot.
14) MIL - Moe Harkless, St. John's
Harkless is one of my favorite players in the draft, and I love his instincts on the offensive end.
15) PHI - Terrence Jones, Kentucky
When Terrence Jones falls outside of the lottery, you know you are dealing with a ridiculously deep draft.
16) HOU - Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
If the Rockets keep all three of their first-round picks (though I cannot imagine they will), they can afford to roll the dice on Sully's supposedly balky back.
17) DAL - Marquis Teague, Kentucky
Teague is a more physically imposing version of his older brother, and that is a good thing - especially for the Mavs, who look like they are not going to be luring Deron Williams to Dallas and may be operating without Jason Kidd at the helm next season.
18) HOU - Austin Rivers, Duke
Doc's son was impressive during his single season in Durham, but I am not convinced that he adds wins to the team that drafts him or that anyone wants to play with him.
19) ORL - Perry Jones, Baylor
If Dwight Howard leaves, the cupboard will be bare in Orlando, which is why the Magic take the most talented player left on the board.
20) DEN - Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
When you have a team full of inconsistent weirdos, sometimes it makes sense to take a blue collar/hard hat/Coors Light type of guy.
21) BOS - Will Barton, Memphis
I am super high on this skinny stat-stuffer, and I think he is a steal for Boston with the twenty-first pick.
22) BOS - Royce White, Iowa State
After reading Grantland's recent piece on White, I am convinced that the problem with selecting him is not that he is dealing with anxiety issues but rather that he is a prima donna who is going to be extremely high maintenance.
23) ATL - Quincy Miller, Baylor
Love his length; love his upside.
24) CLE - Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
Cavs add a capable post scorer with a nice mid-range jumper to pair with the more defensive-minded Tristan Thompson.
25) MEM - Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
Impressive athlete who can defend and knock down the three ball, which is important since it looks like the Grizzlies will be losing their most prolific three-point shooter, O.J. Mayo.
26) IND - John Henson, North Carolina
Loved Henson as a game-changer on the defensive end at the college level but pretty convinced he is going to be manhandled in the Association.
27) MIA - Draymond Green, Michigan State
Defending champs add the third best player in college basketball with the twenty-seventh pick.
28) OKC - Jae Crowder, Marquette
Though undersized, Crowder, a poor man's Larry Johnson, will contribute off the bench as either an extremely physical three or a four in a small-ball lineup.
29) CHI - Tony Wroten, Washington
The Bulls pick up crazy ass Tony Wroten.
30) GSW - Evan Fournier, France
At 6-7, Fournier has good size for a two-guard and possesses a smooth offensive game, though I think he will have trouble defending early in his career.
4 Players To Take in the 2nd Round
Jared Cunningham, Oregon State
Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette
Doron Lamb, Kentucky
Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin
4 Players To Avoid in the 1st Round
Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt
John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
Khris Middleton, Texas A&M
Miles Plumlee, Duke
Posts
Watching Arnett Moultrie is like actually tasting the Rockies. That '96 lottery was crazy deep. I like the Jae Crowder comparison too. He feels like a guy who a bunch of dummies will act surprised to see succeeding as a 20 minute per game sparkplug off the bench (shades of Taj Gibson)
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