Post by KingsOfKings on May 21, 2008 13:41:40 GMT -5
Analysis
1. Dallas Mavericks - C John Riek - This pick is in the books already, they pick up an already good defensive presence for the middle. He has A potential and room to grow, and they're hoping he can make progress on his offensive game. They should hope he gets as good as Roy Hibbert. I think they should've picked a more complete player like Derrick Favors with a scoring punch, but they like the size of Riek I guess. Grade: C
2. Toronto Raptors - SG Tyreke Evans - This pick has been made already. The Raptors pick up another scorer in a similar mold to existing SG James Harden. Evans is a good outside shooter, and his only hole is below average defense. I would've liked to have seen this be Favors as Rashard Lewis is aging and he would've fit with their existing starters a little better. Grade: B-
3. Denver Nuggets - PG Kalin Lucas - This pick has been made already. At first glance you might ask, "why pick a PG, they have Delonte West?" However, their weakest starter was PF, and Macklin looks like a solid defensive player with A potential still. Lucas could be a good complimentary scorer out of the gate, but initially he's more of a pass-first PG. He needs to improve his defense. Grade: B+
4. Houston Rockets - SF DeShaun Thomas - I really think that Houston got one of the top 2 players here with this pick. A B+ inside and outside scorer with a good start on defense at B+ there. Grade: A
5. Memphis Grizzlies - C Derrick Favors - This was more lucky than good, but to come away with Favors as a C or PF with the #5 pick was great. He instantly improves their team. There's a little situation at PF now, but playing Favors at C while the rest of the team gets built is fine. Grade: A
6. Orlando Magic - C Kenny Kadji - This is a good need-pick. They needed a big body, and they got a 6'11, 260 pound beast for the middle. He's solid defensively and rebounding right away. He's weak scoring-wise, but with room to grow and playing time, this guy could turn into a 16 ppg, 12 rpg, which would be exactly what the doctor ordered. Grade: B+
7. New Jersey Nets (from the Jazz) - SG Xavier Henry - Henry will surely play SF, but I thought they were a little more confident in Chandler Parsons than this. It looks like they went the best-available route, and they are forcing their own hand to make a big trade. Either that or this sets up a battle for who wins the starting job after McGrady is done. Grade: A-
8. Chicago Bulls - PF James Johnson - I traded a late 1st for Al Horford who is a little scoring away from looking exactly like James Johnson. Johnson can contribute right away, but it's too early to pick a B-potential guy. He doesn't have great defense or rebounding, and without some potential to carry him, he'll probably fall short of what Chicago needs. Grade: C-
9. Philadelphia 76ers - SF Scotty Hopson - Hopson is undersized for a SF, but one of the better value picks at this point. He will compete along with a bunch of other guys for playing time at SG and SF. Grade: B+
10. Boston Celtics - C Cole Aldrich - great pick. Aldrich doesn't have the scoring right away, but he has good size and he has a little outside scoring touch. That could turn into outside scoring like Andrew Ogilvy and BJ Mullens that I've seen recently that seem to pile up the points. He has the defense and rebounding to start and immediately contribute. Grade: A+
11. Philadelphia 76ers - C Kenny Frease - They pick up a B potential player here which is a bit early, but Frease has good size and he's solid enough to get 20 minutes off the bench. He'll need a more-than-fortuitous series of training camps and ATC work to be a starter if you ask me, but he's not terrible. Grade: C+
12. New York Knicks - SF Delvon Roe - Other than a couple PG's the Knicks don't need, Roe was tied for my highest rating left. Can't complain about that and they didn't seem to overlook a need. I had them taking Chris Wright here and Roe is nearly the same guy. Grade: B+
13. Philadelphia (from DET) - PF Michael Holmes - This pick at #11 would've gotten a higher grade than Frease. Holmes has A potential, solid defense and rebounding, and good enough scoring that he can grow into a good starter. Like this pick. Grade: A
14. San Antonio - SF Chris Wright - This is a very good need pick AND a very good value pick. They don't really need the scoring, and Wright can come in and contribute as a non-scoring option that can play good D. Wright should be able to grow into a scoring role. One of the best players left on my board and it doesn't seem like the right situation to shoot for Duncan's replacement. Grade: A+
15. Golden State - C John Henson - He is a bit undersized for a center, but he has A potential and a decent start to defense and rebounding. He's not that good of a scorer, but I'm not sure how you'd do better if you needed a center as bad as the Warriors do. Grade: B
16. Minnesota - C D.J. Magley - He can score a little and rebound well, but his defense is weak and he only has B potential. I'm not a fan of this pick at all, and I think this was a rough auto-pick. Grade D+
17. Los Angeles Clippers - PG Kemba Walker - With no glaring needs as a starter, I would expect the Clippers to pick the best available player or a future starter for someone they might lose to FA. They got both in my tied-for-best available player at this point. Walker gives a bit more scoring than Liggins but needs work on D. Grade: A
18. Phoenix - SG Manny Harris - He needs a lot of work on defense, but Harris is one of the better scoring guards left. LaceDarius Dunn would've been a little better pick in my opinion, but the Suns didn't do terrible here. Grade: B
19. Milwaukee - PF Gani Lawal - He's not that impressive, but I think they're fortunate that he fell this far. His good start defensively and rebounding wise with A potential could make him a strong non-scoring starter. He shouldn't be terrible scoring-wise, but just an overall solid pick, even tho I had higher rated players. Grade: B+
20. Toronto (from IND) - PG DeAndre Liggins - I had Liggins rated high and I had them taking a PG here, but Walker was gone. With
natural development he can be a starting point guard with enough scoring ability to be helpful, but not really a scoring option. Grade: A
21. Washington - SG LaceDarius Dunn - Dunn is a similar pick to Manny Harris at #18, but Dunn has better outside scoring. He was my best available player when this pick came up. I had them taking Harris, and they got a better play in my opinion. Grade: A
... in process...
22. Forfeited (Atlanta) - Forfeited - Anytime something outside of the draft affects your draft to this end, it's very bad. Grade: F
23. Houston (from NJN) - PG Patrick Mills - Good scoring and good handling. Needs a lot of work on D, but my 2nd highest rated A potential player, and they didn't need a SF after picking DeShaun Thomas, so I like the pick. Grade: A
24. New Jersey (from MIA) - C/PF Josh Southern - Southern is a solid defense/rebounding guy. He'll likely play PF which the Nets were probably well aware of. He won't be much of a scorer at C+ inside and only B potential, but about as good as you can do for a big man at this pick. Grade: B
25. Seattle - SF Gary Johnson, Texas - Solid start to scoring and good defense already. This was a steal this late in the draft as Johnson could develop into a solid starter eventually. Grade: A
26. Sacramento - PG Corey Fisher - picked the last A potential guy. Fisher needs a ton of work on defense, but about as good as you can do here, and more just lucky to have an A potential guy drop to them. Grade: A-
27. Cleveland - SF Scott Martin - He has good outside scoring, but he's not that good inside scoring and he has a lot of work to do defensively. I thought a more defensive-ready player could've been picked, but it's not a horrible pick. Grade: B
28. Forfeited (Charlotte) - Forfeited - Anytime something outside of the draft affects your draft to this end, it's very bad. Grade: F
29. Portland - SG Corey Stokes - He is among the best of the B potential players. He has good scoring ability and isn't a long ways off defensively. He could see bench time right out of the gate. Grade: A
1. Dallas Mavericks - C John Riek - This pick is in the books already, they pick up an already good defensive presence for the middle. He has A potential and room to grow, and they're hoping he can make progress on his offensive game. They should hope he gets as good as Roy Hibbert. I think they should've picked a more complete player like Derrick Favors with a scoring punch, but they like the size of Riek I guess. Grade: C
2. Toronto Raptors - SG Tyreke Evans - This pick has been made already. The Raptors pick up another scorer in a similar mold to existing SG James Harden. Evans is a good outside shooter, and his only hole is below average defense. I would've liked to have seen this be Favors as Rashard Lewis is aging and he would've fit with their existing starters a little better. Grade: B-
3. Denver Nuggets - PG Kalin Lucas - This pick has been made already. At first glance you might ask, "why pick a PG, they have Delonte West?" However, their weakest starter was PF, and Macklin looks like a solid defensive player with A potential still. Lucas could be a good complimentary scorer out of the gate, but initially he's more of a pass-first PG. He needs to improve his defense. Grade: B+
4. Houston Rockets - SF DeShaun Thomas - I really think that Houston got one of the top 2 players here with this pick. A B+ inside and outside scorer with a good start on defense at B+ there. Grade: A
5. Memphis Grizzlies - C Derrick Favors - This was more lucky than good, but to come away with Favors as a C or PF with the #5 pick was great. He instantly improves their team. There's a little situation at PF now, but playing Favors at C while the rest of the team gets built is fine. Grade: A
6. Orlando Magic - C Kenny Kadji - This is a good need-pick. They needed a big body, and they got a 6'11, 260 pound beast for the middle. He's solid defensively and rebounding right away. He's weak scoring-wise, but with room to grow and playing time, this guy could turn into a 16 ppg, 12 rpg, which would be exactly what the doctor ordered. Grade: B+
7. New Jersey Nets (from the Jazz) - SG Xavier Henry - Henry will surely play SF, but I thought they were a little more confident in Chandler Parsons than this. It looks like they went the best-available route, and they are forcing their own hand to make a big trade. Either that or this sets up a battle for who wins the starting job after McGrady is done. Grade: A-
8. Chicago Bulls - PF James Johnson - I traded a late 1st for Al Horford who is a little scoring away from looking exactly like James Johnson. Johnson can contribute right away, but it's too early to pick a B-potential guy. He doesn't have great defense or rebounding, and without some potential to carry him, he'll probably fall short of what Chicago needs. Grade: C-
9. Philadelphia 76ers - SF Scotty Hopson - Hopson is undersized for a SF, but one of the better value picks at this point. He will compete along with a bunch of other guys for playing time at SG and SF. Grade: B+
10. Boston Celtics - C Cole Aldrich - great pick. Aldrich doesn't have the scoring right away, but he has good size and he has a little outside scoring touch. That could turn into outside scoring like Andrew Ogilvy and BJ Mullens that I've seen recently that seem to pile up the points. He has the defense and rebounding to start and immediately contribute. Grade: A+
11. Philadelphia 76ers - C Kenny Frease - They pick up a B potential player here which is a bit early, but Frease has good size and he's solid enough to get 20 minutes off the bench. He'll need a more-than-fortuitous series of training camps and ATC work to be a starter if you ask me, but he's not terrible. Grade: C+
12. New York Knicks - SF Delvon Roe - Other than a couple PG's the Knicks don't need, Roe was tied for my highest rating left. Can't complain about that and they didn't seem to overlook a need. I had them taking Chris Wright here and Roe is nearly the same guy. Grade: B+
13. Philadelphia (from DET) - PF Michael Holmes - This pick at #11 would've gotten a higher grade than Frease. Holmes has A potential, solid defense and rebounding, and good enough scoring that he can grow into a good starter. Like this pick. Grade: A
14. San Antonio - SF Chris Wright - This is a very good need pick AND a very good value pick. They don't really need the scoring, and Wright can come in and contribute as a non-scoring option that can play good D. Wright should be able to grow into a scoring role. One of the best players left on my board and it doesn't seem like the right situation to shoot for Duncan's replacement. Grade: A+
15. Golden State - C John Henson - He is a bit undersized for a center, but he has A potential and a decent start to defense and rebounding. He's not that good of a scorer, but I'm not sure how you'd do better if you needed a center as bad as the Warriors do. Grade: B
16. Minnesota - C D.J. Magley - He can score a little and rebound well, but his defense is weak and he only has B potential. I'm not a fan of this pick at all, and I think this was a rough auto-pick. Grade D+
17. Los Angeles Clippers - PG Kemba Walker - With no glaring needs as a starter, I would expect the Clippers to pick the best available player or a future starter for someone they might lose to FA. They got both in my tied-for-best available player at this point. Walker gives a bit more scoring than Liggins but needs work on D. Grade: A
18. Phoenix - SG Manny Harris - He needs a lot of work on defense, but Harris is one of the better scoring guards left. LaceDarius Dunn would've been a little better pick in my opinion, but the Suns didn't do terrible here. Grade: B
19. Milwaukee - PF Gani Lawal - He's not that impressive, but I think they're fortunate that he fell this far. His good start defensively and rebounding wise with A potential could make him a strong non-scoring starter. He shouldn't be terrible scoring-wise, but just an overall solid pick, even tho I had higher rated players. Grade: B+
20. Toronto (from IND) - PG DeAndre Liggins - I had Liggins rated high and I had them taking a PG here, but Walker was gone. With
natural development he can be a starting point guard with enough scoring ability to be helpful, but not really a scoring option. Grade: A
21. Washington - SG LaceDarius Dunn - Dunn is a similar pick to Manny Harris at #18, but Dunn has better outside scoring. He was my best available player when this pick came up. I had them taking Harris, and they got a better play in my opinion. Grade: A
... in process...
22. Forfeited (Atlanta) - Forfeited - Anytime something outside of the draft affects your draft to this end, it's very bad. Grade: F
23. Houston (from NJN) - PG Patrick Mills - Good scoring and good handling. Needs a lot of work on D, but my 2nd highest rated A potential player, and they didn't need a SF after picking DeShaun Thomas, so I like the pick. Grade: A
24. New Jersey (from MIA) - C/PF Josh Southern - Southern is a solid defense/rebounding guy. He'll likely play PF which the Nets were probably well aware of. He won't be much of a scorer at C+ inside and only B potential, but about as good as you can do for a big man at this pick. Grade: B
25. Seattle - SF Gary Johnson, Texas - Solid start to scoring and good defense already. This was a steal this late in the draft as Johnson could develop into a solid starter eventually. Grade: A
26. Sacramento - PG Corey Fisher - picked the last A potential guy. Fisher needs a ton of work on defense, but about as good as you can do here, and more just lucky to have an A potential guy drop to them. Grade: A-
27. Cleveland - SF Scott Martin - He has good outside scoring, but he's not that good inside scoring and he has a lot of work to do defensively. I thought a more defensive-ready player could've been picked, but it's not a horrible pick. Grade: B
28. Forfeited (Charlotte) - Forfeited - Anytime something outside of the draft affects your draft to this end, it's very bad. Grade: F
29. Portland - SG Corey Stokes - He is among the best of the B potential players. He has good scoring ability and isn't a long ways off defensively. He could see bench time right out of the gate. Grade: A
I took Lawal over your higher-rated Liggins cause I have two A+ PGs lolz.
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