Post by NBL President on Oct 7, 2007 21:32:54 GMT -5
Here is a look at my draft recap. Some opinions might be outlandish, others flat out wrong. It's just my take...
1. SG O.J. Mayo - The Grizzlies needed a superstar and they also needed a SG. Mayo fits both, and he is an impact 20-year old from day 1. Hard to even consider a bad grade here. Grade = A+.
2. PG Chris Paul - Mayo would've been a great fit for Seattle, but he was gone, and the clear 2nd pick was Paul. He is another complete player who will contribute from day 1, and the only question is what will be done with Delonte West. Grade = A.
3. PG Derrick Rose - With Ray Felton at PG, one has to wonder what the Bobcats were doing taking Rose #3 after trading up. However, a closer look shows that the Eastern Conference champion really has no weaknesses, and taking the best talent left was not a bad thing. Grade = A-.
4. PF Richard Hendrix - At #4, Hendrix better be a total beast on the boards, and develop some inside scoring, or this might be a regrettable pick. With that said, Dallas had nothing at PF, and besides reaching for a SF or C, they had no other options. Grade = B.
5. C Roy Hibbert - Another perplexing move, the Blazers, with Greg Oden at center, trade up to grab a center leaving clear holes at SF and SG. The move of Oden to PF should make these 2 an elite PF/C combo, and like Dallas, there really wasn't a SF worthy of such a high pick. Grade = B+.
6. PG Tywon Lawson - The Pistons are in desperate need of frontcourt help, but without a stud available after Hibbert and Hendrix going before them, the Pistons decided to prepare for the future at PG with Lawson after Billups is gone. Lawson is going to be a great distributor soon and it was a team need. Grade = A-.
7. SG Chris Lofton - Lofton was the best SG in the draft, I just wonder why Minnesota decided to take him. They have a guy in Randy Foye who could play a fine SG, or Corey Brewer and Gerald Green who could get things done too. The Wolves added talent, but I don't think it was in a place of need. Grade = C+.
8. SF Chase Budinger - Not only was Budinger not the best SF available, the Clippers used their 2007 pick on SF Al Thornton. The real determination of this pick will be Budinger's ability to play shooting guard, if he can do that, the Clippers starting five has some potential. Grade = B.
9. SF Michael Beasley - A strange pick by New York, taking a SF for the 3rd year in a row after Wilson Chandler and Renaldo Balkman. They also have Quentin Richardson, so one has to wonder where Beasley plays. However, Beasley could be a future superstar. Grade = B+.
10. PG Dominic James - James is an all-around player, both side of the ball, and with a knack for scoring and dishing the rock, he should be great for a team that needed scoring and a PG. I love this pick. Grade = A+.
11. PG Ronald Steele - After trading Marcus Williams, one figured the Nets might look PG. They have some depth at the wing, and with Sean Williams now relegated to the bench and Jermaine O'Neal back to C, the Nets needed a all-around PG to dish to the scorers. Grade = A-.
12. C Kosta Koufos - Koufos is a solid player, but Bargnani penciled in at the future power forward, their frontcourt rebounding and defense is going to suffer. Koufos would be a nice pick for a team with a double-double machine at PF, or a better rebounding wings, but I think he was a little overpicked at 12. Grade = C+.
13. SF Julian Wright - This was a case of best available, as it's clear the Sixers needed a PF, bad. However, if Philly can get away with a small lineup, they can really give people problems with the 1-2 punch of Wright and Iguodala, both athletically and on the defensive end. Grade = B.
14. C Hasheem Thabeet - With Shaq retiring, the Heat needed desperate size. He can't score, and will take a while to develop, but he should become a force on the interior. They could've gone PF and possibly PG, but this pick was pretty solid. Grade = A-.
15. SF Kyle Weaver - Weaver fell to Portland, and it couldn't of been more perfect for a team who needs wing play. Weaver should be a a starter right away, and possibly be a double digit scorer. He is an all-around talent who fits nicely without high offensive expectations. Grade = A-.
16. PF Darrell Arthur - With Drew Gooden likely out of town next season, Arthur will have to make the transition quickly. However, the Cavs had bigger needs at center and especially SG, and at age 27, Gooden doesn't necessarily have to be let go. I don't know about this pick. Grade = C+.
17. PF D.J. White - Depending what plans are for Barbosa and Nash, there were no openings in the starting lineup. However, with Shawn Marion's Suns' future up in the air, White is a nice replacement prospect. Grade = B+.
18. PF Tyler Hansbrough - If Dwight Howard is moving to center, this is a good pick. However, I'm not if that will happen, and the Magic could've used a real center or a shooting guard. I think Tyler could be a decent piece, but his use is still to be determined. Grade = B-.
19. C Steven Hill - Like the 3rd pick, the Bobcats weren't going after immediate starters here, so the selection of defensive-minded center Hill makes some sense. I'm not sure if he talent is enough to get him out of a career long backup role, but it wasn't a terrible pick. Grade = B.
20. PF Kevin Love - The Wizards have the backcourt covered with Arenas and Butler, and with Jamison now 32, frontcourt help was needed. I think both Love and Jamison can be a versatile combo at PF, but I also think the Wizards could've used a better inside prescence with this pick as Love likes the perimeter game. Grade = B.
21. SF Deron Washington - We all know about Deron's athleticism, maybe the best in the draft. He is a guy that will do what you need, but I am baffled at why they selected a SF with Carmelo already there. I'm suprised they passed on a PG like Derrick Low, very suprised. Grade = C.
22. SG Richard Roby - Picking Roby 22 was a steal, especially in a thin SG draft. He is a good overall scorer, plays decent defense and will contribute right away. The Lakers have a nice starting 5, and Kobe can easily play the 3, and Roby takes some minutes at the 2. Grade = A-.
23. PG Sean Singletary - I have to wonder if the Celtics know what they are doing. A team who sold out to win now traded numerous key frontcourt pieces to Minnesota, and with an already thin bench, they draft a point guard? Not only did they take Gabe Pruit in 2006 and Rajon Rondo in 2005, they take another midget PG in 2007? Singletary is talented, but where does he play, and who provides depth for this "contender." Grade = D.
24. SG Wayne Ellington - Maybe the steal of the draft talent-wise, but this is another "what are you thinking" picks. The Jazz drafted Morris Almond in RD1 in 2006, Ronnie Brewer likewise in 2005, and now they take another shooting guard? The Jazz still lack a true center, and small forward depth. Grade = C.
25. PF Charles Rhodes - Rhodes is a guy we really like, a decent scorer who can rebound. He is pretty lanky for his position, but he has more upside, and with many teams lacking depth inside, stealing Rhodes at 25 was a very nice move by San Antonio. Grade = A-.
26. PG Derrick Low - Another steal, and a 2nd straight first rounder spent on a PG by Atlanta. Like last year's pick Acie Law, Low is a gamer and he will leave it all on the floor. He can stroke the 3, dish the ball and should improve with more work in a pro style offense. Grade = A.
27. PF Joey Dorsey - Nothing against Joey Dorsey, but I am lost as to why the Bulls made this pick. Not only have they drafted PF in the last two seasons (Noah and Thomas), they lack depth at other positions. Granted, Noah could probably play C, but Dorsey just simply won't play over either of these guys. Grade = C.
28. SG Shan Foster - Most people remember Derrick Byars, well his college teammate Shan Foster is a year behind him, but could have that type of impact in his rookie season. Foster can knock down the 3, is very athletic and has potential. The Sonics drafted 3 SG's, and with Durant, Green and Paul around him, any of them could get some nice looks. Grade = B-.
29. PF Cedric Simmons - This pick isn't terrible considering PF is still a big need for Dallas, but I also think there were more talented gambles out there than Simmons. He is really just a backup at SF or PF, and their might've been better fits left in the draft to take. Grade = C+.
1. SG O.J. Mayo - The Grizzlies needed a superstar and they also needed a SG. Mayo fits both, and he is an impact 20-year old from day 1. Hard to even consider a bad grade here. Grade = A+. 2. PG Chris Paul - Mayo would've been a great fit for Seattle, but he was gone, and the clear 2nd pick was Paul. He is another complete player who will contribute from day 1, and the only question is what will be done with Delonte West. Grade = A. 3. PG Derrick Rose - With Ray Felton at PG, one has to wonder what the Bobcats were doing taking Rose #3 after trading up. However, a closer look shows that the Eastern Conference champion really has no weaknesses, and taking the best talent left was not a bad thing. Grade = A-. 4. PF Richard Hendrix - At #4, Hendrix better be a total beast on the boards, and develop some inside scoring, or this might be a regrettable pick. With that said, Dallas had nothing at PF, and besides reaching for a SF or C, they had no other options. Grade = B. 5. C Roy Hibbert - Another perplexing move, the Blazers, with Greg Oden at center, trade up to grab a center leaving clear holes at SF and SG. The move of Oden to PF should make these 2 an elite PF/C combo, and like Dallas, there really wasn't a SF worthy of such a high pick. Grade = B+. 6. PG Tywon Lawson - The Pistons are in desperate need of frontcourt help, but without a stud available after Hibbert and Hendrix going before them, the Pistons decided to prepare for the future at PG with Lawson after Billups is gone. Lawson is going to be a great distributor soon and it was a team need. Grade = A-. 7. SG Chris Lofton - Lofton was the best SG in the draft, I just wonder why Minnesota decided to take him. They have a guy in Randy Foye who could play a fine SG, or Corey Brewer and Gerald Green who could get things done too. The Wolves added talent, but I don't think it was in a place of need. Grade = C+. 8. SF Chase Budinger - Not only was Budinger not the best SF available, the Clippers used their 2007 pick on SF Al Thornton. The real determination of this pick will be Budinger's ability to play shooting guard, if he can do that, the Clippers starting five has some potential. Grade = B. 9. SF Michael Beasley - A strange pick by New York, taking a SF for the 3rd year in a row after Wilson Chandler and Renaldo Balkman. They also have Quentin Richardson, so one has to wonder where Beasley plays. However, Beasley could be a future superstar. Grade = B+. 10. PG Dominic James - James is an all-around player, both side of the ball, and with a knack for scoring and dishing the rock, he should be great for a team that needed scoring and a PG. I love this pick. Grade = A+. 11. PG Ronald Steele - After trading Marcus Williams, one figured the Nets might look PG. They have some depth at the wing, and with Sean Williams now relegated to the bench and Jermaine O'Neal back to C, the Nets needed a all-around PG to dish to the scorers. Grade = A-. 12. C Kosta Koufos - Koufos is a solid player, but Bargnani penciled in at the future power forward, their frontcourt rebounding and defense is going to suffer. Koufos would be a nice pick for a team with a double-double machine at PF, or a better rebounding wings, but I think he was a little overpicked at 12. Grade = C+. 13. SF Julian Wright - This was a case of best available, as it's clear the Sixers needed a PF, bad. However, if Philly can get away with a small lineup, they can really give people problems with the 1-2 punch of Wright and Iguodala, both athletically and on the defensive end. Grade = B. 14. C Hasheem Thabeet - With Shaq retiring, the Heat needed desperate size. He can't score, and will take a while to develop, but he should become a force on the interior. They could've gone PF and possibly PG, but this pick was pretty solid. Grade = A-. 15. SF Kyle Weaver - Weaver fell to Portland, and it couldn't of been more perfect for a team who needs wing play. Weaver should be a a starter right away, and possibly be a double digit scorer. He is an all-around talent who fits nicely without high offensive expectations. Grade = A-. 16. PF Darrell Arthur - With Drew Gooden likely out of town next season, Arthur will have to make the transition quickly. However, the Cavs had bigger needs at center and especially SG, and at age 27, Gooden doesn't necessarily have to be let go. I don't know about this pick. Grade = C+. 17. PF D.J. White - Depending what plans are for Barbosa and Nash, there were no openings in the starting lineup. However, with Shawn Marion's Suns' future up in the air, White is a nice replacement prospect. Grade = B+. 18. PF Tyler Hansbrough - If Dwight Howard is moving to center, this is a good pick. However, I'm not if that will happen, and the Magic could've used a real center or a shooting guard. I think Tyler could be a decent piece, but his use is still to be determined. Grade = B-. 19. C Steven Hill - Like the 3rd pick, the Bobcats weren't going after immediate starters here, so the selection of defensive-minded center Hill makes some sense. I'm not sure if he talent is enough to get him out of a career long backup role, but it wasn't a terrible pick. Grade = B. 20. PF Kevin Love - The Wizards have the backcourt covered with Arenas and Butler, and with Jamison now 32, frontcourt help was needed. I think both Love and Jamison can be a versatile combo at PF, but I also think the Wizards could've used a better inside prescence with this pick as Love likes the perimeter game. Grade = B. 21. SF Deron Washington - We all know about Deron's athleticism, maybe the best in the draft. He is a guy that will do what you need, but I am baffled at why they selected a SF with Carmelo already there. I'm suprised they passed on a PG like Derrick Low, very suprised. Grade = C. 22. SG Richard Roby - Picking Roby 22 was a steal, especially in a thin SG draft. He is a good overall scorer, plays decent defense and will contribute right away. The Lakers have a nice starting 5, and Kobe can easily play the 3, and Roby takes some minutes at the 2. Grade = A-. 23. PG Sean Singletary - I have to wonder if the Celtics know what they are doing. A team who sold out to win now traded numerous key frontcourt pieces to Minnesota, and with an already thin bench, they draft a point guard? Not only did they take Gabe Pruit in 2006 and Rajon Rondo in 2005, they take another midget PG in 2007? Singletary is talented, but where does he play, and who provides depth for this "contender." Grade = D. 24. SG Wayne Ellington - Maybe the steal of the draft talent-wise, but this is another "what are you thinking" picks. The Jazz drafted Morris Almond in RD1 in 2006, Ronnie Brewer likewise in 2005, and now they take another shooting guard? The Jazz still lack a true center, and small forward depth. Grade = C. 25. PF Charles Rhodes - Rhodes is a guy we really like, a decent scorer who can rebound. He is pretty lanky for his position, but he has more upside, and with many teams lacking depth inside, stealing Rhodes at 25 was a very nice move by San Antonio. Grade = A-. 26. PG Derrick Low - Another steal, and a 2nd straight first rounder spent on a PG by Atlanta. Like last year's pick Acie Law, Low is a gamer and he will leave it all on the floor. He can stroke the 3, dish the ball and should improve with more work in a pro style offense. Grade = A. 27. PF Joey Dorsey - Nothing against Joey Dorsey, but I am lost as to why the Bulls made this pick. Not only have they drafted PF in the last two seasons (Noah and Thomas), they lack depth at other positions. Granted, Noah could probably play C, but Dorsey just simply won't play over either of these guys. Grade = C. 28. SG Shan Foster - Most people remember Derrick Byars, well his college teammate Shan Foster is a year behind him, but could have that type of impact in his rookie season. Foster can knock down the 3, is very athletic and has potential. The Sonics drafted 3 SG's, and with Durant, Green and Paul around him, any of them could get some nice looks. Grade = B-. 29. PF Cedric Simmons - This pick isn't terrible considering PF is still a big need for Dallas, but I also think there were more talented gambles out there than Simmons. He is really just a backup at SF or PF, and their might've been better fits left in the draft to take. Grade = C+.
