Post by GP on May 10, 2008 3:12:24 GMT -5
BBS Senior Writer
Galo Pesantes[/i]
1- Utah Jazz | Brandon Roy, G Washington
Showcasing the best backcourt for many years will be the Utah Jazz if they land the No. 1 pick in the draft. Roy is the complete package as far scoring and playmaking ability. He gets to play alongside another game breaker in Chris Paul which should make them virtually unstoppable.
2- Los Angeles Lakers | Rudy Gay, F Connecticut
With Josh Smith already on the roster, the Lakers should not shy away from Gay with the second best pick here. Outside of Roy, Gay might be the most ready to make an impact from day one. It will be interesting to see how Gay and Roy match up at the end of their peaks.
3- New Jersey Nets | Lamarcus Aldridge, C Texas
The Nets take arguably the best big man in the pool with this selection and solidify the center spot for years to come. Aldridge is coming into this draft as a junior but it should not hurt his upside. Although he’s polished on the rebounding end, his defense and inside game should develop exceptionally.
4- Boston Celtics | Andrea Barganani, PF Italy
Boston has a lot of needs on its roster but I think they will stick to taking the best player available which is Bargnani. He’ll bring his Okur type game to Beantown and probably develop to their second most reliable scorer behind guard Manu Ginobilli. Should the Celtics get the No. 4 pick, they might be better off trading down a bit and seeing if they can fill two or more spots with a move.
5- Phoenix Suns | Al Horford, F Florida
Horford is the logical choice for the Suns should he fall between the Nets and the Celtics. He may have a bigger impact then Aldridge in his first season and possibly have more potential than indicated which locks Horford for at least a top five pick, which solidifies the Suns taking him should they land here.
6- New Orleans Hornets | Martell Webster, F Washington
Marion and Co. really need a big at this point but should Horford, Aldridge and Barganani be taken, Webster could be the next valuable option. With Michael Redd already manning the shooting guard slot, it will be interesting to see if Webster gets minutes as a starter in his first season. A point guard like Rajon Rondo can also be an option with two underperforming guard on the roster in Earl Boykins and Luke Ridnour.
7- Sacramento Kings | Rajon Rondo, G Kentucky
Rondo will have to compete with Jason Kidd should he be drafted by the Kings, but anticipate Kidd to change addresses soon as he looks like the odd man out on a young roster. The former Wildcats standout can solidify a backcourt with Leandro Barbosa and lead the Kings in their youth movement.
8- Minnesota Timberwolves | Daniel Gibson, G Texas
“Boobie” seems like the perfect fit for the T-Wolves who can give minutes off the bench or as a spot starter. No real effective big men are available, so Gibson gives a different look to defenses with his outside shooting and speed in the open floor.
9- Memphis Grizzlies | Sergio Rodriguez, G Spain
It’s obvious the home land connections between Rodriguez and GM Chris Martinez should be able to translate into him into becoming part of the Grizzlies. He could possibly be plugged into a complimentary role at shooting guard or be an effective backup to starter Marcus Banks.
10- Washington Wizards | Jordan Farmar, G UCLA
Four guards taken in a row? Seems a little far fetched but it could happen. Guard Gary Payton is 37 and Brevin Knight is on a one year deal for the Wiz. Farmar is more than qualified to take the reigns and start as a rookie next season.
11- Philadelphia 76ers | JJ Redick, G Duke
Another guard but the Sixers do lack a true shooting guard. Redick is not quite equipped to start but is the best outside shooter in the draft which makes him a commodity at this point. He should do some damage at least from the bench in Philly.
12- Miami Heat | Tyrus Thomas, F LSU
It looks like Miami is really lacking another inside presence and Thomas seems ideal for the role. He’ll join two very good shot blockers in Joel Pryzbilla and Raef LaFrentz which makes it even more interesting to see how the Heat loads up on defensive players.
13- Chicago Bulls | Al Thornton, F Florida St.
Chi-Town has Jalen Rose playing small forward right now which isn’t bad but Thornton is a step in the right direction for the future. Thornton is an athletic swingman and should pick up some of the scoring load off Rip Hamilton and Josh Howard.
Galo Pesantes[/i]
1- Utah Jazz | Brandon Roy, G Washington
Showcasing the best backcourt for many years will be the Utah Jazz if they land the No. 1 pick in the draft. Roy is the complete package as far scoring and playmaking ability. He gets to play alongside another game breaker in Chris Paul which should make them virtually unstoppable.
2- Los Angeles Lakers | Rudy Gay, F Connecticut
With Josh Smith already on the roster, the Lakers should not shy away from Gay with the second best pick here. Outside of Roy, Gay might be the most ready to make an impact from day one. It will be interesting to see how Gay and Roy match up at the end of their peaks.
3- New Jersey Nets | Lamarcus Aldridge, C Texas
The Nets take arguably the best big man in the pool with this selection and solidify the center spot for years to come. Aldridge is coming into this draft as a junior but it should not hurt his upside. Although he’s polished on the rebounding end, his defense and inside game should develop exceptionally.
4- Boston Celtics | Andrea Barganani, PF Italy
Boston has a lot of needs on its roster but I think they will stick to taking the best player available which is Bargnani. He’ll bring his Okur type game to Beantown and probably develop to their second most reliable scorer behind guard Manu Ginobilli. Should the Celtics get the No. 4 pick, they might be better off trading down a bit and seeing if they can fill two or more spots with a move.
5- Phoenix Suns | Al Horford, F Florida
Horford is the logical choice for the Suns should he fall between the Nets and the Celtics. He may have a bigger impact then Aldridge in his first season and possibly have more potential than indicated which locks Horford for at least a top five pick, which solidifies the Suns taking him should they land here.
6- New Orleans Hornets | Martell Webster, F Washington
Marion and Co. really need a big at this point but should Horford, Aldridge and Barganani be taken, Webster could be the next valuable option. With Michael Redd already manning the shooting guard slot, it will be interesting to see if Webster gets minutes as a starter in his first season. A point guard like Rajon Rondo can also be an option with two underperforming guard on the roster in Earl Boykins and Luke Ridnour.
7- Sacramento Kings | Rajon Rondo, G Kentucky
Rondo will have to compete with Jason Kidd should he be drafted by the Kings, but anticipate Kidd to change addresses soon as he looks like the odd man out on a young roster. The former Wildcats standout can solidify a backcourt with Leandro Barbosa and lead the Kings in their youth movement.
8- Minnesota Timberwolves | Daniel Gibson, G Texas
“Boobie” seems like the perfect fit for the T-Wolves who can give minutes off the bench or as a spot starter. No real effective big men are available, so Gibson gives a different look to defenses with his outside shooting and speed in the open floor.
9- Memphis Grizzlies | Sergio Rodriguez, G Spain
It’s obvious the home land connections between Rodriguez and GM Chris Martinez should be able to translate into him into becoming part of the Grizzlies. He could possibly be plugged into a complimentary role at shooting guard or be an effective backup to starter Marcus Banks.
10- Washington Wizards | Jordan Farmar, G UCLA
Four guards taken in a row? Seems a little far fetched but it could happen. Guard Gary Payton is 37 and Brevin Knight is on a one year deal for the Wiz. Farmar is more than qualified to take the reigns and start as a rookie next season.
11- Philadelphia 76ers | JJ Redick, G Duke
Another guard but the Sixers do lack a true shooting guard. Redick is not quite equipped to start but is the best outside shooter in the draft which makes him a commodity at this point. He should do some damage at least from the bench in Philly.
12- Miami Heat | Tyrus Thomas, F LSU
It looks like Miami is really lacking another inside presence and Thomas seems ideal for the role. He’ll join two very good shot blockers in Joel Pryzbilla and Raef LaFrentz which makes it even more interesting to see how the Heat loads up on defensive players.
13- Chicago Bulls | Al Thornton, F Florida St.
Chi-Town has Jalen Rose playing small forward right now which isn’t bad but Thornton is a step in the right direction for the future. Thornton is an athletic swingman and should pick up some of the scoring load off Rip Hamilton and Josh Howard.
