Post by GP on Jul 2, 2008 0:22:20 GMT -5
Top Sliders[/u]
1- Donte Greene SF Syracuse | No. 19 Philadelphia 76ers
Greene stays on the East Coast by going to the Sixers at 19
Once projected a lotto pick, Greene dropped down to the grateful Sixers at 19. He has a versatile game but should be fun to watch with Arenas and the rest of the Philly team this season. It will be interesting to see if the 18 other teams that passed on Greene will be kicking themselves if he develops well, especially those that took forwards before him (i.e. Portland with Bill Walker, New Jersey with Brandon Rush and New York with Joe Alexander).
2- Chase Budinger F Arizona | No. 26 Atlanta Hawks
Budinger should mesh well in the ATL frontcourt
Budinger’s All-American volleyball status wasn’t able to secure him a spot in the top 20. However the Hawks are more than happy to land even with GM Skillz absence from the team. According to BBS scout and Grizzlies GM Chris Martinez, Budinger “has the potential to be great.” If that is any indication, the Hawks may have got a steal in the late stage of round 1. With not much defense or rebounding to speak of at this point, Budinger will have to be a Luke Walton-type or better to be sought after in the league.
3- Eric Gordon G Indiana | No. 8 New Orleans Hornets
Gordon should be a bargain falling to No. 8 to the Hornets
Time ran out for GM Tiger and the New Orleans Hornets before they submitted their choice for their pick at No. 8 but it seems by default, they got the best and most fitting player for their situation. Slotted to go into the top five, Gordon slipped to the Hornets and it seems like it couldn’t be a better situation for the former Hoosier. With the opportunity to start as a rookie and progress with a young team, Gordon could be a better scorer and overall player than fellow last namer Ben, in just a few short seasons.
Top Risers[/u]
1- Deron Washington F Virginia Tech | No. 21 Golden State Warriors
Washington's got hops, but does he have rest of a game to speak of?
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the first round belonged to GM Pig and the Golden State Warriors. They pulled one of their hand alright when they selected Washington with the 21st pick overall. Washington, largely known for his high flying game and stifling defense should be thrilled to be playing along side OJ Mayo and Andre Iguodala but this is definitely one a lot of experts did not see coming.
2- Anthony Randolph F LSU |No. 5 Denver Nuggets
Will Randolph be worthy of being a top selection in this year's draft?
Projected to go No. 7 and 8 respectively in published mock drafts, Randolph jumped to the five slot and was taken by the Denver Nuggets. GM Ducky has plans of playing Randolph at small forward and running a big lineup with fellow pick Kevin Love at power forward and Dwight Howard at the center spot. Although still considered a tweener, Randolph should fill out and be a nice addition to a Nuggets club that needs more inside scoring.
3- Jason Thompson C Rider | No. 16 Portland Trail Blazers
Can Thompson be a force for the Blazers down low?
GM Dan Basone and the Portland Trail Blazers took a big gamble on Thompson at No. 16, but it could work out. They are hoping that he will live up to all the hype and praise from many scouts that left impressed with workouts in which Thompson dominated. Coming out of nowhere this season, the big man from Rider has a nice inside game and has the potential to be strong defender and rebounder. With a total of five picks in this draft, the Blazers still must be happy with the array of players they got which include Thompson, DJ Augustin, Bill Walker, Russell Westbrook and Javale McGee.
1- Donte Greene SF Syracuse | No. 19 Philadelphia 76ers
Greene stays on the East Coast by going to the Sixers at 19
Once projected a lotto pick, Greene dropped down to the grateful Sixers at 19. He has a versatile game but should be fun to watch with Arenas and the rest of the Philly team this season. It will be interesting to see if the 18 other teams that passed on Greene will be kicking themselves if he develops well, especially those that took forwards before him (i.e. Portland with Bill Walker, New Jersey with Brandon Rush and New York with Joe Alexander).
2- Chase Budinger F Arizona | No. 26 Atlanta Hawks
Budinger should mesh well in the ATL frontcourt
Budinger’s All-American volleyball status wasn’t able to secure him a spot in the top 20. However the Hawks are more than happy to land even with GM Skillz absence from the team. According to BBS scout and Grizzlies GM Chris Martinez, Budinger “has the potential to be great.” If that is any indication, the Hawks may have got a steal in the late stage of round 1. With not much defense or rebounding to speak of at this point, Budinger will have to be a Luke Walton-type or better to be sought after in the league.
3- Eric Gordon G Indiana | No. 8 New Orleans Hornets
Gordon should be a bargain falling to No. 8 to the Hornets
Time ran out for GM Tiger and the New Orleans Hornets before they submitted their choice for their pick at No. 8 but it seems by default, they got the best and most fitting player for their situation. Slotted to go into the top five, Gordon slipped to the Hornets and it seems like it couldn’t be a better situation for the former Hoosier. With the opportunity to start as a rookie and progress with a young team, Gordon could be a better scorer and overall player than fellow last namer Ben, in just a few short seasons.
Top Risers[/u]
1- Deron Washington F Virginia Tech | No. 21 Golden State Warriors
Washington's got hops, but does he have rest of a game to speak of?
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the first round belonged to GM Pig and the Golden State Warriors. They pulled one of their hand alright when they selected Washington with the 21st pick overall. Washington, largely known for his high flying game and stifling defense should be thrilled to be playing along side OJ Mayo and Andre Iguodala but this is definitely one a lot of experts did not see coming.
2- Anthony Randolph F LSU |No. 5 Denver Nuggets
Will Randolph be worthy of being a top selection in this year's draft?
Projected to go No. 7 and 8 respectively in published mock drafts, Randolph jumped to the five slot and was taken by the Denver Nuggets. GM Ducky has plans of playing Randolph at small forward and running a big lineup with fellow pick Kevin Love at power forward and Dwight Howard at the center spot. Although still considered a tweener, Randolph should fill out and be a nice addition to a Nuggets club that needs more inside scoring.
3- Jason Thompson C Rider | No. 16 Portland Trail Blazers
Can Thompson be a force for the Blazers down low?
GM Dan Basone and the Portland Trail Blazers took a big gamble on Thompson at No. 16, but it could work out. They are hoping that he will live up to all the hype and praise from many scouts that left impressed with workouts in which Thompson dominated. Coming out of nowhere this season, the big man from Rider has a nice inside game and has the potential to be strong defender and rebounder. With a total of five picks in this draft, the Blazers still must be happy with the array of players they got which include Thompson, DJ Augustin, Bill Walker, Russell Westbrook and Javale McGee.
