Post by GP on Jul 21, 2008 11:59:04 GMT -5
BBS Senior Writer
Galo Pesantes[/i]
1- Indiana Pacers- F Demar DeRozan
Projected with the top pick in this year’s draft, the Indiana Pacers will have a difficult selection to make if they land the No. 1 pick. A number of prospects look to deserve it but it seems DeRozan has the most upside and could be the logical pick here. As a high flying act and one of the best players at the high school level, DeRozan should automatically be a force inside from day one for Indy.
2- Los Angeles Clippers- F Blake Griffin
Rumored to be close to a number of players, the Clippers are also faced to make a tough choice if they get the second best pick. Should DeRozan be off the board, they may be looking for the best post scorer in the pool. No doubt that distinction goes to Oklahoma’s Griffin, who has a very strong inside and rebounding game although undersized a bit.
3- New York Knicks- G Brandon Jennings
Although GM Outlawz loved Andre Miller’s 5 turnovers a game average last season, he will be more than happy to replace him with a talent like Jennings. After flirting with the idea of Europe for a while, Jennings enters this draft with the best ratings for a point guard. He also has the potential to be one of the best guards in this league for a very long time.
4- San Antonio Spurs- F Al Farouq-Aminu
The Spurs seem to be set at all five positions already so they may end up going with the best player left on the board. In this case, it is Aminu. An interesting prospect at 6’8, 220, he can potentially be a beast as a power forward or small forward depending on the team’s needs. Nonetheless, Aminu should be taken in this range although the Spurs may be warranted for looking at other guys like James Harden and Stanley Robinson.
5- Memphis Grizzlies- G Alexey Shved
GM Chris Martinez makes Shved the Grizz’s selection here and pairs him up with one of the league’s up-and-coming stars, Brandon Roy. Shved may be the most balanced player in the top five although his defense and rebounding leave a lot to be desired. However, the Grizz have to believe they are getting a nice point guard with a very high ceiling to grow.
6- Toronto Raptors- G James Harden
After dealing away Tony Parker and getting back OJ Mayo, the Raptors could use another scoring punch. Enter Harden from Arizona State and Toronto could be back in contention within 2-3 years. Harden brings a nice outside game with solid defense and a nice frame for the shooting guard spot. It will be a surprise for Harden to slide anymore than No. 6 but the Raps may also like Victor Claver and Hasheem Thabeet.
7- New Orleans Hornets- F Stanley Robinson
This will be the first draft for new GM Donatello and he may be faced in taking the best player available if he cannot fill needs at center and point guard. Robinson is equipped with one of the best inside ratings in the class and solid defense to make an impact from the start. The Hornets could also look at Hasheem Thabeet, Paul Harris and Alexis Ajinca.
8- Cleveland Cavaliers- G James Anderson
Anderson may not be the popular pick here but it makes sense as GM James continue to build this team slowly but surely. Although the point guard spot is the most pressing need, it may be a reach to get UCLA’s Darren Collison here. So they settle for Anderson, who is a sweet shooting guard from Oklahoma State and potentially fills the void for them in the backcourt left by Antonio Daniels.
9- Denver Nuggets- F Patrick Patterson
If Anderson drops to them here, he may be the pick but otherwise it may be déjà vu with Patterson and GM Ducky. Patterson really does not fill their need at shooting guard but is another athletic body in the mold of another forward on their roster, Anthony Randolph. So if they shun on Patterson here, they may look at Paul Harris or even a guy like Hasheem Thabeet possibly.
10- Toronto Raptors (From POR)- F Austin Daye
With Toronto's second pick in the lotto, they can take a flyer on a nice big from Gonzaga, Austin Daye. He has a nice outside game and could be a very nice player within 2-3 years. Some of other guys DJ may take a look at include Alexis Ajinca, Nemanja Alekandrov and Victor Claver in addition to Thabeet.
11- Los Angeles Lakers (From DAL)- C Hasheem Thabeet
Out of virtue of a LeBron James injury, GM Nanz gets a pretty good lottery pick here from the Mavs and it seems they could be leaning towards a big. Thabeet seems ideal because it may allow Aldridge to slide to the power spot and allow Thabeet to block more shots from center. However, they can also look at guys like Claver and Daye who could also be solid picks.
12- Phoenix Suns (From ORL)- G/F Paul Harris
The Suns need a shooting guard badly and it looks like Harris could be the best fit for them. He comes already with a solid inside game and defensive tenacity although his handling may be limited for a player of his stature. Either way, any selection here should be an upgrade on the current choice the 2-spot, Jalen Rose.
13- Philadelphia 76ers- F Victor Claver
GM Maniac was quoted saying he was happy he fell out of the playoff picture and into the lottery considering the talent in this year’s class. With that said, he may have a healthy amount of good prospects left to choose from at the latter stage of the lotto. If Claver is still on the board, he seems like the sensible choice for them. Already a balanced scorer, he just needs to develop the other parts of his game.
14- Sacramento Kings (From HOU)- G Darren Collison
Guard Jason Kidd is in his last year of his current contract and already hit past his peak at 35. Collison should be able to come in and start by the time Kidd says his last good byes. A force on the defensive end, Collison is also a good ball handler but not much of a scorer, at least not yet. He could develop to be a pretty good point guard depending on his potential.
Galo Pesantes[/i]
1- Indiana Pacers- F Demar DeRozan
Projected with the top pick in this year’s draft, the Indiana Pacers will have a difficult selection to make if they land the No. 1 pick. A number of prospects look to deserve it but it seems DeRozan has the most upside and could be the logical pick here. As a high flying act and one of the best players at the high school level, DeRozan should automatically be a force inside from day one for Indy.
2- Los Angeles Clippers- F Blake Griffin
Rumored to be close to a number of players, the Clippers are also faced to make a tough choice if they get the second best pick. Should DeRozan be off the board, they may be looking for the best post scorer in the pool. No doubt that distinction goes to Oklahoma’s Griffin, who has a very strong inside and rebounding game although undersized a bit.
3- New York Knicks- G Brandon Jennings
Although GM Outlawz loved Andre Miller’s 5 turnovers a game average last season, he will be more than happy to replace him with a talent like Jennings. After flirting with the idea of Europe for a while, Jennings enters this draft with the best ratings for a point guard. He also has the potential to be one of the best guards in this league for a very long time.
4- San Antonio Spurs- F Al Farouq-Aminu
The Spurs seem to be set at all five positions already so they may end up going with the best player left on the board. In this case, it is Aminu. An interesting prospect at 6’8, 220, he can potentially be a beast as a power forward or small forward depending on the team’s needs. Nonetheless, Aminu should be taken in this range although the Spurs may be warranted for looking at other guys like James Harden and Stanley Robinson.
5- Memphis Grizzlies- G Alexey Shved
GM Chris Martinez makes Shved the Grizz’s selection here and pairs him up with one of the league’s up-and-coming stars, Brandon Roy. Shved may be the most balanced player in the top five although his defense and rebounding leave a lot to be desired. However, the Grizz have to believe they are getting a nice point guard with a very high ceiling to grow.
6- Toronto Raptors- G James Harden
After dealing away Tony Parker and getting back OJ Mayo, the Raptors could use another scoring punch. Enter Harden from Arizona State and Toronto could be back in contention within 2-3 years. Harden brings a nice outside game with solid defense and a nice frame for the shooting guard spot. It will be a surprise for Harden to slide anymore than No. 6 but the Raps may also like Victor Claver and Hasheem Thabeet.
7- New Orleans Hornets- F Stanley Robinson
This will be the first draft for new GM Donatello and he may be faced in taking the best player available if he cannot fill needs at center and point guard. Robinson is equipped with one of the best inside ratings in the class and solid defense to make an impact from the start. The Hornets could also look at Hasheem Thabeet, Paul Harris and Alexis Ajinca.
8- Cleveland Cavaliers- G James Anderson
Anderson may not be the popular pick here but it makes sense as GM James continue to build this team slowly but surely. Although the point guard spot is the most pressing need, it may be a reach to get UCLA’s Darren Collison here. So they settle for Anderson, who is a sweet shooting guard from Oklahoma State and potentially fills the void for them in the backcourt left by Antonio Daniels.
9- Denver Nuggets- F Patrick Patterson
If Anderson drops to them here, he may be the pick but otherwise it may be déjà vu with Patterson and GM Ducky. Patterson really does not fill their need at shooting guard but is another athletic body in the mold of another forward on their roster, Anthony Randolph. So if they shun on Patterson here, they may look at Paul Harris or even a guy like Hasheem Thabeet possibly.
10- Toronto Raptors (From POR)- F Austin Daye
With Toronto's second pick in the lotto, they can take a flyer on a nice big from Gonzaga, Austin Daye. He has a nice outside game and could be a very nice player within 2-3 years. Some of other guys DJ may take a look at include Alexis Ajinca, Nemanja Alekandrov and Victor Claver in addition to Thabeet.
11- Los Angeles Lakers (From DAL)- C Hasheem Thabeet
Out of virtue of a LeBron James injury, GM Nanz gets a pretty good lottery pick here from the Mavs and it seems they could be leaning towards a big. Thabeet seems ideal because it may allow Aldridge to slide to the power spot and allow Thabeet to block more shots from center. However, they can also look at guys like Claver and Daye who could also be solid picks.
12- Phoenix Suns (From ORL)- G/F Paul Harris
The Suns need a shooting guard badly and it looks like Harris could be the best fit for them. He comes already with a solid inside game and defensive tenacity although his handling may be limited for a player of his stature. Either way, any selection here should be an upgrade on the current choice the 2-spot, Jalen Rose.
13- Philadelphia 76ers- F Victor Claver
GM Maniac was quoted saying he was happy he fell out of the playoff picture and into the lottery considering the talent in this year’s class. With that said, he may have a healthy amount of good prospects left to choose from at the latter stage of the lotto. If Claver is still on the board, he seems like the sensible choice for them. Already a balanced scorer, he just needs to develop the other parts of his game.
14- Sacramento Kings (From HOU)- G Darren Collison
Guard Jason Kidd is in his last year of his current contract and already hit past his peak at 35. Collison should be able to come in and start by the time Kidd says his last good byes. A force on the defensive end, Collison is also a good ball handler but not much of a scorer, at least not yet. He could develop to be a pretty good point guard depending on his potential.