Post by James on Jul 21, 2008 21:08:06 GMT -5
#1- Indiana Pacers - Demar DeRozan SF 6'6'' 210 19 B- B- C C+ C+ A
Nova has terrible luck so I'm predicting that the Pacers fall to 3 and are forced to take yet another guard in Brandon Jennings, however if the sim God's look kindly upon him and his BBS Pacers, they will take 6'6" small forward Demar DeRozan with the #1 pick. DeRozan has an all-round skill set and is reminiscent of athletic wings in the mould of a Vince Carter or a Tracy McGrady. Placing DeRozan alongside Jerryd Bayless and Rudy Fernandez won't be enough to get the Pacers anywhere near the play-offs however it should provide the city of Indiana with a seasons worth of run and gun, offensive basketball.
#2 - Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffn PF 6'9'' 252 20 B C C- C+ B- A
Clippers GM Galo won't be disappointed if he is forced to take Blake Griffin at number 2 in this years draft if DeMar DeRozan is taken first. Although DeRozan may be a slight cut above in terms of talent, the aforementioned Griffin will provide the Clipps with a much needed big man to place alongside Andris Biedrins. With their frontcourt already set in stone, Jennings won't get a look in here, so at 2, it's either DeMar or Blake for LA.
#3 - New York Knicks - Brandon Jennings PG 6'1'' 170 19 C+ B- B- C D+ A
New York will be selecting on a BPA basis during the draft, so it's quite fortunate for them that the 2 teams with the best odds of landing the number 1 pick don't need a point guard. This is fortunate because 6'1" Brandon Jennings is on the draft board and has the potential and talent to be a possible top 2 pick. Jennings has the rating set (and the potential) to develop into a really efficient point guard. Many may point to his lack of defense as a reason for him to drop however the fact that he excels in other areas more than makes up for it.
#4 - San Antonio Spurs - Al Farouq-Aminu SF 6'9'' 210 18 B- C+ C B- C+ A
The Spurs don't need any more help in their backcourt, which automatically eliminates a lot of players from the draft board, so San Antonio will therefore look at 6'9" small forward Al Farouq-Aminu. Aminu has an interesting balance of skills, which at first glance look very unique. His height combined with his ability to rebound puts him in a situation comparable to most small forwards who on a run and gun team, could move to the power forward position.
#5 - Memphis Grizzlies - Stanley Robinson SF 6'8'' 220 21 B C C- B- C A
If Memphis find themselves at 5, it will be a very difficult position for them to be in. They will have just miss out on taking one of Brandon Jennings or Al Farouq-Aminu and are left with Stanley Robinson or potentially even Patrick Patterson or Alexey Shved. GM Chris has already verbally passed on Shved, so it comes down to Robinson and Patterson. Robinson has the potential to be a step above Patterson (who has been described as one dimensional) so the Grizzlies who are in rebuild mode at the moment, will opt with the 6'8" small forward.
#6 - Toronto Raptors - James Harden SG 6'5'' 220 19 C+ B- C+ B- C A
Toronto will be looking to complete their front court during this years draft so at 6, they will look to pair franchise player OJ Mayo with 6'5" shooting guard James Harden. Harden looks to be a better outside shooter than slasher and sources also confirm his defense to be solid at the BBS level. Obviously the Raptors will be looking for him to develop into a 20ppg plus scorer in the future however somewhere close to that mark would be acceptable.
#7 - New Orleans Hornets - Patrick Patterson PF 6'8'' 232 20 B- C- D+ B C+ A
Much like Memphis' management, the new Hornets GM has aired his draft day tactic of selecting on a best player available basis. To be honest though, it doesn't really matter as they could use a player at the 1, 2, 4 and 5 spots, however luckily for them, Patrick Patterson will be made available to them at 7. Although a little undersized, Patterson is one of the better defensive bigs in the draft and should look very nice when paired alongside Jeff Green. Alexey Shved could also go here however I don't see the Hornets taking that gamble.
#8 - Cleveland Cavaliers - Alexey Shved PG 6'6'' 170 20 B- B- B- C- C- A
Cleveland selected Danilo Gallinari last year and thankfully for them, traded him before he collapsed in training camp. Will they gamble on another Euro prospect this year? Probably. With Andrew Bynum, Yi Jianlian, a host of other young players and a potential free agent left to hold the fort down, Cleveland can opt with taking a big gamble on point guard Alexey Shved in this years draft and not suffer to badly if the selection turns sour.
#9 - Denver Nuggets - James Anderson SG 6'6'' 195 20 C+ B- C C+ C A
Denver need a 2 man and there are none better left on the board than 6'6" shooting guard James Anderson. If James Harden is on the board however, expect them to take him, however Anderson will be more that acceptable compensation. Anderson will now round out Denver’s youthful looking lineup and enter the stage in the franchises rebuilding years where W's will need to be churned out and a playoff push necessary.
#10 - Toronto Raptors (From POR) - Austin Daye SF 6'10'' 190 21 C+ B C+ C C A
With their second lottery selection, look for Toronto to look at 3 players, Austin Daye, Hasheem Thabeet and Victor Claver. Thabeet is very one dimensional whilst Claver is another Euro gamble, so they will probably take Austin Daye. Daye is a 6'10" small forward who loves to shoot from the outside. Although defensively he is not a real presence, expect him to work on his game and develop into a very nice starter for Toronto in the future.
#11 - Los Angeles Lakers (From DAL) - Hasheem Thabeet C 7'3'' 265 22 C+ D+ D+ B C+ A
The Lakers have a stacked 1-2-3 trio so they will be looking for a big man in this years draft. If 7'3" Hasheem Thabeet is still available they will jump at the opportunity of suiting him up in a Lakers uniform. Thabeet looks to be a very good shot blocker and rebounder who will give them a lot of much needed size down low.
#12 - Phoenix Suns (From ORL) - Victor Claver SF 6'10'' 236 20 B- B- C C C A
The Suns are one of the only real championship contending teams in the lottery so expect them to either trade their pick or take a guy like Victor Claver who will give them maximum trade flexibility and opportunity. They could opt to take a contribute now type player however with none really available (outside of Paul Harris maybe) I believe they will get more value taking a guy like Claver and shipping him off to a rebuilding team who manages to pickup a nice MLE player during free agency.
#13 - Philadelphia 76ers - Alexis Ajinca PF 7'0'' 230 21 B- C C B- C A
This was a tough pick and like the Suns, the Sixers may look to trade their pick however if they do keep it, they will opt with someone with potential who will improve in the future which is why they take a big leap and select 7'0" French forward Alexis Ajinca. Ajinca is incredibly roar however is probably worth the gamble especially for a talented team like the Sixer.
Nova has terrible luck so I'm predicting that the Pacers fall to 3 and are forced to take yet another guard in Brandon Jennings, however if the sim God's look kindly upon him and his BBS Pacers, they will take 6'6" small forward Demar DeRozan with the #1 pick. DeRozan has an all-round skill set and is reminiscent of athletic wings in the mould of a Vince Carter or a Tracy McGrady. Placing DeRozan alongside Jerryd Bayless and Rudy Fernandez won't be enough to get the Pacers anywhere near the play-offs however it should provide the city of Indiana with a seasons worth of run and gun, offensive basketball.
#2 - Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffn PF 6'9'' 252 20 B C C- C+ B- A
Clippers GM Galo won't be disappointed if he is forced to take Blake Griffin at number 2 in this years draft if DeMar DeRozan is taken first. Although DeRozan may be a slight cut above in terms of talent, the aforementioned Griffin will provide the Clipps with a much needed big man to place alongside Andris Biedrins. With their frontcourt already set in stone, Jennings won't get a look in here, so at 2, it's either DeMar or Blake for LA.
#3 - New York Knicks - Brandon Jennings PG 6'1'' 170 19 C+ B- B- C D+ A
New York will be selecting on a BPA basis during the draft, so it's quite fortunate for them that the 2 teams with the best odds of landing the number 1 pick don't need a point guard. This is fortunate because 6'1" Brandon Jennings is on the draft board and has the potential and talent to be a possible top 2 pick. Jennings has the rating set (and the potential) to develop into a really efficient point guard. Many may point to his lack of defense as a reason for him to drop however the fact that he excels in other areas more than makes up for it.
#4 - San Antonio Spurs - Al Farouq-Aminu SF 6'9'' 210 18 B- C+ C B- C+ A
The Spurs don't need any more help in their backcourt, which automatically eliminates a lot of players from the draft board, so San Antonio will therefore look at 6'9" small forward Al Farouq-Aminu. Aminu has an interesting balance of skills, which at first glance look very unique. His height combined with his ability to rebound puts him in a situation comparable to most small forwards who on a run and gun team, could move to the power forward position.
#5 - Memphis Grizzlies - Stanley Robinson SF 6'8'' 220 21 B C C- B- C A
If Memphis find themselves at 5, it will be a very difficult position for them to be in. They will have just miss out on taking one of Brandon Jennings or Al Farouq-Aminu and are left with Stanley Robinson or potentially even Patrick Patterson or Alexey Shved. GM Chris has already verbally passed on Shved, so it comes down to Robinson and Patterson. Robinson has the potential to be a step above Patterson (who has been described as one dimensional) so the Grizzlies who are in rebuild mode at the moment, will opt with the 6'8" small forward.
#6 - Toronto Raptors - James Harden SG 6'5'' 220 19 C+ B- C+ B- C A
Toronto will be looking to complete their front court during this years draft so at 6, they will look to pair franchise player OJ Mayo with 6'5" shooting guard James Harden. Harden looks to be a better outside shooter than slasher and sources also confirm his defense to be solid at the BBS level. Obviously the Raptors will be looking for him to develop into a 20ppg plus scorer in the future however somewhere close to that mark would be acceptable.
#7 - New Orleans Hornets - Patrick Patterson PF 6'8'' 232 20 B- C- D+ B C+ A
Much like Memphis' management, the new Hornets GM has aired his draft day tactic of selecting on a best player available basis. To be honest though, it doesn't really matter as they could use a player at the 1, 2, 4 and 5 spots, however luckily for them, Patrick Patterson will be made available to them at 7. Although a little undersized, Patterson is one of the better defensive bigs in the draft and should look very nice when paired alongside Jeff Green. Alexey Shved could also go here however I don't see the Hornets taking that gamble.
#8 - Cleveland Cavaliers - Alexey Shved PG 6'6'' 170 20 B- B- B- C- C- A
Cleveland selected Danilo Gallinari last year and thankfully for them, traded him before he collapsed in training camp. Will they gamble on another Euro prospect this year? Probably. With Andrew Bynum, Yi Jianlian, a host of other young players and a potential free agent left to hold the fort down, Cleveland can opt with taking a big gamble on point guard Alexey Shved in this years draft and not suffer to badly if the selection turns sour.
#9 - Denver Nuggets - James Anderson SG 6'6'' 195 20 C+ B- C C+ C A
Denver need a 2 man and there are none better left on the board than 6'6" shooting guard James Anderson. If James Harden is on the board however, expect them to take him, however Anderson will be more that acceptable compensation. Anderson will now round out Denver’s youthful looking lineup and enter the stage in the franchises rebuilding years where W's will need to be churned out and a playoff push necessary.
#10 - Toronto Raptors (From POR) - Austin Daye SF 6'10'' 190 21 C+ B C+ C C A
With their second lottery selection, look for Toronto to look at 3 players, Austin Daye, Hasheem Thabeet and Victor Claver. Thabeet is very one dimensional whilst Claver is another Euro gamble, so they will probably take Austin Daye. Daye is a 6'10" small forward who loves to shoot from the outside. Although defensively he is not a real presence, expect him to work on his game and develop into a very nice starter for Toronto in the future.
#11 - Los Angeles Lakers (From DAL) - Hasheem Thabeet C 7'3'' 265 22 C+ D+ D+ B C+ A
The Lakers have a stacked 1-2-3 trio so they will be looking for a big man in this years draft. If 7'3" Hasheem Thabeet is still available they will jump at the opportunity of suiting him up in a Lakers uniform. Thabeet looks to be a very good shot blocker and rebounder who will give them a lot of much needed size down low.
#12 - Phoenix Suns (From ORL) - Victor Claver SF 6'10'' 236 20 B- B- C C C A
The Suns are one of the only real championship contending teams in the lottery so expect them to either trade their pick or take a guy like Victor Claver who will give them maximum trade flexibility and opportunity. They could opt to take a contribute now type player however with none really available (outside of Paul Harris maybe) I believe they will get more value taking a guy like Claver and shipping him off to a rebuilding team who manages to pickup a nice MLE player during free agency.
#13 - Philadelphia 76ers - Alexis Ajinca PF 7'0'' 230 21 B- C C B- C A
This was a tough pick and like the Suns, the Sixers may look to trade their pick however if they do keep it, they will opt with someone with potential who will improve in the future which is why they take a big leap and select 7'0" French forward Alexis Ajinca. Ajinca is incredibly roar however is probably worth the gamble especially for a talented team like the Sixer.
