Post by Funky George! on Mar 25, 2008 17:40:18 GMT -5
1. Milwaukee Bucks--Deron Williams
This one's a tossup that the Bucks don't actually have to engage in, as they project to have the top two picks. If they only land one, Deron's the guy because of the depth of big men in this draft. They could team Deron and Al Jefferson, Josh Smith or Emeka Okafor and make out like kings. In my view, any of those duos are better than Livingston and Howard, and I think if the Bucks don't end up with the top two, they should be looking to get franchise players in the backcourt and front court. Deron comes in with an insane skill set and likely massive potential, and we've seen time and time again that FBB loves its guards. It could go either way, though, and if the Bucks land the top two, watch out.
2. Milwaukee Bucks--Dwight Howard
As projections would have it, the last scenario is the most likely to happen, as the Bucks own that Timberwolves first. Kenny Thomas for Dwight Howard? Howard will be the league's best rebounder before long, and he has great ability defensively. His offensive game will probably be above the rim, though he has the potential to develop a jump hook. Unstoppable off his feet, so look for 25/14/3 in his prime. Probably the first time we'll see a guy match what Andray Blatche did in the first BBS.
3. Los Angeles Clippers--Shaun Livingston
Livingston is the second franchise PG in this draft. He'll be an all-world passer and defender, with a great drive. With potential and RCs, he can end up with a damn good outside rating. If I have this pick, I go with the franchise PG over the tweener forward who has glaring weaknesses in his game. Livingston and Darko lay the foundation for a dominant defensive squad.
4. Orlando Magic--Al Jefferson
Tough call between Jefferson and Josh Smith, but Jefferson has the potential to make more impact on the court. C+ defense is hardly a weakness in a rookie, and he could do 20/10 as a rookie. Great size, great strength, great post game, gets great positioning for his shot and for rebounds. A top big man if his defense comes along. Biggest question seems to be whether he can block shots.
5. Houston--Josh Smith
Scary to see him fall this far. Could one day be a do-it-all a la Shawn Marion except with better shotblocking. He comes in a very elite rebounder and defender at SF. However, most of his offensive damage will be done off alley oops and offensive rebounds. Can he handle? Can he shoot? If his ballhandling and jump shot come along, he could have a dangerous drive and a balanced offensive game. He projects to be one of the best defenders in BBS either way.
6. Chicago Bulls--Ben Gordon
The Bulls have the contract year creeping up and can't afford to add a guy who won't make them dangerous. Emeka may be the better pick, but they have a pathetic back court, and rumor has it the Bulls will be bringing in some front court help immediately after the season. Gordon is the electric offensive player this team is starved for. They need to hope Howard develops, but they cannot bank on it; if he doesn't and they take Emeka, they could have the most deficient offense in BBS.
7. Philadelphia 76ers--Emeka Okafor
The Sixers really luck out and get their guy here. Arenas and Hinrich will provide all the scoring and ballhandling a team could ask for from its backcourt, so to add such a polished big man to the mix is a blessing. Emeka will be a career starter, doing most of his damage on the defensive end. He'll get to 15 ppg without being a featured scorer, and will really legitamize this Philadelphia roster. The perfect addition.
8. Portland Trailblazers--Travis Outlaw
Like Ben Gordon, Outlaw is fated to the city where he made his NBA career, and what a steal this is. In such a stacked draft, Outlaw slips, but with his recent boost to A potential, he has as much value as Josh Smith. Indeed, he edges him out in handles and defense. Does he have the potential to make him the same all-world defender and slasher? This guy could end up being the third best player in the draft; it's all a matter of potential.
9. Houston Rockets--Andris Biedrins
Z has proven to be a total bust, and the Rockets just got some tantalizing defensive help, so they complete a formidable, albeit young, front court by grabbing the Euro project at nine. Could be a perfect complement to Bosh, cleaning up rebounds, blocking shots and getting open when teams double team Bosh. Should develop into a fine starter.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers--Tony Allen
Cavs land Allen, put him at SG, go inside with Allen, Wallace, Boozer and Gooden on board. Boozer's a question mark defensively, but if they go slow and inside, they should hold a lot of teams below 90 points and play a style that can beat anyone. Boring, but effective.
11. Phoenix Suns--Devin Harris
They have a lot of able scorers up front, and adding a project like Swift would only clog their depth. Harris brings great tools to the PG spot and some much-needed defense. With some upgrades, he can be a long-term effective starter at PG. His offense is good enough from day 1 to be serviceable, and his defense should be very good. It's a question of his passing.
12. Los Angeles Clippers--Kevin Martin
He won't defend very well and may turn it over a bit, but he's going to score in BBS for a long time. One of the five best shooters in this draft, and he has a bit of a drive. Surround him with good starters and he could some day be an option scorer on a playoff team.
13. Atlanta Hawks--Jameer Nelson
Nelson and Wade will form a very high-scoring backcourt. They could run a fast-tempo and fly by teams with two great scoring guards. Time will tell if he has any potential to boost his defense, but he could very soon be a good starting PG as a scorer and distributor.
This one's a tossup that the Bucks don't actually have to engage in, as they project to have the top two picks. If they only land one, Deron's the guy because of the depth of big men in this draft. They could team Deron and Al Jefferson, Josh Smith or Emeka Okafor and make out like kings. In my view, any of those duos are better than Livingston and Howard, and I think if the Bucks don't end up with the top two, they should be looking to get franchise players in the backcourt and front court. Deron comes in with an insane skill set and likely massive potential, and we've seen time and time again that FBB loves its guards. It could go either way, though, and if the Bucks land the top two, watch out.
2. Milwaukee Bucks--Dwight Howard
As projections would have it, the last scenario is the most likely to happen, as the Bucks own that Timberwolves first. Kenny Thomas for Dwight Howard? Howard will be the league's best rebounder before long, and he has great ability defensively. His offensive game will probably be above the rim, though he has the potential to develop a jump hook. Unstoppable off his feet, so look for 25/14/3 in his prime. Probably the first time we'll see a guy match what Andray Blatche did in the first BBS.
3. Los Angeles Clippers--Shaun Livingston
Livingston is the second franchise PG in this draft. He'll be an all-world passer and defender, with a great drive. With potential and RCs, he can end up with a damn good outside rating. If I have this pick, I go with the franchise PG over the tweener forward who has glaring weaknesses in his game. Livingston and Darko lay the foundation for a dominant defensive squad.
4. Orlando Magic--Al Jefferson
Tough call between Jefferson and Josh Smith, but Jefferson has the potential to make more impact on the court. C+ defense is hardly a weakness in a rookie, and he could do 20/10 as a rookie. Great size, great strength, great post game, gets great positioning for his shot and for rebounds. A top big man if his defense comes along. Biggest question seems to be whether he can block shots.
5. Houston--Josh Smith
Scary to see him fall this far. Could one day be a do-it-all a la Shawn Marion except with better shotblocking. He comes in a very elite rebounder and defender at SF. However, most of his offensive damage will be done off alley oops and offensive rebounds. Can he handle? Can he shoot? If his ballhandling and jump shot come along, he could have a dangerous drive and a balanced offensive game. He projects to be one of the best defenders in BBS either way.
6. Chicago Bulls--Ben Gordon
The Bulls have the contract year creeping up and can't afford to add a guy who won't make them dangerous. Emeka may be the better pick, but they have a pathetic back court, and rumor has it the Bulls will be bringing in some front court help immediately after the season. Gordon is the electric offensive player this team is starved for. They need to hope Howard develops, but they cannot bank on it; if he doesn't and they take Emeka, they could have the most deficient offense in BBS.
7. Philadelphia 76ers--Emeka Okafor
The Sixers really luck out and get their guy here. Arenas and Hinrich will provide all the scoring and ballhandling a team could ask for from its backcourt, so to add such a polished big man to the mix is a blessing. Emeka will be a career starter, doing most of his damage on the defensive end. He'll get to 15 ppg without being a featured scorer, and will really legitamize this Philadelphia roster. The perfect addition.
8. Portland Trailblazers--Travis Outlaw
Like Ben Gordon, Outlaw is fated to the city where he made his NBA career, and what a steal this is. In such a stacked draft, Outlaw slips, but with his recent boost to A potential, he has as much value as Josh Smith. Indeed, he edges him out in handles and defense. Does he have the potential to make him the same all-world defender and slasher? This guy could end up being the third best player in the draft; it's all a matter of potential.
9. Houston Rockets--Andris Biedrins
Z has proven to be a total bust, and the Rockets just got some tantalizing defensive help, so they complete a formidable, albeit young, front court by grabbing the Euro project at nine. Could be a perfect complement to Bosh, cleaning up rebounds, blocking shots and getting open when teams double team Bosh. Should develop into a fine starter.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers--Tony Allen
Cavs land Allen, put him at SG, go inside with Allen, Wallace, Boozer and Gooden on board. Boozer's a question mark defensively, but if they go slow and inside, they should hold a lot of teams below 90 points and play a style that can beat anyone. Boring, but effective.
11. Phoenix Suns--Devin Harris
They have a lot of able scorers up front, and adding a project like Swift would only clog their depth. Harris brings great tools to the PG spot and some much-needed defense. With some upgrades, he can be a long-term effective starter at PG. His offense is good enough from day 1 to be serviceable, and his defense should be very good. It's a question of his passing.
12. Los Angeles Clippers--Kevin Martin
He won't defend very well and may turn it over a bit, but he's going to score in BBS for a long time. One of the five best shooters in this draft, and he has a bit of a drive. Surround him with good starters and he could some day be an option scorer on a playoff team.
13. Atlanta Hawks--Jameer Nelson
Nelson and Wade will form a very high-scoring backcourt. They could run a fast-tempo and fly by teams with two great scoring guards. Time will tell if he has any potential to boost his defense, but he could very soon be a good starting PG as a scorer and distributor.
