On Thursday evening, the lives of 60 young “hoop dreamers” will be altered forever. And while some will receive a guaranteed cheque in an amount worthy of one similar to the oversized 6-49 lottery cheques, others will be selected by teams late in the evening and even then still have to prove their worth. From recent busts like Olowokandi, Darko and Kwame to second round gems such as Manu, Agent Zero and Rashard Lewis, who was cemented in the green room in tears as thirty one teams passed him by, the NBA Draft will open up new chapters to the lives of many. As fans eagerly await the “kingpin” of the NBA to take to the mic and announce, “With the number one pick, the Washington Wizards select…..”, the balance of the league may once again change for better or worse with the addition of one of these professional hopefuls. And while for the most part, as with last year, the number one pick has pretty much been in the bag since the end of March Madness, the anticipation of the other 59 individuals and fans league wide remains. So without further adieu, I bring to you my breakdown of tonight’s events from 1-13 (and minus the ever popular “WE HAVE A TRADE!”)
1 – WASHINGTON WIZARDS: JOHN WALL
As with Blake Griffen last year, Wall was tabbed as the first pick even before he declared. Hopefully that is as far as the similarities will go in terms of their first year (Blake will officially still be a rookie this year!). Wall’s arrival in DC will move Arenas over to the two, where he feel free to shoot as much as he wants without worry of shunning his teammates. With Wall running the show, look for Mike Miller to slide to the three spot and for young big man JaVale McGee to have a career year.
2- PHILADELPHIA 76′ers: EVAN TURNER
The Sixers are an enjoyable mess. They have Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday at point, both of which can start. They have AI versions one and two at the two spot (all reports point to Iverson wanting to make another comeback), Thad Young mans the small forward spot, while big money no show Brand holds down the paint with Speights and newly acquired Spencer Hawes. So where does that place Turner? As the second best player in the draft, the Sixers have to take him and hope that they can either trade Brand or play him at the pivot position as he did during his early years in Chicago. Turner has the size and ability to play either the two or three spot and should pay dividends for the team either way.
3 – NEW JERSEY NETS: WESLEY JOHNSON
The Nets are in need of a couple of pieces to help complete the puzzle of their promising young team. While both forward positions are lacking star power, this summers free agent crop is full of talent at the four spot. IF the Nets do decide to go big, look for them to pick up Derrick Favors and then try to grab a Matt Barnes or Josh Howard off the market. In the mold of a Phoenix Suns Shawn Marion, Johnson has the ability to finish in the open court with flash, but unlike Marion, his jumper has a lot more finesse and grace.
4 – MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: DERRICK FAVORS
The T-pups are a mess. After last years drafting of two pg’s AND picking up Ramon Sessions it is clear that some purple haze is floating around the front office. If Johnson goes to the Nets, look for ‘Sota to take Favors and vice versa. Picking up Favors gives the Wolves a log jam of big men, as Kevin Love and Al Jefferson already occupy the paint. Although you could attempt to slide Favors to the three spot periodically, look for Jefferson to be placed on the trade block in order to bring in a shooter or small forward.
* In a perfect utopia, the Nets would select Favors and the Wolves take Johnson.
5 – SACRAMENTO KINGS: DeMARCUS COUSINS
While watching Cousins and Nellie battle it out in the “Yay” (a’la Cwebb) would make for amusing conversation and tabloid type news, Cousins would fit nicely with the Kings and make a great pick n roll combo with Ty Evans. The addition of Sammy D at the five will allow the trio of Cousins, Dalembert and Jason Thompson to interchange between the pivot and high post and create a wall on the defensive end.
* Cousins is also my pick to wear the suit of the night, although nothing will ever top my man Jalen Rose’s pin stripe attire*
6 – GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: GREG MONROE
Aside from the Nets/Wolves issue, everything at this point in my draft seems to be fitting into place nicely. Monroe gives the Warriors fresh legs at the five spot and also an offensive threat, something they currently lack with Biedrins and Turiaf. With a great set of hands and passing ability (reminds me of Vlade Divac, minus the 5 o’clock shadow and the cigarette hanging out of his mouth), the Warriors may find themselves only one player away (Anthony Randolph?) from heading back to the playoffs……in two years.
7 – DETROIT PISTONS: EKPE UDOH
The Pistons are rebuilding and the first place they need to start is in the paint. Udoh may not be the household name that fans are hoping for, but at 6’10 with a 7 foot plus wingspan, chances are more than a few shots will be altered next season. A Ben Wallace clone sans fro, Udoh will have the ability to learn from Wallace what it takes to get the job done on the glass, which shouldn’t be a problem after averaging 10 boards for Baylor this year. The only downside to Udoh’s game is that it resembles Wallace’s offensive inabilities as well.
8 – LA CLIPPERS: GORDON HAYWARD
Maybe it is just me but the Clippers don’t really need to find a starter out of this draft. With B.Davis and Eric Gordon in the backcourt and Travis Outlaw, Blake Griff and Hulk Hogan in the frontcourt, they put out a pretty solid lineup. What they really need out of this draft is depth and a frontcourt shooter……enter Hayward. At 6’9, Hayward will provide the Clips with a great outside threat that has been missing since the departure of the Polish Rifle.
9 – UTAH JAZZ: AL-FAROUQ AMINU
Chances are Boozer and the Jazz will be ending their relationship this summer, which will push Paul Milsap into the starting four spot, and while Okur has given the Jazz a unique big man who prefers to step out to the three spot, size is a necessity for the Jazz and Aminu fits what Sloan is looking for. Able to play both the forward spots, the Jazz can go small with Aminu at the four and move Milsap to the five in order to run with the rest of the West.
10 – INDIANA PACERS: XAVIER HENRY
The Pacers backcourt is a mess, and without much depth at the point in the 2010 draft, Indiana may as well fill at least one gap. There are a ton of forwards that can be had, but Granger, Murph and Hibbert have those three spots locked down. Henry has the size and strength to be the Pacers shooting guard of the future, despite not being the best at creating his own shot. A lockdown defender during his time as a Jayhawk, Henry’s 6’6, 220 frame will provide him with a NBA ready body.
11 – NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: PAUL GEORGE
The Hornets found a gem drafting Marcus Thornton last year, and are lacking at the small forward position, as Peja, MoPete and Julian Wright are more suitable coming off the bench. George will give the Hornets another component to run with Paul/Collison and Thornton. In the mold of Danny Granger (6’8, 220) George will give the Hornets what they need from a starting small forward in the ability to knock down the three ball and run the court on the break.
12 – MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: AVERY BRADLEY
Yes, there are a lot more talented players still on the board, but many of them are better situated in the front court, a place which the Grizz have enough depth. The lead guard spot has yet to be locked down by Mike Conley and the addition of Bradley allows the Grizz to part with unused Marcus Williams and Mel Mel the Destroyer.
13 – TORONTO RAPTORS: ED DAVIS
Bosh is on his way out after seven years of not being able to lead the Raps to anything significant in the playoffs, the Raps bring in a Bosh clone in Davis. While Davis does not have the range that Bosh gave the team, he does have the ability to finish strong inside and provides the team with a shot blocking presence on the defensive end. The Raps team is in the crapper with their one superstar wanting out, and a high priced Euro bust on the books, so another year of rebuilding is in the works for Canada’s only NBA squad.
