Yo!
I was going through my blog in the past couple of weeks, and found them kinda boring. Seems like I had considered myself being knowledgeable and tried to pretend to be an analyst rather than just a joker hanging around, making the mails getting unreadable.
OK, I will not try to pretend to be Jeff Van Gundy or Mark Jackson. I will give up any in-depth analysis, because you can always read those stuffs elsewhere. I will try to be cool and be like Chuck, Kenny and Ernie.
Here are my findings from the 2010 NBA Draft, pick-by-pick:
1. Washington – John Wall, 6’4”, PG, Kentucky, Fr.
Comparison: Derrick Rose
Grand prize of this draft. Super quick and talented, has good size and huge potential. A taller version of Derrick Rose. Like Rose, he doesn’t have his jumper yet. Can’t wait to see him play. Most imminent right now, is for the Wizards to send away Agent Zero ASAP so that he won’t have any negative influence on Wall. Why would they still want a cancer in the locker room?
2. Philadelphia – Evan Turner, 6’6”, SG, Ohio Sts., Jr.
Comparison: Brandon Roy
Again no surprise. NCAA player of the year; a versatile and smooth scorer who could play both guard positions; not super athletic but most NBA-ready. Philly now has 2 combo guards, Jrue Holiday and Turner. They will shift Igoudala to SF and bring Nocioni off the bench. Dalembert is gone, but Speights and Hawes will man the paint. Not bad a team. Oops, I forgot they also have a 15-million-dollar 6th man, Brand.
3. New Jersey – Derrick Favors, 6’10”, PF, Georgia Tech., Fr.
Comparison: Antonio McDyess/Al Horford
The Russian Billionaire playboy owner had to make a tough choice between Favors (athletic big man), Johnson (versatile SF) and Cousins (true C). Favors is a long and explosive, a terrific rebounder and defender. He runs the floor quick and is a dunking machine. Yup, huge upside, but unpolished. But frankly, does it really matter whom they draft? They just need to get LeBron. Period.
4. Minnesota – Wesley Johnson, 6’7”, SF, Syracuse, Jr.
Comparison: Shawn Marion
A long and athletic SF who is terrific in transition, and can play on the defensive end, but lacks the ability to create shots. The Shawn Marion comparison concerns me. The Matrix is not exactly a star, although he himself might not agree. Does that mean that Minny is drafting a supporting cast with the No. 4 pick? Anyway, last time I checked, Minny has 5 centers and were starting Ryan Gomes at SF. Johnson should fill the needs while they are till waiting for Ricky Rubio.
5. Sacramento – DeMarcus Cousins, 6’11”, C, Kentucky, Fr.
Comparison: Al Jefferson
Cousins is the most interesting guy in this draft. He is a rare true center with huge frame. He is super-skilled, has soft touch, and is able to score down low. He rebounds well too, and will probably be the best player in this class in a couple years’ time. People say he’s a better and taller version of Al Jefferson. The problem? Mental issues. He’s loose cannon. Read more:
Comparison: Jason Thompson
OK, we have our first awkward name draftee! Full name? Ekpedeme Friday Udoh! From ESPN’s Chad Ford: “can block shots and defend”. What? That’s it? More: “unfinished product”. But he’s 23. If you are still an unfinished product at 23, you are probably already finished. Man, I wish the Warriors good luck. Geez, when was the last time the Warriors had luck? Yeah, back when Wilt Chamberlain was playing.
7. Detroit – Greg Monroe, 6’11”, PF, Georgetown, So.
Comparison: Brad Miller
A skilled left-handed big man with great size and finesse game. Not very athletic therefore an average rebounder and defender. A good passer too. Yup, exactly what Brad Miller is. Detroit need a big man desperately. They can’t hang on with Kwame for too long, although everybody loves Kwame, including MJ. And he Lakers.
8. LA Clippers – Al-Farouq Aminu, 6’8”, SF, Wake Forest, So.
Comparison: Josh Smith
Scout report: “athletic and super long combo forward, runs the floor and plays D, excellent rebounder. Excel in run-and-gun. Big upside but extremely young.” Reports are that the Clippers have given him the promise to take him at No. 8. No comment from me. Just good luck to his ACL.
9. Utah – Gordon Hayward, 6’8”, SF, Butler, So.
Comparison: Mike Miller / Mike Dunleavy Jr.
The great hero for Butler’s championship run. An example of how a good tournament helped you going up the chart. As a SF, he has good size. A smart player who can create his own shots. Good team player but average athlete. A FUNDAMENTAL guy. Looks like a good fit for the Jazz. BTW, he absolutely looks like a nerd:
Comparison: Danny Granger
A strong athlete who can shoot, finish and defend. Huge upside potential but a long term prospect. Larry Bird picked the best talent available at #10. Yes, they are picking a guy who is similar to Danny Granger. It would be interesting to see 2 Grangers running down the floor at the same time.
11. New Orleans (traded to OKC) – Cole Aldrich, 6’11”, C, Kansas, Jr.
Comparison: Joel Przybilla
The Hornets traded this pick to OKC. Aldrich is a true center with terrific size and frame, a big time rebounder who plays physical defense. Good hands around the basket but really limited offense. I like these types of big men. They could be very valuable for teams with terrific perimeter scorers. Yes, someone like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. OKC’s GM has really done a good job accumulating talents and filling in all the missing pieces.
12. Memphis – Xavier Henry, 6’6”, SG, Kansas, Fr.
Comparison: Martell Webster
A swingman with good size and can really shoot. Not a great athlete and may struggle to create his own shots at pro level. Seems to me a straight complimentary player. The Grizz already have OJ Mayo so they don’t need Henry to start at SG. But the point is, is he the best choice at #12?
13. Toronto – Ed Davis, 6’9”, PF, UNC, So.
Comparison: Al Horford
A big man with nice frame and length, he has very high basketball IQ, and can be a great rebounder/shot blocker, though not very skilled. Davis was a top-5 recruit beginning this year but wrist injury has hurt his drafting position. Can be the steal of this draft. A nice consolation prize for the Raptors after they lose Chris Bosh.
14. Houston – Patrick Patterson, 6,8”, PF, Kentucky, Jr.
Comparison: Carl Landry
Third player from Kentucky. According to Chad Ford: “a meat-and-potatoes big man”. I am not sure it is good or not. And I am not sure the Carl Landry comparison is good or not either. Everybody loves Carl Landry. He hustles, works his ass off and plays all out. However, Carl Landry is also undersized with limited talent. Carl Landry is a steal at 31st pick (in 2007), but using a lottery pick to get a Carl Landry? I am not so sure. Plus, the Rockets just traded away their own Carl Landry last February.
That’s it for the lottery pick. I will be brief from now on.
15. Milwaukee – Larry Sanders, 6’10”, PF, VA Commonwealth, Jr.
Comparison: Theo Ratliff
A huge shot blocker with limited offense. Replacement of Dan Gadzuric as Bogut’s backup.
16. Minnesota (traded to POR) – Luke Babbitt, 6,9”, SF, Nevada. So.
Comparison: Keith Van Horn
The Wolves traded this pick to the Blazers for Martell Webster. He is a long-range shooter with good passing skills. Not sure he’s better than Webster or not.
17. Chicago – Kevin Seraphin, 6’9”, PF, France
Comparison: Jordan Hill
The Bulls traded this pick to Washington as part of the Kirk Hinrich deal. The only international player in the first round. A long, athletic big man but very raw. Likely to stay in Europe for a couple of years.
18. Oklahoma City (traded to LAC) – Eric Bledsoe, 6’1”, PG, Kentucky, Fr.
Comparison: Keyon Dooling / Marcus Banks
Probably famous for being the teammate of John Wall. Fourth Wildcat in the draft. Extremely quick and athletic. Despite at 6'1”, he played at SG most of the time while Wall played PG at Kentucky. Looks like a career backup to me.
19. Boston – Avery Bradley, 6’3”, SG, Texas, Fr.
Comparison: Monta Ellis
Top high school player last year, but did not bode well in college. Undersized SG with quickness. A risky pick by Danny Ainge.
20. San Antonio – James Anderson, 6’6”, SG, Oklahoma St., Jr.
Comparison: Daequan Cook
Swingman with nice size and average athleticism. Good shooting skills but not a good defender. Not sure why Popovich picked him. I was expecting some interesting gamble by Pop.
21. Oklahoma City (traded to NOH) – Craig Brackins, 6’10”, PF, Iowa St., Jr.
Comparison: Jason Thompson
Part of the trade together with #11 pick. Goes higher than expected. Offensively talented and seems like that’s it.
22. Portland – Elliot Williams, 6’4”, SG, Memphis, So.
Comparison: Rodney Stuckey
Another athletic combo guard aka tweener aka undersized SG. I thought the Blazers had combo guard in Jerryd Bayless already. Why need another?
23. Minnesota (traded to WAS) – Trevor Booker, 6’7”, PF, Clemson, Sr.
Comparison: Brandon Bass
A PF who makes up his lack of size with hustles and strength. Hmm, well, I always admire such kind of player, but I probably wouldn’t want to have such a player for my first round draft…
24. Atlanta (traded to NJN) – Damion James, 6’7”, SF, Texas, Sr.
Comparison: Lou Mbah a Moute
Tough-minded SF that finished his college career being Big 12 Conference's all time leading rebounder. And it took him 4 years to do so. Can’t do much else.
25. Memphis (traded to DAL) – Dominique Jones, 6’4”, SG, S. Florida, Jr.
Comparison: Rodney Stuckey
Another “combo guard”, powerfully built and can score a lot but can’t shoot too well.
26. Oklahoma City (traded to NOH) – Quincy Pondexter, 6’7”, SF, Washington, Sr.
Comparison: Mickael Pietrus
Sent to the Hornets as part of the Cole Aldrich (#11 pick) deal. An athletic forward, can guard several positions and get rebounds.
27. New Jersey (traded to ATL) – Jordon Crawford, 6’4”, SG, Xavier, So.
Comparison: Flip Murray
Swapped with the Hawks for #24 pick. Probably most famous for his dunk on LeBron (see Youtube). Seems like a selfish and showcase player who only knows how to dunk.
28. Memphis – Greivis Vasquez, 6’6”, SG, Maryland, Sr.
Comparison: Goran Dragic / Zoran Planinic
Had a terrific college career with Maryland. I can smell some JJ Redick or Adam Morrison in him, aka successful college players who never manage to get to another level.
29. Orlando – Daniel Orton, 6’10”, C, Kentucky, Fr.
Comparison: Branden Hayward
The fifth Wildcat in the first round. A true center body and has all the physical attributes, but very raw and could have used one more year in college.
30. Washington (traded to MIN) – Lazar Hayward, 6’6”, SF, Marquette, Sr.
Comparison: Ryan Gomes
Despite 6’6”, he spent most of the time playing PF at Marquette. Enough said.
That is it for the first round. This is one of the most boring drafts. No suspense, no surprises and no one is making any gutsy moves. Moreover, the players other than the top five are hardly worth-mentioning. And you know what? The GM know. That's why teams are so keen on trading their picks. The biggest story of the summer remains the free agency bonanza.
My prediction is:
(1) Wall and Turner to compete for ROY, but Cousins will post up some big stats in Sac-to to make a strong push;
(2) Favors will be a bust (at least for this year), with or without LeBron;
(3) OKC will be another notch better with the addition of Aldrich; and
(4) Ed Davies will be the ultimate sleeper.
Let the free agency begin!
