Wednesday, June 30, 2010

NBA Draft 2010 Grades

For the record....I dont grade teams that dont end up with any prospects





Washington: B John Wall, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker, Hamady N'Diaye


John Wall is the no brainer here, even if you already have a franchise point guard. I like Trevor Booker as a player, but I think they reached on him. N'Diaye is not a bad pick at 56, but I doubt he ever makes the roster. The question mark is Kevin Seraphin, who was acquired alongside Kirk Hinrich. Lots of people are knocking this trade for setting up a potential Chicago dynasty, but Hinrich brings leadership, something this franchise needs to improve their image.





Philadelphia: B+ Evan Turner


I do think Turner is the better player than Favors at the 2 spot, but I dont see him fitting in all that well in Philadelphia with Igoudala. They really didnt have a better option here, and I dont see the Sixers making the playoffs next year...but Turner is a good building block.





New Jersey: A- Derrick Favors, Damion James


I think Favors will eventually turn into a very solid PF, but it will take 2-3 years....The Nets may be able to find someone to teach him through free agency though, possibly David Lee or Carlos Boozer. Even as a Texas fan, Damion James doesnt strike me a difference-maker. With that said, he should be be able to contribute on a team that may not have money left to spend on a bench when all is said and done.







Minnesota: C- Wesley Johnson, Lazar Hayward, Nemanja Bjelica, Paulao Prestes


To me, something about Wesley Johnson screams bust. I dont ever see him becoming an All-Star. Lazar Hayward also doesnt seem like anything special. I dont really see him being any better than Wayne Ellington. I doubt we see either of the foreign players on the roster this season...maybe they show up when Rubio does.





Sacramento: B DeMarcus Cousins, Hassan Whiteside


So many teams coveted DeMarcus Cousins, so the Kings think they may have got the best big man in the draft here. I still have doubts as to his work ethic. Whiteside was a very good value pick in the second round, as some mock drafts had him at 14 to Houston. As of right now he is pure potential, but he may learn a few things from Sam Dalembert





Golden State: D+ Ekpe Udoh


It is understandable that the Warriors couldnt find a solid value at the position that they really needed here, a wing scorer. Drafting size is never a bad idea, but the Warriors already have Andris Biedrins, who is solid, and Greg Monroe was the better prospect.





Detroit: B Greg Monroe, Terrico White


Although lots of Pistons fans are pulling out their hair over this draft, I think they did well. The Pistons were said to be taking Ed Davis, but made a wise choice and filled a need with Monroe, who could start at center. The agonizing pick for most was another combo guard in White, but I am not convinced it is all bad. A pure point may have been a better pick though.



L.A. Clippers: A- Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe, Willie Warren



Aminu really fits a position of need for the Clippers, and should start right away. I dont think he will ever be a star, but a solid rebounding forward should help put them closer to the playoffs. The grade really gets a boost from drafting two solid PG's later. I highly doubt both will flop out of the league. At one point, Warren was discussed as a lottery pick this year. All in all, a very solid draft





Utah: C+ Gordon Hayward, Jeremy Evans



As much as I like Gordon Hayward, and I know he wont ever be short on effort, I find it hard to believe he is worth the 9th overall pick. I want to see him succeed, I just dont see it happening. He does fill a need for the Jazz though. Jeremy Evans will likely fade into obscurity, but Western Kentucky did produce a solid player in Courtney Lee.





Indiana: B- Paul George, Lance Stephenson, Magnum Rolle



This roster is still encumbered with bad contracts, so dont expect them to improve much this year. George is the NBA's version of a workout warrior, so I dont know what to expect from him. I love the Stephenson pick in the second round...Magnum Rolle, not so much.





Oklahoma City: A- Cole Aldrich, Tibor Pleiss, Latavious Williams, Ryan Reid



On a team with few holes, they managed to fill them and roll over assets to next year's draft. Although Aldrich doesnt have a high ceiling, he should at least be able to push Nenad Krstic. Pleiss may be a steal if the Thunder can wait a year or two. Its hard to see how the other two fit on the roster.





Memphis: B+ Xavier Henry, Grievis Vasquez



I really love both of these players...my only problem is that they both play the same position. I dont see Vasquez as a point guard, which the Grizz could really use. Also, if they cant resign Rudy Gay, the only SF on the roster is Sam Young.





Toronto: C Ed Davis, Solomon Alabi



Players who dont produce in college when given the chance dont impress me....Davis will likely have a big spot to fill next year when Bosh leaves.....good luck. Alabi was a nice pick up in the second round for a team who could use an actual true center





Houston: B Patrick Patterson



As a Rockets fan, I originally wasnt excited about this pick. Patterson is ho hum, and the Rockets already have Jordan Hill, David Anderson, and potentially can resign Chuck Hayes and Luis Scola. However, I didnt think Carl Landry was much either, and that worked out for the Rockets. Never doubt Daryl Morey





Milwaukee: C+ Larry Sanders, Darington Hobson, Tiny Gallon



I like the moves the Bucks have made heading into the draft more than the picks. Adding Maggette and Douglas-Roberts should provide scoring punch on the wings, so the Bucks obviously felt the need to beef up inside. None of these players I find particularly impressive though. Sanders was a reach at 15. However, if they can find a contributor amongst this group, they will look strong in the East next year.





Portland: C+ Luke Babbitt, Elliot Willams, Armon Johnson



I am skeptical to like Babbitt, especially after seeing a Luke Jackson comparison. If he turns out to be a gunner like Kyle Korver, this grade should be higher. I dont see Williams or Johnson panning out, but the dealing of Martell Webster for Babbitt and Ryan Gomes, who was promptly cut, was a good cost cutting move.





Boston: A Avery Bradley, Luke Harangody



I really like Avery Bradley....if Ray Allen leaves, he will play a major role for the Celtics next year, and Doc Rivers should love his defensive presence. Harangody probably wont bring much to the table, but Brian Scalabrine's contract is up, so the Celtics needed a tall ginger on the bench.





San Antonio: B James Anderson, Ryan Richards



Many are calling Anderson a steal, but I'm willing to bet the Spurs would have preferred Avery Bradley. Either way, he fills a need and may start if the Spurs still want Manu to come off the bench. The Spurs have some of the best international scouts, so Richards is likely a good find.





New Orleans: C+ Craig Brackins, Quincy Pondexter



Not very exciting picks for a team trying to get over the hump. Both were picked above where they should have been, and neither will play a major role for the team this year, but they did need depth at center, which Brackins may be able to provide.





Dallas: C Dominique Jones



The Mavs really must not care about tax to buy a pick in the first round and grab a scoring guard when they already have Rodrigue Beaubois, J.J. Barea, and even DeShawn Stevenson. Jones seems like a decent guard, but I dont think the Mavs will be able to get him many minutes.





Atlanta: C+ Jordan Crawford, Pape Sy



I would like to have seen the Hawks take a player who can contribute immediately. Crawford is still raw, and Sy likely wont play here now. The Hawks only have one PF on the roster, and he starts at center for them every night. However, if Joe Johnson leaves, Crawford may take on a large role.





Orlando: A- Daniel Orton, Stanley Robinson



I didnt really like Orton coming into the draft, but under the tutelage of Dwight Howard, anything is possible. Robinson is an athletic freak, and given a year or two in the D-League, could be a good rebounder in the League.





Miami: A Dexter Pittman, Jarvis Varnado, Da'Sean Butler



Brilliant moves for a team looking to basically have zero money on the books. The salaries of second rounders dont count right away and the Heat basically just need to add bodies. That is not to say the players are scrubs. Pittman needs to slim down, but can contribute right now. Varnado is a great shot blocker, and Butler is a dynamic and clutch scorer, and someone who can provide leadership to what will likely be a young bench.





New York: B- Andy Rautins, Landry Fields, Jerome Jordan



Rautins and Fields likely could have been had as free agents, but you cant blame the Knicks for getting the guys they want. It is hard to draft players when you have zero clue what your team's identity will be next year. Rautins is a good spot up shooter, and Jordan could develop into a big time center. Fields put up good number in the underwhelming Pac 10, but the Knicks have had more success finding obscure talent than one might imagine.





L.A. Lakers: B- Devin Ebanks, Derrick Caracter



The Lakers take fliers with two interesting talents. Ebanks is very raw, and wont see the roster this year. Caracter could provide depth to the Lakers frontline, but needs to mature and prove he wont create problems for a solid locker room.





Phoenix: B+ Gani Lawal, Dwayne Collins



The team needed size for the bench, so I like both of these picks, especially Lawal. Like many other teams, the draft picks could be pushed into action depending on free agency, in this case the departure of Amare.

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