Post by the original michael on Sept 9, 2020 10:45:38 GMT -8
Round 1 - A Review of the Top 20 picks in the LOADED 2008 draft.
1. Philadelphia 76ers - Derrick Rose
The 76ers get to add the premier player in this years draft to team up with first year standout, Greg Oden. Derrick Rose and Greg Oden will form an outstanding 1-2 punch that could last a decade, or a week, depending on how their knees hold up. Let's hope that Stevie B and the 76ers have a great training staff in place for these two guys! I'm actually really jealous of this 1-2 punch and it was something that I was trying to piece together here in Indiana.
Draft Grade: A+
2. LA Clippers - Russell Westbrook
I hate this pick. Westbrook is such a flawed player and now goes to the Donald Sterling of BBS GMs, Outlawz . Nah, just playing. Lawz is a good guy and didn't mean anything by his comments. While Westbrick has all of the skills and tools to be successful, he'll need great coaching to succeed. He needs to be with a general manager that will camp him, especially in his handles. I don't think Outlawz has written any articles at this point, but will need to do so to prevent Westbrook from busting completely.
Draft Grade: C+
3. Miami Heat - Kevin Love
Many players are sleeping on Kevin Love due to his shitty inside rating and poor defense. However, scouting will tell you that Love is a borderline C+ inside guy and likely has a high inside rating, with his jumping being poor. That means his rebounding is on another level and probably maxed out already. Maybe with camps he can get to become a 1BPG big, but I doubt it. I still think Love will be a great player, despite not being able to play SF here.
Draft Grade: A-
4. Indiana Pacers - Serge Ibaka
The Pacers, who held the #1 projected pick, fall to 4 after the lottery. Disappointing. At this pick, the team toyed with the idea of taking Beasley here, but ultimately decided between DeAndre Jordan and Serge Ibaka. Ibaka won out due to his C rating (which we hope is mostly jump shot) and his teen age of 19. I believe Ibaka can be a force in this league with camps and some training camp luck.
Draft Grade: N/A, not grading myself
5. LA Lakers - DeAndre Jordan
Jordan was the obvious pick in my opinion. He does it all, can block and rebound and likely has HIGH jumping so he can leap out of the building. His F+ outside scares me and he'll likely never be a good FG% or FT% big, but that is something you can sacrifice with his elite defensive ability. He may be a Ben Wallace lite type player.
Draft Grade: A-
6. Indiana Pacers (from 76ers) - Michael Beasley
The Pacers traded up to get Beasley and gave up a lot, essentially trading up two picks from #8 and including #13. Two lottos to trade up 2 spots is a hefty price, but the Pacers believe Beasley will be a star in this league. He is currently listed at PF with D+ defense. I think a change to SF could see that increase to C- or even C. He is also borderline B+ inside scoring. With camps, he can probably get close to B outside as well. We could be looking at a B+ B wing entering his first training camp.
Draft Grade: N/A, not grading myself
7. Indiana Pacers (from Timberwolves) - Danilo Gallinari
Another draft day trade from the Pacers. It's like something out of the movie Draft Day, staring Kevin Costner. Anyways, the Pacers pay a hefty price to move up from 14, including the Raptors and Sonics 2009 1sts, but the team gets a guy they were very high on in Gallinari. It was close to a toss up at #6 with Beasley and now the squad adds both wings.
Draft Grade: N/A, not grading myself
8. Philadelphia 76ers (from Pacers) - OJ Mayo
The former prodigy known as OJ Mayo falls to the 76ers at #8. The 76ers traded back from 6 and now get one of their guys in Mayo. He teamed up with Rose and Oden, is a great 3 man core. I'm excited to see what they can do together. His rebounding is a question, but he can score the rock.
Draft Grade: B+
9. Dallas Mavericks (from Hornets) - Goran Dragic
Not a fan of this pick really as I thought Hibbert was the best available. Dragic can score, but according to his notes, he has turnover issues. Sure, these can be corrected with camps and I'm sure the Mavs will do so, I think there were better options available.
Draft Grade: C+
10. Indiana Pacers (from Magic) - Roy Hibbert
I'm very happy with this pick and feels like it makes our entire draft. Sure, Hibbert doesn't have elite potential, but he's going to be a solid anchor for this defense. He should be a 8/10/2 type big in the mold of former lottery pick, now free agent, Emeka Okafor. The two are very similar players and I would be thrilled if he turns out to be like Okafor.
Draft Grade: N/A, not grading myself
11. Miami Heat (from Bucks) - Eric Gordon
Worst pick in the lottery so far? Maybe. Maybe not. He's going to be an elite 6th man, backing up PG and SG. I just don't think you can justify starting him at SG with D rebounds. His defense and rebounds are so putrid, that he would need to be a 30PPG wing to justify starting him. Regardless, he will be a good bench player and a future 6th man of the year for kobe and the Heat.
Draft Grade: C
12. Dallas Mavericks (from Rockets) - Brook Lopez
The Mavericks appear to be rebuilding after their title run. This pick was acquired, along with Marc Gasol and their own first rounders in the blockbuster Tim Duncan deal. Lopez at 12 is a steal. He probably has 85+ inside and can block the shot. Put some loving into his rebounding and you have yourself a hell of a steal! I toyed with Brook or Hibbert at 10, but went Hibbert due to his boards. Love love love this pick for the Mavs.
Draft Grade: A
13. Dallas Mavericks (from 76ers via Pacers) - Nic Batum
This pick was acquired in the aforementioned trade with the Pacers. Then was traded with #15 and Tyrus Thomas for Amare Stoudemire. What a haul for the 76ers. Anyways, Batum is clearly the best wing left and should be a solid starter in this league. He looks like a good rebounder and will be a nice piece for the Mavs.
Draft Grade: B+
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Pacers via Blazers) - Robin Lopez
Trading down from 7 to 14 was nice, but they are in win now mode and need to win soon to avoid the dreaded CY. Lopez looks like the ideal 3rd big. He should be a nice player, but the Wolves need to start adding win now assets around Chris Bosh.
Draft Grade: C+
15. Dallas Mavericks (from 76ers via Suns) - George Hill
If it seems like the Mavericks and Pacers have owned the majority of the first round so far, well, that is because they have. The Mavs 4th pick in the top 15 nets them the best available PG in George Hill. While he may never be a star, he should be a hell of a depth piece and solid starter in this league.
Draft Grade: B-
16. Sacramento Kings - JaVale McGee
The Kings always seem to have elite shot blockers. Ben Wallace, Marcus Camby, DONG, Sene, etc etc. Can McGee be the next best blocking big for ashes ? I'll say YES. His rebounding is awful and a borderline C/C+ but could improve with camps. Solid solid pick all around.
Draft Grade: B
17. Miami Heat (from Pistons) - Anthony Randolph
At 17, it's time to swing for the fences and that is exactly what kobe did. I like his notes. He is a stats defender. He may steal and block at a higher rate and let's not ignore the fact that he is a former Warrior. If that rebounding is camped and improves, this is a monster pick.
Draft Grade: A-
18. Boston Celtics - Ryan Anderson
One of the few "contending" teams that kept their own picks. Anderson has the makings of a nice wing. He can board and shoot good for a big, but there is a lot left to be desired. His potential is probably low. He may be something with camps, but I'm not entirely sold on him.
Draft Grade: C+
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Spurs) - Brandon Rush
Ok, home run pick? Nah. Ground rule double? More likely. The Cavs acquired this pick in the Dirk deal and look to have found a steal here. In some mocks, Rush was picked in the lottery. He is a great shooter and defender AND is a former Warrior. That Warrior thing looks real here. Good pick.
Draft Grade: B
20. Washington Wizards - DJ Augustin
Another GM who keeps his own picks. Quality pick here who could take over for free agent guard Jason Terry. Augustin looks like a mini Terry so this is a solid pick here by jahallstar .
Draft Grade: B-
