There were many surprises announced by both the commissioner and the deputy commissioner last night in New York at the NBA Draft. From Russell Westbrook going at #4 to Brook Lopez dropping to #10 and from Jason Thompson being chosen at #12 to DeAndre Jordan and Mario Chalmers having to wait until the second round to hear their names called. No one could have predicted such a thing for one of the deepest draft class's in recent memory. But it was also one of the youngest in recent memory as twelve freshmen were drafted last night.
No surprise was the fact that Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, and OJ Mayo went 1-2-3 to kick off the draft. Surprising at #4 was Russ Westbrook, the combo guard out of UCLA who was considered by many to be the best defensive guard in the draft. Another surprising selection in the top ten was Danilo Gallinari, whose dad roomed with Coach D'Antoni while Mr. Gallinari played professionally in Italy. However, D'Antoni claims that Danilo has the tools to become a great player in the League, and if you're a Knicks fan, you have to at least be happy with that.
I was also somewhat shocked to see Joe Alexander's and DJ Augustin's names off the board before Jerryd Bayless's and Anthony Randolph's. It was also surprising to see Brook Lopez fall to #10, where the Nets scooped up the second-best center in the draft. What a night for Nets fans! The two biggest winners of the draft has to be them and Portland, both of which were helped tremendously in their aspirations to reach the postseason. Another thing I don't get is why Sacramento didn't trade down a few picks, possibly with Phoenix. Jason Thompson, maybe the biggest surprise pick of the draft, would have still been available and the Suns would have been able to grab Brandon Rush, the one they've been showing the most interest in all along.
Let me know sound off on Roy Hibbert. This guy has bust written all over him and he will be just another benchwarming seven-footer in the NBA. Athleticism is so much more crucial in the League than in college, and Hibbert lacks in that department tremendously. Once he has to guard guys his own size or be guarded by guys as tall as him, he'll be ineffective and useless out on the court.
Next are the Suns. What the hell do they think they're doing? Grant Hill was someone I could live with. Shaq was pushing the envelope with me. Robin Lopez just puts me over the top. They are slowly but surely becoming a half-court walk-it-up team like the Spurs. Now I understand why they got rid of D'Antoni, but I don't understand the reason. They were in contention to win it almost every year so why change? I'm making a bold prediction: Phoenix won't make the playoffs next season.
There were two surprises, in my mind, at the end of the first round. One of them was Donte Greene, someone I had going in the mid-lottery. He dropped all the way down to 28, where has was drafted by the Grizzlies. The second surprise was JR Giddens going in the first round. I saw him as a great pick in the early to mid-second round, but why the first? Why gamble like that when you're the defending world champions? However, Boston redeemed themselves when they traded for Bill Walker, a phenomenal talent who has the potential to be great.
The second round saw seven foreign players drafted, which brings me to another point. Foreign players have the highest chance of being a bust (i.e. Darko Milicic) yet they also have the highest chance of being a steal (i.e. Manu Ginobili). My point? Wait until the second round to draft your European players. You never know; you may get lucky. Also, this shows how weak foreign scouting is even in this modern age.
The second round also featured four players that I could see easily going in the first round: Mario Chalmers at 34, DeAndre Jordan at 35, Chris Douglas-Roberts at 40, and Bill Walker at 47. Walker and CDR are the two that are most puzzling to me. Obviously, the scouts were scared away by the unorthodox methods and injury problems, respectively. However, I would think that at least one scout would see past that and see that one or both of these players has the chance to be a future all-star, if not a solid starter for years to come.
That concludes my breakdown of the deepest and yougest draft class I've ever seen. Good luck to them wherever they play next year whether it be overseas, in the NBA, or in the D-League. Also, a congrats goes out to Semih Erden of Turkey, who had the honor of being drafted last at pick #60.
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Consecutive Playoff Streaks
Comments (19)
"Phoenix won't make the playoffs next season."
Quite bold.
Cincy weekend! | 06/27/08, 10:39 AM
Report Offensive CommentNice blog GOAT,I missed the first 2 hours of it because I had basketball open gym.Shoot,there were quite a few surprises,and I think I'll highlight them in my blog coming soon.
Cincy weekend! | 06/27/08, 10:41 AM
Report Offensive CommentThanks for reading, Cincy. I am/was a Phoenix fan so it's painful for me to say they won't make the postseason. And you missed two hours? What is that? 12 picks? haha jk
G.O.A.T. | 06/27/08, 10:46 AM
Report Offensive CommentI disagree with you regarding Hibbert. While I don't think he will be a Superstar, I think he's going to be much more than a benchwarming 7-footer.
But then again, as a W's fan, I don't really give a flip about the draft in general. What does Anthony Randolph mean to us? Another thin forward, yippee. After the Vegas summer league is over, he'll have a nice place on Nellie's bench. Whoop-de-do.
Thugmeister | 06/27/08, 10:47 AM
Report Offensive CommentNo,I missed the first 22 picks!(ok so it was 2 and a half hours).
Hibbert,he's not the ost talented is he?He needs to work on his aggression.He should have been tearing up college basketball,not letting his smaller opponents manhandle him.
Cincy weekend! | 06/27/08, 10:49 AM
Report Offensive CommentI can sense much enthusiasm in your typing, Thug. >_>
Yeah, I agree, Cincy. He was owned by Joey Dorsey in Georgetown's game against Memphis. Dorsey is like 4 inches shorter, too.
G.O.A.T. | 06/27/08, 10:51 AM
Report Offensive CommentYeah, its hard to get worked up about a Rook when you know he's just going to end up in the Coach's doghouse - probably through no fault of his own, Nellie just hates Rookies in general. I suppose in a couple of years we will be really glad to have him. He does have lots of potential.
Thugmeister | 06/27/08, 11:01 AM
Report Offensive CommentDorsey's a guy I see coming off the bench to get some tough points,he could be counted on to fill in for someone who's in foul trouble,but not much other than that.If Hibbert works on his game,he could become a solid backup.
Cincy weekend! | 06/27/08, 11:21 AM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog GOAT. It seems like our Mock Draft was a little off.......
Denis24: Dream > Redeem | 06/27/08, 11:38 AM
Report Offensive CommentA little? That's generous. haha. Thanks for reading, guys. I agree with you about Dorsey and Hibbert. Neither will really turn into an elite player though. Thug, I don't understand Nellie. Plain and simple, I don't. Just how I don't understand Phil Jackson. haha
G.O.A.T. | 06/27/08, 11:46 AM
Report Offensive CommentHey GOAT,you gonna put something in about the big Memphis-Minnesota deal?
Cincy weekend! | 06/27/08, 11:54 AM
Report Offensive CommentNo, I didn't really want to say much about trades since none of them are final or anything. I'll talk about it when it happens.
G.O.A.T. | 06/27/08, 12:10 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog
Anyway you forgot to put the Bobcats as the best draft
Ny | 06/27/08, 12:28 PM
Report Offensive Comment*coughhomercough*
G.O.A.T. | 06/27/08, 01:11 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood as always GOAT. I will sound off a little. (like it or not)
I am a little perplexed with both of the champs picks as Giddens and Walker are 2 of the most troubled guys (outside of the arena) from this draft. Is that really what you want to bring in that locker room?
CDR was the only real puzzling fall to me, I think Jordan went right where he belongs ( we have gone over this already). Too many teams went by CDR's workouts and not what he did on the court, but that mistake happenes every year.
I agree the Nets did a good job. I definitely agree the Blazers filled their only true need left, now it is time to see if Bayless is for real.
Shan Foster steal of the draft (homer), ok not really but a man can dream.
Nickb23- Vote Bullet Bob | 06/27/08, 05:58 PM
Report Offensive CommentLike nick said, this was good.
With Walker and Giddens, I think the Celtics know that they both want to succeed in the NBA and to do that, they will need some help. Guys like Allen, Pierce and of course KG are going to be able to help them.
P.S. Watch out for James Gist- A HUGE STEAL at 57
0x NBA/NFL Champion | 06/27/08, 06:03 PM
Report Offensive CommentTrue Ox, I was thinking that as I typed but still typed it.
Nickb23- Vote Bullet Bob | 06/27/08, 06:40 PM
Report Offensive CommentAll I have to say is, "What were the Cav's thinking????"
Azmodi (Is saying goodbye) | 06/27/08, 06:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentThanks for reading, guys. And, Nick, you're always welcome to sound off.
Giddens and Walker may be troubled, but so is OJ Mayo. They also possess a huge amount of talent and, in my opinion, as a defending champion, could be worth the risk.
CDR was puzzling to me as well, but I think Coach Cal hit the nail on the head saying that scouts could be easily scared away from him based on his unorthodox style of play.
I'm a fan of Shan Foster as well. I watched him light up Tennessee in their upset right after the Vols took down Memphis. It was a great game. However, Foster struggled with his shooting at times throughout the year, especially on the road, and was inconsistent.
0x, Gist does have potential, but he'll be a role player at best in the NBA.
Azmodi, my thoughts exactly. haha
G.O.A.T. | 06/29/08, 02:52 PM
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