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#1
Just putting some thoughts out there now that we know the lottery order. It gets really hard once you get to Memphis. They could pick anyone and cause chaos, or trade out... and cause chaos.
I think that this indicates that there is a drop off from the top 2 to the 3rd-4th (as we all know) and then perhaps an even bigger after Mayo and Bayless.
1. Chicago - Derrick Rose
Athletic marvel. Playmaker. Raconteur.
2. Miami - Michael Beasley
If you play two combo forwards, does that equal small forward + power forward combo?
3. Minnesota - OJ Mayo
This team needs to swing for the fences. Last player left on the board with superstar potential (save for a complete unknown going bezerk). Has a mean streak. Minnesota definitely need more players who are
4. Seattle - Jerryd Bayless
Last of the self-explanatory picks. Seattle needs a PG, his athleticism will be an awesome match with Durant, Green and Robert Swift for a long time...
5. Memphis - Eric Gordon
This could go anywhere. I don't think Memphis will keep this pick. Lopez is too marginal and Jordan won't flourish on that roster. I have Gordon here because someone is going to latch on to his ridiculous scoring talent. I could see New York moving up to this pick to secure his services. Which makes the next pick difficult...
6. New York - Brook Lopez
Akin to the last pick, Lopez will probably end up in this region (5-8). I don't think this will be New York's actual pick, they will take Gordon or Jordan - someone to get excited about.
7. LA Clippers - Anthony Randolph
Another team that is likely to trade up or (more likely) down. Most of the guards here would be a reach (although I almost considered Westbrook here), so they take a guy with intriguing trade value. It's hard to think of a roster where this guy may fit. Orlando?
8. Milwaukee - Russell Westbrook
They need a livewire. Westbrook defines that term. This will give them security in shipping Mo Williams and/or Michael Redd out.
9. Charlotte - DeAndre Jordan
They have capable players at positions 1-4, but could take a talent upgrade at any of them. There are no talent upgrades available, so they take a monster to sit next to Emeka (when healthy).
10. New Jersey - Nicolas Batum
Assuming they start the season running with Devin Harris, Vince, Jefferson, Williams and Boone - this give them a pogo stick off the bench to run with. Insurance policy if and when Carter or Jefferson are dealt.
11. Indiana - Chase Budinger
Need talent in the backcourt, allowing Dunleavy to play more at SF and Granger at PF. They'd love a PG, but there are none left here worth a look.
12. Sacramento - Donte Green
Need a power forward in the worst way (or any non-wing talent at all, for that matter). They hope that he is this year's Al Thornton.
13. Portland - Joe Alexander
Mike Miller mark 2? Cheaper than trading for him.
14. Golden State - Kevin Love
Stays in California. Ignites the break for Golden State.
The more I think about it, the more pointless it is to predict this draft, I think. Doing this more of an excerise for enjoyment. Outside of the top 4, I like Love, Westbrook and Gordon. They are the only players (IMO) that pass the test of having an A-grade talent at NBA level - passing, athleticism and scoring, respectively.
Everyone else is too marginal. I often think that players with those A talents rise above the middling prospects. Andrew Bynum is probably the best recent case I can think of with that, I had him going at #7 in the draft because 7-feet + nimble feet = gold. You'll recall correctly that he surged from mid/late first round to the Lakers.
So to add those two points together, Memphis, New York and the Clippers should take some combination of Love, Westbrook and Gordon. The problem in constructing this draft is that none of those teams really need those players.
I think that this indicates that there is a drop off from the top 2 to the 3rd-4th (as we all know) and then perhaps an even bigger after Mayo and Bayless.
1. Chicago - Derrick Rose
Athletic marvel. Playmaker. Raconteur.
2. Miami - Michael Beasley
If you play two combo forwards, does that equal small forward + power forward combo?
3. Minnesota - OJ Mayo
This team needs to swing for the fences. Last player left on the board with superstar potential (save for a complete unknown going bezerk). Has a mean streak. Minnesota definitely need more players who are
4. Seattle - Jerryd Bayless
Last of the self-explanatory picks. Seattle needs a PG, his athleticism will be an awesome match with Durant, Green and Robert Swift for a long time...
5. Memphis - Eric Gordon
This could go anywhere. I don't think Memphis will keep this pick. Lopez is too marginal and Jordan won't flourish on that roster. I have Gordon here because someone is going to latch on to his ridiculous scoring talent. I could see New York moving up to this pick to secure his services. Which makes the next pick difficult...
6. New York - Brook Lopez
Akin to the last pick, Lopez will probably end up in this region (5-8). I don't think this will be New York's actual pick, they will take Gordon or Jordan - someone to get excited about.
7. LA Clippers - Anthony Randolph
Another team that is likely to trade up or (more likely) down. Most of the guards here would be a reach (although I almost considered Westbrook here), so they take a guy with intriguing trade value. It's hard to think of a roster where this guy may fit. Orlando?
8. Milwaukee - Russell Westbrook
They need a livewire. Westbrook defines that term. This will give them security in shipping Mo Williams and/or Michael Redd out.
9. Charlotte - DeAndre Jordan
They have capable players at positions 1-4, but could take a talent upgrade at any of them. There are no talent upgrades available, so they take a monster to sit next to Emeka (when healthy).
10. New Jersey - Nicolas Batum
Assuming they start the season running with Devin Harris, Vince, Jefferson, Williams and Boone - this give them a pogo stick off the bench to run with. Insurance policy if and when Carter or Jefferson are dealt.
11. Indiana - Chase Budinger
Need talent in the backcourt, allowing Dunleavy to play more at SF and Granger at PF. They'd love a PG, but there are none left here worth a look.
12. Sacramento - Donte Green
Need a power forward in the worst way (or any non-wing talent at all, for that matter). They hope that he is this year's Al Thornton.
13. Portland - Joe Alexander
Mike Miller mark 2? Cheaper than trading for him.
14. Golden State - Kevin Love
Stays in California. Ignites the break for Golden State.
The more I think about it, the more pointless it is to predict this draft, I think. Doing this more of an excerise for enjoyment. Outside of the top 4, I like Love, Westbrook and Gordon. They are the only players (IMO) that pass the test of having an A-grade talent at NBA level - passing, athleticism and scoring, respectively.
Everyone else is too marginal. I often think that players with those A talents rise above the middling prospects. Andrew Bynum is probably the best recent case I can think of with that, I had him going at #7 in the draft because 7-feet + nimble feet = gold. You'll recall correctly that he surged from mid/late first round to the Lakers.
So to add those two points together, Memphis, New York and the Clippers should take some combination of Love, Westbrook and Gordon. The problem in constructing this draft is that none of those teams really need those players.
