Post by Akomplice on Jun 18, 2011 19:40:39 GMT -5
Denver Nuggets
Andre Drummond
Some fans might moan at this pick due to the fact that Favors hasn't developed at all. However all those fears should be put to rest because Drummond is a can't miss prospect. He is as strong as an axe, has huge wingspan and is extremely athletic. He is a legit true back to the basket player and there are only a few players that can contain him down low. His post moves are still developing, a lot of his points comes from dunks right now mainly because he doesn't need to exert himself at all. Drummond is the biggest center prospect since Greg Oden easily.
Indiana Pacers
Marquis Teague
A lot of fans might moan at this pick due to Calipari's other prospect, Tyreke Evans. However Teague is ready to come in and play right away. He can Evans can form a back court that rivals the 76ers. Teague's offensive game is still coming along and with Evans on the team, he doesn't have to develop point guard skills as much. He is lightning quick with the ball, comes equipped with lock down perimeter defense and will be a nightmare in transition due to the steals he causes. The Pacers need a shot in the arm and someone who can contribute, there is no other prospect who can bring that like Teague.
Phoenix Suns
Michael Gilchrist
Since moving Joe Johnson the team has plummeted and that's what happens when you trade away a MVP type player. The Suns already have a lot of young talent in place, but they need to develop. With Cousins, Thompson, Kemba already on the team the Suns can swing for the fences with this pick. Gilchrist comes to this team and becomes the best two way player. Gilchrist really does do a little bit of everything, he can shoot it from mid range and deep, he can handle the ball and plays excellent defense. He has a ton of potential so the Suns will need to be patient with him, however let him develop with the core and the Suns will be back in no time.
LA Lakers
Austin Rivers
This pick might shock some people, but we feel that you can't pass up on Rivers here. They already have Cook, DeRozan and Bradley but we feel that one of them will be on the move. Both Bradley and Rivers can play either guard position and that's a nice bonus to have. There really is no power forward that is worthy of going in this slot so the Lakers take the best available player. Rivers can flat out score the ball and has no limit to his range. Gone are the days of playoff games in LA, but Rivers can bring that mentality back. The Lakers have the talent, after this draft we shouldn't see them in the lottery for the next decade.
LA Clippers
LeBryan Nash
You have to feel bad for Nash here, knowing that being drafted by the Clippers will essentially mean that you bust. However the Clippers hope to avoid that with LeBryan Nash here. Nash is a two way small forward that will fit perfectly in the young team that the Clippers have. With him and Rubio in transition the Clippers will become one of the most dynamic young teams in the league. Over the years the Clippers have had some bad luck with training camps, but if this team gets a good camp for once this team is deadly. With Monroe, Motie, Rubio and Brooks as the core, Nash makes the most sense with this pick.
Dallas Mavericks
Harrison Barnes
The Mavericks seem to have some young talent at most positions so they take the safe pick that is Barnes. The Mavericks played Markieff Morris at small forward all year last year but we feel that he would be better utilized at the power forward spot. Barnes comes in with a ready shot, including a SSBL ready three point range. Some call Barnes the safest pick and question why he goes after Gilchrist and Nash, but Barnes a lot of people question how much more he can really improve. Either way the Mavericks are glad to have him with Augustin, Morris and Burks.
New York Knicks
Fab Melo
Drafting Melo will allow Horford to slide over to his more natural position, Melo brings some size that the Knicks can use. The Knicks are another team that has a lot of youth so they can go in many different directions, however in bringing in Melo they will add a ready defender and someone who can control the paint. Last year Melo finally started to shed off his baby fat and really develop some basketball moves to score the ball. He is still a work in progress, but this Brazillian comes from a good line of basketball players. He brings the intangibles you want from big men and most importantly he has very soft hands that allow him to become an easy target.
Toronto Raptors
Jordan Hamilton
I was tempted to give them Festus Ezeli but considering the amount of big man projects they already own, I figured they would go for a scorer. Hamilton can probably make the transition to shooting guard because the Raptors already have Gallo and Chandler manning the small forward spots. Hamilton comes to the league with one of the better shots, right there with Harrison Barnes. Hamilton is already a solid two way player, strong for his position. If Hamilton can develop some more he can be looked at as a steal at this point considering he is more of a sure product then some of the previous picks.
Detroit Pistons
Festus Ezeli
Last year the Pistons had the top two picks in the draft, they selected Williams and Irving. This year they continue to add talent, they replace the man that they dealt last year, Greg Oden. Ezeli is older then some of the prospects in this draft, but he is also capable of controlling the paint. He brings excellent size, athleticism and hands to the table making him an ideal player to grow with the young kids from last year. Since he went to Vanderbilt a lot of people missed out of him, he is extremely smart and can really be that defensive enforcer. Between him and the Hammer the Pistons could own the paint and really intimidate opposing teams.
Milwaukee Bucks
Patric Young
Young is one of the better rebounders in this draft, he just jumps out of the gym when he goes for the rebounds. He knows how to use his body, excellent body control. He has a strong frame, elite athleticism and a budding offensive game. Last year he really worked on his jump shot, he is a consistent shooter from fifteen feet now. Another thing that we like about Young is that he knows how to handle the ball, moves well out of pick and rolls and can really develop more a lot. His rebounding won't allow him to be a bust, but if the Bucks work with him on his offensive game he can be a nice player for them.
Chicago Bulls
Myck Kabongo
The Bulls should be in the market for a real point guard this offseason and are lucky to have Kabongo fall into their laps. Kabongo is a legit point guard, something that is rare these days. He looks to create for his teammates before him self and is a real good drive and kick player. This would mean the defense would collapse on him creating open shots for Mayo and Morrison. Kabongo defensively is already one of the better prospects, uses his wingspan to put the clamps on opposing players. If the Bulls land Kabongo on draft night they should be thrilled because he is a perfect for this team.
Golden State Warriors
Adonis Thomas
A rebuild should be on the way in Golden State, to best show that a rebuild is on the way you go out and draft one of the most raw players in the draft. Adonis Thomas reminds people a lot of Anthony Randolph, he is capable of guarding multiple positions. He has a solid offensive game, shows good instincts but needs a lot of time to develop. Defensively he can make an impact from day one, but his offensive game will be a work in progress and the Warriors need to realize this. Thomas has a big wingspan that teams love, he is a very bright kid and wants to improve. With a rebuild looming, Thomas is that high risk high reward prospect they should be looking at.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Rodney Williams
The potential isn't sky high with Williams, but he is a guy who can have a niche for this team. The Cavs are a playoff bubble team and adding a guy who can contribute is important. He is a solid defender, can shoot it from deep and has a nice drive going to the basket. Williams is a logical person to draft because this team really has no long term prospect at the small forward spot and Vince Carter might be bolting. The Cavs don't swing for the fences, but picks up a very solid player.
Andre Drummond
Some fans might moan at this pick due to the fact that Favors hasn't developed at all. However all those fears should be put to rest because Drummond is a can't miss prospect. He is as strong as an axe, has huge wingspan and is extremely athletic. He is a legit true back to the basket player and there are only a few players that can contain him down low. His post moves are still developing, a lot of his points comes from dunks right now mainly because he doesn't need to exert himself at all. Drummond is the biggest center prospect since Greg Oden easily.
Indiana Pacers
Marquis Teague
A lot of fans might moan at this pick due to Calipari's other prospect, Tyreke Evans. However Teague is ready to come in and play right away. He can Evans can form a back court that rivals the 76ers. Teague's offensive game is still coming along and with Evans on the team, he doesn't have to develop point guard skills as much. He is lightning quick with the ball, comes equipped with lock down perimeter defense and will be a nightmare in transition due to the steals he causes. The Pacers need a shot in the arm and someone who can contribute, there is no other prospect who can bring that like Teague.
Phoenix Suns
Michael Gilchrist
Since moving Joe Johnson the team has plummeted and that's what happens when you trade away a MVP type player. The Suns already have a lot of young talent in place, but they need to develop. With Cousins, Thompson, Kemba already on the team the Suns can swing for the fences with this pick. Gilchrist comes to this team and becomes the best two way player. Gilchrist really does do a little bit of everything, he can shoot it from mid range and deep, he can handle the ball and plays excellent defense. He has a ton of potential so the Suns will need to be patient with him, however let him develop with the core and the Suns will be back in no time.
LA Lakers
Austin Rivers
This pick might shock some people, but we feel that you can't pass up on Rivers here. They already have Cook, DeRozan and Bradley but we feel that one of them will be on the move. Both Bradley and Rivers can play either guard position and that's a nice bonus to have. There really is no power forward that is worthy of going in this slot so the Lakers take the best available player. Rivers can flat out score the ball and has no limit to his range. Gone are the days of playoff games in LA, but Rivers can bring that mentality back. The Lakers have the talent, after this draft we shouldn't see them in the lottery for the next decade.
LA Clippers
LeBryan Nash
You have to feel bad for Nash here, knowing that being drafted by the Clippers will essentially mean that you bust. However the Clippers hope to avoid that with LeBryan Nash here. Nash is a two way small forward that will fit perfectly in the young team that the Clippers have. With him and Rubio in transition the Clippers will become one of the most dynamic young teams in the league. Over the years the Clippers have had some bad luck with training camps, but if this team gets a good camp for once this team is deadly. With Monroe, Motie, Rubio and Brooks as the core, Nash makes the most sense with this pick.
Dallas Mavericks
Harrison Barnes
The Mavericks seem to have some young talent at most positions so they take the safe pick that is Barnes. The Mavericks played Markieff Morris at small forward all year last year but we feel that he would be better utilized at the power forward spot. Barnes comes in with a ready shot, including a SSBL ready three point range. Some call Barnes the safest pick and question why he goes after Gilchrist and Nash, but Barnes a lot of people question how much more he can really improve. Either way the Mavericks are glad to have him with Augustin, Morris and Burks.
New York Knicks
Fab Melo
Drafting Melo will allow Horford to slide over to his more natural position, Melo brings some size that the Knicks can use. The Knicks are another team that has a lot of youth so they can go in many different directions, however in bringing in Melo they will add a ready defender and someone who can control the paint. Last year Melo finally started to shed off his baby fat and really develop some basketball moves to score the ball. He is still a work in progress, but this Brazillian comes from a good line of basketball players. He brings the intangibles you want from big men and most importantly he has very soft hands that allow him to become an easy target.
Toronto Raptors
Jordan Hamilton
I was tempted to give them Festus Ezeli but considering the amount of big man projects they already own, I figured they would go for a scorer. Hamilton can probably make the transition to shooting guard because the Raptors already have Gallo and Chandler manning the small forward spots. Hamilton comes to the league with one of the better shots, right there with Harrison Barnes. Hamilton is already a solid two way player, strong for his position. If Hamilton can develop some more he can be looked at as a steal at this point considering he is more of a sure product then some of the previous picks.
Detroit Pistons
Festus Ezeli
Last year the Pistons had the top two picks in the draft, they selected Williams and Irving. This year they continue to add talent, they replace the man that they dealt last year, Greg Oden. Ezeli is older then some of the prospects in this draft, but he is also capable of controlling the paint. He brings excellent size, athleticism and hands to the table making him an ideal player to grow with the young kids from last year. Since he went to Vanderbilt a lot of people missed out of him, he is extremely smart and can really be that defensive enforcer. Between him and the Hammer the Pistons could own the paint and really intimidate opposing teams.
Milwaukee Bucks
Patric Young
Young is one of the better rebounders in this draft, he just jumps out of the gym when he goes for the rebounds. He knows how to use his body, excellent body control. He has a strong frame, elite athleticism and a budding offensive game. Last year he really worked on his jump shot, he is a consistent shooter from fifteen feet now. Another thing that we like about Young is that he knows how to handle the ball, moves well out of pick and rolls and can really develop more a lot. His rebounding won't allow him to be a bust, but if the Bucks work with him on his offensive game he can be a nice player for them.
Chicago Bulls
Myck Kabongo
The Bulls should be in the market for a real point guard this offseason and are lucky to have Kabongo fall into their laps. Kabongo is a legit point guard, something that is rare these days. He looks to create for his teammates before him self and is a real good drive and kick player. This would mean the defense would collapse on him creating open shots for Mayo and Morrison. Kabongo defensively is already one of the better prospects, uses his wingspan to put the clamps on opposing players. If the Bulls land Kabongo on draft night they should be thrilled because he is a perfect for this team.
Golden State Warriors
Adonis Thomas
A rebuild should be on the way in Golden State, to best show that a rebuild is on the way you go out and draft one of the most raw players in the draft. Adonis Thomas reminds people a lot of Anthony Randolph, he is capable of guarding multiple positions. He has a solid offensive game, shows good instincts but needs a lot of time to develop. Defensively he can make an impact from day one, but his offensive game will be a work in progress and the Warriors need to realize this. Thomas has a big wingspan that teams love, he is a very bright kid and wants to improve. With a rebuild looming, Thomas is that high risk high reward prospect they should be looking at.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Rodney Williams
The potential isn't sky high with Williams, but he is a guy who can have a niche for this team. The Cavs are a playoff bubble team and adding a guy who can contribute is important. He is a solid defender, can shoot it from deep and has a nice drive going to the basket. Williams is a logical person to draft because this team really has no long term prospect at the small forward spot and Vince Carter might be bolting. The Cavs don't swing for the fences, but picks up a very solid player.
