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NBA Draft Preview - Get To Know The Euros

With the NBA draft coming up later this week it's time to start looking at some of the draft prospects. Every blog in the world is talking about Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Enes Kanter and Brandon Knight. And even though most of those guys have played 1 year of college or less, we're fairly familiar with them. The European prospects are a different matter, though. Most of us couldn't tell Donatas Montiejunas from a place on a map or ingredients in a Slovakian dish.

Have no fear. Jesus is here to help you put a face to the names, so when your favorite team picks one of these guys you're not sitting on your couch thinking, "Who the fuck is that guy?!"

*Note - I left out guys like Enes Kanter and Nikola Vucevic who played (or were supposed to play) at American colleges. This list is European players who I expect will go in the first round (based on what I've read).

JAN VESELY (Czech Republic), SF - Not that Chad Ford is the be all - end all of NBA scouting, but he has Vesely at #9 on his list of Top 100 Prospects. If this were an American player with this skill set I'm confident we'd be talking about him as a #1 overall candidate. Some have comapred him to Andre Kirilenko, but last I checked Kirilenko wasn't driving the lane and tomahawking on people, nor catching alley-oop passes and flushing dunks with his head at the rim. Combined with his outside shooting ability and his all-around versatile game some team is going to be very happy to get their hands on Vesely.

Scouting Report:

PROS - NBA ready. Good size and length (sorry, Captain). Great leaping ability. 3-point range. Good ball handler for size.

CONS - (Same tired old Cons scouts give to every Euorpean player) Needs to add strength. Doesn't have a back to the basket game. (Who does these days?) Didn't they say all these things about Nowitzki when he entered the Association? Yes. Yes, they did.


Oh. And his nickname is "The Dunking Ninja"


Prediction: Washington, #6 overall.



JONAS VALANCIUNAS (Lithuania), C - If you like your Centers to play around the rim, rebound and challenge shots then Valanciunas is your guy. The Lithuanian big man is listed at 7'0" and 245, so size isn't an issue. He has been both the Under-16 Euro MVP and the Under-18 MVP twice, so his talents are not unrecognized on the opposite continent. However, most scouts still view him as a project not ready to help a team next season.

PROS - Soft touch around the rim. Good rebounder. Challenges shots. Intelligent basketball player. Large wingspan.

CONS - Not NBA ready. Needs to improve perimeter game. (Why do we need every guy to shoot jumpers and play in the paint?) Needs to improve strength.

Something about this dude just doesn't look right. But Scouts have him rated very highly. Check it out for yourself.

And if you're wondering why he's touching the ball when it's inside the rim, that isn't considered goaltending in Euro leagues.

Prediction: Detroit, #8 overall



BISMACK BIYOMBO (Spain) Spain?!, PF - Not the type of name that comes to mind when I think Spain, but hey what are you gonna do? (He was born in The Congo) This guy is reportedly a raw, athletic defender. Think Serge Ibaka before he developed his game.

PROS - Long, rangy defender with a great wingspan. Tenacious rebounder and shot-blocker. High energy.

CONS - Very raw. Needs lots of work on offense. Lacks experience.

He sounds like Dikembe!


Prediction: Golden State, #11 overall


NIKOLA MIROTIC (Serbia), SF - Mirotic, named Euroleague's 2011 Rising Star, is a sharp shooting small-forward with the kind of size that NBA scouts love. Many think he can play both forward spots in the NBA and Chad Ford calls him a "craft forward." He's got some versatility in his game, thought judging from the limited video evidence I've seen he'll have trouble defending the more athletic SF in the NBA.

PROS - Size and length. Can handle the ball and drive to the basket. Great shooter with range. Good passer from the forward position. Intelligent and aggressive player.

CONS - Not very athletic. Not a great rebounder. Has some contract issues that might keep him from NBA in the very near future.



Prediction: Denver, #22 overall. (draft and stash)


DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS (Lithuania), PF - Montiejunas is an athletic big man who runs the floor, finishes around the rim and has a nice mid-range game. Sounds pretty good to me. He's also 7' tall, which is nice.

PROS - Quite athletic for his size. Can put the ball on the floor and drive. Excellent passer. Smart player. Great quickness.

CONS - Needs to add strength. Needs to become more consistent from the perimeter. Lacks experience.



Prediction: San Antonio, #29 overall (draft and stash)


DAVIS BERTANS (Latvia), SF - Bertans is another small forward with deep shooting range. He's also capable of getting to the rim off the dribble and is listed at 6'9".

PROS - Great shooter. Also a great passer. Good size. Fairly athletic. Lightning quick release on jumper.

CONS - At times can display poor shot selection. Still very young, and needs to fill out his frame more.



Prediction: Chicago, #30 overall (draft and stash)

Kevin Love To Lakers?

There is a rumor going around today that the Lakers have offered Pau Gasol (Poopface) to the Timberwolvers for the no. 2 overall pick and Kevin Love. I can't see any reason why the Timberwolves would do this, but some rumors think it's just a starting point, and it could be Pau straight up for Love. That really still doesn't make a lot of sense to me from the perspective of the Timberwolves. Kevin Love is just 22 years old and averaged 20 points and 15 boards a game, and you are going to trade that for the 30 year old Poopface?

I still think someway, somehow Dwight Howard will end up in a Lakers uniform. It just feel right to me. Then again, the Lakers pulled off a silly trade to get Poopface in the first place, so maybe the can make the Timberwolves make a Kevin Garnett-like trade again.

Celtics Thinking Big, Really Big

We have been talking for awhile now that the Celtics will most likely be looking at big men in the upcoming draft. I don't think any of us were thinking this big...

"The Boston Celtics held their first round on pre-draft workouts on Wednesday in anticipation of the 2011 NBA Draft and apparently replaced Butler's Matt Howard with Matthew O'Donnell, a 6-foot-11 big man from Queen's University in Canada (ridiculousupside.com)."

O'Donnell hasn't played basketball since high school, and has been up in Canada playing football after he was drafted 15 overall in the CFL draft. There are some people that think he is just waiting to get the call from the NFL, which is probably true, but the Celtics thought he was worth a look.

"We don't leave a stone unturned. We cover all the bases," Ainge told A. Sherrod Blakely after Wednesday's workout. "He was definitely the surprise of the workout. He's big. Really big."

It's a 1 in a million chance that this kid would be anything, but it is interesting. With the loss of Shaq (for now), Perkins, and most likely Big Baby the Celtics need a banger. Apparently this kid's athletic testing numbers were impressive enough for the Celtics to be interested, and if they could convince him to get away from football I would totally take a chance on him with a late 2nd round pick. Why not? It's better then drafting from scrawny European that we'll never see. I would also use the first round pick on a big man as well. Because all they have right now is KG and Jermaine O'Neal (who has stated he is coming back) for "big men" on the roster.

Once again, I very much doubt this kid will be anything, but it's certainly is interesting.

Celtics' Options In NBA Draft

The mock drafts are starting to go around, and even though I think this is a pretty weak draft I thought it might be interesting to see who the Celtics could target in the draft. Before we start I want you to know where my heads at in terms of what will happen this offseason.

- Jeff Green will be back
- Big Baby will be gone
- Jermaine O'Neal will be back (too much money)
- Shaq will be back (because he's Shaq)
- Ray Allen will pick up his option (obviously)

We will obviously do more of these lists as the draft gets closer, but here is a couple guys to keep an eye on.

Nikola Vucevic, C USC

Even if Shaq and Jermaine comeback the Celtics have to address their issues at center. That's why you will mostly see big men that I think the Celtics will go after. Vucevic is currently who Chard Ford has the Celtics taking, and I think it would be a steal. He is huge (7 feet and a 7-5 wing span), and he really played well in his last year at USC (17.1 ppg 10.3 rebs). The negatives is that he isn't all that quick, but I think his length and post moves make him worth this pick.

Markieff Morris, C/PF Kansas

I don't think he will fall, but Celticblog pointed him out, so I figured I'd add him to the list. The guy rebounds well (13.6 rebs), and is known as a great defender. He could be a great fill in for Big Baby off the bench. He does lack size (6-9), but like I said he would basically take Big Baby's spot.

Jordan Williams, PF Maryland

He is only 6-9, but he was extremely productive at Maryland last year (16.9 ppg, 11.8 Rebs). He has had conditioning issues in the past, but if motivated could be a beast underneath. He is not a great shooter, but the Celtics could use a banger underneath, since KG for the most part refuses to.

NBA Lottery Tonight

Never liked the NBA lottery system. I get that it kind of stops team from just tanking seasons, but I also feel like there is always rumblings of "fixes". I doubt they are true, but we still have to hear it every year.

This lottery is probably one of the least interesting. This is one of the weakest drafts I can remember, but here is a look at the odds for get the 1st pick for the 14 teams in the lottery.

1. Timberwolves: 25%
2. Cavaliers: 19.9%
3. Raptors: 15.6%
4. Wizards: 11.9%
5. Kings: 7.6%
6. Jazz: 7.5%
7. Pistons: 4.3%
8. Cavaliers (2nd pick): 2.8%
9. Bobcats: 1.7%
10. Bucks: 1.1%
11. Warriors: .8%
12. Jazz (2nd pick): .07%
13. Suns: .06%
14. Rockets: .05%

Breaking News: FUCK!!!!

Freshman Terrence Jones, Brandon Knicht and Junior DeAndre Liggins are declaring for the draft. With all the people returning I assumed at least 2 out of the 3 of these guys were going to stay. All they have left over is Doron Lamb. Good thing they have the number 1 recruiting class.

Harrison Barnes Going Back To UNC

Harrison Barnes announced via a press release on Monday that he will return to North Carolina for his sophomore year and bypass the 2011 NBA draft.

I constantly pound players going pro, but this is kind of awesome. With Barnes/ Perry Jones and Jared Sullinger and some of the Kentucky guys coming back that means I'll actually be interested in college bball next year. Also, that means that the Clippers 2012 pick is going to be super valuable because there will be that much more of an opportunity to draft one of these guys.

Barnes could have gone 1st, same could be said about Sullinger, or Jones so with that included in the 2012 draft, that means someone should be around in the 10-15 area, where the Clippers are probably going to be.

With Barnes and Zeller coming back UNC is going to be a force to be reckoned with next year. This could be something that the NCAA really needs.

Derrick Williams To Enter Draft

Finally, at least one of these guys came to his senses. After the shocking news that Perry Jones is going back to Baylor, Tyler Zeller and maybe Harrison Barnes is headed back to UNC and that Jared Sullinger is headed back to Ohio State, Derrick Williams (who many consider a front runner for the number 1 pick) is headed to the NBA and hiring an agent.

Williams was a beast in the tournament and averaged about 20 points and 9 boards during his sophomore campaign at Arizona. Even though I'm a big fan of players leaving early all these people coming back is going to make college basketball very fun to watch next year. All I need is the Kentucky guys to come back.

The Morris' Are Going To The NBA

Both Marcus and Markieff Morris are foregoing their senior seasons at Kansas and going to the NBA. There is also no turning back as they are hiring agents as well. Marcus, a second-team All-American, averaged 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, while Markieff was an honorable mention All-American after averaging 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds. The only other Kansas player now is Josh Selby who is in draft limbo. This certainly will hurt Kansas but they have guys who replace them as DeAndre Daniels, a 6-8 forward from Florida and Braeden Anderson, a 6-8, 215-pound forward from Wilbraham and Monson Academy in Massachusetts is coming in.

Which leads me to my next point. I hate twins in sports, especially the NBA. I hated the Collins (Jason and Jarron) and hated the Lopez's (Brook and Robin), but at least these twins didn't go to Stanford. Twins entering the same draft is going to be overhyped and a stupid story, it also makes research that much more difficult when trying to talk about one of them. It's bullshit actually. So from now on I think that twins shouldn't be let in the NBA in the same draft.

Clippers Trade Baron Davis To Cleveland

"The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed in principle to a trade that would send Baron Davis and the Clippers' 2011 first-round draft pick to Cleveland in exchange for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon, league sources confirmed to ESPN.com (ESPN)."

I love Baron Davis, but he come into this year completely out of shape, and has been heckled by the owner of the Clippers. So, it was time to go. This move saves the Clippers a ton of money and although I don't like Mo Williams he was pretty good when Lebron was there, so maybe he can regain his stride with Griffin.

Baron Davis is still due $28 million over the next two season, so getting him out was a must for LA. Moon's contract is up after this year, so that'll be off the books. Plus, Williams contract is for a little over $9 million this year with a player option for $8 million next year. If the Clippers could somehow get him to not want that, this would be a great deal, but most likely he will pick up his option.

For Cleveland, ummm this isn't going to end well. Baron Davis got fat for the Clippers now he is going to the worst team in the NBA. Something tells me he isn't going to put 100% effort in (great beard though). But the big thing here is they might get the #1 pick in the NBA draft. This isn't an awesome draft, but the Cavs need a "face of the franchise" guy, and this is really the only way they are going to get one.

Danilo Gallinari To Clippers?

Well, this didn't take long...

"According to ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard via sources, the Clippers are offering a first-round pick they acquired from Minnesota to Denver for newly-acquired Danilo Gallinari. "Pick is Top 10 protected in 2011, unprotected in 2012," tweeted Broussard (ESPN)."

I keep feeling like the Clippers should be a better team then they are. Gallinari could be a good fit for the Clippers as he is an obvious upgrade of Ryan Gomes (still the man, though). With Griffin being a great low post threat Gallinari could help spread the floor, and hit those open 3's when everyone caves in to stop Griffin. I don't know if the Nuggets will agree to this, but I think it would be a great nice move for the Clippers.

Jesus' NBA Draft winners and losers

I won't break down every franchise's draft because that would take too long and frankly I (and probably you readers) don't care about most of these teams anyway.
Let me start by saying the draft was a little disappointing for me. Lebron proved to be the elephant in the room the entire night and cast a huge shadow over the draft. A lot of the trading that happened was late in the first round and no one moved into the top picks to grab a lottery talent, as we see many years.

That being said, let's take a look at some of the winners and losers in the 2010 NBA draft.


LOSERS -




Cleveland Cavaliers No picks
Grade = D-

I would give it an F but it is hard to give an F to a team that didn't make a pick. I will do the next best thing and give them a D-. Their first round pick was a part of the trade to bring in Jamison. Heading into the playoffs I don't think Cleveland was sweating it, but now with the possibility of Lebron leaving looking more and more like reality I think many Cleveland fans might rather have had that pick and the cap flexibility of not having Jamison who never hit his stride with the Cavs. Late 1st talent isn't great, but maybe they could have found a gem.


Golden State Warriors (#6 Ekpe Udoh)
Grade = F

What the hell is wrong with this organization?! They already have 2 or 3 guys who are just like Ekpe Udoh (and younger!) yet they waste a 6th overall pick on him. Udoh is a nice, lanky athletic defensive presence with a very unpolished offensive game. With good talent still left on the board, (Greg Monroe, Ed Davis, Gordon Hayward, Aminu etc.) I think they could have done better. It's not like they play any D anyway! This organization continues to be in disarray. Poor Steph Curry.


New York Knicks (#38 Andy Rautins, #39 Landry Fields)
Grade = D

No surprise to see the Knicks on this list. They had better hope that they can land one of these top-tier free agents or this team is in some serious trouble, and their fan base will not be happy. David Stern continues to deny that having the Knicks be successful is critical to the success in the NBA but I disagree. He essentially has two of the worst franchises in his two biggest media markets (Clippers and Knicks). Luckily the Lakers are there to save the LA market.
Rautins is a good shooter but seems a bit redundant to a few guys already on the roster. Then again, D'Antoni loves himself some shooters. Fields on the other hand makes NO SENSE. I saw this guy play in person for Stanford when I was living in Phoenix, and I can tell you I would have bet my house that he would not be drafted. Awful. No one on the board at that point was top talent obviously, but certainly better than Fields.



Memphis Grizzlies (#12 Xavier Henry, #28 Greivis Vasquez)
Grade: D+

The Grizz added some nice talent, but I think this puts their guard total at like 15. Is the new plan to go with 4 guys about 6'4" and Hasheem Thabeet? That should work out well. If they're expecting Henry to fill the void at the 3 left by Gay I think they're mistaken. Henry is a bit undersized at that spot, and while he can definitely shoot, some scouts question his ability to really be productive at the next level.
While I love me some Greivis Vasquez I'm not sure that he'll be a good NBA player, and certainly not one that the Grizzlies need. By my count they now have 8 guards on the roster. A bit much.




WINNERS -






Oklahoma City Thunder (#11 Cole Aldrich, #31 Tibor Pleiss, #48 Latavious Williams, #57 Ryan Reid)
Grade: A-

I think most would agree that OKC needed some inside presence. Nenad Krstic was not cutting it, and a legit center could have been the difference in that Lakers series.
I don't think Aldrich is the second coming of Bill Walton or even Bill Lambier for that matter. But I think he is a lot more Joel Pryzbilla than Bryant Reeves. And the Vanilla Gorilla has been more than serviceable in Portland.
In the 2nd round they got Tibor Pleiss from Germany, a lanky 7 footer who many scouts love and Letavious Williams, the first ever D-League draftee, as well as Ryan Reid from Florida State who probably won't make the squad.
The Thunder also got a future 1st rounder from the Clippers via Miami and got the Heat to suck up Mo Pete's awful contract. Job well done!



San Antonio Spurs (#20 James Anderson, #49 Ryan Richards)
Grade: A-

There is no secret why the Spurs are one of the most successful organizations in the league, year in and year out. They do an excellent job of evaluating talent, and are extremely well run. This year's draft was no different. They took James Anderson out of Oklahoma State, a dynamic wing scorer who should be able to step in nicely and add some much needed scoring off the bench for the Spurs. He's not as athletic as Richard Jefferson but plays a similar slashing style and is a great shooter. When writing his pre-draft eval I actually envisioned him thriving on a team like the Spurs (or Celtics, who passed on him to take Avery Bradley).
They also nabbed Ryan Richards the 7 ft Center from London who impressed in pre-draft workouts. He is expected to be stashed in the D-League where he can get his feet wet against better talent.


Sacramento Kings (#5 Demarcus Cousins, #33 Hassan Whiteside)
Grade: A +

The Kings grabbed arguably the best talent in the draft. Sure, John Wall was a lock at #1 and Evan Turner could be the most NBA ready player in the whole class, but many scouts feel that DeMarcus Cousins, who they grabbed at #5 could end up having the most productive career. He can score in ways that someone with his size normally can't do, and is tough on the boards and on D...when his head his right, and that is the problem with Cousins. Obviously, Sacramento believes he can improve his maturity and become the face of their franchise along with Tyreke Evans, 2009-10's ROY.
In the 2nd round they grabbed Hassan Whiteside out of Marshall, who some have likened to Marcus Camby. An upside selection, as the number 4 rated center in a league that loves big men Whiteside could be quite a steal.


Chicago Bulls (#17 Kevin Seraphin - traded to Washington pending completion)
Grade: A++

The Bulls actual pick isn't what warrants them the grade, as Kevin Seraphin might be as soft as a croissant for all I know. What earns the grade is the fact that they can now afford to sign to max contract players and they haven't had to gut the core of their team, Rose, Deng and Noah. Clearly, Chicago are the front runners for the Lebron sweepstakes. The only question that remains is does Lebron really want to play in that ever-looming shadow of His Royal Airness. I'm not so sure he does, but either way the Bulls are in great position. Lebron, Bosh, Rose, Deng and Noah?...ship it mother fucker. Pencil that squad in for the finals for the next 3-4 years!



Los Angeles Lakers (#43 Devin Ebanks, #58 Derrick Caracter)
Grade: A

As much as I hate to say it, the Lakers had a great draft, especially since they only had two 2nd round picks to work with. They added great talent in Caracter and Ebanks. I thought Ebanks slipped way too far, and even though Chad Ford said it first I have to agree that he reminds me of Trevor Ariza who I thought was a great piece on that 2009 title team. Caracter was one of the most talented players in the country not too long ago and seems to have put some of those maturity and off-court issues behind him. He had a great season at UTEP off the radar last season.

Jesus' NBA Draft Preview

Jesus is back folks, after a long-lasting stand on the ledge of a tall building and a coma-inducing plethora of pain killers following the Celtics title game loss, and he's feeling stronger than ever...or at least stronger than the night of game 7.
Enough of the 3rd person stuff, I'm here to talk about the upcoming NBA draft (tonight!). Unlike that pussy Chad Ford and some of the other idiots you see on TV I won't be trying to channel my inner Mel Kiper Jr and predict the draft outcome, because outside of the first 2-3 picks I'm sure it'd be all wrong anyway, especially with the mostly inevitable draftnight trades that will likely occur. Instead, I'll give you the Jesus Big Board of 2010 NBA draft prospects and try to profile some guys you may not be so familiar with.

Let's start with the obvious. We all know that John Wall is going #1 to Washington. It may not be the greatest fit in the world for either party, but you don't pass on a talent like John Wall. While a small part of me is still not convinced that he will be an all-NBA player, I had similar doubts about Derrick Rose coming out of college...and he's not too shabby.

At #2 I think you can probably move from the pencil to ink with the 76ers taking Evan Turner. The scoring machine from THE Ohio State University has done no damage to his rep this summer and seems to be a favorite of new Sixers coach Doug Collins. Rumor has it that he was not enamored with Derrick Favors on or off the court, whom many thought might be their selection. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Favors probably isn't a member of MENSA. I like Turner here.

Here's the rest of the Big Board I've broken it up into Top 5, Lottery talent, 5 late first rounders to keep your eye on, Second rounders to watch out for and of course, The Euros. For good measure, I added a "+ 1" to each set for just a little extra something. If you want more insight you'll have to sign up to be a Jesus Insider. ($24.95/mo) Hahahaha

TOP 5

DeMarcus Cousins C/PF (Kentucky)
NBA scouts love big guys, and there's lots to love here. At 6'11", 292 Cousins is a big boy and plenty athletic with a nice skill set that most bigs don't have. He could play the 5 or 4, though some NBA 4s will be a bit to quick. Anyone who watched Kentucky this year knows that he's prone to some baby-like hissy fits and poor attitude for stretches of time, though he always showed up at big moments and seemed to shine when the lights got brightest. Don't be shocked if this guy is part of a trade as many teams are rumored to be interested in moving up, including my beloved Celts.

Derrick Favors PF (Georgia Tech)

A freakish athlete with long limbs and great leaping ability, his work ethic and attitude are already being questioned. Another spoiled talent? I'm not sure, but MIN GM tore into him after a workout saying that he was out of shape and "not ready for the league". Yikes. No one likes to hear that leading up to the draft. Perhaps he'll be a steal if that opinion gains momentum. One thing is for sure the Wolves will be hoping that someone either trades up or that PHI or NJ takes one of the two guys already profiled. They've got their big nucleus in Jefferson and Love and would much rather have Johnson or Turner. Not likely, Minnesota. So keep wishing.

Wesley Johnson G/F (Syracuse)

A favorite of Jesus (me, not the Lord - although I'm not sure), this guy knows how to fill it. A scoring guru, here's what is being said...
Long, athletic swingman, Explosive leaper, Aggressive scorer, Deep range on jumper
Terrific rebounder, Versatile, can play and guard multiple positions, Needs to add strength.
If I wasn't mistaken I would think they meant Kevin Durant coming out of Texas. Remember all the hullabaloo about how he couldn't lift his own weight in the gym? Well, I'd say he's done alright for such a weak guy. I like Johnson. And I expect whoever nabs him to have one of the best players out of this class. NJ could have a nice little squad if they nab him and have Devin Harris, Brook Lopez and can sign either Amar'e or Booz in free agency.

+ 1

Ed Davis C (North Carolina)

We've seen this play out before, haven't we? Player from UNC that has scouts drooling, but doesn't really leap out of the tv set at the casual fan watching a game. A few years ago it was Marvin Williams who went from UNC bench to the lottery. Davis performed better at UNC, but the Heels were terrible this year so he might have been a bit unnoticed - but not too scouts. They love his "high motor" and his length at both ends. He has excellent size, rebounds well and has what most would call untapped raw upside to boot. Don't be shocked to see him as the subject of a trade or two. This is the kind of player that gives scouts a big boner but might make a fan scratch his head a bit.


LOTTERY

Ekpe Udoh, PF (Baylor)

Played some C at Baylor, will probably be limited to the 4 most times in the Association, unless he adds some real bulk. A great shot-blocking presence he helped Baylor almost make a miracle run this past March. He could be the defensive presence that some teams are looking for in the paint. He has worked on his offensive game, but is more in the Dalembert/Ratliff mode, perhaps with more offensive potential.


Greg Monroe, PF (Georgetown)

Scouts rave about this guys basketball IQ, a term I believe is a bit over-used, but we'll see. Monroe possesses a nice blend of face-up and back-to-the-basket post moves that most bigs (even NBA ones) don't have. Of the big guys mentioned, his game might be the most polished, though I'm not sure that there's a ton of room for growth either. He's big and long and can score from anywhere on the court (except the 3...for now). Some have questioned his toughness, and I'm sure G'town's exit at the hands of 14 seed Ohio University didn't help that reputation. Some have him as the #2 PF in this draft.


Gordon Hayward, F (Butler)

The leader of Butler's championship game run is mostly a lock for the lottery, and unlike previously hyped white-boy Tyler Hansbrough this kid's game is legit. He is great on both ends, and brings with him a shooting range that begins when he steps on the court. The one thing holding him down will be his lack of explosive athleticism. However, some well crafted plays to get him into good scoring positions could have some team really enjoying the benefits of this guy's game.


Luke Babbitt F, (Nevada)

Similar in style (and ethnicity) to previously mentioned, Hayward, Babbitt is a sharp-shooting forward out of Nevada who boasts a plethora of moves and like Hayward is a great scorer. Defense will limit his playing time in the pros. Think Kyle Korver with perhaps some more versatility, and a little more rebounding. Scouts love him though.


Patrick Patterson, PF (Kentucky)

He took a pretty big hit in production last season at Kentucky with Wall and Cousins being on the roster, but that's not to say that he isn't a great talent. He's got NBA athleticism and warrants a hand in his face from 15 feet and in. His post game isn't anything to write home about, but in the late lottery you're not always gonna find a starting big man. Patterson should be a nice role player on a decent squad until his game develops, and there's nothing wrong with that.


Cole Aldrich, C (Kansas)

I think this guy might be a little better than people give him credit for. He kind of gets that dumb, slow, unathletic honky reputation because he resembles Bryant Reeves. And while the shoe fits to some degree, it doesn't tell the whole story. What he lacks in physical attributes he makes up for in skill and smarts. He is a terrific post passer and plays well on both ends. He has also developed some good range on his jumper which he'll need in order to draw some defenders out on him at the next level. His game is more Kevin Love than Bryant Reeves, but some people can't see past it. It'll have to be a team that runs quite a lot of half-court sets though, for him to be effective. He's essentially a Bengie Molina of basketball. AKA Slow as molasses!


Xavier Henry, G (Kansas)

Scouts love this guy's game...for the record Jesus isn't as sold as "they" are. (Remember that, so in 2 years when he sucks ass and is rotting on the pine you can say..."oh yea, Jesus thought he might suck.") However, I'm willing to give in a little and admit that he does possess some eyepopping skills. He's got an "NBA body" for a guard and is a reliable deep threat. On top of that he can finish at the rim.
His flaws are that he falls in love with the jumper and hasn't shown much ability to create his own shot off the bounce. Although, at Kansas he always had Sherron Collins dribbling around to create the offense, so what opportunity did he have?
I like his game, but I think this could end up being one of the guys that gets the "shoulda stayed one more year" label.


Damion James, F (Texas)

Speaking of NBA bodies, this guy just looks like a ball player. Certain players at the college level just have that NBA look about them. I'm not sure how to define it, but James is one of those players. He is strong, plays physical and shoots a decent jumper. His one major issue will be that he is a bit undersized at the NBA PF position, and might not be versatile enough for the 3, especially on the defensive end. However, I still think he can come in and give a decent team some very decent minutes. James could be that player that really takes off at the next level where physical play is often more rewarded.

+1

Eric Bledsoe, PG (Kentucky)

I don't think that he'll be a two at the next level, except for maybe some occasional possessions, but he could become a very nice score-first kind of point guard. Rumor has it that he was one of the best players on the court at times during the pre-draft combine. His talents at Kentucky were always 2nd banana to John Wall, but Bledose is no slouch himself. Don't be surprised to see some team trade into the late lottery if they like him enough.


Late 1st Rounders

James Anderson, SG (Okla. State)

One of the elite scorers in NCAA last season for the Cowboys, Anderson will take that ability to the next level, and provide some instant offense for a lucky team. As a slashing type scorer he reminds me of Cuttino Mobley a bit, thought Anderson is right handed. The slashing helps him find the free throw line with frequency, a skill that many players don't have coming into the league, but as any great NBA scorer can attest, it is essential. His game is well-rounded and polished from a scoring sense, though he brings little else. He'll need to work on his defense or he'll be relegated to garbage time.


Larry Sanders, PF (Virginia Commonwealth)

Sanders is a defensive stalwart who needs polish on the offensive side. He's a solid rebounder and shows off great athleticism, as well as an improving jumper. He may never be a starter, but if he lands at the right spot he could develop slowly and become a formidable presence on both ends. He's raw, but he's got upside. Scouts and GM's love that shit. Head coaches...not so much.


Al-Farouq Aminu, SF (Wake Forest)

Imagine you're a conservative right-wing Christian in rural-ass Colorado and you read in the paper on Friday morning that your beloved Nuggets just drafted a guy named Al-Farouq Aminu! hahaha Truth be told he is an exceptional athlete with a mid-range J, and not a member of a terrorist group. Conservative fans should be more worried about thugs with tattoos on their throats like J.R. Smith. Aminu's list of attributes is nearly endless, yet I'm not sold on him as the top 10 talent some teams are seeing. His weaknesses are as glaring as his strengths. He's inconsistent, incapable of creating his own shot and has no game inside of about 10 feet if he's not in transition. Those things add up to a lot of question marks about the next level. No doubt someone will take a shot, and it could be very early. But I'd be happier if he slipped to my team with a later pick, at which point it is more worth the risk. Bad teams select early. Bad teams don't need "maybes" or "upside", they need contributors.


Paul George, SF (Fresno State)

Some see George going in the lottery, though that will be determined by trades and who is where. There's no doubting the talent though. He's got that NBA body, but the game isn't too bad either. He's a smooth wing player with a versatile scoring attack and good range. There are questions about his motor (when did we start using NFL terms to evaluate NBA players?) and he is very much largely unknown by the general public, which can sometimes work against a prospect. Whoever ends up with George could be a very fortunate franchise. Don't be surprised to hear his name early, but don't be surprised to see it drop like a rock either.


Solomon Alabi, C (Florida State)

To be honest, I'd never heard of this fucker until they started talking about the upcoming draft. Apparently, Chad Ford and the Celtics have a big boner for this guy. His numbers don't jump off the page at you...12 and 6 last season. He's got all the things a scout loves though - great shot blocker, huge wing span, athleticism and great energy. Chad Ford actually describes him as "a charismatic kid." Whatever that is worth, I don't know. At 7'1" and 237 he's a bit lean for the Association. He'll need to bulk up, and his O is still pretty weak apparently. Good luck with that. I'm not sure where this clown will end up, but at least when you see his name on THU night you can say you read about him here.


+ 1

Devin Ebanks, SF (West Virginia)

If he can add some long-range consistency to his repertoire Ebanks will be a very good NBA player. I always liked his game a lot while at West Virginia. A smart, slashing type scorer with great athleticism and a long rangy body, Ebanks should transition fairly smoothly to the NBA game. He's a good rebounder and proved to be a great defender at college, though in the league he'll play significantly less zone. A poor man's Wesley Johnson, there is still room for growth with Ebanks. He's be a nice grab for anyone at the end of the first round, and even better value if he slips to the second.


Second Rounders

Avery Bradley, PG/SG (Texas)

If you like offensive minded point guards then Bradley is your guy. He is an explosive scorer who can shift between the 1 and 2, though against bigger 2's he'd have problems on the defensive end at 6'3". He is lightning quick and gets to the rim consistently, where he can finish...and with authority. His FT percentage last season was horrific for a guard, something he'll have to fix. He is also considered one of the better defensive guards in the draft. He could be a player who rises in value as the night goes on, depending on how things shape up, but I think he's a better fit for a team in the early 2nd round.


Quincy Pondexter, SF (Washington)

If we're measuring actual basketball fundamentals, Pondexter gets a low score. Shooting and dribbling are not his game. He's more Darius Miles than Caron Butler, but he is one of the best "athletes" in the draft and some team is going to take a chance. From a physical standpoint he is the total package. If only he could dribble and shoot from the perimeter. But, he can't so that makes him a second rounder. Pondexter is very scrappy and always playing full bore. His failures won't be for lack of effort, which makes fans and owners very happy. Quincy will provide some much needed spark off the bench for a veteran squad.


Dominique Jones, SG (South Florida)

Like James Anderson, Jones was one of NCAA's elite scorers last season. His handles are questionable and he is probably a little reminiscent of Tony Allen, though perhaps not that explosive and a better shooter. He can slide to the point if needed, as Allen does in Boston, and is adept at getting to the basket. He is a hard-nosed guard with a great first step that should allow him to get lots of scoring opportunities at the next level. His midrange game needs work though if he wants to avoid falling in love with the long jumper and keep defenses on their toes. This is another perfect example of a guy who could contribute right away on a solid squad.


Lance Stephenson, SG (Cincinnati)

The Brooklyn native left school after only one year with the Bearcats, but Scouts have been drooling over him the last couple weeks. Some have him going as high as mid-first round, though that is probably just posturing to make other GM's nervous. He boasts a great mid-range game that few college players have, and is a big physical guard who finishes strong at the rack. He lacks a consistent J from deep, but that could come with time, rounding out his offensive game. There are also whispers about a bad attitude and selfish play, though that could just stem from the fact that he played at UC where the offense was slow and boring and he didn't quite fit in. Uptempo NBA style should be a little more to his liking.



Stanley Robinson, SF (UConn)

Some fear that Robinson might be too much of a power forward type player trapped in a smaller body. He is an exceptional leaper who can throw down some nasty jams in transition. He's a good defender, though, which should help alleviate some of that tweener status. He's working on his 3 point shot. If that develops he'll fit more naturally into that 3 spot at the NBA level. Inconsistency was his middle name at UConn, and he'll need to address that to have much success going forward. He's a nice project for a team who can stand to wait a bit.


+ 1

Greivis Vasquez, SG (Maryland)

I am a huge fan of this guy. He has a flair for the dramatic, and a knack for BIG plays. He rubs some people the wrong way, but his fun-loving nature should play well in the NBA, and if he works out could be just the ticket David Stern has been looking for to market his game to the Latino community. Vasquez is an excellent playmaker with great passing ability and a non-stop motor. He hustles his ass off and you expect him to come up with the loose balls. That being said, he needs a lot of consistency on his jumper to be a success at the next level, unless he can somehow figure out how to get to the basket a little easier.
Either way this guy is fun to watch, and I think some fan base is really going to enjoy his style on the court.


EUROS

Noticed anything yet? This draft is pretty void of big-time European talent. I think that is due in part to two major factors. One, for every Pau Gasol there are a few Darko Milicic's and teams are starting to be a little more weary of what talent they're bringing over here. Two, basketball has grown exponentially in popularity in Europe (one can only hope that someday soon soccer will be obsolete) and in turn the payrolls of European league teams have gone up dramatically. There's not a lot of incentive for a star player in Europe to come over and be a fringe player when he can make the same money at home. So unless it is Dirk or Pau they ain't coming. Anyway, here's a look at some of the stinky guys. Let's hope there's no more poop faces!


Kevin Seraphin, F France

Most see this guy as a late first rounder. He is long and athletic at 6'10", and apparently is an excellent leaper and good shot blocker. He runs the floor well, and finishes strong at the basket (doubtful). He's from France so he probably eats baguettes and smells like cheese. Most think he's pretty talented so he'll probably get a shot. This is a quote from Chad Ford..."no offensive game outside of 5 feet."
Wow! That should work out great.

Miroslav Raduljica, C Serbia

Huge guy, athletic and apparently a nice skill set in the post. I haven't seen him play but that sounds like a young Arvydas Sabonis! Like many Euros, the knock is that he can be a bit passive. Hopefully, a forearm to the chops from Shaq or the likes will wake his ass up a bit.


Ryan Richards, PF England

The guy looks like a baller but the things I read don't impress.
Basically all he has going for him is that whole NBA body thing. It even says he lacks basketball IQ, but at least he speaks English so maybe the learning curve will be a bit faster. Anyway, nothing to write home about.


Alexy Shved, PG/SG Russia

Europe? Asia? Eurasia? I don't know. Real Russia seems to be more in Europe, so we'll slide him in here. What the hell?
A talented guard at both positions, great passer with excellent court vision, deep range. Christ! Sounds like the Rusky version of Pistol Pete! I'm sure he's not that good, and in fact he could very well be drafted and stashed in Europe, the way the Spurs always seem to do it.


No one else worth mentioning, so no plus one.

Enjoy the draft, and good luck to all your teams! (Unless you're a Lakers fan...in which case I'll take a quote from DP - "Die.")

Wizards Win John Wall Sweepstakes

The Wizards won the draft lottery Tuesday night, moving up from the No. 5 spot to earn the top pick in next month's draft, when it will likely choose between Kentucky freshman John Wall and national player of the year Evan Turner of Ohio State.

I love John Wall but I hate him on the Wizards. I really was actually wanting the Nets to win to get Wall and maybe LeBron. But the Wizards now have an interesting team going into the future with a big 3 of Wall, Gilbert Arenas, and Josh Howard. They also have some cap space to sign some decent free agents.

The rest of the lottery goes:

1. Washington	8. LA Clippers
2. Philadelphia	9. Utah*
3. New Jersey	10. Indiana
4. Minnesota	11. New Orleans
5. Sacramento	12. Memphis
6. Golden State	13. Toronto
7. Detroit	14. Houston
* -- From New York via Phoenix

It will be interesting to see how it plays out, because other than Wall and maybe Evan Turner this draft lacks star power but certainly has a ton of talent in it.

Timberwolves Still Can't Get Rubio

"Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn said point guard Ricky Rubio's buyout situation is "still very problematic" and he remains unsure of when the fifth overall pick will come to the United States. Rubio has two years remaining on his contract with DKV Joventut Badalona, his professional team in Spain, and has yet to be able to negotiate down a buyout number that is at least $6.6 million.

"I believe his representatives are working diligently to get a solution. I have no idea at this point whether a solution can be reached. But I believe we kind of know what the parameters are and I think that we have a chance," Kahn said Monday after announcing that Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis will be the team's next head coach. "But I wouldn't even begin to state the percentage toward that chance of this being accomplished this season versus next season or even two seasons. It's still very problematic (Sportsline)."

The Timberwolves have to get this done, but I really don't see how they can. The NBA only allows them to use 500,000 to buy out his contract and obviously DKV Joventut Badalona knows that he is worth way more then that. The Timberwolves saw this coming, so they drafted another PG, but they had to know the rules, and they had to know it would be real tough, so why do it? I don't get it, but they HAVE to find a way to get this deal done...

A Look Back At The 2002 NBA Draft

1 HOU Yao Ming
2 CHI Jay Williams Duke University
3 GSW Mike Dunleavy Duke University
4 MEM Drew Gooden University of Kansas
5 DEN Nikoloz Tskitishvili
6 CLE Dajuan Wagner University of Memphis
7 NYK Nene Hilario
8 LAC Chris Wilcox University of Maryland
9 PHO Amare Stoudemire
10 MIA Caron Butler University of Connecticut
11 WAS Jared Jeffries Indiana University
12 LAC Melvin Ely California State University, Fresno
13 MIL Marcus Haislip University of Tennessee
14 IND Fred Jones University of Oregon

It is pretty remarkable how unlucky and shitty this draft turned out to be. If you look at it Yao Mings carrer may be over, Jay Williams career was over due to a motorcycling accident, Mike Dunleavy never lived up to the hype and has been nothing but a role player the same goes for Drew Gooden. I don't know who Tskitishvili, Dejuan Wagner was a complete bust after having a very promising college career. Nene had testicular cancer, but has been pretty good. Chris Wilcox is a journeymen. Amare is a superstar, but has been marred by a series of injuries. Caron Butler is solid. Jeffries is terrible, and if it wasn't for the Knicks and Isiaih giving him a ridiculous contract he would probably be out of the league. Melvin Ely is always a player included in trades, Haislip is o.k. but nothing to write home about and Fred Jones won a slam dunk contest and that's it.

Boy, what a waste of time for a majority of those teams.

Ainge On Lester Hudson

What ESPN Says About Lester Hudson

I know little to nothing about this kid, but here is what ESPN says about him...

Chad Ford's Analysis: Hudson is a fun pick here. He's a big-time scorer who jumps out of the gym, can handle and can shoot. For an NBA prospect, he's pretty old, and he hasn't played against great competition, but he can really ball.

Draft Projection: Late first to early second

Notes: Hudson declared for the 2008 NBA draft, but withdrew after failing to get a first-round promise.

Positives:
Big-time scorer
Very quick
Good athlete with good strength
Amazing getting the ball to the basket
A good shooter with NBA 3-point range
Has a good feel for the game and can play the point guard position
Excellent rebounder for his size
An excellent pickpocket, among the nation's leaders in steals.

Negatives:
Turned 24 years old in August
Has had very little exposure against top competition
Turns the ball over a lot
A bit of a tweener

Summary: His strong performances in 2007-08 against top teams like Memphis, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State had scouts wondering whether he can make the jump. The talent suggests yes. His age and a so-so performance at the Orlando pre-draft camp says no. Given his age, he's a likely second-rounder this season.

NBA Draft

Ok, we will be recapping all the picks right after they are made. So just refresh the page, or whatever to keep up. First pick will be made at 7:30

1. Clippers - Blake Griffin (F) Oklahoma - By far the best player in the draft, but for some reason I just don't see him as an elite player. Still they have a good lineup up so if he is good, and they could stay healthy, the Clippers might actually be playoff bound.

2. Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet (C) UConn - DP and I both don't think much of this guy, but at least he should be able to block some shot. It is tough not to draft a center since it is so hard to get anyone decent. Memphis is real young and if these develop maybe all they would need is Thabeet to be that shot blocker/defensive center.

3. Thunder - James Harden (SG) Arizona State - I actually really like this pick. DP hates it, but I agree with ESPN that he could be another Brandon Roy. The Thunder just need some life, maybe this kid could get them going offensively.

4. Kings - Tyreke Evans (G) Memphis - I really like this pick. There were rumors the Celtics wanted to move up to get this guy. He can be selfish, but with some good coaching he could be something special. It will take some time, but the Kings aren't going anywhere anyways.

5. Timberwolves - Ricky Rubio (G) - Spain - There is a lot of hype around this kid. I'll be honest I am rooting for him. I do think he is going to take 3-4 years to develop, but he may be worth it. The Timberwolves have shown that they are rebuilding for 3-4 years down the road, so I like the pick.

6. Timberwolves - Jonny Flynn (G) - Syracuse - I really thought they would go with Curry here. The Knicks fans must be loving this, but anyways...I don't like this pick. They need a scorer, and Flynn is just not that polished. I liked the Runbio pick, but I think they blew this pick.

7. Warriors - Stepthen Curry (G) - Davidson - Oh the Knick fans are crushed...HAHAHAHA. Curyy gives the Warriors some scoring, but this is a team that had like 60 different starting lineups last year, so whatever at least they will be on SportsCenter.

8. Knicks - Jordan Hill (F) Arizona - Welcome to New York, as he gets booed by the crowd. Classy...this kid is raw, but he is very physical in the post, and could actually give the Knicks some toughness underneath. Needs lots work on his offense game, but could have an immediate impact on their defense.

9. Raptors - DeMar DeRozan (G) USC - Kid has a lot of potential, and is a good athlete. He could either be the next Tracy McGrady or Gerald Green. I can say that he will take at least a couple years to have any real impact.

10. Bucks - Brandon Jennings (G) Italy - First kid to play overseas instead of having to do 1 year of college. It will be interesting to see if it helped or hurt his development. I really think it helped him, and if he can get his jump shot going he could be ready to go quicker then some of the draft picks picked ahead of him.

11. Nets - Terrence Williams (F) Louisville - Well the Nets traded away Vince Carter earler today to the Mgic. They get Lee in return. Williams is a good defender, and is good at getting to the basket, but is another guy guy that needs to work on his jump shot.

12. Bobcats - Gerald Henderson (G) Duke - God I hate Duke. I really don't think much of this kid. Plus having all those Tar Heels and Blue Devils in the same locker room can't be good. Kid can hit jump shots, but is not very good at getting to the rim, or ball control.

13. Pacers - Tyler Hansbrough (F) UNC - I think this is high for Hansbrough. I think his ceiling is a Leon Powe type of player. Could be very good off the bench, but nothing more.

14. Suns - Earl Clark (F) Louisville - Another born bench player. He put up good numbers, but has a tendency to disappear. Isn't really tough on the boards, so at best he is a project type of player.

15. Pistons - Austin Daye (F) Gonzaga - He is a tall kid, and can put up jump shots, but he needs to put on a lot of weight. I actually really like this kid, but definitely needs to get a lot tougher and stronger.

16. Bulls - James Johnson (F) Wake Forest - Probably going to have to play the 4, and will need he is tough enough to do so, but the kid has talent. Needs to work on ball control, because he had way too many turnovers in college, but overall this late in the first round you are just looking for upside.

17. 76ers - Jrue Holiday (G) UCLA - Has all the upside in the world, but is going to need a lot of time to become anything in the NBA. Needs to prove that he can hit the outside shot, but we might look back on this pick and say it was the steal of the draft.

18. Timberwolves - Ty Lawson (G) UNC - Love this kid, and I think this is way too low for him to go. Don't really understadn why the Timberwolves keep drafting PGs, but if Rubio is start Lawson will be fantastic off the bench. Now they are saying that Lawson is going to the Nuggets.

19. Hawks - Jeff Teague (G) Wake Forest - Kid can score, but is so bad defensively that I don't think he will be anything more then some scoring off the bench.

20. Jazz - Eric Maynor (G) VCU - True PG. Can get the ball to playmakers. Another bench player, but overall could be a very solid NBA player.

OK....we will have the rest tomorrow. If the Celtics make a move we will obviously be all over that, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen tonight.........