Post by KG on Mar 3, 2009 5:10:01 GMT -8
I'm freakin' exhausted, so apologies if I've made any major gaffes with this . . .
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1. Minnesota Timberwolves
You could argue that the Wolves need help all over the court, with the exception of their All-Defensive 2nd Team PG Rajon Rondo. However, with some solid prospects in Corey Brewer and Marvin Williams, potentially filing the wing positions, the sensible option here is Blake Griffin.
Selection: Blake Griffin PF 6'10'' 240 20 B C- D+ B- B+ A
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have already solidified the key positions of PG and C with Russell Westbrook and Greg Oden, while Tyrus Thomas is a 'boom-or-bust' type prospect at the PF position. With a vacancy at the wing spots, and the need for a straight out scorer, James Harden looks too good to pass up on here.
Selection: James Harden SG 6'5'' 220 20 B B C+ B C- A
3. Dallas Mavericks
Like the Cavs, the Mavs also possess a potent duo in PG Rodney Stuckey and PF LaMarcus Aldridge, while they will also continue to look for more from Wilson Chandler at the SF spot. The Mavs should look to fill the key position of need in the potentially one-dimensional C Hasheem Thabeet, passing up the exciting all-round game of SF Earl Clark.
Selection: Hasheem Thabeet C 7'3'' 265 21 C+ C D+ A- B- A
4. Philadelphia 76ers
With the projected #1 pick prior to the running of the lottery, the 76ers faced the potential conundrum of adding Blake Griffin to an already crowded frontcourt. However, following a luckless night with the balls, the 76ers drop down the boards to pick-up a potential stud in SF Earl Clark.
Selection: Earl Clark SF 6'9'' 220 21 B- C+ C+ B C+ A
5. Houston Rockets
The Rockets already possess a potential-laden line-up headlined by the likes of OJ Mayo, Jeff Green, Mike Conley Jr. and Brook Lopez. The logical choice to complete their starting five is Greg Monroe, who has been bookmarked as a future all-star.
Selection: Greg Monroe PF 6'11'' 240 19 B- C C+ B- C+ A
6. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers face an interesting draft and offseason with Dwyane Wade currently leading a team of relative nobodies. Will they continue their apparent youth policy in spite of Wade, or will they bring in an older first-year player to complement him? A potential curve-ball could take the form of Brandon Jennings who would complete an insanely-paced backcourt duo with Wade for Indiana.
Selection: Brandon Jennings PG 6'1'' 170 19 B- C+ B C D A
7. Utah Jazz
The Jazz already possess a solid core of players led by their dynamic backcourt of Derrick Rose and JR Smith. Picking up a high-risk, high-reward prospect in BJ Mullens at this point could really pay off down the line . . . or not.
Selection: B.J. Mullens C 7'0'' 260 19 B C- D+ C+ C+ A
8. Milwaukee Bucks
The highly-talented trio of Maurice Williams, Rudy Gay and Josh Smith headline a Buck roster that needs to pick up some big man help for Kendrick Perkins. With scouts raving about the capabilities of Jordan Hill, he'll be hard to pass up here.
Selection: Jordan Hill PF 6'10'' 230 22 B- D+ D B- C+ A
9. Atlanta Hawks
Another team of the rise, the Atlanta Hawks are in need to additional big man help alongside Andris Biedrins. However, with no worthwhile big on the radar at this spot, the Hawks may be better off trading up/down or taking a flyer on a potential boom prospect like Tyreke Evans.
Selection: Tyreke Evans SG 6'5'' 195 19 B- B- B- C C- A
10. Orlando Magic
With playoff aspirations going into last season, the Magic definitely underachieved, and the self-analysis has probably well and truly begun. One area that may be addressed in the draft, is the need for an out-and-out scorer which may end up being a toss-up between Jeff Teague and Jodie Meeks.
Selection: Jeff Teague PG 6'2'' 185 20 C+ B+ B- C- C- A
11. Miami Heat
Word from the Heat management team already points to planned moves this offseason, but in which direction? The draft could well set the tone for the offseason ahead. With a clear need at SG, Evan Turner would be a safe pick regardless of any future plans.
Selection: Evan Turner SG 6'6'' 200 20 B C+ C C+ C A
12. Minnesota Timberwolves (via San Antonio)
The Wolves will look to consolidate on their earlier selection with their second lottery pick selection for 2009. With the potential loss of Marvin Williams to free-agency, Minnesota may look for some insurance in the apparent potential in Victor Claver.
Selection: Victor Claver SF 6'10'' 225 21 C+ C+ C C+ C A
13. Denver Nuggets
Denver were underwhelming this past season, missing the playoffs despite the presence of floor general Jason Kidd, coupled with the twin towers of Andrew Bynum and Tyson Chandler. With Kidd a potential flight risk and all other positions exhibited stable depth, the Nuggets may look for a PG and Darren Collison may be the best available right now.
Selection: Darren Collison PG 6'0'' 160 22 C B B B+ D C
-----------------------------------
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
You could argue that the Wolves need help all over the court, with the exception of their All-Defensive 2nd Team PG Rajon Rondo. However, with some solid prospects in Corey Brewer and Marvin Williams, potentially filing the wing positions, the sensible option here is Blake Griffin.
Selection: Blake Griffin PF 6'10'' 240 20 B C- D+ B- B+ A
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have already solidified the key positions of PG and C with Russell Westbrook and Greg Oden, while Tyrus Thomas is a 'boom-or-bust' type prospect at the PF position. With a vacancy at the wing spots, and the need for a straight out scorer, James Harden looks too good to pass up on here.
Selection: James Harden SG 6'5'' 220 20 B B C+ B C- A
3. Dallas Mavericks
Like the Cavs, the Mavs also possess a potent duo in PG Rodney Stuckey and PF LaMarcus Aldridge, while they will also continue to look for more from Wilson Chandler at the SF spot. The Mavs should look to fill the key position of need in the potentially one-dimensional C Hasheem Thabeet, passing up the exciting all-round game of SF Earl Clark.
Selection: Hasheem Thabeet C 7'3'' 265 21 C+ C D+ A- B- A
4. Philadelphia 76ers
With the projected #1 pick prior to the running of the lottery, the 76ers faced the potential conundrum of adding Blake Griffin to an already crowded frontcourt. However, following a luckless night with the balls, the 76ers drop down the boards to pick-up a potential stud in SF Earl Clark.
Selection: Earl Clark SF 6'9'' 220 21 B- C+ C+ B C+ A
5. Houston Rockets
The Rockets already possess a potential-laden line-up headlined by the likes of OJ Mayo, Jeff Green, Mike Conley Jr. and Brook Lopez. The logical choice to complete their starting five is Greg Monroe, who has been bookmarked as a future all-star.
Selection: Greg Monroe PF 6'11'' 240 19 B- C C+ B- C+ A
6. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers face an interesting draft and offseason with Dwyane Wade currently leading a team of relative nobodies. Will they continue their apparent youth policy in spite of Wade, or will they bring in an older first-year player to complement him? A potential curve-ball could take the form of Brandon Jennings who would complete an insanely-paced backcourt duo with Wade for Indiana.
Selection: Brandon Jennings PG 6'1'' 170 19 B- C+ B C D A
7. Utah Jazz
The Jazz already possess a solid core of players led by their dynamic backcourt of Derrick Rose and JR Smith. Picking up a high-risk, high-reward prospect in BJ Mullens at this point could really pay off down the line . . . or not.
Selection: B.J. Mullens C 7'0'' 260 19 B C- D+ C+ C+ A
8. Milwaukee Bucks
The highly-talented trio of Maurice Williams, Rudy Gay and Josh Smith headline a Buck roster that needs to pick up some big man help for Kendrick Perkins. With scouts raving about the capabilities of Jordan Hill, he'll be hard to pass up here.
Selection: Jordan Hill PF 6'10'' 230 22 B- D+ D B- C+ A
9. Atlanta Hawks
Another team of the rise, the Atlanta Hawks are in need to additional big man help alongside Andris Biedrins. However, with no worthwhile big on the radar at this spot, the Hawks may be better off trading up/down or taking a flyer on a potential boom prospect like Tyreke Evans.
Selection: Tyreke Evans SG 6'5'' 195 19 B- B- B- C C- A
10. Orlando Magic
With playoff aspirations going into last season, the Magic definitely underachieved, and the self-analysis has probably well and truly begun. One area that may be addressed in the draft, is the need for an out-and-out scorer which may end up being a toss-up between Jeff Teague and Jodie Meeks.
Selection: Jeff Teague PG 6'2'' 185 20 C+ B+ B- C- C- A
11. Miami Heat
Word from the Heat management team already points to planned moves this offseason, but in which direction? The draft could well set the tone for the offseason ahead. With a clear need at SG, Evan Turner would be a safe pick regardless of any future plans.
Selection: Evan Turner SG 6'6'' 200 20 B C+ C C+ C A
12. Minnesota Timberwolves (via San Antonio)
The Wolves will look to consolidate on their earlier selection with their second lottery pick selection for 2009. With the potential loss of Marvin Williams to free-agency, Minnesota may look for some insurance in the apparent potential in Victor Claver.
Selection: Victor Claver SF 6'10'' 225 21 C+ C+ C C+ C A
13. Denver Nuggets
Denver were underwhelming this past season, missing the playoffs despite the presence of floor general Jason Kidd, coupled with the twin towers of Andrew Bynum and Tyson Chandler. With Kidd a potential flight risk and all other positions exhibited stable depth, the Nuggets may look for a PG and Darren Collison may be the best available right now.
Selection: Darren Collison PG 6'0'' 160 22 C B B B+ D C
