For those of you who watched this year's version of the NBA Draft, you probably noticed that it was terrible. After the lottery, it felt like GMs around the league could hand the reins to anybody that has ever played NBA 2K8 and let them make the decisions. The talent levels were disgusting, and not like a "Hakim Warrick just threw down on Primoz Brezec" disgusting. More like a "Primoz Brezic just broke his leg trying to cross over Kevin Garnett" disgusting. I see it as some sort of crazy yin-yang/Karma thing. To explain this, let's look at what's going on this off-season. We have the biggest free agent class ever, but to balance that out, we had to have the worst draft since God Shammgod went 46th in the '97 draft.
I do have some key observations and ideas about this draft. Now, granted, we won't be able to see if I was right for about a year, but still, I think I can be pretty good at this.
So here we go, let's start with John Wall: I love John Wall. He's a playmaker. When he gets on the floor he makes things happen. He's not Derrick Rose or Tyreke Evans, because he's John Wall! I mean look at this: Do The John Wall (Thanks Star!). Exactly. Here's my prediction for Wall this season. 16 ppg, 5.5 assists and 1 steal. Nothing spectacular, but a good rookie campaign.
A lot of what I don't understand is people doubting Evan Turner. About 4 months ago I started watching Turner and seeing that he was legitimately the best player in college basketball. Yes, Wall was great, but Turner played extremely well, even with a back injury. It was at that time that I said "This guy is Brandon Roy!" A month later, those references started popping up every time he played! I totally said it first....Anyway, Turner is going to be good. Maybe he won't score 20 a game or take over at the end of close one, but he is going to be solid and should be a starter. His skill set is polished and well-rounded, he's got good size and has played multiple positions. He performed well in big games (See: Tournaments, NCAA) and was a true floor leader. He won't reach B-Roy status, but he's going to make us forget the Greg Oden and Mike Conley were Buckeyes.
Things get a little shaky after those two picks. Well, for most people. What about Cousins? I think DeMarcus Cousins is going to be a monster. He's going to destroy people. How come every time someone has any incident EVER in their lives, the media decides to label that person for their entire career. Look at Artest! A guy throws a beer at him AFTER he walked away from a dispute and kicked some ass. OK, that's out of line, but for the past three years he has done nothing! Still, people are just waiting for him to snap and start throwing hay-makers at JJ Barea.
Cousins has the physical build to dominate the low block. He WILL rebound and he can run the floor. What the critics have against him is his best asset: a mean streak. The man is angry at everything! Look at Kendrick Perkins, if he had the attitude of a Brad Miller or Rashard Lewis, would he be of any value?! Hell no! Cousins will average 10 and 10 on his way to eventually becoming an all-star.
And now, my favorite part. In NBA2k10, they have a little thing called "NBA Comparison" when you're in the draft. Well, most of the time these comparisons are horrible. For instance, I found a guy who was compared to LeBron James. Well it turned out my rook never passed Keith Van Horn in value.
Here are some of the comparisons that I've come up with:
John Wall: Comparison - Derrick Rose/Rajon Rondo: I see Wall scoring and controlling games like Rose, but making great open floor plays like Rondo.
Evan Turner: Comparison - Brandon Roy/John Salmons: They can do a little bit of everything. I see him being like Salmons in the sense that he could quietly help a team win doing his part on the stat sheet.
Derrick Favors: Comparison - Hakim Warrick: Ya, I think it was a bad pick. Favors will get dominated in the low post. He better find himself in a fast paced offense. I mean, he's got talent, but unless he's running up and down the floor getting oops, I don't see him being a starter.
DeMarcus Cousins: Comparison - Kendrick Perkins / Marc Gasol: He's a bruiser, banger and he's mad. The attitude of Perkins, but the offensive prowess to play like the husky Gasol.
Ekpe Udoh and Al-Farouq Aminu: Comparison - Ndudi Ebi: Well, here goes the draft. Udoh and Aminu will be failures. Anybody remember Ndudi Ebi!?!?!? A 6-9, 6-10 shot blocking prospect in 2003?! Ya, well, that's what we're looking at. Welcome to the D-League.
Gordon Hayward: Comparison - Luke Jackson: Ok, let's not jump on my back. You know it's impossible to compare any white guy to a black guy in the NBA. It's not just me, watch Jay Bilas! I mean, no one can do it! So what makes Hayward a terrible pick like Jackson rather than a serviceable player like Kyle Korver? Well, he's just not that good. I like Hayward, but like Steve Novak, Jackson and plenty of "shooters" before, it's just not going to work out. Otherwise, I'll say he's the next Steph Curry.
Paul George: Comparison - Rodney Stuckey/Flip Murray: Well, not really. I just see him as being Stuckey because he came out of nowhere. What he really will be, see (BROWN, KEDRICK).
Now frankly, I can't keep doing this, but I can tell you who is going to be a bust. Here goes:
Cole Aldrich: What's up Spencer Hawes, Jon Brockman, and Josh McRoberts...
Ed Davis: Say hello to Shelden Williams or Sean May for me....
Larry Sanders: Hasheem Thabeet went second last year, and then again this year at 15...
Luke Babbit: Adam Morrison has two rings...
Here's a list of guys that I actually like in this draft. They won't be special, but in the right situations, they could make this draft a little better:
Patrick Patterson: I like Patterson a lot. He reminds me of a watered down Chris Bosh. What I like is that he has a mid range game. He is also athletic enough to block shots. He can be a good young big man in the mold of Carl Landry and Jason Thompson. The Rockets will make him way better than he actually is.
Eric Bledsoe: I see him being the type of guard Russel Westbrook and Jerryd Bayless are. He's going to be good, and teams are going to regret not taking him earlier. What a steal.
James Anderson: He has a good skill set and he can play. That's not even the best part: He's playing for the Spurs. The leading scorer and player of the year in the Big 12 will see good time and get to learn with Pops.
Quincy Pondexter: This guy just wants to play basketball and you've gotta love that. I think he'll be a quality bench player, especially in OKC. His versatility will be a valuable asset.
Greivis Vasquez: He's a good player. He plays with emotion, he has good size. He won't flourish in Memphis, but I think somewhere else he can be a good bench player.
Finally, my favorite part of the draft. That one guy that I think will surprise everyone:
Da'Sean Butler: The Miami Heat come away with an absolute steal in the second round. Butler tore his knee up in the Final Four and effectively slipped about 30 spots. Well, I think he's going to come back and be a damn good player. The man led his team to the Final Four single-handedly. He makes big shots, controls the game and is a winner. The Heat should be happy. And no better person to recover with an injury with than D-Wade.
So that's what I got, let me know what you think.
