Today is the deadline for all NCAA basketball players to either withdraw their name from NBA draft, or go through with the decision and continue to see where their stock lands them.
With the NBA playoffs starting to finally matter, the fourteen teams that were not invited to the party have been playing the “Whom do we select if we don’t get the number one or two pick?” game. With what appears to be a John Wall/Evan Turner one-two picks this year, there are actually other players being drafted that will make a difference.
Statistically the top 5 should be/and should draft:
- New Jersey Nets: (Soon to be Jay-Z’s Brooklyn Ballers): John Wall/Kentucky- it’s the obvious choice
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Evan Turner/Ohio St.- The NCAA player of the year has the most upside in the entire draft. His numbers and play resemble Caron Butler, but Turner is a lot faster and a much better ball handler.
- Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins/Kentucky- After playing the role of schoolyard bully for one year, Cousins enters as the only legitimate low post presence in the draft. Alongside Tyreke Evans, look for Cousins to have a big impact his rookie season.
- Golden State Warriors: Derrick Favors/Georgia Tech- Long, athletic, and skilled. What more do you need out of a big guy? He could be Chris Bosh, but he has more size. Start salivating, Don Nelson.
- Washington Wizards: Wesley Johnson/Syracuse: A great talent, but must put weight on to be effective. Has a chance of making a difference for a Wizards team whose starters would be questionable backups for playoff teams.
Unfortunately, the NBA draft stock does not extend as deep as other leagues like the NFL or MLB, but there are still players that will be drafted in the late first round and second round that could have great NBA careers.
Picks that make sense:
18th – Miami Heat: Xavier Henry/ Kansas: The outstanding one year wonder 6’6’’ guard could be a terrific addition to a rebuilding Heat team, if he falls past Chicago. Henry has the potential to be what Q-rich was supposed to be this past season – a contributor.
*If Henry is indeed taken by Chicago or earlier……Heat should select Patrick Patterson/Kentucky: Anyone who has watched Patterson play knows he has an NBA ready body, and the drafting of him by the Heat gives them the option to let go Udonis Haslem or Dorrell Wright to have a little more spending money.
20th – San Antonio Spurs: Larry Sanders/ VCU: A shot blocker and post presence, who under Greg Popovich will become the future of the Spurs with an emerging DeJuan Blair. See if anyone outrebounds them ever, again.
Sleepers and Busts of the 2010 Draft:
Sleepers:
- Dominique Jones/ South Florida: A 6’4’’ guard who can put up points like a top five pick.
- Quincy Pondexter/ Washington: The Senior small forward has all the tools to make a good NBA player; tough defense and scoring mentality will make him a great contributor immediately.
Busts:
- Donatas Motiejunas/Lithuania: Other than being ANOTHER European Seven Footer who lacks a post game, he’s just not good. No matter which way you shape it, he is going to cost some poor GM his job. Bottom line, if the sportscaster has to pause to pronounce it, he won’t make it. (Ex. Dalibor Bagaric Benston Zagreb/ Bulls 24th overall pick 2000).
- Solomon Alabi/ Florida State: A big, athletic big man who will most likely be drafted top 20. He is raw, lacks sufficient post game, and will probably be forced into a significant role before he is ready.
As the draft closes in and the final names are listed, we will continue to cover all aspects, such as contracts, salaries, and draft board moves.