Let's Talk NBA DRAFT

I live for Drafts.

NFL, NBA, heck- there could be a draft for the next neighborhood council president and I would probably research the candidates for the best "sleeper" and "can't miss" prospect.

Well, okay, maybe that was a bit over the edge...

Still, with the NBA Draft Lottery coming up in just a matter of hours, why not give you the 4-1-1 on the players I have high hopes for in the League next season, and those I think will fall harder than Sam Bowie. I take that back, Sam gets enough trash talked on him, so let's just substitute him with, say, Michael Olowokandi. 

Ok, so let's start with just an overview of this 2009 crop.

Overall, I think this is a mirror image of this year's NFL Draft- While their are some diamonds both individually and positionally, as a whole, it's pretty forgettable. 

Anyone who says Blake Griffin will be a flop has obviously not seen him play. As a pure post man, he is a better player than Michael Beasley. In fact, he might top or tie Beasley in every statistical category minus an outside shot and speed. 

As usual, I know absolute jack about the European players this year. The only thing I can say is that Rubio has been getting some nice publicity for at least the last 3 years- keying me to believe that he's been a legit prospect for some time and has a rightful place in the top 5. 

Thabeet will be a defensive presence in the NBA if he can stay healthy. Jordan Hill will be a great player given some patience. And James Harden will either be as advertised, or flop like he did in the big games last season (I'm leaning toward the ladder). 

And speaking of flops, there are a lot I see coming with this class of prospects.

       

• I love Demar DeRozan and deeply believe he can be an elite talent. But until he decides to buck up and use his body to his advantage and find a jump shot at that, it could be a rough early career for him. 
  
• Jrue Holiday is another Pac-10 frosh that I would steer clear of. He didn't live up to expectations and another year of college basketball would've been much more beneficial for his long term. 
  
• Ty Lawson has a great resume, but his height will get to him in the NBA. I like Johnny Flynn as a point guard much more. 
  
• DeJuan Blair will unfortunately fall into the "great college player" category. He had a body that could bump around with the smaller fellas in the D-1 ranks. Tougher to do that against guys in the pro's who weigh an equal weight, but still have 3 inches on you. It's not completely out of the ordinary to think that Blair will fail- he could take the Jason Maxiell route. But unfortunately for the Pitt prospect, I see more of a "Joey Dorsey-like future" ahead.
• Finally, Austin Daye is the weakest/most overhyped prospect I've had to listen about for the past 2 years since I began watching basketball in general. It's not hard to dominate the WCC (ask Adam Morrison). Daye is athletically gifted, but not at all ready for the NBA. 
  

Now for the under the radar guys that I really think will provide a surprising spark for a few lucky teams.

• My boys from Louisville are great players. Forget that Earl Clark is a little undersized. Forget that Terrence Williams has average ball control. These guys are athletic freaks. They can get to the hole and both improved their shooting through their last season with Rick Pitino. They are both incredible players who also have a knack for defense and they should make 2 teams very happy in the 1st round.
• I mentioned Johnny Flynn as being a point guard I like at the next level. But honestly, he's still #2 on my chart. Nope, not behind Rubio. Nope, not behind diaper disaster Brandon Jennings. I'm talking about Eric Maynor. He's got it all- height (6'2), vision, speed, handles, defense (nice wingspan), and the leadership capabilities to take a franchise on his shoulders. If Maynor had had half the talent at VCU that other major programs do, it's scary to think of the college career he could have had. 
• Maybe I'm biased because I've followed his game since the day he visited Kansas State thinking he'd be adorned in Wildcat purple one day. Well actually, Marcus Thornton ended up choosing the Bayou purple of LSU and didn't disappoint. He really came into the spotlight during his senior campaign. The thing I love about Thornton is that he is a born scorer; he finds a way to put the ball in. Not a great defender, but then again, in the league, only a few are.
• Lastly, look out for 2 possible late 2nd-rounders: Missouri's DeMarre Carroll and Marquette's Wesley Matthews. Carroll is tenacious and has a body to bruise the inside. Though undersized at only 6'8, he isn't a natural power forward anyway. He's a great combo forward because he has the ability to drag out defenders due to his superior shooting abilities, but at the same time, has a no fear attitude that will bang inside. He does have a habit for foul trouble and sometimes disappearing in games, but when he wants to play, he can and does it at a high level. Matthews is a fantastic shooter and ball handler for 6'5. He should make a nice compliment guard for a team with a solid post player and point.

Think I'm on point? Think I'm way offfff? Leave a comment and enjoy the draft!