In this post, I've taken an in-depth look at this year's NBA Draft. Here's what you'll find...
> My Top 3 at each position
> Potential Sleeper ("What A Steal")
> A player I feel may be getting attention, but that GM's should avoid selecting ("Steer Clear From")
> A player who may not be in most "Mock Drafts" but could/should sneak into Draft Night ("Off The Beaten Trail")
Point Guards
1) EVAN TURNER - 6'7, 217 - Ohio State
2) JOHN WALL - 6'4, 195 - Kentucky
3) ARMON JOHNSON - 6'3, 195 - Nevada
What A Steal: SHERRON COLLINS - 5'11, 215 - Kansas : After watching Collins closely for the last 4 seasons, there is no question in my mind he has what it takes to play at the next level. He truly became a leader and was a better decision maker on the floor this past year. He seems to always make the shots when they count and, despite his size, can finish in traffic. If he can step up his work ethic off the court and improve his defense, I believe he can be a steal in this draft (seeing as he's projected in the late 2nd round).
Steer Clear From: MATT BOULDIN - 6'5, 214 - Gonzaga : While Bouldin has a definite feel for the game and the leadership and intelligence to be a capable guard at the next level, he lacks the athleticism to compete with the world's elite. In the NBA, that's basically all that needs to be said to know the upside isn't as bright as some may think for Bouldin. See fellow Zags star Adam Morrison.
Off The Beaten Trail: MARQUEZ HAYNES - 6'3, 185 - UT Arlington : Aggressive and intense are two words you'll find when watching Haynes. He has a real knack for finding a way to the ball in the basket. He's still appears fairly raw, but with some talented NBA coaching, he could become a Rodney Stuckey type player. Just look at his performance against Michigan State.
Shooting Guards
1) JAMES ANDERSON - 6'6, 195 - Oklahoma State
2) XAVIER HENRY - 6'6, 220 - Kansas
3) DOMINIQUE JOHNSON - 6'4, 215 - South Florida
What A Steal: LANCE STEPHENSON - 6'5, 210 - Cincinnati : Had the rule that a player had to attend at least one year of college before entering the NBA Draft never existed, Stephenson would have likely been an overwhelming favorite as a lottery choice. So before his first, and only season, at Cincy, the question that needed to be answered was could he play a teammate role instead of a superstar. In my opinion, he showed he was able to be coached and be a wonderful compliment to more experienced players. He still has the talent and drive and believe it or not, I like his potential now with a year of college maturity under his belt than I did directly out of high school.
Steer Clear From: AVERY BRADLEY - 6'2, 180 - Texas : Unlike Stephenson, Bradley's one and only season may have hurt him more than help him. As a point guard, his indecisiveness was apparent and overshadowed his amazing scoring abilities at times. Because of that, we found he's much better at an off guard position. However at only 6'2, it will be hard convincing GM's that he will still be a scoring threat against the larger likes of say Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, and Jason Richardson- to name Conference Finals representatives.
Off The Beaten Trail: PATRICK CHRISTOPHER - 6'5, 210 - California : The knock I seem to find with Christopher at the next level is that he tend to shy away from contact and avoids traffic. If given the chance to perform with a back-court teammate his opposite or a small forward willing to do the dirty work, Christopher can excel where he's strongest- with a good mid-range and outside shooting game. If that happens, I can see him developing nicely.
Small Forwards
1) AL-FAROUQ AMINU - 6'8, 220 - Wake Forest
2) WESLEY JOHNSON - 6'7, 205 - Syracuse
3) PAUL GEORGE - 6'8, 210 - Fresno State
What A Steal: LUKE BABBITT - 6'8, 220 - Nevada : As a night owl, I'm often one of the few people in middle America who find time to tune into those late Pacific match-ups. So over the course of the last few seasons, I've become accustomed to the Nevada Wolfpack, who's success has found them on television more often than not. That success is largely due to Babbitt's court presence. He could easily be the 2nd best small forward on my board had he not been blessed with the mindset and frame of a combo forward. Nevertheless, if he can guard with the elite at this position during workouts, he should slide up. He can handle, he rebounds, he shoots, he defends. The kid is an all around player and likely won't move all the way into the lottery (where he may belong). Because of this, he's a big time steal.
Steer Clear From: GORDON HAYWARD - 6'8, 210 - Butler : Another year would have fit Hayward's game better, but you have to go when the money calls and right now the Bulldog's demand is at an all-time high. However, this may be a case of television hype more than anything else. Maybe I'm crazy but Hayward's game is a collegiate gold mine... and an NBA coal shoot. I just can't see him transitioning past a defensive substitution on a team's bench.
Off The Beaten Trail: TYREN JOHNSON - 6'8, 204 - Louisiana Lafayette : He's a natural scorer and isn't afraid to bang on the inside. I like the fact that when he was counted upon to be the go-to player for the Cajuns this last season, he embraced it and improved all his numbers drastically. He's a high percentage player who will fill stat cards across the line. Versatility is his strong point.
Power Forwards
1) DERRICK FAVORS - 6'9, 246 - Georgia Tech
2) ED DAVIS - 6'9, 225 - North Carolina
3) GREG MONROE - 6'10, 247 - Georgetown
What A Steal: CRAIG BRACKINS - 6'10, 230 - Iowa State : Okay, let's get one thing straight right off the bat- Brackins will never be a "Power" Forward. Any team drafting him with the idea of bulking him up and getting him with more of a paint mentality will not get the full potential Brackins has to offer. If team's decide to stick to his game and allow him to work from the outside-in, he could be the biggest steal in the entire draft (considering I've had trouble finding him on any mocks). I admire his leadership and intelligence on the court. He has a unique way of finding openings in defenses and creates for himself extremely well. If he can improve his defense and hit the boards a little more often, I see the possibility of a more physical Rashard Lewis.
Steer Clear From: TINY GALLON/LUKE HARANGODY - Oklahoma/Notre Dame : This may be the position with most rotten eggs in the basket. There are a lot of risks and none are bigger (in more ways than one) than these two. To save time on knocking what both do poorly, just know: steer clear.
Off The Beaten Trail: TREVOR BOOKER - 6'7, 245 - Clemson : I fell in love with Booker's game when I watched an up and coming Clemson squad show promise in the 2008 season. He's a workhorse and will battle down low. As a center at times in college, he often found himself against bigger competition and still found ways to score, but more importantly, grab rebounds. That is exactly what he'll be looked upon in the NBA. Imagine DeJuan Blair without quite a scoring touch. Either way, he could be an asset off the bench for a team lacking a "hustle big man".
Centers
1) HASSAN WHITESIDE - 7'0, 235 - Marshall
2) LARRY SANDERS - 6'10, 235 - VCU
3) COLE ALDRICH - 6'11, 245 - Kansas
What A Steal: HAMADY NDIAYE - 7'0, 240 - Rutgers : I was only able to see Rutgers a few times on television this last season but each time I was more impressed with Ndiaye than superstar teammates Mike Rosario and former Knight Greg Echenique. This kid is an absolute freak. If he had a more consistent offensive game to speak of, he might be up on my board along side fellow athletic big man Larry Sanders. The upside is through the roof, in my opinion, with Ndiaye. He's a defensive beast around the rim and flies up and down the court for being 7-feet. I still don't know if a team will take a chance on him in the 2nd round, but honestly, watch the UNC game and tell me why not.
Steer Clear From: DeMARCUS COUSINS - 6'11, 280 - Kentucky : He's a head case with poor work ethic off the court. I see him quickly becoming frustrated by the more talented big men around him in the NBA. His defense is beyond poor but people haven't seen it yet because he's gotten away with so much due to his sheer size. He has nearly no offensive game outside of 2 feet. A ticking time bomb waiting to explode on the team that drafts him. Good luck.
Off The Beaten Trail: JEFF FOOTE - 7'0, 265 - Cornell : While not outrageously athletic or superior at any particular part of his game, Foote showed he can get it done when turned to in the NCAA Tournament. He's had success against the likes of Cole Aldrich, Arinze Onuwaku, Jon Leuer, and (to an extent) DeMarcus Cousins. He's a big body who can spell another center for however long a coach needs because of his instincts and intelligence. In the NBA, that can be utilized more than one might think.
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