Sorts of Sports

2010 NBA Draft Preview

Drew and Zach predict the top 10 of tomorrow's NBA Draft.

1-Wizards – John Wall (Drew)
Really a no-brainer here.  Since the second week of the college basketball season, the 2010 NBA Draft has been the John Wall Draft.  Given the bad (to put it midly) press they Wizards have gotten over the last months and their parting ways with cornerstones Jamison and Butler, the Wizards really can’t afford to not draft Wall.  Wall has a lot of upside (a word that makes me want to vomit), but you heard it here first, he will be the third best player in this draft.
John Wall   6’4   PG   Kentucky (Zach)
I guarantee it. Like George Foreman in a Midas commercial. Wall and Arenas in the backcourt could be as explosive as any in the league.

2- Sixers- Evan Turner
Much like the Wizards, the Sixers have to take Turner or feel the wrath of the city of Brotherly Love.  Turner is thought to be the next Brandon Roy, and with the Sixers’ questionable draft decisions in years past, they cannot risk taking Favors for what he may become.  I really like Turner and think his ability to shoot the basketball from the perimeter will be a valuable asset for the Sixers.
Evan Turner   6’7   SF   Ohio State
There is speculation that new coach Doug Collins would prefer Derrick Favors in this position, but unless the Sixers trade down (and they could if Minnesota offers to take on Elton Brand’s  immense contract to try and get ET), the pick is Turner. Turner was the best college basketball player this past season and the Brandon Roy comparisons would make it always sunny in Philadelphia (well, maybe just until they realize they have to put four other players around Turner).

3-Nets – Derrick Favors
Worst record, third pick.  Not a great scenario here for the Nets.  They need another big to compliment blossoming center Brooke Lopez.  Cousins is ready now and is a better offensive player than Favors, however with a clean start coming in cap space and a home in Brooklyn, the Nets can’t risk drafting DeMarcus with all of the baggage he brings with him.  The only way the Nets don’t take Favors here is if they catch wind that a big-time free agent is heading their way in two weeks.
Nets – Derrick Favors   6’10   PF   Georgia Tech
After enduring the worst record in the NBA this past season, the Nets lost out on the John Wall sweepstakes and were rewarded instead with the third pick. This situation reminds me of when my Boston Celtics lost out on the Tim Duncan lottery and settled with Chauncey Billups, I mean “Mr. Big Shot”, in 1997. Duncan went on to win four titles and become the best power forward in the history of the NBA. The Celtics traded away Billups for a rapidly aging Kenny Anderson and he eventually won a title with Detroit and went to six consecutive conference championships. I digress… the pick is Favors.

4- T’Wolves – Wesley Johnson
Wes Johnson is an easy choice at 4 for Minnesota.  They’re set at power forward and center with Love and Jefferson and they possibly drafted the two point guards of the future last year in Johnny Flynn and Ricky Rubio.  They’re biggest needs now are perimeter shooting and an offensive swingman to complement Corey Brewer’s defense - Wes Johnson gives them both. 
Wesley Johnson   6’8   SF   Syracuse
Since they drafted TWO point guards in the lottery last draft, and they picked up Kevin Love and Al Jefferson two years ago, looks like the wing is the next place the Wolves will be looking to stock up on. Luckily for them, Johnson is a long, athletic wing who can shoot and score the basketball.  Johnson and Corey Brewer (whom they drafted three years ago) could give the Wolves a nice set of big wings to team up with the rest of their young talent. (Side note: I think I have figured out the Timberwolves positional draft pattern/strategy.)

5- Kings – Greg Monroe
The Kings need to fill a lot of holes in their line-up, Monroe will be a good start.  Before even looking at NBADraft.net’s player comparison, Monroe reminded me of Lamar Odom.  He’s very skilled, long 6’11” swingman/power forward with good speed and passing ability.  He also has a tendency to disappear during the course of the game.  With a ball dominant guard like Tyreeke Evans leading the way for the Kings, it could be difficult to keep Monroe involved in the game at times, but his presence along side Evans, Caspi and Landry could be a strong future for the franchise.
DeMarcus Cousins   6’11   PF   Kentucky
Scouts say Cousins is the most talented player in the draft. He is also the one with the most character issues.  When you are as bad as the Kings, and you’re owners run the Palms in Vegas, I think you can afford to take a gamble on Cousins. I also think the four teams drafting ahead of the Kings will realize this by the time we see 2011.

6-Warriors – DeMarcus Cousins
The Warriors love Al-Farouq Aminu’s game, but I honestly don’t think they can survive another season without a legitimate big man that can score in the post.  The Warriors have arguably the best shooting guards in the NBA, all of whom have to create their own shots.  With that in mind, I think they have to take Cousins here if the Kings take Monroe, even with the bad attitude.  Cousins is the best big in the draft, and the Warriors need to take him if he’s on the board and hope basketball is the only thing on his mind.
Greg Monroe   6’11   PF   Georgetown
The super-skilled Monroe is perfect for Nellie-ball. Offense, more offense, and then a little more after that. With Monroe setting screens for Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis, and then popping or rolling to the rim, the offensive possibilities for the Warriors can really expand. However, given the fact that the Warriors allowed 112ppg last year (worst in the NBA), I’m not sure if the super-soft Monroe is the right guy for them. Ekpe Udoh, Cole Aldrich, or even Al-Farouq Aminu are logical fits to add some defense and toughness, but I don’t see Nellie passing up on the Talented Mr. Monroe here.

7 - Pistons – Ed Davis
Like the Warriors, the Pistons draft choice will be dictated by whether or not Monroe goes at  5. The Pistons desperately need low-post scoring, and they feel Cousins is the answer.  They may have to work out a trade to get him, but if that doesn’t work, they’ll take UNC’s Davis.  Davis showed great promise as a freshman, projected by many to be this year’s number one pick.  However a sophomore slump along with a broken wrist hurt his top 5 status.  Davis will be a solid big in the NBA once he puts on some weight, so if the Pistons can’t get Cousins, they’ll be happy with Davis down the line.
Pistons – Ed Davis   6’9   PF   North Carolina
Recall when the Pistons went to six consecutive conference finals earlier this decade. They were a team built on toughness and rebounding, very much like they were back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. One would think GM Joe Dumars, an Original Bad Boy, would use this lottery pick to address this and reshape the culture in Detroit as the main cogs from their run earlier this decade continue to age. While Udoh, Aldrich, or Aminu are once again all pretty logical choices to accomplish that idea, I think Dumars goes with Davis, who if not for a sophomore slump at Carolina, would have been in the Top 5.

8- Clippers – Al-Farouq Aminu
Much like the Wolves, the Clippers are set at every position except for a versatile swingman.  That’s what they’ll get from Wake’s Aminu.  He’s a 6’8” small forward with off the chart athleticism.  He should be a great compliment to Baron Davis and Blake Griffin on fast breaks and quick possessions.  The only way the Clippers go in a different direction is if they feel they are going to be a legit contender for a big-time free agent this summer. Not Likely.
Clippers – Al-Farouq Aminu   6’8   SF   Wake Forest
Although Clippers fans believe they are getting LeBron James, I think the Clippers brass would be wise to use this pick as a backup plan in the off chance that falls through. Aminu sliding this far would be a nice grab for the Clips, who can team him up with the hopefully healthy Blake Griffin and give the team some added toughness and athleticism.

9-Jazz – Luke Babbitt/Patrick Patterson
To me, this is the most interesting pick in the top ten.  I really don’t think the Jazz are going to keep whoever they take here, finding a way to orchestrate a trade before the draft begins. If Ed Davis is still on the board, I believe the Spurs will be willing to send Richard Jefferson to Utah in order to grab Davis.  If no trades go down, Utah’s selection will be based on whether or not they believe Carlos Boozer will resign.  If they think he won’t, they’ll take the big-man Luke Babbitt out of Nevada.  If they think he will, they’ll take swingman/power forward Patrick Patterson in a hope that they’ll finally find a wing that can guard Lamar Odom and end their playoff misery against the Lakers.
Jazz – Cole Aldrich   6’10   C   Kansas
The Jazz need some insurance in the event that Carlos Boozer bolts in free agency. While older Jazz fans may be confused thinking that they drafted Greg Ostertag again, Aldrich should provide a slightly higher impact upfront than Ostertag did in the Whoopi Goldberg classic, Eddie.

10- Pacers – Gordon Hayward
Hometown, feel-good story will put butts in the seats, so Indiana will take Hayward at 10.  Besides an attraction, the Pacers will also be getting a solid basketball player.  Hayward can score, pass and rebound like most home-grown Indiana ball players. 
Pacers – Ekpe Udoh   6’10   C   Baylor
I think the Pacers will trade this pick in order to get some semblance of a real life NBA quality point guard, so in all likelihood I do not see Udoh going to them here. But, I do see the attractiveness of a team trying to trade up to select this monster shot blocker and paint presence, so keep the big fella penciled in here anyways… Could Udoh be any more of a polar opposite than Larry Bird?