NBA Draft Recap (Picks 1-14)

A little break from football to assess the NBA Draft (lottery picks 1-14). I was going to do the entire first round, but decided to end with my Golden State Warriors at pick 14. Here’s how I see it:

Team	1st Round
	1. Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose- PG – Memphis: With only minutes before the pick, this selection had already been leaked to the media, so there was little surprise in the selection of the Chicago native.
	2. Miami Heat – Michael Beasley – PF – Kansas State: I think the indecisiveness out of Miami was a smoke screen. There’s no way they could’ve taken anyone other than Beasley. I don’t know why Shawn Marion’s decision to not opt-out of his current contract was such a big deal. This isn’t the NFL, there’s a cap on what rookies can earn, so it’s not like hanging onto the 2nd selection is a financial burden. Marion does equally well at the 3 and 4 spot, giving Beasley a chance to settle into the 4 spot with help around him, and in relief. Great pick.
	3. Minnesota Timberwolves – O.J. Mayo – PG – USC: The fact that the Sonic and Clippers deal for the 4th spot fell apart told me those two teams found out the Timberwolves were going to take Mayo. I don’t like this selection, but it’s not like Kevin McCale has made a lot of good decisions lately. The Timberwolves already have a back-court with Randy Foye, Marko Jarik, Rashad McCants, and Sebastian Telfair. I had Love or Lopez going here. Bad pick.

4. Seattle Sonics – Russell Westbrook

– PG – UCLA:

The Sonics have young talent at every position than center, but instead decided to go with a guy that has had one good season. I thought the Sonics should’ve taken Brook Lopez. Bad pick.

5. Memphis Grizzlies –

Kevin Love – PF – UCLA:

I like Love, but the guy is not a spot player, he’s a starter. Where is he suppose to start on this team? I had Eric Gordon going here to be teamed with Mike Conley Jr. They would’ve made a raw, but very talented back-court that could’ve become one of the best in the league in a couple years. Not a bad, but not a good pick.

6. New York Knicks – Danilo Gallinari- SF – Italy:

Funny, cause the Jet’s picked in this same spot in the last April’s NFL Draft, but to get the point, I think the Italian was a lock here after the signing of Mike D’Antoni. If you don’t know already, the Knicks new head coach played with Gallinari’s father and knows the young man very well. It doesn’t hurt that the kid was born to play in D’Antoni’s offense.

7. Los Angeles Clippers – Eric Gordon- SG – Indiana:

I hope the Clippers don’t toy with Gordon at the point. Even if Shaun Livingston can’t return to form next season, Gordon should stay at the 2-guard and not try to be a player he’s never been, or will ever be.

8. Milwaukee

Bucks – Joe Alexander- SF – Virginia:

With Gordon gone I think the Bucks reach for a talent and not a need. Alexander is one of my favorite players in the draft whose stock continues to rise. I like what the Bucks are doing, and think a starting line-up of Andrew Bogot, Richard Jefferson, Alexander, Michael Redd, and the always fisty Mo Williams could be very competetive next season.

9. Charlotte Bobcats –

D.J. Augustin- PG – Texas:

Raymond Felton has more talent than Augustin, and has not had the chance to lead a well coached team. Brook Lopez would’ve finally added help that Emeka Okafor’s been in desperate need of. Bad pick.

10. New Jersey Nets – Brook Lopez- C – Stanford:

The Bobacts ship a 7 ft gift to the Nets. He should start right away, and be a key to their rebuilding.

11. Indiana Pacers – Jerryd Bayless – PG – Arizona:

Unlike the selections of Augustin, Mayo, and Westbrook, Bayless offers something different. He has the mind-set and athletic ability to be a top flight point guard, but has the shot and game of a 2-guard. With all that’s up in the air in Indy back-court, I think he adds more talent to already talented, but shaky guard position. Update: Bayless to be sent to Portland (see Portland’s pick below).

12. Sacramento Kings – Jason Thompson – PF- Rider:

WOW… A little early for Thompson to come off the board. He’s faced few elite oppositions, and shows little to no magic that usually comes with a high selection.

13. Portland Trail-Blazers – Brandon Rush – SG – Kansas:

Rush apparently will be traded to Indiana with Jarrett Jack for Jerryd Bayless. I think the trade helps both teams, but with all the back-court trading the Pacers are doing it’s hard to tell who’s going to be a major part of their team next season.

14. Golden State Warriors – Anthony Randolph – PF – LSU:

Talent, talent, talent. This pick fits a desperate need for talent in the paint. The kid has struggled with big men, but says he’s confident that he can guard the biggest guy on the court. At 6’11 he has the size and shooting skill the Warriors need to help relieve Biedrins and Harrington. The fact that he can also play center in the Warriors offense makes him even more valuable. This is the Warriors 4th big man selected in the last 5 years, with Biedrins being the only success story so far. Warrior fans might not see much from Randolph in the first year, but his presence in practice should help push Brandan Wright, Al Harrigton, and Andris Biedrins to be better prepared on a daily basis. The other option is the Warriors will trade this pick in the near future. Randolph was projected to go as early as the 8th selection, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s dealt.

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