By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Many of the experts are calling tonight's NBA Draft class one of the weakest in memory. At the top, there are a handful of solid, potential future NBA All-Stars (i.e., Blake Griffin); but the rest of the way down, this is a class chock-full of guys who pretty much did everything except prove they're NBA-ready (B.J. Mullens, Nick Calathes...are you out of your mind?). Plenty of questions are abound overseas about whether Brandon Jennings is worth the gamble, and if Ricky Rubio's posse will put the $8 million pricetag on him as rumored.
Here's how the first ten picks should play out.
1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Feel free to differ here, but there have been two consensus no-brainers in the last 12 years: LeBron James and Tim Duncan. Griffin, who has drawn comparisons to Karl Malone and is easily the most hardened and battle-tested player in this draft. Of course, Donald Sterling will find a way to screw this up.
2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
How the Grizz handle this draft pick will have a domino effect on the rest of the picks. The biggest question is whether Ricky Rubio goes here or not. His management has threatened to stamp him with an $8 million buyout if Memphis picks him; Pau Gasol speaks negatively of his time with Memphis, and keep in mind Pau is as popular as Nadal back home. When Yao Ming was entering the draft, Chinese officials warned the league that there would be complications in getting him overseas if he were taken by Memphis or Milwaukee.
Besides, they already have a solid point guard in Mike Conley, Jr., and a solid nucleus in Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo. Thabeet, the most gifted shot-blocker since Dikembe Mutombo, could be the final piece of this puzzle. For now.
3. Oklahoma City Scumbags - DeMar DeRozan, USC
With Thabeet off the board, the Two-Timers are going to take the best pure scorer available at this position. He's no OJ Mayo, but teaming up alongside Jeff Green and Kevin Durant would create yet another solid nucleus on the verge of breaking through.
4. Sacramento Kings - Ricky Rubio, Spain
If there's a hefty buyout for this dude, expect the Maloof brothers to play ball. They are Vegas high-rollers, after all. This would be a great opportunity for the Spanish point guard "prodigy" to prove his mettle alongside veteran Andres Nocioni, up-and-comer Jason Thompson, and two-guard Kevin Martin, he of the most unorthodox yet efficient jumper in the league. There's alot of raw, scrappy talent in this organization; what Rubio can do to make them better will tell you what kind of future he has in the states.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans, Memphis
At first glance, yesterday's trade of Mike Miller and Randy Foye to the Wizards seemed perplexing. But looking at it again, it makes plenty of sense. They get the expiring contracts of Darius Songaila, Oleksiy Pecherov and Etan "Harlem Renaissance" Thomas, and the Wizards' fifth pick. Look for them to use it to fill their biggest void right now -- point guard. With the talent in the frontcourt (Al Jefferson, Kevin Love and Corey Brewer), Evans is a scoring point guard who can cause all sorts of havoc off the dribble.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - DeJuan Blair, Pitt
The girthy big man has drawn all sorts of comparisons, but I think he most closely resembles Glen Davis. Undersized, wide-bodied, and an all-out scrapper who fights for those inches. His clown-suiting of Thabeet this year is still fresh in my mind.
7. Golden State Warriors - James Harden, Arizona St.
We're entering year four of Nellyball Part Deux in Oakland, and nothing's really changed. The Warriors thrive when their guards are playing at a frenetic pace, but the one thing they've lacked since the departure of Matt Barnes is a consistent defensive stopper. Look for Harden to try and fill that role here; also look for Harden's addition to light a match under Anthony Randolph, a guy with limitless potential who is on the verge of an explosive breakout season of Monta Ellis proportions, yet is constantly in Nelly's dog house.
8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry, Davidson
Mike D'Antoni is salivating over the prospect of coaching this guy. His game screams D'Antoni at jet engine decibels. After three years, we know now that A) this guy can go off for 30 on anybody in the country, B) he can lineup anywhere in the backcourt, and C) he has limits on defense. In D'Antoni's system, there are no limits on defense -- because there is no D required.
9. Toronto Raptors - Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Arguably one of the most exciting players to watch this past college season, he could serve nicely in Toronto's rotation as the second or third guy off the bench, someone you can throw in late in the game and count on for a clutch three or fast-break drive. He'd serve as a much better backup to Jose Calderon than Marcus "Luis Mendoza" Banks.
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Ty Lawson, North Carolina
After yesterday's moves, in which they dumped Richard Jefferson's bloated salary unto San Antonio and picked up Amir Johnson (an absolute steal), Bruce Bowen (still a defensive beast) and Kurt Thomas (meh), the Bucks's most pressing need is at the point. Sure, Ramon Sessions fills the bid here over Damon Jones and Luke Ridnour, but he's far from elite. The rankings say to take Jrue Holiday, the unpolished freshman out of UCLA who underachieved in his first season. But Lawson is faster, steadier, and more mature.
Here's how the rest of the first round should play out
11. New Jersey Nets - Jordan Hill, Arizona
Nets need a guy who can finish around the basket.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Henderson, Duke
Strong guard with great range from the perimeter. Like Clippers, the Bobcats will find a way to screw this up.
13. Indiana Pacers - Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Upon which he immediately becomes a fan favorite.
14. Phoenix Suns - Terrence Williams, Louisville
Long, lean and underrated. Suns don't need help at the point, but nice to know this versatile forward can play anywhere on the floor.
15. Detroit Pistons - Brandon Jennings, Italy
Joe Dumars has made a living off gambles like this.
16. Chicago Bulls - Earl Clark, Louisville
6-10 forward can play the three or four; could fill a tweener role a la John Salmons.
17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor, VCU
Sixers need a reliable backup to Andre Miller.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Austin Daye, Gonzaga
Sophomore forward adds more raw upside to team already overflowing with it.
19. Atlanta Hawks - B.J. Mullens, Ohio St.
Wouldn't be the first time they've rolled the dice with an unproven one-and-done.
20. Utah Jazz - Darren Collison, UCLA
Combo guard provides depth to a bench that was lacking in the Jazz' first-round exit.
21. New Orleans Hornets - Sam Young, Pitt
Arguably more NBA-ready than Blair, could make an immediate impact.
22. Portland Trail Blazers - Omri Casspi, Israel
Power forward continues Kevin Pritchard's tradition of drafting foreign players.
23. Sacramento Kings - Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
Sharp-shooter will be utilized in a system where Kevin Martin is the alpha dog.
24. Dallas Mavericks - James Johnson, Wake Forest
Versatile forward can make an immediate impact.
25. Oklahoma City Scumbags - Chase Budinger, Arizona
There are many questions about his toughness. In a related story, there are questions abound regarding Clay Bennett's ethics.
26. Chicago Bulls - Marcus Thornton, LSU
If Ben Gordon leaves, they're going to need help in the backcourt.
27. Memphis Grizzlies - Jrue Holiday, UCLA
With the right coaching, this guy could be around for years.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Brown, Xavier
Wolves pick up yet another athletic swingman.
29. Los Angeles Lakers - Patrick Mills, St. Mary's
Tell me I have Gaels-blinders on, but this kid is going to be a steal for whoever takes him.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Nick Calathes, Florida
Because Danny Ferry would take a soft scrub like this and call himself a "genius" if he ends up averaging 15-20 minutes.
And look for these second-rounders to end up as steals:
Jeff Adrien, UConn
Ahmad Nivins, St. Joseph's
Jermaine Taylor, UCF
Jerel McNeal, Marquette
Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
Jack McClinton, Miami
Taj Gibson, USC
DaJuan Summers, Georgetown
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