The NBA Draft: Dissected

Here are my Top 10 Best Available Players in the NBA Draft. This is not a prediction on how the draft will pan out, because sometimes a team needs a player for a certain position, and doesn’t always select the best available player across all positions.

1. Michael Beasley, Kansas State. Beasley is the best player in this year’s draft. He is one of the most complete players that I have seen in a really long time. At 6 feet 10 inches, he this years best rebounder and one of the best scorers. He has the best outside shot for a big man in this draft. Beasley can score with his back to the basket, and while facing the basket. Michael is a new hybrid of a guard and forward. He is the best player in the draft.
GRADE: A++

2. Derrick Rose, Memphis. Rose is a contender for the title of best player in this draft. He is easily the best point guard in this draft. People who believe that he is not the best PG are delusional. Derrick Rose is a dream point guard because he is a great passer, good shooter, and is strong enough to get to the basket.
GRADE: A++

3. Jeryd Bayliss, Arizona. Bayliss is underrated in my opinion. I think that Bayliss has a great career in the NBA ahead of him. People say he isn’t as good as O.J. Mayo, but he is. Here is the breakdown. He is a great scorer, has a great outside shot, and can attack the basket well. He is a good defender who shuts down his man. Bayliss is a steal in the NBA draft.
GRADE: A

4. Russell Westbrook, UCLA. Westbrook is one of the best defenders and athletes in this year’s draft. He won Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. His defense will get him far, his offense is good, and he is working to make it better--a surprise, perhaps, but the right choice for #4 here.
GRADE: A-

5. O.J. Mayo, USC. Mayo has a lot of hype. Mayo is a great scorer. He drives really well and has a nice J. His big problem: he plays no DEFENSE! While he is great offensively, he lacks defensive skills. So he may score 30 but give up 25. But then again, who really does play defense in the NBA?
GRADE: A-

6. Eric Gordon, Indiana. Gordon is a great shooter. He is going to be like a Michael Redd in the NBA. He is a pure shooter, but can still get to the hole. Gordon is also a good defender. He is one of the best all around players in this year’s draft. The only problem is he is a little too short to play shooting guard and is not a true PG.
GRADE: A-

7. Donte Green, Syracuse. Green is the darkest horse in this draft. He is a great offensive player. He gets to the rim at will. He is a great driver, and has impressive range. He has very long wingspan. His main problem is he doesn’t have good shot selection; he shoots too many three pointers.
GRADE: A-/B+

8. Mario Chalmbers, Kansas. Chambers is a defensive god. He is hands-down the best defender in this draft. He is one of the best players who can get steals in a long time. I guarantee that if Chalmers gets 17+ minutes each game he will lead the NBA in steals. The only thing he lacks is some true point guard skills.
GRADE: B+

9. D.J. Augustine, Texas. Augustine is a great facilitator. He reminds me a lot of Steve Nash in that respect. He will be a catalyst for whatever team gets him. I think that Augustine is a dark horse in this draft. He is a great pick. The only reason why he won’t go in the top 10 is he is a little short. I think teams need to look past his 5’11’’ height.
GRADE: B+

10. Roy Hibbert, Georgetown. Hibbert is my number 10 for one reason… he is 7’2’’!!! He is a 7’2’’ center and good centers are rare. He is also an excellent shotblocker (he’d better be at that height). Hibbert has very soft hands for a big man, and has good post moves. His major weakness is he lacks speed and agility, but then again how many NBA centers have amazing speed and agility?
GRADE: B+/B


Tell me what you think before the draft. Watch the draft, Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 4p.m. PST/7 p.m. EST and then log back on to this blog and chat some more.