before getting too caught up in the draft "grades"

Haha, awesome find. The draft is an inexact science for sure.

 

lol, that link is wrong on just about every selection. I'm impressed!

 

LOL. CBS Sports might be worse than Bleacher Report.

 

It's clear that the CBS writer is a hack, all he does is write hyperbolic one liners that don't have much to do with the players being drafted. but if you look at draft grades from reputable NBA websites, you'll see that they are fairly accurate.

Yahoo
Grade: A
Indiana Pacers: Paul George, Lance Stephenson, Magnum Rolle

Here's my issue with the Tracy McGrady comparisons for George. Paul is 20 right now, and at that age T-Mac was averaging more than 15 points and six rebounds for a Raptors team that made the playoffs -- with two blocks per game. This was the year before McGrady averaged 27 a game for Orlando. Paul averaged 17 and seven for Fresno State last season, and while his shooting numbers look smoother than a waxed yacht deck, you have to wonder about his motor and his placement on a Pacers team already featuring Danny Granger
.
To get Stephenson and Rolle in the second round? And the cojones to go after George in spite of Granger's permanence? I dig it. It might not work out, but I appreciate the moves.

ESPN
INDIANA PACERS GRADE: B+

Round 1: Paul George (10)

Round 2: Lance Stephenson (40), Magnum Rolle (51, obtained from Oklahoma City)

Analysis: For the past few years, Pacers execs Larry Bird and David Morway have not been swinging for the fences in the draft. Instead they have tried for singles and doubles and, for the most part, they've connected -- the results have been solid, but not game-changing.

Nbadraft.net

Larry Bird took a risk! And then he took another and another! The Pacers are known for drafting proven college players such as Brandon Rush, Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Hibbert. George was a departure from that ideology, one that has left the team mired in mediocrity. He's got great upside and looks a lot like Rudy Gay, but there's understandable concern that he is turnover prone, makes poor decisions and played low level competition at Fresno State. Stephenson could be very good, and at No. 40, his massive risk factor – egotism being the primary concern – is acceptable. Rolle played in the WAC with George but is the type of athlete the Pacers' frontcourt needs. The big question here is, how will George and Danny Granger play together? They share many of the same traits. Still, good – and refreshing – picks from Indiana.




This year, with the Pacers in desperate need of elite talent, they took a different tack, really going for it with an upside pick. In fact, George has as much upside as anyone in the draft not named Wall, Favors or Cousins.

George reminds some scouts of Tracy McGrady, believe it or not -- as T-Mac was, George is a great athlete with terrific size for his position who can shoot from range and really finish at the basket. At the same time, he hasn't consistently used those tools to dominate, which has led some scouts to compare him, less flatteringly, to Nick Young. His two seasons at Fresno State were underwhelming. Watching George play can leave you exhilarated and frustrated at the same time.

You could say similar things about Stephenson. He isn't the terrific athlete or great shooter that George is, but he has an NBA body and a power game that's well suited to the league. He too can dazzle you in moments and have you pulling your hair out at other times.

Rolle was a roll of the dice at 51. He's a terrific athlete and shot blocker who seldom dominated in college the way his talent suggested he could.

If George and Stephenson get it, Bird and Morway have hit a couple of home runs in the draft.