ford didnt waste anytime posting this after the lottery. i tried to copy and paste it but it came out weird and hard to read so i reformatted it a little for you guys. hope you enjoy! Lottery: Spoiler 1. Washington - John Wall Position: PG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 185 pounds Age: 19 School: Kentucky Analysis: The Wizards are the big winners tonight. While choosing Wall would create a jam because the Wizards already have Gilbert Arenas to play point guard, there are a couple of reasons they probably won't be deterred. First, many believe Arenas has always been more a two guard. Second, the Wizards will shop Arenas hard around the league, especially after last season's gun incident. Either way, winning the lottery provides some balm after a very tough season in Washington. The Wizards have already started to blow up the team and rebuild. Now in Wall, they can have a great talent as a foundation. 2. Philadelphia - Evan Turner Position: SG Height: 6-7 Weight: 205 Age: 21 School: Ohio State Analysis: Turner wouldn't be a perfect fit in Philadelphia. He would duplicate, to a degree, what Andre Iguodala and starting point guard-to-be Jrue Holiday bring to the table. But I think that the Sixers will take Turner anyway. He was the best player in college basketball, can play three positions on the floor and is ready to contribute right now. The 76ers will figure out how to get all three players on the floor or finally pull the trigger on an Andre Iguodala trade. 3. New Jersey - Derrick Favors Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 215 Age: 18 College: Georgia Tech Analysis: The Nets have to be disappointed that they didn't get Wall, but Favors was ranked No. 2 on our Big Board at the beginning of the season and he would fit a need. Actually, Favors has the raw talent to be the best player in the draft down the road, and resembled a young Antonio McDyess. While he wouldn't be the immediate franchise player the Nets hoped for, Favors could be a very good pick. 4. Minnesota - Wesley Johnson Position: SF Height: 6-7 Weight: 198 Age: 22 School: Syracuse Analysis: The Timberwolves have a need at small forward, and if they couldn't get Evan Turner, Johnson is the next best thing. He's an athletic swingman who can shoot, run the floor and rebound. He may not have star potential, but I think Johnson can come in and immediately contribute to the Wolves. 5. Sacramento - DeMarcus Cousins Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 260 Age: 19 School: Kentucky Analysis: While Cousins has the talent to be a top pick, he's scared away teams a bit with his on-court antics and a motor that sometimes moves to idle. But at No. 5, he would be a great pick for the Kings, giving them toughness, rebounding and a legitimate, low-post scorer. Teaming him with Carl Landry, Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes would give Sacramento a very good front line. 6. Golden State - Cole Aldrich Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 245 Age: 21 School: Kansas Analysis: The Warriors need help in the middle and Aldrich, while not flashy, can provide rebounding, shot-blocking and a decent face-up game. The Warriors should have other options like Al-Farouq Aminu and Ed Davis, but I think Aldrich is the leading candidate right now. 7. Detroit - Al-Farouq Aminu Position: SF Height: 6-8 Weight: 205 Age: 19 School:Wake Forest Analysis: The last thing the Pistons need is another tweener after adding Austin Daye and Charlie Villanueva last summer. However, Aminu does have more upside than both of those players. Athletically, there aren't many players better than him in the draft. 8. Los Angeles Clippers - Ekpe Udoh Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 240 Age: 22 School: Baylor Analysis: The Clippers could go in a lot of different directions with this pick, but given the loss of Marcus Camby, Udoh would be a defensive presence in the paint. Butler's Gordon Hayward is also a real possibility here. 9. Utah(via New York) - Greg Monroe Position: PF Height: 6-11 Weight: 250 Age: 19 School: Georgetown Analysis: The Jazz are in a position to lose Carlos Boozer this summer via free agency, but Monroe would be a solid consolation prize. He's not superathletic, but he's the most skilled big guy in the draft and would be a perfect fit in coach Jerry Sloan's half-court offense. 10. Indiana - Ed Davis Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 215 Age: 20 College: North Carolina Analysis: Davis would be a nice consolation prize for the Pacers if he slides this far. Davis didn't have the standout year many hoped he would, but he's a big, athletic 4 who will crash the glass and play hard -- the next Dale Davis? 11. New Orleans - Daniel Orton Position: C Height: 6-10 Weight: 260 Age: 19 School: Kentucky Analysis: Orton barely made a dent in the box scores for Kentucky, but NBA scouts are convinced he could be a really good NBA center. He is strong and physical and can dominate on the defensive end. He needs to improve his offense, but if he does, he could be a star down the road. The Hornets were very thin up front all season. Orton also would give them some insurance in the event Emeka Okafor breaks down. 12. Memphis - Luke Babbitt Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 220 Age: 20 School:Nevada Analysis: This pick may seem like a bit of a reach, but sources say the Grizzlies have locked in early on Babbitt; they're concerned he won't be there when they pick again at No. 25. While I have no idea who he'll guard at the next level, the guy can really score. The question: Is he the next Adam Morrison or the next Chris Mullin? The Grizzlies are banking on the latter. 13. Toronto - Avery Bradley Position: SG Height: 6-3 Weight: 180 Age: 19 School: Texas Analysis: The Raptors already have two pretty good point guards on their roster -- Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack. However, neither is the uber-quick speed demon that coach Jay Triano would love to have. Bradley also gives the Raptors something else that neither Calderon and Jack provide -- the ability to play lockdown defense. 14. Houston - Hassan Whiteside Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 225 Age: 20 Country: Marshall Analysis: Whiteside is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward player in the draft. He was a tremendous shot-blocker in college basketball and runs the floor like a guard. However, he showed major signs of immaturity as a freshman at Marshall. The Rockets are the perfect organization to bring him along slowly and develop him into the next Marcus Camby. Picks 15-30: Spoiler 15. Milwaukee(via Chicago) - Gordon Hayward Position: SF Height: 6-8 Weight: 200 Age: 20 School: Butler Analysis: I hesitate to put Hayward this low, knowing that the Chicago draft combine is coming up and that he's going to measure better athletically than people think. Teams as high up as the Wizards, Clippers and Pacers are looking at him closely. But I doubt he'll slip past the Bucks, who can use Hayward at both the 2 and the 3. He needs to gain some strength, but there's really nothing else not to love about his game. 16. Minnesota(via Charlotte) - Paul George Position: SF Height: 6-8 Weight: 185 Age: 20 School: Fresno State Analysis:After Whiteside, George is one of the biggest upside players in the draft. He didn't dominate at Fresno State, but as a 6-8 2-guard who can really shoot the basketball, he draws comparisons to everyone from Joe Johnson to Wilson Chandler to Trevor Ariza. The Wolves need shooting and size in their backcourt, so he should be the perfect fit. 17. Chicago(via Milwaukee) - James Anderson Position: SG Height: 6-6 Weight: 195 Age: 21 School: Oklahoma State Analysis: Anderson was one of the best scorers in college basketball and could be a very good fit in the Bulls' backcourt. His ability to stretch the defense and attack the basket would make him a nice complement to Derrick Rose. 18. Miami - Eric Bledsoe Position: PG Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Age: 20 School: Kentucky Analysis: Bledsoe is a tough, Pat Riley type of player and could be a long-term upgrade from the Mario Chalmers-Carlos Arroyo duo at point guard. Physically, he's ready for the NBA right now. But he still needs more game-time experience running the point. Long term, Bledsoe could pay off. 19. Boston - Xavier Henry Position: SG Height: 6-7 Weight: 220 Age: 19 School: Kansas Analysis:If Henry falls this far, it will be a pretty dramatic development since he was once considered a lottery pick. Henry does bring a few things to the table, however. He already has an NBA body and he can shoot the NBA 3. He may be a little one-dimensional, but with Paul Pierce beginning to age and Ray Allen hitting free agency, he'd be a nice fit in Boston. 20. San Antonio - Damion James Position: SF Height: 6-8 Weight: 224 Age: 22 School: Texas Analysis: James is one of the more underrated players in the draft. Very few players have his combination of athleticism and motor. He doesn't have a position on offense, but he can defend multiple positions on the floor. He should be able to step in right away with the Spurs veterans and provide meaningful minutes. 21. Oklahoma City - Donatas Motiejunas Position: PF Height: 7-0 Weight: 220 Age: 19 Country: Lithuania Analysis: If Motiejunas believes he'll slip this far, he most likely will withdraw from the draft. But he'd be a great long-term pickup for the Thunder if they can get him this low. He's a very skilled forward who has some Pau Gasol and Toni Kukoc in his game. He is playing at a high level in Europe but needs to get stronger. It would be nice to draft him and stash him in Europe next season. 22. Portland - Patrick Patterson Position: PF Height: 6-8 Weight: 245 Age: 21 School: Kentucky Analysisatterson would be a steal for the Blazers if he slips this low. While he does little to wow you, he's the type of unselfish, productive big man who will fit well in the Blazers' system. 23. Minnesota(via Utah) - Kevin Seraphin Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 258 Age: 20 Country: France Analysis: With their third pick of this draft, you can expect the Wolves to stash a player overseas. Seraphin hasn't really produced big numbers in France, but he has Serge Ibaka-like physical upside. 24. Atlanta - Quincy Pondexter Position: SF Height: 6-7 Weight: 220 Age: 22 School: Washington Analysis: One of the best seniors in the country, Pondexter is an elite athlete who proved this season that he can really score. He's a jump shot away from being a star. Think the next Desmond Mason. 25. Memphis(via Denver) - Craig Brackins Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 230 Age: 22 School: Iowa State Analysis: Brackins is a good pick for the Grizzlies. He's a high-character guy who can score inside and outside and will play hard. With Zach Randolph in the last year of his contract, he could be a nice long-term replacement. 26. Oklahoma City(via Phoenix) - Solomon Alabi Position: C Height: 7-1 Weight: 245 Age: 22 School: Florida State Analysis: The Thunder continue to lack a legitimate low-post threat. They drafted B.J. Mullens last year to be that guy, but he's still a work in progress. Alabi will be, too, but at this point in the draft, he has too much size and upside to pass on. 27. New Jersey(via Dallas) - Terrico White Position: SG Height: 6-5 Weight: 211 Age: 20 School: Mississippi Analysis: White is an elite athlete who, when he's on, is one of the best guards in the country. The problem is, he has a tendency to disappear in games. If the Nets can get him to play with some consistency, he would be a steal here. 28. Memphis(via L.A. Lakers) - Larry Sanders Position: SF Height: 6-10 Weight: 220 Age: 21 School: Va. Commonwealth Analysis:Normally, you would expect the Grizzlies to take an international player here with their third pick. The problem is, there aren't a lot of international players worthy of such a high pick. Sanders is a project, but his shot-blocking skills are coveted by the Grizzlies. 29. Orlando - Willie Warren Position: PG Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Age: 20 School: Oklahoma Analysis: At the beginning of the season, Warren was considered a potential top-10 pick. However, a poor season and some injuries, plus some bad chemistry with his coach, really hurt his stock. But he is a steal here and the type of versatile guard who could make an impact for the Magic. 30. Washington(via Cleveland) - Keith Gallon Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 300 Age: 19 School: Oklahoma Analysis: Not every team in the league is a Gallon fan, but a few teams have him ranked very high. I saw him work out in New York and I can see why. He is skilled, can shoot with NBA range and has a big body. He needs to lose weight and prove that he's going to work hard, but he's a better prospect than Glen Davis was. Next Five In: Devin Ebanks, F, West Virginia; Stanley Robinson, F, UConn, Elliot Williams, G, Memphis; Jordan Crawford, G, Xavier; Dominique Jones, G, South Florida
I hate Whiteside. He's too raw if we want to win a ring in 2 years. I'd trade Bud and our 14th pick for Minnesota's 4th for Cousins. find a way to Get Al Jefferson while we're at it.
What makes you say Whiteside is too raw? So raw in fact, that you want to trade a 2nd round gem in Bud and our pick for a Freshmen who told his coach to F*** off in Cousins?
Beyond that, did Morey himself not say in a Radio interview, i believe, that he wanted a player that he could slowly develop. Seeing the general consensus is that we need a shot blocker, I'd say the kid averaging 5.4 bpg fits that profile quite well.
Whiteside is about as immature as Cousins. He's weak and needs at least 2 full NBA season before he starts. He's got upside but If what Morey said was true about wanting to contend while Yao is here the Whiteside isn't the guy. Not a knock on Whiteside but he's just not the backup C we need right now to contend.
Most of the mock I've seen has us pick Whiteside, but history with Morey shows he doesn't like drafting someone so young and raw like him. I can see us trying to move up to get Cole Alrich or trade out for what Morey likes to call assets.
Cousins at 5 is a joke. Almost as ridiculous as Adrian Peterson going at 7. It doesn't really fill a need but James Anderson might be a good look.
Don't want Cousins or Whiteside, I've watched them both play, not as much of whiteside though. They both have very poor attitudes and don't seem coachable. I don't see the superstar potential to warrant such a risk. They both have the physical talent to be great, but bad attitudes rarely change.
I'm more concerned with him playing in a weak conference. Morey did ante up for JT though.. Morey is trying do a lot more with this draft.
Both Whiteside and Cousins can shoot the ball from outside. Occasionally some three point shots. You just don't pass on big men who can shoot like that , i'm sorry. Also, you have to remember, we are taking about a couple of 19 yr. olds.
i don`t think morey will draft whiteside. he`ll either trade the pick + talent for a young player or to move up.
That depends on how long you think Yao will be here. If it's at least 3-4 more injury-free years (fingers crossed) then I think he is the guy; he'll have time to develop. If it's only 1-2 more productive years it wouldn't matter who we drafted because rarely do rookies come in and immediately make the difference for a championship team anyways.
Whiteside is our guy. Least he can do his 1st year is block a couple of shots and grab some rebounds. That's sort of what Deke gave us when he was here and I think Whiteside can do some of that. He was just the best shot blocker in college per game/ per minute and I think he was one of the best rebounders per minute in college last season as well... Athletic 7fters with a 7'7" wingspans don't grow on trees. We would be lucky as hell if he is still on the board by the time we are suppose to pick, I think. To me, you can't pass on a player like that. Especially when we need a defensive present in the paint(that's taller than 6'5") and someone to backup Yao, which we don't.
Superstar potential with the 14th pick of the draft? I think your expeectations may be a tad high. Guess we will see.
