Also Check Out the Western Conference Grades
Atlanta Hawks |
||
 |
No Draft Picks No Players Acquired via Trade |
Grade : B- |
| Analysis - The Hawks are very young and did not necessarily need another rookie on the roster. They did well by staying out of this draft. | ||
Boston Celtics |
||
 |
# 30 pick SG J.R. Giddens #47 pick SF Bill Walker (from Wizards) #60 pick C Semih Erden |
Grade : C |
| Analysis - I’m surprised the Celtics passed on Chris Douglas-Roberts given that James Posey may not be with the team next season. Giddens has a very good jump shot but is a couple of years away from being a reliable player in this league. Doc Rivers likes his defense and he may contribute within a few seasons. Walker is a superior athlete but had a knee injury early-on in his workouts. He’s a peculiar fit in Boston with an abundance of wing players locked into the rotation, but Ainge wanted him, and he just one a championship. Who am I to disagree with him? | ||
Charlotte Bobcats |
||
 |
# 9 pick PG D.J. Augustin #20 PF Alexis Ajinca (from Nuggets) #38 G Kyle Weaver |
Grade : C+ |
| Analysis - Augustin was one of the most surprising picks in the draft for two reasons. Coach Larry Brown has never been fond of playing rookies and he already has a young, talented guard in Raymond Felton. Augustin has plenty of talent, but lacks size and defense. Still, the Bobcats do not have a backup point guard so he should see some minutes as a rookie. Ajinca is a seven-foot project that will likely stay overseas for a year or two. He’s a bit soft, but has had great workouts up to this point. Still, he averaged just five and five in France, so don’t be surprised if you never see him in the League. Weaver is a mature guard that could contribute on an NBA squad, but not necessarily the Bobcats. | ||
Chicago Bulls |
||
 |
#1 pick PG Derrick Rose #36 pick C Omer Asik (from Blazers) |
Grade : B |
| Analysis - The Bulls took the hometown product with the first overall pick in the draft and now they have a serious situation on their hands. Rose joins Kirk Hinrich, Larry Hughes and Ben Gordon in a very crowded and highly paid backcourt. Rose has an all-around game and could become an NBA champion one day. However, GM John Paxson has a lot of tinkering to do before the opening tip next season. Last season, we were talking about how bad the Bulls needed offense down low. This year, they passed up a forward (Michael Beasley) that averaged 26.4 points per game as a freshman. Asik is a project big man that could prove to be valuable in a few years. | ||
Cleveland Cavaliers |
||
 |
#19 pick PF J.J. Hickson #52 pick PF Darnell Jackson (from Heat) |
Grade : C- |
| Analysis - Hickson plays close to the basket and has a lot of potential at just 19 years old. However, the Cavs do not have much need for this player right now. The King mans his position. Do not expect Hickson to have much impact next season. They could have used one of the young big men. Their inside-core is getting old. Jackson is intriguing but with the depth at power forward, he probably is a D-League player all season. | ||
Detroit Pistons |
||
 |
#32 pick PF Walter Sharpe #46 pick C Trent Plaisted #59 pick SF Deron Washington |
Grade : D |
| Analysis - Originally, I loved the D.J. White pick the Pistons made at no. 29. I thought he would fit in with the other young Pistons seamlessly. But the pick was traded for two of Seattle’s second rounders. I have to be honest – I have no idea who Walter Sharpe or Deron Washington is and, if you do, pat yourself on the back. He played just 12 games at UAB. Listen, I’m not one to challenge Joe Dumars’ eye for talent, but I don’t like this pick. Trent Plaisted is big, but that’s where the positive notes end. | ||
Indiana Pacers |
||
 |
# 13 pick SG Brandon Rush (from Blazers) PG Jarrett Jack (from Blazers) PF Josh McRoberts (from Blazers) #41 pick PF/C Nathan Jawai |
Grade : A |
| Analysis - Bayless was a phenomenal pick by the Pacers, but landing Brandon Rush and Jarrett Jack was a stroke of genius. Jack is an uber-athletic point guard who will make Jamaal Tinsley virtually worthless. Rush is one of the most selfless two-way players in the draft. With the newly acquired T.J. Ford, Jack, and Rush, Larry Bird has reshaped a franchise’s destiny in a matter of hours. There is still work to be done, but this is a solid start. Jawai could be a real steal or bust. He is huge and has a mean streak. It will be interesting to see how he fits into the Pacers rotation, which seemingly made room for him when they traded Ike Diogu. | ||
Miami Heat |
||
 |
#2 pick PF Michael Beasley #34 pick PG Mario Chalmers (from Wolves) |
Grade : A |
| Analysis - Heat President Pat Riley did not seem too enthused with landing Beasley, but he should be. Beasley was the best player in this draft while in college last season and may, or may not, have very big things ahead. Questions abound about how he will adapt to the South Beach nightlife. Regardless, his talent indicates that he will be a phenomenal compliment to Dwyane Wade and the rest of the Miami Heat. Perhaps all this speculation and doubt will be the motivation he needs to ignite an astounding NBA career. Chalmers did not play point guard at Kansas, but he’ll be expected to in Miami. His defense is stellar, but it remains to be seen whether or not he can run an NBA offense. He’ll get plenty of opportunity under new Heat coach Eric Spoelstra because of their sever lack of depth at the position. | ||
Milwaukee Bucks |
||
 |
#8 pick SF Joe Alexander #37 pick SF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute |
Grade : C |
| Analysis - Alexander was one of the fastest rising players in the draft thanks to an explosive end to his NCAA career and an incredible work ethic. The Bucks moved Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons earlier in the day for Richard Jefferson. Alexander looks to backup the Bucks new best player, which is not a good sign. He could also see some time behind Charlie Villanueva at power forward, but he has a lot to prove on this level. It’s difficult to see Mbah a Moute making it in the NBA but he has a solid work ethic and has been to the Final Four three times. | ||
New Jersey Nets |
||
 |
#10 pick C Brook Lopez #21 pick PF Ryan Anderson #40 pick SG Chris Douglas-Roberts |
Grade : A |
| Analysis - Lopez was the best big man in the draft. He has an excellent post-up game and has the motor to succeed in the NBA. Anderson is a legit 6-foot-10 with a very legit shot. He can hit the NBA-three, pass, and finish near the basket. He is a deep-threat with a big body. He put up great numbers at Cal and will battle with newly acquired Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons for playing time. Anderson has the makeup to be a contributing player in this league for a long time. New Jersey did well in landing him. Douglas-Roberts was an All-American last season and should play in the NBA for a long time. The lefty is very effective on both ends of the court and could have been a top 20 selection. Rod Thorn, who drafted Michael Jordan, had one of his best drafts ever. | ||
New York Knicks |
||
 |
#6 pick SF Danilo Gallinari |
Grade : B- |
| Analysis - An unpopular pick in New York (most are), Gallinari should be a stable building block for the Knicks of the future. He may see a lot of run early because small forward is the weakest link in the Knicks’ starting lineup. Coach Mike D’Antoni will know how to get the most out of the Euro, just as he does for just about any player. I don’t believe he’s as much of a “project” as he has been made out to be. Even though he’s only 19, he has played professional basketball for two seasons. | ||
Orlando Magic |
||
 |
#22 pick SG Courtney Lee |
Grade : B- |
| Analysis - The Magic went after need hear. Lee averaged more than 20 points per game for Western Kentucky and was one of the few seniors taken in the first round. He can play both ends of the court, but he will have to earn his playing time for Stan Van Gundy. J.J. Redick and Keith Bogans are in front of him, and he will have to be something special to bypass them. | ||
Philadelphia 76ers |
||
 |
#16 pick PF/C Marreese Speights |
Grade : B+ |
| Analysis - The 76ers were in desperate need for a big man and they landed one of the best in the draft. Speights can do the dirty work but prefers to float around the perimeter and flaunt his jump shot. Maurice Cheeks will have to dissuade him from such tendencies in order for him to be effective, but he will be surrounded by a young group dedicated to winning. Speights could be one of the surprises of this draft. | ||
Toronto Raptors |
||
 |
#17 pick C Roy Hibbert |
Grade : B+ |
| Analysis - Great pick for the Raptors. Hibbert is the largest player in the draft, which will work-out well for Toronto. However, I doubt his success in the NBA due to his desire. Either way, he will become one of the few rookies to make an impact this season. Expect him to find legit minutes against the more physical teams in the Eastern Conference. | ||
Washington Wizards |
||
 |
#18 pick C JaVale McGee |
Grade : B |
| Analysis - At seven-foot, McGee is more of a center than a power forward. Unfortunately, the Wizards are one of few teams deep at center. McGee will be able to stick in this frontcourt (if they cannot re-sign Antawn Jamison, they’ll need him immediately) and he has a ton of potential NBA starter in him. | ||