| 29 June 2010
So I thought seeing as everyone else was doing it I'd do some draft grades for each of the first round picks...
1. John Wall to the Wizards: Top move, and shored up the franchise for the next 10 odd years. Don't really need to say anything here other than the Wizards get an A+ for doing what the obvious thing.
2. Evan Turner to the 76ers: I never got to see Favors workout so I'll trust Doug Collins on this, and once again hand out an A+.
If Favors was right though, and he was feeling unwell, then they could have a gaffe on their hands. That said, Jrue Holiday + Evan Turner = backcourt for the next 12 years.
3. Derrick Favors to the Nets: If he's going to be an Amare clone then this is genius. He'll grow well beside Lopez, and do better in a system where the PG is deft at feeding the ball in. NJ get an A for this.
4. Wes Johnson to the Wolves: People are being mad because they drafted for need but honestly, I think Johnson has Cousins done for talent as well. He's in a Danny Granger mould, who I would take over Derrick Coleman any day.
A+ wolves. Now to trade big Al Jefferson for something decent.
5. DeMarcus Cousin to the Kings: Once again - right place, at the right time. Cousins will do nicely behind a guy like Dalambert and Landry PLUS he'll get served from Paul Westphal if he gets selfish for even a second. A.
6. Epke Udoh to the Warriors: And with the 6th picks... The Warriors select... Brandan Wright, I mean Anthony Randolph, I mean Epke Udoh. Seriously - either they have MAJOR cap issues that means they're bring someone in (because those 3 are all still on rookie contracts), or they're just silly.
I think it's the latter.
Monroe should have gone here - a passing big man that can hit shooters. Sorry Warriors, D-.
7. Greg Monroe to the Pistons: Joe D will be happy with this one. Monroe has the chance to be something special if nurtured properly. The similarities to Odom are there, but I see him becoming more of a post player than Odom and that can only be good if you've got a lot of wing players. A for the Pistons.
8. Al-Farouq Aminu to the Clippers: Like this move.
Raw as he is, Aminu will blossom, especially around guys like Blake Griffin and Baron Davis who are natural leaders. I expect him to be putting up Jeff Green esque numbers in 2 seasons which is a nice return for an 8th pick. A.
9. Gordon Hayward to the Jazz: This was a lean draft for the Jazz, with only 2 white people cracking the top 50 draft prospects. Lucky the Jazz only had one pick - and Hayward was the #1 ranked white person in the country... Easy!
But in all seriousness, Hayward is Kyle Korver on a rookie contract. B.
10. Paul George to the Pacers: Ed Davis? Patrick Patterson? Xavier Henry? Indiana drafted this kid for his upside and undeniable talent.
But they have a pretty handy SF themselves which makes me think that A) Granger is getting moved, B) They drafted this kid as leverage for future deals or C) they just drafted on talent alone.
They get a B, but I'm now even more interested as to what the Pacers will do this coming off-season with all those expiring contracts.
11. Cole Aldrich to the Hornets: An 'ok' pick, but petter when you do a deal that gets you lose Mo Pete, and get Quincy Pondexter, and Craig Brackins in return.
The Hornets are now under the luxury line, got two solid young rookies, and removed the now useless (thanks to Thornton) Peterson. A+... because of the deal.
12. Xavier Henry to the Grizzlies: They're going to lose Rudy Gay.
And rumor is OJ Mayo is now up for trade.
Don't like this one bit, and the drafting of Henry, a project with raw talent, makes me wonder what's going on up top at this organization. They have a real chance this off season to add some grunt to the team - Al Jefferson? - which could take them to the next level.
This pick is ok, but not a real help in any of the areas they need, front office or on court. C+
13. Ed Davis to the Raptors: Colangelo was taken off oxygen after this pick and will be returned home soon... Great pick for the Raps, but Davis is VERY raw, and coming off an injury that was quite serious.
He'll be ok because of his age, but people already lauding his as the "Bosh replacement" should check again... in 36 months. A...
14. Patrick Patterson to the Rockets: And Morey does it again - picking the guy that best fits his team and can help right away.
He won't be flashy, but this guy will have a long career, and could be Carl Landry version 2.0. A
15. Larry Sanders to the Bucks: An interesting choice with some "known" quantities still remaining.
That said, Sanders is high risk, high reward and this could be a very deft move if he does live up to the hype. As they'd already made several off-season moves suring up the roster, I'm giving this an A.
Simply because I think he's going to be a 10/12/3 guy in the future.
