2008 Draft Preview v3 - Feb 2

[Memphis Grizzlies]

1 LA Clippers (9-37) - Michael Beasley PF - 26/10. enough said.

2 Atlanta Hawks (9-31) - Derrick Rose PG - I don't think you could pass on him, look for Atlanta to trade either Rose or Mo Williams for a 2/3 if he takes Rose

3 Houston Rockets (11-33) - O.J. Mayo SG - doesnt have a player that averages 1bpg, so could take a center (Jordan or Lopez), but needs a franchise player, a scorer.

4 New York Knicks [from Boston (15-31)] - Jerryd Bayless PG - doesn't need a center, bayless is best available player

5 Miami Heat (16-29) - DeAndre Jordan C - center is the Heat's weakest position...

6 New York Knicks (17-29) - Anthony Randolph PF - Gordon didn't show up in the tourney... plus Raja Bell is balling.

7 Orlando Magic [from Chicago (16-27)] - Brook Lopez C - best available player, doesnt really need a specific position...

8 Utah Jazz [from Minnesota (18-24)] - Eric Gordon SG - Gibson is not a 'true' shooting guard, has everything else covered

9 Dallas Mavericks (20-26) - Roy Hibbert C - Hibbert would not go this high but the Mavs need a center badly...

10 San Antonio Spurs (18-23) - Blake Griffin PF - needs a PG, but Warrick is only averaging 5ppg as the starting 4

11 Sacramento Kings [from Washington (19-24)] - D.J. Augustin PG - best available player, not a good enough center left to go at #11

12 New York Knicks [from Portland (19-24)] - Darrell Arthur PF

13 Chicago Bulls [from Charlotte (19-23)] - Chase Budinger SG - doesn't have a 3-pointer shooter, Budinger will step in nicely

14 New Jersey Nets [from Sacramento (21-23)] - Kevin Love PF



BIGGEST MOVES:
SACRAMENTO (TO NEW JERSEY) FROM 9 to 14
DALLAS FROM 18 to 9


comments/suggestions appreciated. I think I'll do one more of these when the draft nears and we know whos declaring....

[Dallas Mavericks]

my team went down a LOT after all the good moves i made

[Detroit Pistons]

i would hate for nj to get love

i have a felling he is going to be real good
but i doubt he will leave after this year

he seems like a guy that would stay in college until at least his soph year

[Cleveland Cavaliers]

kevin is my love

[Utah Jazz]

Looking good as always Memphis. And Oden > Beasley. I don't think LAC has much choice but to take Beasley. Jordan most likely won't declare this year since he's got injury concerns right now. Me taking Gordon (if he's left) looks good right now.

Some other notes:
Randolph a little high. I'd say more 12-15ish.
Lopez will probably go higher. Top 3 player IMO.
Hibbert there is about right, maybe just a pick or 2 high.
I personally think Griffen won't enter the draft.
And Detroit, I'm pretty sure Love will declare.

[Oklahoma City Thunder]

Damn, I totally forgot the knicks had 3 top 12 picks. I think I prematurely got upset and called his team/situation garbage. Whoever the new owner is will have a ton to work with.

[Memphis Grizzlies]

i've seen randolph top 10 on some boards, lopez gordon and augustin are better then him, but new york doesnt really need those players.... he could always trade though.

this preview is tough to do because a lot of players end up getting snubbed depending on the teams needs....

new york also has denvers pick, which is prolly top 20

[Utah Jazz]

Yeah, but I think Lopez would be the better pick, he's pretty athletic, and should be able to play PF. I don't know if Randolph can really play PF in the NBA, he's more of a SF. It'll be much easier (or tougher) on you when the actual NBA draft is over and you know how declares and who doesn't.

[Memphis Grizzlies]

yeah if Lopez can play PF that'd be a way better pick no doubt...

updated with Dallas' move from 18 to 9. wow.

[Oklahoma City Thunder]

Yea doing these are very difficult because you dont know who is staying in school and who is leaving.

You do as good of a job that you can do, though

[Orlando Magic]

Yea i would prolly pick gordon if he fell that low btw...i mite have a very strong need for a guard this offseason

[hardballer1 - NYK]

i would take love over griffin

[Utah Jazz]

vette723 said:

Yea i would prolly pick gordon if he fell that low btw...i mite have a very strong need for a guard this offseason

No, you should trade down for Augustin. I need Gordon.

[Orlando Magic]

how about i trade away all my picks and jameer for deron...

[Houston Rockets]

toronto is right on the cusp of breaking that #14 spot....that would give me two picks in the top 14

[Utah Jazz]

vette723 said:

how about i trade away all my picks and jameer for deron...

Um, that's a no. I'll only trade Deron for Paul. ;D

[Cleveland Cavaliers]

I actually think love might stay in school for a few years. But i think if he wins a title this year (which i predict), than maybe he will go.

Also, Hasheem Thabeet of Connecticut is probably valued higher than Hibbert

[Utah Jazz]

dominatordom22 said:

I actually think love might stay in school for a few years. But i think if he wins a title this year (which i predict), than maybe he will go.

Also, Hasheem Thabeet of Connecticut is probably valued higher than Hibbert

Just wondering, why do you think that?

Yeah, I think Thabeet has more potential, just doesn't get as much love as Hibbert.

[Cleveland Cavaliers]

roy7 said:

dominatordom22 said:

I actually think love might stay in school for a few years. But i think if he wins a title this year (which i predict), than maybe he will go.

Also, Hasheem Thabeet of Connecticut is probably valued higher than Hibbert

Just wondering, why do you think that?

Yeah, I think Thabeet has more potential, just doesn't get as much love as Hibbert.

Its actually what i want to happen. I love college basketball, and i would love (no pun intended) to see kevin stay for another year. I hate the players who come for a year and then leave. I root for the teams with seniors and juniors on them. It's ridiculous that guys like OJ Mayo get that much attention that early. Its ridiculous that OJ Mayo can recruit USC, rather than USC recruting him. Personally, i don't even think Mayo is going to be that good of an nba player, but thats probably because me and probably most were expecting a Michael Jordan x3 with all the attention. That was my ramble for the day.

NBA lovers, do yourselves a favor, turn on cbs, and watch the passion and excitement that is college basketball. If you do it right now, you can see the face of what college basketball is supposed to be - Tyler Hansbrough.

[Los Angeles Clippers]

I don't think I have a choice other than Beasley right now either, unless I'd move Conley and Rondo...then i'd consider Rose...but Beasley looks like the obvious choice right now.