The NBA Draft has come and gone and now it's time to dish out my grades. I thought there would be a lot more veteran player movement during the draft, but we saw the usual draft pick for draft pick trades, and the oh so famous draft pick for cash consideration trades. I'm sure some team will look forward to cashing in on that protected second round pick in the 2015 draft. Also, for the record, I went 9 out of 30 on the mocketity mock. Not bad for the craziness the NBA Draft always presents to us.
First grade I would to hand out is an A for ESPN, who actually picked a decent song this year (Adele, Rolling in the Deep) to come in and out of commercials from and to be the theme of the draft. Last year, it was some god awful Michael Buble song and about after the 6th pick, I was about ready to throw the remote through the TV and hit Stu Scott in his lazy eye. And I know Adele, Rolling in the Deep, is getting old and played out, but I really like that song and didn't get tired of it one bite. WE COULD HAVE HAD IT AAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!! Now the grades.
Atlanta Hawks - C+
Round 1: None
Round 2: Keith Benson, C Oakland (48th pick)
Analysis: The Hawks didn't have a first round pick and in a draft this weak, there is very little you can do. The Hawks did what they could and drafted for need. They need a center in the worst way so that they can move Al Horford to his natural position of PF and move Josh Smith to SF. Keith Benson was the talk of the NCAA Tournament as a player to watch from a small school and could develop into a decent C if he can bulk up and learn to play inside the paint.
Boston Celtics - B+
Round 1: JaJuan Johnson, PF Purdue (27th pick via trade)
Round 2: E'Twaun Moore, SG Purdue (55th pick)
Analysis: Well, KG and Ray Allen aren't getting any younger, so why not start groom their replacements. And why not grab a couple of guys off of a team that was ranked #1 in the country in college basketball at one point during this last season and was also thought to be a National Championship caliber team. JaJuan Johnson is a good, long athletic PF like KG and E'Twaun Moore is a gritty SG like Ray Allen. This is a good start to the soon to be rebuilding process for the Boston Celtics.
Charlotte Bobcats - B-
Round 1: Bismack Biyombo, PF Congo (7th pick via trade)
Kemba Walker, PG UCONN (9th pick)
Round 2: None
Analysis: I'm not in love with this draft as everyone else is only because of the Michael Jordan factor. MJ, while being the greatest basketball player to ever live, is maybe the worst General Manager is all time (Kwane Brown, Adam Morrison; enough said). The Bobcats were participants in a three-team trade that netted them Corey Maggette from the Milwaukee Bucks and the 7th pick in the draft. Corey Maggette is unimpressive as a player now and days who also comes with a high salary. Bismack Biyombo, who they got with the 7th pick, apparently has a high motor which makes him effective on the glass and defense, but can he score? I do like the Kemba pick, as you can't teach being a winner.
Chicago Bulls - B-
Round 1: Nikola Mirotic, SF Serbia (23rd pick via trade)
Jimmy Butler, SF Marquette (30th pick)
Round 2: None
Analysis: I felt the Bulls really could have improved their team through this draft. Even though they finished first in the east, I still feel that they need more depth to become a better basketball team. A backup PG and SG should have been at the top of their wish list, but they opted for two SFs who are 6'10" and 6'8". Hopefully Butler develops into a big SG. Butler's personal story is an amazing one as he was referred to as the Michael Oher of the draft, so I wouldn't bet against his determination. Mirotic is a Euro who we probably won't see for a while.
Cleveland Cavaliers - A
Round 1: Kyrie Irving, PG Duke (1st pick)
Tristan Thompson, PF Texas (4th pick)
Round 2: Milan Macvan, PF Serbia (54th pick)
Analysis: I really like this draft. The Cavs got two players who can come in and have an immediate impact. Maybe I'm overrating this and I'm just glad that the Cavs didn't pick Jonas Valanciunas, who can't come over until at least a year or two, and do themselves and the Cavs fans a major disservice. While Derrick Williams may be more pro ready than Kyrie Irving, a PG of Irving's caliber are hard to find. Irving is the most talented and has the most potential of any player in this draft. I also feel that Tristan Thompson will be an underrated player and once he learns to score, he will be an effective PF.
Dallas Mavericks - B+
Round 1: None (via trade)
Round 2: None
Analysis: The Mavs didn't need much improving and are actually pretty well equip with young talent. The Mavs traded their first round pick to Portland as part of a three-team trade for shooting guard Rudy Fernandez; and the rich get richer. Fernandez is better than any player the Mavs would have drafted with the 26th and will have an immediate impact as a bench role player.
Denver Nuggets - B-
Round 1: Kenneth Faried, PF Morehead State (22nd pick)
Jordan Hamilton, SF Texas (26th pick via trade)
Round 2: Chukwudiebere Maduabum, PF Nigeria (56th pick via trade)
Analysis: They almost received an A grade from me just for trading for a guy named Chukwudiebere Maduadum. What a name!! I really hope this guy develops into a contributing player and the announcers actually have to say his name multiple times with such excitement. In all serious now, I love the Kenneth Faried pick. High motor, high energy, no nonsense, just wants to play. Every player needs to have this guys mentality. Getting Jordan Hamilton from the Mavs as part of a three-team trade was curious, as he will be stuck behind Danilo Galliari and Wilson Chandler at the SF position.
Detroit Pistons - A
Round 1: Brandon Knight, PG Kentucky (8th pick)
Round 2: Kyle Singler, SF Duke (33rd pick)
Vernon Macklin, PF Florida (52th pick)
Analysis: I actually really like this pick. I'm not sure about Brandon Knight as a player, but I love the philosophy behind the pick. It's a NFL Draft philosophy; draft the best player available and figure out the rest later. While the experts thought they needed a big man, in my opinion, Detroit needed a PG in the worst way. It so happened that they got one who could develop into a better PG than Kyrie Irving, who was taken at #1. Drafting Brando Knight allows the Pistons to move Rodney Stuckey to SG, his natural position. I also like the Singler pick in the second round. He's a gritty SF who can shoot the ball and stretch the floor coming off the bench.
Golden State Warriors - B
Round 1: Klay Thompson, SG Washington State (11th pick)
Round 2: Jeremy Tyler, PF Japan (39th pick via trade)
Charles Jenkins, PG Hofstra (44th pick)
Analysis: Warriors fans can start saying goodbye to Monta Ellis (although is they really want to get value, Steph Curry). Klay Thompson was the player they had targeted all along. He is a big SG who can shoot the lights out, which fits right into the style of offense that the Warriors run (or at least we think they will run under new coach Hand Down, Man Down). However, with Kawhi Leonard still available, I'm not sure if the Warriors will end up regretting not picking him. They could really use what he brings on the boards and on defense. The Warriors also got good value in the 2nd round with trading for Jeremy Tyler and drafting Charles Jenkins.
Houston Rockets - B-
Round 1: Marcus Morris, PF Kansas (14th pick)
Donatas Motiejunas, PF Lithuania (20th pick via trade)
Round 2: Chandler Parsons, SF Florida (38th pick)
Analysis: Sooner or later, the Rockets will need to stop running out onto the court undersized PF and C's. Marcus Morris is a talented player who can step out and shoot the ball from the outside, but he is hellbent on playing SF, and that may be a problem for both parties. The Rockets drafted him for hi size and rebounding, and all he may want to do is take outside elbow jumpers. Motiejunas is a 7'0" PF who will probably not come over right away, but I'm sure they are hoping that he can develop into a 7 foot PF, much like another one who happens to play for a team located in the same state.
Indiana Pacers - C+
Round 1: None (via trade)
Round 2: None (via trade)
Analysis: The Pacers decided to trade out of the draft, which wasn't the worst idea; but they traded a very good player they originally drafted in Kawhi Leonard, for a player in George Hill from the Spurs, who I'm not sure fills a need for them. The Pacers already have Darren Collinson running the point and I haven't seen enough of Hill to know whether or not he can play SG in the NBA. Another thing, the San Antonio Spurs are the New England Patriots of the NBA. If they want a player and are willing to give up a player of the caliber of George Hill to get him, it makes you wonder how good of a player Kawhi Leonard may end up becoming, and how good of a trade this really is for the Pacers.
Los Angeles Clippers - D
Round 1: None
Round 2: Trey Thompkins, PF Georgia (37th pick)
Travis Leslie, SG Georgia (47th pick)
Analysis: Just because you take the same draft strategy as the Boston Celtics (drafting two teammates) doesn't mean you will have the same success as the Boston Celtics. Thompkins and Leslie aren't as good as the duo of JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, and also didn't play on a good of a team as them as well. Plus, the Clippers also get a low grade from me because they gave up what would become the 1st overall pick in a trade for Mo Williams. MO WILLIAMS!!! I'll go ahead and put good money on the potential that Kyrie Irving becomes a better overall NBA player than Mo Williams. Have fun living with this trade, Clipper fans.
Los Angeles Lakers - C
Round 1: None
Round 2: Darius Morris, PG Michigan (41st pick)
Andrew Goudelock, SG College of Charleston (46th pick)
Ater Majok, PF The Unknown (58th pick)
Analysis: Well, at least we can say the Lakers drafted three players who play position of need for them. Whether they were the best available players remains to be seen. Morris is a player who thinks he is better than he really is and probably should have stayed in school another year. He is a good passer, but can't shoot the ball worth a lick. Goudelock is a player who can supposely shoot the ball with deep range. If he proves he can, that may actually be a good pickup for the Lake Show. And really, Ater Majok?? Where do teams find players like him??
Memphis Grizzlies - B
Round 1: None
Round 2: Josh Selby, PG Kansas (49th pick)
Analysis: This is another case of an agent getting into the ear of a young, naive college basketball player and telling him that he will get drafted higher than he really will, provided him with false hopes, and then when draft night comes, harsh reality sets in. Now I've seen Selby play live, in person, and while he is talented, he should have stayed in school. He would have been a late lottery pick in next year's draft if he would have stayed in school. But if he develops into that player the agent keeps telling him he is, then this is steal of a pick.
Miami Heat - B+
Round 1: Norris Cole, PG Cleveland State (28th pick via trade)
Round 2: None
Analysis: This is a really nice pick for the Heatles. Norris Cole is very talented and if he would have went to a major college basketball program, he probably would have been drafted a lot higher. Cole will come in and start at PG for the Heat on day one, and that isn't a bad gig to have coming right out of college. I was an intern working at the State Capitol for a stippin. He gets to play along side LBJ and D-Wade. He should thrive playing along side LBJ, D-Wade, and the Ostrich. The rich get richer here.
Milwaukee Bucks - B-
Round 1: Tobias Harris, PF Tennessee (19th pick via trade)
Round 2: Jon Leuer, PF Wisconsin (40th pick)
Analysis: Milwaukee was part of the big three-team trade that netted them Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston, Beno Udrih, and swapping their 10th pick for the 19th pick. I'm not totally seeing how this trade improves the Bucks all that much. First, do you really think Stephen Jackson is going to play basketball in Milwaukee? He'll have to asset the quality of the gentlemen's clubs in the area first before he decided whether or not to show his face in Milwaukee. He's a head case that will cause turmoil in the locker room. However, they did draft for need by getting two solid PF's in Harris and Leuer. Harris is a polished PF and is a much better player than advertised.
Minnesota Timberwolves - A-
Round 1: Derrick Williams, PF Arizona (2nd pick)
Round 2: Malcolm Lee, PG UCLA (43rd pick via trade)
Targuy Ngomba, SF The Unknown (57th pick via trade)
Analysis: As much as I was anticipated the Timberwolves screwing up their draft and as much as I was ready to rip their GM David Kahn, I have to say that their draft was actually really good. Derrick Williams may end up being a better pro player than Kyrie Irving, and he will definitely have more of an immediate impact. But how fun would it have been if the Cavs took Derrick Williams with the 1st pick and forces the Timberwolves to have to decided between drafting Kyrie Irving or Enes Kanter? That seen in the war room would have been classic. I also really like their 2nd round pick of Malcolm Lee. Yes he is another PG, but he is one that can actually play. UCLA players are always better in the pros than in college.
New Jersey Nets - B
Round 1: MarShon Brooks, SG Providence (25th pick via trade)
Round 2: Bojan Bogdanovic, SF Bosnia (31st pick via trade)
Jordan Williams, C Maryland (36th pick)
Analysis: The Nets had a solid draft. Nothing special, just solid. Brooks is a combo guard who is a slasher but needs to improve his jump shot. There is definitely a place for him in the rotation, with Anthony Morrow as the starting SG and no real capable backup playing behind him. The Nets also needed to beef up their front line and Jordan Williams will definitely do that. The bigger issue for them is will their billionaire Russian owner be able to spend his money on free agents.
New Orleans Hornets - D
Round 1: None
Round 2: None
Analysis: The Hornets traded their 1st round pick in the draft during the season to Portland for Jerryd Bayless. They then spun Jerryd Bayless to the Toronto Raptors for Jarrett Jack. So in essence, they traded the 19th pick in this draft for Jarrett Jack. WOW!!! As much as the Hornets may want to think that Jarrett Jack (who is close friends with Chris Paul) will become the voice of reasoning and talk Chris Paul into staying in New Orleans, it's not going to happen. Their were much better players available at the 19th pick than what Jarrett Jack will ever be in the NBA.
New York Knicks - C
Round 1: Iman Shumpert, PG Georgia Tech (17th pick)
Round 2: Josh Harrellson, C Kentucky (45th pick via pick)
Analysis: There are two things that are guaranteed to happen during the NBA Draft every year. David Stern will butcher the foreign names, and the NY Knicks' fans will boo the hell out of their draft pick because its never the guy they want. This year was no different. Iman Shumpert is a big PG, but were is he going to play. He is already behind Chauncey Billups and Toney Douglas on the depth chart; and come two years for now, Chris Paul. They needed a big man in the worst way and Tobias Harris or Kenneth Faried would have been better picks.
Oklahoma City Thunder - B-
Round 1: Reggie Jackson, PG Boston College (24th pick)
Round 2: None
Analysis: This was a promise pick by the Thunder. Jackson didn't work out for any other team and refused to release any medical information to them. Apparently, the Thunder and the Heat both made promises to him, and that was good enough for him. He is a talented PG who can shoot the ball and is athletic. He will be a backup PG to Russell Westbrook, another long and athletic PG. But really, how can you grade a promise pick for a playoff team? It's like taking a multiple choice test when you know who are already going to receive a B grade no matter how good or bad you do on the test, so you just show up and fill in all the C bubbles.
Orlando Magic - B
Round 1: None
Round 2: Justin Harper, PF Richmond (32nd pick via trade)
DeAndre Liggins, SG Kentucky (53rd pick)
Analysis: The Magic have much, much, MUCH bigger things to worry about (the upcoming free agency of Dwight Howard) than the NBA Draft. But whenever you can get first round talent in the second round, it always bumps up your grade in my book. Harper is a solid shooting big man who is in the same mold as another PF on the Magic's roster, Ryan Anderson. DeAndre Liggins is a long SG who should also stick with the team, as Jason Richardson is likely going to be released.
Philadelphia 76ers - C-
Round 1: Nikola Vucevic, C USC (16th pick)
Round 2: LaVoy Allen, PF Temple (50th pick)
Analysis: I'm not sure what the 76ers were doing here. They just traded for Spencer Hawes last season and still have Marreese Speights, who is young and still developing. If they are truly trying to trade Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, than drafting either Chris Singleton or Tobias Harris makes much more sense here, especially Singleton. Singleton fall right into their laps from the late lottery and they passed on him, which is the main reason for their low graded.
Phoenix Suns - B
Round 1: Markieff Morris, PF Kansas (13th pick)
Round 2: None
Analysis: Good pick here for the Suns after missing out of the PGs, namely Jimmermania. While Channing Frye may be their starting PF, Morris brings a different element to the position that Frye doesn't, being a banger. Frye is much more comfortable taking jump shots from the outside, while Morris lives in the paint. Morris is a solid rebounder who can on occasion step out and hit a jump shot. You may see a lot of lineups featuring both Frye and Morris.
Portland Trail Blazers - B-
Round 1: Nolan Smith, SG Duke (21st pick)
Round 2: Jon Diebler, SG Ohio State (51st pick)
Analysis: Like Golden State, does the drafting of two SG's spell the end for Brandon Roy in Portland? The pick of Nolan Smith was curious, as I thought for sure they would draft Kenneth Faried (drafted one pick later) to help sure up their frontline and rebounding. I know they traded Rudy Fernandez to the Mavs and Andre Miller to the Nuggets in that three-team trade that netted them back Raymond Felton, but they still have Wesley Matthews at shooting guard, who is still a quality player, and Elloit Williams who they spend another first round pick on. Nolan is pure scorer as a combo guard and Diebler has a near .50 percent shooting percentage from 3 point range.
Sacramento Kings - A
Round 1: Jimmer Fredette, PG BYU (10th pick via trade)
Round 2: Tyler Honeycutt, SF UCLA (35th pick)
Isiah Thomas, PG Washington (60th pick)
Analysis: JIMMERMANIA BABY!!!!!! Ok, three-team trade aside that brought back John Salmons from the Bucks and the swapping of picks from the Bobcats, the Kings had a great draft. Call me a homer, but I believe in Jimmer Fredette and believe he will be a quality NBA player. I have a fever, and the only prescription, is more Jimmer!!! I also really like the addition of Tyler Honeycutt. He is an extremely talented player with a high basketball IQ and has the UCLA factor working for him. I also like the Isiah Thomas pick. After watching him live every year kill the Cal Bears, the guy is nothing but clutch and heart.
San Antonio Spurs - B+
Round 1: Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State (15th pick via trade)
Cory Joseph, PG Texas (29th pick)
Round 2: Davis Bertans, SF Latvia (42nd pick via trade)
Adam Hanga, SG Hungary (59th pick)
Analysis: As I referred to them early, the San Antonio Spurs are the New England Patriots of the NBA Draft. They always fine good players when you less expect it, and they also aren't afraid to get a player they covet. The Spurs had a gaping hole at SF, targeted a player who fits their mold, and weren't afraid to trade a player they were high on to get him. Kawhi Leonard is a high motor, high energy player who plays with all heart. He will come right in and bang the glass along with Tim Duncan. Not sure about Cory Josephs, but like the Patriots, the Spurs aren't afraid of taking players out of slot. Bertans is a Euro who can really shoot the ball as well.
Toronto Raptors - D+
Round 1: Jonas Valanciunas, C Lithuania (5th pick)
Round 2: None
Analysis: Any surprise here that the Raptors drafted a Euro? The Raptors also committed my biggest pet peeve for the NBA Draft: drafting a Euro you isn't going to come play for your team immediately and has to stay in Europe because of buy-out issues. WHY, WHY, WHY!!! Valanciunas may be young (19 years old) and may end up being the best player of this draft, but the Raptors need someone who can help them immediately. With Jan Vesely and Brandon Knight still on the board and players who I think fill much bigger needs for them (Vesely plays SF and Knight PG), passing on them for Valanciunas is doing a major disservice to their fans.
Utah Jazz - A-
Round 1: Enes Kanter, C Turkey (3rd pick)
Alec Burks, SG Colorado (12th pick)
Round 2: None
Analysis: Hearts are broken, as the Jazz failed to get Jimmermania. OH WELL!!! They did have a nice however. I would have given the Jazz a solid A grade if they would have drafted Chris Singleton instead of Alec Burks with the 12th pick, as Singleton is a player who I feel fills a much bigger need for them at SF and was the best defender in the draft, but Burks is a good pick for them as Raja Bell is their starting SG and Burks should see minutes early. I also like them drafting Kanter over Brandon Knight, as it allows them to move Al Jefferson to the PF position, his natural position. The question is, with Kanter, Okur, Jefferson, Millsap, and Favors all on the team, is their a move in their near future?
Washington Wizards - A
Round 1: Jan Vesely, SF Czech Republic (6th pick)
Chris Singleton, SF Florida State (18th pick)
Round 2: Shelvin Mack, SG Butler (34th pick)
Analysis: The Wizards probably had the best draft of the night. Vesely is a high flying Euro who fills a much needed position for the Wizards at SF. And who doesn't like a player who calls out Blake Griffin, challenges him to next year's Slam Dunk Contest, and then refers to him and the American Jan Vesely. Plus, did anyone else see his girlfriend? Winner in my book. And as you can tell throughout this post, I'm very high on Singleton as a player and feel he should have went higher than the 18th pick, so I think the Wizards got a steal here. Shelvin Mack proved in this years NCAA Tournament that he is, in my best Gus Johnson voice, "COLD BLOODED!!!!!"
Mr. Armchair Speaking.
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