Saturday, June 30, 2012

2012 NBA Draft- Grading the Lottery Selections

1- Anthony Davis, PF New Orleans Hornets
Grade: A
     Obviously a no brainer for the Hornets with this selection. Davis reminds me of Kevin Garnett and he will soon become the face of the Hornets franchise. 


2- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF Charlotte Bobcats
Grade: B+
     This was a good pick, but the Bobcats still have a long way to go. Unfortunately, I don't see Gilchrist becoming an elite player that will be able to elevate the Bobcats to a playoff team in the future. That being said, he will help.


3- Bradley Beal, SG Washington Wizards
Grade: A-
     I'm beginning to like the Wizards more and more as long as John Wall can be reigned in. Beal is a disciplined player who I like a lot who should have a good rookie season for the Wizards. He will be a building block for the team in the future. 


4- Dion Waiters, SG Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: C+
     I don't really like this pick at all. I understand that just because he didn't start at Syracuse doesn't mean he isn't a good player because he is. But to spend the fourth overall selection on Waiters is just like drafting Marvin Williams all over again. The Cavaliers didn't help themselves a whole lot with this pick.


5- Thomas Robinson, PF Sacramento Kings
Grade: A-
     Robinson is in a tremendous situation in Sacramento. With young guns like Tyreke Evans, DeMarcus Cousins and Isiah Thomas, the Kings are heading in the right direction. Robinson will work hard and be a good player for the Kings next year and in the near future. 


6- Damian Lillard, SG Portland Trailblazers
Grade: B-
     I'll be honest, I don't know a whole lot about Lillard, but he seems like he is pretty good. I don't necessarily think Lillard was the biggest need for the Blazers, but it adds to the depth.

7- Harrison Barnes, SF Golden State Warriors
Grade: A
     Fantastic pick by the Warriors. They now have a very formidable, playoff caliber team and Barnes I think will turn into an all star caliber player. 


8- Terrence Ross, SG Toronto Raptors
Grade: C
      With DeRozen at shooting guard, I don't really see the necessity of drafting Ross given the other needs they have.

9- Andre Drummond, C Detroit Pistons
Grade: B-
     Drummond will need time to develop, so I think it is a little bit of a risk for the Pistons to take a chance with Drummond. However, he may turn out to be very good in the future paired with Greg Monroe. 


10- Austin Rivers, SG New Orleans Hornets
Grade: A-
      Great pick by the Hornets. They now have an exciting team on paper that should be more explosive offensively and much tighter defensively. The Hornets may not contend for another year or two, but they are moving in the right direction.


11- Meyers Leonard, C Portland Trailblazers
Grade: C+
      A little bit too high of a selection for a guy that shouldn't be much more than a good role player.

12- Jeremy Lamb, SG Houston Rockets
Grade: A-
     The Rockets continue to get deeper and more formidable and Lamb will help the cause. Expect a playoffs or bust mindset from the Rockets this year.


13- Kendall Marshall, PG Phoenix Suns
Grade: B-
     He's Steve Nash's replacement, so you can get a sense that the Suns are in rebuilding mode. Marshall should pan out into a good player over time.


14- John Henson, PF Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: C
     Henson is not the answer down low for the Bucks if they want to take that next step.