Clippers targeting Augustin with 7th pick?

[ClipperDomination]

That does not mean his ball-handling is good! He's a clutch player because of his clutch shooting and confidence, not because of his ball-handling alone. To survive in the NBA, you only need to be good at one thing (take Ben Wallace, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, or even Maggs, because he still can't shoot or play much defense, for example).

The Clipps offense does not need a PG who penetrates much in the beginning of sets (but a penetrating PG would be nice), which is why Cassell thrived when he had good talent around him a couple years ago when we made that playoff run.

Westbrook is so talented in so many areas (defense, dribble penetration, IQ, strength, etc.) that he will become a good NBA player, and eventually be a quality starter for years to come.

Not that Augustin is a bad pick either, but I'd go with Westbrook by a small margin between those two.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Sure I'd pick Westbrook over DJ too.

[jgustav1]

Clippers mention in DJ Augustin interview at draftexpress.com:

Reporter: How did you know it was time to enter the draft?

D.J. Augustin: I just felt like I was ready mentally and physically. I had a great college experience, we won a lot of games and I think I developed into a pretty good point guard. I think I

[loflin3hree5ive]

I'm liking Augustin more and more. If Livingston can't show us anything at all by the draft, I'm in favor in of drafting DJ. If Livingston can play, he and Eric Gordon would be an amazing, young backcourt.

I'm not even sure Westbrook will be a lottery pick. Augustin is a top ten lock at this point IMO. If not, Indy is taking him with pick eleven.

[jgustav1]

^^ These guys don't see it that way -

http://www.nbadraft.net/

Things could change a lot after individual workouts, since they haven't even started yet.

[loflin3hree5ive]

They're entitled to their opinion, but IMO, nbadraft.net is garbage. Check draftexpress.com. It's a much better site with far more credibility.

[jgustav1]

I've seen draftexpress.com and it sucks in my opinion.

DJ Augustin would get torched by the big penetrating PGs out in the West like Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Baron Davis, etc. At least Westbrook has enough size to be able to compete against them. I'm not sure either is worth the seventh overall pick, but I would choose Westbrook over Augustin given the choice between the two.

[loflin3hree5ive]

Draftexpress.com released a new podcast discussing the top eight picks in the draft. Givony predicts that the Clippers would pull the trigger on one of the top 3 guards after Rose (Mayo/Bayless/Gordon).

He mentions the Clippers acknowledge that drafting Augustin #7 isn't getting us much value with our pick and that our likely choice will be Eric Gordon. Givony adds that if a team is offering a point guard who can step in right away, the Clippers might be inclined to trade the pick for a point veteran point guard. There was no talk of drafting Westbrook at all.

Anyway, give it a listen. The Clippers talk is close to the end of the podcast, so you might want to fast forward because the chat is pretty lengthy.

http://www.sigdomain.com/draftexpress_12.mp3

[lurkingobeiscity]

Player measurements courtesy of DX:

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?year=2008&sort2=ASC&draft=0&sort=

Quick note on Gordon:

Eric Gordon is 6-3

[lurkingobeiscity]

If Gordon is gone at #7 would you guys consider a trade down to #10 where you guys get Marcus Williams and the Nets second rounder?

[ClipperDomination]

^ I most definitely would, even if Gordon was still available.

[mkwest]

If Gordon were gone before 7 then that sounds like a good deal to me. It would still be tempting if Gordon were available simply for the fact that we could add look to improve a couple positions. Williams looked well against us earlier in the year. He's had to play behind Kidd & Harris so it would be beneficial for him to come to a team where he had the opportunity to play decent minutes, plus he'd be coming home.

[illastrate]

If Gordon is gone at #7 would you guys consider a trade down to #10 where you guys get Marcus Williams and the Nets second rounder?

How about our #7 and #35 for the Net's #10 and #21?

[loflin3hree5ive]

^ That's more like it.

[Patches Pal]

If Gordon is gone at #7 how about Earl Watson and #24 for #7.

[ClipperDomination]

^

[lurkingobeiscity]

How about our #7 and #35 for the Net's #10 and #21?

Perhaps. For me it would depend on what we could turn the two 2nd rounders and M. Williams into after that. IMO the Nets need a SG/SF that can give backup minutes from this draft.

[Clip34life]

Bill Walker, Pat Calathes...I'm sure there are others.

[lurkingobeiscity]

^Yeah, but IMO Walker goes in the first along with other guys like Rush, CDR(who I really want), and Lee.

That leaves Forbes, Calathes, Foster and Giddens, none of which I have much faith in (though I do like a couple).

[Sambonius]

Blazers offer Jack, the 13th pick, and one of their 2nd rounders for your pick.