http://www.nbadraft.net/2010-nba-draft-centersHit the link for the rest of the centers...but I thought this was a fair evaluation of Cosuins situation and teams he could be looking at....
2010 NBA Draft: Centers
By Adi Joseph
Thu, 06/17/2010 - 8:41pm
It took about five years for Kendrick Perkins to make his impact for the Boston Celtics.
The Texan was the typical prep-to-pro center, not at all ready physically or mentally for the rigors of the NBA when he entered the league at 18 years old. Slowly, he developed into one of the toughest players in the league, a physical force who nullifies the best post players in the league on a regular basis.
Perkins absense looms large over Boston for today's Game 7 of the NBA Finals. With him, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum could expect to be roughed up inside by Boston. Without him, the Celtics look a bit softer and a lot shorter.
You can't teach size. Perkins – and, for that matter, fellow prep-to-pro Bynum – was raw and inconsistent when he entered the league. He was immature. But he had the type of broad shoulders and tall frame necessary to anchor the middle of a championship defense.
DeMarcus CousinsIf you've got Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, your team can afford to start Luc Longley at center. If not, any hope of a title comes with a legit big man attached. He doesn't need to be a star, or even offense-capable. But be it Tim Duncan or Ben Wallace, Gasol or Perkins, in the NBA, size matters.
The 2010 NBA Draft is, as a recent feature noted, loaded with forwards. There's this absurdly talented point guard guy that's supposed to go pretty high in the draft, too. And there are quite a few skilled scorers on the wings.
The lacking position is the most important in basketball: the center. Just four centers appear to be lottery prospects, none likely for the top-three spots in the draft. After that wave, it's not clear another true center will be picked in the first round.
Making the situation even more unique, each of the top four center prospects has a clear set of strengths, weaknesses and concerns. As a result, DeMarcus Cousins, Cole Aldrich, Hassan Whiteside and Daniel Orton have volatile stocks.
While Cousins looks like a sure-fire top-10 pick, he could go as high as fourth or as low as ninth. Aldrich could slip into the top eight or fall to the low teens. As far as Whiteside and Orton – opinions on the two freshmen vary so much each has been reported as a possibility to Detroit at No. 7 but could slip all the way out of the top 20.
At the top of the draft, it's wise to pick the best player available. Still, each of these particular center prospects should be evaluated in part based on fit, alongside their readiness and potential.
DeMarcus Cousins, 6-foot-11, 292-pound Kentucky freshman
The biggest elite prospect in this class is probably also its most criticized. Despite his thick, sturdy frame and great knack for scoring and rebounding around the basket, Cousins has drawn the ire of those curious about his background and personality. It's tough to know what to say about the anger issues rumored about this kid since he was in high school. We don't know the facts, but it's understandable that red flags would be raised in the minds of teams about to commit millions of dollars and a high pick to a 19-year-old.
What we can evaluate is his performance on the court. Cousins can be a dominant force, but he can also be domineering. When Kentucky was operating at its free-wheeling best, Cousins often was relagated to secondary status in the offense. Ten years ago, the NBA was played at a much slower pace than it is now, and the hulking big man was in fashion. Today, teams built for speed will not want to wait up for a player like Cousins, despite his potential.
In addition, Cousins' defense was half-hearted at best. He proved a rebounding machine but played lackadaisically in post defense and fouled too often when going for shot blocks. These are common mistakes for a young center, but if teachability is a concern, they could be far-reaching.
As a result, a team that picks Cousins will need to be committed to him. He may not take kindly to playing a supporting role on a bad team, as is the fate of so many mid-lottery picks. At the same time, he needs a coach and a team that will push him.
Utah would be a great fit, should the Jazz give up on Carlos Boozer. Paul Millsap has played alongside top post scorers before, and Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan provide smore stability than any other lottery team can offer. Still, it's not likely Cousins will last that long – he's too talented. A situation such as Golden State could poison him, as the Warriors have a selfish reputation, instability throughout the organization and a fast style of play.
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This is my guess:
