cjX's predictions for the top 15 picks in the '10 draft ...

[cjx]

Part 1: The first eight picks

With the 1st pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets (predicted record: 22-60) select point guard John Wall.

Why? Wall's ability to change the complexion of a game substantially is critical to a team that wants to compete now--if Yao and McGrady are healthy simultaneously--and in the future.

With the 2nd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks (predicted record: 23-59) select power forward Derrick Favors.

Why? Jennings and Favors will be the new version of Payton and Kemp (hopefully).

With the 3rd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings (predicted record: 19-63) select power forward Greg Monroe.

Why? The Kings want to strengthen their front line by adding a player who can play either the 4 or the 5.

With the 4th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the New Jersey Nets (predicted record: 28-54) select power forward Craig Brackins.

Why? The Nets need scoring punch, and Brackins is a combo forward with the skill set to do just that.

With the 5th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves (selected record: 26-56) select shooting guard Evan Turner.

Why? The Timberwolves are looking for the new "Big Ticket" and Turner's potential to be a Brandon Roy-Grant Hill centerpiece can't be ignored.

With the 6th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies (predicted record: 28-54) select shooting guard Paul George.

Why? The triad of Mayo, Gay, and George--with Mayo at 1--would give Memphis the most athletic batch of perimeter players in the league, and if Memphis wants to play a more traditional lineup, then George can fill in capably for Gay at the 3 or Mayo at the 2.

With the 7th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers (predicted record: 32-50) select power forward Ed Davis.

Why? The Pacers need a defensive, shot-blocking presence, and Davis would, at minimum, provide such an asset.

With the 8th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder (predicted record: 32-50) select power forward DeMarcus Cousins.

Why? The Thunder need to add a true big man to their core of Durant, Westbrook, and Green, and DeMarcus fits the bill while being comfortable with hitting the perimeter shot.

[PeeDee]

It's not possible for the Wolves to have a worse record than the Nets and for the Nets to get the 4th pick and the Wolves get the 5th pick. Persnickity stuff aside, it was a fun read. Thanks.

[cjx]

It's not possible for the Wolves to have a worse record than the Nets and for the Nets to get the 4th pick and the Wolves get the 5th pick. Persnickity stuff aside, it was a fun read. Thanks.

Thanks for the compliment. As for the Wolves and Nets, they trade picks at the last minute on draft day. And now for part 2 of my draft predictions ...

With the 9th pick in the NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors (predicted record: 34-48) select center Cole Aldrich.

Why? The Raptors must concede that offensive finesse can only get them so far and, thus, add a rugged and consistent big man to their roster.

With the 10th pick in the NBA draft, the Miami Heat (predicted record: 36-46) select small forward Devin Ebanks.

Why? The Heat continue to build around Beasley and D-Wade by adding a wing with nuclear athleticism who plays good defense.

With the 11th pick in the NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors (predicted record: 36-46) select point guard Willie Warren.

Why? No one can unravel the Warriors' enigmatic master plan. Why add another combo guard when they already have Monta and Curry? What about the need for better defense and rebounding? Warren is talented, but the pick doesn't make sense. The Warriors' management, on the other hand, seem both thrilled and pleased with the selection.

With the 12th pick in the NBA draft, the New Orleans Hornets (predicted record: 35-47) select shooting guard Sylven Landesberg.

Why? The Hornets need to surround Chris Paul with talent and hope that Landesberg will be a weapon to join Chris Paul in the back court.

With the 13th pick in the NBA draft, the New York Knicks (predicted record: 31-51) select small forward Stanley Robinson.

Why? Like the Warriors, the Knicks have an enigmatic master plan, only theirs is more transparent. "Imagine how good we'll be with Sticks [Stanley Robinson] and 'Bron [LeBron James], dude," said Mike D'Antoni in an interview with Stuart Scott, "but just in case we, you know, can't sign 'Bron, dude, Sticks will be the man to carry the franchise, ya feel me?"

To be concluded ...

[cjx]

And my last two predictions ...

With the 14th pick in the NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats (predicted record: 37-45) select power forward John Henson.

Why? The Bobcats want versatility and a young star, and they gain both by drafting Henson who, at 6'10", can score from anywhere, handle the ball, and block shots.

With the 15th pick in the NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons (predicted record: 40-42) select shooting guard Lance Stephenson.

Why? The rebuilding process in Detroit is neither agonizing nor slow, as Stephenson completes a back court that already includes Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon. With Charlie V, Daye, and Prince in the front court, Detroit can contend for a playoff spot and continue to assemble a young core for the future.

[babyjax13]

The Jazz own New York's pick. I think Brackins is too high, but it looks OK to me.

[AQuintus]

And my last two predictions ...

With the 14th pick in the NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats (predicted record: 37-45) select power forward John Henson.

Why? The Bobcats want versatility and a young star, and they gain both by drafting Henson who, at 6'10", can score from anywhere, handle the ball, and block shots.

The Lawson to Denver trade gave Charlotte's 2010 pick to Minnesota as long as it's later than 12. In this case Minnesota would likely still take Henson with the 14th pick.

2010 first round draft pick to Minnesota
Charlotte’s own 2010 1st round pick to Minnesota via Denver (top 12 protected in 2010, top 10 protected in 2011, top 8 protected in 2012, top 3 protected in 2013, and unprotected in the 2014 NBA Draft). [Charlotte - Denver, 6/25/2008 and then Denver - Minnesota, 6/25/2009]

[cjx]

Thanks for the corrections and input ...

A review of my predicted top 15 2010 draft picks:

1) Houston - John Wall
2) Milwaukee - Derrick Favors
3) Sacramento - Greg Monroe
4) New Jersey - Craig Brackins
5) Minnesota - Evan Turner
6) Memphis - Paul George
7) Indiana - Ed Davis
8) Oklahoma - DeMarcus Cousins

9) Toronto - Cole Aldrich
10) Miami - Devin Ebanks
11) Golden State - Willie Warren
12) New Orleans - Sylven Landesberg
13) Utah (from N.Y.) - Stanley Robinson
14) Minnesota (from Charlotte) - John Henson
15) Detroit - Lance Stephenson

[KM44]

Why on God's green earth will Houston 22-60?!! Sure, Yao is out, but that's nothing new for that team. They still have Battier, Brooks, now Ariza, Scola and so on and so forth.

[Liqourish]

So Pistons select another shooting gaurd and still have no center?

So we're looking at....

R. Stuckey/?????/?????
R. Hamilton/B. Gordon/D. Washington/L. Stephenson
T. Prince/A. Daye/D. Summers
C. Villanueva/J. Maxiell/J. Jerebko
?????/?????/?????

makes ALOT of sense...

[Dr Positivity]

You think the Knicks are going to finish ahead of New Orleans, Toronto, and Miami? How's the weather in NY this time of year anyways?

[vincecarter4pres]

I don't see Brackins going so high. Fun read though.

[KM44]

So no one answered as to why Houston is going to go 22-60 and getting the 1st pick out of it... That doesn't really make sense. Also, it looks like you have the kings being the worst team in the league again, but if that's so, the 3rd pick is the least likely to go to the kings. It would go 4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd... I do think Monroe would be a good player for the kings to get.

[vincecarter4pres]

If McGrady doesn't come back until late and Houston doesn't make any improvements, I also think they will have a horrid record and wind up top 3 in the draft.

[BigSlam]

And my last two predictions ...

With the 14th pick in the NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats (predicted record: 37-45) select power forward John Henson.

Why? The Bobcats want versatility and a young star, and they gain both by drafting Henson who, at 6'10", can score from anywhere, handle the ball, and block shots.

The Lawson to Denver trade gave Charlotte's 2010 pick to Minnesota as long as it's later than 12. In this case Minnesota would likely still take Henson with the 14th pick.

2010 first round draft pick to Minnesota
Charlotte’s own 2010 1st round pick to Minnesota via Denver (top 12 protected in 2010, top 10 protected in 2011, top 8 protected in 2012, top 3 protected in 2013, and unprotected in the 2014 NBA Draft). [Charlotte - Denver, 6/25/2008 and then Denver - Minnesota, 6/25/2009]

Rod Higgins reported the pick is top 20 protected then lotto protected then declining protection after that.

[john2jer]

Rod Higgins is wrong.

[cjx]

If McGrady doesn't come back until late and Houston doesn't make any improvements, I also think they will have a horrid record and wind up top 3 in the draft.

I have a similar view, vincecarter4pres.

[Jimmy76]

People who think houston will do badly put too much into name power.

[london sonic]

Cant see OKC letting Cole Aldrick slip past them he would be the perfect addition to the current squad.

[cjx]

cjX's new (and potentially controversial) predictions for the 2010 draft ...

Part 1: Top 7 picks
1. With the first pick in the 2010 NBA draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select G/F Evan Turner.
Why? Because Turner will average 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game as a rookie and will be the closest thing we'll see to a Magic Johnson-Grant Hill hybrid.

2. With the second pick in the NBA draft, the Utah Jazz select PG John Wall.
Why? Because a "Rolls Royce" back court is one means of becoming a serious contender, and the Wall-D-Will duo will be the closest thing we'll see to a Walt Frazier-Earl Monroe back court.

3. With the third pick in the NBA draft, the New Jersey Nets select F Wesley Johnson.
Why? If Johnson can turn Syracuse into an Elite 8 team, he can also raise the Nets from the swamp of demoralizing mediocrity, right?

4. With the fourth pick in the NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors select G Terrico White.
Why? "[Derrick] Favors doesn't shoot enough 3s," said a member of Golden State's management, "and he weighs too much. On the other hand, Terrico is Wade 2.0."

5. With the fifth pick in the NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select G Xavier Henry.
Why? "Because no one on our team shoots 3s well enough," said a member of Philadelphia's management, "and we have Allen [Iverson] to mentor him on how to be the pillar of a franchise."

6. With the sixth pick in the NBA draft, the New Orleans Hornets select F Derrick Favors.
Why? "Because we're smarter than the folks running the Warriors and the Sixers," said a member of New Orleans' management.

7. With the seventh pick in the NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons select C Cole Aldrich.
Why? The Pistons need a dependable young center, and Aldrich will benefit from learning under Big Ben.

To be continued ...

[cjx]

Part 2: Picks 8-15

8. With the eighth pick in the NBA draft, the Indiana Pacers select F Patrick Patterson.
Why? The Pacers are lacking a tough and athletic power forward, and Patterson fills that need.

9. With the ninth pick in the NBA draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select F JaMychal Green.
Why? The Grizzlies add to their youthful core by adding a big man with great athleticism. I guess this means Zach Randolph will be traded again ...

10. With the tenth pick in the NBA draft, the Houston Rockets select F Al-Farouq Aminu.
Why? Houston will try one more time to go deep in the playoffs with T-Mac and Yao, and Aminu's versatility and athletic ability would add another significant piece to that puzzle.

11. With the eleventh pick in the NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings select G/F Scotty Hopson.
Why? Sacramento's perimeter personnel--namely, Evans, Kevin Martin, and Hopson--will be doing the majority of the scoring, and that's how Coach Westphal likes it.

12. With the twelfth pick in the NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors select G Willie Warren.
Why? Toronto wants to re-sign Chris Bosh, and surrounding him with a back court of DeRozan and Willie Warren may convince him to stay with the team.

13. With the thirteenth pick in the NBA draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select C Larry Sanders.
Why? Because they need a solid defensive presence in the middle, and Sanders can fill that role.

14. With the fourteenth pick in the NBA draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select F Craig Brackins.
Why? The Clippers are replenishing their front court, given that Camby will be 36 years old and can't be expected to grab 11 boards per game forever.

15. With the fifteenth pick in the NBA draft, the Washington Wizards select F Ed Davis.
Why? The Wizards need help defensively, and defense and shot-blocking are Davis' specialties.