This Draft class is going to be bad

[ddb]

I don't think it's a big secret, but the more I look at this draft class the more I realize that I'm glad we're not in the lottery. Not 1 player outside of Blake Griffin intrigues me. And even Blake Griffin doesn't seem like the type of player who is going to carry a team to championships.

[jfs1000d]

I don't think it's a big secret, but the more I look at this draft class the more I realize that I'm glad we're not in the lottery. Not 1 player outside of Blake Griffin intrigues me. And even Blake Griffin doesn't seem like the type of player who is going to carry a team to championships.

I disagree here. Griffin looks like a monster at PF. Now, it's the Clippers, so all bets are off, but this guy has all the tools for the NBA.

As far as the rest of the class? I don't see any HOFs, but I think Tyreke Evans could be a stud as well as James Harden a prolific scorer. There are also going to be good players in the 20s.

The problem with this draft is Griffin is the only sure thing. It's full of rotation players mostly.

[Edug27]

Im not so high on Griffin. He was a rebounder and a dunker in college. Thats not enough to be successful in the league. Hes going to have to learn an array of offensive moves (face up, back to the basket) if he wants to succeed as a PF in the NBA. Plus he got to work on his shot. He said in an interview that he wasnt asked to do that in college so that will be his main priority in summer league. Lets hope it works out.

[Banks2Pierce]

Decent for role players. Lacking for stars.

[Celtics_Champs]

I think Harden can be a player, and I like the PG's, Rubio, Flynn, Jrue Holliday.

But yeah the draft is weak.

[ocker]

Yeah i fully reckon Rubio is going to be a star one day and go down as the second best international player ever behind hakeem.

[hickfromfrenchlick]

Yeah i fully reckon Rubio is going to be a star one day and go down as the second best international player ever behind hakeem.

Wow. That's a ridiculously bold statement.

This class blows. Everyone has warts.

Do people think that if Beasley and Rose were in this class, Griffin would go #1? I guess it depends on the team, but what would the general consensus be regarding those 3 players?

[Edug27]

Yeah i fully reckon Rubio is going to be a star one day and go down as the second best international player ever behind hakeem.

Wow. That's a ridiculously bold statement.

Bold indeed.

[DorfonCeltics]

I actually disagree with the OP. I think people are going to look back at this draft class as stronger than it's viewed now. Outside of Blake and Rubio I really like Evans, Curry, Harden and Jennings. There are quite a few others who I think can develop into NBA starters but who might take 3 or 4 years to develop.

[Gomes3PC]

My money is on James Harden becoming the best player in this class. The offense Sendek played him in held him back, and he still dominated. Griffin is also going to be a player. He can handle the ball very well for a man his size, and his face up game is strong. He needs to extend his jumper range, and he'll never be a difference maker on D because he doesn't have a huge wingspan, but he is going to come in and produce right away, which LAC needs desperately.

Both Thabeet and Rubio could turn into All Stars or completely flame out. I don't like those odds in the top 5- I want a guy I know at least will be a solid starter and at best be a potential All-NBA player.

[MyInsatiableOne]

This is gonna rival 2000 as one of the worst draft classes ever...

[ddb]

Griffin<Duncan, Griffin > Kenyon Martin. He'll be somewhere in between. The Karl Malone comparison is pretty steap. And it doesn't help that he's going to play for the Clippers.

Guys I like in this draft:

Jrue Holiday- I think in a few years this kid has the chance to be playing at an all-star level. Good size, good handle, he can shoot, and he's lanky which could translate well on the defensive side of the ball.

Ty Lawson- Tough as nails. In the right situation will be a very solid player.

Tyreke Evans- I see Sam Presti drafting Tyreke # 3 if he doesn't trade the pick. Kids gonna be good.

Ricky Rubio- He doesn't play D, but he'll entertain and be fun to watch.

Guys I'm down on :

Curry is going to be a role player. A sharpshooter. He'll be fine, but he's not worth a top 5 pick.

Thabeet- Great tools, but very raw. Struggled against some quality college bigs. He'll foul a lot in the pros. Will take him a few years.

Harden- Reminds me of a combo between Nick Van Exel and Jalen Rose. Everytime I watched him this year he didn't impress me.

[campybatman]

I like this quote, you don't presume a draft will be weak.

There’s a misconception that there will be a consistent flow of talent from year-to-year in these drafts.

The consensus is that this is the most positive point about the draft this year.

The two positions hardest to fill are center and point guard. If there’s a saving grace in this draft, it’s the abundance of point guards.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... nba_draft/

[Banks2Pierce]

I am also down on Harden. People think there is star potential there, but I just don't see it.

Holiday reminds me of Pruitt...no clue why he's projected in the lottery.

I think the Louisville guys will be nice role players. Like Earl Clark a lot.

No clue about Rubio. International talent is so hard to project out.

Derrick Brown will be a nice pickup late in the draft.

Still high on Sam Young. You should see his upfake. It's crazy how close to leaving his feet he gets.

Flynn can come in and run a team now.

Mullens and Hill look like busts to me.

Christmas is great to watch when he gets hot. His shooting will be enough to keep him in the L.

Like Lawson, Hansbrough, and Green. Ellington's d is just not good. Again, though, role players.

Love Lester Hudson. Hope he's available at 58. His offensive game and quick hands are for real.

[Banks2Pierce]

Forgot my favorite: Tyreke Evans.

I bet Tyreke is the first all star out of this draft.

[Zerostatic]

When you go back and look at the best and worst drafts it doesn't come down to 30 players or even 20. You only need a handful of guys to live up to their potential for the draft class to be considered. I mean the 2003 draft is considered one of the better drafts in recent memories but if you go back and look at it only about 10 of the guys are quality NBA players right now. At the time of the draft Lebron and Melo were basically the one two players that were pretty sure bets to be special. Nobody thought Wade was going to be this good, I still remember people saying he could turn into a very good 6th man. Many people were skeptical of Bosh. Josh Howard was the last pick in the 1st round and honestly was not that much better if at all a prospect then the wings being projected to go late 1st round/early 2nd round in this draft (i.e. Wayne Ellington, Chase Budinger, Marcus Thornton). Mo Williams got drafted in the mid 2nd round of the 2003 draft and nobody thought he'd be the player he is today.

Basically my point is nobody, not even the best talent scout in the world can say with any reasonable certainty if this draft will be a good draft or a bad draft. Hell, they say the same sh*t every year and they are wrong almost every single year. They always say that that whoever the top tier player or players (it's usually 2 but sometimes it's 1 player like this year or sometimes there are 3 of them) are going to be stars and then they more or less say the rest of the guys will be solid NBA players. In reality, most of the players end up being bums and a couple that nobody could have predicted turn into good or great players. I mean Josh Howard was supposed to be a safe pick who only had a chance at being a back-up and Darko was supposed to have the skills and tools to be the next great euro.

[threrf23]

Basically my point is nobody, not even the best talent scout in the world can say with any reasonable certainty if this draft will be a good draft or a bad draft. Hell, they say the same sh*t every year and they are wrong almost every single year.

I agree.

[Edug27]

You got to take it for what it is. When people say good or bad draft, its all a prediction. They look at the talent, and determine how many players are definite NBA starters and contributors. A good draft has players that have proven they can be, whether through collegiate play or overseas, a bad draft has players that, while in college, havent. If you were a role player/average player in college, most likely you'll be a role player in the NBA. Fair assessment? Sure theyre "suprises", but thats in every situation. Before every season, theres favorites to win it all, and then theres those who you know will be lottery pickers, and theres those that suprise you.

[ddb]

I also think A LOT of it comes down to situations. Rondo isn't Rondo without the situation with KG, Pierce, and Ray Allen. If a player comes in to the league in a bad situation then it's going to be difficult for him to grow into his potential.

Kobe Bryant in Charlotte isn't as good as Kobe Bryant with Shaq and the Lakers. etc etc. you catch my drift.

[SonicYouth34]

Im not so high on Griffin. He was a rebounder and a dunker in college. Thats not enough to be successful in the league. .

Dwight Howard?