Draft Prospect Preview

All of the draft coverage focuses on the exact location of all of the college and Euro stars in what experts like to call “Mock Drafts.” Being that I have yet to talk to any NBA GM’s recently, I feel that I should stick to something that I might be able to predict with some accuracy…future NBA success of the draft prospects. So using NBADraft.net’s mock draft, prior knowledge, and an old magic 8 ball in my closet, I have looked at the players and predicted their serviceability in the NBA.

Derrick Rose: The slam dunk first pick of the draft. Young, fearless, and capable of hopping into a starting PG position in the league. The CP3 and D-Williams comparisons have been flying recently but I don’t believe that his jumper is anywhere near Deron, and his vision is lacking when compared to Paul. He is a better athlete and defender than the 2 young all-stars.

Future in the NBA: Serviceable veteran who is always on the cusp of making an All-Star game.

Michael Beasley: Undersized for an NBA Power Forward but can score with the best. Has NBA 3 point range and the handles of your average shooting guard. Like Durant, I expect his rebounding numbers to drop in the League. Doesn’t have the mindset of a future star.

Future in the NBA: 6th or 7th man, at best

Brook Lopez: This Stanford twin had a rough showing at the Orlando Pre-Draft Camp but I would have to say that would be because a majority of the time is spent measuring athleticism. And let’s be perfectly honest, mad quicks and hops weren’t Brook’s calling card on the court. He is a great low post scorer that uses superior footwork and touch to operate around the basket.

Future in the NBA: Serviceable Veteran (Almost like a Joe Smith type, comes off the bench to give a team 17 solid minutes)

Jerryd Bayless: This is the man that I would put my stock in for this year’s draft. His athleticism screams Monta Ellis, and his versatility of being a point guard or undersized shooting guard has me drooling. He has developed and will continue to develop the art of the mid-range jump shot and his desire to succeed rank right up there with O.J. Mayo and, dare I say it, Kobe Bryant.

Future in the NBA: Future All-Star

Anthony Randolph: Ah, every draft is loaded with super athletic big men who never work out in the NBA. This draft preview has 4. And every year, these types of players get so much on air play but nobody cared to check if they actually know how to play basketball. They don’t. This is the sport of basketball we are drafting for! If one of them starts in an NBA game, I will stop listening to Yo Gotti.

Future in the NBA: Future NBADLeaguer

O.J. Mayo: Reincarnation of Dwayne Wade with a more consistent 3-Pt. jump shot. I got the feeling that he was just toying around in college and is waiting for the big show. Kind of like how Boobie was at Texas only at a much higher talent level. Can break down anyone off the dribble and his pull-up jump shot is Jordanesque.

Future in the NBA: Future All-Star

Kevin Love: I’ve never seen a player like him and I do not know how this will translate to the NBA game. Shoots so well for a big man but he needs to be somewhat open and can't create with his back to the basket in the League. I hope for the best with Kevin but my heart is telling me he just won’t work out in the league.

Future in the NBA: 5 years of injury plagued seasons. The big man Jamaal Tinsley.

Eric Gordon: This is my monumental upset special pick of this year’s draft. All signs point to him being a serviceable NBA veteran but I am going to go out on a limb and say his incredibly small stature at the SG will finish his career off before it even begins. I very well could be dead wrong.

Future in the NBA: Future NBADLeaguer

Darrell Arthur: See Anthony Randolph

Future in the NBA: Future NBADLeaguer

Danilo Gallinari: I have been watching a ton of YouTube videos of this guy and he looks like a great athlete vs. European Players. I don’t know if that will translate to the NBA as all of the players in this league are just as or more athletic than Danilo. Jumpshot looks quirky.

Future in the NBA: Future Euro-Bust

DeAndre Jordan: See Darrell Arthur

Future in the NBA: Future NBADLeaguer

Russell Westbrook: Incredible athlete who developed court vision throughout the season. Always showing progress in his career topped off by being the best player on a star-studded UCLA team in their loss to Memphis in the Final Four.

Future in the NBA: Future NBA starter as an undersized 2 guard, NOT a point guard, despite what experts might say.

Joe Alexander: Each year, the draft seems to give us one freak athlete at the SF position to choose from. Look no farther than Alexander in 2008. His elevation on jump shots is second to none and he boasts a vertical of over 40 inches. He tends to quietly score, almost like Antoine Jamison. But at the end of the game you look at the box score and Joe dropped 25 points to go along with 8 boards 3 blocks and 2 steals. A stat sheet stuffer who does everything well, and nothing great.

Future in the NBA: Serviceable veteran off of the bench

Javale McGee: See Deandre Jordan

Future in the NBA: Future NBADLeaguer

Marreese Speights: See Javale McGee

Future in the NBA: Future NBADLeaguer

Chase Budinger: God I love this kid. He is equipped with every tool in the shed except for one that could bite him in the NBA. Motivation. It almost seemed like he would sleepwalk through half of his college games. He has the talent to drop 30-40 on a given night, but just doesn’t seem to care. Makes me so sad.

Future in the NBA: Future Casey Jacobson

Ty Lawson: I do not think he has hired an agent yet so I would strongly advise this one to return to college for another year. He had too many injuries this past year and didn’t handle the high quality of Carolina talent as well as expected.

Future in the NBA: 3 years riding benches and OUT.

Robin Lopez: Plays a different style of ball then his brother, with more focus on hustle and rebounding. There is always a shortage of that in the NBA, and if he can stay healthy, he will fit nicely on an already good NBA team.

Future in the NBA: Along with brother, duplicates the careers of Jason and Jerron Collins.

Mario Chalmers: Hit the biggest shot in college basketball last season but isn’t built for the grind of an NBA season. Watch him turn into the next Rodney Stuckey and prove me wrong though.

Future in the NBA: Stuck on bench for 8 year career.

Ryan Anderson: Led the top conference in the country in scoring. That is saying a lot considering how little run this guy gets. He scores from anywhere on the court. Can face up or back you down to the basket and has range for days.

Future in the NBA: Starter in 2 years, with an injury plagued shortened career.

Kyle Weaver: The Pac 10 is loaded with prospects in this year’s draft, but Kyle goes a little under the radar. I might be a little biased on this analysis being that I used to play against him 4-5 times a year in high school, but this kid can play. He is the only threat in this draft to drop QUADRUPLE DOUBLES. He does everything on the court, and on both ends. His ability to cover 1’s, 2’s, 3’s and 4’s will immediately help the team that drafts him. I

Future in the NBA: Veteran player will end up on a great team and win 4 championships in his career.

Bill Walker: Has potential through the roof and a developing jumpshot that would compliment his freakish athletic ability. He still has one more year of recovery in my opinion before he will be completely back to 100%.

Future in the NBA: Future Starter