A team-by-team analysis of Thursday night's NBA draft
Boston: Completed the first round by taking New Mexico guard J.R Giddens. The Celtics' Ray Allen is not shaking in his Nike kicks quite yet. Traded cash for 6-6 forward Bill Walker from Washington.
Charlotte: There's no question that D.J. Augustin — all 5-11 of him — will be a terrific ballhandler and distributor for the Bobcats, who ignored conventional thinking that they needed to go big. That's Larry Brown for you — somebody who knows a little something about point guards. With a second pick, took Alexis Ajinca, a long, athletic center from France. With the third pick, drafted Kyle Weaver, a 6-6 guard from Washington State.
Chicago: No horns of a dilemma as the Bulls charge ahead with South Side native Derrick Rose, 19. The strong, athletic Memphis freshman backcourt playmaker will create easier scoring opportunities for a shooting-challenged team (and sell tickets). With the 39th pick, selected Sonny Weems, a swingman from Arkansas.
Cleveland: Snatched another freshman, 6-9 forward J.J. Hickson from North Carolina State. He's a young, strong frontcourt player the Cavaliers need with aging Ben Wallace on the roster.
Denver: The Nuggets did not have any picks in the draft.
Detroit: D.J. White, a 6-9 senior forward from Indiana, quickly was traded to Seattle for two future second-round picks.
Golden State: Anthony Randolph, another super freshman, is tall enough at 6-10, but is he strong enough at about 200 pounds? A longer-term project for the Warriors, whose biggest issue remains the backcourt and the futures of Baron Davis and Monta Ellis.
Houston: Nicolas Batum, a French league star, is a 20-year-old guard who is another import project for the Rockets.
Indiana: Larry Bird means business as he rebuilds the Pacers, first by trading Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto for guard T.J. Ford. They drafted Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless but traded his rights to Portland for Brandon Rush. Also picked up Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts. At 6-7, Rush is a nice long-distance shooter and appears to be over a knee injury. Acquired 7-2 center Roy Hibbert of Georgetown, who was drafted 17th by the Raptors.
L.A. Clippers: Eric Gordon is a fabulous gunner at guard, but can the Big Ten freshman of the year round out his game to justify his lottery selection? DeAndre Jordan, a 6-11 freshman from Texas A&M, needs to develop offensive capabilities. Is he ready?
L.A. Lakers: Did not have a first-round pick, but took 6-4 Kentucky guard Joe Crawford in the second.
Recent comments
thanks for the breakdown, it was great!
spiritree | June 27, 2008 at 1:10 p.m.
