From Deseret News archives:

A team-by-team analysis of Thursday night's NBA draft

Published: Friday, June 27, 2008 11:39 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Atlanta: The Hawks did not have a first- or second-round pick.

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.

Story continues below
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.

Dallas: No first-round pick but took sharpshooting guard Shan Foster from Vanderbilt in the second round.

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.

Recent comments

thanks for the breakdown, it was great!

spiritree | June 27, 2008 at 1:10 p.m.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

True. It's not terribly funny and if it has any effect on society, it won't...

Letters: Christian founders

What else would you expect to find in a book called "The Founders on Religion"?

5A: Davis runs over Hunter

Ok not to be rude here, but check the stats, Hinds isnt first in yards and...

t-hinds = best player in utah

Anonymous: Was that English? I though conservatives believed if you are in...

Attack meant to kill apostle

Wow! Glad the Lord kept you safe. Separate comment: That was a horrible...

5A: Bingham rolls to title game

I have never been to a Utah high school game before as I am not from the...

Sponsor for gay-rights bills found

It would behoove the above commenters to recall that religion, including our...

Vandals take advantage of young Utes

Only 8000 attendance? BYU had 16,000+ tonight. What is wrong with Ute fans?...

ian you are the 3A MVP If you win next week so just do it that would be nice....

Advertisements
Advertisement