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.

Memphis: Kevin Love gives the Grizzlies a skilled big man who can shoot from the outside, post up and pass with the best of them. A consistent, ready-made NBA player who should be a reliable player for years to come. Also drafted 6-10 forward Donte Green of Syracuse, yet another teen freshman. A lanky outside scorer, he will have to work on his total game to have an impact at the next level.

Miami: The draft's biggest mystery ended with the Heat grabbing multitalented strongman Michael Beasley, a scorer who dominates the boards with a pterodactyl-like wingspan. The only thing left to do is make sure the Heat publish his real height and not the 6-10 listed by the SID (Sports Imagination Department?) at Kansas State. Who cares? Beasley's a beast. Picked up Mario Chalmers, a guard from Kansas who is a heady player on defense, from Minnesota.

Milwaukee: With the eighth pick, the Bucks grabbed 6-8 forward Joe Alexander, an athletic frontcourt player who will find it more difficult to create scoring opportunities away from West Virginia and the Big East. Has real potential but is far from a refined product. Luc Richard Mbah A Moute of UCLA is a defensive and rebounding specialist.

Minnesota: Taken third overall by the Timberwolves, O.J. Mayo is a capable shooter and tenacious defender whose biggest problem might be dealing with those Minneapolis winters after dreaming — and lobbying — for a South Beach address with Miami.

New Jersey: Building for the future. Desperately needed help in the paint and got it with 7-footer Brook Lopez. Earlier, dealt Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons in a speculated salary cap-clearing move setting up a possible shot at LeBron James down the road when the franchise moves to Brooklyn in 2010. Second pick was Ryan Anderson, a 6-10 long-range shooter from Cal. Guard Chris Douglas-Roberts from Memphis fell into the Nets' laps at No. 40.

New Orleans: Trade of first-round pick Darrell Arthur of Kansas to Portland is pending. Skilled on offense; a capable defender. A good athlete who needs consistency.