Predicting the NBA Draft

Now that the order of the draft has been selected, the projections can begin. You can see lists of the lottery picks all over the place. Here’s one from SportsIllustrated.com. While we’re pretty sure that Blake Griffin will go first (and almost just as sure that Spanish PG Ricky Rubio will go second) the rest of the field depends on a lot of things- the team’s needs, the manager’s style, the potential of the draftee. Here are some of the top teams in the draft and their issues as they head into the draft

  • Los Angeles Clippers: Will draft Blake Griffin, the consensus No. 1 pick, because he’s the “sure thing.”
  • Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley improved slightly in an increased role as point this season, but unless he breaks out rather unexpectedly, the Grizz need a PG with some upside. Of course, they could also use a defensive center like Hasheem Thabeet, as they’re currently working with  Marc Gasol (7.4 Rebounds per game, 1.1 blocks per game).
  • Oklahoma City Thunder: The strengths of this team are of course Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green, young guns who play combo guard/small forward. The need help around the edges- PG and Center, if the Grizzlies pick Rubio the Thunder will pick Thabeet. If the Grizz pick Thabeet, the Thunder will pick Rubio.
  • Sacramento Kings: The Kings have developing players at center, power forward and shooting guard. They could use a PG badly, as they’re currently getting nothing from Beno Udrih (4.7 assists per game, 11.0 points per game and 2.2 turnovers per game).
  • Washington Wizards: Antawn Jamison isn’t getting any younger, and Brendan Haywood isn’t getting any better. This team needs a big man, so guys like Jordan Hill, Hasheem Thabeet and Dejuan Blair will be on their radar.

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