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Best Early Entrees in 2008 NBA Draft
With the NFL draft
just about to be wrapped up, it's time to start looking ahead to the 2008 NBA
draft. While most of you aren't too worried about the NBA draft yet with the
playoffs just getting started, we're taking the stance of those teams left out
of the playoffs which are starting to weigh their draft options. In this
article, Jimmy Boyd takes a look at the NBA draft early entrees and profiles how
high he thinks they will go and their chances of becoming a good professional
player.
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Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis
Rose is a potential top draft choice depending on the way the lottery lines up.
With the way point guards Chris Paul and Deron Williams have changed the
complexion of their respective teams in a hurry, many organization will be
looking at Rose with the potential to do the same. Rose has all the tools to
become a NBA superstar already having a solid NBA body with athleticism and size
to go with it. His stock really rose, if you will, during the NCAA Tournament
where he was magnificent. His only knock is that he does not shoot the three
particularly well but neither did Chris Paul when he came out. Rose won't stick
around past the second pick and likely goes number one.
Michael Beasely, F, Kansas State
After seeing Kevin Durant star for Texas in 2006-07, I didn't think another
player like that would catch my eye for quite some time, but Beasley out did
him. This big lefty reminds me of Derrick Coleman with better perimeter skills.
He was a force on the glass, dominating the boards the way I saw Dwight Howard
do it this season. A team like the Miami Heat would likely grab him to
complement Dwayne Wade if the lottery lines them up as the number one overall
selectors. I'm not sure if he will be the absolute stud that he was in college
in the NBA, but he has double-double machine written all over him.
Brook Lopez, C, Stanford
Brook Lopez looks to be the top center prospect in the 2008 NBA Draft and I
don't see that changing. He can flat out score the rock in the painted area and
has enough size and athletic ability to step right in and do it as a rookie. His
twin brother Robin plays better defense, but that won't stop teams from making
him a top five pick.
Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona
Bayless didn't get quite the hype that other sensational freshman guards like
Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, and Eric Gordon received, but he'll likely go higher
than everyone on this list but Rose after a spectacular freshman year at
Arizona. Bayless is a lethal scorer who already hoists three-pointers from NBA
range. He'll have to improve his playmaking skills, but likely will have some
NBA teams sold that he can play the point. He kind of reminds me a little bit of
Allen Iverson. He'll likely go anywhere from the 3rd to 8th pick.
O.J. Mayo, G, USC
Mayo was thought to be a potential number one pick last summer but saw his stock
slip to late lottery pick status early in the season. The 6'5'' guard is silky
smooth and looks to potentially be a dominant NBA scorer. A solid season in the
deep Pac 10 likely has scouts convinced that he also fits into the 3 to 7 pick
range.
Eric Gordon, G, Indiana
Gordon was heralded by many experts as the best player in the country heading
into his first college season. That's not still the case, but he did enough in
his freshman campaign to warrant being a top 10 selection. He's a great athlete
with a NBA body who can score a variety of way and has also shown a willingness
to play defense.
Kevin Love, F/C, UCLA
Love was, without question, one of the best players in the country this season
and the media fell in love with him as a result. He is the best big man passer
in the game and became known for his ability to throw great outlet passes. He
was able to score both inside and out in the college rank, but his lack of
athleticism raises some questions among prospective takers of how his game will
translate to the pros. Love could go in the top 10 and I don't see him slipping
lower than 15th.
Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA
Before the season started, many people didn't even know who Mr. Westbrook was
and he certainly wasn't on any draft boards. Now some scouts have him rated as a
higher prospect than teammate Kevin Love. He just might be the most versatile
guard outside of Rose in the draft and is already a very strong defender. He
also has top ten potential.
D.J. Augustin, PG, Texas
Augustin is considered the best PG in the draft after Rose. His stock dropped
for me when he struggled against Memphis in the NCAA Tournament. He has
incredible floor vision and is an excellent passer, but many times that had to
take a backseat to his scoring because the Longhorns needed his points to be
successful. His lack of size likely keeps him out of the top five, but a team
with big point guards needs will take a shot. He reminds me a lot of Mike Bibby
in his prime.
Anthony Randolph, F, LSU
Randolph may be the best athlete projected to go in the top ten. He has great
size and is an excellent rebounder. His offense game is not polished, but it
continues to improve. Many GM's are comparing him to Chris Bosh and Brandan
Wright.
April 27th, 2008
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