NBA Draft- Player Analysis

With the draft coming up fast, I decided to put together some scouting reports of the players I expect to be taken in the first round. As I don't really have the resources to thoroughly scout all of the players, some write-ups are longer than others. Also, I have found that an effective tool in grading players before the draft is comparing them to a current NBA player that they either resemble as they are right now, or might develop into down the road. NBADraft.net and ESPN both do a good job of projecting players, so I tried not to duplicate too many of their projections.

All of these players are listed in the general range that I expect them to be taken, but are not my rankings. I find it pointless to rank players in a strict numerical list, as players are taken depending on a combination of one team's opinion of him, along with the needs of a certain team. I try to project the range that they will be taken, but the draft is a very inexact science, and to make it worse, there will be several trades on draft day that will further scramble the order. I will be coming out with a mock draft of sorts, trying to project not only who each team may take but also what moves they might be trying to make, before Thursday's draft. 

Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis

Derrick Rose, the 6'3 point guard from Memphis, is one of those players who is so good you're not quite sure how to explain it. In this regard, I think that the most appropriate comparison is Jason Kidd. Rose is a big, strong and fast lead guard who can do anything on the court. On defense, he uses his speed and size to shut down the opposing point guard, disrupting the opposing team's offense. On offense, Rose uses his strength and ball-handling ability to get into the lane, at which point he can finish at the rim, pull up and hit a jumper, shoot a runner (think Tony Parker), or most importantly, make the right pass to hit an open teammate. A spectacular athlete, he can soar above a crowd for a rebound and easily finish on put-back dunks or alley-oops. He always seems to make the right decision to help his team, and his desire to win has been well-documented.

I think Rose will be able to step in right away and become a top 10 point guard in the league by the end of his first year. He gives any team a chance to win right away, and will also be the centerpiece to build a team around long-term. He has publically declared that he wants to be picked first by his hometown Bulls (he grew up in Chicago), and I think that Rose would be the right pick for them.

Michael Beasley, F, Kansas State

Michael Beasley is a combo forward out of Kansas State who is simply a beast on offense. He has been called a power forward, but I don't think position really matters with Beasley- put him on the court, and he'll score points for you. Beasley is a hard player to project, because his skill set and size are fairly unique, but he falls in a similar category to Carmelo Anthony, or possibly Glenn Robinson. He is a phenomenal jump shooter who has shown that his range extends beyond the NBA 3-point line, and he can shoot off the dribble or off the catch. But Beasley can also play inside- he is extremely aggressive, taking defenders off the dribble and into the paint, where he can dunk or lay it in with either hand (think Carlos Boozer). He fights for rebounds both on offense and defense, and although he's a little smaller than originally thought (more in the 6'8 range than 6'10), he won't have any problem competing against most power forwards in the league. In watching highlights and games of his, the one thing that stands out to me about Beasley is his decision making and aggressiveness- as soon as he catches the ball, he is in attack mode. Maybe he isn't making the right decision every time, but he is very decisive, which is a great trait to have. Part of this has to do with the constant double-teams he faced in college, but he would be wise to continue to do this in the NBA as well. 

The biggest knock on Beasley is his personality and character- Beasley doesn't take himself too seriously in interviews and off the court, something that scouts have noted as a red flag. I think these claims are a non-issue- he's never had any legal issues (his biggest complaints have been about childish pranks), and most of these reports come from his high school days. But the real reason that I don't think Beasley is a character concern is because he takes the game of basketball extremely seriously. He reminds me of Rasheed Wallace in this regard- he has fun with the media, but when he's on the court he is intense and determined to play as well as he can. Beasley wants to be the best basketball player that he can be, and is completely committed to that mission. Even if the Bulls don't take him with the first overall pick, there's no way he should fall past 2.

OJ Mayo, G, USC

OJ Mayo has gone from overhyped to completely trashed, and all the way back, now sitting fairly comfortably as the consensus 3rd best player in the draft. A 6'4 combo guard, Mayo can play with or without the ball in his hands and still be effective. He is a solid ball-handler and playmaker, a very good- although streaky- shooter, and very strong for his size and age. Watching Mayo in college was almost a chore- every team he faced was geared to stop him at all costs, and on a very thin USC team, he was often harassed into poor shooting nights. But what I did see from Mayo was a toughness and commitment to defense that was never supposed to be part of the package, as well as attributes that I still don't hear when people talk about Mayo. I think a good pro comparison for Mayo is Brandon Roy- a very good all-around player who might never be a super-star, but definitely someone who will put up good numbers and help your team win. As of a year or two ago, Mayo was locked in as the first overall pick in this draft. During his year at USC, his stock took a huge hit, to the point where he would be a mid to late lottery pick. But Mayo has worked hard after the season, and most experts agree that Mayo is the 3rd best player in the draft. His draft range now is somewhere between 3 and 6, as he's definitely not falling past the Knicks at 6. There has been some talk of the Heat taking Mayo with the 2nd pick, but this would be a mistake, as he is not as good of a shot or long term prospect as Rose or Beasley. 

Kevin Love, PF/C, UCLA

Kevin Love is probably the most polarizing player in the draft. What we know about Love is that he is a hard worker who really enjoys playing basketball. He is very smart, using body positioning and footwork to score in the paint and to grab rebounds. He is also extremely skilled- he can hit an open jumper from almost anywhere inside the 3-point line, and his passing, especially the outlet pass, is as good as advertised. The problem is that Love, a natural center who was a stud there at UCLA, is extremely undersized and not very athletic. He measures out to about 6'9-6'10, and while his wide body will help him clear space in the lane, his jumping ability is extremely limited. Over the past few years, the league has gotten smaller- most teams only have one legitimate 7-footer in their starting lineup, and there has been a recent trend of under-sized power forwards making an impact (Jason Maxiell & Paul Millsap are probably the best examples). However, players like Maxiell and Millsap are extraordinary athletes who make up for their size with speed, muscle and leaping ability. There's no way that Love will ever block a Kevin Garnett dunk attempt or finish an alley-oop. Also, his outlet passes, usually resulting in a one-man fast break at the collegiate and high school levels, won't be nearly as effective in the NBA. He'll probably catch teams off guard occasionally in regular season games, but once teams realize they need to respect the deep pass on inbounds plays, it won't be a weapon any longer.

With all of that said, I think there is a place for Kevin Love in the league. The two closest examples that I could think of are Zach Randolph and Kurt Thomas. Zach Randolph has always played below the rim, and has averaged 20-10 for a season multiple times, using his body to get rebounds and his crafty shot-making ability to score points. However, Randolph has never been on a winning team, and a big part of that is his inability to defend big men who are faster and more athletic than he is. Part of that comes from his lack of effort, something that Love will never suffer from, but it has just as much to do with his physical limitations. In a league with the most advanced athletes in the world, Love simply doesn't match up. That's why I think a player like Kurt Thomas is a better comparison. Like Love, Thomas dominated at the college level before settling into a supporting role in the pros. But Kurt Thomas, relying mostly on basketball smarts and an extremely reliable mid-range jumper, has been a key part of several very good teams throughout his career.

Right now Love is predicted to go in the top 10, as early as 5th overall, which is really too high for him. Ideally, he ends up on a solid, already established team. In order to succeed, Love can't be a go-to guy (especially early in his career), and must be protected on defense with a legitimate post player. Also, he will always have to be in the best physical shape possible to even be on the same playing field as the majority of NBA players.

Brook Lopez, C, Stanford

Brook Lopez, the 7-foot center from Stanford, is a prospect who probably won't offer much more down the road than he does right now. But size sells in the draft, and Lopez legitimately measures at 7 feet tall, with great body control for someone so big. He is an offensive weapon that can play in the high post facing the basket, or play with his back to the basket, showing his arsenal of post-up moves. He has good footwork for someone his age, and also uses his long arms to create shots inside. The biggest knocks on Lopez are his athleticism (his twin brother, Robin, is a much better athlete but not as good of an all-around player) and his rebounding, which I think comes from a lack of effort (something that can be fixed with coaching). I think Lopez will be able to step in as a starter right away for most of the teams picking in the lottery, and should be able to average double-figures in his first year. He most resembles Andrew Bogut, a strong offensive player and true 7-footer who has become a very solid player in the league. His range in the draft right now is as high as 3rd overall, and probably no lower than the 9th or 10th pick. It looks like Lopez and Love will be directly competing for the first big man off the board, and it will be very revealing to see which of the two is taken first. 

Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona

Arizona's Jerryd Bayless is another one of the several combo guards expected to go early in this draft, and his stock has been on the rise since the start of the draft process. His greatest strengths are his phenomenal speed and his shooting ability, which is accurate from anywhere on the court. He really shows off his leaping ability on his jumper- he can stop on a dime and explode straight up, giving himself space and time to square his shoulders and shoot. At 6'3, he has drawn comparisons to Monta Ellis and Gilbert Arenas, because he has the ability to play point guard but is really more of a scorer and probably better suited to play shooting guard. Given the right situation, I don't think it will be much of a problem for Bayless to play the point, especially because he has great size for the position, and I have heard that several teams are interested in drafting him to be their point guard of the future. Either way, he will be able to contribute immediately at both sports, and I think the best comparison for Bayless is actually Leandro Barbosa, because of his scoring mentality, slight build (more-so than someone like Arenas), and his open-court speed. The range for Bayless is as high as 4 (he probably doesn't go before Mayo), but also no lower than 6 to the Knicks, who supposedly love Bayless and are really hoping to get their hands on him. 

Eric Gordon, SG, Indiana

Eric Gordon, who played his one year of college at Indiana, is one of the hardest prospects in the top group to predict. At 6'4, he gets grouped in with all of the other combo guards in this draft, but Gordon is really a true shooting guard. He is a great scorer but not a good ball-handler or decision-maker with the ball in his hands, and would be out of position at point guard. He is a little undersized to play the 2, but in the current NBA there are plenty of shooting guards under 6'6, so it shouldn't be a huge issue. Also, Gordon is a great athlete (40 inch vertical) and is very strongly built, especially for a guard- this allows him to finish in traffic and after contact. His jumper, which has practically unlimited range, is probably his greatest asset, and he can shoot it at any time in any situation. Defensively, he makes up for his lack of height with his strength and speed, and if he works hard he can turn himself into a plus defender capable of guarding the best guard on the opposing team every night. The comparison that is thrown around the most is Ben Gordon, but Ben Gordon is a better ball-handler who can play the point in a pinch, and is also smaller and slimmer than Eric. I think that Eric Gordon actually projects as a Ray Allen/Michael Redd type of player. Both of them were strictly jump shooters when they came into the league, and have let the rest of their game develop around their shooting ability. Gordon is still only 19, and while he will be able to step in and score right away, he has plenty of time to improve and develop the rest of his game. On draft day, Gordon can probably go as high as 6 to the Knicks or 7 to the Clippers (more likely), and probably won't fall past 10. He's more of a gamble than some of the other guards, but I think he has star potential and is definitely worth a high pick.

Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA

Russell Westbrook, the 6'3 combo guard from UCLA, might be my favorite player in the draft. Right now he is more of an athlete than basketball player, without a true position, but he projects to be a Rajon Rondo type of point guard, only with more size. He is probably the fastest player in the draft (if not, right there with Rose) and has huge hands and long arms. A lockdown defender at either guard spot, he can pressure the ball full-court against opposing points or deny the ball and chase a shooting guard off screens all day. I watched him completely shut down OJ Mayo in the USC-UCLA game earlier this year, as well as turn in great defensive performances throughout the NCAA tournament. He can immediately start, like Rondo, as a defensive specialist and open court threat, but as his jump shot improves (it really isn't that bad already), he has the potential to be a star. His draft stock is hard to predict because he still has relatively limited basketball experience- despite coming out after his 2nd year, he only played this past year at UCLA, splitting time at point guard and shooting guard. That said, he could go as high as 4th overall (before Bayless, depending on the team), but could also drop as low as 10 or 12. That said, Westbrook is probably the hottest player in the draft right now, and with teams looking to trade up to take him, it's doubtful that he lasts past the 6th or 7th pick.

Joe Alexander, F, West Virginia

The other hottest name in the draft is West Virginia's Joe Alexander. The 6'8 forward has tested out as the best overall athlete in the draft (with size, speed and strength all taken into account). Right now his game is based around his athleticism and his consistent mid-range jumper, but otherwise, he is still figuring it all out. Alexander is still relatively new to the game, but with his size and speed, I think he projects as a Shawn Marion/Andrei Kirilenko type of player who can guard multiple positions and contribute in a variety of ways. His 3-point jumper and ball-handling are both capable but still need work, and he should look to continue to improve his post game, which he first developed this past year. While there may be a few negatives with Alexander, he is still a very enticing prospect that lots of teams would love to have. His range initially looked to be late lottery, but now he looks like he could go as high as 6 (Knicks) or 8 (Bucks), and not much lower than 10- like Westbrook, his stock is helped by the fact that lots of teams are looking to trade up to get him.

Anthony Randolph, F, LSU

Anthony Randolph, the wiry-thin 6'10 forward from LSU is the hardest prospect to predict probably in the entire draft. Only 19 years old, he still doesn't even weigh 200 pounds- for some perspective, Kevin Durant weighed in at about 215 last year, and still played most of his rookie season at shooting guard. He is a good, not great athlete, but can cover a lot of ground because of his long legs. He is still strictly a face-up player, with a good jump shot and off the dribble game, but nobody really knows what position Randolph will play. Anyone who takes him is going to have to wait at least a year, if not 2, before getting any kind of contribution from Randolph- most drafts this would still make him a top 5 prospect, but with so many players ready to step in and play immediately, Randolph is going to slide a little. He has drawn lots of comparisons to a young Chris Bosh, who had similar measurements to Randolph as a rookie (other than the weight). But Bosh put up big numbers as a freshman in the ACC, while Randolph didn't really do too much his one year at LSU. While Bosh might be the right down the road comparison, right now I'd say that Randolph is more in the Brandan Wright mold. Originally Randolph was supposed to be a top 5 pick, and he still could be, but I think anyone who is taking Randolph in the lottery is really gambling- not to say he won't be a good player, but there's a very high risk/reward here, and it will be a few years before we can really know the results. 

DJ Augustin, PG, Texas

There are always players like DJ Augustin, the 6-foot point guard from Texas, who get taken lower than they should. After putting up great numbers and collecting awards in his two years in college, Augustin will have to wait for more unproven players to get their names called on draft day before he gets taken. In the NBA, size and potential trump experience and production, and Augistin won't be the first player to fall victim to this. Augustin is a true point guard who has great ball-handling skills, always makes sound decisions, is a sharp and crafty passer, and can hit the NBA 3 with consistency. The problem is his height- he is only 6 feet tall (which might be a little generous) and a good, but not explosive, athlete. That said, Augistin got a big boost when he measured very similarly (height, wingspan, standing reach) to Chris Paul. Their games are different, but with all the success that Paul has already said, it settled a lot of issues with Augistin. His style has been compared to Steve Nash, with the way he keeps his dribble alive, makes his teammates better, and hits the 3,  but Nash is bigger than Augustin (around 6'3). I'd compare Augustin to Jameer Nelson, another decorated college player who's stock was hurt because of his size. I think Augustin will be taken earlier than Nelson was, however, because he seems like a smarter player, and because the NBA is currently in a phase where everyone wants a point guard to build around. Augustin's draft range starts and ends with the Pacers and Kings at 11 & 12- both teams need a point guard, and one of them will grab Augistin to be their lead guard of the future.

Danilo Galinari, F, Italy

Danilo Galinari, the 6'9 forward from Italy, is easily the top international prospect in this years draft. In my limited exposure to Galinari, and what I've seen and read about him, he is a classic point forward- a big man who can bring the ball up the court and run an offense. He is billed as a reliable shooter and a sharp passer who doesn't offer much on the boards or on defense. I'd compare him to Mike Dunleavy (this isn't a knock on Galinari- Dunleavy has developed into a very solid player). He probably won't be a star, but will still be a good pro. The issue with Galinari, as it is with most international players, is that nobody really knows too much about him. Any numbers or tape that you can see are against a completely different level of competition, and very few teams have had the chance to see him in person because his agent is controlling his accessibility in an attempt to dictate where he is drafted. That said, he seems to have the talent to justify a mid to late lottery selection, and there are enough teams curious about him that he probably won't fall past 10.

Brandon Rush, G/F, Kansas

Kansas' Brandon Rush is a solid prospect who may not have the ceiling of some of the other players in the draft, but will be able to start from Day 1. At 6'6, he is solidly built and has great size for the shooting guard and small forward positions. Rush does a little of everything, but his sweet shooting stroke is the trait that defines Rush to teams. Aside from having the ability to easily hit NBA 3s, he is a very smart player on both ends of the ball. He has a good handle, and while he won't bring the ball up, he can navigate a pick and roll as well as any swingman. He is also a solid rebounder, and a team player who is just as comfortable carrying the scoring load as he is deferring to a teammate with a better matchup. I see him as a Michael Redd type player, who could average 20+ points per game in a starring role or contribute as a role player on a better team. The biggest knock on Rush is that he's probably already as good as he's going to get, which makes Rush especially attractive for teams that are trying to win right now, such as the Blazers, Suns, Magic and Hornets. Given that fact, I think that Rush gets taken in the early teens by a team slotted in that range or someone who trades up to get him.

Darrell Arthur, F, Kansas

Darrell Arthur, also out of Kansas, is a true 4 who has seen his stock take a hit over the last week or 2. At 6'9 he has a good, not great body for the NBA game, but is a versatile offensive weapon who could grow into a very good player. As of right now, he can hit the mid-range jumper consistently, take his man off the dribble from the high post, andis a good finisher. Like most young big men, Arthur needs to add strength, concentrate more on the defensive end and put more effort into his rebounding. I compare Arthur to another Jayhawks power forward, Drew Gooden- lots of talent but doesn't always put it together as well as he could. That said, Gooden is a solid starting power forward in the NBA, and isn't a bad player to be compared to. I think that the original projections for Arthur, the high lottery, was a bit of a stretch, and he has settled down in the 10-15 range, which is more realistic for him. Whoever gets Arthur will get spotty production from him for the first year or 2, but could find themselves with a legitimate offensive weapon down the road.

Mario Chalmers, G, Kansas

The 3rd Jayhawk expected to go in the first round is Mario Chalmers. At 6'1, Chalmers is a point guard who doesn't have the explosiveness or potential as the top guys, but I think will still be a good NBA player. He is quick but not fast, and relies on his basketball smarts instead of raw talent to make plays. He is also a strong shooter with a flair for the dramatic (just ask Memphis) and is a reliable ballhandler, but is just as comfortable playing off the ball. He is a good defensive player who collects steals by stripping his man or jumping into passing lanes. Unfortunately, at his size and speed, playng shooting guard isn't really an option for Chalmers, so he'll need to be in the right situation to make an impact. I compare him to Daniel Gibson, who is a similar build and skill set to Chalmers, and has LeBron to do the ball-handling while he spots up on the perimeter. Chalmers was originally viewed as a late first-rounder, but a few teams have been making noise about him recently, and he looks like a mid-first rounder who could even sneak his way into the late lottery, depending on how early Westbrook and Augustin get taken. 

Kosta Koufos, C, Ohio State

Ohio State’s Kosta Koufos is a player who has been shooting up the boards recently. A 7’1 center, Koufos has a classic European offensive game. He has range almost out to NBA 3, but also added a more traditional low-post game during the past year. The biggest issue with Koufos is his athleticism- he does a fine job getting up and down the court, but he doesn’t get much elevation when he finishes around the basket. It’s not a huge issue since he has good body control and understands how to position himself, but it also means that he doesn’t offer much as a shot-blocker. I think he most resembles Troy Murphey, and would be best paired with a more athletic big to complement his style and skills. He has supposedly been dominating other big men in the team workouts, and will most likely be a late lottery pick.

DeAndre Jordan, C, Texas A&M

DeAndre Jordan, the 7-footer from Texas A&M, is the classic case of size selling in the draft. Someone of his size and athletic ability should have dominated in high school and in college, but he spent most of his time at Texas A&M on the bench, unable to even produce against teams without any players close to his size. That said, Jordan is huge, and has the ridiculous wingspan that scouts are looking for. Wherever he is taken, it will be at least 2 years before Jordan can be a regular contributor. He has drawn comparisons to Dwight Howard coming out of high school, but Jordan isn't nearly the physical specimen that Howard is. A better comparison is Andrew Bynum- very mobile for someone that size, but still has a ton to learn about the game. Before his injury last year (his 3rd year), Bynum looked like he had put it together and become a legitimate starting center, so there is hope for Jordan, and that fact alone will give teams faith when drafting him. That said, Jordan doesn't seem to have the drive or work ethic to make himself better, and for someone who has so far to go, taking him is a big risk. Initially he was looked at as a top 5-7 pick, but now he might not even get picked in the lottery. Jordan is an example of everything that is wrong with the draft process, but it seems that teams are more aware of that now than they ever have been, and I think Jordan will end up being taken in the late teens or early 20s.

Robin Lopez, F/C, Stanford

Robin Lopez, the twin brother of Brook, does basically everything that his brother doesn't. Robin plays an Anderson Varejau type of game, based around hustle and energy. He works hard on the defensive end, showing hard on screens, actively looks to block shots and works hard for rebounds. His offensive game is currently limited to put-back dunks and beating his man down the floor for easy baskets, but if Brook's play is any indication, he still has room to be a reliable offensive player. Although his stock is somewhere in the late teens/early 20s, I think that Robin will be a very good player- unlike most hustle guys who play down low (like Varajau), Robin is a legit 7-footer. Teams who don't need another offensive weapon, such as the Wizards or Warriors, should really give Robin Lopez a look.

Donte Greene, F, Syracuse 

Donte Greene, the 6'9 forward from Syracuse, is another player who could have used another year in college. He has a good body, is very athletic, especially for his size, and is a great 3-point shooter. But at this point, that's really all Greene brings to the table. He has some versatility, as he can play either forward spot, but he might also be a tweener who isn't quick enough to guard 3s and isn't strong enough to guard 4s. That said, the potential is there, and there's always a place in the league for someone that size who can shoot from distance. He reminds me of Rashard Lewis, who came straight from high school, and has become a good player. Greene seems like the Warriors type of player, and that's probably the earliest he could get picked. If he doesn't go there or to the Suns at 15, he might have a bit of a wait, as most of the teams picking in the teens are trying to win now. If he stayed in school another year with a good, young Syracuse team and worked on his post game and attacking off the dribble, he could have been a top 5-10 pick next year.

Marreese Speights, F/C, Florida

Marreese Speights is a 6'10 center from Florida. He is a strongly built player who moves well for his size, and already has a fairly developed post game. He is a good defender, and uses his huge hands to rebound well on both ends. The problems with Speights that he isn't quite big enough or a good enough athlete to play center full-time, and his face-up skills and defensive mobility isn't quite good enough to play power forward full-time. That said, Speights has enough talent to get him on the court, and I'm sure that he will be able to produce immediately on the right team (Sixers come to mind) while expanding his game. There are several other players with his size and skill set that have made an impact in the league, the best of which is Elton Brand. Assuming Speights works hard, there's no reason he can't be as good as Brand. However, teams don't seem to be too sure about Speights, and his draft stock has fallen into the mid to late teens. Whoever takes him probably won't get too much production right away, but could end up with a great post player in a league where true post men are becoming a rarity.

Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky

Courtney Lee, a 6’5 shooting guard from Western Kentucky, is an interesting prospect to me. He was billed as a first-round prospect all season, and his team made a surprising run in the NCAA Tournament as a 13th seed. However, Lee really wasn’t a huge difference maker in the tournament- his teammate Tyrone Brazelton (also in the draft but not expected to be taken) was the one carrying the team. That said, there are several teams in the late first who have been working out Lee, and it seems like he will certainly be taken in somewhere in the 20s. He is a solid athlete, a good shooter who is noted for his quick release, and is also a capable ball-handler. Given his size and skill set, I think he projects to be a Cuttino Mobley type of player. Depending on the team, he should be able to step in and play right away.

JaVale McGee, C, Nevada

JaVale McGee, out of Nevada, is another young 7-footer who is at least a year away. He is a great athlete for a 7-footer, probably the fastest in the draft, but doesn’t have an NBA-ready body yet. His offensive game isn’t really developed yet either (notice a trend?), although he does have a reliable jump shot with decent range (reportedly out to college 3s). He is a good shot-blocker and rebounder, but he still relies too much on his athleticism and size as opposed to strength and position- that won’t work at the pro level. Down the road I could see him as a center in the Pau Gasol mold, but it will be several years before he reaches that point. His position in the draft is pretty unpredictable- he could be anywhere from the mid-teens through the end of the first round. But there are enough teams that could use a big, skilled center, and someone will grab him before he falls too far. 

Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown

Georgetown’s towering 7’2 center Roy Hibbert is a player who’s stock has been all over the place for a solid two years now. After being practically guaranteed a top-10 pick last year, he pulled out of the draft to return for his senior year at Georgetown. Now he will most likely be taken in the early teens, but it seems like teams are considering taking Hibbert over some of the less established bigs. He doesn’t have star potential, but he is a known commodity who will be able to step in as a regular contributor, and even a starter for some teams, right away. Hibbert’s biggest issues are that he is not a good athlete, is not very strong, and isn’t as dominant of a defensive presence as he should be. Offensively, however, Hibbert is a very good passer for a big man, and can work out of the high or low post with a face-up and post-up game. If he continues to get more range on his jumper, I think that Hibbert could have a solid career as a Zydrunas Ilgauskas type of player.

Chris Douglas-Roberts, G/F, Memphis

Chris Douglas-Roberts, the 6'7 swingman from Memphis, is volume scorer expected to go late in the first round. CDR has an unorthodox game that reminds me of Antawn Jamison or Tayshaun Prince, only as a perimeter player. He is a slasher who uses a variety of scoop shots, runners and a streaky jump shot to score points. His unconventional game and wiry build (which is very similar to Prince as well) doesn't make CDR a soft player, however. He is an aggressive competitor who does what it takes to win- usually this means scoring, but in the National Championship game against Kansas, Douglas-Roberts took on the task of guarding Brandon Rush the entire game. I'm not really sure how his game will translate into the NBA, but I think that he will be able to use his creativity to remain an effective scorer. It looks like he will be drafted in the late first round, which I think is a good thing for CDR, because it will allow him to find a niche as a bench scorer who doesn't have too much pressure on him.