Predictions about 2008 NBA Draft

Mock drafts don’t make sense because it all depends on team needs and other nonsense. And since we flush the bullshit, here at sports toilet ill give you my take on some of the names in this years draft based on my prediction of their impact on the league.

Derrick Rose – He is a good player. He plays hard. He plays good D. In his prime he will average 17 and 6 assists. He could be on a championship team(but not if he is the best player on the team.).

Michael Beasley – I don’t get what I am missing on this guy. He is incredible. In his prime he will go for 23 and 9 boards. And throw in a block and a steal and a 3. People keep saying he is a good player on a bad team kind of guy, but I don’t see that. Maybe he has just never been on a good team. I think the Bulls make the mistake of passing on him, when he is EXACTLY what they need.

OJ Mayo – The best player in this draft. His jumper is pure. His handle is nice. He can lock down on defense. (He held Rose, Jerryd Bayless, and Russel Westbrook all in single digits). Granted, I am a Trojan, so I am a little biased, but at the same time I saw every game of his freshman season. This guy is a leader, a winner, and a workhorse. He was never partying or messing around. He meant business. He will be one of those 23, 6 and 5 guys. I would be scared of a Mayo/D-Wade backcourt. He does not miss open jumpers even at the three point line. And we couldn’t say that about Kobe, Wade, or even Michael Jordan.

Brook Lopez – Him and his brother the other 10 white stiffs on his team to a #2 seed in the tourney and only lost to Texas because his guards couldn’t dribble. He has an amazing post up game, hes tough, he blocks shots. He isn’t a great rebounder, but match him up front with one and you have a great player. (Or perhaps he was just relying on his brother, and he can learn that skill as well, since he’s only 19). He has a lot of Pau Gasol’s types of offensive skill, but he’s willing to go up and dunk it. He could easily be a 16, 7 boards, 2 blocks guy in the meat of his career.

Kevin Love – the hardest person to figure out. I think he struggles in the league, as he did matched up against the Lopez’s and Memphis’s athletic front line. He can definitely play pick and pop, and knows the game, and he will be in the league for 10 years. But I don’t really see more that 10 and 8 out of him. I mean how many minutes can he play? And how much of a defensive liability is he?

Jerryd Bayless – I think he is overrated. He got to the rack in college by bullying people, but he wont be able to do that at the next level. Unless he learns how to play point guard, I could see him scoring 16 or 17 points but on 40% shooting.

Russel Westbrook – the first time I saw this guy in person, his freshman year I was in awe with his athleticism. He is a hard worker, is a willing learner, and desperately needs to work on his flat jumpshot. I don’t think he will ever be an elite scorer, but he is a winner and an outstanding defender who can totally disrupt the other teams best guard. He made OJ Mayo (granted he had no one to pass to) want to cry. He could pressure like Lindsay Hunter up the floor all game. I think he could be the third best player on a great team. But if he is your second best player you are not going far.

Eric Gordon – I never got what the hype was about. He is out of shape. Doesn’t have a great handle, and the clippers of course love him. He actually reminds me of their current SG, Cuttino Mobley, undersized, and supposedly a good shooter, but the numbers say otherwise. I think he could be a good six man, but you wouldn’t want him starting on a team with championship aspirations.

Brandon Rush – Solid player. Tries hard, and is a good shooter and defender. Will probably average 12 points a game but will be efficient. I could see him in his prime being a solid starter on a good team.

Sleeper players:

Courtney Lee – played great in the NCAA tournament and I think could be a great complimentary player. Could turn out to be a Bruce Bowen type. He is tough, and he defends, and has a nice 3 point shot so he could space the floor.

Robin Lopez – just like how Brook didn’t rebound cause he had Robin. I think Robin didn’t score cause he had Brook. But he has the skill. He put up big numbers when Brook was ineligible at the beginning of the season. Plus he hustles, bangs, and isn’t afraid to mix it up.

Busts –

Since I have never seen those foreign guys, I wont comment on any of them. But I think DJ Augustin is a bust. Hollinger has him ranked high. And I know the guy can put up numbers. But can you remind me of the last time a guard under 6 feet won the title? The 60’s, maybe. He is shorter than Jameer Nelson, and as we see with Nelson (who is also waaaaay buffer than Augustin), guards like Chauncey Billups eat him up. Like TJ Ford, I think he will have a fine PER, but he will never win it all. But enjoy his 14 and 7 dimes on a bad team if you wish.