| 2010 NBA Draft: NBA Insider's Top 11 Draft Prospects |
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| Wednesday, 19 May 2010 00:20 |
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The ping pong balls have fallen and the draft order has been determined. As history has taught us, this event has proven pivotal to many a team's fortunes over the years. Management and coaching careers have been forged. Playoff appearances and titles have been the reward for teams with a game changing selection at the top spot that's based in large part on luck. History has also taught us that the top selection can be a blessing and a curse and while a good pick at No. 1 can bring immense rewards for years, a bad pick can do just the opposite. Spectacular examples include Orlando's selection of Shaquille O'Neal in 92, San Antonio's selection of Tim Duncan in 97, and Cleveland's pick of LeBron James in 03. Each player paid significant dividends for their prospective franchises in victories, playoff appearances, titles, and fan goodwill. Unfortunately their have been some major missteps and subsequent failures (Sam Bowie in 84, Michael Olowokadi in 98, and Kwame Brown 2001, which ultimately cost Michael Jordan his job with the Wizards). I had the opportunity to speak with an NBA insider about the top draft prospects as he broke down each players strengths and weaknesses and I got his take on this year's top player. Below are the top prospects but not necessarily in any particular ranking order. After the the top two picks it's up in the air. John Wall (Kentucky) Depending upon a teams needs, Wall flip flops back and forth with Ohio State Evan Turner as this years top prospect. Strengths - "Wall has a high basketball IQ, very quick, has good vision, makes people around him better. Wall is very fast with the ball in his hands but he's quick and in control.Possesses NBA athleticism." Weaknesses - "Has to work on his jumpshot. Right now he has a setshot." Evan Turner (Ohio State) Strengths - "Size 6' 8" guard, can shoot, very cerebral, well rounded. Turner can get to the basket and finish with contact. He's a potential double, double player at the next level." Weakness - NBA experience. Wesley Johnson (Syracuse) Strengths - Super athletic, long, can shoot, runs the floor well. Weakness - Can't create shot or break someone down off the dribble Greg Monroe (Georgetown) Strengths - Extremely high basketball IQ. Uses smarts to get baskets, extremely skilled under the basket, possesses great footwork in the post. Best passing big man to come along in ages. Weaknesses - Not particularly athletic. No explosiveness. Plays below the rim. No mid range game. Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech) Strengths - solid power forward body. Skilled around the basket. Long arms Weakness - Inexperience Patrick Patterson (Kentucky) Strengths - solid power forward body. Shoots mid range and 3 pointer well, good passer. Plays with back to basket. Weaknesses - Not a guy that takes charge, not a leader. DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky) Strengths - Size, long arms, plays with back to basket, shoots mid range well, tough kid, defends well, good footwork. Weakness - Potential weight problem, character issues, maturity. "Kind of kid who could make or break a GM." Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest) Strengths - Versatile player. Cerebral. High Basketball IQ. Great rebounder. Athletic. Good passer. Weakness - not a consistent mid range game. Gordon Hayward (Butler) Strengths - Well rounded. Can shoot, rebound, athletic. High Basketball IQ. You can play him at the 3 spot. Weakness - Not a great at defending quick guys, not a dominant player. Xavier Henry (Kansas) Strengths - Good size. Big combo guard, left handed. Good team player, Can post up with his strong body, handles ball well, shoots from 3 point range and finishes with contact. Weakness - "Only 3rd option on his college team, not the go to guy. May need to develop a killer instinct at the next level." Larry Sanders (VCU) Strengths - Definitely top 15 player, may go in lottery. Long arms, quick, athletic, mobile for a big man, runs the floor well. Weakness - Offense limited. Needs to get stronger. Other prospects on the radar Ed Davis (North Carolina) Strengths - size, potential, played for Roy Williams. Weaknesses - Strength, maturity, skill development. "Still Davis should get picked up." "Davis needs another year or two to mature and develop physically." Ekpe Udoh (Baylor) "Udoh is a player that's on everyone's radar. He wowed scouts with his skill set in the NCAA Tournament a couple months ago" The No. 1 selection? "It's a toss up between Walls and Turner. It depends upon a teams needs. I like Turner's size and skill set. His upside is tremendous. I love Walls, speed, skill, and athleticism. Both will be great NBA players but's it's impossible to determine each players long term impact." Log onto www.dcmetrosports.com for more articles on the upcoming 2010 NBA Draft and we profiles individual players. Don't forget to follow this week's "The Dime Piece" a weekly colum on everything basketball. |