Caleb's Top Ten NBA Draftees: Reviews and Predictions

Here is a review of the top 10 players from the NBA Draft. I will have the team, player, a description, and then give my call on whether or not they will overachieve, meet expectations, or underachieve. Click on the team name to go to its web site, the player to go to his ESPN draft page, and the college to go to its official athletic site.
 1. Washington Wizards  John Wall -PG Kentucky     Analysis: Wall is everything he has been hyped up to be. He is extremely athletic which will help him run the fast break and drive to the basket, he is a quick thinker allowing him to create for his teammates, and at 6'4" he has the size to give other NBA point guards hell. Wall can also defend, as he averaged 1.8 steals per game at Kentucky. However, there is a downside. Turnovers were a problem for him, averaging 4 a game, and he is very inconsistent shooting the ball, which, as Rajon Rondo can tell you from the NBA Finals, can become a serious liability.
    Caleb's Call: Meet Expectations: With such high expectations that it is hard to say Wall will overachieve. He will be a great player, but this is the toughest time to be a point guard in the NBA with so many superstars at that position. Wall is not above serious weaknesses, and unless he overcomes those, right now it is generous just to say he won't underachieve.

2. Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner-SG Ohio State
    Analysis: Averaging 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1 block at Ohio State in a very deep Big Ten Conference, Turner knows how to fill the stat sheet. He is very athletic and can play the 1, 2, or 3. Being 6'7" also helps. Unlike many other athletes that have size and speed, Turner is also a good shooter, hitting 36 percent from 3. However, like Wall, he has a turnover problem, as he averaged 4.4 a game his last year at Ohio St.
    Caleb's Call: Overachieve: Turner will be the best player in this draft. He is a more complete player than Wall, as he can shoot better and play more positions. He does have a turnover problem like Wall, but it is not as big a liability for Turner since he will not be the point guard on his team.

3. New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors-PF Georgia Tech
    Analysis: Favors has a rare combination of size, speed and strength as a 6'10" power forward weighing 245 pounds. He showed in college he can score, rebound, and defend, averaging 8 rebounds per game and 2 blocks, and 1 steal. With a .611 FG pct., he is great near the basket. However he needs to work on his free throws, shooting .629 from the stripe. He is also raw and left college as a freshman which was probably too early.

     Caleb's Call: Underachieve: Although Favors has great potential, but because he didn't spend enough time in college to properly develop a game, he will never become a superstar franchise player. At best he could become like Eddy Curry. I want to see him succeed, but fundamentally he was not ready for the NBA. Playing on the Nets also won't help him.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Johnson-SF Syracuse
    Analysis: Johnson is everything you want in a wing player. He can shoot outside, defend, score, and distribute. Playing alongside Kevin Love, Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, and Johnny Flynn will also be a big help. Minnesota each year continues to add weapons. He plays the same position as Corey Brewer, but there is no reason they can be on the same team and rotate in and out. This will provide much needed depth for the Timberwolves.
    Caleb's Call: Meet Expectations: As great as Johnson can be, he will be competing against other wing players in the NBA just like him with even more size. Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony to are just a few names. He also won't be able to maximize his potential while having to compete with Brewer for playing time.

5. Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins-C Kentucky
    Analysis: Cousins averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds at Kentucky in only 23 minutes of play per game. He also played with Patrick Patterson down low, which took away even more potential numbers. at 6'11" and 292 pounds he has the strength and outmuscle his opponents, but he will not have as easy of a time doing that in the NBA. He is also, like Favors, still raw, and has trouble controlling his emotions, but his passion can also be used for good.
    Caleb's Call: Overachieve: Playing alongside Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes would seem to limit Cousins's potential, as well as coming out as a freshman and a little raw. However, his ultimate strength and emotion will make him a great player in the NBA. He comes a across as a better version of Kendrick Perkins. Watch out for this guy in three years, as he needs a little time to develop.

6. Golden State Warriors: Ekpe Udoh-PF Baylor
    Analysis:A defensive force downlow for Baylor Udoh will provide the same help to a team that has always struggled defensively. However, he is very raw offensively and will have to work on not being a liability on that side.
    Caleb's Call: Meet Expectations: Udoh could be another Hasheem Thabeet, but he is not as raw, and will fit perfectly into Golden State's system providing defense and a post presence that they have seriously lacked in the past.
7. Detroit Pistons: Greg Monroe-PF Georgetown
    Analysis: Monroe almost averaged a double-double at Georgetown, but his athleticism is in question and needs to be proven in the NBA. Playing in Detroit is also not a great place to be developed. The Pistons are becoming the new Knicks.
    Caleb's Call: Underachieve: Despite dominating in college, Monroe played in the overrated, slow Big East. He was exposed in the tournament by just a mildly athletic Ohio team. I could be wrong, but Big East forwards are always overhyped in the draft,. and Monroe seems to fit the stereotype.

8. Los Angeles Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu-SF Wake Forest
    Analysis: Aminu is a typical wing player who has great athleticism for his position at small-forward, as he can also rebound and block shots better than most small forwards. However, he is a bad shooter, shooting .273 from the three point line.
    Caleb's Call: Meet Expectations: Aminu's contribution will depend on what the Clippers do with Travis Outlaw and Rasual Butler, both free agents this summer. He is a bit of a tweener between the 3 and the 4, but as long as the Clippers can compensate for his lack of shooting he will be a big contibuter to them defensively and in the paint.

9. Utah Jazz: Gordon Hayward-SF Butler
    Analysis: Hayward is able to use his size to get in the paint and rebound. He only shot .294 from the 3 pt. line last year at Butler, but it appears to have been a fluke as he shot .448 the previous year and above .800 both years from the free throw line.
    Caleb's Call: Meet Expectations: Similar to Andre Kirilenko, and Hayward's offense will be enhanced playing alongside Deron Williams. Utah has a good replacement now when AK gets hurt, as they have a bright outlook for the future.

10. Indiana Pacers: Paul George-SF/SG Fresno State
    Analysis: George can play the 2 or the 3. He is very athletic, a great shooter, and can defend. However, he can be a little streaky outside. He improved dramatically from his first year to his second at the free throw line from .697 to .909, but his 3 pt. pct. dropped from .447 to .353.
   Caleb's Call: Overachieve: Playing alongside Danny Granger, George will be a 6'9" SG, providing more size for the Pacers in the backcourt. His defense, averaging 2 steals a game at Fresno St., will be his strong point, and if he becomes a more consistent shooter there will be no weaknesses in his game. Eventually he will be an all star alongside Granger in this league. They will make a great 2-3 duo. NBA Draft Review permalink