Best Players at Their Positions
Earl Clark will be good but I think James Johnson will have an easier transition to the NBA. Johnson will be able to score a lot easier than Clark will. I have a feeling Holiday turns it on his second year in the league. Curry will be descent but as a point guard he will struggle. I think Jennings and Rubio are solid but they don't have the size and defense that Holiday does. Harden is great but does he have the drive and the confidence to be a star? I think DeRozan has a special attitude about him that will allow him to excel at the next level. As long as Derozan develops a good jumpshot I think he is a can't miss prospect. DeRozan should be dynamite even as a sophmore.
Gerald Green is a stronger athlete than Derozan is, way better in game dunker with a higher ceiling. Lets be honest here Gerald Green has never been given the opportunity, I see him as a stromile swift always on the wrong team at the wrong time.
6'8 -- This kid was destined to be a T-MAC type player no playing time
I think Flynn will need a few years to get use to the size and the man to man defence of the NBA. He can score but can he do it when a guy who is 6'4 like Derron Williams guarding him and how will he guard them. Sam Young is definatly a sleeper but I see Holiday being better overall if he goes that low.
I like Sam Young as a sleeper, too. He measured really well, and his performance in the tournament was fantastic. He does so many things so well (and his pump fake is outrageous - always has been), whoever gets him late in the 1st round is going to be a VERY popular GM in a few years.
I think Holiday goes top 10, possibily to GS at 7. With Monta Ellis at the 2, they could use a larger defense orientd pg. And as far as the Gerald Green-DeMar DeRozan comparisons, I would disagree. DeRozan is a very physical athlete. During the pac 10 and NCAA tournaments where he played his best ball, he was grabbing like 10 rebounds a game. He is very strong and finishes well in traffic. If he works on his jumper and ball-handling he could be a monster. Green was possibly an even better athlete then DeMar, but he is soft as they come. He does'nt finish well after contact he does'nt hit the boards and he shys away from physical defenders. I think comparing him to DeRozan is way off.
Out of this draft, who will be the best sophomore at their position. I dont care about their rookie year. Some guys come out of nowhere and are good second year players. Who will be the best PG, SG, SF, PF, and C as sophomores? I know how hard it is to judge this right now, I used the current Mock Draft 2009 to see the teams these guys are going to play for. The draft I used was updated last on 5/27/09.
PG: Steph Curry - 8th to NYK - After a year of seeing the floor from the PG and SG position, he will make a full transition to the PG. He will be comfortable after 82 games and will be able to knock down the NBA three. With him getting any shot he wants with the Knicks, he will be confident and ready to get to the playoff for the 1st or possibly 2nd time.
SG: James Harden - 5th to WIZ - As a Rookie, he wont be asked to score much but he will start. If Arenas is healthy, Harden will pretty much run the PG from the SG because he will be dishing the ball to Arenas, Butler, and Jamison. This will help him be a better sophomore. He will be comfortable with the NBA, will have confidence to score, and the vision to possibly move to play a little PG. The more veristle you are, the better player you can be.
SF: Earl Clark - 12th to CHA - Playing behind Gerald Wallace and Boris Diaw for a year could cause this guy to be something very special. Seeing Wallace play defence like he does while slashing and dunking could help Clark to add something to his game that most guys dont have at 6'10. Then, seeing Diaw and his play making skills could cause Clark to become a player like no other. However, this wont happen in one year. He will be trying do do all these things while helping his team get to the playoffs as a sophomore, being one of those guys that can start to fill up a stat sheet.
PF: Blake Griffin - 1st to LAC - He will make the Clippers his team as a rookie. He will not, however, run the show as a rookie. If the Clippers get rid of a few players who would buck a guy trying to be the man as a rookie, Griffin could really take off late in his first year. As a sophomore, he will know how to use his body and really crash the boards and maybe develope some post moves. Eric Gordons progress could really help the Clippers and Griffin be the best they can.
C: Hasheem Thabeet - 3rd to OKC - There really is no other option at the center unless I want to say BJ. Seeing as though I dont want to do that, Thabeet will not get substantually better as a sophomore. He will continue to be the same player while adding some weight, maybe getting a couple more rebounds, and possibly another point or two. Will be the best C from this class at this point but look for an international player to pass him very soon.
Sleeper: Jrue Holiday - 23rd to SAC - If Holliday goes to the Kings that late, he will be a steal. He will instantly become a starter and be a huge upgrade. Udrith would be good off the bench but Holiday would be a floor general with the Kings. He would have vetran guys to guide him and a young core. Look for this guy to make some noise if he goes to the Kings.