Post by nova on Dec 2, 2007 17:32:13 GMT -5
The Annual BBS Draft is always an exciting event, and is the day that many GM's most look forward to each year. Every draft has its stars, its all-stars, its role players, its steals, and its busts. The premiere talent generally goes in the lottery, and most GM's will agree that you cannot judge how the GM's drafted for three or for seasons. The 2008 draft was one of the most unpredictable drafts following the top selection, and no doubt has produced some terrific talent. If we held the draft today, would we see the same results? Let's take a look back, and see how the draft would shake down if it was held today...
1. Then - Derrick Rose PG
1. Now - Derrick Rose PG
This pick does not change, as Rose is no doubt the best player from the 2008 draft. He is a superstar talent, who will no doubt be the 76ers franchise player for years to come. He is already an incredible talent, and in just his third season in the league, he earned a spot on the All-League 3rd team. Rose is only 22 years old, and is not done improving. By the time he's reached his peak, he may very well be the best player in the BBS.
2. Then - OJ Mayo PG
2. Now - Michael Beasley SF
This is a tough call, because both of these guys are excellent young players, but Beasley gets the slight nod because of his versatility and because he plays a position where there is less depth throughout the league. Beasley reminds scouts of Marvin Williams, and his play on the court certainly resembles Williams'. Beasley had a break-out season of sorts for the Bucks last season averaging 17.0ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.3spg, & 1.2spg. Beasley is the Bucks future, and Jordan has made it clear that he has no intentions of trading him. He should be the face of the Bucks franchise for many years to come, and will no doubt soon emerge as one of the league's elite Small Forwards.
3. Then - Michael Beasley SF
3. Now - OJ Mayo PG
Mayo is the third player from this draft who could easily win an MVP Award one day, and he is arguably in the best situation to do so. He is on the same team as Class of '07 super studs Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, and DJ has made it clear he plans on keeping this trio together. Outside of Chris Paul and the aforementioned Rose, Mayo may be the best young Point Guard in the league. Mayo has shown solid progression, and within a couple seasons, he will no doubt be one of the elite Point Guards in the BBS.
4. Then - Al Horford PF
4. Now - Serge Ibaka PF
Originally taken with the 10th selection of the 2008 draft, Serge Ibaka has quickly developed into one of the best young defenders in the league. Ibaka entered the 08 draft as a so-called unknown, as scouts were un-sure whether he would ever be more then a solid backup. Ibaka has erased that notion as he has improved dramatically each season. His offensive game is still raw, but it is coming along, and given time, he should become a solid post player. His defense is no doubt what puts him at #4 though, 21 year old centers with A defense, along with B inside and B rebounding are very rare.
5. Then - Eric Gordon SG
5. Now - Billy Walker SF
No doubt the biggest steal in the 2008 draft, Billy Walker was originally drafted with the 21st selection of the 2008 BBS Draft. Walker has since evolved into one of the league's best and most dynamic young swingmen. Walker had a break-out season with Chicago last year as he averaged 24.0ppg, 5.6rpg, and 2.9apg on 45.8% shooting. At the age of 23, Walker looks to have more potential left in the tank, and he will no doubt have many more great seasons in the league.
6. Then - Darrell Arthur PF
6. Now - Julian Wright PG
After the top 5, there is a drop-off in talent, and it becomes tougher to judge. Coming in at number 6 is the multi-talented Julian Wright. Although he entered the draft as a SF, he has since converted to the Point Guard position. Standing at 6'8'', Wright is the tallest Point Guard in the league, as well as the most versatile. He is still raw offensively, and may never develop into a legitimate offensive threat, but he's a very good ball handler, a solid defender, and an above average rebounder, which makes up for his lack of scoring. As a member of the Bulls, Wright will either start at PG for them, or serve as a super-sub. Either way, Wright is the type of player that every team loves to have, and that is why he is #6.
7. Then - Joakim Noah PF
7. Now - Eric Gordon SG
Originally taken 5th, Eric Gordon has been a bit of a dissapointment as he has not progressed as many scouts hoped he would have. However, Gordon still looks like a solid young player, and many GM's still feel he's capable of developing into a very good Shooting Guard. In his first season as a starter last year, Gordon was solid averaging 14.7ppg, 5.0rpg, and 2.6apg on 45.8% shooting. The Heat seem to feel that Gordon will still develop into a great player, as he was one of the main pieces they got in return for LeBron James. If he fails to improve, he will be known as one of the bigger busts in BBS draft history, but the chance that he will still develop into a very good player places him at #7 on this list.
8. Then - Julian Wright
8. Now - Al Horford
Drafted 4th overall in 2008, Horford has pretty much become the player scouts expected him to become; a solid, reliable 12pt, 10rb, 2block a game type player. He has had some solid seasons in the BBS, but nothing to suggest that he will ever be more then a solid starter.
9. Then - FORFEIT(Hawks hard cap penalty)
9. Now - Darrell Arthur PF
Originally drafted with the #6 pick of the 2008 draft, Darrell Arthur has also been a dissapointment. After showing solid progression in each of his first two seasons with the Hornets, he experienced a dramatic setback after being traded to the Heat. Currently with the Bulls, Arthur still shows signs of being the very good player that scouts thought he would be, but he needs to further develop his inside scoring and his rebounding if he ever wants to be more then a solid starter. Arthur is only 23, so there is still hope, but after last year's discouraging Training Camp, he slips to #9.
10. Then - Serge Ibaka PF
10. Now - Corey Brewer SG
Much like Horford, Brewer has become exactly what scouts expected him to become; a great on-the-ball defender who is solid offensively. Brewer reminds many of a younger Larry Hughes, and he may not be done developing. As of right now, he is best suited as a backup SG/SF, but if he can further develop his offensive game, he could become a quality starter for the Bulls.
11. Then - Corey Brewer SG
11. Now - Joakim Noah PF
The fifth member of the Chicago Bulls on this list, Noah is another very intriguing player. Noah is another player who has developed much as scouts felt he would. He's a very solid all-around player, who doesn't excel at any one aspect of the game, but is solid all around. He's a very good rebounder and a solid ball handler for a player of his size, but his weaknesses on the offensive & defensive ends of the court will most likely prevent him from ever being a starter. However, much like Wright, he is the type of player that every team would love to have. He is best suited as a quality backup, and he should have a solid career off the bench.
12. Then - Darren Collison PG
12. Now - Darren Collison PG
Another very interesting young player, Collison is arguably the best defensive Point Guard in the BBS. Collison's offense is still very raw, however, and GM's are uncertain whether he will ever improve enough to ever become a starting-caliber PG. He is a solid ball handler as well, so really, the only thing holding him back from being a quality starter is his lack of scoring ability. Unfortunately, it appears that he likely will never develop enough of an offensive game to be a starter, but his ability as a defender makes him an outstanding backup.
13. Then - Spencer Hawes C
13. Now - Mantas Kalnietis PG
Originally drafted with the 18th pick of the 2008 draft, Kalnietis has developed into a solid Point Guard. His lack of an offensive game means he will never be a starter, but he is a solid backup. After the Top 12, this draft takes another hit in talent, and so #13 could be argued, but Kalnietis is the only player who has really shown solid development, and so that is why he is #13.
1. Then - Derrick Rose PG
1. Now - Derrick Rose PG
This pick does not change, as Rose is no doubt the best player from the 2008 draft. He is a superstar talent, who will no doubt be the 76ers franchise player for years to come. He is already an incredible talent, and in just his third season in the league, he earned a spot on the All-League 3rd team. Rose is only 22 years old, and is not done improving. By the time he's reached his peak, he may very well be the best player in the BBS.
2. Then - OJ Mayo PG
2. Now - Michael Beasley SF
This is a tough call, because both of these guys are excellent young players, but Beasley gets the slight nod because of his versatility and because he plays a position where there is less depth throughout the league. Beasley reminds scouts of Marvin Williams, and his play on the court certainly resembles Williams'. Beasley had a break-out season of sorts for the Bucks last season averaging 17.0ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.3spg, & 1.2spg. Beasley is the Bucks future, and Jordan has made it clear that he has no intentions of trading him. He should be the face of the Bucks franchise for many years to come, and will no doubt soon emerge as one of the league's elite Small Forwards.
3. Then - Michael Beasley SF
3. Now - OJ Mayo PG
Mayo is the third player from this draft who could easily win an MVP Award one day, and he is arguably in the best situation to do so. He is on the same team as Class of '07 super studs Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, and DJ has made it clear he plans on keeping this trio together. Outside of Chris Paul and the aforementioned Rose, Mayo may be the best young Point Guard in the league. Mayo has shown solid progression, and within a couple seasons, he will no doubt be one of the elite Point Guards in the BBS.
4. Then - Al Horford PF
4. Now - Serge Ibaka PF
Originally taken with the 10th selection of the 2008 draft, Serge Ibaka has quickly developed into one of the best young defenders in the league. Ibaka entered the 08 draft as a so-called unknown, as scouts were un-sure whether he would ever be more then a solid backup. Ibaka has erased that notion as he has improved dramatically each season. His offensive game is still raw, but it is coming along, and given time, he should become a solid post player. His defense is no doubt what puts him at #4 though, 21 year old centers with A defense, along with B inside and B rebounding are very rare.
5. Then - Eric Gordon SG
5. Now - Billy Walker SF
No doubt the biggest steal in the 2008 draft, Billy Walker was originally drafted with the 21st selection of the 2008 BBS Draft. Walker has since evolved into one of the league's best and most dynamic young swingmen. Walker had a break-out season with Chicago last year as he averaged 24.0ppg, 5.6rpg, and 2.9apg on 45.8% shooting. At the age of 23, Walker looks to have more potential left in the tank, and he will no doubt have many more great seasons in the league.
6. Then - Darrell Arthur PF
6. Now - Julian Wright PG
After the top 5, there is a drop-off in talent, and it becomes tougher to judge. Coming in at number 6 is the multi-talented Julian Wright. Although he entered the draft as a SF, he has since converted to the Point Guard position. Standing at 6'8'', Wright is the tallest Point Guard in the league, as well as the most versatile. He is still raw offensively, and may never develop into a legitimate offensive threat, but he's a very good ball handler, a solid defender, and an above average rebounder, which makes up for his lack of scoring. As a member of the Bulls, Wright will either start at PG for them, or serve as a super-sub. Either way, Wright is the type of player that every team loves to have, and that is why he is #6.
7. Then - Joakim Noah PF
7. Now - Eric Gordon SG
Originally taken 5th, Eric Gordon has been a bit of a dissapointment as he has not progressed as many scouts hoped he would have. However, Gordon still looks like a solid young player, and many GM's still feel he's capable of developing into a very good Shooting Guard. In his first season as a starter last year, Gordon was solid averaging 14.7ppg, 5.0rpg, and 2.6apg on 45.8% shooting. The Heat seem to feel that Gordon will still develop into a great player, as he was one of the main pieces they got in return for LeBron James. If he fails to improve, he will be known as one of the bigger busts in BBS draft history, but the chance that he will still develop into a very good player places him at #7 on this list.
8. Then - Julian Wright
8. Now - Al Horford
Drafted 4th overall in 2008, Horford has pretty much become the player scouts expected him to become; a solid, reliable 12pt, 10rb, 2block a game type player. He has had some solid seasons in the BBS, but nothing to suggest that he will ever be more then a solid starter.
9. Then - FORFEIT(Hawks hard cap penalty)
9. Now - Darrell Arthur PF
Originally drafted with the #6 pick of the 2008 draft, Darrell Arthur has also been a dissapointment. After showing solid progression in each of his first two seasons with the Hornets, he experienced a dramatic setback after being traded to the Heat. Currently with the Bulls, Arthur still shows signs of being the very good player that scouts thought he would be, but he needs to further develop his inside scoring and his rebounding if he ever wants to be more then a solid starter. Arthur is only 23, so there is still hope, but after last year's discouraging Training Camp, he slips to #9.
10. Then - Serge Ibaka PF
10. Now - Corey Brewer SG
Much like Horford, Brewer has become exactly what scouts expected him to become; a great on-the-ball defender who is solid offensively. Brewer reminds many of a younger Larry Hughes, and he may not be done developing. As of right now, he is best suited as a backup SG/SF, but if he can further develop his offensive game, he could become a quality starter for the Bulls.
11. Then - Corey Brewer SG
11. Now - Joakim Noah PF
The fifth member of the Chicago Bulls on this list, Noah is another very intriguing player. Noah is another player who has developed much as scouts felt he would. He's a very solid all-around player, who doesn't excel at any one aspect of the game, but is solid all around. He's a very good rebounder and a solid ball handler for a player of his size, but his weaknesses on the offensive & defensive ends of the court will most likely prevent him from ever being a starter. However, much like Wright, he is the type of player that every team would love to have. He is best suited as a quality backup, and he should have a solid career off the bench.
12. Then - Darren Collison PG
12. Now - Darren Collison PG
Another very interesting young player, Collison is arguably the best defensive Point Guard in the BBS. Collison's offense is still very raw, however, and GM's are uncertain whether he will ever improve enough to ever become a starting-caliber PG. He is a solid ball handler as well, so really, the only thing holding him back from being a quality starter is his lack of scoring ability. Unfortunately, it appears that he likely will never develop enough of an offensive game to be a starter, but his ability as a defender makes him an outstanding backup.
13. Then - Spencer Hawes C
13. Now - Mantas Kalnietis PG
Originally drafted with the 18th pick of the 2008 draft, Kalnietis has developed into a solid Point Guard. His lack of an offensive game means he will never be a starter, but he is a solid backup. After the Top 12, this draft takes another hit in talent, and so #13 could be argued, but Kalnietis is the only player who has really shown solid development, and so that is why he is #13.