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The NBA announced last Thursday that 103 players, including 80 players from U.S. colleges and 23 international players, have filed as early entry candidates for the 2010 NBA Draft. Add in about 20 college seniors, about half of whom have a very good chance of being drafted, and you have to figure that more than half of the early entries are going undrafted.
It is truly bewildering to try to comprehend the logic behind some of these kid's decisions. What would prompt all these young players to give up their college eligibility for just a remote shot at being drafted? Sure, the John Walls, Evan Turners, and Demarcus Cousins are guaranteed a spot in the lottery, and no one can question their decision, but what about the Malcolm Delaneys, the Talor Battles, and the AJ Ogilvys? These are players who could have significantly increased their chances of being drafted by staying in school one more year.
If this disturbing trend continues, should we even be calling these guys student-athletes anymore? College has obviously become and prep program for the NBA, and I just don't see the value in it. The one year rule needs to either be abolished or extended to 2 or 3 years, with the option of entering the draft out of high school. That way, the players who want to go to school can go to school and the players who want to go pro can do that.
The days of All-Stars who were once college seniors may have come to an end. Since 2005, just 3 players were drafted as college seniors and made an All-Star squad: Brandon Roy, David Lee, and Danny Granger. Granger and Lee were drafted in 2005. Roy was drafted in 2006. That means 0 seniors drafted after 2006 have made an appearance in the All-Star game. Think about that.
I've taken five recently updated mock drafts from respectable sources (NBADraft.net, NBADraft.com, Draft Express, ESPN's Chad Ford, and College Hoops Update) and compiled and averaged them into one meta-draft. If these mocks are even remotely accurate, then it seems that 2010 will be the first draft EVER to not feature a single college senior in the lottery. In fact, the first senior projected to be drafted is Texas forward Damion James, 24th.
Without further ado: the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft:
The NBA announced last Thursday that 103 players, including 80 players from U.S. colleges and 23 international players, have filed as early entry candidates for the 2010 NBA Draft. Add in about 20 college seniors, about half of whom have a very good chance of being drafted, and you have to figure that more than half of the early entries are going undrafted.
It is truly bewildering to try to comprehend the logic behind some of these kid's decisions. What would prompt all these young players to give up their college eligibility for just a remote shot at being drafted? Sure, the John Walls, Evan Turners, and Demarcus Cousins are guaranteed a spot in the lottery, and no one can question their decision, but what about the Malcolm Delaneys, the Talor Battles, and the AJ Ogilvys? These are players who could have significantly increased their chances of being drafted by staying in school one more year. If this disturbing trend continues, should we even be calling these guys student-athletes anymore? College has obviously become and prep program for the NBA, and I just don't see the value in it. The one year rule needs to either be abolished or extended to 2 or 3 years, with the option of entering the draft out of high school. That way, the players who want to go to school can go to school and the players who want to go pro can do that.
The days of All-Stars who were once college seniors may have come to an end. Since 2005, just 3 players were drafted as college seniors and made an All-Star squad: Brandon Roy, David Lee, and Danny Granger. Granger and Lee were drafted in 2005. Roy was drafted in 2006. That means 0 seniors drafted after 2006 have made an appearance in the All-Star game. Think about that.
I've taken five recently updated mock drafts from respectable sources (NBADraft.net, NBADraft.com, Draft Express, ESPN's Chad Ford, and College Hoops Update) and compiled and averaged them into one meta-draft. If these mocks are even remotely accurate, then it seems that 2010 will be the first draft EVER to not feature a single college senior in the lottery. In fact, the first senior projected to be drafted is Texas forward Damion James, 24th.
Without further ado: the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft:
30. Armon Johnson, Jr. Nevada PG
Average draft position: 28.5
I can't terribly fault Johnson for entering this draft. He has the size and skill to play in the NBA as a point guard, and as a junior, he is likely worried about the potential lockout next year.
29. Dominique Jones, Jr. South Florida SG
Average draft position: 28.25
Good offensive guard, and his game shows maturity. However, he's on the small side for an NBA 2 guard and his jumper is about as inconsistent as it gets.
28. Elliot Williams, So. Memphis SG
Average draft position: 27.25
Williams is a guy who I respect a great deal. He started out at Duke, but transferred to Memphis after his first year to be close to his mother, who had developed cancer. If that's not a good reason to want to enter the draft, then I don't know what is. Obviously, with another year in college, E-Mail had a shot at being a lottery pick, but some things are just more important. I hope he goes higher than this, he's a great defensive guard, and I wish him and his family the very best.
27. Quincy Poindexter, Sr. Washington SF
Average draft position: 26.75
One of just 3 seniors projected to go in the first round, good athlete, but with his limited perimeter skill set, I just don't think he's a major player at the NBA level as a small forward.
26. Devin Ebanks, So. West Virginia PF
Average draft position: 26.5
In all honesty, Ebanks should have gone last year, when he had a real shot at going in the lottery. But then again, he could have stayed one more year and still have been in the lottery. Therefore, the logical choice was to go this year, when he's barely a first rounder.
Average draft position: 28.5
I can't terribly fault Johnson for entering this draft. He has the size and skill to play in the NBA as a point guard, and as a junior, he is likely worried about the potential lockout next year.
29. Dominique Jones, Jr. South Florida SG
Average draft position: 28.25
Good offensive guard, and his game shows maturity. However, he's on the small side for an NBA 2 guard and his jumper is about as inconsistent as it gets.
Average draft position: 27.25
Williams is a guy who I respect a great deal. He started out at Duke, but transferred to Memphis after his first year to be close to his mother, who had developed cancer. If that's not a good reason to want to enter the draft, then I don't know what is. Obviously, with another year in college, E-Mail had a shot at being a lottery pick, but some things are just more important. I hope he goes higher than this, he's a great defensive guard, and I wish him and his family the very best.
27. Quincy Poindexter, Sr. Washington SF
Average draft position: 26.75
One of just 3 seniors projected to go in the first round, good athlete, but with his limited perimeter skill set, I just don't think he's a major player at the NBA level as a small forward.
26. Devin Ebanks, So. West Virginia PF
Average draft position: 26.5
In all honesty, Ebanks should have gone last year, when he had a real shot at going in the lottery. But then again, he could have stayed one more year and still have been in the lottery. Therefore, the logical choice was to go this year, when he's barely a first rounder.
25. Stanley Robinson, Sr. Connecticut SF
Average draft position: 26.25
Senior #2 of 3 . . . Robinson can jump out of the gym, his best asset is clearly his athleticism. However, he lacks the size or power to play the 4 in the NBA, and lacks the perimeter skills to be an effective 3. An unfortunate combination of problems indeed.
24. Damion James, Sr. Texas PF
Average draft position: 23.5
That's it . . . that's ALL the seniors in the first round, all in the bottom 7 picks. However, James deserves to higher than this, he's an outstanding player, very athletic, very talented, great rebounder. His only problem is figuring out what position he will play. He's kind of in that same dilemma as Stanley Robinson, but he has the offensive game to be a player in this league.
23. Luke Babbitt, So. Nevada SF
Average draft position: 22.75
Skilled small forward prospect with an accurate perimeter shot and solid mid range game. Should be a nice offensive boost off the bench but he will have difficulty guarding NBA small forwards, which will limit his playing time.
22. Avery Bradley, Fr. Texas SG
Average draft position: 21.6
A great scorer who can really shoot it, but at 6'2", he's is going to be severely limited as a shooting guard. He lacks the quickness and the floor game to be a point guard.
21. Solomon Alabi, So. Florida State C
Average draft position: 21.2
Big defensive presence who has a soft touch and is very athletic. Alabi could really improve and eventually become a very solid player, but currently, his feel for the game is very limited, and he has a great deal to work on offensively. Still, he's a bargain at this point in the draft. You can't teach 7 feet.
Average draft position: 26.25
Senior #2 of 3 . . . Robinson can jump out of the gym, his best asset is clearly his athleticism. However, he lacks the size or power to play the 4 in the NBA, and lacks the perimeter skills to be an effective 3. An unfortunate combination of problems indeed.
24. Damion James, Sr. Texas PF
Average draft position: 23.5
That's it . . . that's ALL the seniors in the first round, all in the bottom 7 picks. However, James deserves to higher than this, he's an outstanding player, very athletic, very talented, great rebounder. His only problem is figuring out what position he will play. He's kind of in that same dilemma as Stanley Robinson, but he has the offensive game to be a player in this league.
23. Luke Babbitt, So. Nevada SF
Average draft position: 22.75
Skilled small forward prospect with an accurate perimeter shot and solid mid range game. Should be a nice offensive boost off the bench but he will have difficulty guarding NBA small forwards, which will limit his playing time.
22. Avery Bradley, Fr. Texas SG
Average draft position: 21.6
A great scorer who can really shoot it, but at 6'2", he's is going to be severely limited as a shooting guard. He lacks the quickness and the floor game to be a point guard.
21. Solomon Alabi, So. Florida State C
Average draft position: 21.2
Big defensive presence who has a soft touch and is very athletic. Alabi could really improve and eventually become a very solid player, but currently, his feel for the game is very limited, and he has a great deal to work on offensively. Still, he's a bargain at this point in the draft. You can't teach 7 feet.
15. Daniel Orton, Fr. Kentucky PF
Average draft position: 15.4
Okay . . . what???? How does a guy who averages 3 points and 3 rebounds go this high in 5 different mock drafts? Talk about drafting on potential. If I were an NBA GM, I'd leave him alone. He is far from the known quantities of his teammates Wall and Cousins. If Orton completely flops in the NBA, I'll be sure to tell you I told you so.
14. Patrick Patterson, Jr. Kentucky PF
Average draft position: 14.4
Great NBA body, effective low post scorer, much improved perimeter shooter. Patterson is the best example in recent memory of a guy who went back to school one more year and came out with a much better draft outlook. Even though his scoring went down, he was able to show what he could really do in an NBA style offense. However, he does need to work on his rebounding.
13. Xavier Henry, Fr. Kansas SG
Average draft position: 14.2
Henry possesses a powerful body and a good shooting stroke. He is a prolific scorer, but lacks elite athleticism.
12. Ekpe Udoh, Jr. Baylor PF
Average draft position: 13.0
Elite prospect. Udoh is unbelievably long and athletic. He possesses the quickness of a guard and is a shot blocking and rebounding force. Still has a raw offensive game, but should develop in time in to one of the best forwards in this draft. I would not be surprised to see him go in the top 10.
11. Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania PF
Average draft position: 12.4
The latest version of "The Next Dirk Nowitzki." Extremely talented European 7 footer. He can play inside or out, can shoot the ball and has an effective post game. Has the toughness to play through contact and defend in the post.
Average draft position: 15.4
Okay . . . what???? How does a guy who averages 3 points and 3 rebounds go this high in 5 different mock drafts? Talk about drafting on potential. If I were an NBA GM, I'd leave him alone. He is far from the known quantities of his teammates Wall and Cousins. If Orton completely flops in the NBA, I'll be sure to tell you I told you so.
14. Patrick Patterson, Jr. Kentucky PF
Average draft position: 14.4
Great NBA body, effective low post scorer, much improved perimeter shooter. Patterson is the best example in recent memory of a guy who went back to school one more year and came out with a much better draft outlook. Even though his scoring went down, he was able to show what he could really do in an NBA style offense. However, he does need to work on his rebounding.
13. Xavier Henry, Fr. Kansas SG
Average draft position: 14.2
Henry possesses a powerful body and a good shooting stroke. He is a prolific scorer, but lacks elite athleticism.
Average draft position: 13.0
Elite prospect. Udoh is unbelievably long and athletic. He possesses the quickness of a guard and is a shot blocking and rebounding force. Still has a raw offensive game, but should develop in time in to one of the best forwards in this draft. I would not be surprised to see him go in the top 10.
11. Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania PF
Average draft position: 12.4
The latest version of "The Next Dirk Nowitzki." Extremely talented European 7 footer. He can play inside or out, can shoot the ball and has an effective post game. Has the toughness to play through contact and defend in the post.
10. Hassan Whiteside, Fr. Marshall C
Average draft position: 11.4
The typical athletic big guy who is solid defensively but needs to work on his offense. I feel like a broken record at this point, there's just so many of these guys, but Whiteside is clearly the one with the most potential.
9. Greg Monroe, So. Georgetown PF
Average draft position: 9.2
I can't believe a guy this talented isn't a top 6 pick. Think about this for a second. Here's a 6'11" big man who can handle the ball like a guard, has incredible court vision, is extremely unselfish, makes precise and effective passes, and can shoot the ball from range or go down low and score in the post with his unorthodox lefty style. Teams that pass on him will be sorry they did.
8. Ed Davis, So. North Carolina PF
Average draft position: 8.2
Davis should have gone pro last year. That's all there is to it. he dropped in value and he was part of the worst Carolina team since Doherty was on the sidelines. Memo to future top-5 projected guys: Go pro.
7. Cole Aldrich, Jr. Kansas C
Average draft position: 7.0
Solid fundamentals, skilled big man who can rebound, play defense, and score down low. Not an explosive athlete, but will contribute effectively in his role. With Aldrich, what you see is what you get. He's a safe top 10 pick.
6. Al-Farouq Aminu, So. Wake Forest SF
Average draft position: 6.8
I think this is a little high for Aminu. Sure, he's a freak athlete, extremely quick, explosive leaper, and has some REALLY long arms, but the guy can't hit a jump shot and even with his quickness, somehow cannot create his own shots. He will be a defensive presence, but I'd take Monroe over him in a heartbeat.
This Mock is also featured on the Mock Draft DatabaseAverage draft position: 11.4
The typical athletic big guy who is solid defensively but needs to work on his offense. I feel like a broken record at this point, there's just so many of these guys, but Whiteside is clearly the one with the most potential.
9. Greg Monroe, So. Georgetown PF
Average draft position: 9.2
I can't believe a guy this talented isn't a top 6 pick. Think about this for a second. Here's a 6'11" big man who can handle the ball like a guard, has incredible court vision, is extremely unselfish, makes precise and effective passes, and can shoot the ball from range or go down low and score in the post with his unorthodox lefty style. Teams that pass on him will be sorry they did.
8. Ed Davis, So. North Carolina PF
Average draft position: 8.2
Davis should have gone pro last year. That's all there is to it. he dropped in value and he was part of the worst Carolina team since Doherty was on the sidelines. Memo to future top-5 projected guys: Go pro.
7. Cole Aldrich, Jr. Kansas C
Average draft position: 7.0
Solid fundamentals, skilled big man who can rebound, play defense, and score down low. Not an explosive athlete, but will contribute effectively in his role. With Aldrich, what you see is what you get. He's a safe top 10 pick.
6. Al-Farouq Aminu, So. Wake Forest SF
Average draft position: 6.8
I think this is a little high for Aminu. Sure, he's a freak athlete, extremely quick, explosive leaper, and has some REALLY long arms, but the guy can't hit a jump shot and even with his quickness, somehow cannot create his own shots. He will be a defensive presence, but I'd take Monroe over him in a heartbeat.
5. Wes Johnson, Jr. Syracuse SF
Average draft position: 5.4
The top 5 of this draft is about as predictable as it gets. Every mock draft I saw basically had the same 5 guys with a few variances in positioning. Johnson at #5 is the logical choice. He is the prototypical athletic NBA small forward. He has a 7 foot wingspan, which should allow him to be an unbelievable defender. He's ultra quick and has a huge vertical. Johnson will be a star, that's guaranteed.
4. Demarcus Cousins, Fr. Kentucky PF/C
Average draft position: 3.8
Whether Cousins goes 3rd or 4th, you can't really go wrong with him or Favors. With cousins, you get a dominant rebounder who is HUGE(270 pounds). He is also very quick for his size and excels at scoring in the post. He's not a great athlete, but his overwhelming size makes up for it nicely. The only thing you have to worry about with Big Cuz, is how many years he will lead the league in technical fouls.
3. Derrick Favors, Fr. Georgia Tech PF
Average draft position: 3.6
9'1" wingspan . . . that's what they reported. Not only that, Favors is a phenomenal athlete with soft hands. I think you have to go with Favors over Cousins. His length and athleticism is just too much to pass on. His stats weren't very imposing at G Tech, but that's more a problem with the style of play and lack of quality guards to deliver him the ball. Favors will be one of the best scoring big men in the league in a few years. Think Amare Stoudemire.
2. Evan Turner, Jr. Ohio State, SF/SG
Average draft position: 2.0
A no brainer for the #2 pick. Turner is a 6'7" Swiss army knife who can play up to four different positions. That kind of versatility is just unheard of nowadays. He handles like a point guard, rebounds like a power forward, and scores like a shooting guard. Turner can do it all.
1. John Wall Fr. Kentucky PG
Average draft position: 1.0
If you don't take wall at #1, you're absolutely insane. You just don't get blazing speed, pinpoint passing, and dominating athleticism in a 6-4 package like this. In fact, there is no current comparison for Wall in the league. His size and speed put him in a class of his own. The closest comparison i can think of is that he's a miniature version of Lebron James. They are both very similar in the open court, as in, you can't stop them. Yeah . . he's that much of a physical freak.
Average draft position: 5.4
The top 5 of this draft is about as predictable as it gets. Every mock draft I saw basically had the same 5 guys with a few variances in positioning. Johnson at #5 is the logical choice. He is the prototypical athletic NBA small forward. He has a 7 foot wingspan, which should allow him to be an unbelievable defender. He's ultra quick and has a huge vertical. Johnson will be a star, that's guaranteed.
4. Demarcus Cousins, Fr. Kentucky PF/C
Average draft position: 3.8
Whether Cousins goes 3rd or 4th, you can't really go wrong with him or Favors. With cousins, you get a dominant rebounder who is HUGE(270 pounds). He is also very quick for his size and excels at scoring in the post. He's not a great athlete, but his overwhelming size makes up for it nicely. The only thing you have to worry about with Big Cuz, is how many years he will lead the league in technical fouls.
3. Derrick Favors, Fr. Georgia Tech PF
Average draft position: 3.6
9'1" wingspan . . . that's what they reported. Not only that, Favors is a phenomenal athlete with soft hands. I think you have to go with Favors over Cousins. His length and athleticism is just too much to pass on. His stats weren't very imposing at G Tech, but that's more a problem with the style of play and lack of quality guards to deliver him the ball. Favors will be one of the best scoring big men in the league in a few years. Think Amare Stoudemire.
2. Evan Turner, Jr. Ohio State, SF/SG
Average draft position: 2.0
A no brainer for the #2 pick. Turner is a 6'7" Swiss army knife who can play up to four different positions. That kind of versatility is just unheard of nowadays. He handles like a point guard, rebounds like a power forward, and scores like a shooting guard. Turner can do it all.
1. John Wall Fr. Kentucky PG
Average draft position: 1.0
If you don't take wall at #1, you're absolutely insane. You just don't get blazing speed, pinpoint passing, and dominating athleticism in a 6-4 package like this. In fact, there is no current comparison for Wall in the league. His size and speed put him in a class of his own. The closest comparison i can think of is that he's a miniature version of Lebron James. They are both very similar in the open court, as in, you can't stop them. Yeah . . he's that much of a physical freak.
Damion Jones, Charlie, really?...you're on college bball probation.
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