My snap judgement on the 2013 NBA draft? David Stern emerged a winner, because the crowd embraced him. The Utah Jazz were big winners, because they got the best point guard in the draft, Trey Burke, and added a Frenchman with a 7-foot-9 wingspan. Biggest losers? The Celtics, maybe — although those three first-round draft picks could become valuable assets if the Nets go into the tank after 2-3 years of trying to win old, which didn’t work for the Knicks. A final
It is not often that you are eating dumplings in Chinatown at 3 a.m. on a Friday morning and learn that Kosta Koufos has been traded, but that true story only just added to the bizzarro nature of the 2013 Draft — the craziest draft night I have ever witnessed in more than 20 years of covering them. [Read more…]
DESHAUN THOMAS 6-7, 225 lbs. School: Ohio State Class: Junior Selected with the 58th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs STRENGTHS: Thomas became the best player on the Buckeyes in last season’s NCAA Tournament, when he burst onto the scene and helped lead Ohio State to the Final Four. (That’s not a knock on Jared Sullinger–Thomas was that good.) He was a prolific scorer in college, putting up 19.8 points per game. He’s a good jump shooter, and has great balance and form. He
ERICK GREEN 6-4, 185 lbs. School: Virginia Tech Class: Senior Selected with the 46th overall pick by the Utah Jazz STRENGTHS: Green led the nation in scoring in 2013, putting up 25 points per game for a bad Virginia Tech team. He’s got a natural knack for putting the ball in the basket, and can score from anywhere on the floor. Green has NBA quickness and length, and is lethal in transition. He’s a wonderful pull-up jump shooter and can score in contact despite a slight
BROOKLYN — You know that scene in the Exorcist where Linda Blair’s head spins completely around? That was what it was like to be at the 2013 NBA draft. David Stern got booed, then cheered heartily. Nerlens Noel sat slumped in his chair as the second, third, fourth and fifth picks were called — and his name was not attached. [Read more…]
GUARDS Trey Burke, Michigan Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse Ben McLemore, Kansas CJ McCollum, Lehigh Victor Oladipo, Indiana Erick Green, Virginia Tech SMALL FORWARDS Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan Otto Porter, Georgetown Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State POWER FORWARDS Anthony Bennett, UNLV Tony Mitchell, North Texas Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State CENTERS Nerlens Noel, Kentucky Alex Len, Maryland Cody Zeller, Indiana Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga Gorgui Dieng, Louisville Mason Plumlee, Duke Jeff Withey, Kansas
JEFF WITHEY 7-0, 235 lbs. School: Kansas Class: Senior Selected with 39th overall pick by Portland Trail Blazers STRENGTHS: Withey was a monster in the paint defensively for Kansas, finishing second in the nation in blocked shots (3.9 per). He thoroughly dominated the interior, owning the paint and winning the National Defensive Player of the Year award. Withey is every bit of 7 feet tall, and uses all of his length on both ends of the floor. He’s got great timing on shots, and often
JAMAAL FRANKLIN 6-5, 205 lbs. School: San Diego St. Class: Junior Selected with 41st pick by Memphis Grizzlies STRENGTHS: Besides being one of the only players in history to rock the long sleeve shirt under his uniform, Franklin is known for his versatility and productivity in every facet of the game. (The long sleeves are awesome though). Though San Diego State played with a four-guard lineup, Franklin led the Aztecs with 9.5 rebounds per game last season. He also led the team in scoring (17