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Scanning the blogs and papers leading up to the NBA Draft next Thursday in New York …
Bleacher Report:
"Michael Beasley is a consensus top two NBA Draft pick. Everyone agrees
to that. So why is everyone saying he could be such a bust? Most draft
"experts" have said that Beasley will not pass the Heat
with the second selection, and as of right now, it’s a coin toss
between him and Derrick Rose for the first overall selection. However,
the same "experts" have compared him to Derrick Coleman,
the first overall pick of the Nets in 1990 that had a pedestrian career
at best. In short, they are saying he can be a bust. Big time. So what
gives?"
Brian Hamilton, Chicago Tribune: "Derrick Rose is capable of many things. Historically, guile has not been one of them. So when the ex-Simeon and Memphis star suggested Thursday that his workout with the Bulls might be his only workout before the NBA draft, thus bypassing a stop with the No. 2 pick-holding Miami Heat, it could not be dismissed as typical predraft posturing. After all, the understated Rose is about as prone to deception as a cloistered nun. "I don’t think so," Rose said when asked if he would head to Miami. "I’ll have to ask [agent B.J. Armstrong] or someone about it, but all I know now is that I’m here."
Michael Grange, From Deep: "… Hibbert’s draft stock fell all season long as Georgetown had an ordinary year and Hibbert’s numbers remained flat as a senior. According to the mock draft world it would be a surprise if the Raptors took him at No.17, as the consensus is that he’ll slide as far as No.26 where the San Antonio Spurs pick. "It’s a popularity contest," said Hibbert yesterday, and he might be right. "All that information is not good information, so I just make sure my game is good. I ask every team if they look at that stuff and they said they think it’s comical. I’m hoping they don’t look at that stuff."
Tim Kawakami, Talking Points: "Mullin said he obviously really likes UCLA’s Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook and Indiana’s Eric Gordon but suggested it appeared that the Warriors couldn’t move up to the 5-6-7-8-9 area where those guys are expected to be selected. Well, there might be one way: Use Brandan Wright as trade bait. I asked Mullin if he’d consider trading last year’s No. 8 overall pick: “No, that’s not happening.” I believe him. This isn’t a Jason Richardson no-trade situation, which I didn’t quite believe when Mullin repeated it last summer. That was for show. This is for real. Everything I’ve heard about the Warriors’ thinking is: If Wright was in this draft, he’d be the third overall pick. They like him more than they like Love, even. (Supposedly.) They’re not moving Wright."
Doug Smith, The Star: "As the stakes are raised in the final week before the NBA draft, so, too, is the level of frustration among some talent evaluators. Players inexplicably cancel workouts, perhaps listening to promises — real or imagined — and the players who do arrive are tired, worn out and often bothered by nagging injuries. The Raptors are feeling the effects of all of those factors, which becomes even more troubling considering there are several other issues in play that could have an impact on who they draft.
Bobcats Baseline: "Rumor: Brook Lopez is slipping and will be available at #9 for the Bobcats. This has almost moved past “rumor” stage at this point and become fact. On the surface, this would be a no-brainer — last month I discussed Lopez in my Pick #1-3 preview as the best option if the Bobcats had landed the #3 pick. But his so-so athleticism and some allegedly pedestrian workouts have sunk his draft stock."
Indy Cornrows: "As far as [DJ] Augustin goes, it seems like he is the sure-fire pick unless someone else unexpectedly drops. The Donnie Walsh diversion tactics make me wonder if the Augustin talk is a smoke screen or if they are just so sure that he will be available they don’t care. Director of Scouting, Joe Ash was on the radio this afternoon and specifically mentioned the need at point guard. Does anyone see the pink elephant in the corner wearing #11? We all know Tinsley won’t be playing next year, but the topic is never mentioned. He does have three years left on his contract that won’t be appealing to any team interested in a deal. If healthy, I think Tins would do quite well with the Knicks considering how well he played in the uptempo game last year. Since D’Antoni isn’t as demanding as JOB, Tins may actually flourish. Flourish may be a little strong, but I do think he’d fit the system well."
KnickerBlogger.net: "Most people think OJ Mayo will be gone before the Knicks draft, but no one had him going past the Knicks. I found it ironic that these mockers would have both Memphis and Seattle passing the Mayo. The Grizzlies do have Mike Miller, but they could easily move him if they wanted. And besides do they see the 28 year old as a cog in their next playoff caliber team? As for the Sonics — I know they have Kevin Durant at SG, which kinda makes sense for the rail thin teenager. But like the folks that created the show Webster — you should really be thinking about what you’re going to do when the kid grows up. He’s going to be a forward sooner or later. You could even consider taking Mayo and trying him at point until everyone grows up. It seems shortsighted to pass on a talented player now, because your franchise player hasn’t filled out yet."
Dime: "The Suns (who hold Atlanta’s No. 15) are buyers, looking to jump as many as ten picks to get a shot at the hottest name in the lottery, Russell Westbrook or Joe Alexander. Westbrook has supposedly gotten a guarantee from the Bobcats at No. 9, but his stock has soared so high that one source has the Sonics trading down a couple of spots to grab him first."
