Draft Grades

1. Bulls - Derrick Rose G Memphis = A- Grade 

Rose, Beasley and Mayo are franchise players in my eyes; you can't go wrong drafting one of these three. Beasley would have been a better fit because of their roster but, if I were to start a franchise today, I would've drafted Rose.

2. Heat - Michael Beasley F Kansas St. = A Grade

Strong, reliable scorer, good rebounder...perfect fit for Miami. Hopefully Shawn Marion can help improve his defense to round out his game.  

3. Grizzlies (via Timberwolves) - Ovinton J'Anthony (O.J.) Mayo G USC =  A Grade

They are going to suck but he is a step in the right direction. Funny name though. 

4. SuperSonics - Russell Westbrook G UCLA = A- Grade

I really like this fit here. He will perfectly compliment Durant. I think this team will have a tremendous turnaround next season because of this kid. Also I would like to comment on the fact that Kevin Durant was at the draft and cheered on Westbrook when he got draft. It blew me away to see him there.

5. Timberwolves (via. Grizzlies) - Kevin Love F UCLA = B-

I understand that Kevin McHale like this kid but I think they would have been better off with one of the point guards (Gordon, Augustin, Bayless) or Brook Lopez (whose defense would have been good for the T-Wolves)

6. Knickerbockers - Danilo Gallinari G Italy = A

European players are big risks but I really feel that this kid is something special and worth the pick. I find it funny that they had to go out of the country to get someone who was really excited to play for New York.

7. Clippers - Eric Gordon G Indiana = C+

I feel this was a big mistake for LA; they should have drafted D.J. Augustin who is a much better kid to put at point guard. He a great player but a wrong fit.

8. Bucks - Joe Alexander F West Virginia = A

He's sick and he fits to Skiles game of running.

9. Bobcats - D.J. Augustin G Texas = C-

No No No!!! All wrong, they needed to get Brook Lopez not a backup point guard. He is going to be stuck on the bench behind all the guards in Charlotte. I can't believe they passed on Lopez. Wow.

10. Nets - Brook Lopez C Stanford = A+

BIGGGGG STEAL!!! Like Al Jefferson fell to Boston, Lopez is going to be great. Kiki is doing a really good job.

11. Trail Blazers (via. Pacers) - Jarryd Bayliss G Arizona = A+

Personally I think he will be the best player coming out of this draft. Now that he is playing with Roy and Oden...the next big three??? The Pacers are really stupid..really stupid, how many guards are they going to be playing next year?

12. Kings - Jason Thompson F Rider = F-

I don't know why the kings would take Thompson when they could have had Randplph or Lopez. The Kings must have consulted with the Pacers about this pick.

13. Pacers - Brandon Rush G/F Kansas = B-

Good player but he is going to find no time on the court.

14. Warriors - Anthony Randolph F LSU = B+

I like him a lot but I think with this team they might force him to play right away when he probably needs time to develop a little bit.

So thats the lottery picks. Tell me what you think and your grades.

1. Bulls: Derrick Rose/PG/Memphis- He's going to be a terrific player. Now they can use Hinrich & a big (Gooden) to get that low post threat (Elton Brand comes to mind).  Grade=A+/Your Grade=A-, close enough 

2. Heat: Michael Beasley/SF-PF/Kansas St- Will put up solid numbers from Day 1. Trio of Wade, Marion & Beasley is a great nucleus. Grade=A+/Your Grade=A, close enough

3. Timberwolves (traded to Memphis): OJ Mayo/SG/USC- Great move for Minnesota. Not only did they get a post partner for Jefferson in Love but they got a sharpshooter in Mike Miller as well. They T-wolves don't need a PG, they have Randy Foye (who was playing very well before his injury). I believe Love will be a more productive pro than Brook Lopez (who I think will be solid).  Grade=A+/Your Grade=A, close enough

4. Sonics: Russell Westbrook/PG/UCLA- I believe they picked the right player here. He won't take shots away from Durant or Green and will provide the defensive pressure on the ball that will set the tone for the rest of the team. Grade=A/Your Grade=A-, close enough

5. Grizzlies (traded to Minnesota): Kevin Love/PF/UCLA- I thought they should've held onto him with no post presence but I guess they couldn't resist the star power & talent of Mayo. Conley (or Crittenton), Mayo & Gay could be a formidable trio for years to come. No question that Mayo will be a star but was he the right fit? Grade=A-/Your Grade=B-, I disagree (They needed a post presence in the worst way)

6. Knicks: Danilo Gallinari/SF/Italy- It's unfair to compare him to Fredrick Weiss (not even close as far as talent). This kid is multi talented (can dribble, shoot, pass) with the normal weaknesses (must get stronger & better defender). I think this is a good start for the new regime. Grade=B/Your Grade=A, I disagree (I'm more cautious because of the uncertainty with foreign players)

7. Clippers: Eric Gordon/SG/Indiana- If they think this kid is a PG, they are mistaken. But Shaun Livingston is cleared to practice again, so they must think he will come back just fine (I'll give them the benefit of the doubt). Eric is an undersized SG (ie Ben Gordon) who will put up very good numbers. He will backup Cuttino Mobley until he eventually takes over the SG position. Livingston (health pending) & Gordon in the back court is a sweet proposition. Grade=B+/Your Grade=C+, I disagree (Gordon will make big noise)

8. Bucks: Joe Alexander/SF/West Virginia- Will excel in the open court, good post up player and underrated rebounder. The addition of Jefferson will only help him. Grade=A/Your Grade=A, I agree

9. Bobcats: DJ Augustin/PG/Texas- I happen to like this kid & think he will be a good player but what were they thinking? Unless they are planning to trade Raymond Felton (which was rumored), this makes no sense. You don't draft a backup PG with a lottery pick. All what guards? Felton is the only PG on the roster (McInnis & Boykins are gone). Brook Lopez was right pick here. Jordan & Brown blew it big time. Grade=F/Your Grade=C-, I disagree (How can they get a C- for the wrong pick?)

10. Nets: Brook Lopez/C/Stanford- What a gift from the basketball gods. I don't think he'll be great but fills a need. Now they are 2 deep a PF (Boone & Williams) and C (Krstic & Lopez).  A steal for sure. Grade=A/Your Grade=A+, close enough

11. Pacers (traded to Portland): Jerryd Bayless/PG/Arizona- He would've fit perfectly with them, making Dunleavey's & Granger's life much easier. What were they thinking? Brandon Rush & Jarrett Jack(?) The GM will get fired over this eventually. Grade=F/Your Grade=B-, I disagree (They gave up a potential franchise PG who fit for an average PG & a player who you think won't find time on the court)

12. Kings: Jason Thompson/PF/Rider- I think this kid is ready to contribute now. I'll admit I was surprised at this pick but they feel they want a player who can come in & help right now. I thought Darrell Arthur was the right pick here. A stretch maybe but considering their aging PF situation of Abdul-Rahim, Kenny Thomas & Mikki Moore, maybe not. I disagree with Anthony Randolph (doesn't fit their system & a project) or with Robin Lopez (they have a vet in Brad Miller & youngster in waiting Spencer Hawes) being a better fit. PG was a consideration but no one worthy was available. Grade=D/Your Grade=F-, I disagree (It was a need position & Thompson has talent)

13. Trail Blazers (traded to Indiana): Brandon Rush/SG-SF/Kansas- They suckered (I mean talked) Indiana into taking him and got the PG they needed to take that next step. Bayless will take Roy off the ball to do more damage and add a scoring punch they lacked last season from that position. They are stockpiling some serious talent. Pritchard is becoming a genius before our eyes. Grade=A+/Your Grade=A+, I agree 

14. Warriors: Anthony Randolph/PF/LSU- Has vast potential and really fits with Golden State's style. Will need time to develop though. How long will that take? Grade=B/Your Grade=B+, close enough 

The season cannot start soon enough!