Yo-Yo'ing up and down the NBA Draft

A few quick thoughts and opinions on the draft before I get in depth on a couple trades.

1) This really was a 1-2 person draft. I don't think there is a lot of talent in the draft pool, as far as providing impact players in the NBA. I think there could a handful of players who have successful careers as role players, but this draft will not produce many all-stars.

Quick thoughts:

Blake Griffin - Hands down the best in the draft. The 1 guy I think that could be a real impact player, potential all-star down the line

Hasheem Thabeet - The guy can't score, but could be a great defender. If he's winds up being Dikeme Mutumbo, this is a good choice for Memphis.

James Harden - ehhhh. Not feeling this pick. Felt that OKC needed to either go Rubio or Curry. I think Curry is the better fit for the team even if the third pick was a little high for him.

Tyreke Evans - How did Sacramento possibly pass on Ricky Rubio? I mean.... wow. They already have Kevin Martin, who is just a better version of Evans.

Rubio - The other guy in the this draft with star potential. Can't believe he fell to 5 and is now saying he may not leave Spain. Trade him to NYK and get it over with.

Johnny Flynn - I like him, but not at 6.... not after you just picked Rubio.

Stephen Curry - If you've read anything I've wrote, you know that I love Curry. I think he's a great shooter and can be a solid role player in the NBA. I don't think Curry is an all-star, but I do think he can be a starter and may wind up winning a few 3-point titles at all-star weekend.

Brandon Jennings - This kid is a clown. Compton stand up! Where was he when Milwaukee picked him? He just shows up like a half hour after he's taken and pops out from behind the stage waving likes he's running the show. He's going to hate Milwaukee. Compton stand up!

Terrance Williams & Earl Clark - really like both of these former Louisville players. Nice picks.

Austin Daye - Just terrible. How was he taken in the top 15? That is really what proved to me that this draft was terrible. Daye is softer than a pillow. I'm sure Detroit is going to enjoy that...


2) San Antonio - The Spurs are charmed. They trade away all their front court depth for Richard Jefferson (which i'll discuss more in a second) and then they wind up drafting the second best rebounder in the draft in the SECOND ROUND. How in the world did Dejuan Blair fall into the second round? Dejuan Blair averaged 15 and 12 in the Big East. He killed Hasheem Thabeet. I don't care that he's 6'5. He can rebound. He is going to be good for the Spurs. Watch. Now onto the trade. I really didn't like the trade. I don't think Jefferson is very good. I think he's a volume shooter who doesn't play a lot of defense. And now he's going to have to deal with being the 4th option. If he's ok with taking 10 shots per game, maybe it's a good trade. But Jefferson isnt the athlete he used to be and the Spurs gave up 2 interior players in order to get him. With Duncan getting older and older, the Spurs can't afford to play him 35 minutes per game in the regular season and could really use the depth Oberto and Thomas provide. The fact that they ended up with Blair makes this a slightly better trade. Blair can provide the Spurs with some interior depth and rebounding to ease the load off Duncan. Overall, I don't think the Spurs have moved past the Nuggets (GREAT trade for Ty Lawson for them by the way... Talk about a perfect fit.. They now have a PG whose speed can give the Lakers fits) or the Lakers with this trade.

3) Shaq to Cleveland - Cleveland gave up nothing to get Shaq, but if Cleveland fans thinks this pushes them past the Magic or even a healthy Boston Celtics... well, they're mistaken. Shaq isn't a great defender anymore and this doesn't help the Cavs defend the pick and roll or big men who can play on the exterior. Plus this limits Big Z's minutes and Big Z was actually a good complement to Lebron. Not sold on this... The one thing I cannot measure is how motivated this could make Shaq. If Shaq is able to get back into the same shape he was in his late 20s...

4) VC to Orlando - Wow. This is just something I don't understand. This is essentially trading Tony Battie, Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Hedo Turkoglu for Vince Carter. They are essentially taking away 60% of their starters from Game 1 of the NBA Finals... for Vince Carter. Vince Carter plays no defense. He shoots the ball about 30 times per game to score his 23.5 (his career average)... How does this work? Vince NEEDS the ball. Jameer Nelson needs the ball. Rashard Lewis needs the ball. This doesn't free up any more space on the floor. I just think this is absolutely terrible. If Hedo doesn't come back now, and basically everyone is saying he isn't returning... I like the Shaq to Cleveland trade a lot more.