NBA Draft Analysis – Central Division

Onto the Central Division

Chicago Bulls

• Derrick Rose – #1
  
• Omer Asik – #36

It’s tough to grade the team that had the #1 overall pick.  It was pretty obvious they were going to take him.  I don’t think Rose will be the best pro in this draft though.  He’ll be a solid, solid player but not franchise changing.  I think he can average 18 ppg, 7 apg and 4 rpg.  To be honest, I don’t understand the comparisons to Jason Kidd.  He is nowhere near the passer J-Kidd is and he’s much more athletic.  I don’t think he’s a true point guard; I see him as more of a combo guard.

Generic Derrick Rose mix.

The Bulls traded three second-round picks for to get Asik.  You would think he should be good.  Only time will tell.

Cleveland Cavaliers

• JJ Hickson – #19
• Darnell Jackson – #52
• Sasha Kaun – #56

Let’s say JJ Hickson becomes the second coming of Tim Duncan.  He won’t become that for about four or five years and LeBron will have opted out of his contract and in Brooklyn.  I guess you can’t ask any of these rookies to come in and be productive right away so I can’t be too harsh.  I don’t think JJ is gonna excite anyone in Cleveland though.  Maybe he’ll be a sleeper.

None of these guys will match LeBron’s rookie season.

Detroit Pistons

• Walter Sharpe – #32
• Trent Plaisted – #46
• Deron Washington – #59

Don’t know much about Sharpe but I saw Plaisted play once against UNC.  The big man almost upset my Tar Heels but came up short.  He’s a slow 7 foot Mormon who will probably have several foot injuries in his future.  Washington jumps out of the gym but he looks like he’s about 100 lbs.  Doubt they’ll make it to the NBA.  Congrats on getting drafted though.

Indiana Pacers

• Brandon Rush – #13
• Roy Hibbert – #17

I am not sure what to make of Rush because after all…he is a Rush which has become synonymous with underachieving.  But he has long been regarded as the Rush with the highest potential and so he was the highest drafted Rush brother.  He is a 6′6 natural SG who can shoot and play some defense.  I think he’ll be able to play right away and it should be comforting to know he’ll be on the team with his brother (though it wouldn’t surprise me if Kareem got shipped out soon).

Hibbert would’ve been a top 5 pick last year but really didn’t play well this year.  My boy Joe, who went to Georgetown watched Big Roy his entire career and has complained to me several times about his lack of athleticism and skill.  He keenly observed that Hibbert might be the only 7′2 guy that has never dunked in his life.  The guy just refuses to dunk the ball.  Roy…now that you’re in the NBA, please dunk the ball.

Milwaukee Bucks

• Joe Alexander – #8
• Luc Richard Mbah a Moute – #37

I think Alexander has the chance to be very good.  He is very athletic and strong and has a wide variety of moves on the offensive end.  He is extremely confident, actually pretty cocky but I think that is a good thing as long as he doesn’t show up any of his other teammates.  His awesome work ethic is well-documented and Scott Skiles will love him.  Dude just wants to ball.  He doesn’t care that he’s in Milwaukee.  He’ll earn a bunch of playing time next year as long as he works on his defense and I have no doubt that he will.  I am not completely sold because he only had like an excellent 3/4 of a year but I can’t wait to see how he pans out.

Mbah a Moute is horrible.  NBDL for life.