Re - Draft Part 2

So here is the way that the first round played out, along with comments by my guest writer (Jon Dahl) and myself.

1. New York – LeBron James – – Best player in the world. No brainer pick. Young, entering his prime (we tend to say this every new season), extremely athletic… Awesome teammate! Just needs the ring.
2. Utah Jazz – Kevin Durrant – When I was looking to make a pick for the Jazz, I considered the following items:
a. I wanted a young and versatile player who could lead a team for years to come.
b. I wanted a one of a kind talent that would create match-up problems for opposing defense. I have always learned that you should impose your will on others, not simply try to beat them at their game.
c. I wanted a team guy that would play with other players for the better of the team regardless of what they had to do to win.
When looking at Kevin, I feel that he best met all three. Kobe possessed one or two, so did Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, but when I am looking down the pipeline years from now, I think that Durrant will be the one standing. I have watched him dominate on all levels so far and he’s only 21. He can play multiple positions and creates matchup nightmares for other teams. He’s too quick for forwards, too big for guards and there isn’t a spot inside halfcourt that he can’t shoot from.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Kobe Bryant – Most clutch player in the league. Big debate on whether LeBron or Kobe is the best player in the world. A proven winner (4 championship rings). Has been a leading league scorer for multiple seasons. Starting to mature more and more and becoming a better teammate.
4. Boston Celtics – Dwyane Wade – When I look back at my life in watching basketball, there have been few times when I have looked a player and thought that they were truly unstoppable. Dwyane Wade in the ‘06 Finals was unstoppable. Then I started to have doubts about his health, but then I remembered the Olympics when he seemingly completely re-invented his game and became a dominant defender. All in all, he’s one of the most complete packages in the NBA. I often have to remind myself that he’s only 6’4” because he plays so much bigger. I don’t think he’ll last 15 years in the league because of his reckless style of play, but even 5-6 years of Wade will be better than 10 from a lot of players.
5. Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard – There simply isn’t another center that has the potential to dominate the league the way that Dwight Howard does. I don’t think that he’s reached his full potential and I wish that he would develop a shooting touch, but even where he is, there aren’t many players than contribute to a team winning in all the ways that he does.
6. New Orleans Hornets – Carmelo Anthony – With his talent and ability to play multiple positions, I felt like he was the next best player in the draft. When he is focused, he verges on unstoppable.
7. Phoenix Suns – Chris Paul - One of the best, if not the best, point guards in the league. I believe he has the best ball handling ability in the league and is very fast. Also has a sweet stroke. Has led the league in assists the past 3 years.
8. Charlotte Bobcats – Deron Williams – He plays with a chip on his shoulder and that causes him to always play his hardest. It gives him an edge over his opponents that few have. He’s a big, powerful, quick point guard that can take it to the whole shoot from deep and in the end will do whatever it takes to win.
9. Chicago Bulls – Chris Bosh - Very underrated player. People were able to see his skills by seeing the recent all-star game as well as the Olympics. He is very versatile and has great range. Great rebounder and shows enthusiasm with a will to win. Needs to get out of Toronto.
10. San Antonio Spurs – Dirk Nowitzki – I have had a love hate relationship with Dirk over the years, but I can’t deny his talent. He can score like no other big man in the game today and his shooting technique makes his jumpers very difficult to block.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers – Brandon Roy - Another underrated player. Shows excellent shooting ability and one of the best drivers in the league. Is able to create his own shot.
12. Los Angeles Lakers – Derrick Rose - young and talented. Very quick and is quickly improving his jump shot. One of the best “up and coming” players in the NBA.
13. Indiana Pacers – Tim Duncan – Really wrestled with this pick. He’s old, but I think that he could probably twilight for a few more years when surrounded by the right team. Young players could really learn from him, but I may have drafted him to high.
14. Denver Nuggets – Al Jefferson – Double-double machine that hopefully recovers from his knee injury and comes back to full strength. There just aren’t that many that possess his ability and he’s still really young.
15. Golden State Warriors – Brandon Jennings – This could either turn into a genius pick, or it could be a disaster like drafting Kwame or Darko. Only time will tell. Definitely drafted on potential here.
16. Dallas Mavericks – Carlos Boozer - 20/10 guy. Will most likely give you these numbers every night. Excellent rebounding ability and great low-post moves. Also shows great 15 foot jump shot range. Only problems are a little bit undersized power forward (in height) and might give you off the court issues & is injury prone.
17. Houston Rockets – Joe Johnson - Awesome player. The starter for the Eastern All-Star team should be able to keep any team competitive and has a sweet shooting stroke.
18. Portland Trailblazers – Monta Ellis - Quick shooter that can score in a variety of ways. A very non-efficient player that uses possessions bad! But great scorer.
19. Atlanta Hawks – Tyreke Evans - Rookie of the year. End of story.
20. Philadelphia – Pau Gasol – Pau “KUNG PAU” Gasol was a tough choice. There are some nights that I feel like he should be higher, when he obliterates my Jazz team, but then there is the whole first part of his career in Memphis. I think this team will allow him to succeed.
21. Miami Heat – Andrew Bynum – Big men who score and rebound are a true commodity. There just aren’t that many and he’s really young still.
22. Toronto Raptors – Amar’e Stoudamire - Athletic center that can throw down dunks. A little bit full of himself.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves – Brook Lopez - Still haven’t been able to see him play really but stats are great! 20/10 player who is one of the best centers in the league.
24. Detroit Pistons – Chauncey Billups – I wonder if he could take a team of scrubs and make them look good the way that Steven Nash does. He’s got less mileage than Nash and is younger so that is ultimately why he was picked higher.

So there you have it. Check back later in the week for our favorited drafted teams!