NBA Draft Recap (2013)

Ok, where should we begin… #1 sounds good… “With the first pick in the 2013 NBA Draft”, then David Stern proceeded to stall creating the infamous build up for an announcement less than 1% of the entire human race was prepared for… “The Cleveland Cavaliers select… Anthony Bennett of Toronto Canada and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.”

I’m not gonna spend much time on that one, because though it was a shock to many – even Mr. Bennett himself – obviously the Cavs did what they were supposed to do with the #1 pick, and took the best player that can help their team IMMEDIATELY!

The #2 and #3 picks weren’t surprises.  I believe Jay Bilas said it best, that if all the draftees were put in a room together and told “only one of you can get out”, Victor Oladipo would be that one!  Personally, I see him becoming a legit PG in the NBA.  At his height and his defensive prowess on the ball, I believe he’ll become something like a young Rajon Rondo (obviously, without the insanely-high level of basketball IQ at onset).  Otto Porter was a sure bet for the u’rea!  DC has seen him FLOURISH as a Georgetown Hoya, so it was prophetic for him to land right at home, on a squad where he should make his mark instantly.  Teamed with John Wall and Bradley Beal, their young perimeter of talent should make a few good teams nervous on a nightly basis.

Now, at #4… *crickets

If you weren’t surprised by Anthony Bennett going 1^st, perhaps knowing that Ben McLemore, Nerlens Noel, Alex Len and a few other notables were still on the board when Michael Jordan’s Bobcats selected Cody Zeller.

((Click Here to see Charlotte Fan's Reaction))

Not bashing Zeller, because I HOPE he’s productive and even breaks the starting rotation, but will his presence suggest wins?  Will his name sell tickets?  Will his persona sell jerseys?  Will his stats attract Free Agents?  These are the questions that boggle my mind.  Again, Zeller is probably going to be solid, but so is Tyler Hansborogh; so is Kris Humphries; heck, so is Josh McRoberts and he’s currently on the roster!  So my only issue with drafting Zeller is not his potential production, but was he worth the #4 pick overall???  After all, just last year, his brother Tyler Zeller who had similar collegiate stats went #17... hmm…  I guess for some reason I just think the Bobcats could have traded down, gained a veteran and still nabbed Zeller with a later pick if they really wanted him… oh well.

In reviewing this year’s NBA Draft class down the road, I think people will look back at picks #6-#10 more favorably than picks #1-#5.  Only time will tell…

1. Anthony Bennett – Cleveland
2. Victor Oladipo – Orlando
3. Otto Porter – Washington
4. Cody Zeller – Charlotte
5. Alex Len – Phoenix
6. Nerlens Noel – New Orleans (traded to Philadelphia)
7. Ben McLemore – Sacramento
8. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) – Detroit
9. Trey Burke – Minnesota (traded to Utah)
10. CJ McCollum – Portland

OTHER NOTABLES:

* Trey Burke to Utah!  Excellent situation for Burke! 
The PG spot has been up for grabs since Deron Williams departed 2 years ago, the fans will love him, and Utah is one of the deepest teams in the NBA, especially at the forward spot, giving him several targets to feed.

* Ben McLemore to Sacramento!  Lucky Kings!
Of course this was my hopeful pick for the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets, but, YAK how that goes... arguably the most "NBA-ready player" in the draft, McLemore should find a role very quickly towering over a team with a load of small Guards. I hope the Bobcats/Hornets make a bid for Tyreke Evans in this case.

* Shabazz Muhammad to Minnesota!  Teen-Wolf!
Very similar to the Marvin Williams situation - having exponential hype coming out of high school, but playing one year in college to see his draft stock drop - Muhammad STILL averaged 18PPG as a Freshmen at UCLA.  In Bill Walton's voice when speaking of anyone from his alma mater, this UCLA legend may become a better pro than collegiate player.

* Tim Hardaway Jr. to NY!  Big Name for the Big City!   
With JR Smith opting out of his contract, Tim Hardaway finds himself on a playoff contending team with an opportunity to grab at least a morsel of minutes from Ian Shumpert. 

* Philly-Philly!  Out with an All-Star, in with some Rooks! 

SMH… I can only think this was somewhat of a knee-jerk reaction when Philly saw Noels was still available (no pun intended) for them to trade Jru Holiday – coming off his best season of his career – for Noels and a 2014 Draft Pick (Michael Carter-Williams was drafted at #11 soon after, presumably to fill Holiday’s void), but maybe I'm wrong.  True, both rookies are great prospects, but digging deeper, in the 2^nd Round, Philly also acquired PGs, Nate Wolters and Peirre Jackson (traded to NO), so the challenge for collecting minutes in that backcourt will be interesting.


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