Posted on
5/15/2008 12:34:35 PM
2008 NBA Mock Draft Part Two – Drafts Middle Class Could Surprise In Future
By Eric Williams
With the 2007-08 NBA playoffs in full swing in the BetUS Sportsbook and informative NBA wagering -related articles filling up the BetUS Locker Room, this NBA hoops article will give the BetUS NBA betting community an in-depth look at the upcoming 2008 NBA Draft, scheduled to take place on June 26 at Madison Square Garden.
To be more specific about it, this NBA Draft article will take a look at selections 11 through 20, the players at the lower end of the annual lottery and those just on the fringe of lottery status.
As almost every NBA bettors, fan and experts knows, there is annually at least one or two players selected in this portion of the draft that causes NBA personnel men across the league to stand up and take notice with their outstanding play and surprising contributions.
While some of these players could eventually flame-out altogether, several will likely go on to have productive NBA careers, possibly even star players at some point.
Here is a look at the likely middle ten selections for the upcoming 2008 NBA Draft.
11. Indiana Pacers - D.J. Augustin – Sophomore PG – Texas - 5-11/180 lbs
The Pacers, (36-46 SU, 39-42-1 ATS) need a point guard in the worst way to replace wild veteran Jamaal Tinsley, though I’ll admit that veteran backup Travis Diener opened my eyes a lot down the stretch for the Pacers while starting in Tinsley’s place.
12. Sacramento Kings - Russell Westbrook – Freshman PG – UCLA - 6-3/190 lbs
If the Pacers don’t op for Westbrook, the Kings, (38-44 SU, 44-37-1 ATS) certainly could use him to replace veteran Mike Bibby who they traded away at midseason.
13. Portland Trailblazers - Donte Greene – Freshman SF – Syracuse - 6-10/230 lbs
Greene is a high-flyer who will take a couple of years to develop but should fit in nicely with Portland’s spectacular rebuilding plans centering on Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden. I say the Blazers, (41-41 SU, 43-39 ATS) are a playoff participant next season.
14. Golden State Warriors – Chase Budinger - Sophomore SG – Arizona- 6-7/190
The Warriors, (48-34 SU, 34-48 ATS) and head coach Don Nelson will absolutely love Budinger’s game. While this kid is more than just a spot-up jump-shooter who stands on the wing the entire game, Budinger is severely limited on defense – meaning he’ll fit right in with the Warriors!
15. Phoenix Suns - JaVale McGee - Sophomore C – Nevada - 7-0/240 lbs
I’m going on record right now to say that McGee may turn out to be the gem of this draft at some point in the future. McGee would also fit in perfectly with the Suns, (55-27 SU, 39-40-3 ATS) who could certainly use an athletic big man who can get up and down the floor – unlike aging center Shaquille O’Neal who can barely move these days.
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Kosta Koufos - Freshman C - Ohio State - 7-0/250 lbs
If you’ve ever seen Sixers, (40-42 SU, 43-36-3 ATS) starting center Samuel Dalembert play, you’d know that Sixers could use a competent center in the worst way – or at least one who can make layups on a consistent basis. Koufos needs development but already has better footwork, offensive touch around the basket and a feel for the game that Dalembert has never had.
17. Toronto Raptors - Chris Douglas Roberts – Junior SG/SF – Memphis - 6-7/200
The Toronto Raptors, (41-41 SU, 39-42-1 ATS) have a decent small forward veteran Anthony Parker, but certainly could use Douglas-Roberts’ headiness and scoring ability, particularly since it looks like former No.1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani is going to turn out to be a big bust.
18. Washington Wizards - Ty Lawson - Sophomore PG - North Carolina - 6-0/175
Gilbert Arenas and Antonio Daniels aren’t prototypical point guards and the Wizards, (43-39 SU, 46-36 ATS) could use one to get the ball to their three outstanding scorers, Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Roy Hibbert - Senior C – Georgetown - 7-2/265 lbs
So what Hibbert can’t shoot a lick and reminds me of Philly’s Samuel Damelbert around the basket, this guy plays some serious defense and would fit in perfectly for the Cavaliers, (45-37 SU, 37-45 ATS) as the backup to aging veteran Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
20. Denver Nuggets - Marreese Speights – Sophomore PF/C – Florida - 6-10/250 lbs
People are describing Speights as a young version of Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Al Jefferson and I can see the similarities. Speights could turn out to be a star at some point, but what the dysfunctional Nuggets, (50-32 SU, 44-38 ATS) really need is to go see the ‘Wizard’ and get some courage and brain-power.
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