NBA Draft 2008: Revisited and Re-ranked!

By: Chris

As this year's draft class are finishing up contracts and summer league play.. predictions are already being thrown around. What stats will Griffin put up? Will Thabeet be an impact player down low? Will young Jrue Holliday play significant minutes for the 76ers? All of these questions can only be answered at the end of the season. In fact, evaluating NBA talent is quite difficult, hence the number of rather frequent busts seen in the first round, many times in the lottery picks. This small article will do the easy thing: evaluating talent after a year's play and re-ranking how the draft "should have been" if you would. As the saying goes.. hindsight is 20/20. Here we go...

1. Chicago Bulls PG - Derrick Rose (NBA Draft 2008 Pick #1)

This one is pretty obvious. Aside from the fact that I have a notorious man crush on Rose, he really was able to produce right away from the start of the season and his career. Averaging a nice combination of 17 ppg and 6 dimes, the Bulls have found their future PG, a position that is so crucial to a team's success. He proved to be a big leader too, in addition to showing streaks of clutch play in the playoffs (his playoff ppg average increased to 19) which vaulted him not only to the top rookie spot of the '08 class, but also an elite and respected player in the league (albeit no Wade or Kobe yet). The guy can score at will, isn't afraid to take it to the hole, unselfishly dishes the ball, and can play D (The block on Andre Miller, anyone?)

2. New Jersey Nets PF/C - Brook Lopez (2008 NBA Draft Pick #10)

The Nets really found a "diamond in the rough" as Lopez miraculously dropped to number 10 in the draft. Brook is a rare breed that some teams are desperately in need of (76ers for one): A big 7 footer that can bang down low. His 13 point and 8.1 rebound average in his rookie campaign, paired with a staggering 1.8 blocks, set Lopez far apart from the other big men. Great shooting percentages from the field and the line make this guy truly a rare combination from all aspects!

3. Orlando Magic SG - Courtney Lee (2008 NBA Draft Pick # 22)

This pick easily qualifies as one of the top steals of the draft in which the Orlando Magic were able to pick NBA-ready talent even past the lottery picks. Lee's great value was measured well when he was a core piece in a blockbuster deal that made Christmas come early for the Magic in acquiring All-Star guard Vince Carter. Lee is a stud perimeter defender and has a nicely-rounded offensive game as well, including a solid three point stroke. In the playoffs, he eventually earned a starting job and was able to "show off" his skills, where his stock seemed to gain immensely. Now, the Magic have cashed in, opting for the (in their mind) better "Win Now" option in Carter.

4. Memphis Grizzlies SG - O.J. Mayo (2008 NBA Draft Pick # 3)

Anytime a rookie comes out of the draft and lights up opposing teams for almost 19 points per game, they deserve a spot in the top 5 in these rankings. Mayo, although nothing special on the defense end, lead the rookies in points per game and shot almost two three pointers a game. He was an offensive juggernaut, much like teams expected him to be coming out of USC's system, and is at least one of the bright spots going forward for the Grizz franchise.

5. Miami Heat SF - Michael Beasley (2008 NBA Draft Pick #2)

Although Beasley disappointed early on, which included his lack-luster play resulting in his virtually permanent demotion to the bench for the season, he still was able to make up in the latter half and playoffs. Obviously the expectations were set extremely high during the Rose vs. Beasley draft rivalry, and they were shattered after Beasley, frankly said, sucked and Rose flourished. Still, the guy has talent, put up a good amount of points and boards, to go along with the occasional three and solid shooting percentages. On my board, he drops to 5.

So, that wraps up the Top 5. As said before.. hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20 making it quite easy to look back and call some draft picks absolute crap or others amazing steals. Either way, the 08 Draft went as predicted (well.. maybe not for Lopez dropping that far) and teams really can't get criticized by drunk-sounding fans that get on local sports radio shows to scream about draft picks. Drop the bottle, get off the couch, and try to scout some NBA-ready talent first.