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After
three seasons in the NBA, the 2010 draft class is finally adjusting
to life in the Association. Some players have found starting roles on teams across
the league, while others have failed to live up to the lottery pick hype. Al Bello Getty Images/PHOTO CREDITS
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After three seasons in the NBA, the 2010 draft
class is finally adjusting to life in the Association. Some players have found
starting roles on teams across the league, while others have failed to live up
to the lottery pick hype. Each player is listed in the order in which they should
have been drafted based on their current talents levels and production, regardless
of each team’s specific needs at the time. Now, let’s look back on the class of 2010.
1.
Washington Wizards, Paul George
Original Pick: John Wall, Kentucky
Larry Bird was criticized at the time for selecting
former Fresno State player Paul George with the 10th pick when the
Pacers already had Danny Granger on the roster. But wow, how times have
changed. After battling injuries over the past couple of seasons, Granger’s absence
has allowed George to blossom into a borderline superstar. After an all-star
appearance this season, there is no telling how far George can climb through
the NBA ranks. Meanwhile, Washington is deciding whether or not to offer John
Wall a large contract extension, even though the point guard has only played
one year of injury-free basketball.
2.
Philadelphia 76ers, Greg Monroe
Original Pick: Evan Turner,
Ohio State
After an impressive collegiate career at Ohio State,
Turner is just another player in a long line of second picks who have failed to
produce much in the NBA (Hasheem Thabeet, Marvin Williams, Michael Beasley,
etc.). But for former Georgetown standout Greg Monroe, the future is bright.
After being selected by the Pistons at number seven overall, Monroe has been a
great fit in the Motor City. In the coming years, Monroe will mature into a
multiple time all-star type of player and a borderline superstar.
3.
New Jersey Nets, DeMarcus
Cousins
Original Pick: Derrick
Favors, Georgia Tech
Aside from Paul George and John Wall, DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins may have
the most talent in this draft class, but his lack of maturity and disciplinary
issues are holding him back (Just like they did 3 years ago). If Cousins ever
gets the right personnel around him, Cousins could be a dominate force in the
paint for the next decade. As for Derrick Favors, he has spent the last two and
a half seasons in Utah waiting for his time behind veteran big man Al Jefferson
and Paul Millsap. I never really liked the Derrick Favors pick this high in the
draft because the Nets were picking him based on his potential alone and
therefore passed up talented big men like Cousins and Monroe.
4.
Minnesota Timberwolves, John
Wall
Original Pick: Wesley
Johnson, Syracuse
One year removed from drafting three point guards (Ricky
Rubio, Jonny Flynn, and Ty Lawson), the Timberwolves botched another draft by
selecting Wesley Johnson ahead of Cousins, Monroe, and George. In his time in
the league, Johnson has been nothing but horrendous, as the only thing he has
proved is that he has an awful jump shot. This was my least favorite pick in
the 2010 draft, as I was never high on Johnson’s ability at the next level. As
for Wall, his talent keeps him in the top four picks of the draft. If he ever
wants to live up to his hype coming out of college, Wall will have to minimalize
his injuries and become the man in Washington.
5.
Sacramento Kings, Larry Sanders
Original Pick: DeMarcus
Cousins, Kentucky
The 2013 season was nothing but a breakout season for Larry
Sanders in Milwaukee. With Andrew Bogut finally out of the rotation, Sanders
proved his worthwhile to the Bucks as an enforcer in the paint. Receiving
extended minutes this season, the former VCU standout corralled in 9.5 rebounds
and blocked 2.8 shots per game, all the while shooting fifty percent from the
field. With great defensive instincts and an enormous amount of potential, the
only way is up for Sanders. He has the potential to mature into an all-star
caliber player if he can increase his production over the next couple of years.
6.
Golden State Warriors, Jeremy
Lin
Original Pick: Ekpe Udoh,
Baylor
After breaking on to the NBA scene with a couple of
dominating games for the New York Knicks, Lin dealt with a regression in
production during his first year in Houston. Because Lin went undrafted, I gave
more credit to his maturation into a household name (At least for NBA fans)
then other players. With a young backcourt of Lin and Harden, at least for now,
the Rockets appear to be an up and coming team in the Western Conference. As
for Ekpe Udoh, he’s played for both the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee
Bucks in three seasons, and average no more than six points per game.
7.
Detroit Pistons, Derrick Favors
Original Pick: Greg Monroe,
Georgetown
Derrick Favors has spent the better part of the past
three seasons behind veterans Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. However, with both
big men likely to sign elsewhere in free agency, Favors should be the starting
power forward next year in Utah. With solid production for a bench player,
maybe the former Georgia Tech star can finally mature into the player everyone
thought he could be. On another hand, I’d like to congratulate the Detroit
front office for turning the corner and finally making a worthwhile selection
in the draft.
8.
Los Angeles Clippers, Eric
Bledsoe
Original Pick: Al-Farouq
Aminu, Wake Forest
Eric Bledsoe’s career in the NBA has been nothing but a
rollercoaster of emotions for the young guard. After playing roughly twenty
minutes per game as a rookie, he saw a dip in minutes during his sophomore
season. Then, when it looked like the former Kentucky guard was going to be the
future at the point for the Clippers, Chris Paul came to town. Now, Bledsoe is
on the trading block, but still a very coveted asset around the league. He has
a promising career ahead of him, but he will need to leave Los Angeles in order
to get an increased role and prove his worth in the Association.
9.
Utah Jazz, Avery Bradley
Original Pick: Gordon
Hayward, Butler
Bradley’s role over his
three year career with the Celtics has increased significantly since his rookie
season. After averaging just 5 minutes a game his first year, he saw a jump to
20 minutes his sophomore season, and eventually was thrust into the starting
role this past season. With a great shooting touch and pestering defensive
abilities, Bradley has potential to mature into a solid NBA shooting guard. A
backcourt of Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley are the future of the Celtics. The
tandem will run circles around opponents in Beantown for years to come.
10. Indiana Pacers, Gordon Hayward
Original Pick: Paul George,
Fresno State
Gordon Hayward was coming off an incredible year at
Butler, in which he led the mid-major Bulldogs to the national championship
game. The March Madness run may have inflated Hayward’s stock a little more
than it should have. Nonetheless, Hayward is currently one of the good young
talents in the NBA. At the starting shooting guard position, he is one of the
few bright spots shining through the dismal darkness that is the Utah Jazz. An
impressive performance in the Rising Stars Challenge and increased shooting
abilities has raised Hayward’s standing around the league. Now, if only someone
could get that man a quality point guard.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder, Greivis Vasquez
Original Pick: Cole Aldrich, Kansas
After being taken with the
28th pick in the draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, Vasquez did not produce
much during his time in Memphis. Due to this, Vasquez was traded to the Hornets
in late 2011. After a string of impressive performances off the bench, Vasquez
finally received a shot at the starting role when Jarrett Jack went down with
an injury. Vasquez took the job and ran with it, earning the starting role for
the 2012-13 season and averaging 14 points and 9 assists per game. However,
Vasquez’s role at the point may be in jeopardy, as the Pelicans are reportedly
targeting Trey Burke in tonight’s draft.
12. Memphis Grizzlies, Jordan
Crawford
Original Pick: Xavier Henry, Kansas
Jordan
Crawford is maturing into one of the NBA’s best volume scorers. After bouncing
around between Atlanta, Washington, and Boston, Crawford looks to have found a
home in Celtics green and white. However, the young shooting guard will have to
compete with starter Avery Bradley for minutes. As the 27th pick in
the draft, Crawford was a steal at the time, but he failed to produce much
during his first couple of years. Under the right personnel in Boston, Crawford
has regained the scoring abilities from his college days.
13. Toronto Raptors, Ed Davis
Original Pick: Ed Davis, North Carolina
After two and a half seasons
in Toronto, Davis was traded to Memphis in the Rudy Gay trade. In Canada, Davis
had been steadily maturing into a solid post presence. However, the former
North Carolina star has faced decreased minutes due to the Grizzlies front
court depth. If Davis were to ever channel the potential NBA potential scouts
believed he had three years ago, he would be a starting center in the NBA.
However, at least for now, he continues to ride the bench in Memphis.
14. Houston Rockets, Lance
Stephenson
Original Pick: Patrick
Patterson, Kentucky
Lance Stephenson’s NBA
Career has been a long ride. After being drafted with the 40th pick
in the draft, he spent most of his rookie season on the Indiana Pacers’
inactive list. And again in his sophomore season, he received minimal minutes
playing behind Paul George, Leandro Barbosa, and Brandon Rush. And then the
2012 season came, where Stephenson was forced into the starting lineup due to
the absence of Danny Granger. Then, somehow, a miracle happened. Stephenson
matured into a good NBA starting shooting guard, and has room to grow. If he
can ever rekindle his talents from his high school days in Brooklyn, he will be
a borderline all-star talent.
Others to note: Landry Fields (39), Evan Turner (2), Patrick
Patterson (14)
And just for
fun....
2009 NBA Draft
1.
Los Angeles Clippers, James
Harden
Original
Pick: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
2. Memphis Grizzlies, Blake Griffin
Original Pick: Hasheem
Thabeet, Connecticut
3. Oklahoma City Thunder, Stephen Curry
Original Pick: James Harden, Arizona State
4. Sacramento Kings, Jrue Holiday
Original Pick: Tyreke Evan, Memphis
5. Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio
Original Pick: Ricky Rubio, DKV Joventut
6. Minnesota Timberwolves, Tyreke Evans
Original Pick: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
7. Golden State Warriors, Ty Lawson
Original Pick: Stephen Curry, Davidson
8. New York Knicks, Brandon Jennings
Original Pick: Jordan Hill, Arizona
9. Toronto Raptors, DeMar DeRozan
Original Pick: DeMar DeRozan, USC
10. Milwaukee Bucks, Jeff Teague
Original Pick: Brandon Jennings, Lottomatica Roma
11. New Jersey Nets, Wesley Matthews
Original Pick: Terrence Williams, Louisville
12. Charlotte Bobcats, Darren Collison
Original Pick: Gerald Henderson, Duke
13. Indiana Pacers, Gerald Henderson
Original Pick: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
14. Phoenix Suns, Danny Green
Original Pick: Earl Clark, Louisville
2008 NBA Draft
1.
Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose
Original Pick: Derrick Rose,
Memphis
2. Miami Heat, Russell Westbrook
Original Pick: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
3.
Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Love
Original Pick: O.J. Mayo, USC
4.
Seattle Supersonics, Roy Hibbert
Original Pick: Russell
Westbrook, UCLA
5.
Minnesota Timberwolves, Brook
Lopez
Original Pick: Kevin Love,
UCLA
6.
New York Knicks, Eric Gordon
Original Pick: Danilo Gallinari, Olimpia Milano
7.
Los Angeles Clippers, Serge
Ibaka
Original Pick: Eric Gordon,
Indiana
8.
Milwaukee Bucks, Nicolas Batum
Original Pick: Joe
Alexander, West Virginia
9.
Charlotte Bobcats, George Hill
Original Pick: D.J.
Augustin, Texas
10.
New Jersey Nets, Danilo Gallinari
Original Pick: Brook Lopez,
Stanford
11.
Portland Trail Blazers, O.J. Mayo
Original Pick: Jerryd
Bayless, Arizona
12.
Sacramento Kings, Ryan Anderson
Original Pick: Jason
Thompson, Rider
13.
Indiana Pacers, JaVale McGee
Original Pick: Brandon Rush,
Kansas
14.
Golden State Warriors, D.J. Augustin
Original Pick: Anthony Randolph, LSU
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