It’s Summer League season, and things will kick off next week with the Orlando Summer League from July 9-13.  While the 8-team event doesn’t have the atmosphere of the much larger Las Vegas Summer League, it does make it easier to focus on the teams involved.  This year’s group includes NBA Championship runner-up, Oklahoma City, the newly christened Brooklyn Nets, and of course, the Orlando Magic, who are breaking in a new General Manager, and hopefully soon a new head coach.    Here are the rosters for the 8 teams, and a small break down of the players to watch and what to expect from each team.

 Brooklyn Nets

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
MarShon Brooks	G	6’5	200	Nets (NBA)
Stephen Dennis	G	6’6	180	Bakersfield (D League)
Bryant Dunston	F	6’8	233	Hapoel Holon (Israel)
Jeff Foote	C	7’0	265	Springfield (D League)
Ashton Gibbs	G	6’2	190	Pittsburgh
Taurean Green	G	6’0	177	Tofas (Turkey)
Adam Morrison	F	6’8	198	Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)
Carleton Scott	F	6’8	218	Notre Dame
Tornike Shengelia	F	6’9	228	Spirou Charleroi (Belgium)
Garrett Stutz	C	7’0	255	Wichita St.
Tyshawn Taylor	G	6’3	185	Kansas
Al Thornton	F	6’8	203	Golden St. (NBA)
Julian Wright	F	6’8	225	Austin (D League)
Edwin Ubiles	G	6’6	204	Dakota (D League)

 

Who/What to Watch: There is no doubt this will be the MarShon Brooks show whenever he is in the game.  A high-volume shooter during the course of the regular season, I cringe at what he will do in a Summer League scenario.  Tyshawn Taylor will get his first run with the Nets after being chosen in the second round of the NBA Draft last week.  Look for the coaching staff to give him ample opportunity to pair up with Brooks in the backcourt.  Tornike Shengelia will also make his Nets debut, but I expect the pace of Summer League action to hamper him over the course of a few games.  Edwin Ubiles was a bright spot last year in the D-League and his ability to get to the basket should be on display in Orlando.  Two promising big men will also be in action in Jeff Foote and Garrett Stutz.  Foote operates well around the basket and Stutz is dangerous with his ability to stretch the floor.

Boston Celtics

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Craig Brackins	F	6’10	230	Philadelphia (NBA)
Dionte Christmas	G	6’5	205	Rethymno (Greece)
Jonathan Gibson	G	6’1	171	Enel Brindisi (Italy)
JaJuan Johnson	F	6’10	221	Boston (NBA)
Kris Joseph	F	6’7	215	Syracuse
Stephane Lasme	F	6’8	215	Obradoiro (Spain)
Fab Melo	C	7’0	255	Syracuse
E’Twaun Moore	G	6’4	191	Boston (NBA)
Jamar Smith	G	6’3	185	BK Prostejov (Czech)
Jared Sullinger	F	6’9	260	Ohio St.
Sean Williams	F/C	6’10	235	Boston (NBA)

 

Who/What to Watch: The attention here will be solely focused on Jared Sullinger.  The once-presumed Top 10 draft pick fell to #21 after a medical “red flag” was reported on his back.  While the information attached to the “red flag” was never fully explained, Sullinger still felt the effect come draft night.  Bad back or not, Sullinger was the most skilled big man in this class and I fully expect the Celtics to give people a chance to see how much of a steal they got last week.  Their other first round pick, Fab Melo¸ as well as last year’s first round pick, JaJuan Johnson, will also be on display, and out to show how the development process has been working.  Johnson had some opportunities last season with the Celtics and should continue to improve, especially with Kevin Garnett returning to Boston to finish his career.  Craig Brackins is a former first round pick (2010) who has yet to show that he can stick in the NBA for consistent playing time, but is still an intriguing player, especially on the defensive end.  Finally, Sean Williams will have another chance (3^rd, 4^th, 5^th???) to show that he deserves to be in the NBA.

Detroit Pistons

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Austin Daye	F	6’11	190	Detroit (NBA)
Andre Drummond	C	6’11	279	Connecticut
Kim English	G	6’6	200	Missouri
Yancy Gates	F	6’9	289	Cincinnati
Armon Johnson	G	6’3	195	New Jersey (NBA)
Brandon Knight	G	6’3	189	Detroit (NBA)
Vernon Macklin	F	6’10	227	Detroit (NBA)
Khris Middleton	F	6’7	217	Texas A&M
Patrick Richard	G	6’4	208	McNeese St.
Kyle Singler	F	6’8	228	Real Madrid (Spain)
Casper Ware	G	5’10	177	Long Beach St.

 

Who/What to Watch: There is a lot to watch with this Pistons’ squad, starting with their last two first round selections, point guard Brandon Knight and center Andre Drummond.  Knight showed some of the usual growing pains in his first year, but the team still holds out hope that he will be a better-than-average NBA point guard.    Drummond is big and athletic, but very raw.  However, the Summer League style of play should allow him to show off some of the physical tools which made him a Top 10 pick.  Former first round pick Austin Daye may be battling for his roster spot at this point, especially with the debut of Kyle Singler, the highly skilled Duke forward.  Singler chose to spend last season in Spain once the lockout was announced, and by all accounts, has played very well.  Yancy Gates and Vernon Macklin will both add a very physical element to the Pistons’ frontcourt, though Macklin has a year of pro experience under his belt and should get plenty of opportunity to show what he has learned.  Second round picks Kim English and Khris Middleton will add some scoring punch, and both should make their case to be on the roster come next season.  Casper Ware went undrafted last week, but he is exciting to watch and should be good for a spectacular play or two.

 

Indiana Pacers

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Jarrid Famous	F	6’11	240	Petron Blaze (Philippines)
Reggie Hamilton	G	5’11	176	Oakland U
Ben Hansbrough	G	6’3	206	KRKA (Slovenia)
Matt Janning	G	6’4	220	Novipiu Casale (Italy)
Orlando Johnson	G	6’5	224	UCSB
Tyren Johnson	F	6’7	225	Rio Grande (D League)
Chris Kramer	G	6’3	215	s. Oliver Baskets (Germany)
Julian Mavunga	F	6’8	245	Miami (Ohio)
Hamady Ndiaye	C	7’0	235	Maine (D League)
Jeff Pendergraph	F	6’9	240	Indiana (NBA)
Miles Plumlee	C	7’0	252	Duke
Matt Rogers	F	6’11	225	Texas
Lance Stephenson	G	6’5	210	Indiana (NBA)
Robert Vaden	G/F	6’5	205	Tulsa (D League)

 

Who to Watch: Summer League play is exactly where Lance Stephenson is in his element.  With the ability to handle the ball and create, Stephenson should be the highlight of the Pacers’ squad, if not the whole summer league.  This year’s first round selection, Miles Plumlee, will also be in action and should impress many with his athletic ability.  Former Big East Player of the Year Ben Hansbrough will continue his journey to make the NBA for the team of his brother Tyler.  Hansbrough isn’t a great athlete, but he is skilled and has very good leadership ability.  Jeff Pendergraph has shown that he can play in the NBA during some of his stints, but he has yet to stick for significant time.  His experience should make him valuable to this group of players.  Reggie Hamilton was a great college scorer and now he will have the chance to show that he can play point guard at the next level, while another great college scorer, Orlando Johnson, will be asked to just keep scoring.  Matt Janning has been very good in previous summer league stints, but he is running out of chances to show that he belongs in the NBA.

 

Oklahoma City Thunder 

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Cole Aldrich	C	6’11	245	Oklahoma City (NBA)
Morris Almond	G	6’6	220	Washington (NBA)
Kent Bazemore	G	6’5	200	Old Dominion
Dwight Buycks	G	6’3	190	Tulsa (D-League)
Marquez Haynes	G	6’3	185	GC 2014 (Spain)
Lazar Hayward	F	6’6	225	Oklahoma City (NBA)
John Holland	G	6’5	205	Chorale Roanne (France)
Reggie Jackson	G	6’3	208	Oklahoma City (NBA)
Perry Jones III	F	6’11	235	Baylor
James Mays	F	6’8	227	Arecibo (Puerto Rico)
Gary McGhee	C	6’10	250	Bandirma Kir (Turkey)
Ryan Reid	F	6’8	235	Tulsa (D-League)
Garrett Temple	G	6’5	200	AS Junior Pallacanestro (Italy)
Latavious Williams	F	6’8	225	FITAC Joventut (Spain)

Who to Watch: While the roster is incomplete, it is easy to see where the attention will be.  Perry Jones III inexplicably fell to Oklahoma City in last week’s draft (yes, I know about the knee, it’s nonsense), and if there were questions about his desire before, I expect him to be out to prove that teams made a big mistake passing on him.  While he still has a long way to go to reach his potential, Oklahoma City is a great spot for him to learn.  Cole Aldrich and Tibor Pleiss will be looking to find a home next year on the Thunder roster, which may be a little more crowded with the recent agreement to sign Hasheem Thabeet.  Reggie Jackson has shown very little, and I don’t expect that to change before next season.  Kent Bazemore is a very good defender and he could make his case to get a pre-season invite if he can shut down some the guards he is matched up against in Orlando.

Orlando Magic

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Kevin Anderson	G	6’0	175	Strasbourg IG (France)
Bradford Burgess	G	6’6	225	VCU
Justin Harper	F	6’10	225	Orlando (NBA)
DeQuan Jones	F	6’8	221	Miami (FL)
DeAndre Liggins	G	6’6	209	Orlando (NBA)
Luke Nevill	C	7’2	265	Perth (Australia)
Andrew Nicholson	F	6’9	250	St. Bonaventure
Kyle O’Quinn	C	6’10	224	Norfolk St.
Josh Owens	F	6’8	240	Stanford
Magnum Rolle	F	6’11	235	Atlanta (NBA)
Ish Smith	G	6’0	175	Orlando (NBA)
Dominique Sutton	G	6’5	212	NC Central
Ryan Thompson	G	6’6	218	Centrale del Latte (Italy)
Maalik Wayns	G	6’1	195	Villanova
Charlie Westbrook	G	6’4	196	South Dakota

 

Who to Watch: Both of this year’s Magic draft picks, Andrew Nicholson and Kyle O’Quinn, will be on display.  Nicholson is a highly skilled big man who can score around the rim, or step out to 15 feet and hit his jumper consistently.  O’Quinn is a very active big man who can rebound and run the floor, but he will need to show that he can operate as a full-time post player.  A trio guards who went undrafted last week, Maalik Wayns, Bradford Burgess and Charlie Westbrook, will have the chance to make their case that they should be brought to a pre-season camp this fall.  Wayns could have used another year in school to hone some his weak areas, but he is still a good point guard who can get into the lane and create.  Westbrook is a quality scorer who can help out in many different spots on the floor.  Burgess is another good all-around player, and should bring a workman’s mentality to this squad.  Luke Nevill, a former Mountain West Player of the Year, is back in America to give another shot at making the NBA.  With the possibility of Dwight Howard leaving Orlando, Nevill could earn an opportunity to add some much needed size in the post.

 

Philadelphia 76ers

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Maurice Harkless	F	6’8	208	St. John’s
Justin Holiday	F	6’6	184	Aalstar (Belgium)
Terrence Jennings	F	6’10	230	Liege (Belgium)
Chris Johnson	F	6’6	201	Dayton
Solomon Jones	C	6’10	245	New Orleans (NBA)
Jacob Pullen	G	6’1	200	Angelico Biella (Italy)
Jeremy Richardson	G	6’7	210	Armia (Georgia)
Zach Rosen	G	6’1	175	Penn
Jon Scheyer	G	6’5	190	Maccabi Electra (Israel)
Devin Searcy	F	6’10	226	Toyama Grouses (Japan)
Xavier Silas	G	6’5	205	Philadelphia (NBA)
Clay Tucker	G	6’5	210	Lottomanica Roma (Italy)
Justin Williams	C	6’10	260	Los Angeles (D League)
Nik Vucevic	C	7’0	240	Philadelphia (NBA)

 

Who to Watch: Last week’s first round pick, Maurice Harkless, will have his chance to show Philly fans why he was worth the 15^th selection.  Harkless is very athletic and should be able to show the ability to create scoring opportunities in Orlando.  Xavier Silas performed very well in the D-League last season before a late-season call-up to the Sixers, and he will get a chance to show he should be on the team from the start next season.  Guards Zach Rosen and Jon Scheyer are both high quality players who won’t wow fans with what they do on the court, but they will impress teams and scouts.  Jacob Pullen will get another shot at trying to make the NBA after going undrafted in 2011.  A  good scorer and leader, Pullen still needs to show that he can play the point guard spot reliably.  There are a group of average big men, Nik Vucevic, Solomon Jones, and Justin Williams, who will all try to show that they have what it takes to stick around.

 

Utah Jazz

Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Last Team
Blake Ahearn	G	6’2	190	Utah (NBA)
Alec Burks	G	6’6	202	Utah (NBA)
DeMarre Carroll	F	6’8	212	Utah (NBA)
Tony Gaffney	F	6’8	215	Telekom Baskets (Germany)
Stephen Graham	G	6’6	215	Ft. Wayne (D League)
Mike Green	G	6’0	175	Sigma Barcelona (Italy)
Enes Kanter	C	6’11	267	Utah (NBA)
Justin Knox	F	6’9	240	Minsk (Belarus)
Salah Mejri	C	7’0	209	Antwerp (Belgium)
John Millsap	G	6’6	220	Guaros (Venezuela)
Kevin Murphy	G	6’6	185	Tennessee Tech
Cedric Simmons	F	6’9	235	Asefa Estudiantes (Spain)
Henry Sims	C	7’0	241	Georgetown
Michael Stockton	G	6’0		Karlsruhe (Germany)
Deron Washington	F	6’7	210	Obradoiro (Spain)
Kyle Weaver	G	6’6	201	Alba Berlin (Germany)

 

Who to Watch: Last year’s two first round picks, Alec Burks and Enes Kanter, will hope to show that they have improved over the course of the past season.  Kanter, especially, needs to show that he is going to be worth the time and money invested in him.  This year’s second round selection Kevin Murphy will be a new face to a lot of people watching, but I expect him to quickly impress with his scoring ability.  DeMarre Carroll and Blake Ahearn will be looking to solidify the chance they got last season with the Jazz, and Ahearn could earn himself a full-time spot in the NBA.   Henry Sims went undrafted last week, but I think a good showing here will get him a bigger look from the Jazz or other NBA teams.  Tony Gaffney has always shown a good skill level and very good athleticism, but needs to show consistency in order to stick around.


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The 2012 NBA Draft is in the books, and it is time to take a look at how each of the teams fared.  Please note that the grades reflect how the teams picked based on a combination of the player’s draft value and the team’s need for that player.

Atlanta Hawks

1^st Round: John Jenkins (23^rd, Junior, SG, Vanderbilt)

2^nd Round: Mike Scott (43^rd, Senior, PF, Virginia)

Grade: B-

Analysis: While Jenkins will be able to provide the Hawks with some much needed consistency from the perimeter, he was certainly a bit of a reach at #23.  The addition of Mike Scott at 43 makes up for some of it, and gives the Hawks another good scoring option off the bench from 15 feet in.

 

Boston Celtics

1^st Round: Jared Sullinger (21^st, Sophomore, PF, Ohio State); Fab Melo (22^nd, Sophomore, C, Syracuse)

2^nd Round: Kris Joseph (51^st, Senior, SF, Syracuse)

Grade: B

Analysis: Count me among those who feel Boston may have gotten the steal of the draft with Sullinger falling because of medical “red flag.”  If he stays healthy, Sullinger will be a double-double machine immediately for the Celtics.  Melo is still going to need time to develop, but with the right coaching, he could be an above-average big man.  He is certainly an upgrade over whoever the Celtics have been using.  Joseph was a solid addition at #51 and will eventually provide some scoring off the bench.

Brooklyn Nets

1^st Round: None (Pick traded to Portland)

2^nd Round: Tyshawn Taylor (41^st, Senior, PG, Kansas); Tornike Shengalia (54^th, SF, Georgia); Ilkan Karaman (57^th, PF, Turkey)

Grade: C-

Analysis: Tyshawn Taylor was a great value pick at #41, and will immediately enter their guard rotation.  An improved shooter, Taylor will provide leadership and the ability to make plays for himself and others.  Shengelia has good size, but he can’t shoot and is nowhere near tough enough to attack the basket in the NBA.  If Karaman ever comes over to play, it will be a miracle; a complete waste of a selection.

Charlotte Bobcats

1^st Round: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2^nd, Freshman, SF, Kentucky)

2^nd Round: Jeff Taylor (31^st, Senior, SF, Vanderbilt)

Grade: B-

Analysis: I understand some of the reasoning behind the possible selection of the “high character, hard-working” Kidd-Gilchrist, but the simple fact is that the Bobcats could have done much better at #2.  Charlotte needs someone who can create their own scoring opportunities, or at least score when they get the ball.  Kidd-Gilchrist’s inability to shoot is going to make him a detriment on the offensive end, especially since defenders can sag against him to prevent him from trying to get in the lane.  Understanding that players aren’t drafted necessarily for immediate contribution, but it will be 3-4 years before Kidd-Gilchrist helps on offense. Defensively, he will adjust to the speed of the NBA in time, but he isn’t going to be the great defender everyone expects immediately.

I think Taylor was a great value pick in the 2^nd round, and he will be more prepared than Kidd-Gilchrist to contribute immediately on both ends of the floor for the Bobcats.

Chicago Bulls

1^st Round: Marquis Teague (29^th, Freshman, PG, Kentucky)

2^nd Round: None ( sent to LA Lakers)

Grade: B

Analysis: It is still unknown how quickly Derrick Rose will recover from his ACL injury, but Teague is no position to help the team for a few years.  He doesn’t shoot well and I question his ability to run anything more complex than a pick-and-roll.  Maybe with some solid coaching for a few seasons, he may turn into a serviceable backup point guard.

Cleveland Cavaliers

1^st Round: Dion Waiters (4^th, Sophomore, SG, Syracuse); Tyler Zeller (17^th, Senior, C, North Carolina)

2^nd Round:

Grade: B

Analysis: I do not buy the Waiters hype for one minute.  He hasn’t shown that he can play consistently for any length of time, and certainly not in a starting role.  He is a good athlete, and he still may develop into a real offensive threat, but an outrageous reach at #4.  On the other hand, Zeller was a great value pick at #17 and should make the Cavaliers frontcourt significantly better from Day 1.

 

Dallas Mavericks

1^st Round: Jared Cunningham (24^th, Junior, SG, Oregon State)

2^nd Round: Bernard James (33^rd, Senior, PF, Florida State); Jae Crowder (34^th, Senior, SF, Marquette)

Grade: B+

Analysis: This grade is more of a reflection of the 2 great second round picks rather than a clear reach in the first round.  Cunningham could be an effective pro, but he will need to show that he can be a point guard in the NBA.  A good defender, but I don’t see him being effective against NBA shooting guards.  James and Crowder are going to make the Mavericks one of the more physical teams out west.  James will provide solid minutes off the bench immediately, though I don’t see him being an eventual starter.  Crowder is one of my favorite players in this draft, and all of the talk about him not having a position is nonsense.  He can be used in a variety of ways, and he will make the team work harder to keep up with him.

Denver Nuggets

1^st Round: Evan Fournier (20^th, SF, France)

2^nd Round: Quincy Miller (38^th, Freshman, SF, Baylor); Izzet Turkyilmaz (50^th, PF, Turkey)

Grade: C-

Analysis: The only thing that saved this grade was the potential value of Miller at #38.  Fournier, despite what he may think, is not even close to ready for the NBA.  A slasher who shies away from contact is not going to go far in the NBA, especially when he is no jumper to fall back on.  Miller should have definitely stayed in school another year, but with no immediate need for him, hopefully the Nuggets do what they need to to develop him.  Turkyilmaz has the best name this draft for someone who will never see the NBA.

Detroit Pistons

1^st Round: Andre Drummond (9^th, Freshman, C, Connecticut)

2^nd Round: Khris Middleton (39^th, Junior, SF, Texas A&M); Kim English (44^th, Senior, SG, Missouri)

Grade: A-

Analysis: Obviously there is still no way to tell how Drummond is going to develop, but at #9, the risk is absolutely worth the potential reward.  Worst case right now, he is still an athletic big who can help Greg Monroe on the defensive end.  Best case, Drummond will be an absolute monster in the middle.  The Pistons also did very well in the second round, adding two experienced players who can contribute immediately.  English is one of the most mature players in this draft, and will add a knockdown shooter and solid defense.  Middleton is a slasher who is still developing an all-around game, but he still has a lot of potential.

Golden State

1^st Round: Harrison Barnes (7^th, Sophomore, SF, North Carolina); Festus Ezeli (30^th, Senior, C, Vanderbilt)

2^nd Round: Draymond Green (35^th, Senior, PF, Michigan State); Ognjen Kuzmic (52^nd, C, Bosnia)

Grade: A-

Analysis: Barnes was a very solid pick, especially in a high need area for the Warriors.  He will be able to contribute scoring right away, especially with the way Curry and Thompson can spread the floor.  Ezeli adds some more toughness in the frontcourt to pair with David Lee, and also should contribute immediately.  Picking a player like Green in the second round is never a bad move.  The Warriors will be able to use his versatility on both ends, as well as gaining some much-needed maturity and leadership.  Kuzmic will likely never be seen playing in the United States.

Houston Rockets

1^st Round: Jeremy Lamb (12^th, Sophomore, SG, Connecticut); Royce White (16^th, Junior, PF, Iowa State); Terrence Jones (18^th, Sophomore, PF, Kentucky)

2^nd Round: Furkan Aldemir (53^rd, PF, Turkey)

Grade: B

Analysis: Lamb is a very good value at #12, and should be able to step in as an improvement over Kevin Martin in most areas as soon as they can move him.  White is a bit of a reach at #16, but is still a decent pick.  He has a very good understanding of the game, but he has not shown that he can defend well on the perimeter or if he knows how to operate in an offense where the ball isn’t going through him.  While he does make some spectacular plays as a “point forward”, he still makes some really bad decisions as well, so you need to hope he develops more.  Jones is another good value pick at #18, though he is entering a logjam of power forwards in the Houston organization, so the Rockets are still going to need to make some moves.  A decent rebounder, Aldemir doesn’t have the body or toughness to be effective in the NBA. Will need to see how he develops in a few years, but there were still better options available who are ready to contribute.

Indiana Pacers

1^st Round: Miles Plumlee (26^th, Senior, C, Duke)

2^nd Round: Orlando Johnson (36^th, Senior, SG, UCSB)

Grade: B

Analysis: While the reaction to Plumlee at #26 wasn’t great, it wasn’t a huge reach for him here.  Big and athletic, Plumlee understands what it takes to win basketball games, and he will be a nice backup compliment to Roy Hibbert.  Orlando Johnson knows how to score in a variety of ways, and he is exactly the kind of players that very good teams are able to bring off the bench.

Los Angeles Clippers

1^st Round: None (Sent to Boston)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Houston)

Grade: INC

Analysis: Nothing to see here, please move on.

 

Los Angeles Lakers

1^st Round: None (Sent to Dallas via Cleveland)

2^nd Round: Darius Johnson-Odom (55^th, Senior, SG, Marquette); Robert Sacre (60^th, Senior, C, Gonzaga)

Grade: B

Analysis: People may deride the value of two very late second round picks, but the fact is that the Lakers got some very good value here.  Johnson-Odom is one of the hardest-working, toughest players around, with a great ability to score.  He will need to show he can play point guard, but I guarantee he is already better than last year’s early second round selection, Darius Morris.  Sacre is a solid player who can operate well out of the high post and is a very good defender.

Memphis Grizzlies

1^st Round: Tony Wroten (25^th, Freshman, PG, Washington)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Brooklyn via Philadelphia)

Grade: B-

Analysis: I admit that Wroten is a physical freak who can do some amazing things with the basketball.  He can also be that much of a train wreck when he has the ball as well.  For a playoff contender, they need to be able to back-up Conley with someone better than this, so I wouldn’t expect him to play any role for a few seasons.  If he ever gets it together, could end up being the steal of the draft.

Miami Heat

1^st Round: None ( Sent to Philadelphia)

2^nd Round: Justin Hamilton (45^th, Junior, C, LSU)

Grade: D

Analysis: This is not a knock on Hamilton, who I like as a player who can give some valuable minutes to a team with no quality big men.  The Heat really needed to shore up the center position, and would have been better off keeping the pick, Arnett Moultrie, or taking Festus Ezeli.  One very good thing about Hamilton – he is an above average perimeter shooter for his size, and if he can draw defenders away from the rim, James and Wade could have an easier time than they do now.

Milwaukee Bucks

1^st Round: John Henson (14^th, Junior, PF, North Carolina)

2^nd Round: Doron Lamb (42^nd, Sophomore, SG, Kentucky)

Grade: B+

Analysis: Henson was a steal for the Bucks at #14, and he will be an immediate defensive presence, and certainly a slight upgrade over Ekpe Udoh and Larry Sanders.  While his offensive game still needs work, he did improve a lot during this past season, and should continue to do so.  Lamb was also a very solid pick at #42.  He is a pure shooter, and with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis’ ability to draw defenders, Lamb can put up some pretty good numbers.

Minnesota Timberwolves

1^st Round: None (Sent to Houston)

2^nd Round: Robbie Hummel (58^th, Senior, PF, Purdue)

Grade: C

Analysis: I actually liked the deal the Timberwolves made for Chase Budinger, giving up the 18^th pick overall, so I won’t hold that against them here.  Hummel is an incredibly smart player who can knock down shots from the perimeter.  After coming back and playing the way he did his senior year after two ACL tears, Hummel is going to give everything he has out there to make the team better.

New Orleans Hornets

1^st Round: Anthony Davis (1^st, Freshman, PF, Kentucky); Austin Rivers (10^th, Freshman, SG, Duke)

2^nd Round: Darius Miller (46^th, Senior, SF, Kentucky)

Grade: A

Analysis: The combination of Davis and Rivers will not only produce well into the future for the Hornets, but both will generate a style of play which will want others to play with them.  Davis has a chance to be dominant at the NBA level, but that is still a long way off.  I still think Rivers will eventually move to the point guard spot in the NBA, but for now, he is one of the best in this class at taking his man off the dribble, and as he matures physically, he will be able to finish better.  Miller was a solid middle of the second round pick who can contribute immediately on perimeter defense and knocking down open shots.

New York Knicks

1^st Round: None (Sent to Houston)

2^nd Round: Kostas Papanikolaou (48^th, SF, Greece)

Grade: B-

Analysis: Papanikolaou became well-known after his play in the Euroleague Finals, but he is still a long way from being ready to have an impact at the NBA level.   Maybe in 3 years, if he comes over, he may be an average player, which isn’t that bad for the 48^th pick.

Oklahoma City Thunder

1^st Round: Perry Jones III (28^th, Sophomore, PF, Baylor)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Minnesota)

Grade: A

Analysis: Just a remarkable turn of events for the Thunder here.  On potential and talent, Jones is still a lottery pick.  However, the questions over motivation and a possible knee problem caused an almost unprecedented slide.  Jones may have found the perfect spot for him to continue to develop, and if there are issues with his desire or motivation, you only used the 28^th pick on him.

Orlando Magic

1^st Round: Andrew Nicholson (19^th, Senior, PF, St. Bonaventure)

2^nd Round: Kyle O’Quinn (49^th, Senior, C, Norfolk State)

Grade: B+

Analysis: A great first draft for new GM Rob Hennigan.  Nicholson is long and skilled, with the ability to stretch the floor or score around the rim.  O’Quinn is a fighter and he will do whatever the team needs of him.  You aren’t going to get Dwight Howard’s replacement at #49, but they did get a very good back-up who will bring great energy levels.

Philadelphia 76ers

1^st Round: Maurice Harkless (15^th, Freshman, SF, St. John’s); Arnett Moultrie (27^th, Junior, PF, Mississippi State)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Miami)

Grade: B+

Analysis: Harkless may have been a small reach at #15, but he is very athletic and still raw, so with the right coaching the Sixers may have a potential long-term starter here.  I am not a big fan of Moultrie.  He is big and athletic, but his skill level is poor.  However, there is nothing bad you can say about taking him at #27, especially when you need to add some size to the team.

Phoenix Suns

1^st Round: Kendall Marshall (13^th, Sophomore, PG, North Carolina)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Atlanta)

Grade: B+

Analysis: Marshall was the best pure point guard in this class, and a great addition with Steve Nash ‘s time in Phoenix being over.  While the Suns will need to add some more scorers around him, he will make everyone around him better.  There are issues with his foot speed and lateral movement on the defensive end, but he knows how to play defense, and he can continue to work on his athleticism.

Portland Trail Blazers

1^st Round: Damian Lillard (6^th, Senior, PG, Weber State); Meyers Leonard (11^th, Sophomore, C, Illinois)

2^nd Round: Will Barton (40^th, Sophomore, SG, Memphis)

Grade: B

Analysis: With the 6^th and 11^th picks, the Trail Blazers had the opportunity to do something great, but came away with Lillard and Leonard.  I like Lillard and he should be a decent scoring point guard, but his value is a bit lower than 6^th.  He can score, get into the lane, and continues to work hard to get better, but he is just average as a “point guard”, so he really needs to learn how to develop the ability to create for others and how to play when he is not the focal point of the offense.  Leonard is an athletic big man who is still developing at the center position, but even at his full potential, I don’t see him as 11^th pick value.  Barton could be a great get at the 40^th spot.  He is a nice athlete who can provide some scoring pop off the bench.

Sacramento Kings

1^st Round: Thomas Robinson (5^th, Junior, PF, Kansas)

2^nd Round: None (Sent to Indiana)

Grade: A-

Analysis: Sacramento ended up not making a move paid off and they got possibly the 2^nd best player of the draft at #5.  Robinson will be a nice compliment to DeMarcus Cousins and should instantly elevate Sacramento closer to playoff contention.

San Antonio Spurs

1^st Round: None (Sent to Golden State)

2^nd Round: Marcus Denmon (59^th, Senior, SG, Missouri)

Grade: B+

Analysis: A fantastic value pick at #59, Denmon has a legitimate shot of making the roster, and should eventually make a move to being a back-up point guard.  He can knock down open shots and knows how to play tough perimeter defense.  Not much more you can ask for from the second to last pick of the draft.

Toronto

1^st Round: Terrence Ross (8^th, Sophomore, SG, Washington)

2^nd Round: Quincy Acy (37^th, Senior, PF, Baylor); Tomislav Zubcic (56^th, SF, Croatia)

Grade: C

Analysis: Ross going with the 8^th pick may be the worst of some absolutely baffling picks made in this draft.  A good athlete, solid defender, and knockdown shooter, there is nothing about Ross that screams Top 10 pick.  He can’t create his own shot, and Toronto doesn’t exactly have the playmakers to get him open looks.  I like Acy, and he will bring some much needed toughness to Toronto, but #37 was still a reach for him.  Zubcic is a decent shooter, but is a long way from being a NBA player.

Utah

1^st Round: None (Sent to Houston)

2^nd Round: Kevin Murphy (47^th, Senior, SG, Tennessee Tech)

Grade: B+

Analysis: I love the Murphy pick at #47, and I expect him to be able to provide some wing scoring off the bench rather quickly for the Jazz.  He will need to become a more consistent shooter, especially from mid-range, but when he gets hot, it is tough to guard him.

Washington

1^st Round: Bradley Beal (3^rd, Freshman, SG, Florida)

2^nd Round: Tomas Satoransky (32^nd, SG, Czech Republic)

Grade: A-

Analysis: The Beal pick gave them an A, but wasting a high second round pick on Satoransky is ridiculous.  Beal will be a great compliment to John Wall in the Wizards backcourt, and should continue to improve at a rapid rate for a few years still.  Satoransky is a shooting guard who can’t shoot, but he does have good size and a decent understanding of the game.

 

That wraps up the 2012 NBA Draft.  Thank you for reading this year, and I will start work on 2013 prospects next week.  Hope to see many of you in Las Vegas for Summer League.

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Finally, just hours before the NBA Draft, and I am ready to provide Version 1 of my NBA Mock Draft.  This is not based on what I, or others, have heard.  This is solely based on what would be the best move for each team.  

1.     New Orleans – Anthony Davis, Freshman, PF, Kentucky

Davis will give the Hornets an instant boost on the defensive end, and as he matures, should develop into a legitimate offensive threat out to 15-18 feet.  Even bigger, the addition of Davis could boost New Orleans as a high-profile destination for future big-name free agents who want to play with him.

2.    Charlotte – Thomas Robinson, Junior, PF, Kansas

While the Bobcats could use players at almost any position, Robinson is the player most ready in this range to come in and produce at a high-level quickly.  Pairing Robinson with Bismack Biyombo will allow him to focus more on helping Charlotte on the offensive end more to start.

3.    Washington – Bradley Beal, Freshman, SG, Florida

Contrary to his one year college shooting percentages, Beal is one of the top shooters in this draft and should show it with John Wall opening up space on the floor for him.  A solid defender and ballhandler already, look for Beal to be the real future star in Washington.

4.    Cleveland – Harrison Barnes, Sophomore, SF, North Carolina

Barnes will provide an instant offensive threat to pair with Kyrie Irving out on the perimeter, and his ability to score with his jumper or at the basket will make him a tough match-up for many defenders, and will also make it tough for defenses to key on Irving.

5.    Sacramento – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Freshman, SF, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist will be a nice addition to a developing Kings’ team and his ability to defend on the perimeter should be able to take some pressure off of DeMarcus Cousins to act as a help defender too often.  In a few years, he may develop into a legitimate NBA offensive threat.

6.    Portland (from Brooklyn) – Damian Lillard, Junior, PG, Weber State

With Portland seriously in need of point guard help, they will reach a bit to take Lillard here.  More scorer than distributor, Lillard will need to show that he can be effective as both without being the team’s primary option.

7.    Golden State – Tyler Zeller, Senior, C, North Carolina

With Andrew Bogut coming off of an injury, and Jeremy Tyler and Andris Biedrins as possible backups, the Warriors look to take the more polished of the 1^st round big men in Zeller.  Zeller’s rebounding and ability to get out in transition should  be a big lift for the Warriors.

8.    Toronto – Austin Rivers, Freshman, SG, Duke

With likely first choice Lillard off the board, the Raptors turn to Rivers, who should provide a scoring lift to the anemic Toronto offense.  With Jonas Valanciunas likely to be here next season, the Raptors look for backcourt help and Rivers could eventually become their future point guard.

9.    Detroit – John Henson, Junior, PF, North Carolina

With Zeller gone, but Drummond possibly still available, the Pistons will go for the known quantity, who has also been one of their main targets since the beginning.  The combination of Henson and Greg Monroe will instantly become one of the more formidable in the Eastern Conference, and should be a solid foundation for the Pistons to add new pieces around.

10.    New Orleans (from Minnesota) – Andre Drummond, Freshman, C, Connecticut

Though there are obviously other areas the Hornets could look to fill, having Drummond fall to them here is too much for them to pass up on.  The combination of Davis and Drummond could be the best in the NBA 3 or 4 years down the road – assuming Drummond develops as he should.

11.    Portland – Meyers Leonard, Sophomore, C, Illinois

Having found their point guard for the future at #6 with Lillard, the Blazers turn their attention to their hole in the middle and take the best available option, legit seven-footer Leonard.  While raw, with the right coaching, Leonard can turn into a long-time contributor.

12.    Houston (from Milwaukee) – Jeremy Lamb, Sophomore, SG, Connecticut

With Leonard, Zeller and Drummond all gone, the Rockets turn to the best available option on the board.  Lamb could be the replacement for the one-dimensional Kevin Martin and should help the Rockets on the offensive end fairly quickly.

13.    Phoenix – Dion Waiters, Sophomore, SG, Syracuse

Despite all of the smokescreens being thrown around, Waiters falls down to the top of his actual draft value.  With Phoenix looking for help at almost every position, Waiters will be able to fill in nicely in the backcourt rotation immediately.

14.    Milwaukee (from Houston) – Terrence Ross, Sophomore, SG, Washington

Having traded back to the end of the lottery, Milwaukee took themselves out of the running for one of the big men they covet, but they can get the knockdown shooter they also need.  With Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, Ross should be able to get the right spacing he needs to get his shot off.

15.    Philadelphia – Perry Jones III, Sophomore, PF, Baylor

With Elton Brand’s Sixer career coming near its end, the ultra-talented, but raw, Jones may be the type of risk worth the 15^th pick.  With the correct coaching, Jones could become a dominant player on both ends of the floor, and even at his floor, he will still be a valuable contributor.

16.    Houston (from New York) – Kendall Marshall, Sophomore, PG, North Carolina

The Rockets are assuming that Goran Dragic won’t be back, and Kyle Lowry is being dangled as trade bait, so the need is there for a point guard, and Marshall may be the best pure point in the class.  Whatever the Rockets look like next year, Marshall will make the team better.

17.    Dallas – Moe Harkless, Freshman, SF, St. John’s

A year removed from their championship, Dallas is desperately in need of some young talent, and Harkless certainly fills that need.  Very athletic, with the ability to play inside and out, Harkless could be one of the best in this class 10 years down the road.

18.    Houston (from Utah via Minnesota) – Terrence Jones, Sophomore, PF, Kentucky

This could turn out to be one of the best value picks in the draft, and the Houston culture plus Kevin McHale may be what Jones needs to fulfill his potential.  Immediately, he will give the Rockets the toughness at the power forward position that Scola lacks.

19.    Orlando – Royce White, Junior, PF, Iowa State

With the Dwight Howard, plus coaching, situations still up in the air, the maturity of White should be exactly the kind of thing that new GM Rob Hennigan needs to start off his new position.  White is not great at anything in particular, but he is good at many, and should be a valuable addition whether Howard is there or not.

20.    Denver – Arnett Moultrie, Junior, PF, Mississippi State

Athletic big man Moultrie should fit in very well with the Denver style of play, and his lack of any real post skills shouldn’t hinder him in the Nuggets’ offense (see Kenneth Faried.)  If Moultrie and Faried are on the floor, what the team lacks in skill, will be made up with lots of rebounding and athletic play.

21.    Boston – Jared Sullinger, Sophomore, PF, Ohio State

Back issue or not, Sullinger is the most skilled big man in this class, and if, as I assume, the issue is manageable, Sullinger will be the steal of this draft.  He will be an instant upgrade for the Celtics in the low post.

22.    Boston (from LA Clippers) – Andrew Nicholson, Senior, PF, St. Bonaventure

Yes, they just took Sullinger the pick before, but Nicholson is too much of a talent to pass up.  He has a better ability than Sullinger to step out and play in the high post or perimeter, so it would even be possible to play them both together.  Too much value to pass up here.

23.    Atlanta – Jeff Taylor, Senior, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor will be an instant upgrade defensively for the Hawks, plus will give them some additional shooting power from the perimeter.  A smart player, Taylor will adapt well to any offense and be a major asset going forward.

24.    Cleveland (from LA Lakers) – Fab Melo, Sophomore, C, Syracuse

When Anderson Varejao is who you have in the middle, you need to upgrade the center position.  While Melo will still need time to develop, he will provide a solid big man presence immediately.

25.    Memphis – Quincy Miller, Freshman, SF, Baylor

Miller’s decision to go pro may have been one of the worst in this draft, Memphis could still take the risk on the athletic, but raw, Miller.  At 6’10, Miller could create all kinds of mismatch problems for opponents, but there will still be concerns about whether his knee will hold up long term.

26.    Indiana – Draymond Green, Senior, PF, Michigan State

Not many ways you can go wrong by picking the multi-talented Green here.  He should be able to provide rebounding and passing off the bench to start, while also being the kind of player who can pick up scoring when needed.

27.    Miami – Festus Ezeli, Senior, C, Vanderbilt

A solid center that is an upgrade over anyone they have at the position now.  His toughness and ability to bang in the post should make the NBA Champions even a better team next season.

28.    Oklahoma City – Will Barton, Sophomore, SF, Memphis

A solid, low-risk pick here for the Thunder.  Barton still needs time to develop, both his game and physically, and will have at least a year to do so behind James Harden.  His development could help make the decision on Harden’s future in Oklahoma.

29.    Chicago – Evan Fournier, SF, Poitiers (France)

Not a bad player right now at 19 years old, Fournier still needs to develop his perimeter game and toughness to be a legitimate NBA player.  Still, there is a good risk/reward ratio for the Bulls taking him in this spot.

30.    Golden State (from San Antonio) – Marquis Teague, Freshman, PG, Kentucky

The Warriors add a solid long-term addition to the guard rotation, especially with Stephen Curry’s injury history.  Teague is far from ready for the NBA, but the Warriors could hope they don’t need him for more than spot minutes each game as he matures.

ROUND 2 Picks

31. Charlotte – John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

32. Washington – Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas

33. Cleveland – Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

34. Cleveland (from New Orleans) – Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

35. Golden State (from Brooklyn) – Darius Miller, SF, Kentucky

36. Sacramento – Jared Cunningham, SG, Oregon State

37. Toronto – Kostas Papanikolaou, SF, Olympiakos (Greece)

38. Denver – Scott Machado, PG, Iona

39. Detroit – Miles Plumlee, C, Duke

40. Portland (from Minnesota) – Jae Crowder, SF, Marquette

41. Portland – Kim English, SG, Missouri

42. Milwaukee – Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico

43. Atlanta (from Phoenix) – Orlando Johnson, SG, UCSB

44. Detroit (from Houston) – Bernard James, PF, Florida State

45. Philadelphia – Kyle O’Quinn, C, Norfolk State

46. New Orleans (from Dallas via Washington) – Darius Johnson-Odom, SG, Marquette

47. Utah – Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

48. New York – Kevin Murphy, SG, Tennessee Tech

49. Orlando – Mike Scott, PF, Virginia

50. Denver – Tomas Satoransky, PG/SG, Sevilla

51. Boston  - William Buford, SG, Ohio State

52. Golden State (from Atlanta) – JaMychal Green, PF, Alabama

53. Los Angeles Clippers – Khris Middleton, SF, Texas A&M

54. Philadelphia (from Memphis) – Tu Holloway, PG, Xavier

55. Dallas (from LA Lakers) – Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse

56. Toronto (from Indiana) – Quincy Acy, PF, Baylor

57. Brooklyn (from Miami) – Henry Sims, C, Georgetown

58. Minnesota (from Oklahoma City) – Furkin Aldemar, PF, Galtasaray

59. San Antonio – Olek Czyz, SF, Nevada

60. Los Angeles Lakers – Hollis Thompson, SG/SF, Georgetown

 

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When it comes to the NBA Draft, there is such a disproportionate amount of attention paid to numbers and various statistics.  At times, I will find myself start to fall into that trap, but then a player steps out of their college system, and show a lot more to their game than you could have imagined.  Sometimes, the things that teams are really looking for can’t be quantified, or there are teams that feel they can take a player and add the tools they need to be a successful pro.  Duke’s Miles Plumlee falls into all of these categories.  The numbers he put up rarely wowed anyone, but the team was winning and he was a major part of it.  He did a lot of the dirty work, such as setting screens and battling in the post, while more heralded teammates fed off of that and put up numbers that did impress.  Again, I was a guilty as anyone in often downplaying or flat out not recognizing what Plumlee did for that team.  I was wrong.  Third, Fourth, Fifth looks at his film, and you can see how just a small movement or play or his part was the difference in a play being successful.  Not that everything was great to watch, but Plumlee knows exactly what he needs to do to fix it.  I had the chance to talk to Plumlee recently as he was leaving Minnesota after his last pre-NBA Draft workout.  Here, Plumlee discusses his game, playing at Duke, the pre-Draft process, and more:

Miles on how his game developed at Duke:

“I probably developed the most with the physical part of the game, especially playing in the paint.  I came to college liking to play up high, facing the basket, so I had to learn to play as more of a back-to-the-basket post player.”

 

Miles on the influence of Coach Mike Krzyzewski:

“Coach Krzyzewski has been a huge influence to me, especially on the court.  He instilled in me how hard you had to work to play that level, and also how to compete and fight every time you are out there.”

Miles on having two brothers (Mason and Marshall) on the same team with him:

“I couldn’t have dreamed of anything better than having them there with me and it is something I will never forget.”

Miles on season-ending NCAA Tournament loss to Lehigh:

“Of course it was disappointing, and I hope that that one game is not how I am remembered at Duke.  You just have to move past it and know that brighter days are still ahead.”

Miles on his strengths as a player: 

“I would say my biggest strengths are how hard I play and my athleticism.  Being as big as athletic as I am for my size makes me unique in this draft, so I just need to keep working hard and show what I am capable of doing.”

 

Miles on what parts of his game he still wants to improve:

“I need to be able to have a more consistent jumper when I am facing the basket, and definitely want to extend my range on it.  Also, I will need to make the usual adjustments players have to make when going to the NBA.  It is a faster and more physical game.”

 

Miles on what role he can fill for a team immediately:

“I can come in and rebound, defend, and use my athleticism to finish around the basket.  I can be a very good complimentary player who can fit into most systems.”

 

Miles on going through the Pre-Draft process:

“The whole process was definitely strenuous, especially all of the traveling from city to city.  But It was a great experience and I can look back and say I made it through and accomplished what I wanted to.  Now I am just excited for Draft night.”

 

Miles on what he wants teams and fans to know about him:

“I am a low risk, high reward player.  My athleticism sets me apart from others my size.  I am coachable, want to come in and work hard, and have a lot to offer any team that picks me.”

I want to thank Miles for his time and I wish him the best of luck as he looks to fulfill his dream of getting to the NBA.  Miles is the perfect example of how little numbers mean when teams are looking at a player as a possible prospect.  Chances are, Miles could have gone to another school and played in another system where he could have put up bigger numbers.  Instead, he took the opportunity to play for one of the best coaches ever and did whatever Coach Krzyzewski needed him to do to help the team.  It is all going to pay off for him tomorrow, and after speaking to Miles, he knows there is still a lot of work ahead, but he seems very ready to tackle it.

 

Check back this week for more great interviews and scouting reports as we head towards the 2012 NBA Draft.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog – for updates, leave your comments below, or feel free to email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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Every year, there is a player whose name doesn’t start to get mentioned until it comes to individual team workouts.  Usually it is because they are from a smaller school, and they come into the workouts and outplay the players who are projected to be drafted.  This pre-draft season, the player whose name I have heard pop up the most in this regard is Boston University’s Darryl Partin.  Partin, a 6’6 point guard who spent two years at BU after transferring from LaSalle, capped off an excellent senior season by being named America East Player of the Year and AP Honorable Mention All-American.  Now, given the chance to work out against some bigger name guards in the draft, Partin has already impressed personnel from the Celtics (who worked him out twice) and Clippers, and was preparing to see some other teams.  I had the chance to talk to Partin recently about his game, the workout process, being from a smaller conference, and more:

Darryl on how his game developed in college:

“I matured a lot as a player.  Definitely, I matured physically. I was 6’6 and real skinny when I got to college, so I needed to bulk up.  Plus playing with some great players taught me a lot.  When I got to LaSalle, I was playing the 1 behind Rodney Green, who was also a big point guard.  It helped me a lot playing behind him.  ”

 

Darryl on his strengths as a player: 

“I think my biggest strengths are getting to the rim, and making reads off of the pick and roll.  The NBA is all about the pick and roll, so I think my ability to know how to run it well has helped me.”

 

Darryl on what parts of his game he still wants to improve:

“I have been working on improving my ability to catch and shoot from NBA 3-point range.  I have also been working on improving on the defensive end, especially improving how to keep my man in front of me.  The speed at the NBA level will be an adjustment for me.”

 

Darryl on what role he can fill for a team immediately:

“I think I definitely can come in right away and help defensively.  I can guard the 1 through 3, and I am a smart player who understands the game very well.  Also, as a 6’6 guard, I can provide a team with some versatility.”

Darryl on going through the Pre-Draft process:

“The process has been very exciting to me and something I have looked forward to for a long time.  It gave me the chance to go against some great players and also let teams see what I could bring to their team.”

 

Darryl on whether he felt overlooked playing in the America East:

“In some ways I did.  It’s a very different game playing in the smaller conference.  The game is very guard-dominant; you don’t have the real big men you have at a lot of bigger schools.  So it is tough to get noticed unless you can win a game against a big name team or get into the NCAA Tournament.”

Darryl on what he wants teams and fans to know about him:

“I am a very hard-working player.  I am not a problem, on or off the court.  I can be a great teammate and locker room guy.  There is no difference between me and a lot of guys who are projected to be drafted, and I am ready to step onto the court and prove it.  I will definitely be playing with a chip on my shoulder.”

I want to thank Darryl for his time and I wish him the best of luck as he looks to fulfill his dream of getting to the NBA.  Though college fans, especially in the Northeast, may have known some about Darryl, the impression he is making on NBA teams is beyond what any of them could have expected.  He is a unique player and that is very appealing to many teams, and as he pointed out, his versatility makes him even more so.  Even better, when you talk to Darryl, you really get a sense that he understands what work needs to be done, and he isn’t going to back down from it.  Darryl is certainly a player you need to keep your eye on throughout the summer and into training camps, because even if he doesn’t happen to hear his name called tomorrow night, it won’t be the last we hear of him.

 

Check back this week for more great interviews and scouting reports as we head towards the 2012 NBA Draft.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog – for updates, leave your comments below, or feel free to email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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